historical fiction writer, amateur photographer, retired computer guru and math geek
I’ve been reading John Pavlovitz’s If God is Love, Don’t be a Jerk. Like some other non-fiction books I’ve read lately, I’ve found it interesting and thought-provoking. I was intrigued to find that the evolution of Mr. Pavlovitz’s beliefs are similar to my own journey in faith. When I was a child, my family attended … Continue reading My Evolving Higher Power
When we last saw Halya Bilyk in Erin Litteken's debut novel, The Memory Keeper of Kiev, she was only two years old. It was 1934 and she and her family were still recovering from the effects of the Holodomor, Stalin's attempt to eradicate the Ukranians via starvation. The sequel, The Lost Daughters of Ukraine, finds … Continue reading Book Review: “The Lost Daughters of Ukraine” by Erin Litteken
I rarely read non fiction. It's hard for me to pay close attention, I find myself having to re-read paragraphs, sometimes whole pages. But, in the case of The 1619 Project, by Nikole Hannah-Jones, I made an exception. It all started when... A few weeks ago, my granddaughter and I were discussing how little we … Continue reading Book Review: “The 1619 Project” by Nikole Hannah-Jones
At Stane Hame, a first-century tribal village near Cullykhan Bay in Scotland, Mooragh, spiritual leader of the Caledonia tribe known as the Taezali, worships at the standing stone--the place where she hears the Goddess.* They communicate with visions: Mooragh is mute. She is also young--perhaps in her teens. Far too young to be a spiritual … Continue reading Book Review: Sisters at the Edge of the World, by Ailish Sinclair
2022 is now at an end and I've completed my task of seeing how many books I read in a year. I tend to read two books at a time: one ebook that I read while exercising and at lunch, and a hard-copy that I read at bedtime. Two at a time works out okay, … Continue reading 2022 Book Recap
Are you a fan of fantasy? Of werewolves, elves, and magic? Of gods and goddesses, vampires, and djinn? Then run, don't walk, to your nearest Amazon site and buy book one of Whitney Hill's awesome Shadows of Otherside series, Elemental. I am not the huge fantasy fan that many younger folks are. But I can … Continue reading Book Review: “Shadows of Otherside” series, by Whitney Hill
In 1897 Philadelphia there are limited choices for young women. If one has enough connections they will be invited to be "presented" at the annual Charity Ball, a fast ticket to a society marriage and a comfortable life. But Eliza Pearson Edwards wants none of it. Eliza has grown up in a family dominated by … Continue reading Book Review: “The Unlocked Path” by Janis Robinson Daly
Let me start by saying that I love Lisa Gardner's novels. Before She Disappeared, the first of Gardner's "Frankie Elkin" series, was no exception. I really bonded with Frankie; I can't say why because I am not a wanderer, nor an alcoholic, nor am I haunted by the ghosts of my past. But Frankie is … Continue reading Book Review: “One Step Too Far” by Lisa Gardner
Boy, I sure have read some awesome books this summer. The kind of books that make me wish I was "that good" at writing. I've added a couple of authors to my "read every one of their books" list. Some have been short, quick reads, others very long but they kept my interest. In all, … Continue reading June-August Book Recap
I first met Erin Litteken as a member of a small critique group of women's fiction writers. I was working on what I now call my "practice novel," Hope, and Erin was working on the as yet untitled story of a young woman who survived the Holodomor, Stalin's veiled attempt to eradicate the Ukranian people … Continue reading “The Memory Keeper of Kyiv” by Erin Litteken
Susannah Willey Writes 