Sandra Cox's Blog, page 16

IWSG Wednesday AND Did You Know

 

The firstWednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. IWSG was formed by NinjaCaptain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discussstruggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

 

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG  

Hashtag: #IWSG 

The awesome co-hosts for the August 7 posting of theIWSG are Feather Stone, Kim Lajevardi, Diedre Knight, C. Lee McKenzie, and Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post.These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experienceor story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let itinspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional

 

August 7 question - Do you use AI in your writing and if so how?Do you use it for your posts? Incorporate it into your stories? Use it forresearch? Audio?

I use IA for guest posts on specific topics and I have out oneaudio that’s AI. What about you? Have you tried AI on audio?

AND

July/August Reviews in noparticular order

*Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factorthem into my review.

CATCHA TIGER BY THE TOE by Joe Congel

Thisis book twenty-six of twenty-seven in the Magnolia Bluffs Series and the secondfocused on Brandon Turner retired NYPD police officer.

Inbook twenty-six, there’s a serial killer on the loose, in this small Texastown, that has killed two young children and has his eye on a third. Besideeach victim he leaves a stuffed toy tiger and a nursery rhyme. Brandon comesout of retirement to help the Magnolia Bluffs’ police catch the killer.

Ifanyone but Joe Congel had written this, I probably wouldn't have read itbecause of the subject matter: child murder. But being a Congel fan this wasnot an option. The story, as expected, was a riveting tale.  The author handled the subject matter withsensitivity and didn’t get bogged down with macabre details. The tension buildsthrough the book and ends with a high-octane chase to catch the killer beforehe kills again AND offers some unexpected twists at the end.

Ifyou are a murder mystery aficionado, a Congel fan or just appreciate a goodtale I think you’ll enjoy this one as much as I did. 

Available at Amazon

 

THESILVER LEOPARD by Zoe Cass

Thisis a classic example of the romantic suspense genre written in the 70s.

Carolinehas escaped a lonely and unhappy childhood by moving to London and developing asuccessful career buying and selling antiques. With her mother's death, she iscalled back to Scotland where danger and evil linger.

Recommendedfor those that enjoy classic romantic suspense.

Available at Amazon

 

LEGENDIN GREEN VELVET by Elizabeth Peters

ElizabethPeters at her best.

Thisis an enjoyable read about a young American on her way to work at a Scottish archeologicaldig when she gets embroiled in a murder. Sprinkled throughout with laugh-out-loudmoments, this is a must read for Elizabeth Peters fans.

Available at Amazon

 

 

AND 

 

NewReleases

BECAUSE NO ONE NOTICED by C. Lee McKenzie

(Editors Pick)

Five juniors at Las Animas High have a long history together. They love, dislike, or tolerate each other depending on the day. Occupied with class assignments, career choices, family disharmony, and the usual teen turbulence, none of them thinks seriously of the danger lurking in their near future or how fragile and temporary life is.

Inspired by real-life tragedy, the story unfolds in alternating points of view as the characters explore the resilience of their hearts and their ability to rebuild their lives after a shattering tragedy.

Available at Amazon

 

MATEO'S WOMAN by Sandra Cox

Delilah is dead.

With her demise, everyoneshould be safe, but something insidious is happening to Mateo’s town and to thewoman he loves. People are dying and Blair is changing, taking on mannerismsthat are clearly not her own. Becoming a danger to herself and others. He hasno idea what is happening to the town’s people but he has an inkling of what ishappening to Blair and what he’s thinking just isn’t possible. But whether it’spossible or not, he has to pry Blair from the evil that’s sunk its fangs into her.Now it's a race against time to save the woman he loves and get to the bottom ofwho is killing Grizzly’s citizenry. And if that’s not enough of a challenge forthe shapeshifting sheriff, his future mother-in-law has come for a visit.

Available at Amazon 

NOW OPTIONED FOR TELEVISION!
Every book can be read as a standalone mystery - hop in anywhere in the series!

USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Amy Vansant has her cast of characters embroiled in three Halloween hijinks --- a murder, a robbery, and a ghost story!

 Available at Amazon

AND

Did you know, Dr.Seuss (Theodore Seuss Geisel)  was creditedfor inventing the term nerd?

 

For moreinformation: 20 Dr. SeussFacts - Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Dr. Seuss - Parade

 

 

 

Ketch-Up Day

 

 

How are you? I feel like I may need an exorcist the way the weather is causing my head to spin. We dealt with drought conditions and mandatory water restrictions this summer then in the last few weeks we've had over eight inches of rain and now heavy rains, storms and tropical cyclones are heading to North Carolina at the end of the week. Though probably nothing like what Florida and the more southern coastline have experienced.  

August Calendars   Yes, this is true;) This is a D.L. Finn calendar. (Thanks, Denise:) August may be my favorite picture and photo so far. North Carolina skies 
 
Florida skyThanks, Shane. 
Reflective Kitty
 What's going on in your neck of the woods? How's your weather?

 

RELEASE DAY : MATEO'S WOMAN

 

 

Released today  Mateo’sWoman

 

Delilah is dead.

With her demise, everyone should be safe,but something insidious is happening to Mateo’s town and to the woman he loves.People are dying and Blair is changing, taking on mannerisms that are clearlynot her own. Becoming a danger to herself and others. He has no idea what ishappening to the town’s people but he has an inkling of what is happening toBlair and what he’s thinking just isn’t possible. But whether it’s possible ornot, he has to pry Blair from the evil that’s sunk its fangs into her. Now it'sa race against time to save the woman he loves and get to the bottom of who iskilling Grizzly’s citizenry. And if that’s not enough of a challenge for theshapeshifting sheriff, his future mother-in-law has come for a visit.

Chief Deputy BlairDelaney loves a loaded pizza.

Tina’s ‘special’brownies make her mellow.

She inhales Belle’sBeans’ bear claws

And lives on Belle’sfresh brewed coffee.

Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Mateos-Woman-Sandra-Cox-ebook/dp/B0D778VS5L

 

FYI: Jacqui and Denise, two amazing authors, are also helping me get the word out.

Jacqui today (Friday): worddreams.wordpress.com

Denise: Monday   https://wp.me/p88dPL-otq

 

Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also the author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, reviews as an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Savage Land Winter 2024.

Find her at Amazon

D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.

Find her at Amazon

AND

 

 

 

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know

 What's your synonym, sentence or definition for:

 

 Example: She looks so twee in her little costume.  

AND

Did you know, Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts? And yes that's Barbie the doll.

For more information: 

Ketch-up Day

 

 How are you? We are still getting rain and this is what is growing in the Eternal Garden.

 

 

 

The hydrangeas have hung in there.

 

And from Colorado.

Thanks, Julie.

 What's going on in your neck of the woods?

Your Weekend Read: CATCH A TIGER BY THE TOE By Joe Congel

 

Title: Catch a Tiger by the Toe

 

 

 

Amazon Buy link:   https://t.co/a7eifxPDT4

 

Blurb:

 

Two kids dead. A killer daring the Magnolia Bluff police to catch him. Who will win this deadly contest between good and evil?

A child is snatched from her stroller and murdered. Seventy-two hours later, a little boy suffers the same fate. The only clues are a couple of photos, an old counting nursery rhyme, a flash drive, and a stuffed toy animal left near each of the bodies. Is it the work of a killer preying on children—or something even worse? Retired NYPD detective Brandon Turner is in a race against time as he hunts for the killer—before another child dies.

Once again asked to work alongside the local police, Turner finds himself clashing with the lead investigator as they set their sights on stopping a madman killer who is forcing them into a sick game of “catch me if you can.”

Police Chief Tommy Jager and Sergeant Investigator Reece Sovern are counting on Turner’s skills as a former big city cop to help them rein in the terror in the hearts of every parent in a little town nestled along the Texas Hill Country called Magnolia Bluff.

 

 

Bio:

 

Joe Congel grew up in Syracuse, NY, and currently lives in beautiful Charlotte, NC. He got his first break in the world of publishing when he illustrated the humorous book, Housetraining Your VCR, A Help Manual for Humans, published by Grapevine Publications back in the early ’90s.

A few years after Housetraining set the world on fire, Joe decided that he was better suited as a writer rather than as an artist, so he began crafting stories that allowed the reader to use their own imagination to add the visuals to the narrative.

Since he’s enjoyed reading murder mysteries and PI detective stories all his life, he felt he had a pretty good grasp on how to create an engaging character in the world of private detecting. DEAD IS FOREVER is the first book in the Razzman Mystery Crime Files series, featuring Tony Razzolito, PI. The book is set in Syracuse, NY, and Charlotte, NC, with upcoming books in the series concentrated more in and around the Charlotte area. Joe is uniquely qualified to write about both areas of the country since he lived in Syracuse for 36 years and Charlotte for the last 25 plus years.

When he’s not writing, you will most likely find him spoiling his three grandchildren.

 

Three Foodie Facts about Brandon Turner (Main Character):

Even though he’s living in Magnolia Bluff, Texas, Brandon’s favorite foods reflect his New York roots –

Nothing like the taste of biting into a good New York hotdog. Brandon’s favorite place to indulge when he’s in the city is Gray’s Papaya. The crisp snap of the skin when you take that first bite is the hallmark of a flavorful all-beef Sabretts quality dog eating experience.A pepperoni slice from Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village. He loves to grab a couple of slices, a drink and sit in the park and watch the people go by while enjoying one of the best thin crust pizza by the slice spots in the city. Always a long line at the door – always worth the wait.  Chicken Riggies. When Brandon was a detective with the NYPD, he spent the holidays at his girlfriend’s (at the time) parent’s home in Utica, NY. They introduced him to this wonderful blend of chicken breast (cut into small bites), mushrooms, green peppers, and onion, mixed with a creamy tomato sauce and poured over rigatoni pasta. Since moving to Texas, he’s been cooking up his own version and enjoying this distinctively northeastern dish in the southwest.

 

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know

What is your synonym, sentence or example for:

 

 Sentence example: Those pink roses are beautiful, howbeit their thorns are very sharp.

 AND

 Did you know, that Abraham Lincoln, a great animal lover, let his cat Tabby eat at the dining room table? And to his wife's chagrin, once at a formal dinner.

 

 For more information: Funny Facts About President Abraham Lincoln — History Facts

Ketch-Up Day

 How's everything in your neck of the woods? We've had rain for about three days now.  Woot. Woot. Since we are officially in a drought here, it's been most welcome.  The only good thing about the lack of water is we haven't had to mow in over a month.  The weeds aren't even growing. Though, I imagine that's all about to change with the extended days of rain. At least temporarily.  What's it like there?

AND 
ANDThe Eternal Garden  and the Critters Pics 
 

Flowers for you. 

Weekend Wishes

 

AND

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know

What is your word, synonym, sentence or example for:

Sentence/meaning:  A contronym is a word that has two contradictory meanings.  

AND

Did you know, that President Lincoln kept documents in his top hat when he wore it? Supposedly the phrase 'keep it under your hat' came from Lincoln's habit of keeping documents in his top hat.

For more information: https://uniquetimes.org/abraham-lincolns-hat-a-surprising-repository-of-speech-notes-and-documents

AND