Wednesday, December 6, 2023

IWSG: December 2023

Welcome to the IWSG blog hop. Thanks to all the admins of IWSG and our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh for keeping this group so dynamic and amazing. It just gets better and better. Check out all the participants on this list. Share your insecurities and let us lift each other up.

This month's optional question:

Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book reviews do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author?

For me, it's always about what I liked about the book and the writing. I admit to never leaving negative reviews though I might mention something that I didn't like. If I couldn't finish a book or hated something about it, I just don't review it. As a writer, I know how discouraging negative reviews can be and they do help one grow as a writer, but I just can't do it to a fellow author.

I've been hard at work getting the second book in The Morbunda Trilogy, War Dragon, ready to be released. I'm pleased to say it is as of a few days ago. I'm spending this month doing the same with the third and final book in the series. Doing some painful final edits right now.

I'm going into the holiday season being extremely thankful for all I have. A nice house, a steady income, a wonderful, mostly healthy family, and many friends. I have time to do the things I enjoy and am blessed to find joy in many things so I'm never bored. My grown-up Christmas wish is that everyone, or at least more people, could have what I have.

"We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives." John F. Kennedy

I've been working out on my elliptical watching some oldies but goodies like Grimm, Fringe, and the first season of Halo. Most of my entertainment hours are spend reading and doing my most recent jigsaw puzzle.

In the meantime, here's some information about War Dragon.



Battles have been fought. But now it’s war as only a dragon can fight one.

 The invading army rises from winter’s lull and pushes south. Little stands in the way of the fanatics.

 Lady Lyla Logan journeys south to seek help from the great cities beyond the desert even as she grapples with the powerful magic roiling inside her.

 Kerik and Lord Donal Logan lead their few allies and attack the fringes of the Bellamite horde with ambushes and sabotage.

 All the embattled allies face their own fragilities and fears as war rolls over the land and anyone in its path. The freedom of mankind rest on them as they gather the last of their strengths and hopes.

Available through Amazon Kindle and Amazon Paperback.

Do you do many book reviews? Are you looking forward to the holiday season? Do you notice I got through an entire post without complaining about the cold?

13 comments:

Liza said...

I'll complain about the cold for you. As I type this it is snowing. That said, it looks pretty with the Christmas decorations. Just wish I didn't have to leave the house...but work demands it!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats on getting your next book ready to be released. I don't write negative reviews either. If I don't like a book, I usually don't finish it anymore.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I am so grateful for so much, too, this holiday season. I wish you and your family all the best!

Good luck on the new release!

J.Q. Rose said...

Really enjoyed reading your upbeat post. I bet you are a person that looks at a glass and sees it half full! Wishing you all the best in finishing the second book in your series!

Tyrean Martinson said...

I love your grown up Christmas wish - that's a wonderful wish for all to share the blessings of home, hearth, family, and love for Christmas.
Congratulations on War Dragon!

Olga Godim said...

I write book reviews on Goodreads, but I do it for myself, to keep track of my reading and what I liked and disliked. But of course, a book review is a personal opinion. Even if I disliked a book, someone else might love it.

messymimi said...

I don't believe I could leave a negative review, either. If a book is that bad, I'm not even going to waste time finishing it.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations on getting the second book out there!
Like you, I am blessed with all of those things and don't take them for granted.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Congrats on War Dragon!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan - well done on War Dragon - sounds like life is keeping you happy - enjoy those grandkids and the kitties! Writing reviews - I must be more diligent in the future - some good ideas this month ... Happy festivities - cheers Hilary

Jemi Fraser said...

Agree with everything! I don't leave negative reviews either - love your Xmas wish - and I adore Grimm and Fringe! Have a wonderful Christmas!

J E Oneil said...

Wow you're really lucky! Congratulations on all the good things in your life.

Rajani Rehana said...

Great blog