Getting To Know The Readers

 Hey everyone! Today on the blog I want to do something a little different. I want to get to you... the readers. I am going to ask some questions and you can answer in the comment section. I'll also give you my answers.

Question 1 How do organize your bookshelves?

I do it by genre or author

Question 2  How do you track the books you read?

I use Goodreads, Bookbub, Storygraph, and paper and pen.

Question 3 What are you favorite childhood books?

Mine are Poochie and the Four Seasons Fair, Danny and the Dinosaur, and The Boxcar Children series.

Question 4 What book would you most recommend to others?

Sugar Baby by Karen Young

Question 5: What is your favorite genre?

Romantic Suspense

Question 6  What genre do you refuse to read?

There aren't any I don't like.

Question 7  Who are your most recommended authors?

Karen Young, Delores Fossen, Sheila Kell, Debra Webb. Elle James. Elizabella Baker, Jane Blythe, Tina Hogan Grant, Natalie-Nicole Bates, just to name a few.

Question 8  What are your favorite book(s)?

Sugar Baby by Karen Young 

Question 9  What is your favorite book series?

The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series by Delores Fossen.

Question 10  Where is your favorite place to read?

On my bed or at the library.

Until next time... Happy Reading!!!

Book Reviews of 2025 Part 2

 Here is the next round of book reviews for this year so far. You can probably see a pattern with a certain series that I have fallen in love with. ;) 

First up we have Secrets and Sunrises by DL Gallie

A wonderful story about second chances and finding your soul mate. I loved everything about Krista and Hunter's story!! Great characters and an amazing plot make this an excellent book!!! And let's not forget Harley, I just loved that little guy!!!

Second is Cold Case At Cardwell Ranch by BJ Daniels 

Ella and Waco's story is a nonstop thrill ride. Full of surprises this book won't disappoint. Family secrets, shocking twists, and amazing characters for an excellent story. A definite page-turner!! I loved every bit of it!!

Third we have Shadowed Lies by Jane Blythe

Book two in the Prey Security: Charlie Team is an emotional thrill ride from beginning to end. Wonderful characters, a terrific storyline, and lots of action make for an excellent book. A perfect edition to the series!!!

And then we have Finding You by DL Gallie

This book had me hooked from the first line! A definite page-turner! I loved the characters and the plot. A wonderful story!

Mine To Protect by Elizabella baker is up next.

What an amazing way to wrap up a series! Second chances, found family, surprise twists and plenty of action make for a perfect story. David and Kassandra were wonderful characters! I was hooked from the very first word of this book!!!

Next is one of my favorite manga, Inuyasha by Rumiko Takahasi 

I am a huge fan of this series! I love everything about Inuyasha. The characters, storyline, everything! One of my all time favorite manga and anime!!

And then we have a kids book because well, we have to read to the kiddos. Bluey Queens.

A cute little story!

For the next two books we are back to that certain series that I definitely recommend.

Tactical Lies by Jane Blythe

Another excellent installment to this amazing series! Connor and Becca's story is full of romance, suspense, and surprise twists. I loved every single second of this story!! Great characters and a terrific storyline made it a book I couldn't put down.

And last up we have Vengeful Lies by Jane Blythe

Cade Charleston is the oldest brother and takes his responsibility very seriously. With all the threats to his family his world is completely upended by the abduction of his daughter Essie and her nanny Gabriella. Cade does the only thing he can to get them back.

Gabriella has never been able to hide her true feelings towards her boss, his entire family has noticed it even if he hasn't. Once Cade realizes he might just lose the two most important people in his life he also realizes his true feelings for Gabby.

Filled with twists and surprises, danger and a happy ending this is the perfect addition to the Prey Security: Charlie Team series. I loved everything about this book and couldn't put it down. Can't wait to see what happens next!

Until next time... Happy Reading!!!!

Writing Update and other news

 Hey everyone! I know I normally don't post until Wednesdays, but this post is a day early. I wasn't sure I would make one at all since I caught the ickiness everyone else has had. Felling somewhat better so thought I would get this written.

I have some unfortunate news about the Hayrides and Bonfires Anthology that was due out later this year. It has been cancelled so the story won't be used in it. It will however still be used this year. The name has been changed from The Mystery of the Cornfield to Field Of Blood. It will also no longer be YA. It will still be horror and now be a part of the Ghostly Rites 2025 edition. What that means is it will be more gorier than originally planned. Not a lot, but some.  Here is the new graphic and cover for my story.

Also my story for the Terror Reigns Anthology is finished and only needs to be editing at a later date. I still have until July so plenty of time. I sent my story in for the Echoes Of The Mind Anthology and will be sure to update everyone with new information once it's available. Guess this means it's time to start plotting the next one though I may take a break from anthology stories for a bit since they aren't due until later this year and only have a couple left to write. Who knows with my mind lol.

Until next time Happy Writing!!!!

My Favorite Advice From Authors

 Hello and welcome to the blog this week! 

Today I want to share some writing advice from authors who have inspired me. I hope you can find inspiration in their words too!

Have faith in yourself and know you wrote something you are proud of. Follow your dreams to reach your goal, then keep climbing and never look back.  - Jennifer Lynn Roche

I think the best advice is to never give up. I have a mentor who always insists that when it comes to publishing persistence is more important than anything. - Barbara Solomon Josselsohn

Don't discount self-publishing. - Alannah Lawrence

Never give up. Keep writing and read a lot of the genre you are writing. - Tina Hogan Grant

You'll never be able to please everyone so write the story you want to. - Marsha Black

Finish the book before you start planning on publishing. Don't do anything until you have a finished product. That includes developmental edits. - Lori King

Find your tribe. Believe in yourself. Get a good editor. - R.L. Merrill

These are only a few of my favorite pieces of advice. I will do another post in the future about this as well. Maybe make it a monthly thing. 

Until next time... Happy Writing!!!

Book Reviews of 2025 so far...

 This will be a shorter post since a lot has happened since last week. I wasn't even sure I was going to post this week at all, but figured it would only take a few minutes to do so here goes. There are only 7 books so far. Here goes.

First up we have Bad Dreams by R.L. Stine (this one was a reread)

This is one of my all time favorite book series! I have always loved Fear Street! Maggie and Andrea move into a new house with a deadly secret. Now Maggie has to figure out what those dreams mean before it's too late. I am absolutely amazing story with great characters and an excellent plot twist!!!

Next we have Deceptive Lies by Jane Blythe

Action from beginning to end! This book was a definite page-turner. With a surprise twist i didn't see coming and wonderful characters, it's the perfect start to the Charlie Team series!!! I loved Cooper and Willow's story! A terrific book that will leave you wanting more!

Third up is Holidays With Her by Amber M. Kestner

A terrific story! I loved this story, even though it was a shorter one. It had wonderful characters and a great plot! Definitely worth the read!

Our fourth book for the year is Her by D.V. Fischer

This book contains trigger warnings that can be found on the author's website. This book touches on a dark subject that needs to be ended. I loved Charlie and Nix. This book is full of emotions and twists. I totally didn't see that ending coming. Even though it may be difficult for some readers, I enjoyed this story.

After that we have Midnight Magic by W.A. Ashes

I absolutely loved this story! Short but sweet! A terrific holiday story!!!

Then it's Cowboy Protector by Amelia Chase

I really enjoyed this story. A quick, fun read! A terrific book! Storm and Lily were awesome!

And the last book for this time is the Snowflakes & Sleigh Bells Anthology

A wonderful collection of stories for a terrific cause! All of the stories were amazing! I loved this anthology. The perfect blend of holiday stories!!!

That's all for now since I haven't finished any more books yet. ;) Until next time... Happy Reading!!!

Just a little update

 Hey ya'll! How's everyone doing this week? I am officially on meds for an ear infection. Third one in four months so not going out unless I have to. However, that means I can get more done for my writing and reading stuff. That's what I'm doing today. I am scheduling posts for my FB reader group, Cassandra's Place. I am also updating my profile on Tome. Just joined it yesterday so it's still a work in progress. I also scheduled posts for an author takeover tomorrow on FB. 

I wrote more last night on my stories for the Terror Reigns and Hayrides and Bonfires anthologies. I also got some reading done. 

Here are the details for the two stories I am currently working on.

and

Well that's about it for this week. Have a wonderful week and Happy Writing/Reading!!!

PS. I will be updating everyone on my reading challenges next week so stay tuned for that one.

What Am I Doing In The Snowy Weather?

 With the weather being crazy lately I haven't gone out much. I have however been doing the whole writing and reading thing. I have also been doing my Diamond Art my cousin got me for Christmas. 

I have been getting a lot accomplished with my writing. My story for the Doors of Darkness anthology is finished and sent in. Waiting to hear back if it will be accepted or not. That story is called Defend The Night and is my first werewolf story. I also finished my story for the Echoes Of The mind Anthology and sent it in. The title of that one is Breathe In, Breathe Out, and Let It Go. The Stranger In The Grave is currently being written and will be sent in for the Terror Reigns Anthology and I already have my story for the Hayrides & Bonfires Anthology plotted and started as well. Still deciding on a title for that one. That still leaves two stories for anthologies to plot and write once these two are finished. Have plenty of time to get to them.

So far I have read seven books this year. Sixty-eight more to go for the rest of the year. Not doing to bad so far. Working on an ARC ebook and then one more ARC to do after that and reading a paperback as well. 

I am not one who enjoys the cold weather since I get so cold so easily. I love to snuggle under a blanket with a good book and some hot chocolate. Makes the perfect winter evening. And now I'm off to get some more writing done. 

Later Days and Stay Warm!!!

Happy New Year! Let's Talk Reading Challenges!

 Happy 2025 fellow writers and readers!!!

As the title of the post says, let's talk about those reading challenges? Do you set a reading goal for the year? Do you participate in reading group challenges? What are some of your favorites? 

I love my reading challenges! I even created two for my reader group on Facebook for this year. 

I do monthly reading challenges in several Facebook groups I am a member of. They are always fun. I am also doing a few others this year.

The 2025 Alphabet Soup Challenge

The 12 Challenge for 12 books recommended by friends.

The Rainbow Reading Challenge 

Plus I set my reading goal to 75 for this year. Last year I set it at 100 and read 109 books. However I have more writing projects to work on this year so I decided I need a lower number. Let me know what your favorite reading challenges are. And what is your favorite way to keep track of those challenges?

Now I am off to get some writing done before I read some more. Until next time...

Happy reading!!!!

Later Days!!!!