Sandra Cox's Blog

  

 

 AND

  

If you have a chance, hop over to Natalie's for the giveaway hop.

http://www.literaryrambles.com/

 

 What's your synonym, definition or sentence for?

 A smoke and haze mashup.  

 

AND 

 

Did you know there is a cross between coyotes, wolves and sometimes dogs, called coywolf? 

Source:

Coywolf - Wikipedia 

 

 

Now here's one I can get behind.

 And speaking of flowers, the mums are blooming.

 

 

AND

TUMBLESTAR, SUNDIAL, GELLER'S FIND,  THUNDERTREE, KEEPER TYREE (US only)  and GWEN SLADE (US only) are available on E for .99 cents during Prime Days in the US and UK, October 7 and 8. 

 AND 

last but most important of all.....

  You will be missed.  

 

 

 

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 October 1 posting of the IWSGare Beth Camp, Crystal Collier, and Cathrina Constantine!
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

 

October 1 question - What is the most favorite thing you havewritten, published or not? And why?

As far as readership, Silverhills. As far as my personal favorite, Keeper Tyree. I like thecharacter. He’s middle-aged, flawed, rough around the edges and a hard man. Buthe’s fair and he’ll go to the wall, and beyond, for anyone he cares about.

September/October Reviewsin no particular order.

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

 

MIRACLESAND GHOSTS PAST by D. L. Finn

Thisis a delightful collection of Christmas shorts with a twist. In each storythere’s a ghost to lend a helping hand.

InTHE CHRISTMAS TRAIN MYSTERY a woman’s first step to a new beginning is amurder/mystery dinner train trip.

CHRISTMASRESCUE~*~ If you read many D.L. Finn stories, you know that somewhere in thebook you are going to encounter an animal rescue. This is the story😊

ISTHERE A SANTA?~*~ To my mind, of all the wonderful stories, this is the best.The characters are extraordinarily developed and their emotions pour off the pages as a widower tries tohold his family together at Christmas.

SHE’SHOME ALONE~*~ A young girl must outwit an intruder.

AFTERA WAR COMES CHRISTMAS ~*~ This story centers on civil unrest and is timelyconsidering the unease in America right now.

AGIFT FOR KATIE~*~A woman in need gets an unexpected inheritance and  is unsure whether she should accept it.

CHRISTMASAFTER LOSS~*~A mysterious soldier throws light on Sheila’s  husband’s unexpected death.

ELEVATORSANTA~*~Mindy gets stuck on the elevator with an unexpected passenger.

Ihighly recommend this book of shorts. It’s perfect for the Christmas season.So, grab your cocoa and cookies, put up your feet and enjoy the read.

Available at Amazon 

 

GUARDIANSOF MOTHER EARTH by Zea Perez

Theseare such sweet stories. And more importantly they impart information to ouryoung people about ecology, and the importance of being a caretaker of theearth. Each story centers around a plant or tree or other forms of naturelearning how important they are to the universe and that no matter how small,they can play a large part in saving their own personal piece of the universe. Amongthe cast of characters are Bon, the bonsai tree, Pitchy the pitcher plant and Venusthe flytrap plant. All on a mission to save their homes.

Afun read and a lovely teaching tool with entertaining illustrations.

Available at Amazon 

 

FIRSTFROST by Craig Johnson. Book 20 in the Longmire Series.

Ilove Craig Johnson's writing.  TheLongmire Series is outstanding. This story for me was entertaining and hadplenty of twists and turns, but it just wasn't quite as good as some of hisothers. Though, not quite as good, is still heads above many other reads thatare out there:)

Available at Amazon 

 

     AND

 

Did you know, the author of  Rip Van Winkle--and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow--Washington Irving, suffered from insomnia? 

 

Sources: 

100 Interesting Facts about Famous Authors – Interesting Literature 

Washington Irving, New York Writer, Sleepy Hollow | Literary Traveler 

 

 

 

 

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 October 1 posting of the IWSGare Beth Camp, Crystal Collier, and Cathrina Constantine!
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

 

October 1 question - What is the most favorite thing you havewritten, published or not? And why?

As far as readership, Silverhills. As far as my personal favorite, Keeper Tyree. I like thecharacter. He’s middle-aged, flawed, rough around the edges and a hard man. Buthe’s fair and he’ll go to the wall, and beyond, for anyone he cares about.

September/October Reviewsin no particular order.

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

 

MIRACLESAND GHOSTS PAST by D. L. Finn

Thisis a delightful collection of Christmas shorts with a twist. In each storythere’s a ghost to lend a helping hand.

InTHE CHRISTMAS TRAIN MYSTERY a woman’s first step to a new beginning is amurder/mystery dinner train trip.

CHRISTMASRESCUE~*~ If you read many D.L. Finn stories, you know that somewhere in thebook you are going to encounter an animal rescue. This is the story😊

ISTHERE A SANTA?~*~ To my mind, of all the wonderful stories, this is the best.The characters are extraordinarily developed and their emotions pour off the pages as a widower tries tohold his family together at Christmas.

SHE’SHOME ALONE~*~ A young girl must outwit an intruder.

AFTERA WAR COMES CHRISTMAS ~*~ This story centers on civil unrest and is timelyconsidering the unease in America right now.

AGIFT FOR KATIE~*~A woman in need gets an unexpected inheritance and  is unsure whether she should accept it.

CHRISTMASAFTER LOSS~*~A mysterious soldier throws light on Sheila’s  husband’s unexpected death.

ELEVATORSANTA~*~Mindy gets stuck on the elevator with an unexpected passenger.

Ihighly recommend this book of shorts. It’s perfect for the Christmas season.So, grab your cocoa and cookies, put up your feet and enjoy the read.

Available at Amazon 

 

GUARDIANSOF MOTHER EARTH by Zea Perez

Theseare such sweet stories. And more importantly they impart information to ouryoung people about ecology, and the importance of being a caretaker of theearth. Each story centers around a plant or tree or other forms of naturelearning how important they are to the universe and that no matter how small,they can play a large part in saving their own personal piece of the universe. Amongthe cast of characters are Bon, the bonsai tree, Pitchy the pitcher plant and Venusthe flytrap plant. All on a mission to save their homes.

Afun read and a lovely teaching tool with entertaining illustrations.

Available at Amazon 

 

FIRSTFROST by Craig Johnson. Book 20 in the Longmire Series.

Ilove Craig Johnson's writing.  TheLongmire Series is outstanding. This story for me was entertaining and hadplenty of twists and turns, but it just wasn't quite as good as some of hisothers. Though, not quite as good, is still heads above many other reads thatare out there:)

Available at Amazon 

 

     AND

 

Did you know, the author of  Rip Van Winkle--and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow--Washington Irving, suffered from insomnia? 

 

Sources: 

100 Interesting Facts about Famous Authors – Interesting Literature 

Washington Irving, New York Writer, Sleepy Hollow | Literary Traveler 

 

 

 

 

How are you?  

On this end we are unsettled. Once again, cancer has raised its vicious head with the youngest grand. Hence my hiatus, awhile back.  I needed some mental health days. So, if I'm not here on a normal posting day (and I miss my fair share of Tuesdays:) or if I'm slower than usual at replying to comments, please bear with me.

Now on to more happy news. My SIL and BIL stopped in for a brief visit.  It was great seeing them. It had been awhile.

AND

This is a sweet potato a friend of ours grew. Isn't it a hoot? It weighed over six pounds. Birthing size! He planted six plants and ended up with over a hundred pounds of sweet potatoes. I don't know what his secret is:)

 AND

Pictures from the Smokies

Thanks, Julie.

 

 

AND

From a California window

Thanks, Denise:) 

 

 

AND

In the garden: Sunset and critters

 

I've never seen a moth quite like this one. It has a horn on its back. David, do you know what it is?

 Don't you love walking sticks?

That's it for now. Have a great one, friends. Let us know what you've been up to. 

 Please welcome dear friend and fellow author D.L. Finn.

Thank you, Sandra, for having me on your beautiful blogtoday to share the release of Ghosts & Miracles Past: A ChristmasCollection Two! I’m beyond grateful for your constant support andfriendship.

“Christmas Rescue” was originally in my first Christmas Collection.I pulled it because it wasn’t going anywhere. When I came back to it later, itall came together. Opal’s had a bad year. Her mother died, and her boyfriendbroke up with her, leaving her in heavy debt. The worst part was that he tooktheir dog too. All she could do was quit school and start working to pay offthe debt. Not feeling her usual Christmas spirit, she still plans to host heraunt, uncle, and cousins as her mother would have. She needs some supplies onChristmas Eve. A big storm is coming, and she finds people are already home,but in one dark parking lot, she isn’t alone.

 

BLURB:

Miracles saturate the sweet-scented Christmas season—areminder we aren’t alone.

Miracles & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collectionbrings eight stories from past holidays. Rita buys train tickets for her andMorris’s 30th anniversary in the novelette, “The Christmas Train Mystery.” She’sconvinced this trip will bring her and Morris closer—if he can find the time. Amurder mystery excursion will change Rita’s life in more ways than one, butwill she go with her workaholic husband or by herself? In the first shortstory, “Christmas Rescue,” Opal trusts the wrong man and loses her mother in thesame year, leaving her feeling lost. On a mission to get candles for the dinnertable, she makes an unexpected find. “Is There a Santa?” goes back to the1920s, where a widower is desperate to hold on to his farm and children. Hedoesn’t want charity, just a bit of luck or a miracle. In the final stories,you’ll meet an eleven-year-old who’s home alone, a family living in theaftermath of war, a girl who gets some shocking news, a widow with a warningfrom beyond, and a woman trapped on an elevator with Santa. Hope underliesthese stories; it endures even in the direst of circumstances. Whether helpcomes from a ghost, Santa, or an angel, miracles are just within reach.

 

EXCERPT FROM: ChristmasRescue, 1975

ThisChristmas Day, she’d paste on a smile, but inside lurked the Grinch before hisheart grew three sizes. If time could pause, she would have the chance tobreathe and dream again, but time and bills continued to march forward, unfazedeven by the world’s Grinches.

 

“Perhapslife is meant to be endured, not enjoyed.”

 

Opalimmediately felt guilty, knowing her mom would disapprove of that statement.But Opal’s mom wasn’t there to hear it after her fatal heart attack. It wasgoing to be her first Christmas without her mom, who had been her best friend.

 

Still,she attempted to be positive in memory of her mom. “I know I have this houseand my bartending job. But if I sold the house and got an apartment, I couldfinish getting my teaching degree. Which means I’d leave my childhood home andall the memories that come with it.” Opal sighed and wiped away a single tear.“I miss you, Mom, and you were right about many things—including Sam.”

 

That namerepulsed her like a gory horror movie. With a shudder, she thrust away thoughtsof her ex. She picked up a silver bell that had fallen off the Christmas treeand put it on an empty branch. The silver bell swung and stilled. She turnedher back to the colorful tree to prepare the house for her guests, but thesmall silver bell started ringing like it was atop a church.

 

“Eitheran angel got their wings, or my walking jiggled the bell.”

 

Opalleaned toward the latter. She placed her mom’s porcelain nativity scene on thefireplace mantel. Her youngest niece, Lisa, was obsessed with the nativity. Lisawas convinced the angel was real and was watching over them. The sweet girl wasalways on her best behavior around it.

 

Evensurrounded by all this good cheer, regret wouldn’t allow her to forget. Itovershadowed everything. Three months after her mom died, her ex-boyfriendmoved across the country with her inheritance and Beauty, the sweet pup shestill missed. All Sam left behind were maxed-out credit card bills. Unfortunately,she was the primary cardholder; he had been able to charge with noresponsibility for any of the debt. This had alarmed her mom, but Opal was inlove, or thought she was, and didn’t listen. After her mom passed, Opalcontinued with her bad decisions, which included adding Sam’s name to hersavings account after he pointed out it made sense since they were gettingmarried. She thought that was his proposal, but no ring followed, just abreakup.

 

Universal Purchase Link

 

FUN FINN FACTS

1.     My favorite Christmas songs are: O HolyNight, Carol of the Bells, Silent Night, Happy Christmas (War is Over), Let itSnow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow, Little Town of Bethlehem, Christmastime isHere, It’s beginning to look like Christmas, White Christmas, I’ll be Home forChristmas, The Christmas Song, Little Saint Nick, A Holly Jolly Christmas….Icould go on. I couldn’t pick just one or two!

2.     I start Christmas shopping in July or August.

 

D. L. Finn is anindependent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their innerchild. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocatedwith her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills.She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially lovedromance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality onpaper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativitywas nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adultfiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation toall readers to join her.

 

YouTube
Amazon Page
D.L. Finn blog
Pinterest
Instagram
Facebook
Bookbub
Bluesky
T witter/X 
D. L. Finn’s Gratitude Store

 

To celebrate the release, I will be giving away threeAmazon Gift Cards: $5, $10, and $15. At the end of the tour, I will randomlypick the three winners from those who leave comments during the blog tour. GoodLuck!

 

 What's your sentence, definition or synonym for:

 My sentence: The bank robber absquatulated from the scene of the crime.

 AND

Did you know that before aspirin was marketed, willow bark was used as a painkiller?

Sources: 

https://funfactsabout.net/plant-facts/

Crafting Aspirin from Willow Bark: An Ancient Pain Relief Remedy

 

 

 

 

I'm taking this week off, my friends. Store up your news and let me know how you're doing when I get back.