Getting Back To The Grindstone

 My first blog post for 2024 is a little late in coming due to the ickiness taking over the house. Everyone has been done with one thing or another. Now that things are getting back to normal I have been catching up on things.

My story Twisted Angel was accepted for the Vixens of Horror Anthology. It will be released in March. I have been trying to get some promo posts for it done. 

I am also working on another story for an anthology called Malice. It's my favorite genre to write too, Crime Fiction. The story is called The Seventh Woman. It's not due until June so I still have plenty of time to get it done.

Yesterday was spent doing edits on The Hunt For Amanda and working on a cover for it. I am having fun with that story.

I am also working on With Deadly Intent, book four in The Blakes series. It's coming along great!

What else is on the agenda for my writing life? A clown story for a challenge called Clown Off. A couple of stories for future anthologies still in the plotting stages, 6 stories about haunted paths, poetry in memory of loved ones, and From Annabelle to Four States. (The book about my hometown)

I have also been getting a lot of reading done this week too. Three books in four days isn't bad. (Reviews coming soon)

I am having fun making author logos as well. It's fun to play around with it. I am working on book covers as well. It gives me something else to do with my spare time.

Well I guess I should get back to work lol. Have a wonderful evening and Later Days!!!

Book Reviews of 2023 Part 7

 Now for the final installment of my book reviews from 2023. I managed to read 61 books so not a bad year. This year I am going to try for 100. Without further ado...

Book one is The Bumbling Bumblebee By Rebecca Atanassova

Another cute book! I love these books!

Second up we have The Trouble With Bubbles by Rebecca Atanassova

A very adorable story that any bubble chasers would love!

Third book is also by Rebecca Atanassova and it's called Flutter by, Butterfly

A really cute book that any child will love.

Fourth book this round is A Hamilton Christmas by Sheila Kell

The final installment in the HIS series. As a fan of this series I am very sad to see the end, but it was most definitely an amazing series. I enjoyed every story and they only got better as they went along. One of the things I loved most about this book was that it included Reagan's POV. It was such a joy to see how this little girl saw things. An amazing book!!! This is definitely a favorite series of mine.

The Christmas Bet by Heatherly Bell is up next

This was a quick, fun read. I can't wait to read more of this series. I loved Ty and Mandy's story, even though it was short. It was definitely worth the read. I absolutely loved it!

After that we have A Companion For Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain

An absolutely amazingly, written story! I could not stop reading this book once ai started. An inspirational story that will help you see that your past does not have to define your future. It's a wonderful story with characters you can fall in love with. Add in a terrific dog and a sweet little girl and it's a story you can't wait to read more of!!!

Twisted Santa by Annie Charme is up now.

This was a quick holiday read, but one I absolutely loved! Nick and Joy are wonderful characters and Theo is pretty awesome. Nick and Joy's story is one of learning to love again and overcoming the sadness of the past. Can they work together to save the toy shop? You'll have to read the story to find out!

And then we have Dog Days of Christmas by Elle James

Kujo and Molly's story is another addition to the Brotherhood Protectors series of book. Along with Six they decide to take a week long vacation when Six suddenly disappears. Can they find their canine friend before something bad happens to him? A terrific story with amazing characters make this book worth the read. I am quickly becoming a huge fan of this series.

Next is the classic Benji's First Holiday by Mary Tillworth

This was a quick, fun read. I have always loved Benji! This book was wonderful and anyone, no matter their age can enjoy it.

And next to last we have another installment to my all time favorite series A Silver Creek Christmas by Delores Fossen

While this is a short story from the Silver Creek series, it's just as amazing as the rest of the stories. There is plenty of action packed into this story. Joe and Sara's story is wonderful!

My final book for the year was A Homemade Holiday by K.D. Hilt

A sweet story about overcoming the tragedy of losing loved ones. I loved everything about this story! Ryder and Makayla are terrific characters. I am excited to read more of these stories!!

I hope you have enjoyed my reviews for the year. I plan to post the ones I do this year as well. Until next time... Happy Reading!

Book Reviews of 2023 Part 6

 This will be the next to the last book review update for the year. I was only going to do one more post, but that's a lot of books lol. So here's some of the list. There's a few children's books as well. 

First up we have I Need A New Butt! by Dawn McMillan

A fun little book for kids

Next up is a story I have loved for a long time. Madeline in London by Ludwig Bemelmas

I have always loved these stories. A classic for children of all ages!

Third we have The Island of Dr. Moreau by HG Wells

The Island of Dr Moreau, a classic science fiction story with horror elements. Told from the perspective of a man who happened upon the island after being saved from the sea. Once there he stumbles upon the work of the strange Dr. Moreau who has used his scientific knowledge to create his Beast People.

This story was well written and has wonderful imagery describing these people created by the doctor. It is a definite classic and is perfect to read for spooky season or any time of the year.

Fourth is Infinite Dreams by Raja Savage

The Brighton High Reunion series is a definite must read collection of stories. I have loved every single one of them.

Infinite Dreams was a wonderful story! I was in Skotlin's corner through the whole book. Thaddeus and Skotlin are characters anyone can relate to. And Tiara is such a terrific addition to the story! This book has some unexpected twists I didn't expect to see, but I loved being surprised and shocked. This was an amazing addition to this series!!!!

After that we have Suicide Forest by Jeremy Bates

This is was an interesting story full of twists I never expected. I enjoyed reading it. I was definitely rallying for Ethan and Mel and their friends. A terrific story!

Next on our list is the Icy Fingers Anthology (yes, it has one of my stories, but this is a review for all of the other stories in the book)

This anthology was a definite spookfest. With stories ranging from a haunted summer and a possessed doll, to an abandoned bridge and witches. It has everything a horror fan can sink their teeth into. I enjoyed all of the stories in this book. A great book for the spooky season!

Up now is Resolute Investigation by Leslie Marshman

I loved this book! This is second of the series I have read and it was as good as the first one. Adam Reed had always had a crush on Rachel Miller. Now he has a second chance to tell her how he really feels. First they have to stop the person who is after Rachel. Adam and Rachel were wonderful characters. The story was intriguing and fast-paced, keeping you on the edge of yours seat. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.

Next to last for this round is Dream Big by Tina Hogan Grant

Dream Big, the final book of the Sabela Series brings together all your favorite characters from the series along with Dwayne and Tammy from the Tammy Mellows trilogy.
Slater and Sabela finally have a chance to go on their honeymoon, but once on the island Sabela ends up at the hospital. Dwayne and Tammy are there to help them and it's the start of a brand new friendship. Then they receive bad news from home and have to end the honeymoon early.
Slater starts to dream Big about moving to the island with his family. Sabela keeps herself more grounded and reminds him that is probably not possible.
With new friends who quickly become family Sabela and Slater are faced with the biggest decision of their lives.
An amazing end to a terrific series! I'm sad to see it end, but it ended in a big way. Slater and Sabela remind everyone to never give up on your dreams. Nothing is out of your reach if you dream big enough!

Now for the final book this time around we have Flirting With Temptation by Elizabella Baker

Book 2 in The Blackguard Security: Phantom series did not disappoint! Fast-paced, action packed story that proves opposites attract. Another amazing installment to what is shaping up to be a terrific series!
Chance and Maddox are complete opposites. They should drive one another crazy, do they? You'll have to read the book and find out!

As I said there will be one more post for reviews once I finish reading for the year. It might be posted on January 1st. Until next time... Happy Reading!!!

What's going on in my writing life

 Well life has definitely been busy in this writer's life. Where should I start? 

I have been doing a lot of research for the book about my hometown. I have been finding some pretty interesting things. It's been a lot of work, but well worth it. I have also been working on With Deadly Intent and a short horror story. Plus planning the poetry book.

What else is going on in my author world? I am getting the website done. It's coming along a lot better than I thought I would be able to get it. Let's just say it's been a fun experience for someone who technology hates lol. I have also been working on setting goals for myself and getting myself organized. I have been setting weekly and monthly for what I need to be doing with my writing and books. I need to put scheduling posts for social media at the top of the list since I keep forgetting to do it. I hope by doing those goal lists I can get myself together and focus more on the main things I need to be doing, like writing.

So now I need to schedule times for writing, editing, research, scheduling posts for social media and my reader group, blog posts, reading (of course), and making teasers/book covers, and author takeovers. There's probably more I'm forgetting. We have also been doing events in my reader group. Those have been a lot of fun. I plan to have a better schedule set for myself by January 1, 2024. 

Now about the newsletter. I am still struggling with that one. Thinking maybe I should give up on it until I can hire someone to do it for me. It's driving me batty haha!! For now I need to run and get things done. Later Days and Happy Writing!

How About A Writing Update?

 Hello everyone and welcome back to the blog! Today I want to tell you what I am working on in my writing world. Have I taken on any new projects? Most likely since I tend do that without even blinking lol. 

I am still working on some author things that aren't writing, like setting up a website and starting a newsletter. The website is coming along smoothly. The newsletter, not so much!

Writing projects are still under way. I am still writing With Deadly Intent. It has almost reached the 20k mark. I have been researching my hometown to write that book about it. I came up with a title for it though, which is progress in my book. It will be called Annabelle To Four States: The History Of A Small West Virginia Town. Plus the stories about the haunted paths and poetry for loved ones book as well. 

I also accepted the challenge to write a clown story. It won't be due until next year, but it sounds fun! Creepy clown story close to Halloween time? It's perfect!!!It also gives me something to work on other than this series. If I keep going all the stories will be written before the first one is published. I am having such a wonderful time with it.

Edits are still happening with The Hunt For Amanda and hoping for a January release.But for now I am off to do some more story research, editing, and writing. 

Later Days!!!

Ghostly Rites 2023

 As promised here is the cover for Ghostly Writes Anthology 2023

Released November 1, 2023

A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES AND POEMS FOR HALLOWEEN.

A mixture of literature over several genres from the Ghostly Writers Crew, with a Halloween Themed Anthology. Do you like ghost stories? Suspense? Mystery, then you should read this. Authors are from around the world and they write their stories in the English Language and grammar of their country. Your Authors this year are:

Cathy-Lee Chopping, Kyrena Lynch, Josie Belasco, Thomas Woldering, K M McFarland, Jane Risdon, Beth Bayley, Binod Dawadi, Lynn Mullican, Adria Northman, Mary Woldering, Cassandra Jones and Kevin Chapman.

https://www.amazon.com/Ghostl.../dp/B0CMC57TLF/ref=sr_1_1...

Happy Release Day Snowflakes & Sleigh Bells!!!

 Happy Release Day to all of my fellow authors in this amazing anthology. All proceeds go to St. Jude's Children's Research.

AVAILABLE NOW!!!

Snowflakes & Sleigh Bells

Sleigh away this holiday season with amazing authors.

This snowball packed anthology will ring all your bells this merry season. So snuggle up, buttercup! Grab your hot chocolate, a fuzzy blankie, and sidle up in front of a toasty fire. Prepare for all the drama the holidays can bring as these unique characters attempt to come home for Christmas.

Fa-la-la-fall in love with this holly jolly book!

https://www.amazon.com/Snowflakes-Sleigh.../dp/B0CF2PQG7B