Use Words Well/Those "D" Words/China/Devo/2019 Bedroom Decor

1.  Tammy Karasek posts at The Write Conversation at using our words well. As writers, we have the potential of reaching many people.

2.  Marcia Moston posts at The Write Conversation about Disclaimers and Defamation. As writers, we need to be aware of the pitfalls writing about real people and situations.

3.  Christian Headlines reports that police in China are facing loss of their jobs if they don't arrest Christians.

4.  Once again, The Write Conversation offers words of wisdom about the disappointments we face in life. Beth Vogt urges us to stick around long enough to get something out of the inevitable situations we'd like to avoid.

5.  I checked out bedroom decorating trends for 2019 and found this website. My favorite? The cozy purple bedroom, of course! Do you have a favorite among these pictures?

Writers:  How do you make word choice decisions? Synonym Finder? Prayer? Please share how you find just the right word to express your thoughts/tell your story.

Readers:  What kind of stories do you enjoy the most?

Photo Credit:  Brenton Nicholls

On My Kindle - A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden

Lucy Drake and her brother, Nick, fight a legal battle going back to their grandfather's time. Their Uncle Thomas uses every dirty trick in the book to make their lives miserable. Both of them wonder if pursuing the case is worth the hardship and financial drain.

Sir Colin Beckwith, Head of the New York Reuters news agency has his own troubles. His dilapidated estate back in England needs far more work than he can afford. Concerns for his sister and their 90 tenants propel him into a hunt for a rich, American heiress. Once he meets Lucy Drake, he has a hard time focusing on his plan.

This historical romance by Ms. Camden contained many interesting elements. The main characters' unusual careers, the political intrigue, the romance between an ordinary young woman and a titled British gentleman all produced a captivating story. The tension and the impossibility of their situation kept me turning pages to see how it would be resolved.

There were several things that pulled me out of the story. I couldn't figure out if one character was a good guy or a bad guy. This didn't appear to be the proverbial red herring. It seemed like the writer wasn't sure how to work him into the mix. I also came across a saying, which I think is more recent than the historical setting, and it was used more than once. The villains all seemed to be without any redeeming qualities, which produced pictures in my head of a fair maiden tied to railroad tracks and an evil man twirling a mustache.

Even with the negatives, I'm still giving this book four stars. The good far outweighed any shortcomings. I'll definitely look for more of Ms. Camden's books.

Disclaimer:  Neither the author nor the publisher paid me for a favorable review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Writers:  When writing anything in a historical context, do you research whether or not a saying was used at that time? Please share.

Readers:  What type of situation jars your senses when reading a historical romance? Please share.

BookBub Ads/Realistic Characters/Child Euthanasia/Devo/Meat Loaf w/Bacon

1.  For those of you who have a book published either traditionally or Indie, check out Anne Janzer's article on BookBub Ads to support your marketing efforts.

2.  Lori Freeland posts at Writers in The Storm regarding character development in your novel. She gives many tips on how to achieve this and bring your book to life.

3.  WND reports that Canada is embracing a culture of death. They are on the verge of passing laws permitting child euthanasia. They've already fully accepted adult euthanasia. This is where the slippery slope leads - the total devaluing of human life.

4.  Robin Lee Hatcher posts at Seriously Write on how to stay with writing for the long haul. The principles can be applied to any pursuit in life, so it's not a "writer only post." I loved the line where she said every one of her books is a book of her heart. I think you'll like this one.

5.  Brr, winter is here in the Northeast. Looking for some comfort food, I came across this recipe at Real Simple for meatloaf with bacon. It sounds good, and maybe I'll even try this one. (I can't begin to tell you how many recipes I clip and never make!) If you try it, please let me know how it comes out.

Writers:  How do you develop your characters? Do you have lengthy profiles or get to know them as you write? Please share.

Readers: What's more important to you: the characters or the plot? Why?

Photo Credit:  Sergey Klemkin

On My Kindle - A Heart's Gift: A Love's Road Home Novel by Lena Nelson Dooley

Lorinda Sullivan grew up in an abusive home after her mother died. When she married Mike Sullivan, her life took on new meaning. Her happiness came to an abrupt halt when news of his murder came via a neighbor.

Franklin Vine vowed he'd never give his heart to another woman. It hurt too much when she ran off with his best friend. The plight of the young widow touched his heart. He could help her get on her feet and then move on. Or so he thought...

I've been on Lena Nelson Dooley's blog and seen her around the Net. (The Christian writing community is a small world.) This is the first book I've read by this author.

The main characters were likable, and the touch of mystery added depth to the story. I wish the author had gone a little deeper with the suspense element. All in all, A Heart's Gift kept me engaged. I enjoyed the story, as well as the satisfactory conclusion.

Four starts for this novel.

Disclaimer: Neither the author nor the publisher paid me for a favorable review. As always, the opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Stumped/Red Flags/Homeschool/Devo/Fudge Recipe

1.  Have you ever been stumped on how to get your character out of trouble? Dr. Richard Mabry shares how he handles this problem. Check out his post at Seriously Write.

2.  Lisa Hall-Wilson gives us red flags for author intrusion in deep pov (point of view). Internal dialogue works only if it feels organic to the reader. This may seem like heavy stuff, but whether you're experienced or a newbie, you can get something out of this article.

3.  Lifesitenews.com reported on a Virginia county that wants to repeal a law allowing homeschooling for religious reasons. Homeschool families have long been under attack. This is just another example.

4.  Lynn J. Simpson has a devotional entitled, "Words Richer Than Gold."

5.  When that chocolate craving hits, you might want to pull out this recipe for fudge. Averie Cooks shares an uncomplicated version to satisfy your sweet tooth or treat the kids in your family.

Writers:  Do you ever get your characters into trouble and then wonder how to rescue them? Please share.

Readers:  Do you collect recipes online? Have you tried any of them? Please share your experience.

Photo Credit:  Jesus Manuel Nieto Bobadilla

Need Another Day!

Hi Everyone -

We've had a rough weekend on the homefront. Sweetie Mom pulled a muscle in her arm and has needed extra help. I've been doing what I can while nursing a migraine. Sometimes life is like that.

For those of you who write, you know how difficult things can become when life hits. If you're not on serious deadline, don't hesitate to put the writing aside for a brief time. If you are on deadline, factor in some downtime in your word count for emergencies.

My regular Friday posts are scheduled and ready to go. I'll need some grace with the Monday posts until my mother is better. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep up once we establish a routine.

Thanks for your understanding,
Susan