This is my occasional roundup of books I have read, books I’m currently reading, one or two Internet places I’ve visited and quotes that have taken my eye.
Attention: I am on holidays for the next month or so – there will be no more posts until my return in September
BOOKS I HAVE RECENTLY FINISHED:
Book: Borrowed Dreams by Debbie Macomber
Genre: Romance
Thoughts: One of her older romances writing in the 1980s – not one of her best, but still a good way to while away a couple of hours.
Book: Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly
Genre: Cosy Mystery
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this Cosy mystery – and loved the cats who played an important part. The Main Character is a librarian so that added to the enjoyment.
Book: In the Fifth at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton
Genre: YA Adventure
Thoughts: I devoured these boarding school books in my Tweens, as I was in a boarding school in England for a couple of years. Have reread this series quite a few times over the years.
Book: The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley
Genre: Children’s Fantasy
Thoughts: This story, which starred the Grimm sisters, slightly missed the mark for me – but the premise was good. The ancestors the Grimm brothers weren’t writing fairy stories – they published their diaries of actual events. All the creatures are now secretly living in one town just outside New York City and there has been a murder.
Book: The Brakys’ Lair by Alexandra Moody
Genre: Science Fiction
Thoughts:
Book: Once Hunted, Twice Shy by Mandy M. Roth
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Thoughts: This is the second book in a series that I am loving – set in the imaginary seaside town of Everlasting in the USA where paranormal critters can live in peace – each book is written by a different author and reads as a standalone – but are all connected by the location.
Book: Beneath the Mother Tree by D.M. Cameron
Genre: Mystery with a touch of Fantasy
Thoughts: Separate review here
Book: Nathan Fox: Seas of Blood by L. Brittney
Genre: Historical
Thoughts: Separate review here
Book: The secret life of Sarah Meads by VK Tritschler
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Thoughts: Separate review here
Book: After the Lights go Out by Lili Wilkinson
Genre: Science Fiction
Thoughts: Separate review here
Book: The Island by M.A. Bennett
Genre: Contemporary YA
Thoughts: Separate review here
WHAT I AM CURRENTLY READING:
Westward Winds by Linda Bridey – Historical Romance
The Secret Vineyard by Loretta Hill – Romance
Bookshop Girl by Chloe Coles – YA
INTERESTING QUOTES AND LINKS:
Links: Here are a couple of online articles I found recently – the theme is writing:
Tips on how to execute the perfect murder scene in your writing – http://www.signature-reads.com/2018/07/crime-writers-guide-writing-death-murder/
Where do authors get their ideas from?
https://www.writingforward.com/creative-writing/where-do-successful-authors-get-their-most-brilliant-writing-ideas
Here is a link to 100 Interesting author facts – I love the fact that Agatha Christie disliked her creation Hercule Poirot, calling him ‘a detestable, bombastic, tiresome, egocentric little creep’. I can’t stand him either!!!
https://interestingliterature.com/2015/09/17/100-interesting-facts-about-famous-authors/
Quotes: That haverecently caught my eye
This time both of my quotes come from books I have recently read – and both are by Australian authors.
There are four things I need you to always remember alright?”
“Sure,” she said.
“One, always breathe,” he said “It sounds simple but breathing is sometimes the hardest thing in the world. If you’re ever struggling, stop, and take a couple of deep, slow breaths. Count them out loud if you need to. Two, always have dreams and ideals and never let anyone tell you it’s impossible. Something impossible is only something possible that hasn’t yet been done. Three, get out of bed every single day. Especially if you don’t want to. Because yes, even without you the world keeps turning, it’s simply a little more interesting with you in it. Four, never give up. That means on life and yourself.
From The Secret Life of Sarah Meads by V.K. Tritschler
‘You’ve been hoarding resources,’ he says. ‘What makes you think they are not going to do the same? You think they’re going to let us queue up with everyone else to receive rations? The way I see it, there are two scenarios here. One – we are turned out into the wilderness to fend for ourselves, or two – we get executed.
From After the Lights Go Out by Lili Wilkinson
Books and Musings from Downunder 
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