Hi!
Today I’m over on Story Empire with a post about writing for different ages. I’d love for you to stop by and say hi 🙂
Stop by and say hi! #StoryEmpire #writingcommuity #authors #authorblog
Category: Uncategorized
Books That Changed Me: 2023 Summer Edition! @SueColetta1 @Ivyloganauthor @JacqBiggar @bakeandwrite #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter #whattoread #summerreadinglist
Welcome to the 2023 Summer Edition of Books That Changed Me. Summer is a time for backyard BBQs, swimming, vacations, ice cream, and reading. Today I’m sharing four of my top reads that would be excellent for summer reading by the pool, lake, or cozy by the nice air conditioning or fan in my case. You’ve already seen my reviews for these books, so here’s their blurb with a link if you want to add a good read to your summer reading list.
Happy Summer Solstice!
Restless Mayhem (The Mayhem Series Book 6)
By Sue Coletta
Amidst a rising tide of poachers, three unlikely eco-warriors take a stand to save endangered Eastern Gray Wolves—even if it means the slow slaughter of their captors.
Deep in the woods of Jackson, New Hampshire, an ancient evil lurks. Armed poachers patrol a secret enclosure, holding captive a pack of majestic Eastern Gray Wolves. But three unlikely eco-warriors are determined to free the wolves, embarking on a dangerous mission to end their torture. With courage and conviction, Shawnee, Mayhem, and Jacy Lee march onward, even if it means risking their own lives to take down the poachers and restore freedom to the wolves. It’s a battle between justice and injustice, and the eco-warriors are determined to win—no matter the cost.
But what if something even more evil lurks in those woods? What if Shawnee’s not ready to answer the cry for help?
Metamorphosis The Breach Chronicles #2
By Ivy Logan
“When you loved someone more than anything in the world, you showed them who you were, even knowing there was a possibility they would hate you for it, even if it broke your heart. But you did it anyway because you loved them and the need to save them was greater than your need for self-preservation.”
Amidst the luminescence and incandescent beauty of the rare pink diamonds of Peradora, South America, lives Amelia, a teen oblivious to her supernatural bloodline. It would appear that she has the perfect life.
Until it turns out, her entire life is a lie
Forced to confront secrets from her past
Amelia has to distinguish between the truth and lies in her brutal fight against the Peradorian dictator, her own uncle.
Her metamorphosis becomes the clarion call of a revolution
Matters of the heart complicate her life further
Will she ever get over her first love Adrian whose adventurous spirit made her feel alive? Is Noah, the handsome bodyguard she just can’t seem to ignore, a foe, a friend or much more than that?
Both Noah and Adrian are hiding secrets of their own
Will their secrets destroy Amelia?
As she takes on the fight of her life, Amelia will soon learn that some secrets are best buried in the past, and some truths can set you free.
And in the end
She is the girl with no face
Will she find herself again?
Metamorphosis is a dark and fractured fairy tale and fantasy about a love story born from the roots of hate.Based on the theme of star-crossed lovers, it alludes to Rapunzel, Snow White and Beauty and The Beast, combining flavors of all these timeless fairy tale classics and setting them against the harsh reality of real life – blood diamonds and rebellion. Add to the mix a heroine inspired by Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott and you have a young girl, pretty much a prisoner in a golden cage, but determined to find herself- save herself and others.
So, why is she referred to as …
‘The Girl With No Face?’
Letting Go- The Defiant Sisters Book 1
A coming-of-age novel about the pain of misconceptions and learning from them.
When life gives you lemons…
Izzy
Mom is barely in the grave and the prodigal child is here to pick the bones clean.
I don’t want her here. My sister’s defection is a wound that won’t heal, and her return simply rubs at the scabs covering my heart.
I’ve managed just fine without her. She can go back to her fancy college and forget about us- that’s what she does best anyway.
If only I didn’t need her help. Or miss her so much.
Renee
The day my dad committed suicide I ran. I’ve been running ever since.
Going home is supposed to be the answer. Instead, it makes me question every thoughtless decision I’ve made.
My sister hates me. My little brother barely knows me. And Simon… is engaged.
None of it matters- or so I tell myself. I’m here to make amends and face a past haunted by regret.
As long as I can convince myself to stay.
Letting Go is a new adult romance dealing with tragedy, restitution, and love in all its aspects. The story relates to sensitive topics that may be triggering for some readers.
Lion Scream: Syllabic Poetry About Southern African Wildlife
Do you rely on Earth for your survival?
Lion Scream is a graphic collection of poetry and prose. The book portrays the author’s experiences with South African wildlife and the growing impact of the Sixth Mass Extinction and Climate Change on the natural environment.
Lion Scream
There is no jungle
Only acres of smooth stumps
There is no jungle
No habitat, no food source
Hopeless lion screams tonight
“In this reflective collection of syllabic poetry, poet Roberta Cheadle weaves words, emotions, and images as she recounts her soul-stirring journey around South Africa in 2022. She highlights the plight of the animals in the face of the Sixth Mass Extinction, during a visit to Ukutula Lodge & Game Reserve. Lion Roar is a poetic and photographic roadmap to the heart & soul of South Africa with highlights about the increasing impact of global warming on humanity and the greater planet. A must read!”
—Colleen M. Chesebro, Author of Word Craft: Prose & Poetry, The Art of Crafting Syllabic Poetry
Finn’s Forest #2! #poetry #photos #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter #nature #forest #ocean
Hi
Welcome to the second Finn’s Forest. This week I’m sharing some photos of the places I’ve recently visited, and a poem written underwater.
UNDERWATER HAIKU
swaying expanse
vibrant fish abound
paradise
Embrace your inner child! D. L. Finn
June Book Reviews and a wedding picture! @TonyaWrites @sgc58 @WordDreams @SueColetta1 @teagangeneviene @DAntion @AnnalisaCrawf #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter
Halley, who is a successful businesswoman, receives an anonymous offer to live her dream in a town she fell in love with. The only catch is she must find love within the year, a part-time job, and write a book. With her book started, and a job obtained, she finds two interesting men who might be a love interest, one more than the other according to her test, but not necessarily her heart. This is a pleasant seaside town where everyone is nice—with an exception or two. I could easily imagine myself living in this location and would love to get an offer like Halley received. The town is welcoming, and Halley is offered a dwelling to live in while the cottage was being finished that she bought through her mysterious benefactor. Along the way, she learns about herself and what is important to her. There is humor and growth along this journey for Halley. I love the relationships she develops, especially with Mick, the sea captain, Libby who offers good advice, Ginger, her new best friend and boss, and especially Sally and her daughter Tulip. But it’s the one with Ben that adds a special layer to this sweet story and offers a real chance to Halley to find love if they can get past themselves. An excellent clean, romantic read that I thoroughly enjoyed and can recommend.
By Sally Cronin
“Tales From The Garden” is a whimsical collection of stories that dives into the magical world just outside our window. Each tale captivated me, especially when the fairies were involved. I particularly loved when the pregnant deer found this garden, as well as a young boy who was protecting a goose. The collection ends with a beautiful tribute to the 94-year-old mother or Mollie (The Duchess) Coleman. I always knew those statues outside in the garden held a little magic and these charming stories captured that beautifully. A quick but very satisfying read for adults of any age who want to remember that spark we carried inside as children. It would be a splendid set of stories for children to share with their adults too. I can easily recommend these tales.
Twenty-Four Days Rowe-Delamagente #2
By J. Murray
I read and loved “To Hunt a Sub” and have been eager to read this second installment in the Rowe-Delamagente Series. I not only enjoyed “Twenty-Four Days” but thought the story was even more exciting, which I didn’t think was possible. The same characters that I rooted for, and against, returned. Otto the AI’s growth, and new body, made him my favorite character, and it was nerve-racking seeing Sean trying to do the right thing. It was up to Kali, Zeke, and Otto to save the world from war. Like the first book, the attention to detail drew me deep into the story. The reader is taken into a submarine and onto the open sea on a Navy ship with cruel terrorists lurking. North Korea and the hijacking extreme terrorists seem determined to start a conflict, but Kali and Zeke need to find out who is running things. A well-written, action-packed story that was hard to put down. I can easily recommend “Twenty-Four Days” but suggest you start with the first story, so you don’t miss anything!
Julia survived a suicide pact she’d made with her only friend and the new kid in school, Rachel. Fifteen years later, she is still trying to survive. Julia lives with her parents and has a job but again no friends. She meets a kind young man, Adam, who changes all of that. Her life changes slowly in a more positive direction, but her inner world is just under the surface. At first, I found the story hard to wrap my mind around. Although I understood the dream world parts, it was her alternative that took me a minute to realize what was going on. Julia combined all the people who bullied her. I quickly settled into the story and her realities. Then I found it hard to put down, especially when she flashed back to her suicide attempt and how she met Rachel. “Cat and The Dreamer” deals with some powerful issues, that include suicide, bullying, and mental health. Everything comes together by the end, and I came up with a theory of what really happened, but I won’t share that here. A very unusual and powerful heart-wrenching read where I just couldn’t help but root for Julia. I can easily recommend this novella.
By Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene and Dan Antion
“The Inyan Beacon” is a quick read that not only easily blends two authors but two genres, sci-fi, and westerns. Tank and his synth, Compass are passing through a small western town in the future. Tank is determined to get into a tower and feels he can undo some of the harm from the past. My favorite character quickly became Compass. Who wouldn’t want beautiful blue skin? There was a fun twist waiting for them, which I enjoyed. A short and satisfying read, and a world I’d like to explore more.
Restless Mayhem (The Mayhem Series Book 6)
By Sue Coletta
I have the rest of The Mayhem Series on my Kindle and have been eager to block out some time to read it. Usually, I’ll go back and start a series from the first book, but “Restless Mayhem” tugged at me. So, I jumped right in and found that I could easily figure out what was going on as I learned who everyone was. I loved Shawnee and her relationship with her grandfather and now mentor, Mr. Mayhem, but my favorite characters were the crows, especially Poe. Shawnee, her grandfather, and Mr. Mayhem are eco-warriors who want to save gray wolves from horrible conditions while Shawnee embarks on a spiritual journey. The details and information created a world that I was swept into. There is a pull between handling situations more spiritually than physically. Plus, something evil has awakened that they have to contend with during their sometimes-bloody missions. I will definitely go back to learn more about these characters’ journeys. I can highly recommend this story to those who love animals, Native American spirituality, action, and justice at all costs.
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews here! If I don’t like the book, I won’t finish it. It wouldn’t be fair to leave a review for an unfinished story, and life is too short not to enjoy my reading journey!
NOTE:
- There will be no post next week as I will be celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary. We plan to go to South Lake Tahoe and enjoy a boat ride and stay at a local hotel 🙂 Maybe later in the week we’ll venture to a hot springs too.
- I will be back June 19th with another From Finn’s Forest.
Embrace your inner child by reading a great book! D. L. Finn
#TankaTuesday Weekly #Poetry Challenge No. 322, Spirit Animal Poetry #tanka #owls #poems
Here is Colleen Chesbro’s Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge #322. This week we took a quiz to find our spirit animal and then write a poem about it. Mine was the owl: Link
Take the challenge here to find out what spirit animal you are: Link
effortless soaring
above the silent forest
almost touching stars
guided by instinct and sounds
the owl hunts in the darkness
From… Finn’s Forest #1! #poetry #photos #writingcommunity #nature #forest #readersoftwitter #authorblog
Hi!
Today is my first From Finn’s Forest where I’ll be sharing my love of animals, nature, and a bit of magic I find in this forest or even the ocean as I explore the world around me. The posts will vary between poetry, photos, stories, updates, or some interesting facts. This will come on weeks when there isn’t any book reviews. I’m limiting book review posts by putting more into one post.
I have shared that my husband created a trail for me to walk on that we call the Magical Trail. This last winter it took a hard hit with all the unusual storms. So, I thought that would be a good place to start. We are already heavy into clean up, have fixed the part of the front deck that collapsed, and are focusing on clearing around the house first.
Here are some photos from the storms and when I was first able to get back on the trail. After the pictures is a poem from my upcoming book.
I will be sharing photos as we get everything all cleaned up! Here is a poem that is a reminder that magic is never too far away no matter what life or nature throws at us.
BY THE RIVER
The raging river
Releases in a final thrust
Over the jagged cliff
Into the peaceful pool
Where its journey begins.
In the silent reflection…
On a warm winter morning…
Over the river’s roar…
I heard the fairy’s sweet song
That awakened my magic.
Note:
- I had a fabulous time on my vacation. It was busier than normal, but fun packed. Under the warm tropical waters, I was able to write three haikus on an underwater tablet while snorkling. I also went to a coffee plantation, beautiful gardens, explored caves, saw wild bottle nosed dolphins, sea turtles, and flocks of parrots. There are some pictures on Facebook and Instagram from the trip. My writing reset button was pushed 🙂
- Next week is June’s Book reviews.
Embrace your inner child. D. L. Finn
May Book Reviews, updates, and blog tour winners! @Virgilante Sandra_Cox @Dwallacepeach @CherylOreglia @bakeandwrite @GodsAngel1 @SmithaVishwana4 @JMastrangeloArt @YvetteMCalleiro @Dwallacepeach @bubbalee04
I know this is a day late but I decided to wait until the blog tour was over. Thank you too all the hosts who kindly opened up their blogs and made this such a big success. Huge hugs to all!
Blog Tour winners follow the reviews.
Now on to the reviews:
By C.S. Boyack
“Once Upon a Time in the Swamp” starts with a peaceful moment as Mari is hunting for a meal for her family. What she comes home to is heartbreaking and a loss so bad that her life is never the same. At first, it seems the story is being told in the past, but as details are added, it becomes clear that something has happened—a civil war that ended modern society. When Mari attempts to get help from local authorities, she is brushed aside. So, she sets out to hunt down the men who did this to her family. Some of my favorite characters were the ox, Dirt and the puppy, Worthless, and Mari’s interactions with them. Although set in the grim aftermath of a war, there were people still willing to help her. These were the places I hoped she’d find some peace and give up her vengeance. But Mari’s strength and determination became inspiring when she refused to give up on getting her family some justice. The settings were highly detailed, down to making soap and learning to shoot and fight, which immersed me in this world and made me wonder if I could do what she was doing. This was a hard story to put down, and I honestly wasn’t sure how this would all turn out, but I was happy with the conclusion. A well-written post-apocalyptic world that gives us a glimpse of what could be if we stay on our current path. Despite that, there is some hope weaved into it as there’s still good left too. I can easily recommend this story.
Love, Lattes and Angel (Mutants #3)
By Sandra Cox
“Love, Lattes and Angel” continues where the second book left off. Piper is with her grandfather, boyfriend, Tyler, Amy, Joel, and Angel—who is Piper and Joel’s biological daughter. The group believes they are safe but soon finds out they have been located again by a man who is determined to recapture the product of his lab experiment, Angel. She is a dolphin hybrid like Piper and Joel and is prized. The group splits up to escape, and Piper, Joel, and Angel take a strange trip through the Bermuda Triangle. They end up on an island where the religion of Vodou is practiced. I enjoyed the love triangle between Piper, Tyler, and Joel, and I’m glad this story clarifies who ends up with whom. I envy them as they swim so carefree in the ocean, especially Angel. My favorite part is the pet Angel ends up with, and the island they have found refuge on. An excellent conclusion to the Mutant Series that kept me up late toward the end as I wanted to see how it all played out. I can easily recommend it to YA readers and those who are young at heart.
By Kaye Lynne Booth, Robbie Cheadle, Patty Fletcher, D. Wallace Peach, Yvette Prior, Penny Wilson, Colleen M. Chesebro, Abbie Taylor, Yvette Calliero, Smitha Vishwanath, Chris Hall, Willow Willers, and Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.
“Poetry Treasures 3: Passions” is a beautiful collection of poetry and poets. I started highlighting my favorites to include here but decided against it. Each poet brought their flavor to this poetry mixture, and they were all good in different ways. I was familiar with about half of the authors and was happily introduced to the others. The poets were given their own month, except December, and a brief history of their works. There were two guest poets included at the end. I liked how they all interpreted passion in expected and unusual ways. An excellent opportunity to enjoy good poetry penned by authors I already enjoy, plus find new ones to follow. This is a collection to be read more than once and one I can easily recommend.
Grow Damn It!: The Feeding and Nurturing of Life
“Grow Damn It!” is an insightful and often humorous collection of essays that blend into an amazing memoir. It was like I was sitting with an old friend having a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, and Ms. Oreglia was sharing life stories with some lessons weaved into them. Subjects varied, some light and some not, like the drive to the hospital after her son was in a car accident. There was an adventure on a tandem bike, which intrigued me as I have always wanted to try it. I laughed at the silly comment they got over and over when they rode. Clear Lake, where they bought a second home, was beautifully captured. I spent a lot of time there as a child, and the essays made me re-live my memories. I appreciated the love of family plus an enduring marriage. The raw honesty was welcomed because things aren’t perfect all the time, but love is always there. We all need to learn life lessons and live life to the fullest. This book captures living and reminds us that each day is a gift to enjoy and, on those certain days… survive. A book I felt on many levels. I highly recommend this collection. I know I will read it again and add it to my bookshelf.
“Sunwielder” is a fantasy that not only offers a second chance but twenty-seven of them. Gryff is a farmer who loves his family. Everything changes for Gryff when his farm is attacked, and he loses his family and is dying. Here he is offered a medallion to change his path. This part of the story reminds me of “Groundhog Day,” where Gryff relives certain moments trying to get it right. Although he gets his family back, his life goes in a direction he couldn’t have foreseen. Because of a lord’s unreasonable hatred, Gryff gets pulled into a war. I love this part of the book where Gryff grows and learns as his path shifts and changes. His loyalty to those he loves as he tries to correct wrongs had me rooting for him to find happiness. The details weaved into the story brought Gryff’s world to life, whether on the farm or battlefield. It is a wonderful fantasy that not only explores new possibilities when things are bleak but friendship, family, and love—a fantasy I can easily recommend.
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews here! If I don’t like the book, I won’t finish it. It wouldn’t be fair to leave a review for an unfinished story, and life is too short not to enjoy my reading journey!
UPDATES:
- Huge congrats to the Blog Tour Winners! I threw all the hosts name in a hat and picked three. From there I had my daughter, Danielle, pick a number from the amount of people who commented on that post. That’s how the winners were chosen 🙂
- D. Wallace Peach won the $20 Amazon Gift Card on Craig’s post! Valerie Jael won the $10 Amazon Gift Card on Sandra’s post, and Vera Day won on Beem’s post. Thank you for all the support and comments, it was a lot of fun.
- Newsletter went out today! If you are subscribed check your email 🙂
- I will be gone next week on vacation. Book reviews will be back on June 5th and Finn’s Forest will debut June 19th.
Embrace your inner child by reading a good book. Aloha! D. L. Finn
In the Tree’s Shadow – “Man on the Pier” @BalroopShado #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter #paranormal #shortstories #newrelease
Hi,
Today I’m visiting with Balroop Singh for the final tour stop to talk about the short story “Man on a Pier” here.
Below includes my review of Balroop’s latest book, “Hues of Hope,” and the tour schedule. There is a chance to win an Amazon gift card too! Winner will be announced tomorrow in the book review post.
Balroop Singh, an educator, a poet and an author always had a passion for writing. She would jot down her reflections on a piece of paper and forget about them till each drawer of her home started overflowing with poetic reminders, popping out at will! The world of her imagination has a queer connection with realism. She could envision the images of her own poetry while teaching the poems. Her dreams saw the light of the day when she published her first poetry book: ‘Sublime Shadows Of Life.’ She has always lived through her heart. She is a great nature lover; she loves to watch birds flying home. The sunsets allure her with their varied hues that they lend to the sky. She can spend endless hours listening to the rustling of leaves and the sound of waterfalls. She lives in California. You can visit her blog at http://balroop2013.wordpress.com
“Hues of Hope” is a beautiful collection of poems that examines the hope in life. There are so many wonderful poems that it is hard to pick favorites, but I always connect the most with nature poems. Although all the poetry brought vivid images to me as I read them, here are some examples of the words that moved me. In the poem HOW FRAGILE IS LIFE! I could easily relate since I live where fire danger is very serious: “When you watch helplessly/Mother Nature wreaking havoc/Holding your heart in smithereens/You think of those who couldn’t make it/Reduced to bones and ashes within seconds.” MAGIC captured my heart: “I’ve never believed in magic/Yet I look for it everywhere/In the sunshine that lights/Crevices within me.” A TOUCH offers pure hope: “Her magical, dewy carpet/Carries calm whispers/Her Lilting leaves remind me/Of songs that we sang together.” If you enjoy poetry, as I do, you don’t want to miss this collection. I can easily recommend it!
Here is the tour schedule.
A link will be added to the list as each stop becomes available. There will be a post with the link and author information included here for each stop.
Three winners will be randomly picked from the tour comments for a $20, $10, or $5 Amazon Gift Card on May 16th!
Since it’s a short story collection, each stop will be different.
In the Tree’s Shadow Pre-order Tour:
Tuesday, April 4th –Robbie Cheadle “Book Video.”
Wednesday, April 12th – Sally Cronin “Pre-order Book Promotion.”
In the Tree’s Shadow Release Tour:
Monday, April 17th – Gwen Plano, “Stranded.”
Tuesday, April 18th – Joan Hall, “The Dolphin.”
Wednesday, April 19th – John Howell, “Lyrical Dragon.”
Thursday, April 20th – Staci Troilo, “It’s Only a Dream.”
Friday, April 21st – Craig Boyack, “In the Shadows.”
Monday, April 24th – Harmony Kent, “The Boy.”
Tuesday, April 25th – Jan Sikes, “End of the Road.”
Wednesday, April 26th – Stephen Geez, “The Day the Ground Moved.”
Thursday, April 27th – Beem Weeks, “A Day at the Lake.”
Friday, April 28th – Sandra Cox, “In That Moment.”
Monday, May 1st – Jacquie Biggar, “The Bench.”
Tuesday, May 2nd – D. Wallace Peach, “Effervescent Potion.”
Wednesday, May 3rd – Mae Clair, “When the Lights go Out.”
Thursday, May 4th – Jacqui Murray, “Faith.”
Friday, May 5th – Yvette M. Calleiro, “The Bike.”
Monday, May 8th – Miriam Hurdle, “Playdate.”
Tuesday, May 9th – Marcia Meara, “Alone.”
Wednesday, May 10th – Annette Rochelle Aben, “Deadline.”
Thursday, May 11th – Karen Ingalls, “The Bonsai.”
Friday, May 12th – “Last Ride of the Night.”
Monday, May 15th – Balroop Singh, “Man on the Pier.”
In the Tree’s Shadow Blog Tour- That Last Ride of the Night. #writingcommunity #bookrelease #readersoftwitter #shortstory
Hi,
I wanted to let you know that it was decided not to have a blog post today due to unforeseen circumstances. The final stop is on Monday, and then I’ll announce the three Blog Tour Winners on Tuesday.
I thought you might be curious as to what was in the post. Here’s the background information, excerpt, Fun Finn Facts, and I’ve also included my host book review and tour schedule:
“Last Ride of the Night” was written for the much missed and loved Susanne Burke’s ‘Fiction in a Flash Challenge.’
The image was of a Ferris wheel. I love going to our local county fair every year if I can. I enjoy the exhibits, food, and a few rides. The Ferris wheel is not one of the rides I like since the height and constant stops terrify me.
But it got me thinking, what if being way up at the top became a good thing? If it was the safest place to be. Pete and Lacey find themselves in that situation, stopped at the top, unable to believe what they see.
EXCERPT:
The monsters remained in the shadows, waiting. My husband and I sat at the top of the Ferris wheel. I would have enjoyed the view any other time, but not with death lurking below us. Pete wrapped his arm protectively around my shoulders as the last hopeless scream faded away. It was the older man who operated the ride, the same man who had winked at us and said we had the wheel all to ourselves because it was almost closing time. We didn’t even know the name of the hero who had stopped the ride right before—
No, I couldn’t think about that.
I tried to dial 9-1-1, but there was no signal. I couldn’t text or email. There was no way to communicate or get information.
“We’re safe up here, Lacy.”
“What if they climb up?”
“These creatures can barely walk. They’re like zombies.”
I nodded, watching the monsters approach a building where a family had taken shelter. I’d seen that beautiful family in line when we got our favorite chocolate swirl ice cream in a cup. The two young boys had been so excited about their first monster truck show. I hoped the actual monsters didn’t find them now.
FUN FINN FACTS:
- I have three kids, two girls, and one boy.
- My husband and I flew on a water plane over the Alaskan Fjords. I was thrilled when we landed in the water and could stand outside the plane. I have secretly always wanted to be a bush pilot.
Angie and Mandy are ordinary teenagers until a horrible tragedy tears their lives apart. It’s heartbreaking, and I wondered if the family would survive what’s happened. They don’t. Mandy takes the blame and is sent to live with her aunt and uncle. Here she becomes Lisa and finds some understanding. Angie, who doesn’t step up and do the right thing, can’t live with her guilt. She runs away, only to find life hard and survival harder. It’s at a funeral that the two girls meet again as adults. This is when pain and anger collide with a touch of love and forgiveness. Right or wrong, each character deals with the pain and loss in their own way. The past was gone and mishandled, but these broken people had the present moment. That’s when hope came into the story and brought back something that seemed impossible. I was taken on a journey through all my emotions. “Sisters” was a hard story to put down, and I highly recommend it.
Here is the tour schedule.
A link will be added to the list as each stop becomes available. There will be a post with the link and author information included here for each stop.
Three winners will be randomly picked from the tour comments for a $20, $10, or $5 Amazon Gift Card on May 16th!
Since it’s a short story collection, each stop will be different.
In the Tree’s Shadow Pre-order Tour:
Tuesday, April 4th –Robbie Cheadle “Book Video.”
Wednesday, April 12th – Sally Cronin “Pre-order Book Promotion.”
In the Tree’s Shadow Release Tour:
Monday, April 17th – Gwen Plano, “Stranded.”
Tuesday, April 18th – Joan Hall, “The Dolphin.”
Wednesday, April 19th – John Howell, “Lyrical Dragon.”
Thursday, April 20th – Staci Troilo, “It’s Only a Dream.”
Friday, April 21st – Craig Boyack, “In the Shadows.”
Monday, April 24th – Harmony Kent, “The Boy.”
Tuesday, April 25th – Jan Sikes, “End of the Road.”
Wednesday, April 26th – Stephen Geez, “The Day the Ground Moved.”
Thursday, April 27th – Beem Weeks, “A Day at the Lake.”
Friday, April 28th – Sandra Cox, “In That Moment.”
Monday, May 1st – Jacquie Biggar, “The Bench.”
Tuesday, May 2nd – D. Wallace Peach, “Effervescent Potion.”
Wednesday, May 3rd – Mae Clair, “When the Lights go Out.”
Thursday, May 4th – Jacqui Murray, “Faith.”
Friday, May 5th – Yvette M. Calleiro, “The Bike.”
Monday, May 8th – Miriam Hurdle, “Playdate.”
Tuesday, May 9th – Marcia Meara, “Alone.”
Wednesday, May 10th – Annette Rochelle Aben, “Deadline.”
Thursday, May 11th – Karen Ingalls, “The Bonsai.”
Friday, May 12th – “Last Ride of the Night.”
Monday, May 15th – Balroop Singh, “Man on the Pier.”
In the Tree’s Shadow – “The Bonsai”@KIngallsAuthor #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter #paranormal #shortstories #newrelease
Hi,
Today I’m visiting with Karen Ingalls to talk about the short story “The Bonsai” here.
Below includes my review of Karen’s book, “Outshine,” and the tour schedule. There is a chance to win an Amazon gift card too! I will add stops as they become available.
Karen Ingalls is the author of five books of which two are award-winning. She has published non-fiction, biographical novel, historical novel, biography, and short stories. She is a retired Registered Nurse with a Master’s Degree in Human Development.
Her most recent book, Learning About Autism: One Mother’s Journey of Discovery and Love tells the story of Carol Tucker and her adopted son, Justin. She is a recognized special education teacher, leader in the state of Florida, developer of curriculum and teaching methods, and co-founder and director of the first charter school for autism in Florida. Justin is a miracle who has astounded doctors and social workers with his achievements. He rose above his cerebral palsy, autism, and given up as hopeless.
Ms. Ingalls’s non-fiction book, Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir, won first place at the 2012 Indie Excellence Book Awards in the category of women’s health. It was a top finalist for the Independent Publisher Book Award of 2012 in the two categories of health and self-help. The book offers hope and inspiration to women and their families.
She wrote a series of twelve short stories in When I Rise: Tales, Truths, and Symbolic Trees.
Davida: Model & Mistress is about the love affair between her great-grandparents Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Davida. There are little-known facts about Davida except for her role as a model for many of the sculptor’s famous works. It won the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award and the Apple Award for 2016.
Novy’s Son, The Selfish Genius, is about Murray Clark, who sought love and acceptance from his father, who was the bastard child of the famous sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens. After reading Iron John by Robert Bly, Ms. Ingalls recognized what was missing in her father’s life.
She is a blogger, public speaker, author of many articles, and advocate for gynecologic cancer awareness and fundraiser for research. In her spare time, she loves to read and play golf. All proceeds from the book sales go to gynecolotgic cancer research.
“Outshine” is the journey Ms. Ingalls took when she learned she had ovarian cancer. This is a subject I’d usually avoid because the word cancer scares me, and I’ve seen what it can do to loved ones, but I was surprised how inspired I became as I read it. The author is a nurse who educated herself with all the facts once she learned her diagnosis. She dug deep into her faith and found ways to nourish her soul throughout the process. I loved all the quotes and the positive way she approached a very scary situation for anyone. She got the help back she had provided in her career two-fold. We were with her during her surgery, chemotherapy, when she lost her hair and her daily walks and prayers. I loved how she talked about sending a card and really meaning the message and how much it meant to her at this time. I was impressed how she learned to let her ego go when she lost her hair, how she embraced each day as a gift, and her husband’s unconditional love for her. These are good lessons for us in life whether we are fighting an illness or not. I ended reading this feeling more hopeful and inspired. This is a book for anyone dealing with cancer or any illness, but it is also for anyone who wants and needs to be encouraged. I highly recommend Ms. Ingalls’ book!
OUTSHINE NEW 2023 EDITION LINK
Here is the tour schedule.
A link will be added to the list as each stop becomes available. There will be a post with the link and author information included here for each stop.
Three winners will be randomly picked from the tour comments for a $20, $10, or $5 Amazon Gift Card on May 16th!
Since it’s a short story collection, each stop will be different.
In the Tree’s Shadow Pre-order Tour:
Tuesday, April 4th –Robbie Cheadle “Book Video.”
Wednesday, April 12th – Sally Cronin “Pre-order Book Promotion.”
In the Tree’s Shadow Release Tour:
Monday, April 17th – Gwen Plano, “Stranded.”
Tuesday, April 18th – Joan Hall, “The Dolphin.”
Wednesday, April 19th – John Howell, “Lyrical Dragon.”
Thursday, April 20th – Staci Troilo, “It’s Only a Dream.”
Friday, April 21st – Craig Boyack, “In the Shadows.”
Monday, April 24th – Harmony Kent, “The Boy.”
Tuesday, April 25th – Jan Sikes, “End of the Road.”
Wednesday, April 26th – Stephen Geez, “The Day the Ground Moved.”
Thursday, April 27th – Beem Weeks, “A Day at the Lake.”
Friday, April 28th – Sandra Cox, “In That Moment.”
Monday, May 1st – Jacquie Biggar, “The Bench.”
Tuesday, May 2nd – D. Wallace Peach, “Effervescent Potion.”
Wednesday, May 3rd – Mae Clair, “When the Lights go Out.”
Thursday, May 4th – Jacqui Murray, “Faith.”
Friday, May 5th – Yvette M. Calleiro, “The Bike.”
Monday, May 8th – Miriam Hurdle, “Playdate.”
Tuesday, May 9th – Marcia Meara, “Alone.”
Wednesday, May 10th – Annette Rochelle Aben, “Deadline.”
Thursday, May 11th – Karen Ingalls, “The Bonsai.”
Friday, May 12th – Judith Barrow, “Last Ride of the Night.”
Monday, May 15th – Balroop Singh, “Man on the Pier.”