historical fiction writer, amateur photographer, retired computer guru and math geek
The Witches of Riegersburg, an historical novel by Julie Anne Stratton begins in the castle for which it is named. Located in southeastern Syria, Riegersburg castle is the site of the witch trials conducted between 1673-1675. It is 1664, and Baroness Elisabeth von Galler, the owner of the castle, is preparing for the celebration of … Continue reading Book Review–“The Witches of Riegersburg”, by Julie Anne Stratton
Lana Granger is hiding a dark past: seven years ago her father murdered her mother, and Lana helped bury the body. She's changed her name, enrolled at an obscure college in upstate New York, a couple thousand miles from her home in Florida. Her father is in prison, on death row for a crime not … Continue reading Book Review: “In the Blood” by Lisa Unger
One of the most stressed "rules" of writing is that a prologue is a no-no. Agents hate them. Many readers wont even bother to read them because they think a prologue is a bunch of first-page exposition that contributes nothing to the story. Well, if you read War Sonnets don’t skip the prologue. Why? Every … Continue reading Prologue vs. Epilogue: What’s Your Opinion?
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
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
Congratulations, your book "War Sonnets" is the bronze category winner for "Historical General" in the 2022 HFC Book of the Year contest. Attached is the award badge and if you need physical stickers for your books, please let us know and we can send you the private link and password for ordering. What a way … Continue reading We Interrupt Your New Year’s Eve Celebration…
It's been a crazy, mixed-up week which means I've had little time to craft a proper post. The following is a list of the books I read in the month of February, with my rating and, unfortunately no description. I have, however, linked each title to its Goodreads page so if you are interested you … Continue reading February Book Recap
Is anyone out there who doesn't love to read? Hands up? Didn't think so. Several of my favorite authors have recently or will soon release new titles. The Evening and the Morning--Ken FollettHis books are l-o-o-o-ng but usually really good and interesting historical fiction.Troubled Blood--Robert GalbraithGalbraith, aka JK Rowling writes a good mystery. This is … Continue reading My Christmas Book Wishlist
Imagine you're an old lady, settled in your ways, just you and the old man. And then the power goes off: a solar pulse has disrupted the entire energy grid. But it's not just electricity that's been lost. There's no water, no cell phone, no computer. Anything with any kind of electronics no longer functions, … Continue reading Book Review: “If Darkness Takes Us” by Brenda Marie Smith
If grief and guilt could build an empire, Doris and Tup Senter would be rich. Instead, they’re merely miserable. Life is idyllic on the post-World War II Senter family farm near Portland, Maine. Doris and Tup are content. In love, with three happy children that Doris protects like a mama bear. Until tragedy strikes. Doris … Continue reading Book Review: “Beneficence” by Meredith Hall
Susannah Willey Writes 