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Authenticity by Neetu

April 26, 2020 by Neetu Malik in category Poet's Day by Neetu Malik tagged as connections, new friends, smiles

I see him
outlined against the window
in a busy café—
his wool hat on the table
beside a muffin and a cup of tea—
a portrait from a bygone era
and a study in longevity.

He barely moves except to
sip his tea.

I walk up to say hello—
he looks up and smiles, his teeth
a shining white—
they might be false
but who cares?

I catch
the morning sun’s rays in
his eyes;
they cannot lie
nor fake their light.

We talk—
it is so easy to converse,
to steep in his cup,

a rich brew he stirs slowly
and thoughtfully—
I wait
in no hurry to leave.
 
© Neetu Malik

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A Review of In Twilight’s Hush, A Thriller by Laurie Stevens

April 24, 2020 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Book Reviews

In Twilight’s Hush
A Gabriel McRay Novel Book 4
by
Laurie Stevens

Price: paperback $14.99 e-book: $6.99
Available wide
Publisher FYD Media, LLC April 2020
ASIN B086DCY5RQ
ISBN 978-0997006827

As a Homicide Detective for LA County Sheriff’s Department, Gabriel McRay has been assigned cold cases to investigate while he recovers from being kidnapped and held captive by a ruthless serial killer. He’s given the case of teenager, Nancy Lewicki, missing since 1988. Every clue he uncovers in Nancy’s case leads to more questions, but answers are dead-ends or blank walls. To make matters worse, his partner, good-cop to his bad-cop, is in jail.

His personal life is in shambles.

He’s not sleeping. His future father-in-law delights in insulting him—both for his choice of profession and his lack of finances. His fiancé, Dr. Ming Li, turns up the pressure on him by insisting on a huge wedding and by maintaining that daddy can pay for it. She also becomes distance when her parents come stay with her for an extended visit. His only friend is his therapist who refuses to be his best man.

Enter a celebrity psychic.

Gabriel tries to juggle his professional life and his personal life when a wildly popular celebrity psychic, Carmen Jenette, offers very public help with his cold case. He’s not interested, but she pushes the issue both with the Nancy’s family, with her powerful friends in the District Attorney’s Office, and with the public via her TV show. When Carmen is physically attacked all evidence leads back to his cold case. Gabriel realizes someone doesn’t want poor Nancy Lewicki found, and they’ll kill to keep what happened to her a secret.

Why I liked the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading In Twilight’s Hush. Gabriel McRay, despite all his problems and flaws, is a very likeable character. He tries to do his best for Nancy Lewicki, her family and, even though he doesn’t trust her, Carmen Jenette. He also tries to balance his needs with Ming’s and understand her relationship with her parents without trying to fix everything for her.

Readers who like Lisa Gardner’s DD Warren series or Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli & Isles series will enjoy reading Laurie Stevens. In Twilight’s Hush is the fourth Gabriel McRay novel but it stands alone. A reader wouldn’t have to have read the other three to follow the action or backstory. Gabriel McRay is an engaging character, and Ms. Stevens does a great job of weaving a compelling story, so I suspect a reader will want to read them all. The other titles in the series are The Dark Before Dawn, Deep into Dusk, and The Mask of Midnight. This series has won twelve awards, among them Best of Kirkus Reviews, an IPPY for Best Mystery/Thriller, Library Journal’s Self-E Award, and Random House Editor’s Book of the Month.

IN TWILIGHT’S HUSH (A GABRIEL MCRAY NOVEL BOOK 4)

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The 2020 Short Story Award

April 23, 2020 by Bethlehem Writers Group in category From a Cabin in the Woods by Members of Bethlehem Writers Group tagged as 2020 Short Story Award, Bethlehem Writers Roundtable Short Story Award, Fur Feather & Scales, Peter Abrahams, Spencer Quinn

It’s time!

The 2020 Short Story Award

Deadline is April 30th!

Bethlehem Writers Roundtable seek animal stories (broadly interpreted) of 2000 words or fewer.

First Place winner will be considered for publication in their newest “Sweet, Funny, and Strange” anthology:

Fur, Feathers, & Scales: Sweet, Funny, and Strange Animal Tales

The latest of their “Sweet, Funny, and Strange” Anthologies

See Submission Guidelines

The 2020 Guest Judge

Peter Abrahams is the Edgar Award winning author of thirty-eight novels including The Right Side, The Fan, A Perfect Crime, and the Echo Falls series for younger readers.

Under his pen name, Spencer Quinn, he writes the New York Times best-selling Chet and Bernie series, as well as the Queenie and Arthur series for younger readers.

Abrahams was born in Boston, graduated from Williams College, and lives on Cape Cod.

You read an interview of Mr. Abrahams here.

Previous BWR Short Story Award Judges

2012–Jonathan Maberry
2013–Hank Phillippi Ryan
2014–Rebecca Forster
2015–Curtis Smith
2016–Marisa A. Corvisiero
2017–Carrie Vaughn
2018–Kimberly Brower
2019–John Grogan

To submit a story

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Hidden Characters by Veronica Jorge

April 22, 2020 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge

Hidden characters.

Every story has them.

Understudies equipped to step in, extras cheering from the sidelines, others who provide comic relief, or distill information. They stand on call ready to support the main character. Humbly, they recede into the background making room for the protagonist to shine in the spotlight. These hidden characters move the story forward helping to carry it to a successful conclusion. Yet, after the applause or the publication award, we may not even remember their names.

If art, be it written or visual, mirrors real life, I cannot help but consider the everyday, seemingly ordinary people in this story called Life.
I hope this post endures as a testament to all of those hidden characters who are comforting, serving, and giving their all to help others during this COVID-19 Pandemic. Behind the scenes and on the frontlines, they nurse and comfort the sick. Fighting through tears and exhaustion, they carry the healed into the spotlight of wholeness, and then recede into the shadows to continue the fight.

The “extras” keep our streets clean and safe. They brave the roads to ensure that our old and our young can give thanks for the food we are about to receive.

To all of the hidden, invisible and unseen characters, I see you bright and clear.

More importantly, there is one who sits in heaven above who sees and knows all of your works. Your labor of service, dedication and love resonate throughout the land, an anthem, a hymn to life.

God sees you.

I see you.

Thank you!

See you next time on May 22nd.

Veronica Jorge

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Kidd Wadsworth, Featured Author of the Month

April 21, 2020 by Kidd Wadsworth in category Featured Author of the Month tagged as Featured Author of the Month, kidd wadsworth

Kidd Wadsworth writes to bring to life our magical, fire-breathing world. She believes we are super heroes. It’s time we put on our capes.

You can read Kidd’s monthly column, Infused with Meaning, here on the 18th of every month. More information about Kidd is found on her website, make sure you take the time to read her “about me” section.