Sheila's Guests and Reviews

Things have been so hectic around here. Reading is what I do while the microwave turns (walking from room to room with a well-lit tablet screen). I read while I wait for the computer to boot, for the washing to take that final spin, the onions to soften in the pan. Sometimes paper, sometimes electronic... what matters is the words, the story, the characters, the voice. Thinking about it, what matters when I want to relax is a voice that will help me relax; a voice that, even when it's telling of the power going out and raging hotel customers, or love going wrong, or murder and mayhem and more... that even then gives me the sense that all will yet be well, and I should just read on. So what do I read when I need to relax? I read a book with a voice that soothes, that makes me believe my problems too will pass. And I drink coffee. Fill your mug with your favorite brew and see what you think of the following... They're not all outwardly relaxing, but inside, behind the mug of co...

Time to read, time to write, time to dream... I have friends whose Nanowrimo dreams are rapidly nearing completion, and others who, like me, didn't even dream of writing a novel this month... This month being November, Thanksgiving, the leadup to Christmas and more, I didn't feel like I'd ever find time, and I was right. But I did read some, and even wrote book reviews; I just didn't post them. So now, quickly, before I get busy with assigning ISBNs and uploading my own books, here are some of the things I've read for relaxation recently: Find some coffee. Relax with me. Children's books that I've enjoyed recently include: The Secret of Big A by Ofra Peled is the first in a series of alphabet books. It's like a cross between a picture book and a chapter book, with enough text to read like a real story, and bright but old-fashioned color images. The question of what the letter A, and little a, might look like is fun, and the the other books promise...

Today I'm delighted to welcome Jack Woodville London to my blog. He's touring the internet with his novel, French Letters: Children of a Good War, and the title intrigued me enough to encourage a "yes" when asked if he could drop in here. I hope you'll agree. So, find some good coffee, and maybe a gluten free snack, then sit and enjoy our conversation: So, first of all, I'd like to know where you're from (my accent gives you an unfair advantage otherwise)? I grew up in Groom, Texas, a town near Amarillo.   I live in Austin with my wife, Alice, and Junebug the writing cat. Ah, a cat. And a writing cat too. So, did you and/or your cat always want to be a writer? I wanted to race sports cars until I was about 14, then wanted to be a basketball player. Then I wanted to be a history professor.   I always wanted to be a writer. Always? That's the same answer I'd give. So what first inspired you to write seriously? 8 th ...

Love Under Fire comes out today, and every sale helps a veteran get a pet! How can you resist - lots of great reads, lots of great people, and lots of great pets. Of course, looking at the graphic, I find myself trying to figure out which authors I've already read, but I'm looking forward to all the tales. I know they'll be good because I've already enjoyed two of them: Virtually Lace by Uvi Poznansky Michael has been working on a virtual reality model in his garage. The military might be interested of course, but Michael’s interest lies more in the question of beauty—“Could beauty be taken apart… Would its data be synthesized, somehow, into a lifelike experience?” And how many different angles and points of view would one need to create that simulation? Then he sees real beauty and ugliness, life and death alongside the Pacific Coast Highway. The police are investigating of course, but the tale is told from Michael’s point of view, with beautiful scenery, ...

It's cold outside. I love the blue skies, gold sunshine, and red leaves of fall. But I'm not so sure about the ice-cold mornings, tomato plants frost-bit (I bought in the last of the green...), and the "snow" of falling shapes across the window-pane. I need to rake them into piles or else they'll block the drains (and after last year's flood, I've no desire to see any drains start blocking). I need to wear an extra sweater. I need to drink hot cocoa... Okay, now that's a serious advantage of winter's approach; I do like hot cocoa. Anyway, the sky's blue, the sunshine's gold, the leaves are red, and everywhere is cold. But what's life at the beach like when winter winds come in? I was given a copy of Sheila Roberts' "Winter at the Beach" to read, and it certainly got me into the mood for Christmas, family warmth, and cold winds of adversity turned around to peace. Here's my review: Winter at the Beach by ...

I've loved historical fiction set in Scotland, ever since I was a child (when I was hooked on Nigel Trantner), so I could hardly resist when I was offered the chance to interview Laura Vosike, author of the Water is Wide. Join me as I learn more about Scotland, the book and the author. Laura, I'll just go pour some coffee while readers find out about you and your book. Laura Vosika is a writer, poet, and musician. Her time travel series, The Blue Bells Chronicles, set in modern and medieval Scotland, has garnered praise and comparisons to writers as diverse as Diana Gabaldon and Dostoevsky. Her poetry has been published in The Moccasin and The Martin Lake Journal 2017. She has been featured in newspapers, on radio, and TV, has spoken for regional book events, and hosted the radio program Books and Brews. She currently teaches writing at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. As a musician, Laura has performed as on trombone, flute, and harp, in orchestras,...