Lance Greenfield's Blog, page 9
August 8, 2021
Book Review: Alone in a Crowd by Val Penny
This is the superb first episode of a crime thriller series set in Central Scotland featuring feisty DS Jane Renwick. The story moves at great pace and high tension from the first page to the last with plenty of danger and conflict.
Although Jane is taken off the case of tracking down a potential serial killer at an early stage because DNA analysis exposes probable close family links, she defies her bosses and becomes involved in some online research.
As detectives in Glasgow and Edinburgh close in on the killer, Jane is abducted. In chapters that are narrated in Jane’s own voice, the abductor reveals that he believes that it is for her own protection. Needless to say, Jane doesn’t see it that way.
There are a lot of characters in this book, many who have also appeared in the Hunter series, and there were times that I found it difficult to keep track of the various relationships.
That aside, this is a great read which I highly recommend. I can’t wait for book two in the series.
August 5, 2021
Esther’s Challenge – Can You Tell A Story In . . .
It is Thursday and time for your latest five-word story challenge from Esther Chilton.
This week, her single word prompt is BRAVE. So can you tell a story in five words, using the word BRAVE in it somewhere?
Please post your submissions in the Comments on this post.
This is an open invitation to all of my followers and Esther’s to have some fun with words.
The only limits are the boundaries of your imagination.
Here’s your starter:
Sexy squaw seduces brawny brave.
Esther and I await your submissions. Make us laugh and and entertain all of our followers with your witty flashes.
August 2, 2021
Esther’s Challenge – Laugh-along-a-Limerick
Happy New Week to you all and welcome, once again, to Esther Chilton’s regular Monday challenge.
Esther ChiltonThose of us who are lucky enough to be attending the Swanwick Writers’ Summer School are very excited. The time is coming. Having missed out in 2020, we are so close to getting together. For the rest of us, is there something that we’ve been looking forward to that is now within reach?
Come closer, and I’ll whisper Esther’s one-word prompt to inspire your limericks.
Today, Esther’s one-word prompt is NEAR. So can you write a limerick using the word NEAR in it somewhere?
If you feel like writing a limerick about something else that is currently on your mind, have a go! Just let it flow. Delight us all with your creativity.
Post your submissions in the Comments on this post.
July 29, 2021
Esther’s Challenge – Can You Tell A Story In . . .
It is Thursday and time for your latest five-word story challenge from Esther Chilton.
This week, her single word prompt is DARK. So can you tell a story in five words, using the word DARK in it somewhere?
Please post your submissions in the Comments on this post.
This is an open invitation to all of my followers and Esther’s to have some fun with words. Remember that you can use words that are extensions of the prompt word, such as ‘darkness.’ The only limits are the boundaries of your imagination.
Here’s your starter:
Share your darkest, guilty secrets.
Esther and I await your submissions. Make us laugh and and entertain all of our followers with your witty flashes.
Have fun!
July 26, 2021
Esther’s Challenge – Laugh-along-a-Limerick
Happy New Week to you all and welcome, once again, to Esther Chilton’s regular Monday challenge.
Esther ChiltonI am sure that you will have noticed that the 2020 Olympic Games have finally got going in Japan, one year late and without the crowds. This fortnight will bring us many inspirational stories and it is a great time for writers to put pen to paper and step onto the poetry rostrum.
Today, Esther’s one-word prompt is GOLD. So can you write a limerick using the word GOLD in it somewhere?
If you want to swerve around the weekly prompt, please feel free to ignore it and write a limerick to suit your current mood and feelings. Just let it flow. Delight us all with your creativity.
Post your submissions in the Comments on this post.
Share your GOLDEN Limericks
July 24, 2021
Book Review: A Deadly Influence by Mike Omer
A Deadly Influence by Mike Omer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In the main, this is a gripping, fast-paced chiller thriller. The characters, especially the main protagonist, Abby Mullen, are authentic. Abby is a negotiator and the opening scene shows us a very good view of her regular work: talking down a potential suicide.
Her past soon catches up with her when somebody from her childhood calls her with news that her child has been abducted. Abby pledges her help. Her past catches up with her.
There is a lot of intimate and well-researched information in this book regarding the way that cults work and it is scary. There are lots of tangled relationships and there are many doubts about who can and cannot be trusted.
This is a genuine page-turner and I found myself reading well into the small hours of the morning.
Although, for the most part, the pace left me breathless, I thought that it dropped off a bit in the middle.
I should not have been surprised that the first book in a series ended with a cliff-hanger, but the mysterious revelation was a bit annoying. It was also slightly predictable. I can’t reveal any more without exposing a major spoiler.
Overall, I thought that this was a fantastic read and I look forward to the next book in the series, Damaged Intentions, even though I may have a long time to wait.
View all my reviews
Book Review: Paranormal Warwickshire by S.C. Skillman
Paranormal Warwickshire by S.C. SkillmanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
It is obvious that a lot of work has gone into this book. The result is an excellent collection of stories about ghosts and the houses and castles in which they reside. Each story is double-researched, as the author has investigated both the venues and the background of the ghosts and their reported appearances. The stories and descriptions are backed up by a wonderful collection of photographs, many of which are by the author herself.
There is a lot of very interesting history, including the middle ages period around the black death when whole villages were decimated by the plague. We hear about the people who have lived in the castles, and famous houses and schools of Warwickshire and of apparitions in churches and churchyards.
There this book is steeped in the rich history of the area and, whether you believe in the supernatural aspect or not, I am sure that you will love it. For those who do believe in the spiritual side and afterlife, it is an absolute treasure trove.
View all my reviews
July 22, 2021
Esther’s Challenge – Can You Tell A Story In . . .
It is Thursday and time for your latest five-word story challenge from Esther Chilton.
This week, her single word prompt is SHARE. So can you tell a story in five words, using the word SHARE in it somewhere?
Please post your submissions in the Comments on this post.
This is an open invitation to all of my followers and Esther’s to have some fun with words. The only limits are the boundaries of your imagination.
Here’s your starter:
Five witty words? Do share!
Esther and I await your submissions. Make us laugh and and entertain all of our followers with your witty flashes.
Have fun!
July 19, 2021
Esther’s Challenge – Laugh-along-a-Limerick
Esther ChiltonHappy New Week to you all and welcome, once again, to Esther Chilton’s regular Monday challenge. In UK, the hot, sunny weather is welcome, but we must all take care of ourselves as the conditions could endanger us if we are not careful. So, sit in the shade and write a limerick to keep us entertained.
Today, Esther’s one-word prompt is SCORCH. So can you write a limerick using the word SCORCH in it somewhere?
If you want to swerve around the weekly prompt, please feel free to ignore it and write a limerick to suit your current mood and feelings. Just let it flow. Delight us all with your creativity.
Post your submissions in the Comments on this post.
July 15, 2021
Esther’s Challenge – Can You Tell A Story In . . .
It is Thursday and time for your latest five-word story challenge from Esther Chilton.
This week, her single word prompt is HOME. So can you tell a story in five words, using the word HOME in it somewhere?
Please post your submissions in the Comments on this post.
This is an open invitation to all of my followers and Esther’s to have some fun with words. The only limits are the boundaries of your imagination.
Here’s your starter:
Homecoming after absence deserves celebration.
Esther and I await your submissions. Make us laugh and and entertain all of our followers with your witty flashes.
Have fun!
