Jacqui Murray's Blog, page 4

More Great Westerns

I’m still into Classic Westerns. Here are the next few I’ve read from NetGalley: Me and Daniel Boone–a delightful story of Daniel Boone through the eyes of a young girl whose life he saved The Texas Hill Country–European royalty tries to escape their past into the Texas Hill Country Daniel Boone and Me by Noelle … Continue reading →

Prehistoric fiction is boring. Change my mind

My book launch for my latest prehistoric fiction, Badlands, was January 6, 2025. If prehistoric fiction doesn’t sound interesting to you, check out my article, Prehistoric Fiction is Boring: Change My Mind, published on Chris Graham’s blog, The Story Reading Ape. If you missed the article back when originally posted, here’s a reprint: Prehistoric fiction … Continue reading →

Happy July 4th! America’s Independence Day!

Like every year, I am exuberantly celebrating America’s birthday. I’d say times are tough here in the US, but that seems to be true everywhere in the world. So, I won’t complain. I love America as all of my international friends love their own homeland.   This one–Chris Stapleton–8.2 Million views since Super Bowl 2023: … Continue reading →

IWSG Any interest in writing outside of your usual genre?

This post is for Alex Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers Support Group (click the link for details on what that means and how to join. You will also find a list of bloggers signed up to the challenge that are worth checking out. The first Wednesday of every month, we all post our thoughts, fears or words … Continue reading →

How I’m Doing on Balance of Nature–2

Balance of Nature is the final book in The Savage Land trilogy, the third trilogy about the evolution of man in the series, Dawn of Humanity: … in the spirit of Jean Auel… The trilogies follow bands of humans surviving in worlds where they considered Nature and animals their equals. In this most recent trilogy, Savage … Continue reading →

Book Reviews About The Oregon Trail

Recently I’ve read a few books all themed to the expansion of the American West. A few about the Oregon Trail, one about the Gold Rush, but all chronicling people with dreams of starting over, making their lives better with the land offered by the young USA government to entice them to go West. The … Continue reading →

#AtoZChallenge: Genres–Inspirational Contemporary

The A to Z Challenge asks bloggers to post 26 articles on a themed topic in the month of April, every day except Sundays. I find that too busy and decided to post mine ‘about’ once a month. Yes, it’ll take me a couple of years. Sigh. My topic, like the last time, will be writing … Continue reading →

Great Reads from the Blogosphere

Over half the books I read are recommendations from efriends in my social media network. I thought it was time to start calling those out so especially Indie authors can see the power behind word of mouth. Here are some I think you’ll enjoy: Dreamer’s Alliance–a retirees unusual supernatural abilities allow him to help solve … Continue reading →

Image Use–Plagiarism, Copyrights, AIs, and More

I last published on this topic 2017. A lot has changed since then so it’s time for an update. Be aware this information was intended for teachers to pass onto their writing students (or use themselves), but the import is the same regardless of whether you are a teacher or author: When I teach professional … Continue reading →

Excellent Tankas for Those who Don’t Read Much Poetry

I don’t read enough poetry so am always happy to find some that inspires me. Here are two books I recently found through blogosphere, both Tanka collections: Sunflower Tanka–anthology of Tanka from a broad mix of new and established poetic voices from across the world Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine–a collection of traditional and … Continue reading →