The Fires of Hell… a dramatic new poem from Anita…
Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay ~ Poetry by Anita Dawes
#Friday Fire… #Poetry
#Shadows
Tissue Paper… #Poetry
#Throwback Thursday ~ Watching Glass Shatter by James J Cudney ~ Book 1 of 2: Perceptions Of Glass #Fiction
We haven’t done a Throwback Thursday post in quite a while, and looking back recently at some of the fantastic books we have read and reviewed over the last few years, I thought it would be a great way to showcase those books to new followers and share again with followers who may have missed the review the first time round.
After 40 years of marriage, Olivia’s husband unexpectedly passes away. But when Ben’s will reveals a life-altering secret, she suffers a blow no widow should ever experience. Olivia learns that she gave birth to a baby who later died in the nursery. Instead of telling his wife what happened, Ben switched the child with another. And as if that’s not enough, Ben’s will doesn’t reveal which of their five sons is truly not hers. Olivia visits each of her sons to share a final connection before facing the truth that will change their family, and discovers that each of them has been harboring a painful secret, just like their father. But will the secrets destroy their family, or bring them closer together?
Review
Getting to know the Glass family and all their many secrets made fascinating reading. The more I discovered about their lives convinced me that the author had chosen the perfect title for this first book in the series.
The unrelenting tension begins on the first page and builds, chapter by chapter, into a complicated web of mysteries that eventually shatter, almost destroying the family.
The saddest part of this story was that this family seemed like normal happy people until the father dies in an accident. Then, like peeling an onion, each of their secret problems is revealed, setting the scene for some major showdowns.
I applaud this author for such an interesting, beautifully plotted, and well-written story, leaving me wondering if we shall hear more about the Glass family in the next of the series…
© Jaye Marie 2020
James J. Cudney
James is my given name; most call me Jay. I grew up on Long Island, lived in New York City for over a decade, and currently live in Stamford, CT, but I’ve travelled all across the US (and various parts of the world). After college, I began working in technology and business operations in the sports, entertainment, media, retail, and hospitality industries. Although I enjoy my job, I also want to re-focus on my passions: telling stories and connecting people through literature.
In 2017, I published my debut novel, Watching Glass Shatter, a contemporary fiction family drama with elements of mystery, suspense, humor, and romance. The sequel, Hiding Cracked Glass, was released exactly three years later in 2020. I’ve also written another family drama novel, Father Figure, and created the Braxton Campus Mysteries, a light investigation series about a humorous thirty-something guy dealing with murders and the drama of a small town. I’ve also co-authored a book, Weathering Old Souls, with the wonderful Didi Oviatt.
Most of my books are available in hardcover, paperback, electronic, and audiobook formats, as well as in a variety of bookstores. We’ve begun translating into Portuguese, Spanish, German, Greek, and Italian for some of the books too. To see samples or receive news from my current and upcoming books, please subscribe with your email address at my website: https://jamesjcudney.com.
Outside of writing, I’m an avid genealogist (discovered 2,500 family members going back about 250 years) and cook (I find it so hard to follow a recipe). I love to read; between Goodreads and my blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, I have over 1,000 book reviews which will give you a full flavor for my voice and style. On my blog, I share several fun features, including the Book Bucket List, Tips & Advice, Author Spotlights & Book Alerts, and the 365 Daily Challenge, where I post a word each day that has some meaning to me, then converse with everyone about life. You’ll find tons of humor, tears, love, friendship, advice and bloopers. Lots of bloopers… where I poke fun at myself all the time. Even my dogs have segments where they complain about me. All these things make up who I am; none of them are very fancy or magnanimous, but they are real and show how I live every day.
A bit of humor: Everything doubles as something else when you live in NYC. For me, it’s the dining room, my favorite space in the apartment, where more than just my cooking is on display! As I look out the windows onto a 12th floor terrace, various parts of nature (trees, bushes, flowers, bugs & animals) inspire me to write. Baxter, a two-year-old shiba inu, constantly tries to stop me from writing so I can play with him and keep him amused. How else can you pen the best story possible without these things by your side?
Silent Sunday… but something’s watching…
Image by wal_172619 from Pixabay
Swamp Ghosts… A Riverbend Novel ~ #Fiction #Romantic Suspense ~ @MarciaMeara
Marcia Meara, author of the popular Wake-Robin Ridge books, sets her second series in the sleepy little town of Riverbend, Florida, where the hungry creatures swimming in the dark waters of the St. Johns River aren’t nearly as dangerous as those walking along the quiet neighborhood streets.
Wildlife photographer Gunnar Wolfe looked like the kind of guy every man wanted to be and every woman just plain wanted, and the St. Johns River of central Florida drew him like a magnet. EcoTour boat owner Maggie Devlin knew all the river’s secrets, including the deadliest ones found in the swamps. But neither Maggie nor Gunn was prepared for the danger that would come after them on two legs.
On a quest to make history photographing the rarest birds of them all, Gunnar hires the fiery, no-nonsense Maggie to canoe him into the most remote wetland areas in the state. He was unprepared for how much he would enjoy both the trips and Maggie’s company. He soon realizes he wants more than she’s able to give, but before he can win her over, they make a grisly discovery that changes everything, and turns the quiet little town of Riverbend upside down. A serial killer is on the prowl among them.
About the Author
Marcia Meara lives in central Florida, just north of Orlando, with her husband of over thirty years, four big cats, and two small dachshunds. When not writing or blogging, she spends her time gardening, and enjoying the surprising amount of wildlife that manages to make a home in her suburban yard. At the age of five, Marcia declared she wanted to be an author, and is ecstatic that at age 69, she finally began pursuing that dream. Three years later, she’s still going strong, and plans to keep on writing until she falls face down on the keyboard, which she figures would be a pretty good way to go! Marcia has published six books to date, all of which are available on Amazon in both print and Kindle format: Wake-Robin Ridge A Boy Named Rabbit: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 2 Harbinger: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 3 Swamp Ghosts: A Riverbend Novel Finding Hunter: Riverbend Book 2 Summer Magic: Poems of Life & Love You can reach Marcia via email at mmeara@cfl.rr.com or on the following social media sites: The Write Stuff: http://marciamearawrites.com/ Bookin’ It: http://marciameara.wordpress.com Twitter: @marciameara Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marcia.meara.writer Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/marciameara/ To keep up with the latest news and giveaways, sign up for Marcia’s Mail List here: https://marciamearawrites.com/mail-list-win-free-stuff/
Excerpt from Swamp Ghosts
The stream, clear and wide at first, rapidly became darker, and then narrow, as it disappeared into the trees. Lined on both sides with ferns and crinum lilies, it curved along its crooked way for three miles, before connecting with a slightly larger stream. That stream connected to another stream, larger still. This progression went on, each stream getting wider, before the last emptied into the St. John’s River. Even that last one was navigable only by canoe, the rest being too shallow and overgrown for anyone to explore. It was highly unlikely, if not downright impossible, that anyone could ever find their way upstream this far.
As Whitey walked along the narrow, shady path, he knew he was well protected from both the burning rays of the late-day sun and the prying eyes of strangers, which suited him just fine. No one will ever find out what’s back here. My treasures will always be safe, and my secrets, my own. He could hear the burble of the water rushing up out of the ground, and a smile spread across his face. Whitey loved his home and property, loved his snakes, and most of all—more than almost anything in the world—he loved Big Blue. He rounded the last curve of the narrow path, and a concrete block building came into view. Squat and low, it was painted a drab olive color to blend with its wooded surroundings. There were no windows on the back side. Just a door, heavily padlocked. He walked around the area for a moment, inspecting his handiwork, and making sure everything was still secure. He was, as always, a careful man…
Our Review
I have long been a fan of this author’s writing, especially the Riverbend series.
So it came as a shock to discover I had missed Swamp Ghosts, the very first book in this series.
I expected another gentle mystery laced with suspense. I also found romance, a serial killer, and enough suspense to keep me awake at night!
I loved some of the characters, including the wildlife, which I won’t describe, as you need to meet them for yourself.
There are ghosts in this story. I loved meeting Lester Purvis and his rare and unusual creatures. A very special man with an extraordinary hobby…
I recommend this series; every incredible story will stay in your heart forever…
In the Shadow of… #Poetry
In the Shadow of… In the shadow of the mountain, I prayed The shadow cooled my blood, not my desire. It clawed at my soul To give back to those who had taken from me Leaving my life empty I am little more than a ghost. One puff of wind, I will be carried away. That I could not allow They cannot be left to win. As I prayed, I heard the mountain whisper, “Turn away from your thoughts. Don’t let them win, by taking the last part of your soul. Walk awhile in my shadow. Find new thoughts there to ease your mind.” After walking for a long while I found a part of myself that had been lost. As I made my way home, I knew one thing for sure. Some thoughts only vanish for a while. They return… ©AnitaDawes2023
My sister rocks!
Dancing Shadows… #Poetry
©AnitaDawes2021
In The Tree’s Shadow ~ #Review #Fantasy Anthologies @dlfinnauthor
A collection of short stories where dreams and nightmares coexist.
Nestled inside these pages, you’ll meet a couple in their golden years who take a trip with an unexpected detour, a boy desperate to give his brother the Christmas gift he asked for, a girl with a small glass dragon who is at the mercy of her cruel uncles, and a young mother who has a recurring dream about murder. You’ll be introduced to worlds where people get second chances and monsters might be allowed their desires, while angels and dragons try to help. Happy endings occur, but perspective can blur the line between good and evil in these twenty-seven tales. Since the stories vary between 99 and 12,000 words, whether you have only five minutes or an entire evening to settle into reading, there is something that will suit your time and taste.
About D.L. Finn
D.L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to the Sierra foothills in Nevada City, CA. She immersed herself in reading all types of books, but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, being surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations vary from children’s books, young adult fantasy, and adult paranormal romance to an autobiography with poetry. She continues on her adventures with an open invitation for her readers to join her.
Our Review
In The Tree’s Shadow is an unusual and welcome collection of short stories.
I especially enjoyed The Dolphin, such a sweet story. I can imagine spending eternity in the sea as a dolphin, waiting for my family.
And Bonsai, as I would love to think of bonsai trees having souls. They live, so why not?
The Day the Earth Moved was terrifying to read and must be terrible to experience for real.
Happy or sad, spooky or mysterious, these delightful stories allow us into the mind of the author as she explores her love of all things dark and supernatural. Each and everyone will remind the reader of so many moments and memories in their own lives…
A Touch of Warmth… #Poetry
Power… in waiting…
Image by Miran Lesnik from Pixabay
I couldn’t resist this image this morning… the powerful majesty of that incredible sky, and the brooding patience of the waiting boats…
In a way, this image reflects the state of my mind at the moment. Hopefully, I can sort it out to start the week with a clean and possibly happy slate…
