K.D. Dowdall's Blog, page 14

A Review of James J. Cudney’s Mystery Novel, Academic Curveball, Book 1

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Author James J. Cudney’s mystery novel, Academic Curveball Book 1, of the Braxton Campus Mysteries, is the most incredibly intriguing mystery I have ever read, and it captivated me from the very first page. Yet, it is much more than a mystery. It is a community of perfectly drawn characters that you will soon think of as a part of your own family, your neighbors, and the people you may work with too. I feel as though I know them so well that I would like to invite them to dinner. I was swept up into their personal and professional lives as they all tried to help solve two murders at the Braxton Campus.

The narrator of this taut, crisp, pithy, funny, mystery, Kellan Ayrwick, captures your attention and never lets go, and now, I will let Kellan tell you his story when you meet him on his way to Braxton, Pennsylvania, settled between Wharton Mountains and the Saddlebrook National Park Forest.  This is more that a 5 star mystery – oh…it is an 11 star mystery.

 

Attitude of Gratitude September 25 2019

An affirmation: I love knowing I have room to grow. This belief is so critical to our sense of self and what we can become, no matter how old we are. Thank you so much Annette!

Annette Rochelle Aben

Thank you, for your Attitude of Gratitude:

The minute you think you know everything is the moment you understand you have only just begun.

Affirmation :  I love knowing I have room to grow!

I love you, Annette Rochelle Aben

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Quotations on Fantasy Literature

Cosidering that I write fantasy novels; I do love these quotes.

charles french words reading and writing

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“One day, you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again.”

                                                                          C. S. Lewis

(https://en.wikipedia.org)

“Fantasy fiction is essentially about the concept of power; great fantasy fiction is about people who find it at great cost or lose it tragically; mediocre fantasy fiction is about people who have it and never lose it but simply wield it.”

                                                                        Stephen King

https://en.wikiquote.org

“Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory. If a soldier is imprisoned by the enemy, don’t we consider it his duty to escape?. . .If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we’re partisans of liberty, then it’s our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!”                                                                       J. R. R. Tolkien

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Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Food And Cookery Column with Carol Taylor – Soups in 25 minutes – Smoked Mackerel and Tomato and Cannellini Bean with Cavolo Nero

Carol Taylor has some of the most delicous recipes and I have cooked and baked several and they are always scrumptous.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

Soups in 25 minutes – Smoked Mackerel and Tomato and Cannellini Bean with Cavolo Nero

Welcome to Carol’s Cookery Column where taste and nutrition go hand in hand and can be cooked in a trice…

Soup can be eaten whatever the weather as a starter or as a snack even as a main meal if it is a substantial one served with lots of fresh crusty bread or with the addition of rice or noodles as it is served here…

I know for many of you… Autumn is here which although often brings some lovely sunny days it turns a tad cooler in the evenings….

However for those of us (me) who are experiencing warmer weather soup is eaten a lot here and is a staple in the Thai diet…think Thai chicken noodle soup or Tom Yum…it seems that no matter what the weather many people enjoy a bowl of…

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R.I.P. Cokie Roberts ~ 1943 – 2019

Cokie Roberts passed away from breast cancer and leaves a legacy of critical thinking in politics from a conservative prespective. Although, she could just as quickly condoned a few liberal prespectives as well. She was a woman a head of her time. Her intellect will be sorely missed by all.

By Hook Or By Book

Legendary journalist, author and historian, Cokie Roberts has passed away due to complications of breast cancer. She won numerous awards over the course of her career including three Emmys, and in 2008 was named a “living legend” by the Library of Congress. She was one of  the “Founding Mothers of NPR” and they tweeted this morning: “Roberts helped shape the public broadcaster’s sound and culture at a time when few women held prominent roles in journalism.” For me, Cokie Roberts was everything fair and responsible about journalism, and she was someone who inspired me to be a better person and speak out if I saw an injustice taking place. The world needs more women like her. She will be missed.

Here is my basic approach to life. I am a totally unpartisan human being. I don’t care which party has the right ideas—or which party has the wrong ideas. I…

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Keep Writing!

This is what writers do, they believe they can write and they do. That simple.

charles french words reading and writing

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To all writers:

Please trust in yourselves, have faith in your voices, and tell the stories you want to tell.

Have confidence in your abilities, and keep going.

Remember that you can do this, that you can create your work, and that you are a writer.

Remember, success comes with the discipline to continue the work.

Pick up a pen, or sit at the keyboard, and write!

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New Series: Q and A with D.G. Kaye and Promote Your Book – Featuring James J. Cudney —

This is a great opportunity for writers and authors to be intereviewed by D.G. Kaye who is also a multi-published author, best-selling author and blogger.

Welcome to the first author interview in my new author interview series: –Q and A with D.G, Kaye and Promote Your Book. I’m thrilled to introduce my first guest, author James J. 2,051 more words

via New Series: Q and A with D.G. Kaye and Promote Your Book – Featuring James J. Cudney —

Mystical Greenwood by Author Andrew McDowell.

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To all those who’ve purchased, read, and reviewed Mystical Greenwood, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your support and encouragement. It was recently announced as a finalist in the Epic/High Fantasy Category of the 2019 American Fiction Awards, sponsored by American Book Fest.

If you haven’t yet, I hope you’ll consider reading my book and posting a review. Every review helps spread the word. I will be very grateful if you do.

Description:

Dermot is a fifteen-year-old boy living in a remote village in the land of Denú. He has always longed for something more in his life. Now, everything changes after he sees a renowned creature – a gryphon – in the sky, and then crosses paths with a reclusive healer who harbors a secret.

Soon, he and his brother have no choice but to leave the only home they’ve ever known. They travel with new friends across the land through several great forests, along the way meeting an old man, a family of unicorns, and witnessing an important birth. They must evade fire-breathing dragons and dark-armored soldiers hunting them down, all serving an evil sorcerer determined to subjugate the kingdom, and who will stop at nothing to destroy them.

Denú’s only hope is if a renowned coven returns to face the enemy after years in hiding. Dermot however suspects their own role may be more significant than he thought, as he slowly discovers a power which exists amongst the trees and creatures of every greenwood. Can they save those they hold dear? Will Dermot find what he has sought? Or will all that’s free and good be consumed by darkness?

 

It is available in Paperback, Kindle, and Nook:

US$: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books a Million

UK£: Amazon.co.uk | Foyles

CA$: Amazon.ca

Be sure to add it to your Goodreads to-read list! The cover art is also available at Deviant Art. If you’re a fan, you can show it through your memorabilia!

Be sure to check out my publications in poetry and creative nonfiction as well!

Don’t forget to subscribe to receive notifications of new blog posts! You can also follow me on social media:

Facebook  |  Twitter  |  YouTube  |  Tumblr  |  Goodreads

Delphi Altair Strange Beginnings A Big Surprise From Amazon

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About an hour ago my twin sister, Kathy Lauren Miller, called me and she was so excited. I said “calm down, what in the world are you going on about!! She excitedly told me that one of my books, Delph Altair Strange beginnings was being promoted by Amazon. So, with quite a bit of Shock and Awe…I said “What?   What do you mean?”

“I mean,” she said. “That Delphi Altair came in the Weekly Amazon.com Store-News@amazon.com. in her  email today.”  So, she sent me a copy of the Amazon Ad and I will include it here. I was so shocked. With so many millions of books, I thought, oh my gosh. Well, this may not be earth-shattering news to most, but it was to me.

There were six books advertized/promoted (one of which I am going to buy) I really thought that probably most of my books would end up in Book Heaven and when I calculate the number of people that will see my book cover and the description underneath the title. WOW. That is exciting.

 

 

Make a Book Trailer with PowerPoint

This idea is fantastic! I am going to try to do it. Thank you Diane, this is awesome. Karen