Diane Wing's Blog

Ready to be lifted from the mundane? Samuel's journey will inspire, entertain, and lift your spirit.

"Very few books today can entertain, teach and give you a feeling of peace." - Amazon review by RJ1

The New Expanded Edition of Forest of the Dead: Stories of Transformation

In the first book, Samuel discovers his gift of hearing the stories of tree spirits near his home in Pennsylvania. In the second book, he travels to Peru to continue his training. This combined edition has both books in one volume! There's also an updated cover.

When Samuel is left with final instructions to bury his mother in Willow Ponds Cemetery, her passing unlocks an impossible gift: the power to hear the whispered memories of tree spirits. From the solemn canopies of Pennsylvania's Forest of the Dead to the vibrant, breathing jungles of Peru, he learns to tap into the deep ancestral wisdom housed within roots and bark. As these arboreal spirits share their hidden histories, Samuel discovers striking parallels to his own life and grief--lessons that challenge his understanding of humanity and guide him toward his own phenomenal growth and profound healing.
A luminous collection of magical realism short stories, this book invites readers on an extraordinary journey of transformation and soul-searching. In listening to the voices of the trees, you might just find your own.

"Forest of the Dead was intriguing, enveloping, inspiring, and soul-transmuting. I saw so much of me throughout the book in odd ways that I can't describe." -- Lyn Hicks, author of The Lotus Project: The Art of Being a Woman

"Diane Wing's endlessly fascinating imagination, scholarly knowledge, and deep originality shine in her latest literary offering. Enter Wing's Forest of the Dead and discover what truths await you! --Maxine Ashcraft, Oakland, CA

To celebrate, we're giving away 100 Kindle copies (US only) on Goodreads for the next 7 days. Enter for your chance to win today!
Enter the Giveaway

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

It took me a couple of chapters to get into this book, but once I did, it hooked me. The magical tree, the way secrets can harm lives, and how the characters came out of the heaviness of their burdens to find the light within themselves and their place within the family and community created a beautiful story. The magical tree and the characters' abilities of finding things, healing others, and hearing what houses had to say, added the perfect touch of magical realism. It's a lesson in not judging others, especially since you don't know what challenges others face or the true story behind the lies. The story demonstrates how giving love and support provides powerful healing magic.

The fifth book in the Chrissy the Shih Tzu Cozy Mystery series, Doggone Honeymoon, is now available in audiobook format!

To celebrate, we're having a Chrissy's Mysteries trivia contest. Everyone is eligible to enter.

The first five folks who email me their response to Diane@DianeWingAuthor.com and answer 70% of the questions correctly will win the code for a free Doggone Honeymoon audiobook!

Here are the questions. Good luck!

Attorney At Paw
How did Autumn find Chrissy?
Why did Autumn adopt Chrissy?
What is Chrissy's special ability?
What happened to Chrissy's first pet parent?

The Dog-Eared Diary
Who wrote the diary Autumn found?
What is the secret of Autumn's lineage?
What is the name of Chrissy's doggie best friend? What kind of dog was he?

Trick or Doggy Treat
What is the name of the town Autumn lives in?
What is the name of Autumn's movie star guest?

A Winter's Tail
What did Chrissy find in the snowbank?

I'm excited to announce that the audiobook version of book 5 in the Chrissy the Shih Tzu Cozy Mystery series is now available!

To celebrate, on Monday, 5/11, I'll open the Doggone Honeymoon audiobook trivia contest. Everyone is eligible to enter. Trivia questions from the first four books in the Chrissy the Shih Tzu Cozy Mystery series will be sent to interested contestants via email rather than posted. The first five folks who answer 70% of the questions correctly will win the code for a free Doggone Honeymoon audiobook!

Stay tuned for further news. In the meantime, happy Mother's Day!

Happy reading!

Diane

Greetings!

The holidays are a difficult time for many. I know lots of folks struggling with illness-their own or a loved one's-and trying to stay calm and strong. People write to me and tell me of their recent loss of a beloved human or fur baby. Some grapple with the nostalgia of the season.

As we move into the winter holidays and a brand new year ahead, stay grateful, send love to those who need it, and be kind. You never know what someone is dealing with. Reach out and check on people; see how they're doing. Showing you care goes a long way in lifting a person out of the darkness.

I'm grateful for you and all the blessings I've received now and throughout my life. I'm sending love and support to those dealing with heartache.

Wishing you joy, health, and love during the holidays and always.

Diane Wing

Halloween is my favorite holiday, and this time of year inspires spooky stories. As a child, I enjoyed telling scary stories to other kids, sometimes with a flashlight pointing up under my chin or accompanied by ominous notes on the piano. My parents received calls from concerned parents whose children had to sleep with the light on after they had begged me to tell them one of my stories. All I did was accommodate!

The fun of telling a spooky story has stayed with me into the present day. If you've never read them, doing so may conjure childhood fears or the need to sleep with the light on. If you're in the mood for something on the darker side, check out my offerings:

Thorne Manor and other bizarre tales - Horror
Trips to the Edge - if you liked The Twilight Zone
Coven: The Scrolls of the Four Winds - Dark Fantasy

I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I did writing them. Have a safe, happy, and spooky Halloween!

Diane

Do you enjoy getting to know authors? My YouTube channel interviews authors and delves deep into what they offer readers. Topics include transformational leadership, inner beauty, grief, spirituality, guardian angels, and Feng Shui. Grab a cup of tea and settle in for enlightening conversations that inspire, teach, and encourage.

https://www.youtube.com/@dianewing

Enjoy!

Help manage stress and have a more positive outlook with 50% savings.

It's on sale for $2.99 on Kindle today through Sunday, The Happiness Perspective: Seeing Your Life Differently,

https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Pers...

Enjoy!

Diane

Dear Readers,

First, four of my books are on sale starting today through Sunday.

The first three books in the Chrissy's Cozy Mysteries series are on sale on Kindle for $1.99! Start the adventure today.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G587CMB?...

Forest of the Dead: Stories of Transformation (magical realism) is on Kindle and Nook for $2.99.

Also, I read a lot of reviews, for my books and for the work of many other authors. I use the information to gauge what pleases readers and to see what they don't like in various genres in an effort to bring enjoyment to my own readers.

It made me think about what my own criteria are for the ratings I give.

The reviews I post on Goodreads focus on the books I've enjoyed, whether it's 4 or 5 stars. These are the ones where the story pulls me in, I care about the characters, and I want to get back to reading as soon as possible to find out what happens next.

The ones that get a 3 or below in my mind are the ones where I start skimming because the narrative contains way too much description, I can't wait for it to be over, I can't bring myself to finish, I stop caring about the characters or the story, and where the characters are immature, never grow, or make silly choices throughout the book.

I'd love to hear what your rating scale is overall and an example of one of your favorite books based on your criteria.

Happy reading!

Diane

Good morning,

In honor of the holiday season, today through Saturday, 12/21, the Kindle editions of Doggone Honeymoon: A Chrissy the Shih Tzu Cozy Mystery, The True Nature of Energy: Transforming Anxiety into Tranquility, and The Happiness Perspective: Seeing Your Life Differently are on sale for $2.99! Start the new year off right with a fun read and new perspective. 😄

Many blessings to you and yours for a safe and wonderful holiday!

Diane