Another wonderful story from the lovable characters in Beauville, NY. I love the ongoing characters like Meg and Mary, then folks cross their path and add another touching story to the series.
This book is actually two combined, “Mandy’s Dream,” and “The Rule of Thirds.” Warning, both are tearjerkers and so very touching! “Mandy’s Dream” is the story of Meg and a new character, Jessica, who’s a gifted young artist, helping a young girl named Mandy who has been mute since both her parents died in a horrible accident. Spending time with the girl and introducing her to expressing her feelings through art plus interacting with a special horse helped the girl to heal from her trauma. In the story they write a book for Mandy to express her feelings which is included with beautiful artwork and also sold separately for young children dealing with grief. Beautifully done on both literary and illustration levels.
“The Rule of Thirds” title relates to art design, yet in this story ties in how often a group of three has meaning in our lives. In this story, Jessica’s journey as an artist continues as well as a surprising and exciting development in her life. Saying anything else would be a spoiler so I’ll leave it at that.
I love this series and highly recommend it. While the main characters are high school age living back in the 70s, their situations are apropos regardless of the decade. The author has a gift for creating warm, relatable characters and touching situations most will encounter at some point in their life. I would have loved these books as a teen and do today as a great-grandmother. Highly recommended.
I’m extremely excited that “Elke’s Magic” in this series is a screenplay that is in pre-production! I can’t wait to see it on TV someday!
You can pick up your copy of “Duet” on Amazon here and available thru Kindle Unlimited.
Review of “The Wall Between” by Inger Margaret Foster
My binge marathon on Inger Margaret Foster’s books continues!
The point of historical fiction is to take you to some time in the past and live it. This story definitely does that and more! I’m old enough to remember much of what went on back in the 70s. I also remember when President Ronald Reagan told Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin wall. But never did it have the impact as it did in this amazing tale of a couple separated by it and the horrible policies that were in place when East and West Berlin were separated.
That was the situation at the end of WWII when Communist Russia got East Germany and the allies got West Germany. What it required to cross from one side to the other was solid identification, then being escorted by an armed guard who kept his eye on his watch to make sure the meeting didn’t go longer than it was supposed to.
I’m glad that I read “Elke’s Magic” first, though it’s not required. Nonetheless, it gives you a glimpse of the situation and you get to know the main character. You can also understand why Elke missed her idyllic little cottage back in the States. When she was washing dishes in her humble apartment in West Berlin and remembering the dried herbs hanging above her sink in her little house I could so totally relate! When I lived in Texas I was able to grow a multitude of fresh herbs that I dried in the house, just like that. I hope to be able to do so again, maybe next year, though some won’t survive where I live now in New York State, where it’s so much colder.
I absolutely loved this story and it touched me deeply. I read it in a single sitting, unable to put it down. Highly recommended to understand what the people in Germany went through during those dark and trying years.
You can get your copy on Amazon here, for free if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited.
Inger Margaret Foster is an author and screenwriter who writes primarily for a young adult audience though the depth and feeling imbued in her books make them a great read for all ages. If you’re looking for a book loaded with love, compassion, and strong characters dealing with life’s problems, these are for you. In many cases they contain “mystical realism” that brings a touch of the paranormal, adding to their charm.If you or someone you know, especially a young adult, is dealing with a certain challenge right now, check out her books for one that might help them understand and cope with itbetter by feeling less alone.
You can learn more about Inger on her website. Be sure to check out her blogs that often spill a few secrets and/or background about her stories. All her books are available on Amazon with all but the children’s paperbacks available through Kindle Unlimited.
Me: When did you first know you wanted to write stories?
Inger: I’ve always loved reading. I attended an amazing public school system, where we were exposed to the classics early on. We read Shakespeare in the fifth grade! That foundation paved the way to writing.
Me: That’s awesome! It’s too bad they don’t still do that. What was your first story about? When did you write it?
Inger: One that I remember clearly was written in college, and it was drawn from a true life story from my mother’s home town about two brothers out fishing, with a gun in the boat. The youngest boy held up the gun, pretending to shoot his brother. And the gun accidentally went off, killing the older boy. I called the story “Brothers” and I wrote it from the younger boy’s perspective.
Me: Wow! What a sad story. But that shows you have a strong sense of empathy and ability to relate to people’s feelings. Your stories tend to have a connection with the “other side” and paranormal events. Have you had similar experiences yourself?
Inger: Yes! Many times! To me, interaction with spirit is comfortable and completely normal. My stories fall under the realm of Magical Realism, the juxtaposing of the magical aspects of unconventional elements with reality. And many of the storylines are the product of an urging from what I can only describe as other worldly sources.
Me: I love that! I think we get nudges like that a lot if we just learn to listen. Do you have a favorite character? If so, which one is it?
Inger: Yes. But don’t tell the other characters! Elke is my favorite. Even though her character is not present in all of the books, she is the reason for the series.
Me: She is indeed charming, someone I’d love to know in person. She does remind me of my neighbor back in Texas with a similar German background. What is the easiest part of writing for you?
Inger: The actual writing is the easiest. Once I have the main idea for the storyline, I write the ending and all the rest tumbles out in a flurry!
Me: That’s awesome! Knowing how a story ends is so integral to it. Like that quote I saw the other day about plays, where if there’s a problem with the 3rd Act the real problem is with the 1st Act! If you don’t have a strong ending, you don’t really have a story. What is the most difficult part of writing for you?
Inger: Editing!
Me: LOL! I don’t think there’s an author out there who wouldn’t agree with that! Except perhaps for those who don’t bother, which inevitably shows! What are you working on now?
Inger: I have been writing screenplays for about a year now, and I love every minute of it! I’m working now on a paranormal series, and have a few more episodes to write.
Me: That is so exciting! It will be such a joy to see your work come to life on the screen! How long does it usually take you to write one of your novels?
Inger: About six months, from start to finish.
Me: That’s pretty quick! tell me how your Circles of the Soul series came about.
Inger: Sorry, this is long! Anyway, The Final Canoe Ride was the first book written, followed by Split Soul as the sequel. I then wrote Elke’s Magic, the prequel. They were all published through a small publishing house. I was going to end there, and then the pandemic hit. That was when I discovered independent publishing on demand, and just wrote like crazy. I wrote the sequel to Elke: Mandy’s Dream and then: The Rule of Thirds, developing a trilogy of YA books called Things Come in Threes. I then rewrote the first three books, changing one of the characters. It helped with the series flow. After that, I wrote Circles, which followed Split Soul and The Final Canoe Ride, and called that trilogy The Circles of the Soul. While writing Back in the Before, I brought the character of Elke back and decided that I needed to create one continuous series, hence the merging of all books into the Circles of the Soul. It is now a ten book series (two are combined) and it ends with Connections.
Me: I love how they all tie together! But when you develop strong characters it’s always easy to continue on with their lives. In my experience, they just kind of take over and tell you what’s going on like a good friend. Do your characters ever surprise you?
Inger: Sometimes! Maureen, in Always Just Beyond, is very sneaky and she almost wrote her own story!
Me: I can see that! She was very mysterious throughout that story. Yet in the end, it all made perfect sense. I loved that book! I want to read it again sometime now that I know all the secrets. What is your favorite book from your childhood?
Inger: A Wrinkle in Time.
Me: Yes! Such a wonderful classic! I loved it, too. Is your writing style that of a “pantser” or a “plotter?”
Inger: Neither. I know the ending before I start, and I either write that first or have it in my brain. I let the story flow by listening to the characters, sometimes in my dreams. I don’t do an outline, but I know where I want to go even before I start.
Me: That sounds pretty much like a pantser, especially not doing an outline and letting the characters lead. I’m a pantser, too. If I ever have writer’s block it’s because I’m trying to force my characters to do something when they have something else in mind. What’s the most satisfying part of being an author?
Inger: I think when you hear from a reader that your words impacted them, or helped them overcome a loss, it makes it all worthwhile!
Me: Absolutely! I’m sure your insightful stories have touched many readers. You touch on so many things that are painful. That’s so important for the Young Adult genre since that can be a pretty difficult time of life. I love your beautiful book covers! Did you do the photography for them?
Inger: Thank you! All of my book covers are from my photographs, except Duet: Mandy’s Dream and The Rule of Thirds (a two book combo) and the two children’s books that were all created by the illustrator: Cathlyn A. Driscoll.
Me: You’re a very talented photographer for sure! And they capture the book themes so well. Has a specific event or person ever inspired one of your books, besides your first one that you mentioned earlier?
Inger: There were three things. First: It was my experience dealing with breast cancer that was the inspiration to write a series of stories that eventually evolved into my first novel: The Final Canoe Ride.
Second: My father was my inspiration, for not only the historical parts of the Resistance during WWII but for his interest in reincarnation, a theme that runs through the last four books in The CIrcles of the Soul series.
Third: My German friend, Heidi, was the inspiration for the character of Elke.
Me: Your inspiration was definitely captured. Yes, reincarnation and the next life are fascinating and there’s so much interest in them these days. People need to know that what we have here is only the beginning. What advice do you have for new writers just getting started on their journey?
Inger: Write often. Write from the heart. And don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Me: Great advice! Writing that originates from the heart is what so many readers are looking for. The books that I remember and are most likely to go back and read again are the ones that touch my heart.
Thanks for telling us about your ongoing journey as an author, Inger!
Below are links to her books on Amazon (as well as via the cover photos) plus to her website for those of you who’d like to know more.
I absolutely loved this beautiful story. If you have (or are) a teenager, this is a book I recommend very highly. It’s important to note that it takes place in the 1970s, a time I remember well, yet is ancient history to kids today. Things have changed, a lot, and much of it for the good, especially in recognizing how people are traumatized and how they can be helped. Back then you were on your own. Even if you had the money for counseling, there was little known at that time about many of the problems people encounter today. Those that overcame were probably stronger, but no telling what scars they lived with. And what about those who didn’t?
June Adams is a 17 year old who is overwhelmed by numerous unfortunate events in her life which ultimately endow her with way too much responsibility. While she considers ending it all, fortunately this is averted and June steps up to what she must do. A good friend as well as a very special friend where she works help her hang in there. She finds time to pursue her talents and being a normal teen in spite of her many challenges.
This story is powerful on so many levels. Accepting things the way they are and just dealing with them while maintaining a positive attitude is so important, yet seldom easy. Dealing with loss is difficult, no matter what your age or experience.
One thing I love about this author’s books is the way they blur the boundaries between life and death. This book is part of her “Circles of the Soul” series, which I intend to explore in its entirety. Those on the “other side” are still there, caring about those they left behind. They are now in a better place and as much as they may be missed, the best way to honor them is to continue to embrace the life you have.
If I were a high school teacher I would make this story required reading, which would fit well for either English or Social Studies classes. Highly recommended for all ages.
Learn more about the author and her other books on her website here.
Review of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses”
This book has so many layers I hardly know where to start. First of all the prose is so beautifully poetic that aspiring writers of any genre should read it as a sterling example of that alone. Her use of analogies and metaphors add so much for the depth it reveals about this incredible author whose indigenous roots shine brightly in her books.
I never would have imagined that there could be that many varieties of mosses or that someone could devote their life and earn a PhD to their study. Our world is full of wonders, many of which are consistently overlooked. The beauty of mosses is clearly overlooked by the average person, myself included.
I love nature of all varieties, and was fascinated as well as astounded by the botanical side of this book. Who has ever expected more beauty from a moss beyond its soft, velvety touch on tree trunks or an old stone wall? That some mosses you may find are as old as the place they occupy? That they are true home-bodies and don’t respond well to being moved? That they can live for centuries, yet are so sensitive and particular about where they grow?
How many people realize that moss has amazing absorption qualities such that it can hold 60X its weight in liquid? Or that prior to the availability of cloth much less Huggies that ancient woman used it for diapers or sanitary products? If you need a trivia question no one is likely to guess there’s one for you!
Robin’s love for nature is impossible to miss. As a Native American she has a connection to Mother Earth that most white people lack. A couple times when she mentioned a species evolving I had to smile. I guess you can’t get to PhD level without being indoctrinated to the white scientific view of the world to some degree. But surely in her heart she knows that each of these beautiful plants was created as were all the animals and humans.
Her experiences during her research were fascinating. Canoeing through rivers embraced by steep canyon walls, a research center accessible only by boat where she would spend summers with her daughters, a consulting job at some anonymous wealthy owner’s estate who was trying to coerce nature to his will, thinking money alone was enough.
As an integrated whole, this book is like a guided meditation. It’s about so much more than the science of bryophytes. The title has as many layers as the book itself. Like the cliche, “A rolling stone gathers no moss,” it beckons you to slow down and look closer at the world around you.
This book is a masterpiece. Think of it as a walk through the woods on a spring day, not to be rushed, expectations open, or you’ll miss its magic. It’s encouraging to see how popular her books are, that people are seeking a world that those obsessed with power and greed have tried so hard to hide.
Today, October 29, is National Cat Day. A while back I decided to post a review for a book about cats as part of the celebration, since I’m a devout cat lover. When I found this one it sounded interesting enough that I bought a copy.
I’m not sure where to begin reviewing it. I’ll start by saying that the ages 9 – 18 for which it’s listed is extremely inaccurate. There is no way some of the scenes in this story are suitable for a child. I’d set the minimum age at no less than 15.
Whether it involves people or animals, there are certain violent, gratuitous acts that a young child does not need to read about. The violent murder of one of the original human characters and the gang rape of a fox with a graphic description of her injuries were horrifying enough, much less for a child. Other sexual innuendoes were also very borderline acceptable for a nine year old. What was he thinking?
Supposedly this author has written other children’s books as well. I surely hope they’re not as graphic and inappropriate as this one. I found this the most troubling and why I gave it an abysmal one-star review on Amazon when combined with all its other flaws. I shudder to think of someone buying this book for their child or grandchild, much less attempting to read it aloud.
My overall impression is that it was dark, unpleasant, and at times downright disturbing. True, nature can be cruel, but who would impose this on a young child in the guise of an animal story? I grew up on animal stories by Paul Gallico and Robert Lawson that were not even in the same universe as this one.
Bad reviews are no fun for authors but I feel it’s only fair to explain why I gave it such a poor rating. Maybe the author will learn something from it. Sadly, this is another example of a self-published book that gives all independent authors a bad name.
So let’s take a look at my observations.
The cats’ names were those of the Sun, Moon, and planets, an apparent attempt to bring in an astrological theme. However, whatever personality they may have had is not particularly noticeable, much less related to the archetypes of the planets, with the possible exception of Neptune. One human character named Wicked was apparently named Wizard in an earlier version, the change not corrected in a few places. Why he had that name was not apparent because he wasn’t a bad guy.
The writing style was unique and has possibilities, but seemed a bit archaic. Besides that, the book as a whole is in desperate need of serious, I mean serious, editing. The plot, I suppose, was of the “quest” variety, but didn’t hit the mark there, either. He never explained as far as I could tell why the evil “eyes of the mountain” had it in for poor Pluto. Some paragraphs were a page long. Redundant statements littered the narrative throughout as well as typos galore and even wrong words, e.g. “mercifully” instead of “mercilessly.”
Sentence fragments are often used in fiction for effect, but rather than technique, this joined numerous other examples showing blatant ignorance of proper grammar. Punctuation of dialog was almost always incorrect and the speaker’s identity often in question. Subject-verb agreement was likewise often wrong. I guess the point of view was omniscient since many observations in the narrative were far beyond that of the animal protagonists the author claimed to represent. I suspect he was trying to pen an allegorical story steeped in symbolism that simply didn’t work. His original idea may have had something going for it, but he lacked the writing skill and knowledge of literary techniques to execute it successfully.
Besides the writing issues, there was also the matter of structure. The Prologue, which is normally a prequel to the story itself, was more of an Introduction. And the Introduction was more of a combined dramatis personnae and glossary. If anything they seemed like a didactic attempt to spoon-feed the readers what the story was about, in case they missed the point.
This is probably one of the worst books I’ve ever read, all things considered from its inaccurate target audience to the plethora of editorial issues. At least I finished it, which I usually don’t bother to do if a book is so badly written it’s a total waste of my time. I definitely won’t be reading anything else by this author anytime soon and it should be clear I don’t recommend this one. However, it does fit a variation of the old adage, “No book is ever wasted. It can always serve as a bad example.”
There’s no better time for a ghost story than October and this sweet paranormal cozy mystery/romance is perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story with its unique plot and engaging characters. I read it in a single sitting because I couldn’t put it down.
Jo and Philip Briton fall in love with this old house on the waterfront in Connecticut because it just feels like home. They walk out to the water to check the wonderful view and both see an apparition, a beautiful young woman gazing out across the sea. Then she vanishes.
They buy the house anyway and a friendly but somewhat odd neighbor gives them clues relative to its history, including who the ghostly woman was. An old steamer truck in the attic contains more information about the house’s history as well as a small book written a century before that includes more of the story.
The twists and turns are great as the story unfolds, one of which gave me goosebumps. Surprises right up to the very end, which then makes so much sense. I loved the characters, all unique and well-developed. By the end of the story I had one question unanswered that would be a spoiler to include. Perhaps it could be covered by a possible sequel, which would be great.
I’m sure at some point I will reread this touching story, knowing all its little secrets. I loved it and highly recommend it as a wonderful break into another dimension that is closer than we think. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author. I connected with the story even more since some of my ancestors lived in that very part of the country. It was interesting to learn more of the history of the area as well as the mention of familiar places.
[NOTE:–I tried to post the following review to Amazon and it was rejected. I’m not entirely sure why, but I suspect the first paragraph was verboten, which figures, right? I edited it down significantly and they posted it, but here are my original comments.]
This story stands out as a chilling cautionary tale. While it’s set in 2034, don’t think it’s not already happening. Our reverence for life is seriously compromised as demonstrated by the ongoing abortion issue. At what point does human life begin? Conception? Or with that first breath at birth? What about those laws that have legitimized infanticide? Promote euthanasia? Where is society headed? We are being dehumanized, starting with the most vulnerable members.
It’s difficult to write a review of this story without spoilers. If you’re really paying attention through the first few chapters, it’s possible to figure out what’s going on as people disappear. The story slowly and methodically reveals the horrific truth through the viewpoints of the three main characters.
The premise reminds me of medical thrillers I read years ago by Robin Cook. Suspense author Mary Higgins Clark was another one who worked with such themes. This book lacked that kind of nail-biting suspense. It was written in a very journalistic style that failed to render emotional reactions in the reader. At least that was the case for me. I could tell where it was going, especially after the blatant revelation provided by the android, Daisy, in the middle of the story. If you haven’t figured it out by then, there it is.
This thought-provoking book deserves a lot of attention for its potential to wake people up, if nothing else. Being directed at Christians is somewhat ironic since they aren’t the ones who need to be jolted awake to the evils in the world around them. It would definitely be in the “medical thriller” category if the emotional impact and suspense were ramped up a bit.
Actually, if written to its full emotional potential, this book would be in the horror genre. Since this is the author’s debut novel, I assume she has not yet acquired the writing skills to render an emotional reaction in her readers. (This is normal except for incredibly gifted writers. I didn’t figure it out until around the time I was writing my 6th novel.) This is not a criticism since in this case, it’s a good thing. As it’s written, more people will choose to read it and make it through the book. Rest assured that it does have what can be considered a happy ending, plus incentive to read the sequel.
For what it’s worth, if a book makes me cry and laugh, I’m more impressed. There are a lot of good premises and stories out there that fall short on their emotional impact, which is the element that tends to hook readers and convince me the author knows how to write.
On the editorial side, I think the scriptural quotes were a bit overdone. Not that I don’t agree with them and I understand the underlying Christian message. However, I don’t think their inclusion will convert anyone to Christianity, while conversely, such excessive use could feel “preachy” and be a turnoff for the very people who need to read it. The fellow Christians I’ve been around usually don’t quote the book, chapter and verse, just the content.
The book is beautifully formatted and the cover is great. The editing is well-done regarding misspellings, grammar, typos, etc. Only one thing jumped out that her editor missed: Near the bottom of page 249 of the paperback it says, “There’s no way I’m not going to let that happen.”
Huh?
The way I read it, the double negative conflicted with the statement’s intent. There were a few other things but I may be the only person in a thousand who would notice, so I won’t even mention them all, but if I’d been a beta reader I definitely would have. I guess the biggest one I wondered about as a science fiction author is that I suspect by the year 2034 we won’t be using much paper, but who knows?
I gave this book 4-stars. For a debut novel, she did a pretty good job. It’s worth a read for its very important message of where we might be heading. Heaven help us if it turns out to be prophetic.
As an only child, books were important. Fortunately, my mother read to me as a young child such that I could read by the time I went to school. I was reading chapter books by 3rd grade, maybe sooner. My early favorites were animal stories by authors like Paul Gallico, who wrote “The Abandoned,” my favorite book for many years, perhaps for all time. Robert Lawson, author of “The Tough Winter” was another favorite.
I remember going to the Peekskill New York Public Library in my home town and coming home with a huge stack of books, especially in the summer.
While still in elementary school I discovered Nancy Drew Mysteries. I would save my allowance to buy the latest release and had them all, which were usually read more than once. As a teen my favorite was “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger. I remember reading on a city bus and coming to a part that made me laugh out loud, earning odd looks from my fellow passengers.
As a working adult, I had to give up certain authors because they kept me up all night: Michael Crichton, Tom Clancy, John Grisham, to name a few.
Home at Last!
Somewhere along the line I discovered science fiction. The classics by Jules Verne such as “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine” were my first discovery, followed by Isaac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein, the latter my all-time favorite, especially “The Door Into Summer” and “A Stranger in a Strange Land,” where the word “grok” originated, for those of you who didn’t know.
I scratched out my first science fiction story in 6th grade on yellow lined paper about the planet our teacher hailed from. Not much of a plot, but my classmates found it entertaining. Not surprisingly, an avid reader like myself aspired to be an author when I grew up, more specifically a science fiction author.
One thing that always frustrated me was that science fiction books had very little actual science in them, probably why I favored Heinlein, who was an aeronautical engineer whose fiction started the “hard science fiction” sub-genre.
As a perfectionist, I wanted to learn more about science so that when I wrote my stories they would contain the scientific explanations I craved as a youth. Thus, at 35 I returned to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in physics from Utah State University, followed by a 21 year career at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
We’re told to “Write what you know,” right?
If you’re a fan of “The Big Bang Theory” that might look familiar. 😉
My first science fiction novel, “The Capture of Phaethon,” about an asteroid collision with Earth was written while I was in college. It won me a scholarship as well as First Place Honor in a state competition. Maybe someday I’ll get it published. For now, the manuscript is in a box in the basement. Writing Phaethon was when I discovered the mysterious serendipity associated with creating fiction.
That’s all it is, right? Fiction? Something made up in your head?
My fictitious asteroid was named Phaethon, after the son of Apollo who crashed his father’s chariot into the Sun. Imagine my shock when doing research in the USU library’s NASA section that I found an asteroid by that name had recently been discovered! OMG! Later I discovered its usefulness in astrology, where it often indicates a “crash and burn” situation, figuratively or literally.
Heaven on Earth
The first time I set foot inside a library it felt like I was in Heaven. How it feels within the walls of a building lined with thousands upon thousands of books is as unique as it is indescribable. Every cell senses the knowledge and secrets that await, stirring my soul.
That could be why I often spend as much time researching a book as I do writing it, sometimes more. As much as I love my Kindle, for research it has to be a print book. I dog-ear pages, highlight, and leave sticky-notes galore. When I encounter a used book like that, it tells me someone was really into its content, which is what any author hopes for.
When I wrote the Star Trails Tetralogy I incorporated science and technology problems into the plot. These were books I wanted to read as a youth but couldn’t find. I even created a Compendium with additional information for readers, teachers, and home-schoolers.
Star Trails books were popular in a charter school in Utah among young nerds like I was. I had the privilege of talking to those students a few years ago, which was so much fun. I know of at least one middle school science teacher in Florida who has my books in her classroom for extra credit reading.
My favorite review for these books is the one where my writing was compared to Robert A. Heinlein. Imagine that! I have no idea how many children may have been inspired by them, but it’s good to know of at least a few.
Shifting Genres
“The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon” saga started as a cozy mystery, but my propensity for research quickly led to a far deeper and darker story. My characters got out of hand, as usual, and suddenly I had a main character who was Cheyenne, a culture about which I knew nothing. My encounters with Native Americans was limited, and primarily with the Navajo. Research and serendipity delivered coauthor, Pete Risingsun, who kept the cultural elements on target, to say nothing of the story itself and additional research we did together.
The Reader’s Favorite review for the second book, “Return to Dead Horse Canyon: Grandfather Spirits” noted, to our delight, that “The depth of ethnology packed into both novels is meticulously researched and beautifully detailed. Fox and Risingsun are a dream team with this saga.”
Serendipity was alive and well writing that saga, especially how beautifully ancient ceremonies dove-tailed with the plot as if I’d known about them all along.
What will be lost?
Besides a book’s creative or intellectual content, to me it’s a physical thing. I love how they feel and smell, whether it’s fresh ink newly off the press or a musty antique over a hundred years old. Ebooks just didn’t feel that satisfying. I was grateful when self-publishing a paperback was an option, making it possible to hold my first print book, “Beyond the Hidden Sky,” in my hands and flip through the pages.
However, to me, a real book is a cloth-bound hardback with a dust jacket.
And this past June that dream was finally realized when all three books of the “Dead Horse Canyon” saga were released as hardbacks, laminated covers on Amazon, and real books with a cloth cover and dust jacket available through Ingram which can be found on Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million (BAM), and numerous other booksellers’ websites.
Everything is being digitized, which is convenient, but I shudder to think that my generation of Baby Boomers may be the last to embrace physical, print books. The expense and storage involved versus the option of digitizing everything leaves no other choice.
Given that, how many will grow up without the joy of holding a brand new release from their favorite author in their hands, much less an autographed copy? Or never know the awe and expectation amid the imposed silence found within a massive library? While the words may be the same, there’s an essence found only from a tome in tangible form. When they’re my age will they miss their first smart phone the way I treasure the memory of those beloved books?
Or maybe that’s just me, an admitted bibliophile, who loves the print medium as much for its physical presence as what lies within. Digital formats that could disappear with a power surge or a few key strokes just aren’t the same. (Probably a thought my children will express loudly when I die and they have to deal with my many bookshelves full, only one of which you see at the top of the page.)
And how much easier might it be to pull the plug on books with content found offensive or declared “wrong” by someone in authority? Where would we be as a civilization without old tablets, scrolls, and other records?
To a bonafide bibliophile like myself digitizing books reeks of sacrilege. If you agree, be sure to buy a physical book once in awhile. Preferably a new one, so the author sees even a few dollars of benefit from it.
Epilogue
When I saw “The Abandoned” and “The Tough Winter“ were still available on Amazon I
literally cried. The book cover for “The Tough Winter” looks exactly like the book I had as a child. I ordered “The Abandoned,” planning to read it again, then leave it as my favorite book from my childhood to whomever wants such an anachronism when I die.
This trip down memory lane led me to discover my reading list for the remainder of this year. Revisiting those favorites from the perspective of a septuagenarian should be interesting.
What books did you love from the time you could read? What made them special? Would you like to hold them again as you would hug a dear friend you hadn’t seen for years?
And that, no doubt, is why I simply had to order a physical copy of “The Abandoned.”
It arrived a few days later and I cried again, as well as numerous places throughout this sweet story. I wasn’t sure why it hit me so hard until a few days later, as I nursed my way through the worst “Book Hangover” I’d ever had.
Then I stumbled upon a statement on the back cover that I could have written myself: “When I was 9 years old I plucked The Abandoned from my school library’s dusty shelves and fell in love with literature. The adventures that unfolded, reminiscent of The Wind in the Willows and Peter Pan, captured me so thoroughly I knew writing was part of my destiny.” — Naomi Serviss, Newsday
That was it!
This was no ordinary book! It was the very one that made me decide to be a writer! I’d never quite thought of it as my “destiny,” yet it hit me like never before. I don’t know who or what I’d be without those books I’ve had a hand in bringing into the world.
Have they affected any readers out there like The Abandoned did me? I’ll probably never know. But for whatever reason, I suspect I was supposed to put them out there.
Are you a writer? When did you realize it was your calling? Or was it just something that came along at some point in your life when you had something to say? Fiction or nonfiction? Leave your answer in the comments below.
Review of The Pact (Katz’s Cat Twinkle Texas Cozy Mystery Series, Book 4)
by Dawn Greenfield Ireland
If you’re looking for a book to chill out with when everything else about this insane planet is just too much, I highly recommend this latest book in the Katz’s Cat Twinkle Texas Cozy Mystery Series. It doesn’t take long to get hooked on these charming characters and feel as if you live in the little town of Twinkle.
Actually, I live outside a town that’s even smaller than Twinkle, one that is so small that it doesn’t even have a traffic light, so I can relate to this small fictitious setting away from everything other than the full range of human behavior. As a pet lover, of course I enjoy the animals and their special talents, which include not only intelligence, but the ability to communicate using technology.
The series is now on book 4 where the folks in Twinkle, Texas are at it again. I love how the author has developed this setting with its own common expressions, such as referring to the grocery store as “the foo” since the sign is broken, and various other touches that make it seem real and that you’re a part of it. In this episode, Mrs. Potts’ boarding house burns down! Thus, Jimmy, Brian, Mrs. Potts, and of course, Maddie and Guppy, move in with Betty in the mansion. Of necessity, the folks who know about the animals’ special talents expands, especially as various threats manifest.
There are a few pretty serious parts as well as plenty of good information about having a plan to secure your property in case of a catastrophe. Other useful information includes the steps in building a house from the ground up and a few other things to think about, such as how much stuff you own and what a chore it would be to replace it.
There were plenty of scenes where I laughed out loud, some of the characters’ names alone worth a good chuckle. Turns out Guppy is showing some psychic abilities, which are likely to be developed further in future escapades. As with most series, it’s advisable to start with the first book since characters and situations from previous stories tend to show up. It’s easy to feel as if you’re a resident of this tiny Texas town as the host of characters come to life and interact, leaving you wondering what will happen next and longing for the next book in the series!
You can pick up a copy on Amazon here and read more about the author on a previous blog here.
Marcha's Two-Cents Worth 