Lily Lawson's Blog: Lily's log, page 19

I dare you to review

I read a post recently about reviewing your year. It was all about checking if you have met your goals, the good, the bad and the mixed bag of the year if you like.

The wisdom of Fi Phillips extends beyond this blog post https://fiphillipscopywriter.com/the-ideal-time-for-authors-to-look-back-and-ahead/ of course, so maybe a wander round her website or a read of her newsletter might help you out further. I recognise this is her copywriter blog but as an author I find both of her blogs and newsletters useful.

These posts in various guises pop up this time of year, covering every topic imaginable with the overarching theme of learning and growing at their heart. The accompanying goal setting ones that are part of the season to help us construct our own Narnia if you wish as we step through the doorway into next year, some of us, being writers may take that more literally than others.

'But Lily the year isn't over yet!' I hear you cry 'Stop pressing fast forward.'

I know it may seem like that. Life gets busy this time of year. This is a blog post not an instruction manual - you do you - it's not going anywhere if you want to come back to it later.

There was more than one prompt for this post.

Goodreads have told me I have completed my reading challenge for the year. Being me I have a stretch goal which kind of developed along the way but its very wait and see if I manage that - all I can say right now is I'm still reading and I have a list.

I have a number of book reviews to write as a result of me not writing them as I went along which I know I should do. The next book was more tempting than writing words about the last one. My reading enthusiasm and my reviewing writing enthusiasm do not seem to match, shock horror. But I will get there in the end. After all, it's never too late to write a book review.

Hint hint

Go on, I dare you, tis almost the season of goodwill to all, and a book review is a lovely free present you can give an author in a matter of minutes.

They are like reviving hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream in the middle of a shopping trip, they warm us up and keep us going.

Just Take Five with Karen Honnor (Book review)

I love Karen Honnor's Poetry. This is a fab collection of relatable stuff that will make you laugh (Coffee Corner) bring a tear to your eye (The Girl with the Candy Striped Hair) smile and nod along. This collection is a celebration of five years split into the themes that spill from her poetry. Themes we might see in our own lives, especially us fellow poets of a certain age uh umm.

With simple words I can see the world from the poet's perspective. This is the best one yet - I'm rereading it cover to cover and that is a very rare thing for me - the books I've done this with I can count on my hands and it's only the second poetry book I've ever reread completely. I have the eBook and the paperback. Bravo! Keep poeting. (oh and you get your Lily 6 stars of course).

Biography

Karen Honnor has always had a passion to write. Mostly, fitting poetry and script writing in around her day job in the past, now she has closed her classroom door and she has the freedom to focus on her writing, in whatever form it takes. Writing is a powerful way to make connections with others and to start a conversation.

She finds inspiration from my everyday and write with honesty and a touch of humour about the subjects that effect us all, building her self-confidence as she goes. Her books and blog continue to strike a chord with readers and she is learning and growing as she writes my way through midlife.

You can check out Karen's blog here

and follow her on Twitter here.

Check out her latest interviews here..

Boomers on Books AllFm

The Environment

It's poetry day and our rhyme's being spent

Talking about the environment

We use things and throw them away

We're destroying the world, that's not okay.

If we could recycle, reuse, reduce

We could stop this planet running out of juice

It will get too hot and way too cold

It could stop our children getting old.

Our thinking is we need more stuff

sometimes we have more than enough

If you don't know where to begin

start putting your rubbish in the right bin.

Maybe you could cut down your waste

instead of getting rid as a matter of haste

With our lifestyle choices we're killing the air

but we carry on like we just don't care.

Our planet's dying, it's hitting the skids.

We have to save it for our kids.

That's why this poetry day's being spent

rhyming about the environment.

Copyright © 2022 Lily Lawson

River Witch - Cheryl Burman 9th sept

Cheryl Burman's lyrical prose weaves a story of relatable characters with a strong inspiring lead. Secrets tumble out, giving pause for thought, allowing decisions to be re-examined leaving characters and readers questioning what will happen. The unexpected twists and turns are expertly handled. Each situation left me with a sense of understanding a little of the difficulties posed living in that period of history. Is Hester a witch? I will leave that for you to decide. I love Cheryl Burman's writing - maybe she cast a spell on me.

Bio

Cheryl Burman hails from Australia – an Adelaide girl originally before going off to university. She moved to the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, UK via Switzerland and Surrey, in 2008. She’s glad she did. The Forest has inspired writers, including Tolkien, for generations. It’s still doing so.

Cheryl likes to switch focus from time to time so brands herself a multi-genre author, that is, she writes what she feels like. She began with fantasy for the middle graders (books the mums, dads, grannies etc also enjoy) moved to historical fiction with her novel Keepers, and her historical fantasy novel, River Witch will be released in September (Click on the image for more). You can find all her books here.

The greatest pleasure she receives from her writing is when people tell her: ‘I loved your book.’ It gets even better if they leave a review saying so!

Follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

Cheryl is also on Goodreads, BookBub, AllAuthor and is a member of the Independent Authors Network (IAN)

Check out her Amazon author page – so friend/follow her/ask a question/leave a review!

Book Reviews - Jane Harvey - The Hummingbird House Series

There was a time when this sort of fiction was all I read. It started to become too predictable, I took a few risks, tried new stuff and never looked back. I was drawn to this book by the blurb. I decided to take a chance figuring an indie grown up with a prize winning history (in another genre with another name) might have something more to offer the genre than my previous reads and I wasn't wrong. Jane Harvey rolled into town with her collection of relatable characters and well written story and I got hooked. Stories that have a romantic element generally focus strongly on that and everything else falls into place once the people get together. This is a much more realistic story about people with a touch of romance in the mix. I love the unpredictably and the non stereotype characters. Sequel please Jane, maybe more than one, there are people in the cast I want to know more about. April's story could go a little further too I would say. Bravo for bringing more to the table than your average easy reading book. This is indeed a book for the thinking woman. I can see Harvey's books being on my must read list for some time to come.

Jane Harvey draws you into a story and makes you care about the characters, from the MC to the woman you never meet. Betty's story spans two time frames, switching deftly between them, telling the parts of the story of Hummingbird house and Betty herself. Both feel real and routed in their time.

I kept wanting more (after I read it, I went back and reread some parts). The issues in this book are dealt with sensitively and compassionately, when characters do 'judge', someone steps in. The author ensures other options are taken into consideration so that you feel when action is taken it is the right choice for the character or life intervenes. After reading The Landlord I wanted more Betty, thanks Jane Harvey, now I just want more about everyone.

Biography

Jane Harvey is a pen name. ‘Jane’ crafts fun fiction for the thinking woman (or person!), where she enjoys exploring unexpected friendships and writing happy endings.

This is lucky, because in real life her (prize-winning) fiction is a little bleaker.

She was born and raised on the island of Jersey, and lives with two males and a dog.

Book Reviews - Jane Harvey - The Landlord of Hummingbird House

There was a time when this sort of fiction was all I read. It started to become too predictable, I took a few risks, tried new stuff and never looked back. I was drawn to this book by the blurb. I decided to take a chance figuring an indie grown up with a prize winning history (in another genre with another name) might have something more to offer the genre than my previous reads and I wasn't wrong. Jane Harvey rolled into town with her collection of relatable characters and well written story and I got hooked. Stories that have a romantic element generally focus strongly on that and everything else falls into place once the people get together. This is a much more realistic story about people with a touch of romance in the mix. I love the unpredictably and the non stereotype characters. Sequel please Jane, maybe more than one, there are people in the cast I want to know more about. April's story could go a little further too I would say. Bravo for bringing more to the table than your average easy reading book. This is indeed a book for the thinking woman. I can see Harvey's books being on my must read list for some time to come.

Biography

Jane Harvey is a pen name. ‘Jane’ crafts fun fiction for the thinking woman (or person!), where she enjoys exploring unexpected friendships and writing happy endings.

This is lucky, because in real life her (prize-winning) fiction is a little bleaker.

She was born and raised on the island of Jersey, and lives with two males and a dog.

Book Reviews - Cheryl Burman - Guardians Series

Cheryl Burman’s magic touch brings evil to life in a battle not all will survive. Relatable characters in a fantastical world drawn by the pen of an award-winning writer. The sympathetic Gweyr pulls you into her everyday world. Ilesse’s temptations keep you guessing if she will succumb. This is what can happen when dreams come true.

The characters are relatable and well drawn in their well imagined world. The twists and turns of the story keep you reading, wondering who to trust, what might happen next and what it all means for the Danae. This book trilogy comes under children's books but as a grown up I am thoroughly enjoying getting caught up in Cheryl Burman's fantasy story. I suspect may adults will love these books too. I have to read all of them.

Gwen and Mark bravely face known and unknown threats on a mission to find their sister Lucy and plead for help for all in their village. They learn a lot along the way and meet people who sometimes help and sometimes hinder their progress. They keep going and so must the reader. Cheryl Burman's series is set in a fantasy world every age can relate to. I love the element of surprise that she conjures up. Glad I could purchase and read all of these without waiting. As soon as I finished one I started the next

The final book in this trilogy continues the twisting turning journey. This story has been an entertaining one that I didn't want to put down. Each angle has been carefully thought out. Each character so well drawn I could see them. The world that Cheryl Burman created came to life as if she drew it for me. Loved it.

Bio

Cheryl Burman hails from Australia – an Adelaide girl originally before going off to university. She moved to the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, UK via Switzerland and Surrey, in 2008. She’s glad she did. The Forest has inspired writers, including Tolkien, for generations. It’s still doing so.

Cheryl likes to switch focus from time to time so brands herself a multi-genre author, that is, she writes what she feels like. She began with fantasy for the middle graders (books the mums, dads, grannies etc also enjoy) moved to historical fiction with her novel Keepers, and her historical fantasy novel, River Witch will be released in September (Click on the image for more). You can find all her books here.

The greatest pleasure she receives from her writing is when people tell her: ‘I loved your book.’ It gets even better if they leave a review saying so!

Follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

Cheryl is also on Goodreads, BookBub, AllAuthor and is a member of the Independent Authors Network (IAN)

Check out her Amazon author page – so friend/follow her/ask a question/leave a review!

Book Reviews - J C Paulson - Adam and Grace series.

The fact I read this in a day is a testament to the author's ability to keep me turning the pages. I've never done that before with a novel but she had me so drawn into the story I had to finish it, I couldn't wait to see what happened. JC weaves her story round relatable people with real life issues. Grace in particular feels very real. Paulson makes you care about the characters and keeps you thinking. The author's attention to detail puts the reader firmly in the story. This could be a standalone book as it is a contained story, the series connection being the relationship between Adam and Grace. However, I can't see anyone who reads this not wanting to carry on and read the rest of the books in the series. I for one intend to read all of them. Six stars Paulson.

Paulson does not shy away from the difficult stuff in life. She knows how to keep the reader engaged. Every time I had to step away from this book I couldn't wait to get back to it. These are real flawed humans who make mistakes and errors of judgement. They have baggage, it's messy but it wouldn't be realistic otherwise. I found myself guessing who was responsible but the clever writing led me to the wrong conclusion more than once. JC has you rooting for all the characters not just the main ones. The settings feel so real too. I have other option but to give another 6 stars and start reading book 3.

This is the third book I have read from this series (I plan to read them all in order). Paulson just keeps coming up with the goods and sucking me in. I can see this as a TV series, my limited experience of adult mystery series being confined to that medium till now. These characters and settings come alive to me through the authors words. Paulson add another six stars to your collection. Very glad there's more to come.

As seems to be the case with Paulson's books I am reaching for my six stars AGAIN. Paulson's journalist skills are evident in her research and in her ability to understand what makes a great story. JC knows how to write page turners that I, for one, can't put down. She has me rooting for characters so much I was rooting for a minor character who wasn't even all that likeable.

Each of these books can stand alone, the information you need to know is contained within each book so, in theory, you can just read any one and not get lost as to what's going on. However, you don't want to do that - in fact I strongly advise against it. Read them all, from the beginning, in order. This is so far, for me a six star series and I can't see that changing no matter how many books there are.

It's hard to maintain a readers interest in a series - this is the longest adult one I have read. I have read them one after the other and not much else besides, which is itself unusual for someone who often has three books on the go. I love the threads running through combined with the individual stories in each book. You get a little more insight each time into Adam and Grace and there are no inconsistencies which can occur in a series. JC's research is as evident here as it is in the other books in the series. Paulson's 6 star status remains very much intact.

BIO

Joanne (J.C.) Paulson, a long-time journalist in Saskatoon, Canada, has been published in newspapers including The Star Phoenix, The Western Producer, the Saskatoon Express and a variety of magazines. Her unquiet brain requested a shift from fact to fiction four years ago, when she started writing mysteries based in Saskatchewan. Five have been independently published: Adam’s Witness, Broken Through, Fire Lake, Griffin’s Cure, and Two Hundred Bones, a novella. She has recently completed a historical fiction/western novel entitled Blood and Dust, published by Black Rose Writing, and a wee children’s book, Magic Mack and The Mischief-Makers.

You can find her on Twitter

Subscribe to her newsletter

Or find out more about her books here

Book Reviews - J C Paulson - Blood and Dust.

This book has a very appropriate title. I have never read a western before. This was an excellent baptism. Paulson writes a great story with characters you care about. She drags you into her world and says look, see, listen. Blood and Dust deals with difficult issues with the sensitivity of touch we have come to expect from this writer. Whatever she's writing - I'm reading. Her six stars are well earned.

BIO

Joanne (J.C.) Paulson, a long-time journalist in Saskatoon, Canada, has been published in newspapers including The Star Phoenix, The Western Producer, the Saskatoon Express and a variety of magazines. Her unquiet brain requested a shift from fact to fiction four years ago, when she started writing mysteries based in Saskatchewan. Five have been independently published: Adam’s Witness, Broken Through, Fire Lake, Griffin’s Cure, and Two Hundred Bones, a novella. She has recently completed a historical fiction/western novel entitled Blood and Dust, published by Black Rose Writing, and a wee children’s book, Magic Mack and The Mischief-Makers.

You can find her on Twitter

Subscribe to her newsletter

Or find out more about her books here

Book Reviews Cheryl Burman - Keepers

I love Cheryl Burman's writing. She brings characters to life and makes you care about them. I don't do historical fiction but this is actually women's fiction at its best. Raine's life in 1950's Australia is so well described my own lack of knowledge was no hindrance to me. I was kept guessing till the end. I loved every bit of this book. Read whatever you can by this versatile author. You won't regret it.

Bio

Cheryl Burman hails from Australia – an Adelaide girl originally before going off to university. She moved to the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, UK via Switzerland and Surrey, in 2008. She’s glad she did. The Forest has inspired writers, including Tolkien, for generations. It’s still doing so.

Cheryl likes to switch focus from time to time so brands herself a multi-genre author, that is, she writes what she feels like. She began with fantasy for the middle graders (books the mums, dads, grannies etc also enjoy) moved to historical fiction with her novel Keepers, and her historical fantasy novel, River Witch will be released in September (Click on the image for more). You can find all her books here.

The greatest pleasure she receives from her writing is when people tell her: ‘I loved your book.’ It gets even better if they leave a review saying so!

Follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

Cheryl is also on Goodreads, BookBub, AllAuthor and is a member of the Independent Authors Network (IAN)

Check out her Amazon author page – so friend/follow her/ask a question/leave a review!