Featuring ‘Voyagers: The Third Ghost’ and so much more

August 13, 2020 by rolandclarke

The IWSG on Instagram
Background Photo by Louise MacBeath Barbour

This week on the IWSG Anthology blog, fellow author and blog-co-ordinator, Louise MacBeath Barbour continues to share from her teacher perspective. She has recapped each of our stories, focusing on the historical aspect in every tale. Read more and get inspired here:

https://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/2020/08/voyagers-third-ghost-great-book-for.html

Apologies, but I also failed to share the link to last week’s post on the Anthology blog – a timely book launched by author acquaintance and IWSG Bookclub organiser, Chrys Fey.

So, here that post is as well:

https://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/2020/08/catch-some-writers-sparks-and-fuel-your_5.html

Doctor Mom Blog Hop

May 21, 2018 by rolandclarke

Today is the much-anticipated Blog Hop for Elaine Kaye’s latest children’s book, Doctor Mom. I can’t wait for my great-grandkids to give yet another seal of approval as they did with Pea Soup Disaster, the first in the Gregory Green series, and with Slow Poke, her debut. These kids are the best reviewers – and already Elaine Kaye fans.

So, let’s have a fanfare with cake, ice-cream and fireworks for Doctor Mom.

Title: Doctor Mom

Author: Elaine Kaye

Genre: Picture Story Book

Ages: 5-8 years

BLURB: It’s Saturday, and Gregory Green can’t wait to have fun with his dad on the riding lawnmower, but something is wrong. Sammy, his teddy bear and best friend, won’t get out of bed. Gregory is worried when he sees Sammy’s left leg is torn. This is a case for Doctor Mom! Can they fix Sammy? And just how did Sammy get hurt in the first place?

PRAISE FOR DOCTOR MOM:

“Doctor Mom is an adorable story that shows how Moms can fix anything—even a torn limb on a beloved teddy bear! Children will enjoy the lovable little bear who needs a stitch or two and his boy who plays dress-up as a doctor.” – Wanda Luthman, award-winning author of Little Birdie Grows Up

“A sweet and heartfelt tale kids can easily identify with, and all of that with a wonderful touch of magic.” – Tonja Drecker, reviewer at Bookworm for Kids

BUY LINK:

AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elaine Kaye first created Gregory Green after her son, who loved her homemade pea soup, thus inspiring the story Pea Soup Disaster. Doctor Mom is the second book in A Gregory Green Adventure series and highlights something all moms and children can relate to; a beloved stuffed animal in need of a repair.

Kaye has worked as a library assistant and teacher’s assistant in elementary schools in the Sunshine State. She currently lives in Florida, but she has called Michigan; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Okinawa, Japan home.

She is a grandmother of three boys.

Website / Etsy Shop / Goodreads

MOTHERLY MEMORIES

My mother has been in my thoughts as we have just celebrated Mother’s Day, here in the US on May 13th – Mothering Sunday back in the UK was earlier in the year on March 11th. Anyway, for this blog I got the chance to bathe in those motherly thoughts as the hop-hostess – thanks Chrys Fey – set me a wonderful goal:

“Prompt: Share a favourite memory you have of your mom. Or just share a picture of your mom that you cherish. Or you can do both!”

I have two specific pictures of my mum, Nidia – or Mummy as we called her – and the one above releases so many specific memories.

It was taken in May 2005 at Borde Hill Horse Trials by a veterinary surgeon friend, Tony Warr. I was co-organiser of this event at the family estate, and my mother was very supportive, especially as I had already been diagnosed with MS – multiple sclerosis – five years earlier. That support had to be strong as despite the MS, I had been determined to revive the horse trials that had been cancelled in 2001 due to the horrendous foot & mouth outbreak.

I was cutting back on my equestrian journalism career as the MS didn’t sit well with tight deadlines. Pacing myself and co-organising an event with a long lead was a better fit, especially living with a mother that backed me and, with her riding background, shared the dream. I remember going with her to other horse trials in the South East and sitting eating a picnic lunch watching the cross-country. And I remember Mummy polishing the trophies for the South East Eventers League, founded in 1995 by me and Ian Bareham – and so much more moments we shared.

That era came to an end for me and others, and sadly my mother passed in April 2013 – which still brings floods of tears. Borde Hill Horse Trials commemorated her with a beautiful flower box fence on the cross-country.

The family used this photo, that I had taken a few years earlier, as the cover of the Order of Service for the funeral of Juana Nidia Gereth Clarke – more memories flood out.

Check out the other story in the MOM BLOG HOP!

1. Chrys Fey	2. Elaine Kaye
3. M. J. Fifield	4. Words Turn Me On
5. Ingenious Indie Promotions	6. sherry @ fundinmental
7. The Sunflower’s Scribbles	8. Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit
9. The Really Real Housewives of America	10. Samantha Bryant @ Balancing Act
11. Diane Burton	12. The Ninja Librarian
13. Writing Wings	14. The Story of a Writer
15. Wanda Luthman’s Children’s Books

Mystery and Crime

January 3, 2018 by rolandclarke

Today is not only the first 2018 post for the Insecure Writer’s Group but also the Flaming Crimes Blogfest, so this is a double post – of sorts.

#IWSG – Schedule Mystery

First, the January 3 IWSG question – What steps have you taken or plan to take to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?

In truth, nothing specific. 2018 in writing terms is in some ways a continuation of 2017’s objectives, or rather what my plan became in October when I decided to focus on my Snowdon Shadows series.

So, in November, I wrote draft one of ‘Ruined Retreat ‘(Book 3) and now I must finish the revision of Book 1, ‘Fates Maelstrom’. The only plan is devising some way – legal of course – to raise the funds to cover the editing stage; not easy when you are retired, on a limited budget and dealing with a chronic illness.

Maybe the bank robbery is a good plan. Call it research – if they catch me.

Now, that’s a plan. (Our dogs are complaining that it’s too complicated and I should stick to reading. Then, they fall asleep.)

The awesome co-hosts for this January 3 posting of the IWSG are Tyrean Martinson, Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Megan Morgan, Jennifer Lane, and Rachna Chhabria!

Purpose of IWSG: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! If it links to Google+, be sure your blog is listed there. Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can’t find you to comment back.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG

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 experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

Now, for the exciting part of my post.

Welcome to the Writing Wings ‘blog-stop’ for the

Flaming Crimes Blogfest

Prompt: What is something ridiculous you would save if there was a fire?

‘Wondering what to save if there was a fire’ has been in my head for most of my life, although I’ve been fortunate to never face the real thing. As Chrys Fey and others have said, fires are serious especially wildfires. But for this blog post, I’m thinking ‘off-piste’.

Beyond our two dogs, who would get out faster than me in my wheelchair, and the flash drive with my writing – my current notebook lives in the chair – there are some precious items but those could never be ‘ridiculous’. Like the 1957 leather-bound Holy Bible my late-mother gave my wife, and my late father’s 1932 copy of George Brooksbank’s Old Mr Fox.

As my eyes glance past the grandfather clock and inherited paintings – too heavy to save – I see our collection of cuddly toys. They have names and evoke memories – they are characters that need saving, but there are too many and they don’t come in a flash drive.

Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

My wife will grab her daughter’s ashes but I’m taking the box with my cat Oliver’s – his painting by my late-mother is on the wall so I could take that.

Decisions, decisions. Dang the flaming heat is removing my options.

So, I grab the Waterford paperknife from my desk. Well’ it was a 50^th birthday present from a horsey colleague and it will be useful when I stab my next victim.

What should I have saved?

Series: Disaster Crimes #4
Page Count: 304
Digital Price: 4.99
Print Price: 16.99

Rating: Spicy (PG13)

BUY LINKS:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

The Wild Rose Press

BLURB: Beth and Donovan are now happily married, and what Beth wants more than anything is a baby. Her dream of starting a family is put on hold as fires burn dangerously close and Donovan becomes a victim of sabotage.

Donovan escapes what could’ve been a deadly wreck. Their past enemies have been eliminated, so who is cutting brake lines and leaving bloody messages? He vows to find out, for the sake of the woman he loves and the life they’re trying to build.

Amidst a criminal mind game, a fire ignites next to their home. They battle the flames and fight to keep their house safe from the blaze pressing in on all sides, but neither of them expects to confront a psychotic adversary in the middle of the inferno.

Their lives may just go up in flames…

About the Author: Chrys Fey is the author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept blending romance, crimes, and disasters. She’s partnered with the Insecure Writer’s Support Group and runs their Goodreads book club. She’s also an editor for Dancing Lemur Press.

Author Links:

Website / Blog / Goodreads

Facebook / Twitter / Amazon

Here are the other Flaming Crimes Blogfest participants – Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to see what they saved…