Tag: #ShortStories

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)

November Book Reviews! #SallyCronin #MarshaIngrao #BalroopSingh #DarleneFoster #PriscillaBettis #ElizabethGauffreau #writingcommunity #whattoread #mustread

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

What’s in a Name?

By Sally Cronin

“What’s in a Name?” is a collection of short stories that are centered around a name. Each story evoked different emotions as each person emerged from their name. There was a nun, an orphan, a widower, and so many more wonderful characters that pulled me right into their story. I can’t pick a favorite story as they were all so different, yet I connected with each one. A well-written collection that I can easily recommend.

Embracing the Power to Live

By Marsha Ingrao

“Embracing the Power to Live” is a unique collection of poetry and insights that weave through Ms. Ingrao’s life. It’s spiritual and humorous through some of life’s toughest times. I enjoyed the quotes that gave a strong sense of the author’s faith and strength, plus the background that accompanied the poetry tied it all together. The poetry is a delicate mix of symbolic and free verse spread over nine sections. Here’s a sample of poems, of many, that I highlighted: “It’s hard being semi-smart because,/It’s so hard to choose./I have many skills with several flaws/And activities that enthuse…”—It’s Hard being Semi Smart, “Someone might pamper their ferret/Might even pamper their parrot/No proud Shih Tzu owner forgets/Oh how I could pamper my pets…”—Pampered Pets, “So many thoughts inside a poet’s head,/Grasping for words,/Combinations of words churning inside,/Longing to become profound…”—Compelled to Write, “gentle, knees-to-chest/plant in hand, waiting for love/centuries elapse…”—Patience Over the Centuries, and “towering oak trees/leaves disappear, dangling limbs/from storms long ago/silhouette against the moon/worn dependability…”—Aging Gracefully. I can highly recommend this for all those who love poetry and life’s journey.

Beyond the Fetters

By Balroop Singh

“Beyond the Fetters” is a beautifully told story of Earthy and her family in India. Earthy is raised in a family where her brother is the favored child, as is their custom, and she is either ignored or poorly treated. Although she is expected to be obedient and know her place, she and her sister are able to get an education. The story centers on Earthy, but the thoughts and motives of many of the surrounding people are also mixed in. The story focuses on events in her life from childhood and beyond. I quickly fell in love with Earthy, as she always spoke her mind and sought to understand. However, I think her strongest characteristic was her determination and refusal to give up. Her relationship with Dolly was a genuine friendship, and the support she needed growing up. I like how that plays out later when they are older. Earthy had to deal with a mom who either ignored her or was cruel, an arrogant brother, caring for her little sister, and an arranged marriage. Still, she slowly found her voice. An emotionally driven story that has some journal posts mixed in that are poetic and thought-provoking. The places traveled captured my imagination, and the unfairness of how women were treated made me more invested in Earthy and her journey. A wonderful debut novel from a favorite poet, and I hope there will be more! I can easily recommend this.

Amanda in Ireland: The Body in the Bog

By Darlene Foster

Twelve-year-old Amanda is off to Ireland to be a bridesmaid in her cousin’s wedding. As she falls in love with Ireland, so do I. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit, and I got a beautiful glimpse of it through the lush descriptions and interesting history. Amanda feels immediately welcomed and starts exploring, but she finds herself in another mystery. First, there’s a missing horse, and then the bride. As she sets out to figure out what happened, there are a few not-so-nice people who don’t want her to. I love how I was captured from the very first page; plus, it was easy to get to know the characters, even if you’ve never read one before. Although it is intended for middle-grade readers, I also enjoy this adventure. I can highly recommend this story for children and adults who love clean mysteries, history, amazing scenery, and great characters.

Whispers of a Southern Moon

By Priscilla Bettis

“Whispers of a Southern Moon” is a beautiful faith-based collection of short stories and poetry. The stories take the reader on a journey where the message is that one is never alone, even in the darkest circumstances. It’s a well-balanced combination of entertainment and Christian reading. The poetry is lush and full of imagery and emotion connected to the stories. Many subjects are covered, like aging, inner beauty, addiction, relationships, reality, and Alzheimer’s, which offered a truth I could relate to. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but “Whispers of a Southern Moon” was a beautiful tale of an ex-dancer who never got over the loss of her family. The house felt like a character within the story. What made this more special was the author’s sharing of her personal journey of how she found and grew in her Christian faith. I can easily recommend this collection.

The Weight of Snow and Regret

By Elizabeth Gauffreau

“The Weight of Snow and Regret” is a historical fiction that focuses on the closing of Sheldon’s Poor House and its history. Hazel has a long history with the poorhouse, with her youthful experience there and currently with her husband as caretakers. Though mainly told through her, it also dives into Claire and how she came to end up there. How she was drawn into music and pulled in a different direction than her family. Both of their stories captured my heart, and at times, I shed tears, especially for Hazel and the heartbreaks she suffered. A well-written and beautifully told story, it switches between the current time in the sixties to past events and lives. The research shone through, and I learned a lot about poorhouses that I didn’t know much about. The people and stories became real, and I found myself wanting the best for them. Untreated mental health led to the downfall of many, and it was sad to see how little was done for them. This is a book and characters I will think about long after I read the last page, and I can highly recommend it.

UPDATE

  • I am back after a week with the grandkids while hubby was sick, and the minute they went home, I got sick.  Although I spent the vacation sick, I managed to enjoy Halloween with more limited events.  No trip to Oregon this vacation, next time. I should be good with getting sick for a while 🙂
  • Next week is Perspective Challenge Eleven! Second to last one.
  • Watch for tour stops this week.

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

#NewRelease “Whispers of a Southern Moon” by #PriscillaBettis #shortstories #poetry #faith #writingcommunity #mustread

I’m excited to have Priscilla Bettis here today to share her latest release, “Whispers of a Southern Moon.”

BLURB

An artistic, new collection of inspirational fiction and poetry by Priscilla Bettis.

Includes the award-winning story “Fix Your Face,” a “wonderful Southern Gothic piece akin to the work of Flannery O’Conner!”—Brooke Dreger, Editor, Solid Food Press

A simple man in rural Alabama risks his sanity to keep his sister alive. Lines of poetry celebrate the symphony of a Southern night. A sentient house deep in Virginia’s Great Dismal Swamp lures those it seeks to protect.

In Whispers of a Southern Moon, Priscilla Bettis intertwines short stories and poetry to create an inspirational collection of literary fiction and verse. Bettis explores questions about faith, love, and our perceptions of reality, and she does so with an elegant but fierce grip on the reader. This collection spans everything from Southern Gothic prose to Biblically inspired haiku. By the end of the collection, readers will be encouraged that even in the most twisted circumstances, God is present, and we are loved.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

My Review

“Whispers of a Southern Moon” is a beautiful faith-based collection of short stories and poetry. The stories take the reader on a journey where the message is that one is never alone, even in the darkest circumstances. It’s a well-balanced combination of entertainment and Christian reading. The poetry is lush and full of imagery and emotion connected to the stories. Many subjects are covered, like aging, inner beauty, addiction, relationships, reality, and Alzheimer’s, which offered a truth I could relate to. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but “Whispers of a Southern Moon” was a beautiful tale of an ex-dancer who never got over the loss of her family. The house felt like a character within the story. What made this more special was the author’s sharing of her personal journey of how she found and grew in her Christian faith. I can easily recommend this collection.

 

Author Bio

Priscilla Bettis is an avid reader and a joyful writer. Priscilla lives in small-town Texas with her two-legged and four-legged family members. She is a former secular horror author who now writes Christian short stories and poetry inspired by her awe of God and love for fellow human beings.

Find Priscilla on X (at PriscillaBettis) where she chats with others about life and writing.

Amazon Author Page

Twitter

 

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

 

April Book Reviews! #SandraCox #LindaBroday #KimSilvers #KarenBlack #charlesffrench #bookreviews #whattoread #writingcommunity

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

Reuben Hayes

By S. Cox

Reuben has the perfect life. He lives in Texas and loves his ranch. The only thing haunting him is he let go of the one woman he loved. A young woman, Sage, surprised him by appearing with a letter from her mother, the woman he loved, who had died. Sage ends up staying with him on the ranch. She is free-spirited and has her mother’s touch with horses but has his gray eyes. When he finds out about her father, the senator doesn’t know where she is, he insists she telegraph him. Sage runs into a man named Hawk who saves her from being run over by an out-of-control horseback rider. Hawk, a gunslinger, ends up working on the ranch. A spark develops between Sage and Hawk. Her father shows up and gives Reuben some unsettling information. It falls on Reuben to keep Sage safe while he looks into what has put her and her father in danger. I love the vibrant settings. I can picture myself riding along with the characters and enjoying the views. The relationship that developed between Sage and Reuben was touching and, at times, funny. Sage and Hawk had a spark that he seemed to back away from, but I was rooting for them and for Reuben to keep his family safe. A story told from a parental perspective that takes us into the Old West. There is romance, family, gunslingers, and a wild horse who captures Sage’s attention. I can highly recommend this well-told story.

Creek: (Gun For Hire Sweet Western Romance Series Book 1)

by Linda Broday (Author), DMR Editing (Editor)

Gunslinger, Creek, is heading into town at the request of a dying woman who was kind to him as a boy in an orphanage run by a cruel priest. On the way into town, he saves a young girl, Willa, from a gang of boys. He gets her safely back to her beautiful guardian and now the girl believes he is her real father. Despite his desire for family life, his lifestyle was incompatible with it. Although a fast read and I read it in one setting, it was a satisfying read with many layers. I loved the relationship between Creek and Willa as they bonded, even though he didn’t want to. There were a couple of twists I didn’t expect, though I had a feeling about one of them. The setting in lawless El Paso drew me in, but it was the characters that held my heart—and one I found easy to hate, too. I was rooting for Creek to not only find out the truth about his birth mother but also some peace after his cruel treatment as a child. A fantastic read I can easily recommend!

The Christmas Ghost: An Investigative Paranormal Society Adventure

Charles F French

This is a quick read centered on a ghost haunting an orphanage. A group of paranormal investigators, all but one retired, decide to help rid a ghost of disturbing children during the Christmas season. Although this story is between the first and second book, it was easy to follow. I especially liked Roosevelt, who had lost his holiday spirit after his wife passed. This became a story of not only ghost hunting but also of finding that spark again. I’m curious about the other stories now, and I’d like to get to know the characters better. While it’s ideal for Christmas, it’s a fun read year-round, as I discovered.

Long Stories Short

By Karen Black

A great collection of short stories that take you from the edge of the paranormal to reality. Many stories had me on the edge of my seat, and a few surprised me with an unexpected twist. Several subjects were covered, including spousal abuse, a grieving widow finding shelter in a storm, Bigfoot, a Ouija board, a day on a boat, accidents, house fires, animal loyalty, and being hunted. I especially enjoyed “Indisputable Evidence,” which surprised me and offered the love of a pet in a dangerous situation. Another was “Unintended Consequences,” and the heartache following wrong assumptions that ruined a happy family yet offered a more hopeful ending. This is a collection I can easily recommend for those who enjoy scary stories with some unpredictable endings.

Broken Rhodes

By Kimber Silver

Kinsley comes home after her grandfather is murdered and wants answers. Lincoln is her grandfather’s neighbor, friend, and the town’s sheriff. Despite initial conflict, they remain committed to identifying the murderer. Kinsley’s past traumatic event comes back to haunt her in the small town, triggering her distrust and emotions. Lincoln seems to have some secrets of his own from his past. Although I didn’t like the sheriff at first, he grew on me. Kinsley is strong and successful, but to many people from her past, she is still that teenager who left their town behind. As Kinsley and Lincoln’s friendship grows, it becomes obvious the killer still wants something. A steamy romance starts to bloom in the middle of twists, secrets revealed, corrupt officials, bullies, a killer, and dealing with the past. A story I can easily recommend, especially if you enjoy romance mixed in with mystery and suspense in a small-town setting.

Next week: Creative Perspective Challege

Embrace your inner child with the gift of a good book! D. L. Finn

March Book Reviews! #teripolen #suewickstead #TWDittmer#RobbieCheadle #DanAlatorre #nicholasRossis #johnhowellauthor #writingcommunity #bookreviews #whattoread

Here are the great books I read in February (or were released in that month) that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.

Barty Barton: The Bear that was loved too much

By Sue Wickstead

Barty was a fluffy brown bear that was loved by Thomas. Time passed, and Thomas left, while Barty stayed. When Thomas was about to have his own baby, he rejected his old friend because of his appearance. This is when Barty and his friends are offered a makeover. This was a sweet story that kind of reminded me of Toy Story and the toys’ loyalty to their child. Colorful illustrations and the story drew me in, and I can see a beginning reader loving it, too. This would also make a great family-time read. I can easily recommend this story!

A Spooky Tale: A walk with our teacher

By Sue Wickstead

This is a charming book for beginning readers or for family reading time. A class doesn’t want to go on a walk, and we soon find out why they don’t feel so well. They run into a ghost, crocodile, dinosaur, a slippery waterfall, and many other things. I loved the students’ response, but I especially enjoyed how the teacher reacted at the end—I don’t blame her! Included is a map of their walk. The book’s illustrations are beautiful, and I read it on my phone to appreciate the colors and details. It would make a fantastic gift or a wonderful addition to any family’s collection of children’s books!

The Gemini Connection

By Teri Polen

“The Gemini Connection” is an engaging YA science fiction novel. Evan and Simon are twins who share a unique bond while living on a dying planet. Simon is talented and favored by their parents. He is recruited to help save their world. Evan is well-liked, but deep down, he feels his parents’ disapproval. When Simon disappears after his mentor is imprisoned in another realm, Evan feels guilty and lost without their connection. He becomes a bender who enters people’s minds to help heal them if possible. Still, his main focus is to find his brother. His brother’s partner, who happens to be his worst enemy, is someone from whom he will need assistance. I appreciate the relationship between Simon and Evan; it embodies pure love that, although severed, remains. While Evan lacks support from his distant parents, he does have his best friend, Syd, and a job where he flourishes. I also like how the narrative shifts perspectives between Evan and Simon, providing a comprehensive view of each character’s thoughts. This story explores not only family and brotherhood but also themes of power, corruption, and unique abilities. I found it to be a real page-turner, making it difficult to put down. I can easily recommend this!

Five-Toed Tigress

By T.W. Dittmer

I loved the first book I read by Mr. Dittmer, “The Valley Walker” and was eager to read “Five-Toed Tigress.” This story took off as an FBI thriller with paranormal and sexual tensions mixed in. Hawke is a vet recruited into the FBI. He is introduced to his beautiful new boss, Tulene, and an equally attractive chain-smoking partner, Gundrum. Hawke tries to keep things professional as he learns about his new job, while deeply yearning for a woman from his past. He is quickly thrown into a case where his military background is a tremendous asset in saving Tulene and Gundrum. There seem to be ties to Cambodia and characters from “The Valley Walker.” There is also a group that wants to cause harm, a rich man no one can touch, and something stalking humans in the forest. The attention to detail, including the military, made this feel even more real to me. I enjoyed the relationship between Hawke and his partner and was sometimes confused by his boss, which left me wondering how it would all play out. The best part was the unknown and how that weaved into Hawke’s life. A strong man, bearing life’s burdens, he consistently strived for righteousness. This is a very layered and unusual story that held my attention from the first chapter to the very end. I can highly recommend this one, especially to those who love a good thriller with paranormal mixed in.

Spellbound The Box Under the Bed #4

By Dan Alatorre, Robbie Cheadle (Editor/Contributor), M.D. Walker (Editor/Contributor), Ellen Best, Kaye Booth, Alana Turner, Christine Valentor, Nick Vossen, Anne Marie Andrus, Adele Marie Park, M.J. Mallon, Dabney Farmer, Ernesto San Giacomo, Betty Valentine, Geoff LePard, Frank Parker, Joanne R. Larner

A wonderfully scary collection of authors and stories. There are many stories I enjoyed consisting of authors I was familiar with and some new ones. Here are a few examples, “I watched as his arm changed into a wing, large as an angel’s, black as onyx. The other followed, and he transformed into a grotesque thing, unnatural and twofold. Half man, half swan.”—The Most Valuable Skill by Christine Valentor. “I woke to the sound of my own shrill screaming. The same nightmare, the one that constantly haunted my dreams when the climate control was out, now entrenched the strange images in my head. I was staring out a window, unable to breathe, as my parents’ bodies drifted through the cold, dark space.”— Holly and George by MD Walker.  “Today was the day. In all technicality, it would be tonight, but that didn’t matter. It had been a month since the last time. The Beast was clawing at the walls to be free once more. It would get its way tonight. It would only have to be patient, twelve more hours. I would bide our time until then.”—The Killer Wolf by Alana Turner. “Some one comes. Yes, yes. No, not mistress. She is gone. I told you she is beyond our reach. Be quiet! They come. They will see us. Back. Back.”—Mirror by Adele Marie Park. Here’s the one that still haunts me with its stark reality, “The emperor’s main advisor, the High Priest of the capital city of Cusco, addressed the deity. ‘The mountain gods are angry and need to be appeased before they will send rain and restore life to our crops. A Capacocha ceremony is necessary. You must advise the chiefs to bring their sacrificial offering to the city at once and I will arrange their distribution through the empire. I will lead the ceremony at which the purest and most beautiful children will be offered.’” —Death is About Choices by Roberta Eaton Cheadle. This is a good anthology for those who enjoy short horror stories where you get sixteen different styles presented to you.

Everyone Hates This Restaurant: An illustrated children’s book

By Nicholas C. Rossis

Mr. Rossis dedicated “Everyone Hates This Restaurant” to his daughter, who loves sweets. The illustrations are vivid and fun, adding to the delightful theme of the story. The family dislikes a restaurant, and it’s explained why, but still the daughter insists on going to it. It isn’t a place I’d like to eat at either with the things described, although I can fully understand her reason for wanting to go there. They have the best desserts. Who doesn’t love a good dessert? This is a story that parents can read to their children or it’s suitable for beginning readers. This would make a great gift for younger readers, and I can easily recommend it.

by John W. Howell

This has been a series I have thoroughly enjoyed, and I was looking forward to reading the third story. It didn’t disappoint and veered off into a time-traveling mystery. It was great to see all the main characters back, especially James, Sam, and the Oldsmobile, and their current souls to save. Lucifer is also around with his signature humor, although at times I wished he’d go away and leave them alone, but he always did make it a page-turner. There was a nice blend of history and current affairs, and I found it hard to put down during any of their excursions or just in general. I was touched to see a fellow author who we lost as a character. What a great tribute to him. There were some twists, and one completely took me by surprise. This series has taken us to our past, present, and future while growing relationships and making us wonder if this is how it will be. A fantastic story that I can highly recommend.

Next week is the Creative Perspective Challenge #3!

Watch for special post Wednesday 🙂

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

February Book Reviews! #MarshaIngrao #carolanntaylor #RobbieCheadle #DaveWilliams #ColleenChesebro #DWallacePeach #GwenPlano #YvetteCalleiro #TeaganRiordainGeneviene #writingcommunity #whattoread

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

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A Homemade Christmas

By Carol Ann Taylor

I have seen Ms. Taylor’s posts about food and her recipes, so I was excited to read through her cookbook. This collection focuses on Christmas and family traditions. The book is split into sections that start with Christmas starters and end with Christmas Leftovers. It all starts with a note from the author explaining that the recipes come not only from her grandmothers and mother but also from some of her friends or her travels. These are more than ways to cook food. They bring back wonderful memories, but they also are healthy and made from scratch. Holiday tradition remains important; however, incorporating novel elements enhances the experience. I especially like the chapter on making gifts to give. Memories and cooking notes were helpfully added. Here are a few recipes I want to try: Prawn Cocktail, Spiced Red Cabbage, Red Wine Vegetarian Gravy, A Honey Jar Ferment with Garlic, Pickled Garlic, Homemade Mustard, and Gluten-free Christmas Pudding. I was excited to see a couple of gluten-free options included. At the end is a helpful US-UK Conversion Chart to help with measurements. Plus, there are nice images throughout. A great gift, ideal year-round, expanding our traditions; some I’ll experiment with beyond Christmas. I can easily recommend this festive cookbook.

STORY CHAT VOL II: INTERNATIONAL SHORT STORIES GENERATING CONVERSATIONS

By Marsha Ingrao

“Story Chat Vol. II” is a collection of short stories in all genres, including nonfiction. There are six sections, and the last one includes Horror and Science fiction, which is always a go-to for me, but I had many favorites outside that category. With the unique differences it was hard to pick a favorite but here are some that I’m still thinking about: “A Cautionary Tale on the Dangers of Allowing Your Characters to Take Over Your Story” by Geoff Le Pard, “The Grand Adventure” by Diana Peach, and “Anxious About Sea Horses,” by Gary A. Wilson. However, the exceptional nature of this collection did not stem solely from the great stories. It was the Questions for YOUR Story Chat Group that followed, and the best part was the Discussion Excerpts that many had. The other authors gave valuable story advice. Tips on improving writing were also included in the nonfiction. This had it all, and I found some favorite authors, along with new ones that I will be reading. This group appears both supportive and talented. I can easily recommend this collection.

Gasp! Poetry!

By Dave Williams

This collection of poetry is like its title, “Gasp! Poetry!” is a fun and introspective read. There are eighty-eight poems with a wide variety of topics like unicorns, human nature, history, and science. Written in free verse with some rhyming included. I highly enjoyed the humor that poked fun at many subjects, along with the whimsical and serious side. Here are some of the ones I highlighted: “I lift a handful of sand,/watch the grains/cascade in the spaces/between my fingers,/thinking there’s/got to be metaphors/for time, uniqueness, perseverance—/maybe insignificance…”—Is a Poem about Grains of Sand on a Beach Too Pretentious? or “He felt bad/that she thought/their relationship/wouldn’t work/because she thought/his ventriloquist doll/was so creepy…”—Buddy’s Secrets or “The leaves dropping/could be said to be/eaves dropping on us,/walking as we are on this forest trail…”—Leaves Dropping or “In this busy blurry/hurly burly world,/she likes to slide/into the lines…”—Under the Covers and “The drive from their house/to the parking lot seemed/to take a long time to Joe,/as did the walk…”—Unicorn Migration. A group of poems that I can easily recommend!

Sunflower Tanka: An Anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose, & Experimental Tanka

Colleen M. Chesebro, Robbie Cheadle (editors)

By Suzanne Brace, Yvette Calleiro, Kay Castenada, Luanne Castle, Robbie Cheadle, Colleen M. Chesebro, E.A. Colquitt, Melissa Davilio, Destiny, Tamiko Dooley, Lisa Fox, Cindy Georgakas, Chris Hall, Franci Hoffman, Marsha Ingrao, Jude Itakali, JulesPaige, Kenneth, MJ Mallon, Brenda Marie, Selma Martin, Michelle Ayon Navajas, Lisa Nelson, D. Wallace Peach, Freya Pickard, Dawn Pisturino, Gwen M. Plano, Jennifer Russo, Aishwarya Saby, Reena Saxena, Merril D. Smith, Nicole Smith, Ivor Steven, Ben Tonkin, Trilce Marsh Vazquez, and Cheryl Wood.

“Sunflower Tanka” is the first annual anthology with contributions from over thirty-five talented poets. Many I recognized and already was a fan of their poetry, but the rest were new to me. Meeting both new and known poets under the theme “into the light” was wonderful. The editors offered their insight into sunflowers at the beginning of the book. It was enlightening to understand the importance of the flowers to them. Then the great poetry started and kept coming. There was no way I could choose my favorite lines or poems; I enjoyed them all. I love all forms of tanka poetry, but I think the garland tanka fascinated me the most. This is a collection meant to reread, especially with its uplifting messages. I can easily recommend this to all poetry lovers!

A Peril in the Vines: A Medium’s Peril Book 3

By Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

Daphne, Clover, and Phineas continue their story set in the 1920s. Daphne is a medium who has seen a massacre in her visions, which somehow link the pumpkins and vines that grow everywhere in the new town they end up in. Clover has a vivid dream that refers to tarot cards and a message. It all seems to center on a young girl and a doctor looking after her. Additionally, some matchmaking is happening. I love the setting and era and all the little details that bring it alive. Besides the paranormal, there is a mystery to figure out, along with some humor. I have been enjoying this series and, like all the characters, there’s a special place in my heart for Clover, Daphne’s assistant. I can easily recommend this quick read that can be a standalone, but I have preferred reading it from the beginning.

Note: Next week is the Creative Perspective Challenge and also a new release post!

Embrace your inner child with a good read! D. L. Finn

Miracles and Ghosts: Words Hurt #excerpt #preorder #christmasstories #family #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter #holidayreading

Hi 🙂

I’m doing a short tour for the Miracles and Ghosts release and have included the stops at the bottom of this post.

During the tour, I will discuss six of the stories and release a new book trailer, but that left two stories not covered. So I’m going to do that here.

Today I will be covering Words Hurt and an excerpt.

Sally is estranged from her family after some hurtful words were said during the Thanksgiving dinner. She’s also lost her boyfriend through that. This leaves her and Ellie her bichon frise alone Christmas Eve. Her plans for a quiet holiday though are interrupted with bad news.

Excerpt

Words Hurt 

Sally MacNei decorated the white-lit faux tree with blue ornaments while listening to her favorite Christmas album. She found comfort in savoring her hot chocolate topped with marshmallows from a Santa face mug decorated with sparkles. Nevertheless, no matter how festive she made it, the holiday season was destined to be anything but normal. Not after what had happened at her sister’s Thanksgiving table.

She sighed, finished her beverage, and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand like her niece, Maggie, did. Maggie was the only person she missed, but she’d make it up to her if they let her.

“I sent Maggie the gifts, anyway. Plus, I’m sure that family we adopted this year will enjoy the little extra gifts we sent them, right, Ellie?”

The little dog peeked from behind the Christmas tree. She blinked her gentle brown eyes and settled in for a nap like a fluffy snowflake. “Glad you agree. Don’t knock anything off the tree,” she cautioned the impeccably groomed bichon frise with the fake diamond collar.

Sally placed the blue snowflake gift bag full of new squeaky toys for Ellie under the tree. That bag wouldn’t make it until morning. Her coworkers had given her gifts, but the absence of the presents she had bought for her family made the tree feel incomplete.

Although it wasn’t her fault, she’d make the best of it. Being alone had its benefits, like eating whatever she wanted. She was looking forward to the organic Christmas feast for two she’d pick up later. It came with a turkey breast, mashed potatoes, and gravy. She’d skipped the green beans and gone with double stuffing and real wheat rolls. The dessert was her favorite apple pie instead of traditional pumpkin. She planned on lots of leftovers.

“It will be fun, Ellie.”

The dog’s ears perked, but she didn’t open her eyes.

“After dinner we can watch all the sappy holiday movies we want. Perfect day, if you ask me.”

She pushed down the thought that “sad” might be a more accurate description.

Blurb

Miracles and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection’s eight tales bring light in the darkest of circumstances. In the novelette, A Perfect Ghostly Christmas, Julie has survived the foster care system and finally comes home. She now owns her grandparents’ house and has received an offer that appears too good to be true. On top of that, the family she felt had abandoned her during her difficult times has reentered her life. But it’s the otherworldly experiences that lead her to something her grandparents left behind. This discovery changes everything and opens a door to danger. The seven short stories explore fractured families, a widower’s loneliness, a mall shooting, financial struggles, strained relationships, woodland kittens, and a woman haunted by a red truck. Whether it’s a ghost, an angel, or Santa, some unseen force is there to provide help when needed. A reminder in the busy holiday season or anytime we are never alone, and miracles are possible.

PREORDER:

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

 

Blog Tour Schedule for Miracles and Ghosts

Sandra Cox: November 1st A Perfect Ghostly Christmas

Liz Gauffreau:  November 5th Miracle in ER

John Howell: November 6th A Man and His Cat

Colleen Chesebro: November 7th At the Mall & video

Jacqui Murray: November 12th The Red Truck

Jan Sikes: November 13th Christmas Reunion

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

“Miracles and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection” #coverreveal #writingcommunity #preorder #christmasstories #holidayreading #christmas

Hi! I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything here besides book reviews and new releases. Been taking some me-time to catch up and regroup. So I cut back on blogging and social media. I’m back now, although on a writing break until the end of the year. This gives me some time to do the stuff I don’t have time for like marketing and updating books.

I did continue to share my monthly updates in my newsletter. Included in the newsletter are my writing and other updates along with a Book of the Month and new releases. Click on the above newsletter link to see September’s edition.

Today I’m excited to officially share my cover and preorder for my upcoming release on November 1st: “Miracles and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection.”

Blurb:

Miracles and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection’s eight tales bring light in the darkest of circumstances. In the novelette, A Perfect Ghostly Christmas, Julie has survived the foster care system and finally comes home. She now owns her grandparents’ house and has received an offer that appears too good to be true. On top of that, the family she felt had abandoned her during her difficult times has reentered her life. But it’s the otherworldly experiences that lead her to something her grandparents left behind. This discovery changes everything and opens a door to danger. The seven short stories explore fractured families, a widower’s loneliness, a mall shooting, financial struggles, strained relationships, woodland kittens, and a woman haunted by a red truck. Whether it’s a ghost, an angel, or Santa, some unseen force is there to provide help when needed. A reminder in the busy holiday season or anytime we are never alone, and miracles are possible.

AMAZON PREORDER US

AMAZON PREORDER UK

Embrace your holiday inner child by reading! D. L. Finn

New Release! “And the Grave Awaits” by Roberta Eaton Cheadle @bakeandwrite @RobertaEaton17 #writingcommunity #newrelease #whattoread

I’m thrilled to have Robbie Cheadle here today to talk about her latest release, “And the Grave Awaits!” It was a great read 🙂 Here’s a link to my review on Goodreads. LINK

And the Grave Awaits

by Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Climbing boys and the origin of my short story, An Eye for an Eye.

My photograph of a building with chimneys in the UK

During the 1700s and 1800s, mainly male children often performed an occupation known as a climbing boy or chimney sweep. Many of the climbing boys were orphans, and in Great Britain many came from workhouses, and some were as young as 3 years old. As the child needed to be quite small to climb up the chimneys of the time, most climbing boys outgrew this occupation by the time they were nine or ten years old, although due to poor diet, some worked until they were as old as fourteen years.

The life of a climbing boys was dangerous as they climbed hot flues that could be a mere 7 inches square, although 14 inches by 9 inches was a common standard, and they could get jammed in the flue, suffocate or burn to death. The children developed raw, red skinless patches on their bodies from climbing up and down the stacks. These only went away when the climber developed calluses or the skin was hardened by their master applying an application of strong brine, which was placed on them in front of a hot fire.

The boys also frequently fell, and this resulted in deformed ankles, broken legs and twisted spines. Eye and respiratory problems also plagued climbing boys. The deadliest condition that affected climbing boys was called chimney sweeps’ carcinoma which was caused by the fact that soot is carcinogenic, and the boys slept under the soot sacks and were rarely washed. Chimney sweeps’ carcinoma is a cancer that results from squamous cells which form on the surface of the skin and the lining of hollow organs in the body and line the respiratory and digestive tracts. Warts on the skin of the scrotum, caused by the irritation from soot particles, developed into scrotal cancer which ultimately invaded the abdomen and killed the sufferer.

The climbing boys were apprenticed to a master sweep who was paid by the parish to teach the orphans or paupers the craft of chimney sweeping. The boys signed papers of indenture, in front of a magistrate, which bound them to the master sweep until they were adults.

Climbing boys in literature

Charles Dickens featured a particularly horrible master sweep called Gamfield in his book Oliver Twist. Gamfield wants to take Oliver as an apprentice but, at the last minute, the magistrate refuses of sanction the apprenticeship as “Mr Gamfield did happen to labour under the slight imputation of having bruised three or four boys to death already.”

Oliver escapes being bound apprentice to the Sweep. Picture credit: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/47529/pg47529-images.html

The Water-Babies, A Fairy Tale for a Land Baby, written by The Reverend Charles Kingsley, was published in 1863 and told the story of a young chimney sweep, Tom, who finds redemption from the horrors of his work by becoming a water baby. Kingsley was appalled by the social conditions during the Victorian era and he wrote this book to draw attention to the horrific fate of climbing boys.

Earlier, in the late 1700s, William Blake wrote poetic depictions of the lives of climbing boys which were published in two books of poetry, Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience.

Here are the first two stanza’s of The Chimney Sweeper: When my mother died I was very young by William Blake:

“When my mother died I was very young,

And my father sold me while yet my tongue

Could scarcely cry ” ‘weep! ‘weep! ‘weep! ‘weep!”

So your chimneys I sweep & in soot I sleep.

 

There’s little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head

That curled like a lamb’s back, was shaved, so I said,

“Hush, Tom! never mind it, for when your head’s bare,

You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair.””

You can read the complete poem here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43654/the-chimney-sweeper-when-my-mother-died-i-was-very-young

What do climbing boys have to do with my writing

My story, An Eye for an Eye, features climbing boys who are apprenticed to a vicious female master sweep called Mother Abigail. This supernatural murder story illustrates the terrible plight of climbing boys during that period in history and the possible repercussions of such abuse.

About And the Grave Awaits

And the Grave Awaits book cover with red roses against a mainly gray backgroun.

The cover of And the Grave Awaits featuring a cross-shaped gravestone with a bunch of roses on top. Cover artwork in charcoal and coloured pencil by Robbie Cheadle.

A collection of short paranormal and dark stories.
Includes the award-winning short story, The Bite.

A group of boys participate in a reality television challenge; to the death.

What does it mean to be a Canary Girl? One young woman is about to find out.

Where is the bride? A beautiful young woman goes missing during a game of hide and seek on her wedding day.

Some stories will make you cry, some will make you gasp, and some will leave you believing in vigilante justice. All will end with a grave.

Amazon USA pre-order link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7745TZB

About Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Picture of Robbie holding a book

Picture caption: Author photograph of Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Award-winning, bestselling author, Roberta Eaton Cheadle, is a South African writer and poet specialising in historical, paranormal, and horror novels and short stories. She is an avid reader in these genres and her writing has been influenced by famous authors including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.

Roberta has two published novels, a collection of paranormal and historical short stories, and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories included in several anthologies. She and is also a contributor to the Ask the Authors 2022 (WordCrafter Writing Reference series).

Roberta also has sixteen children’s books and three poetry books published under the name of Robbie Cheadle and has poems and short stories featuring in several anthologies under this name.

Roberta’s blog features discussions about classic books, book reviews, poetry, and photography. https://roberta-writes.com/

Find Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Website

https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

Blog

https://roberta-writes.com/

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19631306.Roberta_Eaton_Cheadle

Twitter

https://twitter.com/RobertaEaton17

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/robertawrites/?modal=admin_todo_tour

TSL Publications

https://tslbooks.uk/product-tag/robbie-cheadle/

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Roberta-Eaton-Cheadle/e/B08RSNJQZ5