Sandra Cox's Blog, page 26

Did You Know

 Did you know, Americans are getting shorter?

 

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2023/12/15/lifestyle/americans-are-now-shorter-especially-in-these-professions/

IWSG Day

 

Thefirst Wednesday 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.

 

Twitterhandle: @TheIWSG  

Hashtag:#IWSG

 

The awesome co-hosts for theJanuary 3 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Olga Godim, Diedre Knight, and Natalie Aguirre!

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
January3 question: Do you follow back your readers on BookBub or do you only followback other authors?

Insteadof responding, I’m going to ask the readers out there, if you follow an author wouldyou like to have them follow you back?

 

December/January Reviewsin no particular order.

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

 

THE EDGE OF TOO LATE by JanSikes

A romantic getaway turnsdangerous.

Brandon Miller is in love,but Angela Cooper, the girl of his dreams, has already had a bad marriage anddoesn’t want to chance a repeat. Hoping to change her mind, Brandon plans aromantic getaway at Harbor Pointe. But what should be an idyllic weekend turnsdeadly and love must take a backseat when lives are on the line.

This is the fifth story inthe series and like its predecessors, it’s a well-told tale. The characters arerelatable, the scenery is lush and the pacing is just right. It held myinterest all the way through.

If you’ve been followingthis series, number five won’t disappoint.

 

TRAD:

THE COLD DISH Book 1 in theLongmire Series by Craig Johnson

DEATH WITHOUT COMPANY Book 2

KINDNESS GOES UNPUNISHED Book3

ANOTHER MAN’S MOCCASINS Book4

THE DARK HORSE Book 5

JUNKYARD DOGS Book 6

HELL IS EMPTY Book 7

AS THE CROW FLIES Book 8

I don’t know what I’m goingto do when we (the HH and I) finish this series. As you can see, I’m hooked. Longmireis such a well-developed character. Strong, caring, and self-depreciating. Andhis best friend, Henry Standing Bear is just as well-developed and another muchloved figure. Both men know how to take care of themselves and those aroundthem. Johnson has also done a wonderful job of world-building. The reader feelslike they could step foot in Walt’s town and known the folks strolling down thestreet. 

This is an extremely well-doneseries. It will appeal if you like a modern-day Western mystery or just a well-toldtale. And yes, I’ve overused the word well😉

 

 

 

 

 

Ketch-Up Day

 

Happy 

May it be wondrous.
 

How are you? What's happening in your neck of the woods?  The HH got his sutures out. No more dressing changes.  Woot. Woot. It's the little things.

AND...

More Longwood pictures.  These are a few from their Southwestern section.

 

 

That's all folks.

Ketch-up Day

 

If you celebrate, how were your holidays?

Ours were surprisingly nice. I say surprisingly, because it was the first time we spent Christmas alone in over forty-five years.  But everyone touched base with us and we had a lovely,  relaxing day. I sure hope you did as well.

As threatened, promised more Longwood Garden photos:

Orchids

That's all folks.

Ketch-Up Day

 

How are you? Got your holiday shopping done?

The HH is motoring around the house with his walker. Still no twisting, lifting or bending. One thing on the plus side of the ledger. We currently don't have to worry about meals. As previously mentioned, the daughter and SIL brought in homemade soups AND one of the HH's sisters sent soup AND our insurance is supplying a couple of weeks worth of meals. 

 

AND my walking buddy brought me a bottle of homemade wine to help ME motor around the house. Hehe.

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

As threatened promised, more Longwood pics. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And....

Drawings courtesy of my grandson:)

 

And...

 

And last but not least, critter pictures. 

That's all folks. Hope your holidays are wondrous.  I'll be back next Tuesday.

 

Ketch-up Day

 

Well, we are home from the hospital. Day of surgery, we got there at 6:30 a.m. and he got to his room about 7:00 p.m. He under went spinal fusion so it's going to take awhile to pop back. So far, the surgery has every appearance of being a success. And each day marks another day of healing.The daughter and SIL drove from Philly and delivered homemade soups. It was a lightning trip since they had to be back at work Monday, but it was wonderful to see them.  

On another note:)

While in Philly for Thanksgiving, as mentioned, we went to Longwood Gardens. Here's some pics. (Many more to come. Heh.) These are a few of the Christmas trees we saw. Pretty, huh?

 

That's all for today folks. I'll be back next week. Let me know what  you have been doing while I've been gone.

Ketch-up and IWSG Day

 

As you can see, I'm combining Ketch-up Day and IWSG. The HH is having surgery tomorrow. He'll be in the hospital a few days and when he gets out: no bending, lifting or twisting for awhile, so my blogging will be limited. I'm going to shoot for once a week through December then hopefully back to a normal blogging schedule in January:)

 

 

Thefirst Wednesday 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.

 

Twitterhandle: @TheIWSG  

Hashtag:#IWSG

The awesome co-hosts for the December 6 postingof the IWSG are C. Lee McKenzie, JQ Rose, Jennifer Lane, and Jacqui Murray!

Every month, we announce a question that memberscan answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice,insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question inyour IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with somethingto say. 

Remember, thequestion is optional!
December6 question: Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book reviews doyou review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyedabout your reading experience, or do you critique the author?

 

J. Q. Rose has a new release

“well-organized, easy-to-understand writing guide”
“Biblical references with prompts are excellent”
“topic aimed at women from a Christian perspective”
“content engages the reader to recognize the power of her own stories”Buy links:

Universal link eBook  

https://books2read.com/u/bx6qJo

 
 Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLL1ZGDZ

 

 

November/DecemberReviews in no particular order.

Disclaimer: The occasional typo is not factored in to my reviews.

 

THESEAS OF TIME by D. Wallace Peach

Tailais a young woman who wants to make a difference. When she arrives at the inn,she has no idea just how much of a difference she is going to make…

Withher usual delicate touch and impressive descriptions, Ms. Peach has taken adifficult topic and brought a sobering reality to fantasy as she transports ayoung black woman back to the days of slavery in the fourth book of the HarborPointe series. I was very nervous while reading this story, not knowing whatTaila might encounter, but the author handled the situation deftly and didn’tput the reader into any untenable situations, which could have been easily donegiven the subject matter. It was an engrossing story with a positive ending andas with all of Ms. Peach’s stories a well- told tale.

Hereare just a few of Ms. Peach’s prose that enticed this reader.

‘Thedeck pitched to starboard on a rogue wave.’

‘Agray scratch of foggy Oregon coast lapsed in and out of view, its barren seastacks rising from a froth of breakers like Africa’s bull elephants.’

‘Hisgrip tightened on the rail, knuckles bloodless and tendons strung like riggingunder a heavy strain.’

Onceagain, D. Wallace Peach has produced a winner. THE SEAS OF TIMES is a greataddition to the series.

Available at Amazon

 

 

RATTLESNAKEby C. Lee McKenzie

Ahaunting time travel YA

He’sonly seventeen, but Jonah Guthrie has had his share of trouble. His dad hasbeen accused of embezzlement and disappeared. He has issues at school. Hissister Allie is a pain and his aunt Margaret, who is now their guardian, movesthem from New Hampshire to the dying town of Rattlesnake, Nevada—a place assinister as its name—where they’ve inherited a house that’s fallen into disuseand a silver mine that’s defunct. And if that’s not enough to deal with Jonahdiscovers the house comes with its own ghost.

Theghost is a beautiful young woman named Catherine who needs his help. Jonah isdrawn to her as she is to him. To help her he must find a way to clear her uncle’sname. A task that’s not only difficult, but dangerous as well.

Bothyoung people are trying to come to grips with family scandals. One in thepresent. One over a hundred years ago.

Ifound myself enthralled with this story from beginning to end. The author deftlyweaves the strands of past and present into an intriguing mystery that leavesthe reader wondering what’s going to happen next.

Ms.McKenzie’s tales never fail to entertain and Rattlesnake is no exception.

Available at Amazon

 

AFESTIVE JUXTAPOSITION by Paul Stanton

Abook to add to your Christmas reads.

Ona mission, the devil visits London Christmas Eve. He has a specific list offolks he wants to call on and his reasons for doing so may surprise you.

Aswe saunter through London with the devil, we meet the lost and the hopeless, thedegenerate, and those that have knowingly sold their souls. We are alsoreminded that Lucifer was once an angel.

Whilewe stroll, the author tosses us historical tidbits of the city that add a layerto the story. Then as Christmas Eve ends, so does this Christmas tale or so wethink. But the author has one more surprise waiting for us before the storyreaches its conclusion.

Ifound this read to be delightful. It held my attention from beginning to end.The voice was unique and gave a nontraditional twist to Satan.

Ifyou are mining for a new book, this one’s a definite gem. I’ll be keeping alook out for more stories by this author in the future.

Available at Amazon

 

THEDESTINATION by D. L. Finn

Inthe Harbor Pointe Series, it is now 1967 and best friends Lacey and Sandy are headingto the Pointe for a getaway vacation, unaware of the terror that awaits them asa killer lurks in the shadows.  

Oncethe two friends arrive at the Inn, the reader is reconnected to characters fromBook 2. The author handles the reconnection in a seamless manner, capturing theendearing qualities of the previous characters.

Besidesbelievable characters, Ms. Finn’s descriptions are rich and highly visual. Andas an added bonus she gives the reader information about sea life. IE How totell the age of a sand dollar—by counting its rings—in one of her visuals.

The story is full of unforeseen twists and surprisingturns that keep the reader on his/her toes. All in all, a grand addition to theSeries.

Available at Amazon

 

Your Weekend Read: RATTLESNAKE

 Awesome author C. Lee McKenzie has a new release.

Blurb:

The desert town of Rattlesnake isn’t a destination. It’s a last resort. Seventeen-year-old Jonah Guthrie’s aunt sold their home in New England and fled to this place to escape the humiliation of his dad’s indictment for embezzlement and subsequent disappearance. 

While their late uncle left them a house and a silver mine, the house is a shambles and the mine is defunct. They’re almost out of money, so they have no choice but to stay in Rattlesnake. And then Jonah discovers they’ve inherited something else. Her name is Catherine, and she’s been dead for over a hundred year. Now, she needs his help.

 

I’ll take pie over cake any day.I never order pasta dishes when I go out to dinner.I love picnics as much as candlelight dinners. Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rattlesnake-C-Lee-McKenzie-ebook/dp/B0CNJLNKHV/ref=sr_1_1

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1481237

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=Rattlesnake%20(C.%20Lee%20McKenzie)&ac=1&acp=Rattlesnake&ac.title=Rattlesnake&ac.author=C.%20Lee%20McKenzie

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rattlesnake-c-lee-mckenzie/1144383328?ean=2940167647718

Connect with

 C. Lee McKenzie

Substack . Goodreads . Facebook . Instagram . YouTube . LinkedIn

 

Ketch-up Day

 

 

I'm back....... 

If you celebrate, how was your Thanksgiving? We went to Philly via an eleven hour train ride to spend it with our daughter and SIL. The train we travel on is old, has bathroom issues and several cranky conductors. To be fair, there were a couple of nice ones. One was a model conductor, very helpful, so I shouldn't grumble too much.  I wanted to take pictures for Andrew, but that didn't work out. Anyhoo, we made it to Philly safe and sound.

The next morning we spent a little time at University of Pennsylvania then went back to the house where M and J prepared Thanksgiving dinner and the HH and I stretched out on the couch and watched the Christmas parade and movies.

This is the feeder my SIL made.

And this is a frequent visitor. Look how chunky he's getting.

This lovely little pond is located at Penn.

Can you see the sparrows? There's several in the leaves.

This little guy was a show stopper. He'd come right up to you and beg for food.

Back to the house and the cooks are hard at work.

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

Ah, dinner.

It was a lovely day and luscious dinner.

What about you blogger buds? Catch me up on what you've been doing.

Happy Thanksgiving

 To those that celebrate, have a Happy Thanksgiving week.

 Wishing you all much bounty. I'll be back next week.

Sandra