A SERIOUS IN BETWEEN POST
This kind of horrendous treatment must be stopped.
Just for once this is a serious post as I want to raise awareness of something that is going on in dozens of countries, including the United States and many places in Europe. It’s a theme I chose for my latest book and the more I researched it the more horrified I became. FGM is a topic only ever discussed behind closed doors, many people have never even heard of it.
Then this popped up on my timeline on Facebook. It’s written by Serena Cairns and personalizes the fears and feelings of a young girl. It tore at my heart and I think it will tear at yours too. How long must we wait for men and women to be regarded as humans, different, but equal? Women are not possessions neither should they be second class citizens.
With reference to your latest novel, Lucinda, I thought you might like this very short piece.
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How To Handle Online Criticism Of Your Writing…
By Lisa Brown 
on Just Publishing Advice site:
It already takes a brave individual to share themselves in such a vulnerable way.
Writing is very personal, and when a writer’s work is criticized, it becomes very personal.
When you write something, you surely believe that you have done a fantastic job.
Now when you send that out into the world, it can be very difficult to deal with anything else, but compliments.
Unfortunately, the world is not always that kind, and sometimes you might require coping skills.
Here are my tips to help you deal with criticism as a writer.
Handle Criticism of Your Writing
The top 25 grammatical terms you should know
1. ACTIVE VOICE
Active voice is a type of sentence or clause in which the subject performs or causes the action expressed by the verb. Contrast with Passive Voice below. Example: “A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.” (Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, 1991)
2. ADJECTIVE
An adjective is the part of speech (or word class) that modifies a noun or a pronoun. Example: “Send this pestilent, traitorous, cow-hearted, yeasty codpiece to the brig.” (Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, 2007)
3. ADVERB
An adverb is the part of speech that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb. Example: “There I was, standing there in the church, and for the first time in my whole life I realized I totally and utterly loved one person.” (Charles to Carrie…
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But You Promised to Review My Book…
by Big Al 
on Indies Unlimited site:
At first glance, my assignment seems straightforward. Write a post about what authors can do to not get taken advantage of by reviewers who ask for a print version of your book and then don’t come through with the promised review. The short answer is probably “not much.” But Ms. Brooks says one paragraph of seventy words won’t cut it as a “real post.” So, I’ll ramble on.
The reality is that once this has happened, there isn’t a whole lot you can do. It doesn’t matter whether the “reviewer” is a scam artist looking for inventory to sell at his or her local used bookstore, or a well-meaning reviewer who didn’t follow through.
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Carlo the Mouse Book 2: Now We’re Talking! by Mrs. D
Carlo the Mouse Book 2: Now We’re Talking! by Mrs. D
My review follows the book blurb found on Amazon.
“Listen to the news and keep your eyes open, because a curious little mouse has had his wish come true! Now We’re Talking! is the second in a series of books on Carlo’s adventures. This nosy little mouse leaves home for the first time to explore life inside the hospital. But Hospitalia is a strange place, and there’s no place for him to hide. Cold, sterile, and unfriendly, the hospital looks nothing like Carlo had imagined while sitting at home. Before he knows what’s up, the kitchen staff are on his tail. Will the hungry mouse manage to trick the hospital manager, cook, and exterminator without breaking the rules his parents taught him? You’ll find out in Mrs. D.’s next book on Carlo the Mouse, What’s Going On? If this clever mouse outwits you, don’t get discouraged. Keep reading and follow Carlo’s adventures!”
Review:
In book two of this series, we find that Carlo the Mouse finally gets to leave home through a tiny mouse hole in the basement wall in which he was born and lives with his parents. Carlo hates rules and he learned the kinds of trouble he could get into by not following rules. First he finds the hallways and they are bright white and huge, with nowhere to hide. The doctors’ shadows are huge and he scampers to hide. The patients are sad, sick, and confused. In trying to find the kitchen, he delves into a couple patient rooms and there ensues more adventure for this young mouse. When he finally finds the kitchen and the staff see him, they try to catch Carlo with brooms, saucepans, and all manner of kitchen things. Five stars for this lovely children’s picture book and illustrations. What happened to Carlo? Book three should tell us.
Carlo the Mouse Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse by Mrs. D
Carlo the Mouse Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse by Mrs. D
My review follows the book blurb found on Amazon.
“Age 6-8 Grab your boots and hold on to your hat, because you are in for an exciting trip! The new series of Carlo the Mouse has been born. Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse is the first in a series of books on Carlo’s adventures. Each book will give readers an entertaining look into the life of a little mouse born inside a hospital’s walls. Clever, curious, and very impatient, Carlo the mouse dreams of the world outside the hospital. His parents teach him how to follow the rules and how to survive on his own, but Carlo’s insatiable desire for adventure constantly gets him in trouble. Will the little adventurer manage to survive when he leaves home? You’ll find out in Mrs. D.’s next books on Carlo the mouse. Let your imagination soar in this full series of Carlo’s adventures!”
Review:
I fell in love with Carlo from the beginning. Carlo was born in a basement wall next to the kitchen. He loved cheese and couldn’t get enough. His first word was “yummy” (as he loved cheese) and it was endearing to read this story. As Carlo grew up, he wanted to venture out into the hospital and especially find the chef in the kitchen because of the delicious scent of foods he could smell from inside the walls. Finally his parents gave Carlo rules he must obey if he wanted to see parts of the hospital remain safe. Children learn life lessons through Carlo, and his adventures. The illustrations are beautiful and I can see a large series around this curious mouse. Five stars!
Whisper Bay: Oliver & Chloe
Whisper Bay: Oliver & Chloe by Sybil Shae
I read this novella and my review follows the author’s book blurb found on Amazon.
“Meet Chloe Tyson and Oliver Pettigrew from Whisper Bay, a small community where everyone knows everyone or at least they think they do.
Oliver is a mysterious young man who has just returned home to Whisper Bay. No one really knows anything about him and really doesn’t seem to want to either. Except for Chloe, she needs to know all she can—her life as she knows it depends on it.
Can a socially awkward young man and a lonely young woman that has been deemed worthless by everyone who is supposed to love her, find hope—together?”
Review:
This novella is a truly nice clean read for those in high school and most all young adult readers. The characters of Chloe and Oliver are good, but the story lacks insight as to how Oliver grew up and became the person he is in this book. I was able to connect with Chloe and her abusive extended family as I could understand her feelings. I would have liked to know more about Chloe’s mother, though. A friend of Chloe’s, Aralia, per her parents, isn’t allowed to have Chloe as a friend, yet nothing is said as to why this is so. It is refreshing to read about what older teenagers feel and the things they endure in school and college. One’s first real love and finding what true love really is makes for a nice story. The pace is fast, and fairly well-written. A few line edits need to done, but other than that this fictional novella rates as four stars due to lack of more insight into Chloe’s mother, Oliver’s childhood, and why Aralia’s parents are against their friendship.
When Angels Fly 