D.L Finn, Author

September Book Reviews! #PTLPerrin #TeaganRiordainGeneviene #lindabroday #jansikes #deborahjay #laurenscott #writingcommunity #bookreviews #whattoread

Here are the amazing books I read in August that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.

Aerie: Dragon Guild Book Two

By P.T.L. Perrin

The story continues for Gabri, Eilo, and their dragons. They are still fighting the Shadow, while back home, Gabri’s family continues to search for her. The point of view switches between the two worlds, showing the love of family and a newly created family. A fight is coming, and the Dragon Guild is preparing for it by recruiting, scouting, and training. I love the developing relationship between Eilo and Gabri, but I think my favorite parts are the dragons and their riders, along with Ting. The pull between Gabri’s past and Donny, as well as her current life and Eilo, adds another layer that had me rooting for her to make the right decision. The settings bring this world both beauty and the ugly side of it to life. A hard story to put down, as I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I can’t wait to dive into the next book and can highly recommend “Aerie.”

The Dance of Discord: A Short Story: Gilded Age Intrigue

By Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

A quick but exciting read that takes the readers to 1900s Washington, DC. Secret Service agent Milo Quick and his sidekick Duchess Felina Gattone skillfully maneuver the world of political intrigue. Told through the Duchess’s perspective, there is never a dull moment. I knew there would be a twist coming and tried more than once to guess what it was, but in the end, I was completely surprised. The settings, language, and characters pulled me deep into the story. I loved all the international implications of learning who to trust. A fast-paced story that was hard to put down. I hope there is more to come featuring Milo and the Duchess!

Cade’s Quest: (Book 1 Sweet Western Romance)

By Linda Broday

Cade’s family was torn apart after outlaws killed his parents. His siblings were separated and sent to live with new families. Now, as an adult, he has returned home looking for his family and to reunite with them, including his older brother, who he had been told was riding with a gang. On his quest, Cade is attacked and ends up being treated by a local doctor. It’s here he finds his sister, Summer, but loses his freedom when the out-of-control sheriff decides he is a criminal too. Forced to flee, he finds the perfect hideout and a young woman and child who are also hiding out. Although townspeople remember him and his family and want to help him, the sheriff won’t give up and pursues him at any cost. I love the relationship that develops between him and Rain and her nephew. They are both searching for their place in the world, with someone determined to end that quest. Cade is loyal and complex, and Summer and Rain are strong, determined women. The history and setting pulled me right into their world. Although questions were answered, some weren’t. I can’t wait for the next book to see what happens next to this family. I can highly recommend “Cade’s Quest!”

A Bold Bargain (The Bargainer Series Book 3)

by Jan Sikes

“A Bold Bargain” is the third book in the Bargainer Series. I loved the first two books and was eager to read this one. Jack, who was a minor character in book two, had a tough childhood. Now grown up, he is working to protect animals, but his dream is to go to college. His past did not break him but made him into a kind, caring man whose first instinct is to rescue those who need help, whether a human or an animal. His first save is a dog drowning in the river, which ends up staying with Jack. Named Wolf after his mixed breed, this character becomes one of my favorites. What Wolf brought home touched my heart. When Jack finds an older woman who needs his help, he doesn’t hesitate. He finds not only her dog but also a friend. Their developing relationship is not only sweet, but what she offers him becomes the bargain. Although being the person he was without the bargain, he would have helped out. In this mix were a gold miner and his granddaughter, who added another layer that I fully enjoyed. The human connections and setting were amazing, but there was a dark side too, that included dangerous mink trappers, illness, and an abusive ex in the mix. Another great addition to the series that might be my favorite one. I can highly recommend this!

The Prince’s Man (The Five Kingdoms #1)

By Deborah Jay

“The Prince’s Man” is an exciting fantasy with settings and characters that pulled me right into it. It starts with a young girl, Risada, who watches her parents being brutally killed as she protects her little brother. Years later, this grown-up Lady Risada, the court’s secret assassin, teams up with Rustam, the court seducer and clandestine spy, to save their kingdom from a hostile takeover. While magic has been banned and feared in their realm, they rescue a tortured elf, Elwaes, from a cruel doctor. They have to survive the trek through the mountains with a sick elf to seek crucial support on the other side. The journey forces them to deal with magical beings, including trolls, a water seducer, and a werecat. Although there is an attraction between Risada and Rustam, there is also a lack of trust and borderline hatred from Risada. Their relationship is fascinating as it progresses, but I love how Rustam and the elf, Elwaes connect. A story I found hard to put down, and I look forward to seeing what happens next in the Five Kingdoms Series. I can highly recommend this!

King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry

By Lauren Scott

“King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry” is a beautiful tribute that deeply touched my heart. The words brought back memories I had of losing our sweet dog a couple of years back and of remembering the joy she brought us too. Our pets are such a gift, and this collection not only shows that but also offers comfort to all of us who have known the loss of a beloved pet. Here is an example of the depth of emotions: “A dog barks in the distance causing me to pause,/it sounds like Copper’s wild imagination longing for one more moment”—One More Moment. I can highly recommend this for all those who have loved and lost a pet family member.

NOTE: Don’t miss Thursday’s post from Jan and Linda 🙂 Next week is the 9th Creative Perspective Challenge!

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

Cover release and preorder “Miracles & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collection Two #holidayreading #writingcommunity #shortstories

I’m excited to announce the upcoming release of Miracle & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collection Two on September 24th, which is my youngest granddaughter’s ninth birthday and three months from Christmas Eve. I will be spreading the blog tour from the release to December. I’m thankful for all the support and blog hosts! Here’s the schedule, and below is the book video:

9-24 John Howell
9-26 Sandra Cox
10-1 Miriam Hurdle
10-8 Jan Sikes
11-5 Lauren Scott
11-6 Darlene Foster
11-12 Diana Peach
11-20 Robbie Cheadle
12-3 Noelle Granger
12-4 Colleen Chesebro

I’ve done my last few videos on Canva. It’s fairly easy and makes a simple video to share. I like that there are plenty of backgrounds and fonts to choose from. I looked around their music selection but didn’t find anything I liked. So I used my past music from my husband. So here it is!

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Miracles saturate the sweet-scented Christmas season—a reminder we aren’t alone.

Miracles & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collection brings eight stories from past holidays. Rita buys train tickets for her and Morris’s 30th anniversary in the novelette, “The Christmas Train Mystery.” She’s convinced this trip will bring her and Morris closer—if he can find the time. A murder mystery excursion will change Rita’s life in more ways than one, but will she go with her workaholic husband or by herself? In the first short story, “Christmas Rescue,” Opal trusts the wrong man and loses her mother in the same year, leaving her feeling lost. On a mission to get candles for the dinner table, she makes an unexpected find. “Is There a Santa?” goes back to the 1920s, where a widower is desperate to hold on to his farm and children. He doesn’t want charity, just a bit of luck or a miracle. In the final stories, you’ll meet an eleven-year-old who’s home alone, a family living in the aftermath of war, a girl who gets some shocking news, a widow with a warning from beyond, and a woman trapped on an elevator with Santa. Hope underlies these stories; it endures even in the direst of circumstances. Whether help comes from a ghost, Santa, or an angel, miracles are just within reach.

Universal Purchase Link

#CreativePerspectiveChallenge Eight Results #writingcommunity #poetrycommunity #flashfiction

It’s results time for Creative Perspective Challenge Eight. Here’s who participated, and if you haven’t read them, don’t miss out:

Yvette Callerio: LINK

Jan Sikes: LINK

Here’s my entry:

wooden stairs and blue pond

FOUND

Henry spent twenty years searching for this spot. Today, he’ll ascend the wooden stairs where the legend led him. The others judged him mad, but now those same people would clamor to be at his side. He wiped his sweaty palms on his cargo shorts and let out a deep breath of salty air. With shoulders set, he took that first step. Here, he would not only make history but create it as wizards before him had.

in the old tree’s heart
the golden globe pulsated
with ancient magic

Next week I’ll be sharing my new book cover, blurb, and preorder link!

#CreativePerspectiveChallenge Eight #writingcommunity #poetrycommunity

Welcome to the eighth Creative Perspective Challenge! Only four more to go after this. If you’ve been wanting to participate, time is running out. I’ll take any format of poetry or flash fiction.

Let’s go tropical 🙂

Jungle Path Fantasy Background by Stephani-Elizabeth from Getty Images

You can post your blog link here in the comments or email me at d.l.finn.author@gmail.com. I look forward to this challenge and your take on it.—Denise

August Book Reviews! #ColleenLConnelly #LindaBroday #NAGranger #DanAntion #whattoread #bookreviews #writingcommunity

Here are the amazing books I read in July that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.

I Have a Story

By Colleen L. Donnelly

This is a unique love story and mystery set in the WWII era. Jim is a popular crime writer who is going to an interview about a war criminal. While he travels to do this, his beloved grandfather urges him to explore his story. It’s in this town that he not only finds his grandfather’s peninsula, but he also meets the most unusual and endearing woman, Chastity. Investigating his grandfather’s history, Jim finds himself in a murder mystery while planning Chastity’s wedding with dangerous people in the shadows. In the middle of this, he finds his own story and perhaps his inner hero while still pursuing what’s behind the murder. A fun read with interesting characters like Chastity, who has a ladder to climb into her home, his high-strung editor, and his quirky grandfather. One that kept me guessing until the end about how it would all turn out. A book I can easily recommend!

Love’s First Light: The Women of Black Hawk Canyon Book #1

By Linda Broday

Young Texas woman, Rachael, has lost everything and everyone when a neighbor rancher, Heath, finds her unconscious. He and his sister take Rachael in as she heals, but Rachael is determined to go back and rebuild her family home. Heath offers to marry her, but she doesn’t want anyone’s pity. Instead, people come together and help her get back home. The problem is the secrets she holds inside, plus someone is looking for something on her property, which may mean her harm. Heath and his overbearing sister take it upon themselves to look after her, even if she doesn’t want any help. I loved the relationships that Rachael developed after being kept away from society by her father. The unexpected find by her family’s graves was a surprise and melted my heart. A heartwarming Christian western that emphasizes not only looking after your neighbor but finding love. I can easily recommend “Love’s First Light.”

A Novelist’s Guide to Pittsburgh: An illustrated guide to the city in which all my books are set

By Dan Antion

A quick read but a fact-filled guide to Pittsburgh that attracted my attention from the first page to the last. Not only did I get a tour of a city I wasn’t familiar with, but it highlighted how this city fit into Mr. Antion’s stories. Unaware of the three rivers and numerous bridges, I was most surprised by the stairs. It would be fantastic to bring this with me on a visit to the city, but it’s also enjoyable to read about always interesting settings in books. A place brought to life that I fully appreciated, and a book I can easily recommend!

Daniel Boone and Me

By Noelle A Granger

Eliza was a young girl when her parents were killed in an Indian attack. She took charge of her little brother, Thatch, and they set out to find the fort. Along the way, Daniel Boone finds the children and takes them into his large family. The story is told through Eliza’s eyes as she works hard to help the family and make sure her brother is okay. The history woven into the story was fascinating and made me appreciate how difficult life was. Seeing this frontier world through a child’s eyes pulled me right into the story on the first page. The attention to detail, like hunting, housing, and being alert to danger, made it clear how tough it was to survive. A well-written historical tale captivated me, making it impossible to put down as I wanted to know what would happen next. I highly recommend “Daniel Boone and Me!”

UPDATES and NOTES

Looking for blog hosts! I have eight spots left for my Miracles & Ghost Past Blog Tour. I spread this one out; it starts in September and ends in December. If you’re interested, email me at d.l.finn.author@gmail.com, and I’ll send you the available dates.
Next week is the eighth Creative Perspective Challenge!
I should have my new internet soon, but in the meantime, I’m finding it hard to use what I have. I spend a lot of time watching that circle. So I apologize for not sharing and visiting like I want to, but I swear this DSL gets slower by the day! From what I’m told, corporate has to approve fixing the problem, and with me leaving soon, I’m not going to worry about it!

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

#CreativePerspectiveChallenge Seven Results! #writingcommunity #poetry #flashfiction

Here is the amazing result link, followed by Sue Wickstead’s poem, and my response.

Yvette Calleiro: https://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com/2025/07/futuristic-dreams-tankatuesday.html

A Poem by Sue Wickstead

‘I woke up one day and I was on the moon.’
All around me there was grey dust and hollow craters.
There was an eerie silence, and I felt myself shiver. How did I get here?
My movements felt slow and heavy.
The sunlight in the distance shone on the silver-grey surface casting long shadows across the land.
Looking out into the distant blackness of space I could see a million twinkling stars.
And there in front of me was the blue green planet earth.
My planet!
My world!
Shining and slowly spinning.
I could see the richness of the sea and the land and the white clouds swirling. It certainly was a peaceful calm vision.
A beautiful sight, a silent world slowly turning in the darkness of space.
How calm it looked.
You could not hear the bustle of busy people dashing about.
You could not see the fighting nor the damage we were doing.
But, most of all you could not sense the fear of the pandemic as it spread from person to person.
Here you could look down and see only the beauty, not the ugliness and not the fear of ‘covid’.
Here I could stand in my bubble on a distant moon safe from everything.
But I don’t want to be alone.
I want to be in my world on my earth no matter how ugly it can be.

Sue Wickstead (2021)

LAST CHANCE

D. L. Finn

This was their last chance. Success was imperative for their survival. They were supposed to go to the farthest planet in their solar system as they slept. Their mission was to locate precious minerals needed for their planet’s survival. The youthful military crew of six, Jacob, Adam, Michael, Leah, Ruth, and Evelyn, were to be awakened when they arrived, but when they woke up, it wasn’t their solar system. The self-propelled engine was down to five percent and had lost the ability to replenish from its source, their sun. The training and repair manuals didn’t cover this scenario.

Jacob edged into the icy waters to test them. At least this water didn’t sizzle against his suit like the acidic water had on the last planet they thought was to be their new home. That planet may have had water and oxygen in its atmosphere, but it was also corrosive and would have eventually destroyed the ship and them. As Jacob stooped to collect his sample, Leah was running tests on this planet’s atmosphere. He hoped she would have a positive report since there was no hope of a rescue mission. He capped the water and headed back to the ship.

So far, they hadn’t seen any sign of life, but the ship’s radar picked up other life forms right before they plunged onto the sandy surface. What lived beyond those mountains or deep in the water? Would his group be prey or predators?

Exploring planets

had been a great adventure

learn what was beyond

their wars, greed, and corruption

here on Earth, they’d try again.

There will be no new blogs until August 5 as I continue on my July break. My internet will be spotty for the next month, and I’m waiting for a repair person for a dead landline and in and out of DSL. I’m told our new underground optic cable (to bring rural areas safe communication) will be installed in a few weeks! Can’t wait! Countdown 🙂 D. L. Finn (Denise)

#CreativePerspectiveChallenge Seven! #writingcommunity #poetry #flashfiction

Welcome to the Seventh Creative Perspective Challenge! I’d love for you to participate with a poem or a flash fiction piece. Just post your blog link in the comments or email it to me, and I’ll include it in the results post next week and promote it across social media.

Because it’s my birthday month, and they walked on the moon for my seventh birthday, I thought we’d head to space with this one:

I look forward to your responses!

Note: I’m playing catch-up in different areas of my life this month. I will try to visit blogs, but I may not get a chance on many days. There’s a vacation in the mix, too. I decided not to skip the Creative Perspective Challenge this month or my book reviews. I will be back in August, ready to go, plus, I have a book coming out September 24th. More on that soon.—Denise

July Book Reviews! #willowwillers #danantion #PTLPerrin #DawnPisturino #bookreviews #whattoread #writingcommunity

Here are the great books I read in June that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.

Poetic Justice: A Rascal Todd Mystery Featuring Brody Thompson (Book 2 of 2: Rascal Todd Mystery)

by Dan Antion (Author), Willow Willers (Author)

Best-selling mystery author Brody Thompson is asked to help solve a real-life murder. Curious, Brody agrees to help Trevor figure out who killed his father and soon finds himself not only searching for a murderer but also in danger. After Trevor is attacked, Brody becomes more determined to find out what is going on. He runs across a character that held my attention or The Poet, who has been in hiding for years. The Poet communicates and leaves clues through poetry. Brody was a strong character who interacted with familiar characters from the past and met new ones, like Trevor’s mom. Journalist Rascal has a backup role in this story, but she is still there, along with her demanding kitty and the newsroom. The setting is woven nicely into the story, along with many delicious-sounding meals. I now want a pastry from the story. I found myself rooting for Brody and eager to find out more about The Poet. This can be a standalone read, but it’s nice to already be familiar with past characters. An engaging whodunit that had me guessing until the end.

Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt

By Dawn Pisturino

“Ancient Voices” is a unique collection of poetry. Set in Ancient Egypt, each poem gives a glimpse into the lives of those who lived there. I could tell there was a lot of research that went into this collection and appreciated it. The fascinating setting provided both entertainment and learning. It’s hard to capture the essence of this book in a short review but here are three examples from the collection: “Love letter/buried in the sand/inscribed on stone/for eternal bliss…”—LOVE LETTERS, “Send me to my tomb with a blue lotus in my hair./My heart will dance with joy as I run through the Fields of Reeds,/Free of pain and disease. Limber as fallow deer, I will run,/Ecstatic in my youthfulness…”—THE BLUE LOTUS, and “I set out to write/The most beautiful poem in the world./Consulting the stars,/They quickly aligned/Into perfect letters of stardust/and cosmic dew…”—MOST BEAUTIFUL. A collection to be read more than once and one I can highly recommend.

Sanctum: Dragon Guild Book 1

By P.T.L. Perrin

I read and loved the Tetrasphere series and was thrilled to see the story continue with many returning characters set at a later date. Reading the previous series isn’t necessary as the author does a good job of bringing the readers into this world with beautiful settings and strong characters. Gabri, who was a baby at the end of Tetrasphere, is now almost sixteen years old. Something is after Gabri that her family and friends can’t protect her from, and is kidnapped and removed from all she loves. She finds herself on an unknown world imprisoned in a cold, damp cell by the enemy she calls the Shadow. Here her special abilities are gone and all she wants to do is go home. In the darkest of her moments, she gets unexpected help. This is an exquisitely described place where dragons co-exist with intelligent plants and there’s an ongoing battle between good and evil. Some questions are answered while others remain, and I can’t wait to continue the journey in the next story! A well-written YA fantasy that I can easily recommend.

Next week is the Creative Perspective Challenge Seven!

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

Books That Changed Me: 2025 Summer Edition! #writingcommunity

heading books that changed me 2025 summer edition

Happy Summer! Welcome to the Summer Edition of Books That Changed Me.

Here are my three top books that will provide great summer reading. If the blurb catches your eye, click on the book title and enjoy your next fantastic read.

Reuben Hayes

By S. Cox

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A classic Western

The crusty middle-aged rancher had only ever loved one woman. And now her daughter stood on his doorstep.

A young woman shows up at the Hayes’ ranch, bringing bad news and danger.
Sage Baylor is the daughter of the only woman Reuben ever loved. Now she’s on his doorstep, bringing with her the news her mother is dead. Shortly after her arrival, her father, the Honorable Senator Baylor from Missouri, arrives. That’s when bullets start flying.
Both the senator and Sage are in danger from an unknown source. When the senator leaves, he tasks Reuben with keeping his daughter safe. Help comes from an unexpected source in the form of an engaging young gunslinger. Between the two men, and Reuben’s cranky ole cook, they’ll keep the Senator’s daughter safe. No matter the peril. No matter the cost.

Badlands (Savage Land #2)

By Jacqui Murray

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Savage Land is the third trilogy about prehistoric man in the series, Man. Vs. Nature.Written in the spirit of Jean Auel, 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. Each of the tribes considered themselves apex predators. Neither was. That crown belonged to Nature and she was intent on washing the blight of man from her face. Join me in this three-book fictional exploration of Neanderthals. Be ready for a world nothing like what you thought it would be, filled with clever minds, brilliant acts, and innovative solutions to life-ending problems, all based on real events. At the end of this trilogy, you’ll be proud to call Neanderthals family.

In Badlands, Book Two of the trilogy, the tribes split up, each pursuing dangerous but necessary goals, all at the mercy of the Nature. How they collaborate despite their inborn distrust could end this journey before it starts or forge new relationships that will serve both groups well in the future.

Weeping Boughs Don’t Break

By Staci Troilo

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A vow broken. A covenant shattered. A duty she can’t escape.

Claudia Abruzzo expected her mid-life crisis to begin when her kids left for college and culminate in a trip around the world when her husband retired. Instead, it started with Leo divorcing her for a woman young enough to be their daughter, and there was no end in sight to her heartbreak.

Five years later, the only change is her last name—back to Valenti. She still lives in the same memory-filled house in the same tiny town with the same financial and emotional struggles since losing her partner. While she doesn’t miss her ex, she does miss being married. She’d meant it when she’d said for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or health, and forsaking all others.

Leo had meant none of it, especially the forsaking part.

Now, his life is on the line and he—as well as his family—expects her to uphold her vows.

Crises of conscience, faith, and family test the flimsy tether of resolve that kept her moored when her life blew apart. Leo is forcing her into another no-win situation, and this time, when her world inevitably explodes, she might not have the strength to pick up the pieces.

Enjoy your inner child this summer by picking up a good book to read! D. L. Finn (Denise)

#CreativePerspectiveChallenge Six Result! #sandracox #teaganriordaingeneviene #poetry #flashfiction #writingcommunity

Here are the fantastic results from Sandra and Teagan, along with my tanka prose for Creative Perspective Challenge Six.

Sandra Cox: LINK

Teagan Riordain Geneviene: LINK

Jan Sikes: LINK

Magical Moment

Amber reverently sat on the soft summer grass in front of the old grand tree stump. She crossed her legs, smoothed her long blue robe, and bowed her head breathing in the solitude. She’d heard tales her entire life of its magic, where it comes to life under the strawberry moon. The candles were placed carefully at the old stump’s base, exactly like her grandmother had described to her when she was a child. Before modern times, this was the place where young women came before their eighteenth birthday to learn their life’s fate. The delicate white moths were as drawn to the moment as Amber was. In the candlelight and under the full moon, the face on the old redwood tree stump appeared. Now all she had to do was wait, confident the tree would speak to her. Tell her what her heart yearned to hear, that the bygone magic was in her.

eyes fluttered open

words came from the wooden mouth

speaking to her soul

awakening ancient blood

she had the fairy magic

With the holiday next month, the Creative Perspective Challenge will be on July 8th with the results on July 15th 🙂

This Friday is the first day of summer and my post for Books That Changed Me: 2025 Summer Edition, and also my newsletter will be going out that day.

Embrace your inner child with creativity. D. L. Finn (Denise)