Woohoo, I’ve had a breakthrough on my WIP and FINALLY know where the story is going. For a pantser this is equivalent to finding that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow π
I’ll share another teaser with you soon, but for now let’s delve into some of the fantastic summer reads I’ve picked up recently.
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βI voluntarily read an ARC of this book which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.β
When a man is found bound, gagged, and his head wrapped in plastic wrap, Sheriff Bree Taggert and Criminal Investigator Matt Flynn are called to investigate the murder. The horror of the scene is compounded by a message the killer leaves on the body.
Before they can do much more than start a search into the man’s background, another man is discovered dead. The cases are too similar not to consider a serial killer might be behind the crimes–a woman with vengeance on the agenda.
The case takes a turn for the personal when Bree’s brother becomes the killer’s latest quarry. Will she solve the mystery in time to save her beloved brother or will Bree lose another piece of her family forever?
This is a fast-paced read with a twist at the end I didn’t see coming- I love when that happens!
In the second book of The Rose Shield series, Catling is the queen’s not-so-secret weapon in the battle to save Ellegeance against rebellion from all sides. War is imminent, and the young queen, though level-headed, is not experienced enough to quell the unrest exacerbated by the high wards of the tiers who have an agenda of their own and the power of influencers to make it happen.
When Catling is given the opportunity to exact revenge against the man who had her family murdered, she takes it only to have it backfire in a way she never could have expected.
Like book one, Oathbreakers’ Guild is filled with complex, unforgettable characters, and a fantastical setting that comes alive with the author’s talent for rich descriptions and lyrical writing. I can’t wait to start book three!
This little guy stopped by to visit yesterday. I’ve always thought of dragonflies as undercover dragons in disguise- don’t you? π
Brilliant photo and description… of the dragonfly, Jacquie. I love Diana’s prose…Thank you.
(I just opened an old notebook and read: Fear…A mouse wearing giant boots and leaving a false trail. You don’t have to be mad to live here, just partially…) Cheers! x
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Lol, smart mouse π
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Lovely post, Jacquie… and I think you’re right about the dragonflies!
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Thank you! I always feel as though they bless the garden when they visit π
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We don’t see them very often, but a special day when we do!
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Beautiful post, Jacquie. The dragonfly is amazing!
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Love their markings! The wings are so amazing.
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Lovely photos. Huge congrats on your WIP breakthrough! Congrats to Melinda and Diana on these fab reviews. Thanks for sharing your, Jacquie ππ
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Thank you, Harmony. I’m on the downhill side of my WIP-finally!
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Congratulations to Melinda and Diana for the wonderful reviews! Thank you, Jacquie, for featuring them — and for sharing your dragonfly visitor. Aren’t gardens a delight? I find the little creatures entrancing. π¦
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The garden and its creatures fill my heart, Gwen. Both books are great summer reading choices!
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Sounds like some great books.
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fantasy/mystery and murder/mystery, I see a trend going on, lol
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Wonderful reviews, Jacquie! Congratulations to Melinda and Diana! And I love that the Dragonfly stopped by to visit. Great photo! Thanks for sharing!
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Excellent reading, Jan!
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Yay, for your breakthrough, Jacquie! I need to catch up on the Bree Taggart series, I have only read the first two, but have the next ones on audiobook. I love that amazing picture of the dragonfly. I always think of them as carrying departed souls back to earth for a visit with loved ones and when I float in the pool and dragonflies fly over, I talk to my husband.
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I love that, Carla β€
Melinda Leigh writes excellent police procedural mysteries- highly recommended reading.
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Great reviews and pic of dragonfly, Jacquie π I am halfway through the first Rose Shield book and loving it.
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Well, you made my day, Denise. Hugs.
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Diana is amazing at world-building, isn’t she?
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She is!
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Aww. You too have me blushing. Lol
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You get visited by some great creatures. Loved the dragonfly picture.
So glad you made progress with your WIP. We all know how it is when you hit a roadblock.
Congratulations, Melinda and Diana.
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Thank you, Michele. The last couple of years have been a slog, I hope it changes soon!
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I LOVE that dragonfly photo. They are such cool visitors.
Congrats on the breakthrough with your WIP, and a big congrats to Diana and Melinda on the reviews!
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I love them, too. Dragonflies seem like they’re straight out of a fantasy novel π
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Super photos and reviews, Jacquie. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, John. It’s like living inside a Disney movie around here, lol
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Ha ha ha
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Yay for progress, Jacquie! Love the photos too!
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Thank you, Jennifer. I’m loving where this story is going if I can only get it done! lol
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I adore dragonflies Jacquie πππ₯
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This little guy wasn’t scared of me at all, lol
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What a lovely surprise, Jacquie. I’m over the roof that you’re enjoying the series. Yay! And I’m delighted to share the post with Melinda and what sounds like a page-turner. A major breakthrough on your writing is fabulous. I can imagine what a relief that is for a pantser to see the entirety of a book. Write away. And thanks for sharing your photo of the dragon in disguise. π Hugs.
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You are definitely on my auto-buy list, Diana. Your creativity amazes me!
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Awww. Thanks, Jacquie. You definitely know how to make me smile. It makes all the work worthwhile. β€ β€ β€ β€
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks for sharing this post, Michael!
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I haven’t read this book by Diana, but she is an outstanding writer. Melinda’s book sounds great too.
I haven’t written long enough to claim I have a style, but I’m more of a pantser. I can see where that sometimes gets me into trouble.
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Lol, but it’s always an adventure, right? π
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Thanks, Pete. I’m smiling.
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Wonderful reviews Jacquie… I have that series of Diana’s to read and must get to it.. and that is an incredible shot of the Dragonfly..xxx
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It should be made into a fantasy movie, Sally, it’s that good π
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Wonderful recommendation Jacquie..β₯
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Thanks, Sally. Whenever you get to it, I hope you enjoy the read. Hugs.
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I have no doubt I will Diana β₯
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Two good reviews, but what really made me cheer was your breakthrough. I know how that feels–to finally have the story figure itself out. Hearty congrats!
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Thank you, Jacqui. As usual, I’m up against a box set deadline, so this is a godsend π
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Wonderful reviews, Jacquie. The photo is beautiful. Congratulations to Diana and Melinda. And congrats to you on figuring out where your story is going. I’m an outliner. I don’t know that I could do the pantser thing. Best wishes to you on this new story.
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I’ve tried outlining a few times- even took a course on it- but my brain gets squeezed into a corner and doesn’t like it, lol
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My outlines are very bare bones. I just map out where the plot needs to go to get to the end, sprinkle in the necessary bread crumbs, then add flesh and blood as I’m writing. π
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Your characterizations are so deep, Beem. Does it grow organically, or do you get inspiration from somewhere?
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My plots grow organically, though I’ve had some short stories that were inspired by real events. Same with my characters.
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Fabulous reviews and beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing them Jacquie.
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Thank you, Balroop π
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Congrats on figuring out where you WIP is going, Jacquie. I know how happy that makes you. I didn’t know D. Wallace Peach had that book out. I must’ve missed something somewhere along the line. Thanks for sharing both books. What a magnificent photo of the dragonfly!
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The Rose Shield series came out a few years ago, Mary. I’m just playing catch-up, lol.
The dragonfly posed for his picture π
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Blame it on my aging brain. I had to know it came out THEN. I had book one and now two.
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Lol, I’m sure you’ll love the series!
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β€ β€
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Both of these books sound excellent, Jacquie. Fabulous reviews as always. I love the dragonfly picture. I am also a fan of these interesting little creatures.
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Not quite an elephant or lion, but I’m trying, lol
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Great reviews, Jacquie. Love the dragonfly photo. And congrats on the breakthrough. As a fellow panster, I can relate.
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It’s such a relief when the storyline opens up to me, lol.
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Wow. Lie sounds really intriguing. This may have to be a TBR.
I love The Shield Series and just downloaded book 4. Sidenote to Diana, I’m counting on a happy ending for Catling:)
I also love dragonflies:) Though, I never thought of them in that light. I like it:)
Let me know if there’s anything I can do to get word on the Sisters out. I’m looking forward to the 2nd in the series.
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Thanks, Sandra. I agree, poor Catling needs a HEA. The Bree Taggert series is excellent if you like police procedurals- I’m guessing yes after reading Mateo π
Just finished Montana Shootists- awesome! Will have a review done early next week π
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Montana Shootists was great, wasn’t it? It was so fun. I loved the characters and their relationship. π
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I don’t normally look twice at time travel novels, but since it was Sandra, whose books I’m slightly addicted to, I picked it up, and wow!
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π Yessiree.
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Jacquie, Yay. Glad you liked Montana Shootists:)
Catling definitely needs an HEA.
Wink, wink, Diana;)
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Review is coming tomorrow, Sandra. I fell and smashed my head into a rock a couple of days ago, so I’m behind the eight ball.
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I think you’ll be pleased for Catling, Sanda. She’ll earn it though. Wow, you’ve been buzzing through the books. Thank you and huge hugs.
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Fantastic reads, Jacquie – and congratulations on your WIP. Toni x
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So happy to have it done! lol
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