Sharon C. Pennington's Blog

Young Kayleigh stands at the window, her nose pressed to the cool glass pane, shoulders slumped in dismay. It's spring. She's dress to go outdoors.

So why is it raining again?

Flowers should be blooming. Birds singing. The yellow sun should be shining big and bright and high in the sky!

Kayleigh and her friends ought to be playing in the yard. Swimming in the pool. Swinging on the swing-set.

So why is it raining again?

Mama says the flowers need water to grow. The trees and grass, too.

Besides, there's plenty to do inside. Toys to play with and balls to bounce. Books to read and movies to watch.

The illustrations in NOT ANOTHER RAINY DAY (ISBN: 9781497364103, ASIN: B00JCEM0JO, 24 pp) are simple and colorful, yet elegantly drawn by Inga Shalvashvili. Children will easily relate to Kayleigh's dilemma through these drawings and in RyAnn Hall's semi-rhyming verse.

I predict NOT ANOTHER RAINY DAY will spur the creativity in children to come up with their own unique activities for rainy day, stuck-inside weather - and I can only imagine the conversations that might follow this read.

I would recommend NOT ANOTHER RAINY DAY to teacher, parents and grandparents of children ages 2 to 8. The older children will love reading this book themselves. The younger ones . . . well, there's nothing like cuddling up with Mom or Dad on a rainy day.

As lovely and convenient as eReaders are, I would suggest picking up a print copy so children can hold this sweet book in their hands. It even comes in audio (ASIN: B00KIW3908, 3 minutes, narracted by Rebecca Roberts). I'm giving NOT ANOTHER RAINY DAY four stars and see where it could easily become a rainy day favorite.

NOTE: Other books by RyAnn Hall are THREE LITTLE SISTERS, SHELBY LOVES CANDY, RYLIE'S NEW BIKE and SEASONS COME, SEASONS GO.

Covert departments, undercover coppers and special divisions teams? Women with badges? Police Sergeant Terrance Ashton was sick of them invading his Hampton Lane Police Station. Especially the likes of Helen Drake. Shoving her ID in his face like Hampton Lane was the palace, and she held the golden key. Interrupting his long-anticipated breakfast of a savory bacon sandwich. Paperwork. That's what Drake represented to Ashton. Loads of bloody, friggin' paperwork . . .


Straight from a covert CYCLOPS mission, Joe Carlisle was sickened by what he saw. The carnage of Hampton Lane Police Station was like something out of a horror flick. "I think my mate is asking where the jailer got his," Joe said.


Windows shattered, walls and desktops pebbled with bullet holes, massive pools of blood on the littered floors -- along with the sheeted bodies of slaughtered coppers. A half-eaten bacon sandwich on the desk out front.


"In the cellblock," Parsons said. "Along with Station Office Ashton."


Carlisle numbly registered the death of Police Sergeant Terrance Ashton. Helen Drake was missing, abducted.


His Helen.


And thus begins SATAN'S BREED by B.J. Kibble (ASIN: B00KM8HXCS, ISBN: 9781499398540, 338 pp), thrusting readers into the heart of the action, as this British author is known  to do.


It doesn't take Joe Carlisle and his Russian partner, Boris Saski, long to learn that a young prostitute named Sophie Anastasia was also taken. A female special operative and a prostitute, why abduct those two? Where's the connection?


Where are the women -- and what horrors are being done to them?


From one non-stop chapter to the next Kibble invites his readers on a thrill-ride of no small proportion, leading them through the besieged police station to Helen's ransacked apartment to the putrid darkness of a sewer and the dusty belfry of St. Andrew's Church, or the lavishness of the U.S. Ambassador's private residence. With a host of colorful characters like young police "watcher" Johnny Monkton and Mohawk-sporting Geoffrey Grant-Stewart, traitorous Thomas Cairns-Torrington formerly of Her Majesty's Coldstream Guards-Army Intelligence and terrorist Ishmael Khazan, Kibble keeps you guessing who will get it in the end. Might it be the terrorist, the hero . . . the American President? And of course, there are a few surprises among the many twists and turns, car chases and explosions.


Ah, and then there's that teeny bit of romance. Thank you, Mr. Kibble.


I loved SATAN'S BREED, and give the thriller five hearty stars. As with B.J. Kibble's other novels I've had the pleasure to indulge in(Chasing the Wind, Dry Rain, Legion, Cries From the Grave) each book is truly like "reading a movie." His books are that fast-paced. Pick up a copy of SATAN'S BREED. You won't be disappointed.

NOTE: A former British copy, B.J. Kibble miraculously survived three near-death experiences. On the last occasion he escaped uninjured from the epicenter of a devastating IRA bomb and decided writing novels might prove a lot safer. So far so good. For more information about this talented author, visit his website at http://www.bkibble.com

Detective Mark Waters has visited THE DEPOT before, a few times, usually for a noonday meal at his favorite corner table. Today death draws him to the popular eatery. No, not the death of one of the many spirits rumored to haunt the place since the 1800’s -- but the apparent suicide of one of its wealthy patrons. Evidence points to Devin Burke throwing himself in front of a train out back, but cop’s intuition has Waters digging deeper. Investigating the final moments of the man’s life caught on a now “missing” surveillance tape. Listening as the man’s parents cry foul.

 

Waters has questions aplenty. Why would a man like Burke, who seemingly has everything, end his life in such a gruesome manner? Why does the tape turn up in the hands of beautiful Ashlyn Allan, the night bartender? What exactly is on the tape?

 

Has Detective Mark Waters stumbled onto a murder disguised as suicide -- or simply a chance at love?

 

Though well-paced and cleverly written, I’m giving THE DEPOT four stars because, IMHO, it seemed incomplete. I was left wanting and felt the author might have fleshed the story out a bit more. Of course, maybe that is Carmen DeSousa’s intention as THE DEPOT is a prequel to THE LIBRARY where Detective Waters’ journey continues in a longer version. That THE DEPOT is simply the hors d'oeuvre meant to whet the appetite.

 

What can I say but “Color me there.”

 

I would recommend THE DEPOT to any reader who loves a tantalizing mystery series.

~ ~ ~

Carmen DeSousa's novels brim with romance, suspense and tragedy. Her sensual and gripping mysteries have earned bestseller status on three continents. Some of her other titles are: She Belongs to Me, Land of the Noonday Sun and Split Decisions. Learn more about this talented author at http://www.carmendesousa.com/

Detective Mark Waters has visited THE DEPOT before, a few times, usually for a noonday meal at his favorite corner table. Today death draws him to the popular eatery. No, not the death of one of the many spirits rumored to haunt the place since the 1800’s -- but the apparent suicide of one of its wealthy patrons. Evidence points to Devin Burke throwing himself in front of a train out back, but cop’s intuition has Waters digging deeper. Investigating the final moments of the man’s life caught on a now “missing” surveillance tape. Listening as the man’s parents cry foul.

Waters has questions aplenty. Why would a man like Burke, who seemingly has everything, end his life in such a gruesome manner? Why does the tape turn up in the hands of beautiful Ashlyn Allan, the night bartender? What exactly is on the tape? 

Has Detective Mark Waters stumbled onto a murder disguised as suicide -- or simply a chance at love? 

Though well-paced and cleverly written, I’m giving THE DEPOT four stars because, IMHO, it seemed incomplete. I was left wanting and felt the author might have fleshed the story out a bit more. Of course, maybe that is Carmen DeSousa’s intention as THE DEPOT is a prequel to THE LIBRARY where Detective Waters’ journey continues in a longer version. That THE DEPOT is simply the hors d'oeuvre meant to whet the appetite.  

What can I say but “Color me there.”

I would recommend THE DEPOT to any reader who loves a tantalizing mystery series.



Carmen DeSousa's novels brim with romance, suspense and tragedy. Her sensual and gripping mysteries have earned bestseller status on three continents. Some of her other titles are: She Belongs to Me, Land of the Noonday Sun and Split Decisions. Learn more about this talented author at http://www.carmendesousa.com/

Brit Tom Ashdown is an ordinary man, living a somewhat ordinary life. Eking out a barely sustainable living at his small betting shop in Brighton, his modest home mortgaged to the hilt, a virtual stranglehold on his bank account. He is nobody’s hero. Truth be told, in forty-two years of living, Tom never even considered the notion. Until . . .

 

Yep, heroes come in all shapes and sizes, ages and economic standards - or the lack thereof. He could have stayed hidden when, heading home one night from a surprisingly pleasant dinner with his younger brother, he witnessed a kidnapping in progress. Hell, if it wasn’t Colin’s turn to buy dinner this time, Tom never would have been in the vicinity of Harrods. He certainly didn’t Christmas shop at the posh department store.

But there they were in an alley behind the high-end store: two assailants, two citizens already dead, and another without a prayer of escaping her dastardly fate. How could any man with a thimbleful of integrity simply cower behind a car and watch?

 

Before he could say “Stay hidden, you fool!” Tom was charging across the alley like bloody Superman, getting battered to a pulp, his nose broken . . . saving the day. Winning the admiration and gratitude of sultry American actress, Melanie Adams.

 

Hypnotic green eyes, perfect skin, dark brown hair cascading about her shoulders. Beautiful, and genuine.

 

Hmmm. So far, so good. Right?

 

Wrong.

Would it have made one bit of difference in his actions, if Tom had known Melanie’s would be-kidnappers were members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army? That saving her would put him, not only in the sights of a ruthless IRA assassin, but those of a sister bent on revenge after her brother (the lone surviving assailant) is taken into custody?

 

Bodies and baddies abound in Bill Ward’s REVENGE (Amazon Digital Services Inc, ASIN: B00F0SLWEA, 214 pp). Ward entices readers on a trolley ride of action, murder and attempted murder, bombings, traitors, a chase through London’s Victoria Station tube, and a gauntlet of surprising twists and turns. As if those crowded pages aren’t enough to keep readers glued, the author weaves unlikely romance into the mix. Tom Ashdown and Hollywood’s glamour girl? Will they -- or won’t they? No spoilers here. Readers will have to treat themselves to this suspenseful thriller to find out. I’m giving this one four stars.

~ ~ ~

Recently retired from the corporate world, Bill Ward at long last fulfilled his ambition to become an author having produced two thrillers: REVENGE and ENCRYPTION. Look inside these riveting reads at http://www.amazon.com/Bill-Ward/e/B00F154DZ2/

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Brit Tom Ashdown is an ordinary man, living a somewhat ordinary life. Eking out a barely sustainable living at his small betting shop in Brighton, his modest home mortgaged to the hilt, a virtual stranglehold on his bank account. He is nobody’s hero. Truth be told, in forty-two years of living, Tom never even considered the notion. Until . . .

Yep, heroes come in all shapes and sizes, ages and economic standards - or the lack thereof. He could have stayed hidden when, heading home one night from a surprisingly pleasant dinner with his younger brother, he witnessed a kidnapping in progress. Hell, if it wasn’t Colin’s turn to buy dinner this time, Tom never would have been in the vicinity of Harrods. He certainly didn’t Christmas shop at the posh department store.

But there they were in an alley behind the high-end store: two assailants, two citizens already dead, and another without a prayer of escaping her dastardly fate. How could any man with a thimbleful of integrity simply cower behind a car and watch?

Before he could say “Stay hidden, you fool!” Tom was charging across the alley like bloody Superman, getting battered to a pulp, his nose broken . . . saving the day. Winning the admiration and gratitude of sultry American actress, Melanie Adams.

Hypnotic green eyes, perfect skin, dark brown hair cascading about her shoulders. Beautiful, and genuine.

Hmmm. So far, so good. Right?

Wrong.

Would it have made one bit of difference in his actions, if Tom had known Melanie’s would be-kidnappers were members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army? That saving her would put him, not only in the sights of a ruthless IRA assassin, but those of a sister bent on revenge after her brother (the lone surviving assailant) is taken into custody?

Bodies and baddies abound in Bill Ward’s REVENGE (Amazon Digital Services Inc, ASIN: B00F0SLWEA, 214 pp). Ward entices readers on a trolley ride of action, murder and attempted murder, bombings, traitors, a chase through London’s Victoria Station tube, and a gauntlet of surprising twists and turns. As if those crowded pages aren’t enough to keep readers glued, the author weaves unlikely romance into the mix. Tom Ashdown and Hollywood’s glamour girl? Will they -- or won’t they? No spoilers here. Readers will have to treat themselves to this suspenseful thriller to find out. I’m giving this one four stars.




Recently retired from the corporate world, Bill Ward at long last fulfilled his ambition to become an author having produced two thrillers: REVENGE and ENCRYPTION. Look inside these riveting reads at http://www.amazon.com/Bill-Ward/e/B00F154DZ2/

A tall cup of lemonade. Mmm. Cool, refreshing. Just what a visit to Pelion, South Carolina’s annual Peanut Fair calls for.

 

But no, wait a minute . . . Splat!

 

Not when the beverage is thrown at your boss Margaret DuBose, State Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, just as she takes the podium during a goodwill mission to inaugurate the town’s new firehouse.

 

Quick thinking is called for. Action. Carolina Slade dives in front of DuBose, Slade’s lovely J.C. Penney loafers and khaki slacks catching the brunt of the sticky liquid — and thus begins PALMETTO POISON, the third installment of C. Hope Clark’s rousing and clever Carolina Slade Mysteries (ASIN: B00IE68F54, ISBN13: 978-1611944051, Bell Bridge Books, February 2014, 280 pp).

 

The cup-wielder turns out to be young C.J. Wheeler, teenage nephew of Governor Dick Wheeler. His father has been arrested and charged with dealing in illegal prescriptions from the VA, and the kid’s looking for someone to blame. Of course, he spews his anger, frustration and fear at the nearest government representatives: namely Margaret DuBose and her USDA entourage, Slade and Monroe Prevatte.

 

What boy wouldn’t?

 

Unfortunately, having recently solved a crime involving tomato farmers, Slade’s investigative proficiency precedes her. The kid’s not interested in being placated by a government agent imported from the Lowcountry for the purpose of arresting hard-working farmers on trumped up charges. With a squeal of his pickup’s tires, C.J. speeds out of the parking lot. The last time anyone will see him alive.

 

Single mother of two with a new house and a new job, constantly balancing work and her relationship with Special Agent Wayne Largo, Slade doesn’t need additional complications in her life. Coasting a while would be nice.

 

Yeah, right. When pigs take voice lessons and sing at the Met.

 

Slade is practically mowed down in the parking lot by her beau’s gun-toting, DEA agent ex. Her wayward, in the middle-of-a-divorce younger sister Ally arrives on her doorstep.

 

On top of all that, Dubose has arranged for Slade to meet privately with the governor — and the meeting doesn’t go well. Dick Wheeler requests her to monitor his brother’s case, to find out what evidence the DEA has on him. To keep him informed.

 

Not exactly Slade’s job. But plenty of fuel to keep fans turning the pages of Clark’s well-crafted PALMETTO POISON. This talented author invites readers to join her gutsy protagonist as she endures more irate family members of the accused farmer, being followed by a mysterious black SUV, her beau’s elusive sister (on the run from his DEA agent ex), accidents, a nudist resort, kidnapping and an investigation that turns deadly.

 

Clark once again delivers action, grit, tenderness and humor aplenty. If you haven’t read a Carolina Slade Mystery, I urge you to cut a fast-track to your favorite bookseller. If you have read the first two installments of this contemporary and unique series, LOWCOUNTRY BRIBE and TIDEWATER MURDER, then you’re in for yet another treat. PALMETTO POISON does not disappoint. I personally hope C. Hope Clark has a few more of these page-turners in the works.

C. Hope Clark holds a B.S. in Agriculture from Clemson University and has 25 years experience with the US Department of Agriculture. She also manages FundsforWriters.com, a weekly newsletter service she founded that reaches approximately 50,000 writers from professors and journalists to published mystery authors. To learn more about this author and her other works visit her website at http://chopeclark.com/

A tall cup of lemonade. Mmm. Cool, refreshing. Just what a visit to Pelion, South Carolina’s annual Peanut Fair calls for.  

But no, wait a minute . . . Splat!

Not when the beverage is thrown at your boss Margaret DuBose, State Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, just as she takes the podium during a goodwill mission to inaugurate the town’s new firehouse.

 Quick thinking is called for. Action. Carolina Slade dives in front of DuBose, Slade’s lovely J.C. Penney loafers and khaki slacks catching the brunt of the sticky liquid — and thus begins PALMETTO POISON, the third installment of C. Hope Clark’s rousing and clever Carolina Slade Mysteries (ASIN: B00IE68F54, ISBN13: 978-1611944051, Bell Bridge Books, February 2014, 280 pp).

 The cup-wielder turns out to be young C.J. Wheeler, teenage nephew of Governor Dick Wheeler. His father has been arrested and charged with dealing in illegal prescriptions from the VA, and the kid’s looking for someone to blame. Of course, he spews his anger, frustration and fear at the nearest government representatives: namely Margaret DuBose and her USDA entourage, Slade and Monroe Prevatte.

 What boy wouldn’t?

Unfortunately, having recently solved a crime involving tomato farmers, Slade’s investigative proficiency precedes her. The kid’s not interested in being placated by a government agent imported from the Lowcountry for the purpose of arresting hard-working farmers on trumped up charges. With a squeal of his pickup’s tires, C.J. speeds out of the parking lot. The last time anyone will see him alive.

 Single mother of two with a new house and a new job, constantly balancing work and her relationship with Special Agent Wayne Largo, Slade doesn’t need additional complications in her life. Coasting a while would be nice.

 Yeah, right. When pigs take voice lessons and sing at the Met.

Slade is practically mowed down in the parking lot by her beau’s gun-toting, DEA agent ex. Her wayward, in the middle-of-a-divorce younger sister Ally arrives on her doorstep.

On top of all that, Dubose has arranged for Slade to meet privately with the governor — and the meeting doesn’t go well. Dick Wheeler requests her to monitor his brother’s case, to find out what evidence the DEA has on him. To keep him informed.

Not exactly Slade’s job. But plenty of fuel to keep fans turning the pages of Clark’s well-crafted PALMETTO POISON. This talented author invites readers to join her gutsy protagonist as she endures more irate family members of the accused farmer, being followed by a mysterious black SUV, her beau’s elusive sister (on the run from his DEA agent ex), accidents, a nudist resort, kidnapping and an investigation that turns deadly.

Clark once again delivers action, grit, tenderness and humor aplenty. If you haven’t read a Carolina Slade Mystery, I urge you to cut a fast-track to your favorite bookseller. If you have read the first two installments of this contemporary and unique series, LOWCOUNTRY BRIBE and TIDEWATER MURDER, then you’re in for yet another treat. PALMETTO POISON does not disappoint. I personally hope C. Hope Clark has a few more of these page-turners in the works.



C. Hope Clark holds a B.S. in Agriculture from Clemson University and has 25 years experience with the US Department of Agriculture. She also manages FundsforWriters.com, a weekly newsletter service she founded that reaches approximately 50,000 writers from professors and journalists to published mystery authors. To learn more about this author and her other works visit her website at http://chopeclark.com/

I participated in a forum the other day where one person jokingly said (or maybe it was sarcasm), "The only thing that the great majority of young people read today are text messages. In order to read a book, they have to take their eyes off of their smart phones."

 

I argued differently, of course. Because I know better.

 

This past Christmas, among her requests for  popular music CD's, my twelve year old granddaughter asked for five books: THE LAST PRESENT, LEAP DAY, DIVERGENT, WONDER . . . and a thesaurus. A thesaurus, you say? Damn straight. And upon receipt of said thesaurus, Ireland immediately began combing through the pages, highlighter in hand.

 

That said, and the clichéd proof truly being in the pudding, I wanted to take this moment to offer mega congratulations to Ireland on her short story "The Silent Forest" winning an Honorable Mention in the 2013-14 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, regionally sponsored by the Harris County Department of Education. This competition was established by Maurice Robinson, founder of Scholastic Books Inc, and is the largest and most prestigious recognition program and source of scholarships for creative teens in the United States (grades 7-12).

 

2013 marked the Awards’ 90th anniversary, and this year more than 230,000 submissions were received in 28 categories. Dramatic script, journalism, humor, novel-writing, science fiction, painting, sculpture, photography, fashion design, film, animation, video game design — to name a few. Entries were judged on the merits of originality, technical skill, and personal vision or voice.

 

That’s 230,000 young artists and writers and designers, mind you, who are definitely not glued 24-7 to a smart phone. These bright and talented kids are digging deep into the wealth of their imaginations, flexing creative muscles, tweaking newly discovered gifts . . . soaring. Where would they be if there were no arts programs in our schools?

 

Oh, and did I tell you my granddaughter is only twelve? Of course I did.

 

Here are only a few of the Awards generous supporters: Scholastic Inc, the Maurice R. Robinson Fund, The New York Times, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, Amazon.com and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

 

Distinguished alumni of this award include Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, Zac Posen, John Updike, Robert Redford, John Lithgow, Joyce Carol Oates and Stephen King. I'd say Ireland's in pretty good company. Way to go, kid!

To learn more about the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and how you can support the arts in our schools go to SCHOLASTIC.

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I participated in a forum the other day where one person jokingly said (or maybe it was sarcasm), "The only thing that the great majority of young people read today are text messages. In order to read a book, they have to take their eyes off of their smart phones."

I argued differently, of course. Because I know better.

This past Christmas, among her requests for  popular music CD's, my twelve year old granddaughter asked for five books: THE LAST PRESENT, LEAP DAY, DIVERGENT, WONDER . . . and a thesaurus. A thesaurus, you say? Damn straight. And upon receipt of said thesaurus, Ireland immediately began combing through the pages, highlighter in hand.

That said, and the clichéd proof truly being in the pudding, I wanted to take this moment to offer mega congratulations to Ireland on her short story "The Silent Forest" winning an Honorable Mention in the 2013-14 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, regionally sponsored by the Harris County Department of Education. This competition was established by Maurice Robinson, founder of Scholastic Books Inc, and is the largest and most prestigious recognition program and source of scholarships for creative teens in the United States (grades 7-12).

2013 marked the Awards’ 90th anniversary, and this year more than 230,000 submissions were received in 28 categories. Dramatic script, journalism, humor, novel-writing, science fiction, painting, sculpture, photography, fashion design, film, animation, video game design — to name a few. Entries were judged on the merits of originality, technical skill, and personal vision or voice.

That’s 230,000 young artists and writers and designers, mind you, who are definitely not glued 24-7 to a smart phone. These bright and talented kids are digging deep into the wealth of their imaginations, flexing creative muscles, tweaking newly discovered gifts . . . soaring. Where would they be if there were no arts programs in our schools?

Oh, and did I tell you my granddaughter is only twelve? Of course I did.

Here are only a few of the Awards generous supporters: Scholastic Inc, the Maurice R. Robinson Fund, The New York Times, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, Amazon.com and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Distinguished alumni of this award include Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, Zac Posen, John Updike, Robert Redford, John Lithgow, Joyce Carol Oates and Stephen King. I'd say Ireland's in pretty good company. Way to go, kid!

To learn more about the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and how you can support the arts in our schools go to SCHOLASTIC.