Sandra Cox's Blog, page 65

Writerly Wednesday

 What's your go-to word for:

Mine: Unkempt.

It's Tuesday

Greetings, Blogger Buds.

Sunday Weather

My weather app called this rain, but those drops were huge, fluffy and white. AND it's five degrees above freezing. What the????

 Later

We went to the Shelton Vineyards for a day-early Valentine's lunch.

 The view from our table. Note the vineyards in the background.

Pretty, innit?
Valentine's Flowers from the HH.
AND

A box of goodies from the baby girl and the SIL.

What about you, my favorite blogger buds? Did you have a great weekend? A wonderful Valentines? Nosy, er, inquiring minds want to know;)

 

This Weekend's Read: THE BUSINESS OF SHORT STORIES

 

Blurb: Whether you're looking to add short stories to your repertoire as a solo pursuit or in addition to novel writing, The Business of Short Stories covers every aspect from writing to marketing. Learn the dynamics of short story writing, where to focus your editing efforts, how and where to submit, how to handle acceptances and rejections, what to do with reprints, and how to market yourself and your stories online and in person. The information in The Business of Short Stories has been distilled from over a decade of short story publishing experience so you don't have to learn the hard way. You'll find information on submission formatting, cover letters, querying a collection, sending proposals to writing events, how to create a website, SEO, social media, and so much more. This is an invaluable resource for short story writers.

There's never been a better time to get into short stories!

 

Book: The Business of Short Stories: Writing, Submitting, Publishing, and Marketing

Author: Shannon Lawrence

ISBN: 978-1-7320314-5-6

Format/Price: Print ($13.99) and e-book ($3.99)

Release Date: February 1, 2022

 

E-book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PFSTJ2V

 

Author Bio: Shannon Lawrence has made a career of short stories, with over a decade of experience and more than fifty short stories published in magazines and anthologies. In addition, she's released three horror short story collections with a mix of new and previously published stories. Her true crime podcast Mysteries, Monsters, & Mayhem is going into its third season. 

 

3 Quirky Foodie Facts About Shannon Lawrence

1. I love veggies, but the array of vegetables I'll eat cold as a snack are pretty slim: carrots, cucumber, broccoli, and celery. Everything else has to be cooked for me to enjoy it.

2. I enjoy trying new types of food and new locally-run restaurants. My favorite local discoveries have been Filipino and Egyptian, both family run.

3. Though I'm not vegan, I frequent local vegan restaurants, for both health and personal reasons. We're incredibly lucky to have multiple vegan establishments, including a fast food restaurant with a drive-thru!

Website and social media:

Website: www.thewarriormuse.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewarriormuse

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thewarriormuse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewarriormuse/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/shannon-lawrence

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/shannondkl

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Shannon-Lawrence/e/B00TDKPOAO

Podcast Website: www.mysteriesmonstersmayhem.com

 

Did You Know

 Did you know, the peacock is the national bird of India?

 

 

Writerly Wedneday

 What's your go-to word(s) for

 Mine: wise guy.

It's Tuesday

 Greetings Blogger Buds,

Hope your weekend and Monday were excellent.

Weather

So Monday we woke up to this.

The chunk of ice on the ground was from the bird bath that was frozen nearly solid.

This is my second rain gauge. It never dawned on me to empty it in cold weather. I figured that out after I woke one morning to find the gauge in pieces on the ground along with the ice.  So, I started to empty this one and as you can see the ice has formed all along the sides and frozen it in place.  So far, it's still in one piece.....

Weekend with the fam 

We went in to see the kiddos and their parents this weekend. It never ceases to amaze me the activities that are now available for kids. We took the kids to the Painted Peacock to paint ceramics. Back in the day painting ceramics was strictly for adults, but now its geared to a much younger market and as you can see, the kids love it.

 

 

AND

E holding up a copy of J.Q. Rose's GIRL'S SUCCEED.

ALSO

We went grocery shopping. Sigh.  Buying canned cat food is getting harder and harder and appears to now be leaking into dog food. Produce is still an issue. What about you. Any grocery issues on your end?

What about you, blogger buds. Got ice? Ceramics? Cat food? Produce?

This Weekend's Read: MY MAGIC SUMMER

 

My Magic Summer
With the Moon Maidens
By Brian Carmody
Print 9781939844804 $17.95
EBook 9781939844811 $4.99
Young Adult – Contemporary Fantasy/Coming of Age/Boys & Men

Who are these moon maidens?

Summer of ’94 and Connor Whelan is excited to spend the last three months before his senior year with his uncle in Texas. Aware this trip is due to his mom’s cancer treatments, he still hopes this will be a season of magic.

He gets his wish when he encounters three magical women one night. Claiming to be from the moon itself, bewitching Iluna, flighty Eiru, and motherly Cassiopeia are about to make Connor’s last summer of childhood one to remember.

However, his interest in local girl Laura puts him in hot water with her tough boyfriend. His fascination with Iluna also confuses him. Will the moon maidens’ lessons about joy, wonder, and hope get him through this crazy summer?

 Character Facts:

Cassiopeia, the oldest and the leader, teachers Connor to hope again when things look darkest. 

Eiru, the youngest and most spritey, shows Connor there is even more wonder in the world than he ever imagined.

Iluna, who becomes the first love of his life, fills this magic summer with joy.

Bio:
An award-winning screenwriter and author, Brian Carmody is a dreamer, a wisher, a hoper, a prayer, a pretender and a magic bean buyer. He’s had moondreams from Texas to Virginia, and now California, where he has plenty of other flax golden tales to spin by his fire. www.brianzwriter.com/

Links:
Dancing Lemur Press - http://www.dancinglemurpressllc.com/new-adult-young-adult
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0965XBJ7Y
Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-magic-summer-brian-carmody/1139629159?ean=9781939844804
iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1573280572
Kobo - https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844811
Scribed - https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844811&language=0
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58346132-my-magic-summer-with-the-moon-maidens

Did You Know

 Did you know, Louisiana is split into parishes instead of counties?

 

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.

February 2 question - Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn't around anymore? Anyone you miss?

I’ve lost three. My mother, who was my biggest supporter (as mothers tend to be) and two writer buds, both friends of the heart, Carmen Stenfenscu and Ginny Lester. Does anyone remember either of them? They were both wonderful women and writers.  I  miss all three. What about you?

The awesome co-hosts for the February 2 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and Lee Lowery!

 

January reviews in no particular order.

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

MY MAGIC SUMMER by Brian Carmody.

On the cusp of adulthood, a young man has a magical summer.

It’s 1994 and Connor is almost seventeen. His mother has cancer and he’s sent to his Uncle Willard’s. What starts as an uncertain journey turns into a never-to-be forgotten summer filled with friendship, fantasy and adventure. While there he forms new attachments, some of them out of this world. Moon maidens, in fact.

A unique blend of normal and magic are woven together in this enchanting tale. The story touches on a young man’s first kiss with sensitivity and realism. It also shows how the protagonist overcomes his own insecurities and fears to deal with a bully and save the life of a friend.

I was thoroughly charmed.

Available at Amazon.

 

TIDAL FALLS, Book one in the Wounded Hearts series by Jacquie Biggar

An abused woman. A haunted Marine. A sweet little girl. And a loveable mutt.

After stealing an incriminating file from her abusive husband, Sara Sheridan takes her daughter and goes on the run.  

Nick Kelley can’t get past the fact that his best friend died and he survived. Now he’s trying to find peace and a way to forget.

Both end up in Tidal Falls.

Though he fights the attraction, Nick finds himself falling for both Sara and her daughter. When the past raises its ugly head and puts Sara in danger, Nick decides it time to call in the Marines.

TIDAL FALLS is a sexy, romantic suspense. I can’t wait to find out what happens with Nick and his friends in Book Two. Great job, Ms. Biggar.

Available at Amazon.

 

 

A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS, A Gambling Hearts Short Story by Jacquie Biggar

Another winner. This short is perfect for the season. It’s heartwarming and makes the reader believe in miracles and angels. Now I have to read the Gambling Hearts series—right after I finish the Wounded Hearts series😊.  Grab your cocoa, curl up in front of a cozy fire, and jump into this magical story. Biggar and Christmas story fans will love it.

Available at Amazon.

 

 

 

 

 

MYTHS OF THE MIRROR by D. Wallace Peach

Skyriders once rode dragons as an extension of themselves, dragon and rider one unit.  Decency and kindness a way of life. Then the governors take power. Two riders die. Avarice becomes the law of the land. The dragons are imprisoned and rode with savagery, till one rider nearly dies. Recovering, he reconnects with the dragons and his life is changed. A change that could alter a village and affect everyone he holds dear.

Once again, the author spins her tale with a delicate hand, drawing the reader into a realm of fantasy that she has seamlessly crafted. A must read for D. Wallace Peach fans.

Available at Amazon.

 

 

FOR THE SOUL by Barbara Daniels Dana

Charming.

These are such dear stories.  The author did a skillful job of weaving fiction and nonfiction into a lovely finished product. I found myself anxious to get to the end of each story to discover if it was a true story or a compelling fictional read. My favorite: CHAPERONE TO THE MARINES and the author’s adventures with The United States Marine Corps Wing Band.

A recommended read for anyone who wants to lose themselves in feel-good moments.

Available at Amazon. 

 

It's Tuesday

 

For those, in the states, who were in the eye of the storm, have you shoveled out?

Here's a pic from Philly.

Confusion

These  daffies started shooting through the soil back in January.  They are totally confused, poor things.

 February Calendars

Isn't D.L. Finn talented?

 

 That's it for today. Got snow? Plants? Funny and/or inspirational calendars?