The last few weeks have been busy weeks for several reasons.
1. I’m participating in a couple of online writing groups
that offer prizes, and print the best stories in their anthologies. One of
these groups is a critique group that meets with zoom. While it’s fun to read
other stories, we’re supposed to critique them. This is where I’m having some
trouble. You see, I don’t think of myself as an editor. In my opinion, writers
are creative, and who am I to tell someone they shouldn’t use clichés, or they
should think of a different word for ‘very’?
I say, let it flow, and if the story doesn’t jive with
readers, then maybe they’ll write another one. ( I do). Eventually, they can pay an
editor to fix mistakes and overused expressions, but honestly, I don’t think I’m
cut out for critique groups. I’ve tried three different critique groups and
felt uncomfortable in all of them. One was in Rancho Mirage, one was in La
Quinta, and another in Temecula. All the writers were amazing. Some wrote science fiction, memoir, steam-punk
or mystery. One guy wrote poems. Seriously, I enjoyed hearing every story, but
I write in different genres, mostly, romantic adventures, and faith-based
fables, nevertheless, everyone has always given me wonderful, constructive
advice.
On top of all that, if I missed one meeting, I’d lose the flow. Characters
were introduced, and there were new twists in the plot. It was horrifying, for
me anyway, trying to tell these artists, anything about their creation, since I had skipped
a large chunk of valuable information. And yet, it was obvious the attendees
would thirst for any input, or glimmer of feedback we could offer.😟
Anyway, I’m sticking to the online groups for a while, especially
since a couple of my stories won a prize! Awesome group of writers, fabulous stories and I'm proud to be part of this incredible process called Bardsy. My story can be found in an anthology titled; Love is
Blind, and you can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XZBNMK5
2. I also have a new column at In2ition Magazine!
Watch out world, because this gorgeous magazine is not your mother's coffee-table periodical. It's about empowering women, so I shared a short bold scene from a day in my life.
3. We are remodeling our bathroom. This idea of a safer,
less slippery floor has grown into an immense project that has kicked us out of
our bedroom. It’s like a colossal trilogy that never seems to end, may have a happy ending, but I'm ready to flush. 😊
Thank you for sticking with me on this long post. Have you
ever joined a critique group? Did you enjoy it? Have you remodeled your
bathroom? Is this really May?
There are times the universe will ask you do something in
return. Perhaps as payment for the sunny days, the healthy days, the perfect
days.
Your resolve doesn’t waver during these times. You focus and
follow through and accomplish what is needed with a flourish and a smile.
Later, as all of it comes together and rises to fruition,
you wonder how the heck it happened. What made you do it? How in the world was
all of it possible?
Your eyes pop open in the middle of the night and you
realize this is beyond your doing. You are merely a stronger tool displaying as
much grace as possible. A cog in a mighty wheel. A note in a song. A drop of
rain in a bucket.
This Saturday,The Legends of Wildomar-Tall Taleswill be acted out on stage at Le Grand Playhouse. I wrote one third of the play
and two of the songs. I put together the program, had them printed, folded each
one by hand with my husband and sister. I
also tried to encourage sponsorship's and inspired my family members to
participate. I hung up posters in the park that blew away in the wind. Since one actor dropped out, I’m double cast!
The director wants me to be funnier. I’m expected to change into boots, chew on
hay and know my lines. Huh?
The address is 16275 Grand Ave., Lake Elsinore. The play
will be on September 7th and also on the 14th. Tickets are $10 and are
available by going online to BRICK or at Facebook events at: https://www.facebook.com/events/2396311220655774/
.
All the ticket
proceeds will be going to BRICK, which stands for Brain Research in Cancer Kids
which is an affinity of Rady’s Children’s Hospital.
BRICK was started by a family with a toddler, named
Les. His grandmother is a friend of mine. Les had a brain tumor that changed
his life. He endured countless hours in the hospital, surgeries, radiation,
chemotherapy and pain. Most of those things began over 16 years ago.
This Saturday, I am honored and humbled to hear that
Les and his parents, will be taking tickets at the door. This is not a tall tale and I have no words.
Do you know you can read books on your Smart Phone? All you have to do is download the Amazon Kindle App(pictured above), and a world of books will be at your fingertips! Believe it or not, I've known this for a long time, but even with my new super-strong reading glasses, I prefer my eReader. Imagine my consternation when my eReader decided to freeze like a Popsicle during a heatwave? We tried everything. It went kaput. On the blink. Dead as a door nail. We tried pushing the on/off button for several seconds. Turning it back on, etc. Nothing but a dark sky. No stars.
The charger didn't work either. Everything was stuck, like that kid who licks the icy pole in AChristmas Story. I searched the internet for technical repair ideas and watched how-to videos where computer experts remove the back of the gizmo with microscopic tools. When I shared some of those videos with my husband, he laughed and reminded me to set the clock on the DVD player. Guess we didn't inherit too many mechanical genes around here. The DVD is not even plugged in, but I've figured out the microwave clock. When they do away with daylight savings time, I'll be ahead of the game!
One day, I sashayed into the big electronic box store and asked the friendly, self-described geeky employee what he thought I should do. It was obvious he felt sorry for me. Several other employees gathered around and stared at me with sad, but kind eyes. They told me to bring it in for a tune-up, which, by the way, is pricier than a tune-up on our car. Certainly, more than the entire reader cost in the first place. Blinking back tears, I worried I'd never get to read my giant pile of virtual books. Can you imagine, I even went to a bookstore and purchased regular, tree-killing paper books? Finally, I relented and bought a new reader online.
And, while waiting for the package to arrive in the mail, I opened up that App on my phone and read some great books.
Here's some spring favorites:
This book is the perfect
companion for someone about to travel to Wales. I can imagine it would come in
handy when making a bet at a pub. Crammed full of information, it’s almost
intoxicating. I can tell the author could write several additional books about
many of the subjects covered in this compendium. Of course, most of the tall
tales are based on hearsay and the oral tradition. There's a lot of research
here. That being said, the author, Jack Strange often uses the word ‘possibly’,
as he navigates from one amazing topic to another. Lucky for him, he didn’t see
most of this with his very own eyes. There are detailed stories about Welsh dragons, witches, coal
miners and their premonitions. There are several Welsh ghost stories,
superstitions, courting rituals, wedding customs, the fate of wife beaters, food,
miraculous springs, frog curses, pirates, monks, Merlin, King Arthur, The Holy
Grail, fairies, mermaids, and Druids. Even unique Welsh sports such as Shin
Kicking or Bog snorkeling. And there’s more: The legendary afanc is apparently the Welsh
equivalent of Nessie. Women acted as reinforcements during war, there’s the
devil’s bridge and the sensational belief that a Welsh explorer by the name of
Madoc, discovered Alabama in 1170. “Wales is a country where everything has a song; the surf
chants as it breaks on the shore, the rivers sing in their secret solitude
through the hills, and even the wind whispers to its own tune.” So sensitive
and so romantic. Personally, I loved everything but the historic names and the
strange combination of letters in the Welsh language. My favorite quote is ‘Unraveling myth from folklore is nigh
impossible in Wales, and that is part of the strange charm of this country.”
This book surprised me from beginning to end. Karen, the main character, worked so hard in previous books, I thought she had earned the right to snuggle, instead of traversing all over the United States helping friends with difficult issues. But, as you read about all the other lovable characters, you’ll be glad they have someone like Karen in their life. We all need a Karen to remind us of balance.
The author delves into topics such as: risking true love for family, the possible beginnings of Alzheimer’s, drugs, ethics, elder abuse, same-sex marriage, just to name a few. Almost every negative point has a positive counterpoint. One of my favorite lines, “While I complained, a half-dozen black and grey chickadees flitted over and began feeding.”
Spreen is an excellent writer. She keeps things lighthearted by even breaking through that fourth wall at times, addressing the reader. As in Chapter 20 about a hand gesture and how it’s “not the one you’re thinking,” or when she has to “plan” a trip and says, “you know”. Which cracked me up. The personal style makes for comfortable reading, as if Lynne Spreen is relaying her story to a close group of friends. Then, near the end there are even more clever surprises but you’ll have to read the book to find out more!
Once I got to the sentence,”Unfortunately, fate opted for revenge over some past indiscretion to come back
with the vengeance of a thousand plagues,” there wasn’t a doubt in my mind I’d
be in for an entertaining cozy mystery.
Kellen’s father is the president of Braxton College where two
murders take place in Diamond Hall. Hercule Poirot, he’s not, but Kellen does
have a certain intuition about things that may help Sheriff Montague solve the
double homicide cases. There are red herrings that pulled me into several
maze-like false beliefs about the killer’s identity, which, made for fast page
turning. Could it be the Coach? His friend Conner? His old flame Maggie? One of
the students? The Dean? Maybe even his dad?
Nana might know. After all, she’s busy baking things and
giving him insight into local politics, while serving Kellen shortbread with
lemon icing or coconut cream pie. I have to admit I was distracted and
drooling, by the time he wrote about the blueberry scones, the double fudge
brownies, peach cobbler and my all-time favorite: cherry pie. This author needs
to write a cookbook or at least he should attach a few of his Nana’s recipes. Either way, most of the truth will come out in the end, but
there are a few surprises and a major curve-ball that will make you crave more
of this author’s work. Of course, you might also want a side of Nana D’s corn
muffins with raspberry jam, or her warm cinnamon buns on the side.
This book will inspire
anyone. You don’t need to like dogs or auto racing to see the underlying
metaphorical message that weaves throughout this novel. “That which you
manifest is before you.” In other words, looking behind you, or glancing in the
rear-view mirror, especially if you’re a race car driver and it’s raining, can
cause a lot of trouble, even death. Enzo, is a dog, and the narrator of this unique, artful
story. Everything is from his perspective and you’ll almost forget that a
talented author by the name of Garth Stein is the actual author. Since Enzo’s
person, Denny is a race car driver, that makes Enzo describe everything as if,
he too, were a race car driver. When there’s a courtroom battle, Enzo wants to
be part of it. Each time Enzo uses the pronoun ‘we’ instead of me, or him, your
heart will melt into a thousand pieces. You see this dog listens to everything
and knows the truth about Denny. In fact, he understands things that humans
don’t even understand. And though the story is nothing like Old Yeller, you’ll
probably need a tissue by the time you reach the finish line.
With years of experience in
marketing and advertising, I enjoyed this fantasy about neuromarketing. In this
case, a demon from Hell wants power over Heaven, God and our country, using
electronic devices that influence souls. In this action-packed story with
detailed characters, the author talks about goggles that make users unable to
think for themselves. Reginald is in charge of marketing the goggles, and
Timothie is a gay superhero from another planet. Bael is the demon wanting
millions of souls. Even if “good always wins over evil,” there are sections
that make you wonder. Is the planet doomed? There are funny parts that made me
laugh out loud, and wild twists that kept me turning pages. I think, if you
like superhero stories such as the Avengers, you’ll like Timothie Hill And The
Cloak of Power.
Connections. Isn’t that the entire reason for the Internet
and all the various, social media sites?
Here's a bizarre tale of a tale: The other day, we had a new LED bulb that went dark in
the kitchen. I got on a chair with a wooden spoon and pushed the bulb, gently towards
the ceiling, a tiny bit. It had lost its connection. When we flipped the switch
on the wall, the bulb lit up like magic.
Oddly, this was a precursor to a special connection I was
about to make that very same day!
You see, I have read a few books by my friend author Barbara
Roman, but never thought I'd be lucky enough to meet her in person. I love reading many different types
of books, but somehow, I’m especially drawn to fantasy and fairy-tales. Her
spiritual stories captured my heart.
So, imagine my curious feeling about the light-bulb in the
kitchen, when I know I’m about to meet an author who wrote a mystical, children’s
book about how people are similar to different types of light-bulbs! Yes! A light-bulb
went off in my brain, that seemed to say,"Try to listen, Eve. You might learn something." Last week, I had the amazing opportunity of making a human connection because of
technological advances that were not possible even twenty years ago. And, after
the light-bulb in my kitchen incident, I realized it’s an important, one-of-a-kind connection.
We both wore pink. Lovely Barbara's on the right.
My interview with author, Barbara Roman
1. Tell us the name you write your books under and give
us an easy way— or a clue perhaps—a type of memory hint-- that will help us
always remember your name or the name of one of your books.
Hi, Eve.Thank you for the opportunity to be featured
on your Blog page.
I write under two names:I use B. Roman for my novels (The Moon Singer
Series and my suspense thriller “Whatever Became of Sin?”) - somehow I thought
just using a first initial wouldn’t influence a reader’s bias about it being
from a male or female author and let the story speak for itself.
For my children’s books I use the
full Barbara Roman.I felt it was softer
and more approachable than just a first initial.My children’s books definitely have a
“feminine voice” so I wanted my name to be an indicator of a softer style.
That said, I could be completely
wrong and am just confusing my readers!Ha.
2. Tell us something that no one knows about you.
Like
many writers my background is somewhat eclectic.I’ve been a professional singer since my teen
years (eons!) and my “jobs” have been in journalism, marketing, promotion and
feature writing for newspapers and magazines.All of this intertwined with writing about music, then into children’s
stories, then novels.
I
love all kinds of movies except horror and slasher/hacker violent films.My television addictions are medical shows (Saving Hope, New Amsterdam, The Resident);
and legal dramas (For The People), and
political shows such as Madam Secretary and Designated
Survivor.And just for contrast
would you believe I was completely obsessed with the fantasy TV series Smallville?Loved it.
3. What are your favorite
genres to read? Favorites to write?
My reading tastes swing wide, when I
have the time to read, which is very limited.But I am especially drawn to legal thrillers, and have read a lot of
spiritual and metaphysical books that are self-empowering.These preferences are evident in the books I
have written.
4. What are you working on right now?
My
work-in-progress is another suspense thriller called “A Man’s Face.”I have a lot of work to do on it but here’s a
little teaser:
A
teenager walks in on his mother’s murder but now, 15 years later, can still only
remember the scarred face of a man standing over her body. Through many plot
twists and turns he discovers that the man he saw is his fiance's brother.
Worse still, his fiance's father is the actual murderer - the brother had
covered up the crime.It’s a
multi-generational saga of treachery and corruption set in the backdrop of the
elite wine industry from Spain to California.
Suspense/Thriller
Wow, "A Man's Face," sounds like it's in the vein of your suspenseful novel, "Whatever Became of Sin". Well, anyway, thanks so much for meeting me, Barbara. You, and your books are wonderful. I'm so glad we made this connection.
So sorry that you weren't able to make it to our local library last Tuesday. My presentation took place in a large room filled with smiling faces and lots of hospitality. There were snacks galore, such as cake, sandwiches, appetizers, cookies, muffins, etc. What a wonderful group of kind and generous human beings! I want to thank the Friends of the Murrieta Library for allowing me to speak. It was a huge honor. Of course I talked about my books and The Intangible Heart. Here are snippets from my talk:
My name is Eve Gaal and I’m a local author from Wildomar and a member of the Diamond Valley Writer’s Guild. My hobbies include reading, crocheting and walking my naughty chihuahuas.
One of my favorite books is The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery. Most consider it a children’s book but it has tremendous words of wisdom, which I’m sure most of you have heard: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Which leads me to what I call: The Intangible Heart. Not the vessels, aorta and throbbing organ pumping blood throughout our body, but the biggest, best piece of equipment we have. Because even though we can manage anger, hunger, most of our tears and bodily functions, there are things we can’t control. And yet, we’ve been given this super power that allows us complete control of our non-tangible hearts. Total free will to love.
These hearts of ours prep like Olympic athletes because they feel our emotions. We have those bad days, and sad days that take our breath away. But like the song from the movie Titanic, “Our hearts will go on.” It’s part of our inner spirit. It is a gift. It can reproduce as much love as you want to give. The more we give, the more we receive.
Most everything I write is about a lost character who needs to find a way back, through an adventure of trials and errors where love saves the day!
I’m convinced everything happens for a reason. Not much is random. Maybe confetti.
Ask yourself. How much of your life can you control?
Have you ever tried to train a cat?
Nail jello to the wall?
Remember the Little Prince and how he wanted total control of his rose, so much so, that he placed it under a glass dome?
But we don’t live on Asteroid B612.
Here on Earth, it seems things can appear out of control. And that’s when we reach for love. We can let our inner riches flow and our heartfelt undying gifts spread like wildfire. Love is the shield that protects better than an iron umbrella in a rainstorm of negativity. Love is our weapon. People say, “Oh that’s impossible,” but then someone comes along and surprises everyone by doing it. Love is the footstool that helps us climb over barricades. Love is the reason there are miracles. Things we can’t explain.
When you leave behind a legacy of love, you will be remembered forever. Not because you have the biggest house, the fastest car or the prettiest hair. It’s your story. Create the ending you want.
And so on....After this I gave examples from my own life when I was not in control and yet still unafraid. Then I also read a paragraph from Penniless Souls. After that, we did an exercise to manifest love. We closed our eyes and imagined our intangible heart producing heart shaped flyers we could pass out to everyone. I called it a slot machine/ copy machine combination. Everyone went home with a figurative jackpot of love.
I ended with the following:
For me, love’s the reason I breathe, the reason I write and the reason I am here. And while I may not be the greatest writer, in my intangible heart, I am extremely grateful to those who read and review my books. Please support your local authors.
Everyone has an
excuse but I have some good ones. Really. The best ones are listed below. There are links to each book so you can get sucked in too. Trust me these are worth it.
Sorry, that I haven't posted to my blog in a long time but once you read my reviews, you'll know why. First, there was that November Novel writing craziness. Then, add in some cooler weather,
a few exhausting holidays, drops of rain, and not unlike Tom Hanks in Castaway, I had to crawl onto a couch
with a book, or two or three. Okay, more like ten.
Help! I'm stuck in a writer's imagination
eBook or otherwise, help!
I almost drowned in a sea of humor, excitement, fantasy and the clever turn of a
phrase. Take a look at the following beauties, you won’t be disappointed.
Last Voyage is the final
book of the Jerry Slider adventure trilogy. An escapade that will have you
either laughing or sitting on the edge of your seat, probably both. This is a
fictional journey that pulls you into the jungle and onto a sailing yacht while
surprising you with ‘enough mishaps to last a lifetime’. Font has woven a
humorous nightmare, using well-developed characters from his first two novels,
but adding new, fascinating characters like Jonas, Koop, Mavis and Titus Attah. As I turned the pages, I felt like a stowaway, eavesdropping
on excellent dialogue, not wanting the book to end. I liked the creative
characterizations, the quips, and the mere idea that something like this could
possibly happen to people living on a quiet street in San Diego. This author
has quite the imagination and yet, based on my own perils while travelling,
this tale felt painfully realistic. And while Rhonda, a close friend of Helen, Jerry’s wife, may
have planned the Eco-cruise to South Africa without doing too much research,
how can anyone blame Rhonda for the Ebola scare, the manic Vicar and his
revenge-seeking wife, the wild chimpanzee in camp, the greedy owner of the
Sea-Witch or the pirates holding Ak-47s? How are poisonous snakes, pygmy hippos
and hungry leopards Rhonda’s fault? Ask Jerry, because he’ll be happy to share
his innermost feelings over a dinner of oatmeal crepes while discussing his
Last Voyage. If you’re looking for entertainment, get on board, because
your ship has come in.
This is a novel about biological
weapons, and how one family survives a giant leak in their neighborhood. Sarah
is a witness to the catastrophe, which wipes out neighbors and animals grazing
in the fields. Fortunately, her children are safe but Pete, her husband, is up
in nearby hills tending to the sheep. When the military is called in to squelch
any reports to the media, Sarah finds herself running from the law. The author spins a believable, heart-stopping tale of
intrigue and excitement with interesting characters, notable English landmarks
and political larceny. A few horrific scenes might make you think of Stephen
King, but the dark side is balanced with a story of unrequited love, such as
you might find in Emily Bronte or Edith Wharton. Eileen Thorton will take you through the English countryside
on a fascinating journey that you’re sure to enjoy. Find out what happens to
Sarah and the children. Will she be safe at her father’s house in London? Will
she find Pete? Read The Trojan Project and find out!
What a delightful young-adult
story about Shannon, an eleven-year-old and her cousin Jake’s pony. The author
not only does a great job of immediately pulling the reader into the excitement
of the upcoming Veteran’s Day parade but she also describes the unique
qualities, characteristics of each horse, as a knowledgeable and consummate
equestrian. If you’re looking for an easy-read as a gift for anyone who loves
animals and wants to learn about horses, this is the perfect short book.
There are so many gems in
this adult book of mesmerizing tales, that I can hardly select one to rave
about. I mean how could you not want to be a fly on the wall at The Trial of
Santa Claus? What if you found a brass lamp at an antique dealer and a genie
popped out? It happens to Reginald Todd in The Fourth Wish. If you like
collecting stamps, you’ll have to read Money to Burn. And I loved being fooled
by Honest Don. A Timely Murder had a few great twists too. There are even poems
in this book! Several stories are about aliens, time travel, lonely ghosts,
even monsters who slurp up children and cyber bullies who deserve to be
punished. Well, I’ll admit my favorites are the Silent Witness and Second Time
Round, but I’m not going to tell you why. You’ll have to read this wonderful,
entertaining collection yourself. Seriously, if you’re looking for a gift for
someone who prefers short stories— science fiction, or fantasy, Thunderlands
will be a hit!
I’m convinced that
everything this author writes is interesting. These stories are riveting. Some
gritty, splashed with a dirty painful truth and others have surprise endings,
hidden secrets and laughs. They are intended to entertain and to inspire. To
make sure we are on the cover of our own magazine. Many of the locations, such
as Palm Springs, Newport and Laguna Beach pulled me in immediately. These were
my stomping grounds and I could relate while turning pages. The stories have
amazing characters such as Doris in Boarding House or Amanda Westfield in Bad
Advice. Each one has a sensible lesson or piece of advice woven into the
narrative and all of them remind us to do something before it’s too late.
“For in the true nature of
things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if
it were made of gold and silver.” -Martin Luther
There’s a thread of unity amid battles, gunfights and
arguments that is woven through this Sci-Fi Western novel from the beginning
until the end. These factions are Silver or Green, something the inhabitants of
Tonath find disheartening, because the disagreements about the correct star
path leads to war and suffering. One character by the name of Brother Amos
persists. As a Seeker, he’s rather impartial to war. In his opinion, a good map
of the stars will provide clear answers and the best Pathway. Only time will
tell which side, is correct about their assumptions. There are so many stars
that need to be charted and many things to learn. We find him traveling with a
group of Wayfarers, moving as far away from danger as possible. Among the
Wayfarers is Venta, a single woman with a dream about building a refuge for
divorced women called the Haven--and Jack Donald--a man with two hearts--from
Thalia—another planet--who loves her. They need to escape the Green Marauders,
Bentz and the Mechs so that Brother Amos can build an institute of his own and
say, “We are neither Silver, nor Green. We are the Silver and the Green.”
There’s also a baby named Marika and unexpected plot twists
that kept me reading until the last page.
Collier paints a Western diorama for her readers about life
on a different planet. Having grown up watching Western shows such as Little
House on the Prairie and Bonanza, some of her story almost sounds familiar and
made me forget about our everyday troubles on Earth. Near the end of the book
there’s a sentence that says ‘We are all Tonathians,” and I almost believed it.
This gifted author will take you on a world-building journey that will leave
you hungry for more if not thirsty for hot chicolet.
Rarely does an uplifting
story for children seem equally adequate for adults, but 'Alicia and the Light
Bulb People in Star Factory Thirteen' touched my heart this holiday season on
many levels. As fate would have it, I read it on Christmas Eve and our
responsorial psalm in church was about the great light which came upon the
Earth, on this day!
But don’t worry, even though it’s about lights and
light-bulbs, this isn’t a religious book at all. It’s a story about characters
like Flood, Three-way and Twinkle and how they might fulfill their dreams to
become stars. The author’s creative style makes it a good book to read out loud
as a non-scary bedtime story.
Alicia is a little girl shopping with her mother in a
department store when she notices a beautiful Christmas tree on display. The
brilliant display of colorful lights and the breathtaking star on top create a
magical portal to a special place, where it’s always today. ‘Because, as soon
as it’s tomorrow, it’s today.’ That’s where she meets Carelia and the other
characters who are working on getting ready to open another mysterious door.
But they have to be ready. Magnificent artwork contributes to the otherworldly aspect,
creating a fantasy world that will make you want to reread this adorable story
every holiday season.
Have you read a great book lately?
Those of us looking for more excuses, I mean books, would love to hear your latest suggestions.
Last month, a friend persuaded me to take part in National Novel Writing Month or NaNo,
as it’s called by those who like to suffer. (Sorry, I’m joking.) While I love
writing, I feel a goal of fifty-thousand words in one month is unreasonable. It’s
a big deal to finish and miraculously, I finished. At first, I didn’t
think I could do it. Plus, I started three days late. Things looked hopeless.
Finishing however, had to do with the fact that I had a
story running around in my head, which had to get out. So, even though I
complained about the thirty-day deadline, in some ways I feel lighter. Free
from a heavy-duty tale about world peace. Half way through, the topic felt enormous. In the mornings I did research and, in the afternoons, I typed away. I had
to write like the Dickens to make sure my version of War and Peace came to a
resolution at fifty thousand words. And so, by the grace of God and of course His
legions of angels, who give me ideas and help me write, I completed my next
novel. Hooray!
Speaking of angels, it’s almost Christmas. A time to reflect
on the year, to remember others, and to share delicious snacks and special moments with
friends and family. It’s also a time that can be hectic and filled with
tension, traffic and old-fashioned traditions that seem overdone, almost
ridiculous. The best we can do is focus on what’s important.
Our mall Santa
Once we’ve tuned
out the mall-muzak, perhaps we can hear the little bells, the song of the bird
in the yard, the trickle of rain on the window. We will hear the excitement in
the child’s voice upon receiving a gift, a tone of gratitude in the shopkeeper’s
‘thank you for your business’ and the delightful sound of wrapping paper ripped
off packages.
I know it's hard to see the singing yellow bird in the middle of this tree but he almost looked like a canary!
Beyond the bustling crowds are families baking cookies in cozy
kitchens and elderly friends wearing bizarre sweaters, gathering for a social
at the Senior Center. There are childless couples, empty- nesters and those who
are alone but still volunteer and try to be part of the festivities. The
intangible gifts are everywhere. Every new day is a memory tomorrow—every moment
is yours. If you focus on what’s
important, (like I did with Nano) you can do anything!
Merry Christmas and
Happy Holidays to all my friends and family!
When it comes to reading, I enjoy a little variety. After all, isn't it the spice of life?
Though I've never been to Spain, I understand they eat dinner with small, tantalizing appetizer-type plates called tapas. A little plate of olives, another of cheese and a plate of cold-cuts or fish, alongside a basket of bread, a plate of marinated peppers, capers and sun-dried tomatoes, with a serving of chilled Sangria. In other words, a little something for everyone. Yummy.
That's what I love about The Diamond Valley Writer's Guild. No, I'm not talking about their cooking, although that might be good too. I'm talking about the amazing variety of creative books they write. Books available not just to members, but to the general public through Amazon! Yes, you too can share in the feast of their labor by clicking under the book covers below. Taste this, my friends--these are my first selections--from this talented group. Hope my little reviews will have you salivating and asking these authors to hurry up and write some more! Buen Gusto!
Kameleona is a well-written
and sensitive book about island life on Molokai. You will feel and smell the
flowers and taste the fresh Ono. The author will pull you into a forest reserve
for a hunting trip or back to an idyllic beach on the other side of the island.
On Sunday’s you’ll go to church, because that’s what the residents of
Kaunakakai do. They bury the old and baptize the new. Most of all they love
each other and they also love living in paradise. Hawaiian culture, quilting, wood carving, fishing and family
lore are infused into what amounts to an exciting story. Beginning with Jack
Metzger, throwing a man off a cliff; not just any man, but the new Pastor of
the Good News Church. There are shady characters like Joe Obregon, Frank
Soriano and tough as nails Charlene Harper whose lives intersect with excellent
characters such as Malia, Leilani and Keanu. There’s also George Kapule the
Chief of Police. George is no slouch when it comes to solving crimes and
keeping the peace. He listens to the war stories carried in on tropical breezes
and follows every lead. He’s also friends with Paul Kanga, the Pastor at the
Good News Church. But wait a minute, the Pastor? Is it a mystery or a story of
redemption? Read Kameleona to find all the answers. It’s truly an enjoyable and
sensational story in a magnificent setting.
There’s a bit of dialogue
that sums up this novel: “When does a person ever get old enough to have
everything figured out? “ “Never, I hope.” Karen wiped her eyes. Because then where’s
the magic?” Lynne Spreen’s book will take you on a magical journey from
South Florida, into Georgia up to North Dakota and even to Spain. Her main
character Karen Grace is searching for balance. In other words, Karen wants to
be successful at her new business but she wants love too. Plus she has new
rules. Can it happen? Hard to say-- Frieda might say that “Life is to be
lived.” Good advice, especially for someone young like the other character
Jessie, who happens to be tangled into domestic abuse with her boyfriend Lenny. Spreen is one of the coolest writers I’ve seen for a long
time. She has characters that use I Pods, develop Apps and take Segway tours.
Instead of pouring a Chardonnay or glass of white wine, she merely writes, “a
crisp cold white.” Though romantic and filled with juicy love scenes, the
writing is hip and memorable. It’s today’s feelings not some old-fashioned
panting, slowly working around a bunch of petticoats and a bustier. His eyes
weren’t just blue but “blue like some alpine lake.” Will Karen Grace find the balance she’s looking for, or is
she “probably a cranky old woman with Chihuahuas”? Read Key Largo Blues and
find out that Frieda was right all along.
If you enjoy books that grab
your heart and take you on a journey, you’ll enjoy The Turnaround by Karen
Robertson. Armchair travel, as in reading a good book, is one of my favorite
ways to go, and this excellent story doesn’t disappoint. The colorful
characters like Leroy and Pete made me smile while others, such as Jerry and
Madeline made me mad. The well written descriptions of sights, sounds and even
the odors, made me feel that I too was there, suffering along with the main
character Grace, who seems to have fallen into a destructive whirlpool during a
bus trip to Vegas. The exciting plot builds tension, testing Grace up to the
very last page. Meanwhile Phil--Grace’s husband--has to make some choices—some
big enough to change his life forever. Will he pay the ransom or has it already
been paid? Climb aboard the The Turnaround bus and find out!
As a lifetime student of
human behavior, I’m always interested in stories that discuss relationships.
Why do people choose to be friends or partners? This Young Adult novel explores
the relationships between artistic best friends Amanda and Kristin and how they
interact with the male characters Brandon, Matt and Charlie. The Butterfly I
See is like a thesis on teenage development. The author covers social
networking, body language, psychology, role-playing, facing harsh realities and
letting go. Woven into an entertaining story, the author describes abstract
art, symmetry, jealousy and intuitive thinking all while making excellent
points about the creative process. And in a genius move, Suzanne Saunders makes
the reader want answers, resolutions and closure, only making us realize, we
might need to grow up.
Last night, I sat down to
read a few poems from a book called The Water Jar and while it wasn’t at all
what I expected, I have to admit, I couldn’t put it down. The first story
reminded me of one of the Letters written by Paul, in the New Testament. The
scholarly, well-researched writing mimics the tone and voice of characters that
once lived in ancient Jerusalem and Bethany. Eleazar is a young man who carries
water in a large jug. He grows up to be a monk, but first there are important
lessons to learn from Yeshua the Nazarene. All the stories seem to have a faith-based connection weaving
through the words, as well as a good deal of research. In Brave New World, the
author delves into technology, touching on important issues related to the
future of war. My favorite story, called Knights before Christmas, brings
together two pilots, during WWI; one British, and the other German. While shot
and hanging in a precarious situation, they both communicate and reflect on the
meaning of Christmas. I especially loved the quote from his grandmother that
Leftenant Brian Goode recalled, about snow covering evil at Christmas, to keep
Christ from being offended. I don’t want to ruin the plot by giving more away,
but it’s an enjoyable read. Interspersed with these incredible tales are a few poems. My
favorite one is titled, Elsinore Oak, and as my eyes moved down the page, I
could almost imagine those vaqueros, driving the cattle through the stifling
hot valley. A place that today...could use a hefty Water Jar.
Many years before Columbus
sailed towards the New World, the Incan’s built the city of Machu Picchu. After
one hundred years, the inhabitants disappeared, leaving mysterious ruins
behind. While all of this is intriguing to the main character, Jerry, it also
makes for a breathtaking setting for this novel, which consists of a
fascinating journey. Imagine traveling vicariously to temples hidden deep
within humid jungles to see sacred shrines used for ancient rituals. But wait,
this is a romantic comedy sprinkled with travel warnings, tips and even advice
about how to handle high elevations, hangovers and motion sickness. It’s a
travel book with several threads, connected by real love. For many reasons, but especially because she loves him,
Jerry’s wife gives him a ticket for a cruise to Peru. Meanwhile, his wife’s
friend, Rhonda marries Karl the avocado farmer and they unknowingly buy tickets
for the same cruise. (Though an enjoyable stand alone novel, it should be
noted, that this talented author has another book, a sort of prequel to this
one titled: Wrath of Rhonda, which paves a tropical forest path to this read. ) Follow the frustrating pratfalls and one-liners associated
with Jerry’s friend Max. Marvel at the author’s clever characterizations of
George, Brenda and Inga. George is Karl’s attorney. Brenda is a private
investigator from Temecula. (Oh dear, maybe I’ve said too much.) The character
development is so thorough that you’ll think you know these people; or at least
you’ve seen them in the vegetable section of the supermarket, hemming and
hawing above green bananas. The tour guides Buck and Fletch are unique to each
other and even the pet parrot, Basil has a distinct personality. The language
is colorful and the locations are teetering on a cliff exciting. Read Road to
Machu Picchu and if the leaf-cutter ants, scorpions and snakes don’t get you,
you might die laughing.
Guess you can tell I enjoyed reading, rather devouring these, and I hope you will too.
