Cathrina Constantine's Blog, page 10

Prah, Constantine, Baryeh Review. #novella #romance #book #HolidayFiction

I can hear the hustle and bustle of the season, and Empi Baryeh has been overwhelmed and won't be reviewing this month, but we look forward to hearing from her in February. Our review team takes off for the holidays, and with Thanksgiving being later than normal in the USA, it gives little time to prepare for this joyous occasion. I'm in the process of baking cookies and putting the finishing touches, like ribbons and bows, on my Christmas gifts. What are you in the process of doing for the holidays?
It's our last review of the year! And we read Wedding at Mistletoe Chalet by Dani Collins. 


Eager for a home-style Christmas while she considers a career shift, Kristen Benz leaps on the temporary job at Mistletoe Chalet. Soon she’s wrapping presents, trimming the tree, and helping her new boss’s tween daughter plan a Christmas Eve vow renewal for her parents. The holiday is imbued with a magical glow—especially when Kristen’s high school sweetheart appears on the doorstep.

After years of medical school, Finn Garrett has promised his parents he’ll be home for the holidays. His detour to see his first love is supposed to provide closure, not rekindle their long-ago romance.

Can a matchmaking tween and the magic of Mistletoe Chalet spark the happily ever after that eluded them in the past?

Cathrina's Review:

I immediately fell in love with this cover. It's what sold me and the blurb with the ensuing romance to come. While there was quite a bit of wrapping presents and holiday trimming and managing the mistletoe chalet, Finn Garrett didn't make an appearance in the chalet until chapter five. 

I enjoyed Sarah, and the family that owned the chalet. And the author pens a picturesque scene after scene of the beauty of Mistletoe Chalet. It is a sweet, clean romance, but for me, it was a slow read. 

Nana Prah might have a differing opinion. Let's head over to her blog and read her review!

#IWSG #writerslife #writingcommunity @TheIWSG

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htmlJoin Alex J. Cavanaugh and a multitude of writer's in this monthly hop to help support one another!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all 
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

Alex's awesome co-hosts are Tonja Drecker, Beverly Stowe McClure, Nicki Elson, Fundy Blue, and Tyrean Martinson!

With the birth of our 6th grand baby on November 13th, all 6 babies are under the age of 5, and #7 is due in May! ~~ We're ecstatic beyond measure. Then with Thanksgiving, and now off to the races with Christmas and the Holidays, I've decided to take a much needed break.  

Truth be told, I haven't had time for writing. I am picking away at a new story, but it's coming together very, very slowly. And I'm not certain if it's the route I want to take...






So True....

Happy December 4th!!! I hope the beginning of this Christmas Season will bring you and your families great peace, happiness, joy, and most of all Love!!

#Thanksgiving #HappyThanksgiving #Blessed #GivingThanks

From Our House to Yours Wishing You A Blessed Thanksgiving

#IWSG #WritingCommunity #SupportGroup @TheIWSG

Insecurity can do real damage. Join the Insecure Writer's Support Group to help combat those insecure moments....



http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htmlJoin Alex J. Cavanaugh and a multitude of writer's in this monthly hop to help support one another!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all 
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.


Alex's awesome co-hosts are Sadira Stone, Patricia Josephine, Lisa Buie-Collard, Erika Beebe, and 
C. Lee McKenzie!

November 6 question - What's the strangest thing you've ever googled in researching a story?
The strangest thing I ever googled was: What happens to the body after a person dies. When does rigor mortis set in? I also researched blood flow and how does the blood settle in a dead person's body, the color of a their skin, lips, and fingernails. 
More research questions: If a person is murdered, and the killer cuts a person's wrists to make it appear like a suicide, how much blood would flow from the wound.
And, I asked two doctors in regards to paternity tests. I wondered if a DNA test could show paternity if the girl was 1-2 months pregnant, and she'd been dead for 3 days. Do you want the answer? The answer was: Probably not. Highly unlikely.  

#AwardWinning #BestSeller #Novel #Mystery #YAlit #Writer #Ebook #LiteraryClassicAward #New Apple Medalist #ReadersFavorite

I have this nice blog sitting here and I decided a bit of self-promotion isn't a bad thing, right?
Here is my Award Winning, International Best Seller:
Don't Forget To Breathe

Sixteen-year-old Leocadia arrives home from school to find her mom’s body. Unaware that the killer still lingers, she rushes to her mother’s side, only to be grabbed from behind and then everything fades to black.
After a year of retrograde amnesia and battling personal demons, Leo’s dreams are getting worse—she’s starting to remember. More bodies are discovered and they seem to be oddly linked to her mom’s unsolved homicide.
When Leo allows her friend, Henry to drag her into the haunted Lucien Mansion, misty ghosts appear, ghosts that just might lead to her mother’s murderer.Will Leo let her memories threaten her into a relapse or, will she fight to find her mother’s killer – only to become his next victim? 

AMAZON LINK


***2016 New Apple Medalist Award Winner for YA/Mystery-Thriller******Literary Classics 2016 GOLD AWARD******Received The Literary Classic's Seal of Approval************READER'S FAVORITE***************2015 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD***    ~ In Recognition of Excellence in Writing ~"Bone chilling horror and heart pounding romance come together to make an enthralling read. Constantine knows how to weave a riveting and intriguing plot.  It's a YA novel and Constantine understands her audience. In short, it has all the elements reader's expect from the best in genre and it's sure to keep the pages turning at a frantic pace. It is strongly recommended!" ~ Book Viral Review"A Psychological Thriller...Five Stars All the Way..." ~ SHERI A. WILKINSON"Omg! What an emotional roller coaster!" ~ KERI RUFFIN."Don't Forget to Breathe encompasses so much: heartbreak, mean girls, the bad boy, the good boy, murder, mystery, and ghosts. Seriously what more could you ask for???" ~ MYBLISSFULBOOKS review"Oh my goodness! I actually clapped at the end of this book. It was that good." ~ NANA PRAH, Bestselling Author"Don't Forget to Breathe is an engaging novel with continual plot development. The author has an intense writing style and her use of unusual and vivid verbs fascinated me." ~ GAYNOR LINCOLN, READERS FAVORITE REVIEW"A Fast Paced Thriller That Will Leave You Hanging Until the End" ~ VANESSA ECCLES, Best Selling Author"Holy Moly, I don't even know where to begin. I Loved, Loved, Don't Forget To Breathe." ~ TAMMY ~ THE WITCHING HOUR READS

Prah, Constantine & Baryeh Reviews #review #romance #love

Autumn is my favorite season: I love the crisp fresh air, smells wafting from our local cider mill, apples, apple cider, apple pies! Watching the leaves change from emerald greens to russets, golden, and reds. 
What's your favorite season?


Our team read and reviewed Meant to Be by Melody Grace.


Poppy Somerville believes in happily-ever-after. It’s the reason her romance novels have won devoted readers all over the world—and why she’s broken off her engagement just weeks before the wedding instead of settling for less than true love. Escaping to her aunt’s beach cottage in Sweetbriar Cove, Poppy is looking for inspiration to end her writer’s block and finish her new book. She just wasn’t counting on the handsome, gruff contractor making such a racket next door…

Cooper Nicholson doesn’t believe in soul-mates. He thought he’d found his forever once, and the world proved him wrong, so when the cute brunette comes storming over and demands he keep the noise down, romance is the last thing on his mind. But his new neighbor is full of surprises, and soon, their chemistry is too hot to ignore. 

As they grow closer, they discover fiction has nothing on the plot twists life has in store. But will Cooper find a way to let go of the past and risk his heart again? And can Poppy find her happy ending — on and off the page? 

Amazon Link

Cathrina's Review:

If you're in the mood for a sweet and steamy read, then It Meant To Be is for you. 

Poppy is a likable main character, who realizes the guy she plans on marrying isn't her true love. And she believes in HEA. After leaving this guy behind, she takes refuge in her Aunts cottage on the lake. A perfect setting to finish her novel. Along comes the good-looking and feisty Cooper telling her there isn't any true love stories. He's been burned in the past. But there's a sweltering intensity between Poppy and Cooper which sets a few scenes on fire.  

I enjoyed reading the ups and downs of this sweet book, and I think you will too. 

Now head over to read what Nana Prah and Empi Baryeh thought of the book. 

#IWSG @TheIWSG #writer #writerslife #writingcommunity

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htmlJoin Alex J. Cavanaugh and a multitude of writer's in this monthly hop to help support one another!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all 

Alex's awesome co-hosts are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Mary Aalgaard, Madeline Mora-Summonte, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!


October 2 question - It's been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don't enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?


This question rattled my brain because I hadn't thought there could be such a writer ~ A writer who does not read seems unreal. Reading expands my concepts of storytelling. I didn't receive a college degree in creative writing, grammar, sentence structure, and whatnot. My leaning came from extensive reading. (Which is an everlasting learning experience) There are rules to creative writing and some writer's break the rules which can be fun. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I never thought of myself as being an extension of another writer. Although, readers like to compare writers to other writers and sometimes that's an honor.

On the other spectrum, a writer who hasn't read another person's story could create something original. However, don't we all strive for originality? There are millions and millions of books that are original, though they touch on a similar topics. I doubt all these novels are from writer's who don't read.

If you are a writer who doesn't like to read I'd like to hear from you.   

#IWSG #writingcommunity #writerslife #Writer #writingscommunity

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htmlJoin Alex J. Cavanaugh and a multitude of writer's in this monthly hop to help support one another!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all 
Alex's awesome co-hosts are Gwen Gardner, Doreen McGettigan, Tyrean Martinson, Chemist Ken, and Cathrina Constantine!

September 4 question - If you could pick one place in the world to sit and write your next story, where would it be and why?That is a tough question. I'm a loner when I write, and if my family's around I can't get my muse to create a single scene. With that in mind: There are so many places I'd like to sit and write. I'd enjoy a quiet nook in a villa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. A chalet in Montana with a huge picture window giving out to the mountains with wild horses running about. I guess I like to have pleasant surroundings where I can peek above my laptop and watch nature in action. 


Guidelines and rules: 
Word count: 3500-5000
Genre: Middle Grade Historical – Adventure/Fantasy
Theme: Voyagers
Submissions accepted: May 1 - September 4, 2019
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.


The next #IWSGPit  will be in January 15, 20208:00 am - 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
Create a Twitter-length pitch for your completed and polished manuscript and leave room for genre, age, and the hashtag. On January 15, Tweet your pitch. If your pitch receives a favorite/heart from a publisher/agent check their submission guidelines and send your requested query.

Many writers have seen their books published from a Twitter pitch - it’s a quick and easy way to put your manuscript in front of publishers and agents.

#IWSG #writingcommunity #writerslife #writer #amwriting #writerssupportgroup

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htmlJoin Alex J. Cavanaugh and a multitude of writer's in this monthly hop to help support one another!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all 
Alex's  awesome co-hosts are Renee Scattergood, Sadira Stone, Jacqui Murray, Tamara Narayan, and LG Keltner!

August 7 question - Has your writing ever taken you by surprise? For example, a positive and belated response to a submission you'd forgotten about or an ending you never saw coming? 


What takes me by surprise is when I read fabulous reviews. Those glowing reviews from perfect strangers brightens my day and gives me hope when I'm feeling as if my writing just isn't good enough. 



 This is for all writer's who've been querying for an agent. We all know the wait is a nail-biter. And many times, you don't even hear back after submitting. Last week I received an email from an agent I queried in February 2018. She said, "I apologize for the delay in my response." It only took her a year and a half to get back to me. LOL!!

#PrahConstantineBaryehReviews #mystery #cozymystery

Here we are in Mid-July and the weather is steamy. I thought summer was never going to touch down on our neck of the woods. Now it's hotter than a firecracker!!! 
This month our review team picked
Raining Men and Corpsesby Anne R. Tan

When it rains, it pours … and this amateur sleuth may be in over her head.

Graduate student Raina Sun is trying to keep her head above water as the bills roll in when her dashing college adviser cons her out of several months of rent. Her quest to retrieve the money sets in motion a streak of even worse luck. 

First, she stumbles on her advisor's dead body and becomes a suspect in his murder. Next, the only man she's ever loved reappears as the lead detective to the case. Raina's having trouble interpreting his signals--does he want to reignite their passion, or just stay close to his prime suspect?

Her life careens further out of control when her grandma shows up at Raina's postage-stamp-sized apartment, dragging a red suitcase and trouble of her own. As Raina summons her sleuthing skills, she discovers that when it comes to murder, there may be no place for an amateur. 

For readers who like cozy mysteries, quirky characters, and a dash of humor.

Cathrina's Review:

Raining Men and Corpses is a cozy mystery, a beach read for the summer. Raina, the amateur sleuth, had much to contend with. Not only snooping for clues to solve a murder, but also handling Po Po, her precocious grandmother.

When the lead detective comes into the picture, it's Raina's ex-boyfriend, I thought things would start to heat up, but I didn't find any sparks. A few characters in the book I also didn't care for. Raina's friend, for instance. It might have been me, but I felt the book dragged. I had a hard time getting into and through it, but that's just me. I've seen many rave reviews.

Perhaps you'll feel differently and love this cozy mystery.

Hop on over and read Empi's and Nana's reviews. Let's see if we agree or disagree with this novel.