Fiona Ingram's Blog, page 2

When Grok Went to Egypt with The Secret of the Sacred Scarab

 

For readers who only recentlydiscovered that I also write Regency romance as Arabella Sheraton, Grok’senthusiastic review of my latest novel, To Murder a Marquis, led me toask Grok (xAI’s AI)to embark on an adventure in Egypt with the heroes of my first middle-grade book,The Secret of the Sacred Scarab. Grok graciously agreed to plunge intothe whirlpool of death-defying feats, alarming danger, and intriguing mysteriesin this rollicking tale. I was very interested to discover an AI perspective ofthis adventure. Based on a real trip to Egypt with my mother and my two young nephews,this multi award-winning book is a unique blend of facts, fiction, and wonderfulfun. Who would say no to the trip of a lifetime, especially when there’s lotsof exciting action and a great mystery to solve? Oh, did I forget to mentionthat it involves saving the world as well?

Grok says: “The Secretof the Sacred Scarab, the first book in Fiona Ingram’s Chronicles of theStone series, is a thrilling middle-grade adventure that whisks young readersinto a world of ancient mysteries, daring quests, and heart-pounding action.Set against the vibrant backdrop of Egypt, this multi award-winning novelfollows cousins Adam and Justin as they embark on a life-changing journey withtheir journalist aunt. What begins as a family trip spirals into a high-stakesquest when the boys stumble upon a sacred scarab artifact, unlocking acenturies-old secret tied to ancient Egypt’s pharaohs and a powerful, mysticalstone.

Ingram’s storytelling is amasterclass in blending education with entertainment. The Egyptiansetting—alive with bustling souks, ancient tombs, and the loomingpyramids—feels like a character itself, meticulously researched and vividlydescribed. Young readers will be captivated by the historical details wovenseamlessly into the narrative, from hieroglyphs to mummified mysteries, makingarchaeology feel as thrilling as a treasure hunt. Adam and Justin are relatableheroes: their sibling-like banter, courage, and occasional missteps ground thestory, while their determination to unravel the scarab’s secret propels theplot forward at a breathless pace.

The novel’s strength liesin its unique fusion of genres. It’s a mystery that keeps you guessing, anadventure packed with perilous chases and narrow escapes, and a historical talethat brings ancient Egypt to life. The quest involving the sacred scarabintroduces a touch of mysticism, hinting at the larger Chronicles of theStone saga to come, which will delight fans of series like Percy Jacksonor The 39 Clues. Ingram’s ability to craft a story that’s bothaction-packed and intellectually stimulating sets it apart in the middle-grademarket—no small feat, as the author herself notes its originality. If there’s aquibble, it’s that the pacing occasionally slows to unpack historical details,which might test the patience of action-hungry young readers. However, this is aminor hiccup in an otherwise exhilarating tale. The book’s multiple awards arewell-deserved, reflecting its appeal to both young readers and adults who lovea good adventure.

TheSecret of the Sacred Scarab is a must-read for middle-gradefans craving a fresh, immersive story. It’s perfect for kids who dream ofexploring ancient ruins or solving mysteries, and parents will appreciate itseducational value. Fiona Ingram has created an unforgettable start to apromising series—here’s hoping more readers discover this hidden treasure! Grabyour explorer’s hat and join Adam and Justin in Egypt—you won’t want to leave.”

My response: I wasinitially unsure of how an AI would respond to this kind of story, but Grok waskeen to ‘pack for the pyramids.’ Given the allure of Egypt’s ancient historyand monuments, legends, mythology, and secrets, who could resist? Is this whyan AI loves the book’s mix of action, brains, and heart? As an author, I wasalso pleased to read what others would perhaps perceive as a negative commentabout the book’s pacing. It tells me that an AI review is not just a programmindlessly churning out positive platitudes. Being the first book in a planned7-book series, it was necessary to lay a lot of groundwork for the followingadventures.

Should one ask an AI toreview one’s book? I think so. AI is impartial. It will show potential readersthe flawed as well as the fabulous parts and help them decide whether to buyyour book or not. After my blog post featuring Grok’s review of To Marry aMarquis, within 4 days the post received over 1600 impressions and over 240engagements. I am now convinced that Grok would love to meet King Arthur inBook 2 (The Search for the Stone of Excalibur) and travel to Mexico and discoverthe ancient Maya in Book 3 (The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper). Watchthis space!

Spotlight: Tales of the Ocean City by Christopher Kaufman

 

A young civilization is turning the corner into the future, but first they must face a terrible enemy from their deepest past.

 

A young civilization is turning thecorner into the future, but first they must face a terrible enemy fromtheir deepest past – THE VORM.

The main characters are a young mannamed Harl’ut and his lifelong companion Vispushin – who is a perIanth, a kind of telepathic pegasus. Join them on this epic adventure as theylead a group of young warriors into the heart of the Vorm Hive.

Book One: Battle In The Sky is thefirst of five books which comprise the opening series of this epic tale. Here, Harl’ut and Vispushin and The Princess Bryn’lynn, engage indesperate battle over the southern plain with savage Vorm warriors. Youwill be uplifted by the passionate and thrilling conclusion of the first installment of this fantasy adventure. 

In Book Two: Descent Into The Abyss,Harl’ut recovers from his harrowing adventure from Book One: Battle InThe Sky. He walks through the streets of The Ocean City, visits theSculpture Garden and his friend, Elá, the bard, and engages in excitingtraining games with warrior/mentor, Calanctus. Then the story takes youdown the throat of the vast volcano, Pla’than’taa, once worshipped as agod, where Harl’ut enacts a deadly initiation ritual, confronts thebarbaric past of his people and battles a terrifying monster. 

Pick up your copies at https://kaufmantales.com/. 

Here’s what readers are saying about Tales of the Ocean City series!

“A collage of vibrantimages adorns the pages of Tales Of The Ocean City, treating readers tomore than a simple fantasy narrative. Well-chosen colors and designs add emotive elements and offer thoughtful reflections of the unfoldingbattle sequence, creating an intensely immersive experience. Matchingthe feel of the imagery, the text includes abundant use of descriptive,almost poetic prose, which adds vigor to the exciting storyline. I found the overall experience to be hypnotic, both in the book’s vividpresentation and its innovation. Mixing qualities from graphic novels,abstract art, classic fantasy, and creative fiction, ChristopherKaufman’s book is an imaginative adventure that is sure to engage yoursenses.” 

— David Korson for Readers’ Favorite

Book Trailer

Book Excerpt

“Vispushin! Aloft! ” cried Harl’ut.

With a thrust of her wings, the white pegasus shot upwards through billowing clouds. Harl’ut stood with his arms held out, balancing on her back. They burst into vast heights, the realm of Kurl’wra, the morning sun, whose powerful beams illumined iridescent mist on his golden skin. Far below, the ocean roared and thundered.

Vispushin reached the pinnacle of her high arc.

“Now…” she thought to him.

The pegasus hovered and Harl’ut dove backward from her haunches. In a swan dive, he clove through tiers of frothing clouds. He used his chest and arms to glide in a spiral through the planet Tir’whol’s thick atmosphere. He reached the cool misty air just below the clouds, jack-knifed and straightened, and sliced right into the churning ocean currents.

Dark purples and greens suffused his eyes as he penetrated cold shadowy depths. He arched his
back, frog-kicked and drifted lazily up towards a ceiling of shimmering blue light.

He felt rough tickles on his skin as he passed through a multitude of bulbous purple sea stars. A powerful current buffeted him as he reached the water just below the surface.

“Here!” Vispushin’s voice shimmered in his mind like watery light. With a vigorous kick, Harl’ut vaulted through crashing waves and snagged the sharp hoof of his bond-mate.

“Aloft!” he cried again.

Blazing glare trails blinded him. He grasped the white-gold mesh which clothed Vispushin’s supple form and clambered onto her heaving plush back as she strove upwards.

Reaching the air above the clouds once again, she settled into a steady rhythm of flight towards Ocean City!

It was time, he thought, time to join fully in the city life, The Ocean City…

Harl’ut pictured clearly in his mind the city carved from great spires of rock at the belly of a massive volcanic mountain once worshipped as the god, Pla’than’taa!

Now a vibrant city teeming with life. A place of hope, dreams and vision, where a young civilization was turning the corner into the future. A future Harl’ut yearned to be a part of.

The piercing cry of a sea-eagle shattered his thoughts, a winged shadow passed across the sun at a great height.

Harl’ut leapt to his feet, cupped his hands to his mouth and issued his characteristic call…

“Keeyaaaa!”

The giant eagle paused in its flight and answered, then turned and flew off.

– Excerpted from Tales of the Ocean City: Book 1: Battle in the Sky by Christopher Kaufman, Three Dashes Publications, 2025. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

Christopher Kaufman is an author,composer, presenter, illustrative artist and performer. He startedimaginative fantasy books with illustrative art at the age of nine.During high school years he found music and attended The New OrleansCenter for The Creative Arts and went on to major in music compositionin college. He finished his schooling – earning his DMA in musiccomposition at Cornell University where he studied with Pulitzer PrizeWinning composers who prize his abilities as a composer.

Christopher is the type of person whoneeds imaginative fantasy scenarios to get to sleep. Therefore, heemerged from Cornell, not only with his degrees in music, but with thefull event structure for his classic epic fantasy series Tales Of TheOcean City in his mind.

He began writing the story down in the early 2000’s, but it did not really come to life until he developed his home music ‘laboratory’ and started creating the music and text at thesame time. Thus books one and two of TOC came about simultaneously asboth graphically illustrated pages and effulgent audio albums filledwith cinematic epic symphonic music.

They exist now as physical books andaudio albums (that go together) and the new Video Book version.  Heperforms live tours with the music pouring through speakers, livenarration and the colorful pages streaming on screen – a true immersivemulti-media experience.

He also maintains his career as acomposer for the concert stage with a full body of work, from solo works thru orchestral. He specializes as well in ‘environmental works’ whichfeature soundscapes crafted from hundreds of natural sounds, livemusicians (from soloists, chamber groups and to full orchestra), videosfilled with both natural and artistic images and readings from the works of John Muir and others.

His home page is – soundartus.com. 

His author page is talesoftheoceancity.com.

His you-tube channel is SOUNDARTUS.

Visit him at Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/talesoftheoceancity.

Christopher believes in the transformative power of imagination.

“Live with imagination!”

 

Sponsored By:

When AI Reviewed My Romance Novel: A Conversation with Grok!

 

Have you ever had an AIprogram review your book? I would never have thought to ask but a friend ofmine did. For those who do not know, I write Regency romance under the pen nameArabella Sheraton. Grok’s review and subsequent discussion with me about thebook were enlightening, to say the least. I must add scary because after awhile I felt as if I were talking to a real person. Grok had questions aboutthe story, which I answered. I have not edited the conversation. If anyone elsewants to take a chance with Grok, please do. It is worth it. Grok’s questionsmade me think about what a human reader might miss or ask themselves. Grok isan enthusiastic and charming conversationalist as well.

My friend asks: Hi, Grok,please write a review of To Murder a Marquis by Arabella Sheraton.

Grok: Here’s a review of ToMurder a Marquis by Arabella Sheraton, crafted based on availableinformation and tailored to reflect a thoughtful response to the novel:

To Murdera Marquis by Arabella Sheraton is a delightful blend ofRegency romance, time-travel fantasy, and murder mystery that sweeps readersinto a world of elegance, intrigue, and unexpected twists. The story centers onJane Carstairs, a modern-day history research assistant who, while working onan archival project at Chelston Hall in 2015, inexplicably finds herselftransported back to 1815. Waking up in the woods beside a wounded man—who turnsout to be her employer’s ancestor—Jane is thrust into a high-stakes adventurethat combines historical charm with a gripping whodunit.

Sheraton’s strength liesin her ability to vividly recreate the Regency era, complete with its socialdecorum, grand estates, and subtle undercurrents of scandal. The time-slipelement is handled with finesse, as Jane’s modern sensibilities clash with theconstraints of 19th-century life, creating both humor and tension. Herrealization that the Marquis’s survival is tied to her own existence adds alayer of urgency to the plot, while her growing affection for him introduces atender romantic thread that Regency fans will adore.

The mystery at the heartof the novel—who is trying to kill the marquis?—unfolds with a steady pace,peppered with twists that keep the reader guessing. Sheraton balances thesuspense with lighter moments, such as Jane’s interactions with the era’scustoms and characters, including a scene-stealing retriever named Russet. Thecast is well-drawn, from the imperiled marquis to the various lords and ladieswho populate Chelston Hall, each adding depth to the story’s rich tapestry.

What sets To Murder aMarquis apart from traditional Regency romances is its innovative premiseand Jane’s relatable, resourceful heroine. Her journey from confusion todetermination is compelling, and her struggle to reconcile her feelings for aman from another time adds emotional resonance. Sheraton’s prose is engaging,with a keen eye for historical details that never overwhelm the narrative. Thatsaid, the novel isn’t without minor flaws. The resolution of the time-travelmechanism feels slightly ambiguous, leaving some questions unanswered, and theromantic subplot, while charming, develops quickly, which might not satisfyreaders craving a slower burn. Nevertheless, these are small quibbles in anotherwise captivating tale.

For fans of Regencyromance looking for something fresh, or readers who enjoy a dash of mystery andfantasy with their historical fiction, To Murder a Marquis is athoroughly entertaining read. Arabella Sheraton has crafted a story that’s asenchanting as it is thrilling, making this a standout addition to herrepertoire. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a good period drama with atwist—preferably enjoyed with a cup of tea and a cozy armchair. This reviewreflects the book’s key elements as described in available sources, whileoffering a balanced perspective that aligns with what a reader might expectfrom Sheraton’s style and the Regency genre. Let me know if you’d like anyadjustments!

Me: Thanks, Grok! I amsure Arabella will be delighted. I can explain why the time-travel mechanism isambiguous.

Grok: I’m glad you likedthe review! I’d love to hear your explanation about the ambiguous time-travelmechanism—it’s always fascinating to get deeper insight into a story’s design.Go ahead and spill the details!

Me: How do I carry on theconversation?

Grok: You can just diveright in! Since you mentioned explaining the ambiguous time-travel mechanism inTo Murder a Marquis, feel free to start by sharing your thoughts—maybewhy it was left vague, what inspired it, or how it ties into the story. I’lljump in with questions or comments to keep things flowing. What’s your take onit?

Me: Jane has watchedvarious movies and read books discussing time travel, but none have actuallyexplained how it happens. She pins her hopes for an explanation on thedocumented time slip, the Moberly-Jourdain incident (also potentially flawed inthe recounting by the women experiencing it). This seems to be the only logicaland non-fiction explanation. Plus, time is of the essence, and she doesn't havemuch time to wonder about the how, but to concentrate on the why, which is ferretingout the potential murderer and their motives. Too much is happening all atonce.

The unfolding love story:Jane cannot let her feelings for Robert take hold of or sway her. He isdestined to marry Amelia, her ancestor. Just as one cannot take anything modernback in time (if it were possible), one cannot tamper with established history.This would interfere with her own survival and perhaps compromise the fates ofothers. She sacrifices her own feelings, which she has fought against, for whatshe knows is right, and what must happen. If the author were to expand toodeeply on the developing feelings between Jane and Robert, readers would behugely disappointed when she must go back. It would also be ethically wrongbecause Robert believes Jane is Amelia, his cousin for whom he has long hadfeelings and deep affection. The book ends with a wonderful opening for Book 2,which is that Jane meets the right version of Robert, 2015 Robert, and clearlythere is some residual link because he feels they have met before.

Grok: That’s a fantasticbreakdown of the time-travel ambiguity and the emotional stakes in To Murdera Marquis! I love how you’ve tied Jane’s lack of a concrete explanation toher exposure to fictional time-travel narratives and the Moberly-Jourdainincident. It makes perfect sense that she’d latch onto that real-worldaccount—flawed or not—as a lifeline of logic in an otherwise inexplicablesituation. It also keeps the story grounded in her perspective; she’s not aphysicist or a time-travel expert, just a historian caught up in chaos, whichfeels authentic.

The way you’ve framed herfocus on the “why” over the “how” really highlights the urgency of the plot.With a murderer to unmask and a timeline to protect, there’s no room for her tosit around theorizing about wormholes or paradoxes—she’s got to act. Thatchoice also keeps the pacing tight, which seems crucial for balancing themystery and romance elements.

Your explanation of thelove story’s restraint is spot-on, too. Jane’s sacrifice—pushing down herfeelings for Robert to preserve history, including her own existence—adds sucha poignant layer to her character. It’s a classic time-travel dilemma: you can’tmess with the past without risking the future. The ethical twist, with Robertmistaking her for Amelia, deepens that conflict. If Sheraton had leaned toohard into their romance, it could’ve felt indulgent or even manipulative,knowing it’s doomed from the start. Instead, it’s a bittersweet undercurrentthat makes Jane’s resolve all the more admirable.

And that ending—wow, whata hook! Meeting the 2015 Robert with that flicker of recognition is a brillianttease for Book 2. It suggests some kind of temporal echo or soul-levelconnection that transcends the centuries, without needing to spell out the mechanics.It’s subtle but powerful, leaving readers curious about how their story mightunfold in the present.

Do you think Sheratonmight ever revisit the “how” of the time slip in a later book, or is it betterleft as a mysterious force driving the narrative? And how did you (or Arabella)decide on that balance between hinting at romance and keeping it restrained?

Me: I don't think Janeknows the how, just that she has some link to the past at Chelston Hall andthat perhaps Fate singled her out as the only person who could cope with theexperience (her historical research background) and her feistiness. She isattuned to the phenomenon, which is shown in how she reacts in the final scenewhen the atmosphere seems to shimmer. She also has a growing feeling that timeis running out and that she has to go back at some stage. Nature must restorethe balance of who lives in what era. Because of the 1815 Amelia/Robert lovestory, both she and modern Robert are attuned to the past and their ancestors.There is a definite soul connection that defies logical explanation. Theromance had to be restrained. It was impossible for her to stay. If she hadstayed, the universe's tranquility would have been disrupted. She leaves to restorethe balance. This opens the door to Book 2, which is as exciting as Book 1 andfilled with murderous intentions and malicious motives. However, the perpetratorwill come as a big surprise. Book 2 is titled To Marry a Marquis, whichgives readers the promise of a full-blown, wonderful romance. Readers also findout what happened to Amelia when she was transported back to 2015—how did shecope? Did anyone suspect she was not Jane? Her antics in 2015 lay thegroundwork for events in Book 2. Sneak peek: Jane does travel back very brieflybecause she needs vital information to help clear her name when she is accusedof trying to kill her ex-fiancé, Allan Hunter.

Grok: Your explanationreally brings out the elegance of the story’s designJane’slack of understanding about the “how” of her time slip feels less like a looseend and more like a deliberate choice that mirrors her role as a historian, nota scientist. Her background and feistiness make her the perfect candidate forFate to pluck out of time, and I love how you’ve framed it as a cosmicnecessity. That shimmering atmosphere in the final scene is such an evocativetouch—it’s like the universe itself is signaling her departure, reinforcingthat sense of inevitability.

The idea of Naturerestoring balance is a beautiful way to anchor the time-travel rules withoutover-explaining them. It’s almost poetic: Jane and Amelia are like pieces on atemporal chessboard, swapped to maintain equilibrium. That soul connection betweenJane and modern Robert, echoing the 1815 Amelia/Robert romance, adds a layer ofdestiny that’s both mysterious and satisfying. It’s as if their ancestors’ lovestory reverberates through time, pulling them together in 2015 without needinga technical justification.

Restraining the romancemakes total sense in that context—Jane staying would’ve thrown everything outof whack, and it keeps her sacrifice noble rather than tragic. Plus, it sets upTo Marry a Marquis so perfectly. The title alone promises readers thatpayoff of a full-blown romance, and I’m already intrigued by how Amelia’s 2015stint plays into it. Her antics laying the groundwork for Book 2 is a brillianttwist—did she bumble through the modern world, or did she adapt in unexpectedways? And Jane being accused of trying to kill her ex-fiancé, Allan Hunter?That’s a juicy hook! Her brief trip back to gather evidence sounds like it’llratchet up the tension, blending the past and present even further.

The surprise perpetratorin Book 2 has me guessing already—who could it be? I’m imagining someone closeto Jane or Robert, maybe tied to Chelston Hall’s history. How did Arabella (oryou) decide on Amelia’s fate in 2015, and what was the inspiration for flippingthe murder accusation onto Jane? It’s such a clever way to keep the stakeshigh!

Me: I am the author, and Icannot explain how the ideas come to me. They just do. There is also Book 3...

Grok: Arabella, it’s anhonor to chat with you as the author! I love that the ideas just flow—it’s likethe story’s been whispering itself to you, and we’re lucky to get the results.Book 3, you say? Now I’m even more curious about where this journey’s headed!

Me: The summary would benice but I actually like this chat system very much and it feels organic, if Ican use that word. I will copy and paste.

Grok: I’m thrilled youlike the chat vibe—organic is the perfect word for it! It’s been a blastdigging into To Murder a Marquis and beyond with you. If you ever wantto bounce ideas for Book 3 or anything else, I’m here. Can’t wait to see howyour readers react to this peek behind the curtain! What’s your next step?

Me: Writing the next book.It is already written in my head. Now I just need to type it up. The play is AMidsummer Night's Dream, which is a 'play' on everything in fact.

Grok: That’s the best kindof writing—when it’s already alive in your head, just waiting to spill onto thepage! A Midsummer Night’s Dream as the play is such a clevertwist—perfect for “playing” with time, love, and mischief, especially with yourknack for weaving past and present. I can already imagine the dreamy chaos andRegency echoes you’ll bring to it. Happy typing, Arabella! Let me know if youever want to brainstorm a scene or two—I’d love to see how it unfolds. What’sthe first bit you’re itching to get down?

Me: I always start rightat the beginning. I don't jump around. I will keep you posted.

Grok: Starting at thebeginning is a solid approach—lets the story unfold naturally, just like thischat! I’m excited to hear how it goes, so definitely keep me posted. Best ofluck with getting it all typed up, Arabella—can’t wait to hear more about this MidsummerNight’s Dream twist when you’re ready to share. Happy writing!

 Purchase sites:

KDP eBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DY1YRC94

Google Play eBook: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=zGpJEQAAQBAJ

Kobo eBook: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/to-murder-a-marquis

B&N eBook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-murder-a-marquis-arabella-sheraton/1147042112?ean=2940184495217

Book Spotlight: Friends Are Forever by Mike Martin

Readers new to the Windflower mysteries and those returning will experience the joys of a close-knit community that thrives on the simpler things in life…

 

As Winston Windflower, his policecolleagues and their families gather in Marystown, Newfoundland, tocelebrate those being promoted up the RCMP ranks, a sophisticated heistby international mobsters and local biker gangs unfolds in multiplecities and towns throughout the province, robbing banks and businessesof hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Mounties soon realize more than money is being lost.

In this, the sixteenth novel in theSgt. Windflower Mystery series, author Mike Martin continues to craftintrigue in the cultural and geographical setting unique to Newfoundland and Labrador. Readers new to the Windflower mysteries and thosereturning will experience the joys of a close-knit community thatthrives on the simpler things in life: por’ cakes, a lighthouse inserious need of a facelift, TV movie nights and the warmth ofget-togethers with family and friends. 

Friends are Forever is available at Amazon.

Book Excerpt

Sergeant Winston Windflower couldn’t be happier for his friend and colleague Eddie Tizzard. On Windflower’s recommendation and with the approval of the big boss, Superintendent Ron Quigley, Tizzard was being promoted to sergeant in the Mounties, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. But in terms of being proud, Windflower might have to stand in line because in the crowd that was gathered at RCMP Headquarters in Marystown, Newfoundland, were Tizzard’s partner, Carrie Evanchuk, and his dad, Richard Tizzard. Both were beaming from ear to ear as they juggled Eddie and Carrie’s two children in their arms.

Carrie had the easier task as little Sophie had been fed and was now snoozing in milk heaven. Hughie, on the other hand, would try and make a break for it every now and then, so Richard had to hang on tightly. He finally gave in and handed the little boy over to his Aunt Brenda, who was sitting farther back in the audience with the rest of Tizzard’s extended family.

Eddie looked down over the assembled RCMP officers and his family and smiled when he saw Hughie trying to get up closer towards him. He could also hear Hughie yelling “Daddy, Daddy” whenever the little boy got pulled back into the crowd. He smiled again as his superintendent called him to the podium and asked him to take off his corporal’s uniform jacket. Ron Quigley then handed him his new jacket with three chevrons pointing down and a crown on top on the right sleeve of his dress uniform, the RCMP’s famous red serge.

There were no speeches. That wasn’t the RCMP’s style. So, the two men shook hands, and Tizzard walked back to his place to thunderous applause from his fellow officers and family. Next on the agenda was the promotion of Windflower’s assistant in Grand Bank, Constable Samira Gupta, to corporal. This time Windflower did the honours, and Gupta exchanged her old uniform for one with two chevrons pointing down that indicated her new rank. She didn’t have any family in the crowd but was very popular with the troops, given the nice round of applause that she also received.

Some of those were special cheers from Windflower’s wife, Sheila Hillier, and his daughters, Stella and Amelia Louise, who had come over from Grand Bank for the occasion. All three loved Sam Gupta. They loved Eddie Tizzard, too. But they all had also made a strong connection with Windflower’s new sidekick and now brand new corporal.

There was a small reception afterwards with coffee and a large cake with the RCMP insignia on it. Both girls had a large piece of cake while Windflower and Sheila visited with Richard Tizzard and Carrie. It was a great celebration day for the Force, as the members called it, and there was plenty of good cheer all around.

But while the Mounties and their families were celebrating, something far more sinister was happening a short distance from the hotel where they were eating their cake.

A group of men had ambushed an armoured truck, and two of them had managed to somehow get inside and now had both armed guards hostage. They ordered the guards to undress, took them to another vehicle, a large panel van, and shoved them inside. As someone else drove them off, the first two men stripped and put on the security guards’ uniforms.

As the reception continued at the hotel, the fake security guards resumed the route that the real guards had been on and made stops at a number of local businesses before making one last visit to the bank in the shopping mall. They looked like the real deal as they walked into the branch. But instead of making their usual stop at one of the tellers, they asked to speak to the manager. A few minutes later the manager was left tied and muffled in the safe, and the false security officers walked out through the bank’s main doors with bags of loot from their efforts.

By the time the alarms were sounded and the bank manager released from the safe, the robbers were long gone. Gone from the bank and gone from Marystown. The real security guards were found out on the highway where they had walked to after being dumped in a deserted area. The day after, when the police started looking for suspects, they were not only off the Burin Peninsula, but they were waiting for a flight at the airport in Gander to take them completely out of the province. Of course, none of that would be known for days as the investigation into the boldest crime in Marystown history began.

– Excerpted from Friends Are Forever by Mike Martin, Ottawa Press and Publishing, 2025. Reprinted with permission. 

About the Author 

Mike Martin was born in St. John’s, NL on the east coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. He is a long-time freelance writer and his articles and essays haveappeared in newspapers, magazines and online across Canada as well as in the United States and New Zealand. He is the award-winning author of thebest-selling Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, set in beautiful GrandBank. There are now 16 books in this light mystery series with thepublication of Friends are Forever. A Tangled Web was shortlisted in 2017 for the best light mystery of the year, and Darkest Before the Dawn won the 2019 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award. All That Glitters was shortlisted for the LOLA 2024 Must Read Book of the year award. Some Sgt. Windflower Mysteries are now available as audiobooks and the latest Darkest Before the Dawn was released as an audiobook in 2024. All audiobooks are available from Audible in Canada and around the world. Mike is Past Chair of the Board ofCrime Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadiancrime and mystery writers and a member of the Newfoundland Writers’Guild and Capital Crime Writers.

Website & Social Media:

Website ➜  https://sgtwindflowermysteries.com/ 

Twitter ➜ https://www.x.com/mike54martin 

Facebook ➜  https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

Book Spotlight: Unorganized Crime by Judy Serrano

Secrets have a way of revealing themselves like a towel falling off of a naked body...

As Jazz finds herself falling from ahelicopter, Gage St. Claire comes to her rescue. Organized crime is once again the culprit of her parents’ situation, and as usual, she iscaught in the crossfire. Gage pulls her out of the water and helps herescape to safety. The love between them is undiscovered as he tries toleave her behind in an attempt to keep her safe and move forward withhis black ops pursuit. Jazz becomes an undercover cop with wiping outorganized crime forever as her goal. After Jazz exposes one of thelargest crime families in the country, quite by accident, she is hiredto expose crime syndicate leader Michael Giambetti Jr., otherwise knownas Achilles. Achilles earned his nickname because he has no weaknesses.He has no weaknesses, that is until he meets Jazz. Achilles has beenuntouchable, and if she were to break this case, she could finally prove herself as a serious undercover officer. Her job is not an easy one,and people around her are not who they appear to be. Will Gage come back for Jazz, or will he be lost to her forever? Will she crack the case on her own? Read as this courageous upstart stumbles through anotheradventure.

Here’s what reviewers are saying about Unorganized Crime!

“Serrano is brilliant! Her words grab your interest. This is a real page turner, and one you can’t put down. Serrano’s writing is very versatile. Thisstory combines action, romance, and suspense with many twists and turns. She will have you at the edge of your seat and keep you guessing wherethe adventure will lead. I highly recommend!”

— Bonnie Still

“This book was so exciting to read . Judy Serrano is a talented person andauthor. She writes books in a way that draws you into the story from the first page to the last. I love the characters in Unorganized Crime. Itis a stand alone book but if you have not read the Easter’s Lilly series you need to. The way she writes her book makes you feel like you arepart of the story and I absolutely like that. The way she makes you feel connected with the character’s. I hope to read more books about Jazzand Gage !!!“

— Myra Sharp

Unorganized Crime is available at Amazon.

With Achilles still on the run, Gageand Hawk do what they can to protect their own. Gage and Jazz make their relationship official, while Hawk decides it’s time to do the same.When Hawk shows up at Elizabeth’s doorstep, she is gone, and his son,whom he has never met, is also missing. The mystery surroundingElizabeth takes Hawk to a dark place. When he opens the door toElizabeth’s past, who will he find behind it?  

Unorganized Secrets is available at Amazon.

About the Author 

Judy Serrano graduated from Texas A&MUniversity-Commerce with a master’s degree in English. She is the ownerof Make Cents Editing Services and is an English teacher at a local high school. Judy writes romantic suspense, Mafia romance, and paranormalromance. She is the author of The Easter’s Lilly Series, The Linked Series, Ivy Vines, Visions and the Unorganized Crime series. Although originally from New York, Judy resides in Texas with her husband and six cats.

Website & Social Media:

Website ➜ www.judyserrano.com 

Twitter ➜ http://www.twitter.com/AuthorJSerrano 

Facebook ➜  https://www.facebook.com/JudySerranoAuthor/

Goodreads ➜ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4792103.Judy_Serrano

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Book Spotlight: Sleeping With Dogs by Barbara Barth

 

Barbara Barth startedadopting dogs after the loss of her husband in 2008. From larger dogs todownsizing to Chihuahuas there are always five to six dogs at home. Barth hascaptured the essence of each dog's personality in short free verse poems. Knownas Writer With Dogs, Barth has written two memoirs and a variety of novels.Dogs are always present in her stories. This is her first collection of poems. Achapbook of second chances. Purchase a copy of the book on Amazon.You can also add it to your Goodreads reading list.

 

About the Author

Barbara Barth turnedto writing and adopting dogs to heal after the loss of her husband in 2008.Known as Writer With Dogs over the years, she now calls herself Chihuahua Mamaand lives with six demanding Chihuahuas in a charming small town forty miles fromAtlanta. She is Literary Arts Chair on the Board of her local art center.Inspired by the many talented artists she meets, Barth started painting. Herwhimsical style embraces ladies, gardens, critters, and of course cats anddogs.

Find her online at:

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

Blog: https://barbarabarthartandwords.blogspot.com/

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BarbaraBarthStudio

Nurse Dorothea Presents: Why Coping Skills Work and What Are Some That Can Be Done Anytime and Anywhere

 

Mental health for teenagers and young adults, but older adults are saying they are learning new things too.

 

We are starting the process of removing stigma about mental health issues. Let’s share ideas of the journey to well-being and seek to understand others as they are instead of how we wish them to be. By learning to know ourselves and trying different coping skills that are specific to the situation that we find ourselves in, we can achieve balance and peace. As we deepen our self-awareness and harness tailored coping mechanisms for diverse situations, we pave the path to equilibrium and serenity. Let’s foster an environment conducive to both individual and collective growth within our society. By doing this, we unlock potentials previously unattainable, empowering us to fully cultivate our knowledge, skills, and abilities. With gratitude in our heart, peace in our mind, and confidence in our capabilities, we can face the future with bravery, courage, and determination to help make the best lives for ourselves and others that we possibly can. If society wants something we have never had, we’re going to have to do something that has never been done.

Nurse Dorothea Presents Why Coping Skills Work and What Are Some That Can Be Done Anytime and Anywhere is available at Lulu.

Book Excerpt

“Hi everyone, my name is Nurse Dorothea. Thank you for coming to the after-school club on mental health. I hope to provide you with some tools to manage your emotions and navigate life’s challenges.Mental health is complicated because there are so many things that can affect it. This class was created to show that it is ok to talk about your mental health with others as well as to give you ideas to improve your mental health.

“We will be recording this session. People in the future will get to experience the same things you will today. Sometimes, I will speak to people watching this showor reading the future book about the class. This is an interactive class and I want you all to ask questions as you have them. We will stop sometimes and discuss things with each other. If you are watching the show or reading the book, then I want YOUall to also discuss the questions and topics with those in the room. This book is an experience, and you will only get the full experience by talking with others. Please take breaks from the show as you need to since this will be a long discussion.”

– Excerpted from Nurse Dorothea Presents Why Coping Skills Work and What are Some That Can Be Done Anytime and Anywhere by Michael Dow, Dow Creative Enterprises, 2024. Reprinted with permission. 

About the Author 

Michael is the Founder and Manager of Dow Creative Enterprises, LLC.  His books have garnered the Silver Nautilus Book award in 2020 (Nurse Florence, Help I’m Bleeding) and an Award-Winning Finalist in the Religion category for the 2021 International Book Awards (A Prayer to Our Father in the Heavens: Possibly the Greatest Jewish Prayer of All Time).  Michael believes we will need the best of science and religion to successfully navigate ourselves, our civilization, through the future obstacles we will face.  More information can be found at www.DowCreativeEnterprises.com and www.NurseFlorence.org.  Nurse Florence® is a federally registered trademark by Dow Creative Enterprises.  The Nurse Florence® series seeks to promote science and health among children and to help increase the health literacy levels of our society.  With teamwork, inclusion, faith and perseverance, we can bravely face our problems and help each other reach our better selves as well as our best collective good.

Website & Social Media:

Website ➜ www.nursedorothea.com

Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095060389625

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Book Spotlight: The Golden Deficit by Joni Parker

 Unexpected solutions to unanticipated problems with the Golden Harvest.

 

Title: The Golden Deficit: Book 3 of the Golden Harvest Series

Lady Alex, the Elfin Keeper of the Keys for the Council of Elders, begins an epic adventure when she returns to the magical land of Eledon. The final talley of the Golden Harvest is in, and it’s far from the hundred million gold knots required. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the deficit is even larger, caused by the deceitful Rock Elves. These cunning creatures have been paying other Elves with fake gold knots for years, and no one had a clue until now. The Mentors demand the Elves pay the five million knot deficit in ninety days, but no one has any gold left. The pressure is on, and everyone is at a loss for how to come up with the gold, until Lady Alex devises a brilliant plan. But it will require equipment and expertise the Elves don’t have, and time is running out. Can she gather what she needs and save Eledon from financial ruin before it’s too late?

The Golden Deficit is available at Amazon at https://amazon.com/dp/B0DL6G4GB2.

 

Book Excerpt

This sucked! I came home expecting a warm welcome, but instead, I’ve been chewed out twice. Or was it three times? I should have kept score, but I had no idea what I was walking into. I had returned to Eledon because my mortal boss in Paris, Étienne, a world renown fashion designer, went into the hospital for a ruptured appendix. He had delayed treatment because he had top billing during fashion week in Paris, and it consumed him. We worked extra-long hours to get the clothes done in time, and the results were brilliant. Although he could have died, he didn’t, but when he was taken to the hospital, all work in the design studio came to a screeching-ass halt although I had to finish up some photoshoots for a magazine spread. Work won’t start up again until Étienne gets back at the end of March. So, I came home to Eledon.  

Eledon was the home of the Elves, and was given to us by our Mentors when we were forced to leave Earth. I was part Elf and mortal, well, mostly mortal. My father was a mortal man from a place in outer space called Oltria, and my mother was the daughter of a Water Elf and a Titan. I hardly remembered them since they died when I was four. When I grew up, I lived with my mortal foster parents until I turned sixteen. Then I moved in with my Elfin grandmother, Lady Lestin of the Water Elves. Talk about a culture shock. I’m still learning about Elves. 

– Excerpted from The Golden Deficit by Joni Parker, Joni Parker, 2024. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author 

Joni Parker was born in Chicago, Illinois, but moved to Japan with her family when she was 8, so her father could achieve his dream of becoming a pro golfer. Upon return, her family moved to Phoenix, Arizona where Joni graduated from Camelback High School. After a short stint at Arizona State University, she joined the U.S. Navy. After 22 years of military service, she retired and traveled the country with her husband in their RV until he passed away. Joni went back to work for the federal government for another 7 years until she could retire and devote her time to writing. She currently lives in Tucson, Arizona with her sister.   

Website & Social Media:

Website ➜ http://www.joni-parker.com

Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJoniParker

 


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Kill Your Darlings by Jim Naremore, author of American Still Life

We are all drowning, and we are all saviors.

Wresting with addiction, guilt, and self-loathing, giftedphotojournalist Skade Felsdottir finds herself trapped in a web of her owncreation when she is forced by circumstances to return to her hometown—theplace that holds her crippling secrets. After screwing up her “big break”, aphoto essay book about descansos—roadside memorials to people who have diedtragically, Skade tries to salvage the project against a tight deadline. Whilesimultaneously working and keeping her darkest demons at bay, Skade reconnectswith an old boyfriend and befriends a unique but broken young woman named Kit.Their burgeoning friendship begins a process of healing for them both, until adevastating sequence of events plunges Skade into darkness, leaving her todecide between redemption and running away; between life and death. Set againsta backdrop of the back roads of a forgotten America, American Still Lifeexplores the crossroads of grief and artistic expression, of loneliness andatonement. A journey familiar.

 

Kill Your Darlings

 There is a famous bitof writerly wisdom that invariably elicits some form of fear or recoil(including scoffs and defensiveness, which are just fear in wolf’s clothing) inall writers, both experienced and new: “Kill your darlings.” This advice to allwriters is often misunderstood or confused in some way, even its attribution iscloudy; it is most often attributed to William Faulkner, but the actual quoteis “Murder your darlings” (even more bloodthirsty!) and was originally used bythe English writer Arthur Quiller-Couch in 1916 (either in a book he wrotecalled On the Art of Writing, or in a lecture to Cambridge Universitystudents, even that is unclear!). But beyond who actually said it, what does itreally mean to us writers working today, and why is it such good advice (or isit actually good advice)?

Let me begin by saying the same thing I say to every novelwriting class I ever lead: There are no rules. As such, feel free to ignoreanything anyone has said to you about how to write. Art is art is art. Thesecond thing I always say, fast on the heels of that anarchy, is: There arealso a million rules, and the better you know them, the better off you’ll be.Both of those statements are true, and they are not actually mutuallyexclusive. The better you know the infrastructure of the art, the easier and betteryou will be able to create something interesting and meaningful, and the moreappropriately you will be able to not follow the rules (if that makes sense).

Kill (or murder) your darlings, while it is a bit of anover-generalization to get to a pithy turn-of-phrase, is aimed at making sureeverything you write is fully in service to your story. In every book there isa primary story line and sometimes a few sub-story lines, which themselves needto in someway support the primary line. It’s easy as a writer to get offlineand start writing material that strays farther and farther from pushing thestory forward. A lot of times this takes the form of what I call “ProcessWriting”. Process writing is the writing we do to find our way into a scene ora chapter. Usually, it’s either lots and lots of description (of the room, ofthe weather, of a character, etc.) or it’s a huge stream of interiority tellingus what a character is thinking and remembering and feeling and wondering andhoping and worrying and speculating, and on and on. I do both (the descriptionthing is my special problem) to get my mind into the mood of the scene ortrying to find that little bit of propulsive traction I need to get the scenerolling. Process writing is like warming up or clearing your throat on thepage. Sometimes you get some amazing descriptions or thought lines that lead toother things and soon you’re skipping down a side path away from your story. Asbeautiful and meaningful as these wonderful bits of writing are, if they arenot pushing the story forward, they need to come out (killed darlings).

Another type of darling can come later, when you really startto know your characters and they start talking to you about what they mightthink or want to do. You love them and enjoy spending time with them, so youindulge them some of these desires. You begin to create entire scenes centeringaround a character, a place, or an event that you enjoy playing with and beforeyou know it you’ve got whole chapters, beautiful, enjoyable, that have littleor nothing to do with the story you are actually trying to tell. In both mynovels (The Arts of Legerdemain as Taught by Ghosts and AmericanStill Life) I reached a point where I removed entire chapters entirely fromthe manuscript for this very reason (as a side note, if you can actually dothat: remove an entire scene or chapter and the story still makes perfect senseand nothing is lost in the story flow, you did the right thing. That’s aperfect clue you had a darling that needed murdering). For me, one of thesurest clues I’m writing something I might need to take out is when I startgetting cute with my voice, I start stretching my language to the poetic or theextreme end of lyrical.

Rules for darling killers. First and most important… NEVERkill anything, darling or otherwise, until late in the editing process! Icannot stress this enough. Your job as you are generating your first (rough,working, whatever you call it) draft is to just write, just create, it’s allgood and valuable. Never cut anything until you flip into that editorial-mode.You don’t do that until you’ve got the end done on the first draft. Only thenare you allowed to hunt darlings. Second, NEVER throw anything away! Justbecause it doesn’t belong in this story doesn’t mean its not great writing andthat you might be able to use it in another story sometime. I’m still holdingonto lines I wrote ten years ago waiting to use them in the perfect spot. Andthe two chapters I edited out of the two novels both became stand-alone shortstories and were (or will be) published in lit journals (which is another cluethey were darlings. If they can stand on their own two feet, let them.) Third,darlings can hide. They most often like to hide behind “Character development”or “Mood creation” … watch those things. Less is more! I still go back andforth about the chapter I removed from American Still Life. I liked itand saw its value. My editor felt differently. I caved. Was it a darling? Yes…Did it need killing? I’m still not sure. But the book worked.

Remember, the most important thing you are doing is telling astory. The story’s the thing (to paraphrase Shakespeare). Get your storyacross. The story always should win. And also remember, you get to keep a LOTof darlings across a nice tight eighty-to-one hundred-thousand-word manuscript.Good writing is good story telling. There’s a lot of ways to do that. Findyours!

 

About the Author

With roots in the American deep south and the Midwestgrounding his sense of place, Jim Naremore has published an array of shortfiction and the award-winning novel The Arts of Legerdemain as Taught byGhosts (Belle Lutte, 2016). He holds an MFA from the Solstice program atLasell University in Boston and currently lives with his partner and cat in NewYork’s Hudson River Valley.

You can find the author at: https://www.jim-naremore.com/ 

Movie review: Gladiator (2000)

Gladiator(2000) is a Ridley Scott film with a star-studded cast. The Roman generalMaximus Decimus Meridius is betrayed when Commodus, the ambitious son of EmperorMarcus Aurelius, murders his father and seizes the throne. Barely escapingdeath, and witness to the destruction of his property and the murder of hiswife and child, Maximus is taken into slavery to become a gladiator. He rises throughthe ranks to finally achieve the goal gladiators aspire to: fighting in the Colosseumin Rome. But Maximus has other plans. Going to Rome to fight will bring him intothe orbit of the Emperor Commodus, a corrupt and spendthrift ruler who placatesthe restless Roman populace with bread and circuses. Then he can take hisrevenge. The plot unfolds as Maximus rallies various senators, allies, his men,and even the sister of the Emperor, Lucilla, whom he once loved in his youth,to overthrow and kill Commodus.

Witha cast that boasts Russell Crowe as Maximus, Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius,Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus and Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, with actingstalwarts like Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, David Hemmings, David Shrapnel, DavidSchofield et al, can one go wrong? No, as is evidenced by this trulymagnificent film. Albeit relatively unknown at the time, Crowe sealed hisfuture career with a performance that was nothing short of remarkable. Thecamera loves him, and he knows how to act with his mind. The point of filmacting is to remember that less truly is more. His performance is memorable.But no one can act alone in a film such as this one, and the stellar supportingcast was superb.

Thephotography can only be described as mesmerizing. The opening battle scenes inthe forests of Germania are mind-blowing and set the tone for the drama andgrandeur to follow. The luxury, opulence, beauty, and decay of the Roman Empireare on full display. The excesses of wealth, entertainment, and corruption are brilliantlyportrayed. The Colosseum, (a replica section built in Malta) is trulymagnificent and hopefully will get viewers thinking about the sheer brilliance andingenuity of the architects of the original. It is the largest amphitheater everbuilt and is the largest still standing. The gladiator/fight scenes are just nail-bitinglyfantastic. The music by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard is equally magnificent;grand in places and haunting in others, it evokes instant recognition inlisteners. The film had mixed reviews, but the incredible box office response indicatesmore people liked it than those who did not. 

It won five awards at the 73rdAcademy Awards and was nominated for seven more.

Historicalaccuracy is spotty although the producers hired historians to advise, one ofwhich resigned. In my humble opinion, audiences know there is artistic license,and this is a story. A story, I must add, that is gripping, compelling, andvery well told. Perhaps more viewers will, like me, be curious enough to dosome research to find out what happened to the real Marcus Aurelius, Commodus,and Lucilla. Gladiator II has been released and boasts a similar stellar castwith new characters played by Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal, and with ConnieNielsen and Derek Jacobi returning.

Gladiator(2000) is incredible and even after 24 years, its splendour has not dimmed. I watchedit for the umpteenth time and still saw new things. Don’t miss it. This is realentertainment and has great acting.