Winter Woes? Read a Book

I haven’t mentioned lately all the good books that are available (and some that are on their way). The ones I’m going to talk about today are all indie authored books. Support your indie artists – download a book and curl up to escape this weather or football (if you aren’t a football fan).

Let’s start with a great series:

Legends of Windemere – this series starts with Beginning of a Hero. Luke Callindor is introduced to us as he travels through Windemere looking for adventure. He attends (under false pretenses) a school to give him the training to be an adventurer. And adventures he does have. But then Prodigy of Rainbow Tower and Allure of the Gypsies continue the adventures. Charles Yallowitz spins a great tale and you could spend your time reading a great series – all for less than $5. These are well written and edited books that will change your mind about indie authors. And while you are at it, be sure and follow Charles’ blog

Another awesome series:

The House of Crimson and Clover – Sarah M. Cradit has crafted a paranormal romance series that is delightful and engaging.  The Deschanel family is a bit, well, different from most families. But you’re drawn in to their world. There are many different family members and their interaction with each other is unique. The book is set in New Orleans and offers great word pictures of the world they are living in. Follow Oz (not a Deschanel), Nic, Ana, Adrienne and many others throughout this series. St. Charles at Dusk is the prequel, followed by novella Anne: Beyond Dusk, Book 1 The Storm and the Darkness. Book 2 is Illusions at Eventide. Beyond Darkness: Shattered and Beyond Eventide: Bound are both novellas that will be released soon. I have read all of the books in this series and I have to say that they just keep getting better and better and I’m anxious for the next book. I don’t typically read from the romance genre but these books are so good that I forget about the genre and just relish the good writing. You will also find Sarah’s blog and her website informative and entertaining.

Red Clay and Roses by S. K. Nicholls  – here is the description from Amazon:

“A fictionalized true story of life in the Deep South during the time of Jim Crow Law, and before Roe vs. Wade. Women were supposed to keep quiet and serve, abortion was illegal, adoption difficult, and racism rampant. The discovery of an old ledger opens a window into the dynamics of the 1950s-60s. Unspoken secrets are shared between Beatrice, The Good Doctor’s wife, and Moses Grier, their black handyman. The Grier’s daughter, Althea, suffers a tragedy that leaves her family silent and mournful. Her brother, Nathan, a medical student, looks for answers from a community that is deaf, blind, and dumb. A summer romance between Nathan and Sybil, an independent, high-spirited, white woman, leaves more unresolved. Nathan is thrust into the center of the Civil Rights Movement. Sybil is torn between living the mundane life of her peers, or a life that involves fastening herself to a taboo relationship. Witness social progress through the eyes of those who lived it!”

This book introduces you to the times and troubles of the 60’s in the south. If you are as old as me, you remember these events, even if not personally. If you are younger, then this will show you how it really was (and times were much different then). If you followed Susan’s blog, you can learn more about the locales within the book. She certainly has done her research. Another well written book with a tight story that I recommend.

 

Other books are highly recommend are:

Yesterday Road by Kevin Brennan

Book of Lost Doors – Catskinner’s Book by Misha Burnett

Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen

Poe by J. Lincoln Fenn

Mr. Churchill’s Secretary by Susan Ella MacNeal

The Rockin’ Chair by Steven Manchester

The Whisky Tide by M. Ruth Myers

Fly Birdie by Jo Robinson

The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tesarro

Notes from a Small Dog: Four Legs on Two by Sue Vincent

And I am currently reading Corridor of Darkness: A Novel of Nazi Germany by Patrick O’Bryon and it is looking like an excellent book so far.  So many books, so little time (darn job keeps me from reading as much as I would like).

I could go on and on about a lot of really good books. The important thing is that you are reading and supporting authors.

 

 

Authors

It is snowing again 😪 but it is supposed to change over to a frozen mix 😂. Finally getting warmer tomorrow and just rain. I sure hope so but I’m not overly optimistic about it getting warmer.

I’ve checked in for my flight and downloaded my boarding pass. I’m stuck at the back of the plane, but at least it is an aisle seat (I’m too cheap to pay to choose my own seat. My bags are packed. It looks like Mr. Wonderful won’t be taking me to the airport even though he promised he would. He did this to me once before. I said a few choice words. I yelled. I cried. It’s been pretty frosty here tonight. I’m going to drive myself and it will be up to him to figure out how to get my car back or else pay to park it for ten days.

But then I got home from work to some surprises. I had a signed copy of Red a Clay and Roses from my dear friend Susan. Best part is I’m going to get to thank her in person next week when I stop in Orlando to see her! Then I saw another envelope in the nail. It was my signed bookmarks from Sarah Cradit plus more that I can give out. I felt so loved. And if you haven’t read Susan’s book or any of Sarah’s books in the Crimson & Clover series, you definitely need to do that. They are all wonderful reads.

Today I’m thankful for my author friends and their high quality books. I’m thankful I’m leaving this frozen tundra tomorrow. Trust me when I say, I will not miss all this white snow.

Meet My Friends

I am really thankful today for the friends I have made through blogging. My world has expanded and opened up since I have been blogging and these are some of the people who have made my world better.

I want to introduce you to some of my friends and some of my favorite books.

Let’s start with some of my favorite books this year. All are available at Amazon and these are all highly recommended books. Don’t forget it’s the season for gifting and books make a great gift!

Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen
Poe by J. Lincoln Fenn
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro
Yesterday Road by Kevin Brennan
The Iron Locket by Samantha Warren
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Legends of Windemere series by Charles Yallowitz
Crimson and Clover Series by Sarah Cradit
Notes of a Small Dog: Four Legs on Two by Sue Vincent
Red Clay and Roses by Susan Nicholls

I read a lot more books than this throughout the year, but these really stood out in my mind. Many are by indie authors and I firmly believe that we need to support them by reading and talking about their books.

I would also like to introduce you to some dear friends and their blogs.

First of all is Ionia Martin with her Readful Things Blog. Ionia is a dear friend who is supportive of authors everywhere. She has a sharp wit and giving spirit. And there is nothing more beautiful than a woman in love with her soulmate (Julian Froment). Love both of them bunches. Show her some love by taking a look at her multitudes of book reviews on her blog.

Then there is Susan Nicholls. What a sweetheart. Susan pours herself completely into her writing. She researches the subject thoroughly and breathes life into her characters. Susan is a delight – check out her blog.

And how could I do a post like this without mentioning Bradley, a.k.a. Green Embers. He designed my last header and doodles (as he puts it) quite a bit. Check out his current header on his blog. And if you are looking for something, he is available for commissions.

Charles Yallowitz has gotten to be a good friend this year as well. Charles is not only an amazing author, but the father of an adorable toddler. His Legends of Windemere series is a fantasy series that should not be missed.
Charles writes poetry as well and is a mentor for other indie authors with blogs detailing his struggles and successes.

And Sarah Cradit is just an amazing person, as well as writer. I don’t know how she is able to write as much as she does while holding down a full time+ job, but she has created a family with characters that are incredible. Sarah is funny and charming. Her books and novellas are well written and great reads. She even released a playlist on Spotify of music that goes with Illusions of Eventide.

The risk of making a list like the is that I was not able to mention them all. There are many many more awesome bloggers out there. Explore them – look around – read and comment. You never know, you might meet your new best friend.

Don’t forget to buy books for Christmas (and if the list above isn’t enough, let me know and I will suggest more books).