#ShortStories – Author D.L. Finn

September Book Reviews! @BalroopShado @Virgilante @GodsAngel1 #bookreviews #whattoread #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter

“Ever So Gently” is a beautiful collection of free verse and symbolic poetry. It is broken into three sections that cover nature, life’s moments, and some author insights. I love nature and I’m drawn to vivid images, but the emotions and insights explored in our shared experiences were equally intriguing. There was a peace within these pages that allowed me to drift off into a poetic slumber when I was done reading. Although I enjoyed the entire collection, here are a few lines that captured my heart. “Fresh raindrops/gently landed/on their wilted spirit/as I witnessed them lifting…”—Wilted Spirits, “You stowed dreams in the clouds,/imaginings rose higher than the heavens…”—First Breath, “Their presence graced my universe beautifully like an endless ceiling of bright blue sky. Then they were gone.”—Friendships Gone, and “Its glow will grow ever so gently/into a bright beacon of hope/rising with the golden sun/bringing clarity to our vision.”—Ever So Gently. A collection that I will be enjoying again and can highly recommend.

Tales from the Riverside

By Larry Landgraf

“Tales from the Riverside” is a collection of true-life stories that span several decades of Mr. Landgraf’s life. It is an entertaining account of life in the swamp and educational. I live in the forest, so I know little about swamps besides alligators living there. It is so much more than alligators as we are taken on fishing trips to catch, a favorite of mine, catfish, gardening, relationships, equipment, and survival. It is told through humor, but there are some very scary life-threatening parts. I stayed up late reading about hurricanes, snakes, and equipment problems, and enjoyed the author’s recipes and daily life stories. Although I will stick to living in the forest, I could appreciate the peace and independence found in the swamp. A short story memoir of living in Riverside are tales I can easily recommend!

Fusion: Poems of Life

By Balroop Singh

“Fusion: Poems of Life” takes the reader on a vivid journey through nature and life’s emotional aspects. I enjoyed the entire collection, but the nature-based poems really captivated me because I am so comfortable there. It was very hard to pick from the beautiful imagery, but here are a few of the many I highlighted. “The dream of my life was/To fly with the clouds/Drape their colors,/Adapt their shapes…”—Dreams, “Snow clad mountaintops/Kiss capricious clouds./Emerald lake watches,/As rosy hues of dawn smile…”—Ambrosial Love, “Stormy sea swallow/Stories of eons/Some shores speak…”—Changes, “Hold the first rays of sun/Softly in your hands or/Soak them gently in your eyes…”—Magic Moments, “The shimmer of violets allures me/A flower fairy sits smiling/Sprinkling her magic dust…”—Flower Fairy, and “The moment she wears her scarlet gown/She gets a call to cast her spell/Edgy enchantress grabs her crystal…”—The Scarlet Gown. A collection I read in one sitting, but one I will also revisit. I can highly recommend this to all poetry lovers.

The Experimental Notebook of C. S. Boyack

By C.S. Boyack

“The Experimental Notebook of C. S. Boyack” is a unique collection of short stories and had been sitting on my reading list for way too long. I’m so glad I finally picked it up. It was a fast read that was completely entertaining, down to the intermission. The book begins with “Jack O’ Lantern” which had a twist that made me grin. It was fun to see some favorite characters Lisa the Robot, along with Jason Fogg, and learn a bit more about their backstories. All the stories were full of imagination, with Mr. Boyack’s humor weaved into many of them. “50 Galloon Drum,” and “Soup Ladle of Destiny” are stories I won’t soon forget, but all the tales were great in their way. An excellent grouping of creative stories that I can highly recommend.

Delilah

By Kaye Lynne Booth

“Delilah” is set in the 1880s and follows a young woman who was just released from prison for defending herself and her family. She sets out to return to the family ranch with a young girl, Sarah when they are attacked. Delilah was beaten, raped, and almost lost her life when they tried to hang her. Instead of giving up, even with all the bad that’s happened to her, Delilah’s strength keeps her going. She’s determined to locate the men who attacked her and find Sarah, who was kidnapped. Luck brings her to a family who helps, but cruel fate intervenes and she’s on her own again. Her journey leads her to a thriving mining town and a job. When she isn’t protecting herself from criminals, there are grizzlies and other wild animals to deal with too. Delilah is a character I couldn’t help but root for. She’s not afraid of hard work or to stand up to injustice. I love some relationships she develops, including a potential love interest. My favorite though is the bond with a local Ute boy. The well-written settings and descriptions brought me deeper into Delilah’s world. This is a gritty, fast-paced Western with a strong female character that I can easily recommend. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Next week I will be debuting Deep in the Forest Where Poetry Blooms new video—and celebrating release day!

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

July Book Reviews! @TonyaWrites @judypost @VeraDayAuthor @LBroday @sgc58 #writtingcommunity #readersoftwitter

Flights of Fancy

By Sally Cronin

“Flights of Fancy” is a wonderful collection of short stories and a novella. Each tale was heartfelt and layered in settings that drew me into the stories. There was romance, paranormal, revenge, and justice in this mix. I loved all the well-written stories for different reasons, but a few stood out to me. “The Other Side of Heaven,” and “Curtains” were beautifully told tales that included a glimpse into the afterlife and a few well-shed tears on my part. I adored ”Henry’s Story” which was told through a cat’s eyes, but I think my favorite was the novella, “Sewing Circle.” When an older woman is murdered, her close-knit group of senior friends does not allow themselves to play the victim role. I loved their strength and determination to right the wrongs in their unique way. This is a fantastic group of stories that I can easily recommend!

One Shot at Love Pink Pistol Sisterhood #7

By Linda Broday

“One Shot at Love” is the seventh book in the series, but I had no problem jumping into this without reading the past stories. Mariah is a nineteen-year-old girl who has become the head of her household after losing both parents in the early 1900s. She is responsible for her siblings, works at the local general store, and carries a shotgun because of the absence of law in their small town and a family of criminals out of control. When Dax, the cowboy, arrives in town to search for his sister who was abducted, he and Mariah feel an immediate attraction. However, Mariah has no trust in men. Someone finds a box containing a pink pistol and gives it to Mariah along with an interesting legend. This makes her begin to question who and what to trust. I love not only the attraction between Mariah and Dax but the friendship and kindness that also develop. Mariah is a strong character and willing to sacrifice for her siblings. I couldn’t help but root for her happiness and safety. The setting and era were so richly described that I was drawn even deeper into the story. A quick but satisfying read that I can easily recommend.

Happiness Is A Warm Cat

By Emily Gmitter

“Happiness Is A Warm Cat” is a fun collection that bounces between Zoe, the cat’s point of view, and Emily, the author. Zoe provides a cat’s-eye view of the world. Zoe’s caretaker, Ms. Gmitter, provides short stories, poetry, and interactions with Kris Kristofferson. There is a little something for everyone, especially cat lovers and fans of romance, but many other subjects drew me in. Because it was unique, it is hard to narrow down my favorites. I enjoyed Zoe’s perspective throughout the collection and the short stories and poetry, all for different reasons. There was also Ms. Gmitter’s artwork added to the mix, which captivated me. Although Zoe is the star of this book, it is a fun collection for not only animal lovers but those who enjoy a nice variety.

The Rat In The Python: Book 1 The Home

By Alex Craigie

“The Rat in the Python” is a fun look into the past or the 50s and 60s in the UK. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Craigie’s fictional books and wasn’t disappointed in her dive into nonfiction. It is still well written with a touch of humor weaved into it. “Book 1 The Home” takes us back to times before not only cell phones and computers but a lot of the modern house conveniences we are used to. People in the UK were still recovering from WWll and if they wanted a meal, the women cooked it with what was available. There were no microwaves, freezers full of food, or delivery takeout to depend on. I was born during this time and remember some of it, like the rolling pictures on the small black and white televisions. This issue could usually be resolved by adjusting a knob or moving the rabbit ears, but if none of that worked, there was always the sharp pound on the side of the TV. There was a magazine article that made me cringe. It had a housewife’s itinerary that was not only a twelve-hour day, but every minute filled with cleaning, cooking, laundry, ironing, food prep, child and husband care, and all the other things expected from a 50s woman. I believe I would have been a terrible 50s housewife. This is a fascinating peek into our past that shows not only how times have changed, but how we have changed. I enjoyed this, and look forward to reading more in this series.

Venetian Rhapsody

By Tonya Penrose

Sofia has spent the last year in Venice to finish her education before going back to Boston and the job of her dreams. At the very end of her time in Italy, she comically meets Eduardo and they both end up in the mud. Although she immediately finds him attractive, Sophia is also very put out about their encounter. Later that evening, they find themselves at the same dinner party, and, even with her hesitation, a friendship blooms. I love the banter between Eduardo and Sophia and all the “help” that attempts to bring these two together. The Venice setting was so lush and detailed that it brought me back to when I visited several years ago. Plus, the food and people Ms. Penrose so eloquently describes were just as inviting and tasty as I remember for the characters too. The couple who lives outside of Venice hear the word fate a lot, but one of them always sidetracks that. The infusion of magic through meetings and later plants captured something way beyond just two people meeting. “Venetian Rhapsody” is not only a beautiful love story, but it has a soundtrack that I want to listen to after reading about Sophie and Eduardo. This is a romantic tale I can highly recommend!

When Did We Lose Sylvia?

By Vera Day

“When Did We Lose Sylvia” is a fun debut by Ms. Day. Betty is a middle-aged poet who volunteers to teach a summer class at the local high school. As she maneuvers teaching the class and gaining the upper hand, she notices a talented young goth girl, Sylvia. When Betty and her best friend, Flora, drop by Sylvia’s house, they find more than they expected. Now they have a dead body and missing people. Betty, who doesn’t drive, is determined to find out what happened. Betty’s relationships were enjoyable, especially with her husband and Flora, her comical chauffeur. A lot of humor is sprinkled into this whodunit with a couple of twists that kept me engaged. The infusion of poetry into the story was one of my favorite parts. If you enjoy small-town Christian cozy mysteries, you won’t want to miss this one.

Muddy River Mystery One (Raven and Hester Mysteries #1)

By Judi Lynn

Hester lives in a hidden supernatural community with her coven of witches. She is a long-lived and powerful witch, who lives alone with her familiar. When a coven of young witches dies suddenly, the town enforcer, a demon named Raven, investigates their deaths. Raven pulls Hester into the probe to help him because it involves magic. They are interesting characters that seem to be drawn to each other even though they are so different. Besides magic and mystery, these two characters focus on the simple things in life, like cooking a meal together. I really liked the ocelot familiar who was always there for Hester. I developed an empathy for whoever the killer ended up being. This is a clean, romantic paranormal mystery that was an enjoyable read.

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. I will be off celebrating my birthday. Be back July 24th!

Embrace that inner child this summer by reading a good book by the lake, pool, or under the stars. D. L. Finn

June Book Reviews and a wedding picture! @TonyaWrites @sgc58 @WordDreams @SueColetta1 @teagangeneviene @DAntion @AnnalisaCrawf #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter

A Secret Gift

By Tonya Penrose

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.

Tales From The Garden

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!

Cat and The Dreamer

By Annalisa Crawford

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.

The Inyan Beacon

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.

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

March Book Reviews Part 4! @gmplano @A_Varga_Author @stacitroilo@JoanHallWrites @Chelepie @PCZick #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter

Redemption: A Father’s Fatal Decision

By Gwendolyn M. Plano

“Redemption” is a fast-paced thriller that hooked me from the first page. Lisa came home to visit her parents. She had a bad feeling when the doorbell rang, but she couldn’t stop what happened next. With her father dead, her mother fighting for her life, and her brother, Trace, in another country, she struggles to figure out what happened. Lisa quickly realizes she needs to be careful whom she trusts because her world is turned upside down as the truth slowly unravels. Luckily, her brother and his friend, Ryan, come to her aid. I love how they are there for each other, while Lisa’s strength, love of family, and intelligence are inspiring. She bravely stands by her mother while trying to understand her father. I found this book hard to put down with all the twists weaved into a family’s story. The research put into this mystery made it even more chilling because of the possibility that it could happen. The themes of redemption and forgiveness tugged at my heart, and I highly recommend this suspenseful family drama.

Jump In Time #2

The Celtic Deception

By Andrew Varga

“The Celtic Deception” is a fun YA read that blends history and fantasy. I haven’t read the first book, but I found this story easy to follow. Seventeen-year-old time jumper, Dan, comes home to an unwelcomed visitor who was responsible for his father being in a coma. I was immediately drawn into the story. Although the visitor had taken something that seemed so important, Dan was carefully trained by his father and was prepared for that. Soon, Dan and his jumping partner, Samantha, need to make a jump to fix history. I loved the time they went into 60 CE when Romans dominated, and Celts were on the run or fighting back. The relationships they developed in the Celt tribe had me rooting for them, even against all odds and history. A read meant for teens, but adults can appreciate it too. I thoroughly enjoyed this mix of the reality of a historical moment and time-traveling teens trying to survive while not changing the past that would affect the future.

Bright Lights and Candle Glow

By Staci Troilo, Michele Jones, Pamela Foster, Jan Morrill, Dave Kwiecinski, Joan Hall, P.C. Zick, and Grace L. Reilly

“Bright Lights and Candle Glow” is a beautiful holiday collection of eight short stories. The tales transport the reader into many places, including the Civil War or a ranch in Montana. Each story was a satisfying read for the holidays or any time of the year, and I won’t be picking any favorites. There were not only some fantastic twists I didn’t expect but vivid settings that pulled me right in. I can easily recommend this group of well-told holiday stories for Christmas and Yule reading.

NOTE:

I will be quiet on social media and blog visits this week. I’m going to take a bit of me-time before I get busy with my upcoming release and blog tour. Have a great week xo

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

2023 Spring Edition of “Books That Changed Me!” @AnnalisaCrawf @gmplano @supermegawoman #topreading #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter #readersoffacebook

Welcome spring! I am ready to enjoy the return of the birds, flowers, and the landscape bursting with life. It’s my favorite time of year, along with fall. We had quite a winter here. Some epic and sometimes overwhelming storms finally ended our three-year drought—at least in our area.

Time to enjoy nice spring hikes along the river, take Harley rides, and read some great books! Stories and poetry can touch us in many different ways and change us. You have already seen these books reviewed here on my blog. Since I have read some fantastic books lately, more of those will be making their way here in other seasons. Today these are the book revisiting with their blurbs as some of my top reads.

Redemption: A Father’s Fatal Decision

By Gwendolyn M. Plano

Family secrets can be deadly. When Lisa visits her parents one fateful Saturday morning, she hugs her father and takes her suitcase to her childhood bedroom. The doorbell rings, and one minute later her father lies dead on the floor—three bullets to the chest. The death of Eric Holmes sends shockwaves throughout the quiet neighborhood. But for the Holmes family, it is devastating.
In this fast-paced psychological thriller, Lisa and her brother embark on a quest to solve the mystery of their father’s murder. The journey takes them into a secret world where nothing is as it seems. Once the puzzle pieces begin to coalesce, they realize that their father had multiple lives. As the facts unravel, the siblings discover the true meaning of Redemption.

The Clock in My Mother’s House and other stories

By Annalisa Crawford

Life can change in an instant, but that’s not always a bad thing.

A hotel explodes leaving staff and guests in peril; a woman retrieves an old clock from the attic with disturbing consequences; one man leaves heart break behind him, and another arrives to bring adventure.

In this haunting collection, Annalisa Crawford creates characters who will charm, captivate, and intrigue you.

Annalisa’s stories have featured in Fairlight Shorts, Fictive Dream, and Reflex Fiction; and have been short- and longlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, the Bath Short Story Award, Globe Soup, and more.

The Bubble Reputation

By Alex Craigie

If you want to destroy someone’s reputation, social media provides the perfect tool.

Emmie Hobson, children’s author and TV presenter, is riding high on a wave of popularity when an unscrupulous newspaper editor, desperate for a scoop, brings Emmie’s world crashing down.

Social media picks up the baton and a terrifying backlash of hate and abuse is unleashed. Threats are made and there are those, inflamed by the rhetoric, prepared to take the law into their own hands.

For the young at heart and middle grade readers:

Amanda in France: Fire in the Cathedral (An Amanda Travels Adventure Book 9)

by Darlene Foster

Amanda explores the exciting streets of Paris, the fabulous Palace of Versailles and the gardens of the painter Claude Monet, while being drawn into the mystery surrounding the destructive fire of Notre Dame cathedral.

Amanda is in love! With Paris – the city of love. She’s in awe of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral. While there, she gets to work as a volunteer and stay in a famous book store, along with her bestie, Leah, and Leah’s eccentric Aunt Jenny. A dream come true for a book lover like Amanda.

Except, while she’s at the Paris Opera House there is a bomb threat. Then the lights go out during their visit to the Louvre. Worst of all, a devastating fire blazes in Notre Dame. Why does a mysterious man, who claims to be a busker, writer and artist, show up every time something bad happens?

Join Amanda as she explores the exciting streets of Paris, the fabulous Palace of Versailles and the gardens of the painter Claude Monet, all the time looking for clues as to who would want to destroy such a beautiful, historic cathedral.

Embrace your inner child by reading a great book—D. L. Finn

March Book Reviews Part One and update! @PriscillaBettis @AnnalisaCrawf #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter #whattoread

Vampire of the Midnight Sun

By Priscilla Bettis

“Vampire of the Midnight Sun” has two stories in this horror collection that I couldn’t put down. In “Vampire of the Midnight Sun,” Billy and Frasier are on a river rafting trip in Alaska when they end up in the icy waters. Now they need to hike back without food, matches, and in wet clothes. Billy handles this much better than Frasier. I could feel how cold Frasier was as he clung to a rock for warmth. The scenery descriptions made me feel like I was there with them. It’s not only a story of survival but a friendship and exploring inner strength. There is a surprising twist, as the unexpected might become a reality. “Fire Witch and the Cowboy” is set in the old west. There is a fire coming, and the town panics and goes to the one person they know they shouldn’t, the old widow. As it unfolds, her backstory and the towns come to life. There is a sideways justice in the past and still to be. I love when the train arrives as the brave go to fight the fire before it consumes the town. But there is a twist and a price to be paid. Both were quick reads with in-depth characters and a fast pace that kept me reading. I can easily recommend this to horror fans.

The Clock in My Mother’s House and other stories

By Annalisa Crawford

“The Clock in My Mother’s House” is a great assortment of short stories. Each piece pulled me in, and the characters were engaging. It was hard to pick, but here are a few of my favorites. “A Woman in the Van” was about an older woman living in her van, and it was clear she wasn’t wanted in the small town where she was parked. A teen had recently lost his mother and wasn’t getting along with his father. The two connect, even with his poor attitude. She has a gift and the need to help others. The problem is that no one listens to her. This was a page-turner to see what would happen next. “The Fear of Ghosts” had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what about those ghosts. With a mother dying and the blind son coming home to see her, he runs into what haunted him as a child. It was one of those stories where I kept hoping he’d leave but wanted to know what he was up against, too. The thought of trying to get away from something you can’t see in a place you are no longer familiar with was chilling. “Adventures in My Own Backyard” touched me on many levels. A young man ends up paralyzed and unable to speak after an accident. His mother takes over his care, and we see the world through his eyes in his minimal world. It was very touching that a neighbor became a part of his life—this one left me thinking when I was done. A fantastic collection that I can easily recommend.

Asunder, baby: A collection

By Steven Baird

“Asunder, Baby” is a unique assortment of short stories and poetry. The entire book has a poetic flare and presentation with a mixture of beautiful and dark images. I enjoyed many stories and poems and how some characters and storylines appeared more than once. Here are a few that caught my eye: “Where we go dancing,” “A gopherwood box,” “Appomattox,” “The middle of a very rainy afternoon,” “Louisiana baptism,” and “Pentimento.” This is for those who enjoy short stories and poetry that take them into a moment with vivid and insightful descriptions. It differs from other collections, and I appreciate that difference.

UPDATE:

I mentioned I’d be busy but that changed. I will still be around 🙂

But, we are in the middle of some epic snow storms. We were without power, landline, and internet for many days until late Saturday night. That meant no cell signal except for text messages. That’s why I’ve been silent.

Then I played catch up on Sunday finally getting our taxes done. Whew! Still snowing as of Sunday afternoon. I’m not sure what this storm is going to do. They predicted between 1-3 feet more of snow through this Wednesday. Since we already have around five feet of it, I’m hoping they are wrong this time.

A tree fell in driveway but thankfully didn’t hit anything. I’m declaring this the biggest set of storms in our 33 years at our house.

Here’s the tree. Glad it missed everything. Our cars are usually there but were in storm postion up top near the street. My husband counted the rings, it was only 57 years old. Very tall though.

Hopefully we won’t end up in the dark again, but if I’m quiet you’ll know why. On a bright note our area in Northern California is not in a drought anymore 🙂

The road we navigated to get food on Thursday. It was only plowed for a single lane.

Embrace your inner child, and read a good book! D. L. Finn

Cover reveal, Pre-order and blog host request! #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter #preorder #coverreveal

I’m excited to announce the upcoming release of a short story collection: “In the Tree’s Shadow.”

For those who didn’t see it in my newsletter, here’s the cover:

Blurb

(It might change a bit before the release)

A collection of short stories where dreams and nightmares co-exist.

Nestled inside these pages, you’ll meet a couple in their golden years who take a trip with an unexpected detour, a boy desperate to give his brother the Christmas gift he asked for, a girl with a small glass dragon who is at the mercy of her cruel uncles, or a young mother who has the same dream about murder. You’ll be introduced to worlds where people get second chances and monsters might be allowed their desires while angels and dragons try to help. Happy endings occur, but perspective can blur the line between good and evil in these twenty-seven tales. Since the stories vary between 99 to 12k words, whether you have only five minutes or an entire evening to settle into reading, there is something that will suit your time and taste.

Universal Amazon Preorder LINK

The release date is April 17th.

ONE MORE THING!

BLOG TOUR

Thanks everyone! The spots have been filled. I will contact you. xo

I won’t have the post ready until end of March. I’m going to be busy for a while with the grandkids so I’m getting things done ahead of time. More on that later.

Thank you 🙂

February Book Reviews Part 2! @supermegawoman @RichardDockett1 @LBroday @JoanHallWrites #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter #whattoread

Amanda in France: Fire in the Cathedral (An Amanda Travels Adventure Book 9)

by Darlene Foster

“Amanda in France” is an exciting book for middle-grade or youthful adult readers—like me. Amanda gets the opportunity to go to France with her best friend and aunt and stay at a bookstore where she works part-time. When they explore the city, I feel like I’m with them and seeing all the places I’ve dreamed of exploring someday. Amanda gets free tickets to see a musical, they end up in a bomb scare, and a man she keeps seeing is there. I felt her sadness as the fire at Notre Dame burned, and her need to help save the art. Amanda’s best friend has been hanging around someone whom she wondered about his motives and those after him. There is not only history and exquisite details but a mystery to be solved. I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure with Amanda and am ready to explore more with her.

Menagerie

By Joan Hall

“Menagerie” is a wonderful collection of short stories linked together with small-town living. Each story is unique, and several genres and time periods are included. They are beautifully written with attention to detail and vivid descriptions that captured my imagination. It’s hard to pick the ones I liked the best, but “Lone Wolf” immediately won my heart. Jake is trying to get over a painful breakup and camps in the mountains he loves every chance he gets. He runs across a lone wolf, and they watch each other from a distance. There was a potential for healing and a look at a relationship between man and a wild animal. I fell in love with that wolf and the land’s extraordinary beauty, but it isn’t always safe for wild animals around ranches. “Ghost Bridge,” a doctor, fell victim to a local legend in 1889. It is said he haunts a bridge now. Kate moves to an isolated house that overlooks this bridge. I admired the peace she found there but also something else. I enjoy exploring local legends in stories and how they affect the living. “Friends” was a mystery and a reconnection to the past. Cassie is a detective in a small town, and her ex-partner comes to help solve a cold case. It was fun guessing whodunit, along with her working with her partner, Nick. These are thirteen stories that I can highly recommend!

Life and Other Dreams: Sci-Fi and Psychological Thriller

By Richard Dee

“Life and Other Dreams” is a unique story that questions what reality is for Rick/Dan. Rick is married to Cath, a character I dislike, and works a job he finds uninteresting. At night though, he has vivid dreams as Dan, six hundred years in the future, exploring another planet with his wife, Vanessa. Sleep becomes hard for him, and his wife, Cath, pushes him to get help. He ends up on experimental drugs that help him sleep and make his dreams more lucid. Rick’s wife becomes jealous of his dreams and decides he is cheating on her and leaves. I enjoyed the dream life in the future but disliked Rick’s current timeline and his marriage to Cath, or why he was even with her. He is likable in both realities, though, and you can’t help but root for him. This story doesn’t answer questions and offers more intriguing ones with the ending. I have a few theories and will read the next book to see where this goes and if Cath can redeem herself—or is even real. A fun read for sci-fi fans or those who enjoy a good thought-provoking read.

Winning Maura’s Heart

By Linda Broday

In 1876, sisters Maura and Emma were the daughters of a hangman in San Antonio. The sisters cared for the town’s yellow fever victims until they weren’t needed. The townspeople decided it was time for the hangman’s daughters to leave. With no house to return to, Maura sets out to find a place for the sisters and the recently orphaned children. She travels to an abandoned mission and discovers three nuns who would welcome them and the children. The Calhoun brothers, Jonas and Cutter, are trying to escape the outlaw gang Jonas has been in. Although twins, the brothers are on different sides of the law. Jonas and Cutter are pursued, and, in a shootout, both are shot. The story follows one unknown brother who finds a place to hide by the mission. Once the children and sisters get settled into the mission, Maura finds this man, takes him in, and doctors him, not knowing who he is. I quickly fell in love with Maura’s character. She was a strong, compassionate woman with a moral compass that guided her actions. Her love for her sister and those children was heartwarming, which nicely balanced how cruel the townspeople were to them. I found it intriguing not to know the brother’s name until the very end and enjoyed getting to know Uncle Max. As Maura and her patient grow close, a family and healing emerge at the mission, but the outlaw gang is a danger to them all. This fast-paced story has a couple of twists that make it hard to put down. I highly recommend “Winning Maura’s Heart” to all who love a good western romance.

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

#NewRelease! “Menagerie” by@JoanHallWrites #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter #whattoread #shortstories

I’m thrilled to welcome fellow Story Empire author and friend here today, Joan Hall, to talk about her latest release, “Menagerie.” Here is my review: LINK

Lone Wolf

Thank you for sharing your space with me today, Denise. It’s a pleasure to be here to tell you and your readers about my newest release, Menagerie. It’s a mixed-genre compilation of thirteen short stories. I feature a different story in each tour stop and tell what inspired me to write it. You’re an animal and nature lover like me, so today’s story is Lone Wolf.

Many of your readers will remember the late Suzanne Burke. She used to feature a weekly flash fiction photo prompt and invite readers to compose a short piece of fiction. I participated several times. One week, she shared a photo of a wolf.

Immediately, my mind went to a replica of a painting that hung on a bedroom wall in my Aunt Jessie’s house. Lone Wolf was by Polish artist Alfred Kowalski. In the painting, a wolf stood on a snow-covered hill overlooking a small village.

My creative juices began to flow. What if a lonely cowboy befriends a solitary wolf? Can a wild animal and a human develop a connection? The original flash fiction piece was around 750 words. I took the original story, expanded it to just over 3,000 words, and added a few characters.

Music also inspires my writing. John Denver fans might recognize elements of his song from the Farewell Andromeda album, “I think I’d Rather Be a Cowboy” in this story. John was also a lover of nature and an advocate of nature conservation. It’s my hope that Lone Wolf shows people and wildlife can co-exist.

Excerpt:

Jake tossed another log onto the campfire then lay back on his bedroll with his hands clasped behind his head to gaze at the countless stars. Arcturus sparkled like a diamond within the constellation Boötes, its brightness surpassed only by Venus in the western sky. The Big Dipper hovered near the horizon.

How could anyone look upon this beauty and not feel peace and contentment? The thought of living in a large city with the constant noise of traffic, honking horns, and sirens left an unpleasant taste in his mouth. Places where man-made light and pollution all but obliterated a view of the stars and where smog filled the daytime skies. Jake wanted no part of that kind of life.

Soon, the warmth of the fire lulled him to sleep. Jake wasn’t sure how long he dozed when a wolf’s howl awakened him. He listened earnestly. Most wolves in this area didn’t venture too close to civilization, but he was a good five miles from the ranch’s headquarters. The canines traveled in packs, but this one was alone. Likely a young male on the move to find new territory.

The cry faded into the distance. Assured he had nothing to fear, Jake crawled into his sleeping bag. Before long, he was sound asleep.

Blurb:

King’s. The Tower of London. Glass. What do these have in common?

Each is a famous menagerie.

While this Menagerie doesn’t focus on exotic animals, it does contain a collection of stories that explore various trials people face and how their reactions shape their worlds.

Survivors of a haunted bridge. Women who wait while their husbands fight a war. Former partners reuniting to solve a cold-case murder.

These are just three of the thirteen stories in this compendium, encompassing past and present, natural and supernatural, legend and reality. The genres and timelines are varied, but there’s a little something for everyone who enjoys reading about simpler times and small-town life.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/jh-menagerie

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BOOKS THAT CHANGED ME—2022 WINTER EDITION! @Sandra_Cox @JanSikes3 @LBroday #whattoread #MUSTREADS #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter #mustread

The landscape has been illuminated with snow that clung to the trees for several days in an icy chill. The days have grown shorter, but that only means more time to read.

I’ve read a lot of books this year, over 100 again, which I will share in January. However, reading that many good books make it hard to narrow my list of favorites each season. The books I post here have entertained me and found their way into my heart. It’s why I call my favorites “Books that Changed Me.” Because when you read a great story, it doesn’t go away once you close the book. It stays around, lingering in your thoughts and heart.

I offer three beautiful books and a heartwarming Christmas story you don’t want to miss. You might remember them from my reviews.

In no particular order, here they are:

Fairies, Myths, & Magic II: Book 2: A Winter Celebration

By Colleen M. Chesebro

BLURB

In this second book in the Fairies, Myths, & Magic series, step into a world where dark fairies and other magical beings converge in a collection of poetry and short stories inspired by winter and the celebration of the winter solstice.

From autumn’s scary fairies to the forgotten female characters of Yule, prepare to embrace the magical winter solstice myths from around the world. Meet Frau Holle in the Wild Hunt, Befana—the Christmas Witch of Italy, and the Japanese goddess Ameratasu who controls the springtime. Prepare to embrace the Scottish trows, the Irish Goddess of Winter—the Cailleach Béara, and Snegurochka—the Snow Girl.

Learn how to make Yuletide rituals part of your celebration by embracing the symbols of Yule by decorating with evergreens and crystals.

US AMAZON LINK

UK AMAZON LINK

Saddled Heart (The White Rune Series Book 3)

By Jan Sikes

BLURB

Colt Layne owns the Layne Horse Sanctuary. He lives an idyllic life, between caring for the animals and playing music with his band. That is until a stranger appears with unreasonable demands. When someone murders the man, Colt is arrested. He’s been framed, but by whom and why?
He needs to talk with his deceased grandfather. But that’s impossible. Or is it?
Sage Coventry is gifted with the ability to communicate with the deceased. Skeptical but desperate, when Colt consults with her, he gets more than messages from beyond the grave as she breezes into his heart with sweet patchouli fragrance and tempting lips he longs to kiss.
The race against time to clear his name and save the ranch launches them on a mission that brings shocking revelations.

US AMAZON LINK

UK AMAZON LINK

Geller’s Find

By Sandra Cox

BLURB

It’s summer break and Dr. Luke Geller, history prof and part-time archeologist is in Nevada looking for potsherds. What he discovers is an antique rifle and a portal in time.
Touching an ancient piece of Chiastolite crystal, the earth rumbles, the skies darken and the ground opens. He’s hurled straight to the core of the earth then shot back up and spewed out.
When he stumbles to his feet, he finds himself where he began. Same, yet different. There are no winding roads. No parking lots. No cars. No town with bright lights in the distance. Only Lily Winter Tremaine, an angry young woman pointing a gun at him, demanding he hand over her rifle.
All thoughts of primitive pottery disappear as Luke finds himself fighting alongside three young women trying to hold onto their ranch against a dangerous scoundrel who intends to have the ranch by whatever means possible. Then there’s the little fact that Luke’s mightily attracted to the young woman he’s working for. A woman old enough to be his great-great granny. And Miss Lily Winter Tremaine does not figure into any of tenured professor Luke Geller’s lesson plans.

US AMAZON LINK

UK AMAZON LINK

A Heartwarming Christmas Read

Hope‘s Angel

By Linda Broday

BLURB

Christmas? It’s nothing to celebrate and brings memories of everything he seeks to forget.

When a horrendous accident leaves Jericho Cane disfigured, he retreats to the dark refuge of his childhood home. People label him a monster, a phantom. Only while the town sleeps can he find courage to venture out and seek solace in midnight rides.

But who is making mysterious repairs to broken items, leaving food on doorsteps and wooden angels on children’s graves?

Newly arrived, Irish doctor Kathleen O’Shea, has no fear of Jericho Cane. Armed with determination, she offers hope where he can live again. Still, can he thrive walking in daylight amongst the ones who call him a monster? If she fails, the darkness will consume him for good.

A holiday read that will touch your heart and remind you that Christmas is a time of acceptance, kindness, and for healing wounds.

US AMAZON LINK

UK AMAZON LINK

I know this is a day early but Happy Winter Solstice! I also want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Holidays, and Happy New Year. D. L. Finn