Sandra Cox's Blog, page 54

This and That Tuesday

 

 Greetings Blogger Buds, Did you have a wonderful weekend?

We went to a party at the lake which was all kinds of fun.  Mother Nature was in a puckish mood. We were there three hours and nary a drop of rain fell. When we got in line for dinner, which was served outside, it started raining. As soon as dinner was over, it stopped. She was quite the little imp. 

It was a fiftieth wedding anniversary and the wife came up with such a lovely gift for her husband. He had nearly lost a finger when his wedding ring got caught on the dock, so for their anniversary she got them silicone rings, which she will later have engraved. What a great idea, huh? They are flexible and will give if they snag on anything. Purrfect for active folks.  AND they come in traditional sizes and a variety of colors.

AND the cake. OMG. Two layers of strawberry cake sandwiched around a layer of cheesecake.

AND they served sangria. 🍷 😉

The neighbors had giant sculptures on their property giving a park-like feel to our surroundings. 

Then Monday rolled around, we went grocery shopping and came back to earth with a thump. Huge sticker shock and we weren't shopping at a high end grocery store. I can't imagine how folks with children still at home do it.

AND totally off topic, I'm thinking about planting strawberries next spring. Has anyone out there raised them? Any tips.

So, you've heard about my weekend. How was yours? Raised strawberries? Like cake and sangria? Preferably not together. Heh.

Weekend Wishes

 

Did You Know

 Did you know, Great Whites' livers are a delicacy for Orcas?

 

IWSG Wednesday

 

 

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Groupday. We post our thoughts, talk about our doubts and the fears we have conquered, and our struggles and triumphs. Hopefully we offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling.

The awesome co-hosts for the July 6 posting of the IWSG are J Lenni Dorner, Janet Alcorn, PJ Colando, Jenni Enzor, and Diane Burton!   Thank you, co-hosts!


July 6 question - If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose?

What a great question. I’m going with a newly released Indie: A VOICE IN THE SILENCE by D. L. Finn. Why? This book is a thriller with animals that have escaped from a lab and can talk. Who wouldn’t love to be able to talk with their pets? Though, Callie is so vocal now, I can’t imagine what it would be like if she could speak English instead of Cat-onese.😀 For a review of this book, see below.
 

AND

 

June/July Reviews in no particular order.

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

 

Trads: 

 

MISTBORN, THE WELL OF ASCENSION and HERO OF THE AGES by Brandon Sanderson

Two half-born Skaa thieves become the saviors of their people. Keisler, scarred, brilliant and a natural leader.  And Vin, an abused frightened girl, unaware of the power she possesses.

As far as trad’s go, Brandon Sanderson is one of my favorite authors. The other being Robert Galbraith.  The Mistborn series is a YA Fantasy that completely sucked me, especially the first, Mistborn, which is over six hundred pages. The HH and I both read it and had trouble putting it down. The second is well done and grabs hold but not quite as intensely as the first. The third, I have to admit, I didn’t care for the ending.

 

Indies:

 

TRENT’S MELODY: Book 4 in the Harrell Family Chronicles by Sherri Hollister

Book four is centered around good-looking, guitar-playing Trent Harrell. Unlike his overachieving sibs, nothing comes easy to him, especially scholastics. He stutters under stress and has zero self-esteem. He and Melodie Henries have loved each other since grade school but don’t get together till Trent, and his band, take part in a reality show. When trouble occurs he takes off, leaving Melodie to deal with an unpleasant situation alone.

Years later they meet, once again at a reality show. This time even more is at stake, including a second chance at happiness. The only thing standing in their way: a killer.

This book has it all: suspense, humor, great character interaction and steam.

I loved that the author held a contest among her fans to name the show, and to write the lyrics for Trent’s Melody (written by author KB Davenport). Like the rest of the chronicles, TRENT’S MELODY is a page turner. Fans of the Harrell Family Chronicles won’t be disappointed in Book Four.

Available at Amazon.

 

 

SLICES OF SOUL by Harmony Kent

This is the first time I’ve read Ms. Kent and I thoroughly enjoyed her contemporary verse. Each word counts and each poem paints a picture. Some melancholy and etched in pain.  Some soar with joy.  

What I love about poetry is that it gives insights into the author. Their verse shares pieces of themself with the reader. This book is no exception.

SLICES is a quick, lovely read.

Available at Amazon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE DARKNESS OF PLACATA MONTIS by DLM Johnson

Eliana has lost everyone she cares about. Her parents and her prince. Anger fuels rage. And rage fuels her magic. But not all is as it seems and her magical world is clouded by smoke and mirrors. Standing between those she loves and her beloved home Placata Montis is the Darkness. Now she must fight evil to drive the Darkness from Placata Montis and protect those she loves. Fortunately, she doesn’t have to face the fight alone.

This was a fascinating romantic fantasy. I’ll be on the lookout for more books by this author. 

Available at Amazon.

 

 

 

THE TIME TRAVELER’S CHILDREN by Judy and Keith

It’s a family affair. They’re a family of five. Four of them are time travelers. All are trying to save the world. Some go forward in time, some backward, but it’s not till they work together that they get it right.

The time travel concept and how the authors presented it was fascinating. They know their science😊

I would categorize it more of a-teens-of-all-ages read than a YA.

Available at Amazon.

 

 

 

A VOICE IN THE SILENCE by D. L. Finn

Drea is a widow trying to come to grips with the loss of her husband Rob, the love of her life. Time is moving inexorably on but she’s not. Then three amazing animals enter her world and everything changes.

Not all of the changes are for the better as she finds herself stalked by a serial killer. Adam, her former husband’s best friend, is a policeman whose wife has also passed and wants nothing more than to protect Drea.

Now with the animals she has secrets to keep and with Adam decisions to make. Does she live in the past or let go of Rob and move on?

This was one of my favorite reads.  It held my attention from first page to last and had a very satisfying ending. Definitely recommended for animal lovers. If you don’t like animals this may not be the book for you. If you do, and enjoy a little paranormal and sci-fi thrown in with your adventures, you’re in for a fun, twists- and-turns read. I enjoyed it very much. 

Available at Amazon.

 

 

 

It's Tuesday

 Greetings Blogger Buds. How was your--for many of us extended--weekend?

We received some huge family news last week about the youngest grand:

AND The Pic of the Week.

Good bud, D. L. Finn sent me a picture of a visitor on their property:

AND, of course, the eternal flowers:

 AND Prime Real Estate. Comfortably holds three.

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Got pictures you'd like to share? Wild life? Good news?

Weekend Wishes

 

Did You Know

 Did you know, there's an airplane specifically for transporting horses. It's called--wait for it--Air Horse One:)

 

Writerly Wednesday

 This week's word comes from Christine.

Mine: Travel (with a purpose).

I'll be interested to see what you come up with for this one. 

Got a word you'd like to share?

It's Tuesday

 Greetings, Blogger Buds,

Have you seen these water fountains that have a spot for water bottles? I saw one for the first time at the doctor's office the other day. 

AND in the garden:

That bird never moves:)

 

 

This one is for Andrew:

 

 

AND Callie:

 AND:

 

 So, I was writing away deep in a flash flood, thunderstorm scene. When I finished, I strolled to the window, looked out and to my surprise it wasn't raining.

When you write do you sometimes go so deep, you forget your surroundings, lost in the scene?

Weekend Wishes