Categories
Book review crime fiction mystery reading suspense Uncategorized writing

Read and Review (R&R)


I was so fortunate to receive an ARC copy of “Harm Not the Earth.” This is Liz Milliron fourth book in her Laurel Highland Mystery series set in beautiful Western Pennsylvania involving Sally Castle, a public defender, and Jim Duncan, a state trooper.

In “Harm Not the Earth,” two experienced outdoorsmen from an environmental group are found dead in the Casselman River. Jim and Sally both feel this was no accident, but Jim’s resources to investigate are limited as this is out of his jurisdiction. Never one to back down and both displaying resolve and ingenuity, Jim sets out to find the killer while Sally takes on the case of protecting an abused woman intertwined with the murders. Their personal lives become a bit more tangled however, when presented with new job opportunities. During the course of their investigations, they must be careful not to ruin their solid and growing relationship. But, can a public defender and a state trooper stay committed to their careers and each other?

Liz Milliron expertly introduces the characters, and the scenic landscape of Southwestern, PA. Then, ride along shotgun, as one by one she systematically examines each lead and ticks down the suspects. In her typical style, the reader feels the action and the characters come alive on the page.

Another great read in the Laurel Highland Mystery series!

Categories
Book review history mystery reading suspense Uncategorized writing

Read and Review (R&R)

When I heard that Liz Milliron was writing a second book involving her character Betty Ahern in the Homefront Mystery Series, I couldn’t wait to read it. Below is my review.

History and Mystery

It’s 1942, and Betty Ahern is back and leaving her mark not only on the engines she builds at Bell Aircraft but as a darn-good private detective in the First Ward, a neighborhood in the City of Buffalo, NY.

In “The Stories We Tell,” Liz Milliron’s second book in the Homefront Mystery series, courageous and bold Betty takes on a case of a co‑worker at Bell who is grief-stricken over the sudden death of her grandmother. Before long, Betty is caught up in a secret dating back fifty years. Determined to solve the case, she enlists the help of her loyal friends, Dot, Lee, and Detective MacKinnon of the Buffalo PD. Betty uses her moxie to uncover the truth as one clue leads to another and more and more suspects die. Betty better watch out, or she may be next!

Liz Milliron does an exceptional job of dropping you into the time period and holding you there. Her characters are real, likeable, and her descriptions of the ethnic neighborhoods, the people, and culture during that era are well-researched and impressive.

A great page-turner. I can’t wait to see what Betty is up to next!

Categories
Book review mystery reading suspense Uncategorized

Read and Review (R&R)

I was super excited when I was lucky and received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of Annette Dashofy‘s new stand-alone book “Death By Equine,” coming out on May 11. If you haven’t read this author, I highly recommend her books! She has ten Zoe Chamber’s Mysteries and once you’ve read one, you will be hooked and this latest, although not part of the Zoe Chambers series, is no exception. You can preorder Annette’s book “Death By Equine,” at Mystery Lovers Bookshop or for your Kindle through Amazon.

Below is my review:

Annette Dashofy’s latest book, “Death by Equine,” immerses you in the world of horse racing through a racetrack and its vet. She has created a protagonist in Dr. Jessie Cameron that jumps off the page and straight into your heart. As with her other books, her characters are well-developed, her story suspenseful, and you gain knowledge (in this case knowledge of horses, horseracing, and racetracks). Filled with a vivid cast of characters and in Dashofy’s style, with so many great plot twists, I did not see the ending coming. This book is a stand-alone, but I am hoping to read more stories with Dr. Cameron. An engaging mystery and a real page-turner.

Categories
cozy mysteries Uncategorized writing

Are your characters what they eat?

When you create a character for your story, how much time do spend on your character sheets figuring out what your character’s favorite food is? Would they douse their eggs in ketchup or not eat eggs at all? Do they drink only expresso or are they fueled on energy drinks? Are they the type to shop only at a gourmet specialty store or do they frequent the neighborhood food trucks? Is your heroine allergic to peanuts? Is their refrigerator stocked with beer or fresh fruits and vegetables? Do they love plain pizza or tons of toppings? In honor of National Pizza Day which was two days ago, I’ve included a picture of one of my favorite foods, pizza.

As I grow as a writer, I have learned that the food your character eats makes them come alive on the page. It makes them human. It advances the plot and bolsters backstory.

Food in your stories can make for some great funny scenes. My latest binge on Netflix is Schitt’s Creek. There are some great food and drink scenes in this story.

Fold in the cheese

Moira Rose’s Wine Commercial

What are your character’s favorite foods? How did you decide this? Did you base the food your character eats and drinks, likes or dislikes on the plot of your story?

Categories
cozy mysteries inspiration Uncategorized writing

2021

Like most people, 2020 started off for me with a bang. My short-story edits were going good. Then…the pandemic.

I just realized that I hadn’t posted in seven months.

What have I been doing for the last year?

Well, instead of talking about all the negatives, I will say this…

I grew as a writer last year and will continue to push forward hopeful to get my short story collection into readers hands this year. I am still editing my work with my editor, Polly Alice McCann at Flying Ketchup Press.

To improve my writing, I recently purchased a subscription to Prowriting Aid.

It was between this and Grammarly, which is an awesome writer’s tool also.

Do you use one of these aids? If so, which one and why?

May 2021 bring blessings of good health and prosperity!

May we all choose love and respect for one another this new year!

Categories
Spring Uncategorized writing

Snow Showers in May and Mother’s Day

In Northwestern, PA, we had snow flurries today.  We had a trace amount in 2017, but the last recorded accumulating snowfall in my city occurred in May of 1925 and in 1966, we had 3.1 inches. I don’t know about you, but I am ready for sunny, warm weather.

What can we do indoors on this chilly day?

Simon says “Stop”

Mom gives the “Green light”

And together we build

Boxes piled high

Towers of love

Gathered printed pictures

Create a puzzle scene

Cards of “Old Maid” and “Go Fish”

Freeze

You’re “board”

Mom’s “game”

Memory items

Hide and then seek

No sports on tv

Mom scores

A bucket and balled up socks

Masking tape on the basement floor

The hopscotch games begin

“The sun is shining let’s go outside and play.”

“But mom I enjoyed staying in with you all day”

– Carole Lynn Jones

A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take – Cardinal Mermillod

Happy Mother’s Day

Love to all the moms out there!

Categories
cozy mysteries Uncategorized writing

Coming to Print

2019 was a busy year!  I am excited to announce that a collection of my short cozy mysteries will be coming out in the Fall of 2020 published by Flying Ketchup Press.

As we progress toward publication, I will post editing updates, sneak peeks and announcements regarding where and when my book will be available. You can also find me on Twitter @CaroleJonesy.

https://www.flyingketchuppress.com/ourauthors

Image result for excited happy dance peanuts gif

Check out Flying Ketchup Press for opportunities for your writing.

Happy Writing and Reading always!

Categories
Uncategorized

The 9th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest

It’s Halloween and time for one of my favorite contests.

Thank you Susanna Leonard Hill for once again offering your annual Halloweensie contest.  This year’s Halloween stories must be appropriate for children and no more than 100 words. You must use the words potioncobweb and trick.  Please check out the below link for the full rules to Susanna’s contest and the other fabulous entries.

Here is my entry –

Grounded

I watched all my sisters
Above me in the sky
Moonlight casting shadows
Off their brooms as they fly.

My broom in the corner
Cobwebs cover it thick
To get me to join them
They attempt every trick.

Mixing up dark potions
Casting a flight time spell
Cackling voices chanting
“It’s go time” they all yell.

“Come on now sister witch
There is haunting to do
You need to be airborne
We can’t fly without you.”

Instead of joining them
And causing ghastly fright
I am the only witch
Who is afraid of height.

Categories
Uncategorized writing

A New Year-A New Beginning

In 2019 – May all your stories even if they start bad, end good.

Categories
children's writing rhyming poems Uncategorized writing

The 8th Annual Halloweensie Contest

Thank you Susanna Leonard Hill for once again offering your annual Halloweensie contest.  This year’s Halloween stories must be appropriate for children and no more than 100 words. You must use the words cauldronhowl and shiver.  Please check out the below link for the full rules to Susanna’s contest and the wonderful entries.

The 8th Annual Halloweensie Contest

My two entries are listed below.

ThMonsters

A loud knock on my door signaled dinner was here,
but what stood on my porch made me shiver in fear.

At my door was a monster whose name was Big Fred.
In his hands were my pizza, my soda and bread.

From a cauldron he handed out napkins and plates,
to the werewolves who toasted each other as mates.

Then together the monsters inhaled my whole meal.
Each one growling and howling, “It’s Halloween – deal.”

The Soccer Team

The soccer team that played on Halloween night
was manned by players causing shivering fright.

The vampires roamed as strikers baring sharp skills,
with crows for wingers who attacked with their bills.

The sweepers flew around. They all held a broom,
to stir their potion-filled hot cauldrons of doom.

Their zombie coach was lumbering by his net,
as werewolves howlingly defended the threat.

No shot on goal got past their keeper that day,
a six-foot monster who came ready to play.

smiling jack o lantern
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com