Who Wants to Join a Terry Pratchett Read-a-Thon?!

I’m in, how about you?

The BookWorm Drinketh

Hello all!

I was visiting Kathy @ Pages Below the Vaulted Sky and we got to talking about the Discwold series by the wonderful late Sir Terry Pratchett, she really wants to read them for the first time, and I really want to read them again, but 41 books is a little intimidating!!

But less intimidating in a team!!!

So, I’m put out a call to anyone who wants to join us! It’s going to be quite the long haul, but I am going to make things easy as I’m going to make it easy on all of us and just do one book a month, we will all post our reviews on the same day with links to anyone else who is participating!

Now, on to how to get involved!

Well, this is the easy part!! As there are so many of these books, you don’t have to…

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Review: Search for Maylee

Such an excellent review of Search For Maylee!! 🙂 Go check out Inspiration Pie, and see what’s new with Jo!

Inspiration Pie

From Goodreads: Since Maylee was abducted from her high school the very month of graduation, her Aunt Autumn has never lost hope in finding her. It’s been three years. Autumn has finally reached inside herself and found the courage to track down an old lead. She moves across the country to find him. Will Autumn be able to pry Maylee’s case back open? More importantly, what will Autumn uncover in the process of searching for Maylee? It’s a cold dark world we live in, and she is about to find out just how cruel it can be. Strength and determination are on Autumn’s side and she will do what ever it takes.

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I love a good suspense and Search for Maylee did not disappoint! I just finished reading the last page and all I can say is WOW! The author kept me on the…

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Moving Forward

Nothing about life just stops and waits for us. Time moves forward whether we’re ready for it or not. People grow, and events happen. We can progress right along with time. We can work hard day in and day out toward our goals (note I didn’t say dreams, because really that’s just a load of crap. If you have a dream, make it a goal, or it’ll always be just that… a dream.) OR… we can let opportunity pass us by, grow stagnant from fear and self doubt.

I choose to move forward and I hope you do to!

Yesterday was my Grandpa’s funeral (Another Family Loss) I actually stood up with two of my cousins and read memories and a few poems that I had written for him, my grandma and all of their eight children.  If you follow my blog closely you know how badly I’m afraid to speak in public (Artist’s Fears). Anyhow, funerals are different, I was nervous but everything went smoothly, and I’m so glad I was able to honor him at his services.

Now it’s time to focus, bounce back, it’s hammer time! I have so many projects in the works right now it’s insane. This week is a big one, because over the weekend I finished up the second draft of my first book’s rewrite/rendition!!  I’m so excited!! The Stix was a book I wrote before I had any clue I was destined to be a writer.

I enjoyed writing it, but in the editing and publishing phases I cut corners and settled with mistakes that I didn’t realize were indeed such outrageous mistakes (the publishing place I went with totally stole my book!).  Anyhow, because they’ve been in breach of contract for SO LONG, haven’t paid me a dime, and refuse to release the title or let me make changes… I’ve FLIPPED it!  It’s been a work in progress for sometime now, and this week I’ll be starting the submission and query phase. I’m choosing not to self publish right away. I’m hoping that with the acceptance of an agent and/or publishing agency I can get some help in releasing the original story. We’ll see how that goes, wish me luck!

Along with the Lamian Trilogy that has been in the works, I’ve been making some pretty awesome progress on another thriller. I’m not going to get into details about it. I don’t want to give anything away OR jinx it, but I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited about ANY of my books!!  The title is Justice For Belle, remember the name and keep an eye out. As soon as I have the first full draft finished up, I’ll share a little taste of it once in a while…. I CAN’T WAIT!

Another Family Loss

As we welcomed in the New Year of 2018, I had all four of my immediate grandparents. All of which lived close, and with a breath of air in their lungs. It’s now five full months into the year, and I’m down by two.

My Dad’s parents were married for 60 years. They had 8 living children, and right around 100 grand and great-grand children to date. You’d be shocked at how close such a big family can actually be. We weave in and and out of one another’s lives regularly. We support each others children in sports and rodeo. And, we meet up for holidays every single year.

My grandma was the sweetest woman I’ve ever known. Always kind and patient. Her door was never locked. She took in any and everyone, held fond memories with each, and loved unconditionally. She passed away a few months ago. One of her biggest fears was to die alone. She drew her final breath in the comfort of her own home, with my Dad at her side (he was her live in caretaker at the time). He tucked a blanket around her, held her hand gently, and told her just how loved and appreciated she was in her final moments. It was peaceful, she left with all of her dignity in tact, as she earned in life.  I imagine her wings to be as pure as a dove. I wrote a poem at the time Silence, it was dedicated to her and placed on the back of the program at her funeral.

Late last night, her husband, my grandpa, also passed away. He’s suffered from dementia for years. The final stages have really taken their toll over the last nine months or so. Two days ago he was placed in the ICU with pneumonia, and a severe bodily infection… he was septic and extremely dehydrated. He had non-resuscitate/no life support agreements in place, and  before he lost coherence he told his children and the medical staff that he didn’t want any tubes down his throat to clear his lungs. He only wanted to be kept comfortable. He was ready to go, ready to be with his love. They complied, and he wound up joining the love of his life at 11:30 PM on 5/31/18.

He was a silly guy, always making people laugh, especially my grandma. He was a story teller and a dancer. That man could swing around the dance floor with the best of them.

They’ll both be sorely missed by our entire GIGANTIC family, as well as their tight-nit community. Loosing him has brought the loss of her back to the surface. Memories are front and center, hearts ache, and another long week of grief lays ahead. They spent practically their whole lives side by side, so it’s only fair that they do so in passing as well. They were the prime example of life long dedication. The kind of love that works past the ups and downs that life always has to offer. The kind that sticks together through thick and thin. They were true love and bringers of life at its finest.

R.I.P Farleys, we all love you dearly!

Forever Beyond

A love that waits so patiently,

A life that lasts beyond,

A youth refined, the perfect form,

Once again in wanting arms.

Restored are you, and so is she,

No ailments to be known,

Together you smile, you laugh, you love,

Whole hearts, whole minds, you’re one.

The clouds do part, and so you see,

The wife who left before,

Her beauty at its finest,

She’s been waiting at your door.

Surrounded by her favorite colors,

Her in coral, you in blue,

Both angels now, together forever,

The adventures ahead anew.

Your feet are light, you spin and soon,

You dance in the sky with such grace,

Float weightless in her arms so sweet,

Your own music, smooth moves, your new space.

*Rest In Peace Grandpa Farley*

-Didi, and Family

Search For Maylee By Didi Oviatt Review!

Thank you so much Lisa, for this beautiful, in depth review of my book! I’m so glad you enjoyed the read!

culturevultureexpress

Search For Maylee (2017) by Didi Oviatt is a wonderfully gripping read about a very important issue.

This book follows the protagonist Autumn as she sets about finding her niece Maylee who went missing close to her graduation from high school three years ago. Autumn begins to try to find Craig who she believes is involved in her disappearance and moves to where it is now thought he lives. Along the way she meets a group of young men including a central character called Jeremy who has many secrets of his own. Their combined secrets make for a very complex and interesting friendship. Among all this mystery and crime there is also some romance with Chance who has been working on Maylee’s case.

The love Maylee and Autumn have for one another is wonderful. It reminds of me and my sister’s relationship where we always look out for each other…

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Mythical Mondays: Were There Female Druids?

Check out this must read post by Inspiration Pie! I’ve read a few books recently who reference druids, so this post really shed some light for me! Thanks, Jo for the awesome info 🙂

Inspiration Pie

Who Were the Druids?

The Druids were ancient religious leaders of the Celtic people. The Celts were spread throughout Gaul, Britain, Ireland and other parts of Europe, Asia Minor and even the Balkans around the 5th century BC.

They were highly respected in society. They were advisors to the kings. They were intellectual as well as poets, astronomers, magicians and astrologers. It took them 19 years to gain the necessary knowledge and skills in alchemy, medicine, law, the sciences and more. They were healers and were involved in developing strategies for war.

The Druids officiated over public and private sacrifices. Tribal assemblies were held on days vital in the agricultural year, the solstices as well as Beltane, May 1, and Samhain, November 1.

They settled disputes and issued punishment. Those who did not obey the decisions of the Druids were banished from the tribe.

Women as Druids

For centuries, there…

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The Reality: Asking for Donations for When Women Inspire

When Women Inspire

Dear friends,

Thank you for being here. I am grateful for every new subscriber! I am nearing the 10,000 followers mark and this is a huge milestone that I will mark with a contest (details to come in July!). I am delighted by the outpouring of support for the blog.

But, sadly, all of this time that is put into the blog is not covering my bills. Outside of blogging, I am a freelance writer. This is my career. I am in my 6th year and love what I do. Recently finding myself short of client work, I am coming to you all with a request to help keep me going here.

I am asking for $1 from anyone here who can spare it. I know many people are in difficult times. I’m just looking for a way to keep growing this blog and hopefully make it into my main…

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Back To The Grind!

It’s amazing just how easy it is to fall behind on literally all of your responsibilities, and lifestyle choices!  I unplugged for a few days Travels, Family, and Memorial and now I’m back to the grove of my daily life. I pulled up my emails this afternoon, for the first time since last Friday, and I had HUNDREDS! A mere couple of days away and I think it’s going to take me a month to catch up on everything lol.

First off, I’ll be spending the next couple of days speed reading — books, blogs, emails and so on!

Next up for the writing….

I’m already behind as is on all the projects I’ve got a-brewing. SO, taking time away, didn’t really help that little situation. Needless to say, let’s just hope that I come across some really intense and inspiring things during my reading frenzy, because I’ll soon be giving the keyboard on my computer a run for it’s money!

Anyhow….

Enough with the pointless ‘I’m back’ babbling…

I clearly don’t have time for that shit!

Have a nice week everyone!  Happy reading!

 

Travels, Family, and Memorial

This is an extended weekend, a time in the USA to celebrate our freedom, as well as reflect on those who have fought for us to enjoy said freedom. I’ll be stepping away from the blog to travel and stay with family, so I wanted to put this out there now. Better early than late, as I won’t be on WordPress for a few days. This is sort of a post to cover it all!

I want to throw a thank you out here first, in honor of Memorial Day. Last year I wrote a poem, you can see it here Memorial #poem … The Things That You Have Done For Me. I don’t think there’s an American one, who doesn’t have a special person in their lives that has served. Either at one point in the past, or even now. Be it a close or distant family member, friend, community peer, or so on. To us, soldiers aren’t movie characters, fictional stories, or even distant thoughts.

To the every day to day American, soldiers are familiar faces. They’re eyes we look into daily, smiles we love, hands we hold, and laughter we appreciate. They are the men and women we spend time with at home, at family and friend gatherings, at church, and even work. The people we know, the people we love.

For every soldier that comes back to us we hang onto them tightly. We thank them, and love that they made it home with a breath of air in their lungs… no matter how changed they may be, physically, mentally, emotionally or what have you. Being a soldier alters a human, in one way or another, soldiers are forever changed from that of who they were before. Memories and experiences change everyone, that’s how we age and who we are.

For every soldier who doesn’t return, we mourn them deeply. Because as I said before, they’re the people we know and love. The thanks that we give them, and their memories that we honor will never be enough. They paid the ultimate price, and for that we as a nation are forever grateful.

So, THANK YOU, to each and every American Soldier who may be reading this. We owe you everything we are. You’re the glue, the life source, the true face of our nation!

And, now for my travels…

I wish I could say I was taking off on a plane to some beach side resort to chill in my bikini and sip Margarita’s on the sand for a few days… But I’m not lol.

Next best thing though, My family and I will be going on a short road trip (about 5 hours away is all) to visit my brother and his wife a state over. It’s always a good time, we have a keg on ice already for there, to celebrate the occasion! I likely wont be reading or commenting on any posts for a few days, but I promise I’ll try my best to catch up as soon as I’m back home and back in routine!

Have a great weekend everyone, and I hope you do some reflecting of your own 🙂