Andorra and her best friend Cy are fabulous as the lead characters in this entertaining science fiction mystery story that takes place on a space station operating on the rings of Saturn.
Dee writes with a natural and relaxed style, infused with humour and observant insight into human behaviour and responses.
The story itself is well-crafted, immersing the reader in the station’s community and keeping them guessing with well-executed twists and clever diversions woven seamlessly into the plot.
The world building is original and complex, opening the reader’s imagination to the vast possibilities of life beyond our own world.
The cast of characters and their individual personalities, quirks and motivations remind the reader that people are the same wherever you go, which is why the premise and assumptions of the story work so well.
This is a most enjoyable read that will appeal to lovers of…
In these times of incertitude and justifiable apprehension, we are all called upon to act sensibly and with solidarity. Some are doing just that, but there are others who are thinking about number one alone, and who will let nothing and no one prevent them facing the apocalypse with a clean bum.
There are many people now with several tons of toilet paper stocked in their garages and basements, under the sink, filling the attic. Many will be wondering how they can use it in the coming months and years or when their shopping habits go back to normal, whichever comes first. No need to worry about getting bored, though; toilet paper is extremely versatile. There are thousands of exciting recipes appearing on the Internet, as toilet paper replaces all the boring old staples like pasta, rice, and potatoes. Here are just a few of them.
This poem is for my daughters who have had their share of troubles. Some minor, some more major. This is for them, and for all the young women out there who have to be brave sometimes in extraordinary circumstances. We are living in difficult, frightening times with the inner cities being home to knife crimes and gangs. Coupled with this are many other hazards for young women nowadays.
Two young girls, one blonde one dark, my girls,
My daughters, grown now. I remember
trips, sunshine, parks, castles,
Ball parks, parties, giggles,
Sleepovers.
Oh, the sleepovers! Crazy friends, fights, bullies,
Shenanigans, strange confessions.
It was simpler then
How life changes.
Until hormones raging
Enter the boyfriends staying over
Not, if dad has his way. Ever. They plead.
Determined. He weakens, gives in.
I do too, not knowing
What to do.
Starts off well, until tears, heartbreak,
A hug, a kiss. Mr. Blue Eyes
is not so carefree I say, but girls
in love don’t listen.
Who would?
Don’t trust a player, I cry. Do they take
My advice? Sometimes not enough.
They ask friends, me, everyone,
Make choices.
I sigh.
Now the drama’s nearly over. I tremble.
Expecting the next crisis to come
rippling around the lake.
The waters swaying. It’s stiller now.
They’re wiser.
I’m ecstatic! They’ve escaped their troubles
They’ve put up their moats. Hurrah.
Don’t cry my beauties.
You did the right thing
The waters yelling.
Nasty slaps, stares, cheats, assorted
Vicious nasties, hooded hoodlums
And gangs don’t make a man
But kindness does, you’ll see
Find your soulmate
For your own dear castle. Rejoice
my lovelies you’ve learnt
To be brave and true.
I’m so proud
Of you.
Two girls, older now, two blondes,
Both lighter, my girls, my daughters
Such a sweet reflection
My dearest castle,
My family.
For all the mothers and daughters out there this poem is for you.
A Jewish girl-turned-spy must infiltrate an elite Nazi boarding school in this highly commercial, relentlessly nail-biting World War II drama!
After her mother is shot at a checkpoint, fifteen-year-old Sarah–blonde, blue-eyed, and Jewish–finds herself on the run from a government that wants to see every person like her dead. Then Sarah meets a mysterious man with an ambiguous accent, a suspiciously bare apartment, and a lockbox full of weapons. He’s a spy, and he needs Sarah to become one, too, to pull off a mission he can’t attempt on his own: infiltrate a boarding school attended by the daughters of top Nazi brass, befriend the daughter of a key scientist, and steal the blueprints to a bomb that could destroy the cities of Western Europe. With years of training from her actress mother in the art of impersonation, Sarah thinks she’s ready. But nothing prepares her for her cutthroat schoolmates, and soon she finds herself in a battle for survival unlike any she’d ever imagined.
Review:
I’ve been keen to read his for a while and I am so glad I took the plunge! I absolutely loved Orphan Monster Spy from page one right through to the fabulous ending. Matt Killeen has a wonderful way with words and I loved the heroine of the story: Sarah. She’s so feisty and rises above all her terrible experiences, (including the death of her mother,) to be a truly awesome, fierce, brave and engaging character.
You’d enjoy this if you like stories set in Nazi Germany.
It doesn’t shy away from the ugly side of this time period of history. This is a different take, focusing on a young Jewish girl infiltrating a Nazi school for the ‘elite,’ and convincing them that she is one of them. What a great idea for a story.
It is obviously well researched and the author Matt Killeen’s compassion and humanity is evident in his writing.
It’s an easy one to rate. A five stars without a doubt. Definitely a favourite. Highly recommended.
I wonder if a lot of writers talk to ourselves? Perhaps we have too much to say? Jack has his reasons for talking to himself, do read his engaging account. I am a long term member of the talk to yourself club too.
Years ago when I was a small boy I witnessed something which might explain a few things about me, if you are at all interested…
My mother and I were walking into Beccles where I still live today from the farm we lived on in the village of Barsham. Armed with our ration books in mum’s purse we were going for the weekly ration pickup (two real eggs, two ounces of marg, either four paper-thin slices of bacon or what used to pass for a half-dozen sausages, mainly containing gristle and suet). From memory the latter were bloody awful! So much so that it was years before I could face a proper sausage. This weekly ritual was a hangover from the Second World War still in operation.
But I digress…
We passed an old man on the road walking the other way towards Bungay who was talking to himself. I…
The first review is Life’s Rich Tapestry: Woven in Words by Sally Cronin
My Review
I have followed Sally Cronin’s blog for some time and always enjoy reading her writing of short stories, articles on health and well-being and various subjects.
I read this book, Life’s Rich Tapestry: Woven in Words, with great expectation. By the subtitle, I knew it includes poetry, fiction and short stories. The book includes the four seasons, all things human, fairy tales, the nature, the pets and short stories.
In the Seasons of the Year – The scenes of the seasons passed in front of my eyes. I could see the colors of the seasons and smell the fragrance, feel the breeze of warm and cold air, hearing the joyful sounds in the family gatherings.
In All Things Human, rich words flowed from Cronin’s true experience or imagination, ranged from youth…
When Kellan Ayrwick returns home for his father’s retirement from Braxton College, he finds a dead body in Diamond Hall’s stairwell.
Unfortunately, Kellan has a connection to the victim, and so do several members of his family. Could one of them be guilty of murder? Soon after, the college’s athletic program receives mysterious donations, a nasty blog denounces his father and someone attempts to change students’ grades.
Someone is playing games on campus, but none of the facts add up. With the help of his eccentric and trouble-making nana, Kellan tries to stay out of the sheriff’s way. And if that wasn’t enough already, his own past comes spiraling back to change his life forever.
In the debut novel in the Braxton Campus Mysteries Series, you’ll discover a cozy, secluded Pennsylvania village full of quirky, sarcastic and nosy residents.
My review:
A light-hearted murder mystery set in an academic setting with strong family vibes. I enjoyed this cozy story. It is for you if you like a well written story with lots of engaging dialogue. It is perhaps a bit different from what I would normally read but it is good to try new genres from time to time. I particularly enjoyed the main character’s Kellan Ayrwick’s feisty Nana who is such a fun character! Kellan is a widower with a young daughter, he works on a true crime television series called “Dark Reality.” His father’s retirement party at Braxton Campus brings more than he expects when Abby Monroe is found dead and it soon becomes clear that her death is not of natural causes.
Recommended reading for murder mystery fans who enjoy humour as a side dish to the murder mystery.
It is the beginning of a new month, of March, so let’s self-promote! It is time to stand up and shout for your books! Come and join this party, and celebrate your writing. Do not be shy–you must be your own biggest promoter!
So, regardless of the genre, tell about your book. Include where it can be found, and be proud of your writing! Then, so as many as possible can see this promotion for all, please reblog and tweet this post! Let us all help each other as much as possible!
My daughter Natasha and I saw this beautiful mural in Glasgow when we were looking at accommodation for her course starting in August. She is going to Strathclyde university to study to be an English secondary school teacher.It is the work of Australian artist Smug and depicts the patron saint of Glasgow, St Mungo, appearing to be breastfed by his mother, St Enoch,while a robin – said to signify one of his later miracles – perches on her wrist. It is alleged that St Mungo restored life to a robin, that had been killed by some of his classmates.
This is my HAIGA in response: 5/7/5, 3/5/3, 2/3/2 syllable structure. A Haiga is an observational form of poetry which contains an image with either a Haiku or Senryu written on it or near it.
My new release: Mr. Sagitarrius, poetry, prose and photography is now available in full paper paperback, kindle and free on kindle unlimited. Buying Link: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius.
![Life’s Rich Tapestry: Woven in Words by [Cronin, Sally]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51iECsbKLyL.jpg)
My Review
M J Mallon YA Author and Poet 