As often happens, college classes sparked an idea—a desire. Authors needed exposure for their books. Word of mouth goes so far, but what if more “mouths” could be rallied to spread the word about great books? Sandy Barela took all she’d learned in the marketing classes and began with one blog Continue Reading
Blog
What Are The Best Genre & Retelling Mashups Ever?
Once in a while, I get a hankering to read something different. So, I give myself permission to do what I call a "free read" every now and then. That's one where I get to read whatever I want. Well, recently, my decision to enjoy a specific free read got me thinking about one of my favorite Continue Reading
So, Which of these Faces Is the Real Me?
The announcement came on Facebook. David Rawlings’ new book, Where the Road Bends was up for pre-order. I thought I’d snapped it up that minute, but I didn’t. Looking back, I think I waited to make sure there wasn’t going to be a blog tour. After reading and reviewing The Baggage Handler and The Continue Reading
When Evil Pretends to Be Good, Terrible Things Happen
I don’t recall how I found her books, and I only remember small bits of them here and there—YA horror or thriller, I’d call them. Stories of what turned out to be witchcraft and other elements of the occult. Lois Duncan. She was a good writer, but I had no idea what I’d started reading until I Continue Reading
This Story about Deadly Pirates Should be an Oxymoron
I get my best ideas while driving, in the shower, or (and this is totally my favorite way), over Chinese food. Way back in the dark ages when people actually went and sat down together in restaurants, a friend of mine and I met up at our local Chinese place, The Golden Dragon, and sat in their Continue Reading
Can You Really Make Christian Fiction and True Crime Mesh?
When I heard about a new series blending historical fiction and true crime, well… I knew I’d have to find out more about these. I mean, people’s imaginations are nothing to what horrors actual people do. So, I figured we’d have a great series if… Well, if the authors could pull it off. Did Continue Reading
Love in the Window (a short story)
It came up on my Facebook feed--a contest for a short story. The theme? Ways characters encourage one another during the Covid19 pandemic. They were looking for encouraging stories about how communities come together, how faith is shown in isolation and used to bridge communities that couldn't Continue Reading
When You Love an Author but not One Book
"So many books. So little time." How many times have I said that? Probably enough to make me a walking, talking cliche. But it's kind of true, you know? I get these emails, you see. "New Tour Alert" followed by a title or cover that grabs me or by an author name that says, "You know you Continue Reading
Sometimes “It’s Better” Is the Greatest Understatement Ever
My feet pounded the treadmill as I scrolled page by page through the book. I’d never heard of the author—Courtney Walsh. But the cover had taunted and tempted me until I bought it. I hadn’t even read the synopsis, but after I did… Bookstore? Refurbished furniture? Notes on hearts? What isn’t Continue Reading
Can Anything Do Justice to a Cover This Beautiful?
A stack of packages waited for me when I woke up that morning. I opened the “boring” ones first. Laundry pods from Dropps.com, Bathroom scrubbing things from Amazon. A new journal I’d decided to make a part of my 2020 routine. Confession. I actually already had it. But I had bought a new one from Continue Reading
It’s Time to Stop with the Backhanded Attacks
It’s a normal scene here in our small town. Mothers shopping with their adult daughters, friends shopping together—sometimes sharing the same cart. No one thinks anything of it when you get to the checkout line and divide it by household. Or rather, they didn’t. Before. A friend posted on Continue Reading
The Blue Cloak Review
She didn't like it. After having read one of the other books in the series, I was certain she would love The Blue Cloak. But Mom had strong opinions on the book--it didn't make sense, she said. The crime spree had no impetus, as far as she could see. And several other elements bothered Continue Reading
