Sandra Cox's Blog, page 57

Did You Know

 Did you know, Solitaire was originally called Patience? 

 

Writerly Wednesday

 What's your word for:

 There's a couple different ways you can go with this. Noun or Verb. 

My word is cry.

It's Tuesday

Greetings Blogger Buds,

The HH is having back issues. I tried to help out with the lifting and bending and pulled mine in the process. Uncle Murphy's law:) So I'm taking a blogging day off. I'll be back on track blog-wise tomorrow.

 

Weekend Wishes

 

Did You Know

 Did you know, watching a fly on the wall inspired Stan Lee to create Spider-Man?

 AND

The book title with hues in it (that I was thinking of) HUES OF HOPE.

Writerly Wednesday

 What's your word for:

Mine: Shades.

And here's your bonus question.  What book title was the word hues used in recently? Wink. Wink.

It's Ketch-up Day

 How are you, Blogger Buds? Did the mom's out there have a lovely Sunday? 

When it's a holiday and we aren't seeing the kids, my go to place is Shelton Vineyards. It's pretty, peaceful and has great food. They had a special menu for Mother's Day. Interestingly, they didn't have a vegetarian option listed but did have one ready for anyone who wanted it. Beluga lentils over cubed sweet potatoes. It was very good. They also had a singer/guitarist performing outside.

Frank always takes time to smell the flowers...and lay under them too:)

 

Did you and yours have a good Mother's Day? Did you stop and smell the roses?

Your Weekend Read: HUES OF HOPE

 

Hues of hope

 

Book Blurb:

 

Hues Of Hope is the collection of readers’ favorite poems from my poetry books. These poems explore the hope that lies within our heart, hope that whispers each morning to look at the horizon, hope that inspires us to look beyond the chaotic world and take the next step to vanquish the fears that try to fetter us. It promises to take us to an oasis of peace, unravels magical moments of joy, as beams of love calm our senses. It guides us through dark alleys to show the streaks of light that shimmer through the clouds.

 

Purchase link

 

Paperback link

 

 

Excerpt:

 

Emerging From Shadows

 

 

Speaking soothing syllables to myself

I try to form new words,

Words of self-solace

Words of wisdom that are forced out

That could resonate with pain...

 

Love is not always revered

Sensitivity is not universal

Emotions are difficult to decipher

The spotlight never shines

If you hide behind those shadows

 

Shadows of indifferent past

Shadows of dreary darkness

The sheen of my dreams

The delusion of my success

Faded in that shadowy existence

 

I convince myself to rise, to react

To push perils that glare grimly

To satiate shadows that gloat glibly

Positive light is just round the corner

The hope is beckoning bright.

 

I refuse to remain tied to false promises

I would choose my own path

A path that is luminously lucent.

I need freedom from the clutches

Of guile, of hypocrisy, of servitude.

 

I know my journey is arduous

But I am ready for new challenges

I have abandoned fears and tears

A new life begins now.

 

 

***

Meet the Poet:

 Balroop Singh, a former educator always had a passion for writing. She would jot down her reflections on a piece of paper and forget about them till each drawer of her home started overflowing with poetic reminders, popping out at will! The world of her imagination has a queer connection with realism.  She is a poet, a creative non-fiction writer, a relaxed blogger and a doting grandma. She writes about people, emotions and relationships.

 A self-published author, she is the poet of Sublime Shadows of Life,  Emerging From Shadows,  Timeless Echoes , Moments We Love,  Magical Whispers,  Slivers: Chiseled Poetry. Her latest poetry book Hues Of Hope has just been released. She has also written self-help books: When Success Eludes, Emotional Truths Of Relationships, Allow Yourself to be a Better Person.

Her poetry highlights the fact that happiness is not a destination but a chasm to bury agony, anguish, grief, distress and move on! No sea of solitude is so deep that it can drown us. Sometimes aspirations are trampled upon, boulders of exploitation and discrimination may block your path but those who tread on undeterred are always successful.

 

Balroop Singh has always lived through her heart. She is a great nature lover; she loves to watch birds flying home. The sunsets allure her with their varied hues that they lend to the sky. She can spend endless hours listening to the rustling leaves and the sound of waterfalls. The moonlight streaming through her garden, the flowers, the meadows, the butterflies cast a spell on her. She lives in California.

Connecting links: https://twitter.com/BalroopShado

Blog: https://balroop2013.wordpress.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Emotional-Shadows/151387075057971

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7340810.Balroop_Singh

Amazon: http://goo.gl/X1NEFf

 

 

Did You Know

 Did you know, between 1942 and 1976 pinball was banned in New York City?

 ANDThe sparkling writer of wine and love, Staci Troilo is hosting me today. Thanks, Staci!
 

IWSG Wednesday

 

The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. IWSG was formed by Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

 

The awesome co-hosts for the May 4 posting of the IWSG are Kim Elliott, Melissa Maygrove, Chemist Ken, Lee Lowery, and Nancy Gideon!

May 4 question - It's the best of times; it's the worst of times. What are your writer highs (the good times)? And what are your writer lows (the crappy times)?

 

Writing for me is a matter of emotional extremes. From the thin-aired heights of the top of the summit to the throw yourself off a cliff lows. Okay, I exaggerate but you get the idea. What causes these extremes: Besides when a story idea sparks in my brain, my highs are when I get good reviews and my books are selling. On the opposite end of the spectrum, when the story sparks flicker out, my books don’t sell and I get nasty reviews pretty much sums up my lows.

 

April/May reviews in no particular order.

 

EYE OF FIRE, second in the Dragon Soul Quartet by D. Wallace Peach

 

Another well-told tale in D. Wallace Peach’s lyrical fashion.

The story of the dragons and the folks that meld with them continues, this time flanking out in to include areas far from their homeland. There are several characters in this story that are challenged to lead people and right wrongs.  

After the dragons are freed from their chains in Taran Leigh, Earlin must lead the village in search of a new myth. Morgen, a sea captain, must face unpalatable truths and decide whether he will do something about it or continue to plead ignorance and ignore it. His sister Meriel must also decide whether to go home or take up the fight for the dragons.

Archer is a new character introduced at the end, who hunts those who hunt the dragons.  I expect to see this intriguing character more in the third book of the series.

A word of caution, the reader needs to stay on his/her toes, there are a lot of characters in this series. Luckily, the author has put a character index in the back so if you get confused you can always refer back to refresh yourself on a particular character and what their role is.

As always, D. Wallace Peach creates a world full of color, wonder and magic in a voice reminiscent of poets.

Available at Amazon.

 

And speaking of poets....

 

HUES OF HOPE, poetry by Balroop Singh

 

Weaves words into magic.

 

Ms. Singh has once again sprinkled fairy dust on her words, and with a deft touch, turned them into magic. Her poetry has color, texture, deep emotion and touches on feelings we’ve all experienced. Nature and family are lovely, recurring themes. This book relaxes and takes the reader to a more positive realm. Highly recommended.

Available at Amazon.

 

BETWEEN THE VINES (Keystone Couples) by Staci Stoilo

 

The is the second story in the Keystone Series I’ve read and I found it every bit as well written as the first. The stories sparkle with wit and humor. The heroines are feisty and the heroes strong.  For those that love a romance with a vineyard for the backdrop this is definitely your read.

 

GRUMPY OLD TRICKSTER GODS: A GRUMPY OLD GODS ANTHOLOGY, including Ronel Janse van Vuuren

 

This fun anthology is about retired trickster gods that come out of retirement to have fun with one more trick or two. The gods range from the Goddess of Thieves to the God of Sleep. Ronel Janse van Vuuren zeroes in on the Goddess of Mischief in BLAZE OF GLORY. If you like political satire, you’ll probably appreciate BASTILLE DAY by Carlton Herzog. There’s something for everyone in this entertaining anthology.

Available at Amazon.

 

 

 

 

GHOSTLY INTERFERENCE by Jan Sikes

 

This story is about Jag Peters who is focused on his karma and Rena Jett who has grown up in foster care and known nothing but heartache. And then there’s Sam Jett, her brother, only he’s dead.

Both Jag and Rena have problems they are trying to work through that throw up roadblocks to a relationship. Rena’s includes trust issues.

Regardless of their differences in ideology and background they are drawn to each other. And a certain ghost is doing his best to insure they surmount the obstacles in their way and have a happy ever after.

The story has a fun, unexpected twist near the end. This a must read for Jan Sikes fans.

Available at Amazon.

 

.

TWILIGHT’S ENCORE, Wounded Hearts Book 3 by Jacquie Biggar

 

Ty Garrett and Katy Fowler were high school sweethearts. Too young to handle the intensity of their emotions when Katy moves away with her family their relationship blows up.

Now Katy is back and planning to marry someone else. Besides emotional upheaval for the former lovers someone is out to sabotage the Fowler’s historic theater that Ty is renovating and to harm Katy herself. Now, not only is love on the line, but Katy’s life.

Ms. Biggar has excelled not only at building the world of Tidal Falls but of bringing her characters’ emotions to life. In Ty’s case, his seethe like a boiling caldron that is always ready to spill over and scald whoever is crossing his path, in particular Katy.

TWILIGHT’S ENCORE is another winner for Ms. Biggar.

Available at Amazon

AND  

So far, the winners of the I 💙 Books Bracelets are:

Laura Walda

D. Wallace Peach

Alex Cavanaugh

 MATEO'S BLOOD BROTHER a sequel to MATEO'S LAW is now out.

They were friends, close as brothers. Then they weren’t.

Mateo and Jesse are cautiously working their way back to friendship when Jesse discovers the unthinkable. Delilah, the sultry shifter who’d had affairs with both men, is still alive. The tumble she took over a mountain ridge—a fall that nearly killed Mateo—should have finished her.

Now, there’s no choice but for the two men to work together to take down a she-devil straight from hell.  As the stakes escalate and the hunt becomes more intense, another wolf appears on the scene. Always where Jesse’s at. Always when he’s in trouble.  Jesse is divided between ending Delilah, a new love interest, discovering the identity of a certain brown wolf and staying alive.

 

Available at Amazon:

https://tinyurl.com/MateosBloodBrother

AND

I'm visiting with Alex today.