External forces are keeping me from following my normal blog format. I should be back to normal next week. In the meantime, I’d like to share my comments on the latest lovel by Kerry J. Donovan, Ryan Kaine: On The Attack.
A relative of one ‘The 83’ is brutally savaged after walking her dog and witnessing someone trying to dump a body in the water. Ryan and one of his trusted aides arrive to late to save her from harm but catch the perpetrators in the act and deal with them. They take the woman and her daughter into protective custody, with the Doc dealing with her physical injuries.
Ryan attempts to meet with the person ultimately responsible for the attack but it’s a set-up. The wrong way to treat Ryan and he summons additional trusted allies as he declares war. A riveting story, pitting Ryan’s sense of justice against a thug and his minions who don’t care who gets in the way.
Kerry continues to create realistic plots, larger-than-life characters, and plenty of action with twists and turn to captivate the most die-hard aficionado. I can’t wait for Ryan’s next adventure!
With the last weekend in February underway, it’s hard to believe how time seems to speed up as we advance in age. I can remember when school years took forever to end so we could get to summer. Now, I blink and the seasons roll by.
Never mind, there’s nothing any of us can do to put the breaks on. We’ve all heard the saying, ‘time marches on’ and it’s true.
My Work in Progress
I didn’t do much editing on Dangerous Alliance over the past week as I devoted much of my writing time to reviewing work of fellow writers who have been so gracious in their efforts to critique mine. It’s only fair I return the favor.
Someone asked me this week about my writing plans and where do my stories come from. The simple answer? From everywhere. It could be a suggestion from another writer, which is the case with A Cartel’s Revenge, or it could be a thought passing by after reading news articles or watching a news broadcast. Sometimes, they just pop into my head. At least one came from reviewers of a short story I wrote who said it would make a good novel.
Whatever the source, in addition to Dangerous Alliance, I have three other novels in progress–plenty of writing for me to do. I’ve also penned initial synopses for another eight plots, with tentative titles. Plenty to write about–now I just need the time!
Books I’m Reading
I recently finished reading Deception by Bill Ward and Stoddard’s Gold by John Rose Putnam. I’ll share my thoughts with you next time.
Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share
I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites.
Room With Books – Check out this blog by Patricia Green. Read her reviews of a variety of genres and select the next novel or novella you’ll pick up from your favorite online or bricks and mortar store.
That brings us to a close for another week. Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading.
Another week has passed us by. At times, it appears Mother Nature has given up for this winter, only to send a gust or two our way to remind us who’s in control. A dusting of the white stuff was added overnight, adding to the majesty of the season.
This photo was taken from our deck mid-week. What a fantastic scene to wake up to! If only this type of view remained throughout the day. Still, each day brings a new snapshot of an ever-changing scene. Someone once told us the water is boring, as it never changes. It’s anything but!
My Work in Progress
Editing on Dangerous Alliance and external activities continued to consume most of my time over the past week. I’ve also run into a bit of a problem. Which of my other three novels-in-progress should I work on?
Feedback from reviewers on chapter three of New World Revolution has been positive and several people are waiting for the next chapter. The same is happening with Carnage in Singapore. I haven’t posted a new chapter of A Cartel’s Revenge in a year, so perhaps that’s where I should go next. Decisions, decisions! Too much to write and not enough time.
Books I’m Reading
I still covet my hour or so of personal reading each evening. Not long ago, I finished Ryan Kaine: On The Defensive, the third book in the Ryan Kaine action thriller series by Kerry J. Donovan. Each novel in the series showcases Kerry’s outstanding attention to detail, a superb plot, and characters so well-crafted they jump off the pages.
This time, Ryan is sought out to help a family in distress. They had already suffered as a result of the aircraft Ryan was tricked into bringing down in the first novel. Racked by a sense of guilt and the need to help the families of the survivors, Ryan shows us what he does best. Along with his growing group of like-minded friends to provide invaluable support behind the scenes, he steps into the fray and comes to the rescue of an innocent family hounded by killers.
Follow the thrills, lies, and deceit as Kerry weaves an intricate plot leaving readers wanting to turn the page and not miss anything. Another masterful story. The fourth in the series is due out in March and I can’t wait to begin reading.
Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share
I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites.
Natalie Ducey – Check out Natalie’s inspiration poetry and verse.
Linda Mims – Dig into Linda’s long and short stories of life.
That brings us to a close for another week. Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading.
Winter is hanging on with a tight grip. Plenty of snow this past week but at least the temperatures are above zero (fahrenheit). The photo above was taken yesterday from the back of the house. I could take a picture today and it would look very similar, but the snow might be a bit thicker.
This photo was also taken yesterday during a lull in the storm. The view is from our deck overlooking Lake Huron. Approximately forty-three miles away is the Canadian shoreline. The snow piled on the rail is now about two inches higher. Today’s forecast calls for another four to six inches of snow over the next eight hours. Brrrr!
My Work in Progress
Editing on Dangerous Alliance and external activities consumed a lot of time over the past week. However, I’m please to report I completed the third chapter of New World Revolution. It’s posted to the two subscription writing sites I use. There’s been six reviews of the chapter so far, all positive.
Here’s a snippet from New World Revolution, chapter one:
Mary came out the barn carrying a small bucket. “Hello, husband, lads. Milking’s finished.” She handed the milk to Hannah. “Take this inside.”
While the boys stored the scythes in the barn, William and Mary walked arm-in-arm toward the house. The mouth-watering aroma of the stew hurried them forward.
“Wash up and set yourself to the table.” Mary waved her family inside before going to the kettle and filling plates with the turnip, carrot, and onion stew. Once everyone was seated, Mary returned to the hearth. She slid a slender board attached to a long pole into a heated stone alcove, and drew out a single loaf of fresh bread.
“Oooh, ‘tis a treat indeed.” William’s brown eyes bulged, a wide grin on his face, as the rich aroma set stomachs rumbling.
“One piece each. No more, and be thankful you have this.” Mary smiled at her family and joined them at the table. “Another surprise today as well—fresh churned butter. Father, will you offer the blessing?”
William bowed his head and closed his eyes, pressing his hands together. The family followed his lead.
“Oh, almighty God. ‘Tis right we give thanks to you. Bless this food prepared by loving hands. Keep us in good health, so we might continue to prosper even in bad times. Thy will be done. Amen.”
After William said grace, he kept his head bowed. Hannah and her brothers raised theirs, eyeing the food. At last, William nodded, and everyone reached for a spoon. No one spoke. An occasional contented slurp broke the sound of utensils scraping on wooden plates, the coarse, dark and heavy wholegrain bread mopping up the last of the gravy. Plates were licked clean, consuming every drop.
Perhaps more next time.
Books I’m Reading
I recently read The Gray Ship, the first novel in Russell Moran’s Time Magnet series. With well-crafted characters and a riveting plot, this is a compelling read. Join Captain Ashley Patterson, the commanding officer of a nuclear warship as the unthinkable happens. One moment, they’re near Charleston, South Carolina. Moments later, Ashley and her crew are still by the same port, but find themselves in a strange setting. Gone are modern buildings and ships. Instead, the ship has arrived just prior to the beginning of the Civil War.
Follow the crew as they try to come to terms with their new reality. I don’t want to give away anything, but will they alter history? Russell has created a story so easy to become immersed in, it’s hard to believe time travel doesn’t exist. Or does it? I thoroughly enjoyed the story and couldn’t wait to get a copy of the sequel.
In The Thanksgiving Gang, Russell has gone with a different twist, but still as full of suspense as The Gray Ship. What would happen if we traveled into the future and found out we had died well before our time? Join Jack Thurber as he stumbles across a wormhole and goes into the future, only to discover he and his wife, Ashley, died in a terrorist attack.
How will Jack come to terms with this mind-numbing discovery? Will he be able to alter events in the future and return before he and Ashley are killed? Russell has done it again with this story. His writing style is easy to follow and he does an excellent job in portraying events to present readers with plenty of action and suspense. I now include Russell in my list of favorite authors and can’t wait to get the next novel in the series, A Time of Fear.
Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share
I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites. Unfortunately, I’ve been too busy this week, so I don’t have anything to share with you.
That brings us to a close for another week. Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! After a week’s reprieve, Mother Nature has reminded us it’s still winter. With at least three inches of snow overnight and up to another four forecast over the next eight hours, it’s clear winter is still with us.
Just finished dusting off the bird feeders and clearing a path to where the deer forage. It’s always a treat to have the ‘neighbors’ drop by.
My Work in Progress
Editing on Dangerous Alliance and external activities consumed most of my time over the past week. This coming week will be the last concentrated editing effort before I put it aside to work on other things. Needless to say, I’ll resume work on Dangerous Alliance later.
In the meantime, I want work on the novels I mentioned last time. They might appear neglected, but they’re not–just not enough time to do everything I want.
Books I’m Reading
I keep rolling through books as if there’s no tomorrow. I didn’t have a change to finish writing my reviews, but I’ll provide comments on the first two novels in Russell Moran’s time magnet series: The Grey Ship and The Thanksgiving Gang.
Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share
I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites.
John Howell – follow American author John Howell’s blog as he discusses fiction favorites.
Harmony Kent – check out British author Harmony Kent work across different genres.
That brings us to a close for another week. Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading.
As we head toward the end of January, it’s great to see the days are longer. Not a great deal yet, but we’ll take what we can get. It’s been a mixed winter thus far, and I’m sure a lot of readers will agree it can end for this year.
The snow’s been melting thanks to some above-seasonal average temperatures, but that just provides a false sense we’ve seen the last of the cold and snow. Not so fast–we’re supposed to receive some more of the white stuff tonight and additional flurries tomorrow. At least the wildlife are getting a bit of a reprieve, making it easier for them to forage. Roll on spring!
My Work in Progress
The bulk of my writing time this past week has been devoted to editing Dangerous Alliance. I think another week or so and I’ll put it aside and have a go at a new chapter for one of my other works in progress. Of course, the draw to complete Dangerous Alliance is a strong one, so I anticipate editing will continue to be at least a partial focus.
For those who didn’t catch the cover and what it’s about, here you go:
United Nations’ sanctions are crippling North Korea. China has turned her back on her malevolent partner. The North Korean military machine is crumbling, unable to function. Oil reserves are minimal and the government seeks new alliances.
Cargo and tourist ships are disappearing along the Somali and Kenyan coastline at an alarming rate. Speeches abound in the United Nations, but inaction emboldens al-Shabaab to seek their next prize: Kenya. The terror organization controls land but requires weapons.
Soon after Bedlam Bravo is called upon to disrupt their plans, a VIP’s son is kidnapped while on a mission to aide refugees. Can they manage to disrupt the North Korean-al-Shabaab axis and save the kidnapped son?
Team leader Colonel (Ret.) Trevor Franklin leads the small international team into East Africa. Tempers flare as the team is embroiled in a political quagmire. The axis must be stopped to avert an international crisis but will it be at the expense of the VIP’s son?
If you’ve read my debt novel, The Kurdish Connection, you’ll know I like subplots with plenty of twists and turns. Dangerous Alliance will be the same.
So I’ll have to make a decision on what to work on next: Carnage in Singapore, the follow-on to Dangerous Alliance with Bedlam Charlie is an option. So is A Cartel’s Revenge, which features an interesting leader fighting for survival to keep the family safe while others plot their downfall (full synopsis at a later date). At present, this is planned as a stand-alone novel, but I’ve been tinkering with a spin-off series from it.
Lastly, there is New World Revolution, where we find a tenant farmer and his family in dire straits in northern England. They are handed a lifeline, only to end up in America in time for the Boston Tea Party. I’ve planned this to be a three-volume set, but enough background will be provided so they could be read in any order. Decisions, decision!
Books I’m Reading
I’ve been reading a number of novels simultaneously and still collating my thoughts as I finish each one. I recently read The Chaos of Change by J.T. Riggen. This is a super political thriller and well worth reading. Imagine the U.S. breaking up into diverse territories, each thinking they know what’s needed to run the country. With a complex plot and a myriad cast of characters, it’s hard to believe something like this could happen. Is this a warning to us of what might happen in the future? Pitting brother against brother, family against family, it begs the question–is a second civil war on the way? I’ll have to grab a copy of book two to find out how things continue.
Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share
I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites.
Sideways Eight Series – Join author AJ Wallace as she spins the tales of Charley and Murphy, two FBI agents. Two novels have been published so far (Mindfield and Devil’s Door), with two more to follow. Well worth the read!
That brings us to a close for another week. Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading.
What a time with the weather! Early in the week, we had extremely cold temperatures and received about four inches of snow. On Thursday, the mercury climbed, reaching 52F/11C and most of the snow disappeared.
Our relief was short-lived. On Friday morning, the temperature had dropped thirty degrees, and we were hit with another four to five inches of snow. On top of that, we had blustery winds up to thirty-five miles an hour, blowing snow everywhere. Part of the driveway was clear to the asphalt, while there were two-foot drifts on the other side. Since Friday, the temperature has remained about the same, but the winds have calmed and no more snow.
My Work in Progress
The Kurdish Connection is entered in the thriller category of the 20th annual Preditors and Editors reader’s poll, sponsored by Critters / Critique.org. Currently sitting in fourth place, I could use your votes, but check out all of the categories to get a glimpse of works released during 2017. Here’s the link to the thriller category: http://critters.org/predpoll/novelthrill.shtml. The contest runs through until midnight this evening, so hope you’ll be able to check things out.
I’ve now transferred reviewer comments for forty-one of the forty-eight chapters in Dangerous Alliance. Once I finish, I’ll still have plenty of editing to do, but things are moving along. I had hoped to share the cover with you today, but I’ve been too busy to get things organized. Promise it will be in next week’s post.
With my concentration on Dangerous Alliance, I didn’t finish chapter four of Carnage in Singapore as I had planned. Too much going on!
Books I’m Reading
I finally gathered my thoughts on novel by one of my favorite authors, David L. Golemon. One of his latest adventures, The Traveler: An Event Group Thriller, has it all. The story begins in Germany during WWII but before long we’re taken on a roller coaster ride. Want Russia mobsters and Italian mafia? They’re along for the ride.
How about a trip to another continent–not in modern ages, but back over 200,000 years? One of the Event Group’s people made such a journey and others are heading back to find him. How is this possible? A time machine, created in Germany, perfected, and now in the U.S.
I’ve enjoyed every one of Mr. Golemon’s novels and can’t wait for another thrilling adventure. Well done!
Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share
I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites.
Wolfe’s Rants – Check out Wolf’s advice, works and musings about a writer’s life.
I’m afraid that’s all the time I have today. Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and all the best for 2018!
While people might debate what’s causing our current cold snap, there’s one thing for certain: it’s frosty outside. This morning I glanced out the window toward the lake. Usually, there are waves, sometimes gentle, sometimes slapping the shore, but today it’s quiet. Why? The water is freezing, literally, and the waves are now breaking much further away on the new artificial shoreline. Plenty of ice, creating myriad shapes. Last night’s moon cast an eerie glow, perfect for creating a scene or two for a story.
My Work in Progress
The Kurdish Connection is entered in the thriller category of the 20th annual Preditors and Editors reader’s poll, sponsored by Critters / Critique.org. Currently sitting in second place, I could use your votes, but check out all of the categories to get a glimpse of works released during 2017. Here’s the link to the thriller category: http://critters.org/predpoll/novelthrill.shtml. The contest runs through next Sunday, so hope you’ll be able to check things out.
Once again, I continued to concentrate on editing Dangerous Alliance and providing reciprocal reviews for those who had been reading/reviewing the story. Reviews are still coming in as readers go through the final chapters. As of yesterday evening, there were a total of 720 chapter reviews!
This is all extremely helpful as I continue my editing. Copies of Dangerous Alliance have been sent out to collect ‘reader blurbs’ for the back cover and on the beginning pages. A cover is well underway and I hope to provide a glimpse next week as I begin to promote the story. I’m looking for a mid-Spring release at this time.
Next time I’ll also share a bit more from the third book in the series, Carnage in Sinapore. I’m currently working on chapter four, so this one has a long way to go.
Books I’m Reading
As I mentioned last time, I’ve recently finished a number of novels. I’m still collating my thoughts and hope to bring you two or three reviews next time. I’m also continuing to collect new novels to read from a number of authors, so I’ll have plenty of material to share with you.
Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share
I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites.
Reader’s Abode – Check out the bi-weekly blogs from the site’s group of international writers (including yours truly). Plenty of new things to read no matter what genre you prefer.
MD Neu – writer and published author, Follow MD’s writing journey and check out his interviews with other authors.
B. Douglas Slack – A newly published author, Mr. Slack provides an interesting style as he brings us a romance spanning the globe–an American man and a Japanese woman.
I’m afraid that’s all the time I have today. Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and all the best for 2018!
As we move into a new year, I hope everyone is blessed with better health and prosperity. Happy New Year to one and all!
My Work in Progress
This week I continued to concentrate on reciprocal reviews for those who have worked so hard on my behalf regarding Dangerous Alliance. Reviews are still coming in as readers go through the final chapters. As of yesterday evening, there were a total of 709 chapter reviews!
Books I’m Reading
Over the past two or three weeks, I’ve finished a number of novels. It’ll take a couple of weeks to get every review posted. There is one in particular I’ll mention today, as it is the debut novel of M.D. Neu, and will be released tomorrow.
MD Neu has created a credible cast of characters, leading the way with Duncan Alexander and Juliet de Exter. One of several people called to Juliet’s mansion, it turns out Duncan is the chosen one. But will he accept his calling? He can have it all, but does he want to become a vampire?
MD’s story covers all facets–love, action, suspense–as well as good and evil. Hang onto yourself and enjoy a superb ride with Duncan as he explores a new life. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share
I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites.
Reader’s Abode – Check out the bi-weekly blogs from the site’s group of international writers (including yours truly). Plenty of new things to read no matter what genre you prefer.
I’m afraid that’s all the time I have today. Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and all the best for 2018!
It’s been a snowy and cold week, causing the birds and deer to hit our feeders harder than normal. Glad to see all of the wildlife, even though we know they struggle when the ground’s covered, making it difficult for them to forage.
Even our indoor-outdoor cats have rarely ventured outside. One looks at us like we’re crazy when we open the door for him to go out. He’ll sit and stare outside, but any attempt to usher him outside is met with a quick dash to warmer areas of the house. At least the next few days are supposed to be warm enough to melt some of the snow. The ice that had formed at the shoreline began breaking up yesterday, and once again we could hear the waves crashing.
My Work in Progress
My final giveaway of The Kurdish Connection ends tonight at midnight, PST. This event is hosted on Goodreads and if you don’t have a copy, head over and enter the contest.
This week I concentrated on reciprocal reviews for those who have worked so hard on my behalf regarding Dangerous Alliance. Reviews are still coming in as readers go through the final chapters.
I also did some additional research for the next chapter of Carnage in Singapore. As with all of my stories, I try to get the settings as accurate as possible, and when I haven’t been to a specific location or know someone who has, online research tools come into play.
Here’s a snippet from Carnage in Singapore:
Unsure if wild creatures or savage humans created the path, she didn’t care. All she wanted was to escape.
The pain in her chest easing, she staggered away. She struggled in the mud and stumbled, her foot caught in the roots of a nearby tree. She fell to the ground, her hands sinking into the thick ooze.
“Help!”
Who would save her in the middle of nowhere? She kicked at the root and twisted her leg until her foot popped free.
Craack!
Back on her feet, she pumped her knees to escape the sludge, her heart rate accelerating as panic skyrocketed.
A bolt of lightning lit the sky, striking a nearby tree. Shadows slithered in front of her, blocking her way forward.
She turned, searching for an escape route.
Rough hands grabbed her by the shoulders in a vise-like grip and threw her to the ground.
Perhaps more next time.
Books I’m Reading
I’ve been reading a number of books but haven’t collected my thoughts yet. I hope to have one or two reviews posted next week. In the meantime, I had the opportunity to read a short story by up and coming author, M.D. Neu, which will be released on Amazon tomorrow, December 18th.
A Dragon for Christmas is a lighthearted short story packed with plenty of emotions. Will Carmen get the dragon of her dreams for Christmas? The family and the facility staff are pulling for her, which is especially important given her curse. Like her best friend, Mattie, both use the bond with their dragons as a means to cope with their affliction. Will they always be together?
A perfect story for this time of year-bringing hope out of despair as we watch both girls mature and deal with what life tosses at them. An excellent story told in a way which is suitable for children and adults of all ages. Well done, M.D.!
Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share
I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites.
Reader’s Abode – Check out the bi-weekly blogs from the site’s group of international writers (including yours truly). Plenty of new things to read no matter what genre you prefer.
MD Neu – writer and published author, Follow MD’s writing journey and check out his interviews with other authors. His short story, The Reunion, is now available through Amazon, and his new story, A Dragon For Christmas, will be released tomorrow.
I’m afraid that’s all the time I have today. Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading!
This photo was taken from our deck mid-week. What a fantastic scene to wake up to! If only this type of view remained throughout the day. Still, each day brings a new snapshot of an ever-changing scene. Someone once told us the water is boring, as it never changes. It’s anything but!
temperatures are above zero (fahrenheit). The photo above was taken yesterday from the back of the house. I could take a picture today and it would look very similar, but the snow might be a bit thicker.
