Sandra Cox's Blog

 

 

The firstWednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. IWSG was formed by NinjaCaptain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discussstruggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who arestruggling.

 

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG  

Hashtag: #IWSG 

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the September 3 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Diedre Knight!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post.These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experienceor story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let itinspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional

 

September 3 question - What are your thoughts on using AI, such asGPChat, Raptor, and others with your writing? Would you use it for research,story bible, or creating outlines\beats?

I use AI extensively for my research.  I've found Co-Pilot to be very helpful AND I use GPChat when I'm blogging an informational post. But as far as my book writing goes, that's all me.

August/SeptemberReviews in no particular order.

* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignorethem and don't factor them into my review.

 

BUNGLEby Paul Stanton

Socute.

Thisis such a cute story about a Smileymoo that has a very unlucky day.

The story line is fun and well written. The illustrations are great and complimentthe story. All in all, a lovely little read.

Bungleis a book for youngsters that will make adults smile.

Available at Amazon 

 

 

 

 

WHENSECRETS BLOOM by Patricia Furtenberg

Setin Transylvania in the 1400s, this story is a lovely blend of history andmysticism. The research that went into writing this book shines throughout thisfictional tale of a woman who fought by the side of Vlad Dracula while caringfor the wounded.  

KateWebber, now no longer fights at Vlad sides, but practices healing in Kronstadt,where the jealous and mean-spirited turn against her. Moise, a Jew apprenticingat a print shop, has encountered problems of his own, and now Kate and Moiseboth find themselves in danger.

Usinga delicate, almost poetic, writing style, the author delivers a solid story. Amust read for those who love medieval historical fiction and a strong femaleprotagonist. 

Available at Amazon

 

 

BADLANDS by Preston & Child

NoraKelly Book 5

Onceagain, FBI agent Corrie Swanson and anthropologist Nora Kelly come together tosolve the bizarre and painful death of an unknown woman that has all the earmarksof suicide.

Andthen another body shows up.

Discoveringwhat really happened will put them both in danger.

Asalways, the authors deliver a can’t-put-the-book-down read.

Myonly complaint, the torture and torture scenes are way too realistic.At least for this reader.

Available at Amazon 

 

JAMESBUCHANAN: America’s 15th President (Encyclopedia of PresidentsSecond Series) by Allison Lassieur

Theauthor did a good job of putting forth the salient points of Buchanan's lifewithout pontificating. The work also speaks to the civil unrest in the countryat that time. Buchanan would have stood a better chance of success if thenation hadn't been on the brink of secession and ultimately war.

Mytakeaway, while in office, he concentrated too much on the legal aspect,instead of the humane.

Irecommend this read for those interested in history, young people and adultsalike.

Available at Amazon 

 

INFECTEDby Terry Tyler

SFV-1is a virus with zombie-like effects. The story revolves around the rapidtakeover of the virus as we follow the lives of three separate characters andthe effect the deadly disease has on their lives. Cat, who is on a remoteisland when the outbreak begins. Norah, too absorbed in her work to realizewhat’s going on around her. And Lion, a marketing consultant who is enjoying a much-neededvacay that takes a turn into horror.

Thisisn’t my normal read, but the author did an amazing job on this story, holding myinterest throughout. Her writing skills checks all the boxes.  Excellent world-building and characterdevelopment. Descriptions that are graphic without being over the top. And tensionthat continues to mount as the story progresses, leaving the reader to wonderif the world will survive. To be continued in Book 2. 

Highlyrecommended for dystopian fiction readers or those who just enjoy a well-toldtale.

Available at Amazon 

 

AND

 

Did you know, Argentinian author Jorge Luis Borges, made a living writing advertisements for yogurt .

150 Interesting Facts About Our Favorite Authors [Infographic] 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For those in the U.S. or anyone else who would care to celebrate:

 What's your synonym, example or definition of:

 

Example: He used accismus to drive the price down on a used car he was haggling over.  

 AND

Did you know, that a special fungi(mychorrhiza)  on tree roots allows them to communicate and share nutrients through the "wood wide web"? 

 For more information on trees: https://treecouncil.org.uk/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-trees/ 

 

 

How are you? 

Same ole. Same ole here.  The HH hasn't won the lottery and I haven't hit the NY Times Best Seller list yet. Ha. 

Sadly, the Swallowtails are dying off.  I see bits and pieces of wings in the yard. I have no idea about their life cycles. That's probably something David could help us with.  A little hummer moth has been hanging out at one of the butterfly bushes. I love to watch him.  Have you ever seen them? They're like little miniature hummers. AND. A monarch stopped by today. That was exciting. I haven't seen one in forever.

 I managed to get a few shots of both.

 

AND

The HH and I are both entranced by the casing of the hibiscus's flower.  Okay, entranced might be too strong a term for the HH's interest. But he did ask about it:) 

 

I can't believe the white Irises are still blooming. The poor things are so confused. Nonetheless, I'm enjoying them.

 And froggy continues to hold his own against the encroaching Asian Jasmine. That's it for now, Blogger Buds. What's going on in your neck of the woods.

 

 What's your synonym, definition, sentence or example for:

 

 Solo and radar are examples of palindrome words.  

AND 

Did you know, that during battle, the pirate Blackbeard would light his beard on fire to intimidate his enemies?

 

75 Incredible Pirates Facts 

 

How are you? Watcha been doing?

Do those of you outside the U.S. get scammer calls, texts and emails like we do? We are inundated with them. One of those malfeasantes called me at 5:00 a.m. yesterday. And I was on my way to eight hours of sleep, something that seldom happens. AND We've had a couple of weeks of rain. The gauge shows seven inches. Everything is saturated, including the crab grass. It took me three days to get the backyard mowed. The body was willing but the mower was not. It would cough and sputter till it finally stopped and no amount of coaxing, outside of a good long rest would get it started again.  Hopefully, we can keep it from getting in that condition again, even if it means mowing in the wet:)

The flowers are still a bit sparse, but gearing up again:

The butterflies are still a delight.

 

  AND

 

AND 

The white irises are still blooming. Who'd a thought? Oh yes, and my grape hyacinths are coming up.  The flowers are so confused.

AND

From California

Thanks, Denise

 

From Florida 

Thanks, Shane.

 

That's it from here. What about you, blogger buds?  Do you need to build an Ark yet? Mowing a challenge? Has the weather confused your flowers?

Hope you aren't in the path of Hurricane Erin. 

 

 

Book Title: Blood is Thicker than Money:Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles, book 38

Book buy link: https://bit.ly/4lF8s5a

My Amazon page: https://amzn.to/3AaI8xf

My blog page / Joe Congel Fiction Stories: https://bit.ly/3H60Da2

 

Blurb:

Ronnie Spatch Senior, brutally murdered. An empty safe.What warranted the murder of an old man?

Retired New York City police detective Brandon Turner isjust trying to enjoy time with his girlfriend, her sixteen-year-old son, andhis dog, Max. They are his priority.

But he has a nagging feeling that something is missing. An itch that needs tobe scratched. He misses the action his former job provided. It was anadrenaline rush retirement just can’t fill.

So, when Ronnie Spatch Junior asks for his help with finding the person whokilled his father on their family farm, Turner uses it as an opportunity toscratch that itch. Which he does by starting his own private detective agencyand launching himself straight into a murder investigation.

While searching the farm for clues, Turner discovers Ronnie Junior lyingunconscious on the barn floor with a hunting knife sticking out of his stomach.It quickly became clear to him his client’s father’s death was much more than asimple robbery gone wrong.

Austin PD Sergeant Investigator Palmer Kraus is on loan to the Magnolia BluffPolice Department. When he shows up unannounced at the crime scene, Turnerrealizes he’ll have to deal with Magnolia Bluff’s finest once again. Only thistime, he can do it on his own terms.

Follow the breadcrumbs left behind in Joe Congel’s most compelling mysteryto date. Blood is Thicker than Money, book 38 in the Magnolia Bluff CrimeChronicles series, is a mystery not to be missed as Turner tries to balanceeveryday life while going all in grappling to solve a crime that doesn’t stopat murder.

 

Bio:

 

Joe Congel grew up in Syracuse, NY, and currently lives inbeautiful Charlotte, NC. He got his first break in the world of publishing whenhe illustrated the humorous book, Housetraining Your VCR, A Help Manual forHumans, published by Grapevine Publications back in the early ’90s.

A few years after Housetraining set the world on fire, Joedecided that he was better suited as a writer rather than as an artist, so hebegan crafting stories that allowed the reader to use their own imagination toadd the visuals to the narrative.

Since he’s enjoyed reading murder mysteries and PI detectivestories all his life, he felt he had a pretty good grasp on how to create anengaging character in the world of private detecting. DEAD IS FOREVER is thefirst book in the Razzman Mystery Crime Files series, featuring Tony Razzolito,PI. The book is set in Syracuse, NY, and Charlotte, NC, with upcoming books inthe series concentrated more in and around the Charlotte area. Joe is uniquelyqualified to write about both areas of the country since he lived in Syracusefor 36 years and Charlotte for the last 25 plus years.

When he’s not writing, you will most likely find himspoiling his three grandchildren.

 

Three Foodie Facts about Brandon Turner (MainCharacter):

Even though he’s living in Magnolia Bluff, Texas, Brandon’sfavorite foods reflect his New York roots –

Nothing like thetaste of biting into a good New York hotdog. Brandon’s favorite place toindulge when he’s in the city is Gray’s Papaya. The crisp snap of the skin whenyou take that first bite is the hallmark of a flavorful all-beef Sabrettsquality dog eating experience.

A pepperoni slicefrom Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village. He loves to grab a couple of slices, adrink and sit in the park and watch the people go by while enjoying one of thebest thin crust pizza slices in the city. Always a long line at the door – alwaysworth the wait.

Chicken Riggies.When Brandon was a detective with the NYPD, he spent the holidays at hisgirlfriend’s (at the time) parent’s home in Utica, NY. They introduced him tothis wonderful blend of chicken breast (cut into small bites), mushrooms, greenpeppers, and onion, mixed with a creamy tomato sauce and poured over rigatonipasta. Since moving to Texas, he’s been cooking up his own version and enjoyingthis distinctively northeastern dish in the southwest. 

 

AND

 

I'm over at Cowboy Kisses posting on Judge Roy Bean who held his court cases in his saloon.  He was quite a fascinating character. If interested stop by and say hey.

 What's your synonym, definition or sentence for:

 My sentence: It was a flyspeck stain, but bothersome none the less. 

AND

Did you know, that like your fingernails, a rhino's horns are made up of keratin? 

 

  https://factanimal.com/animal-facts