Tuesday, December 5, 2023

IWSG Blog Hop: Reviewing Reviews, Celebrating Newly Released Books with C. Lee Mackenzie's Latest Release--Rattlesnake #IWSGbloghop

 

Insecure Writer's Support Group 

#IWSGbloghop

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?
Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. 
To find out more, click this link:  Insecure Writer’s Support Group

The purpose of the group is 
* to share and encourage. 
* Writers can express doubts and concerns 
without fear of appearing foolish or weak. 
* Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. 
*It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 
You're invited to become a member of this supportive group. 
Click here to sign-up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

HAPPY DECEMBER!
HAPPY IWSG DAY!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Thank you to our awesome co-hosts for the December 6 posting of the IWSG Blog Hop-- C. Lee McKenzie, Jennifer Lane, and Jacqui Murray! I am thrilled to be one of the co-hosts this December. I'm looking forward to visiting many of you this week!
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

Hello and welcome to the jam-packed IWSG Blog Hop posting this week! 
🎄Not only do I have an answer to the December question,
🎄but I am thrilled to host C. Lee McKenzie to celebrate the release of her new Western novel, Rattlesnake
🎄Plus, I am celebrating the new release of my non-fiction book, Your Life with Jesus: How to Spark Memories and Write Your Spiritual Memoir.

I think that's pretty cool for Lee and me to celebrate our new releases together as co-hosts on the IWSG Blog Hop!!

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

The Question of the Month: 
Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book review 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?

I tell the reader what I like about the story--characters, narrative, setting, etc so the reader can decide if the book is something she would like to read. I don't critique the author other than to note how much I appreciate her lyrical language or how well she draws the reader into the scenes. 

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Thank you, Lee, for sharing your brand-new novel, Rattlesnake, at the Focused on Story blog. I'm sure I am not the only person who loves that eye-catching book cover and title. Why did you choose Rattlesnake for the title?


RATTLESNAKE by C. Lee McKenzie
Western YA Novel
The desert town of Rattlesnake isnt a destination. Its a last resort. 

Rattlesnake wasnt my first title. I think I had three others before I settled on that venomous-sounding one. Each previous title had ghosts included—No Such Thing As Ghosts, Ghost Dreams, and one other that must have been so bad I cant remember it. I think the word, Gulch, was involved. Fortunately, I dispatched all of these, and once I settled on Rattlesnake, I was happy. It had the flavor of the desert, a hint of the Old West, and it was also ominous.

RATTLESNAKE by C. Lee McKenzie

BACK OF THE BOOK: The desert town of Rattlesnake isnt a destination. Its a last resort. Seventeen-year-old Jonah Guthries aunt sold their home in New England and fled to this place to escape the humiliation of his dads indictment for embezzlement and subsequent disappearance.

While their late uncle left them a house and a silver mine, the house is a shambles and the mine is defunct. Theyre almost out of money, so they have no choice but to stay in Rattlesnake. And then Jonah discovers theyve inherited something else. Her name is Catherine, and shes been dead for over a hundred years. Now, she needs his help.

YOUTUBE RATTLESNAKE TRAILER 

RATTLESNAKE BY C.LEE MCKENZIE

 BUY LINKS

Amazon

Smashwords: 

Kobo:

 

ABOUT C. LEE MCKENZIE 

Author C. LeeMcKenzie
C. Lee McKenzie is a native Californian who grew up in a lot of different places; then landed in the Santa Cruz Mountains in her home state. She writes, gardens, hikes, and does yoga a lot, and then travels whenever she can. Her favorite destinations are Turkey and Nicaragua, but because she has family in England, Switzerland, and Spain she goes there when she can. 

She takes on modern issues that today's teens face in their daily lives. Her Evernight Teen Publication, Double Negative was voted as one of the best top ten Young Adult books in 2020. Her most recent novel, Shattered, won the 2022 Indie Book Award.

 Connect online with C. Lee McKenzie

Substack . Goodreads . Facebook . Instagram . YouTube . LinkedIn

Email

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Your Life with Jesus: How to Spark Memories
and Write Your Spiritual Memoir by J.Q.Rose

The pages within Your Life with Jesus guide you in penning your sacred story and invite you to journey into a deeper faith experience.


I am ecstatic to announce--

My book, Your Life with Jesus: How to Spark Memories and Write Your Spiritual Memoir, is now available in eBook and paperback!

Thank you to this grand group of bloggers for the support you have given me during the last couple of years, helping me with the insecurities of writing a book, choosing a title, trying out a book cover, etc. Hugs to all!

I am a life storytelling advocate, so I encourage everyone to write their life stories. After I finished my first book on how to write your life story, Your Words, Your Life Story, I felt God nudging me to create a book to help followers of Jesus to write about their faith walk with him. When the nudge turned into an elbow in the ribs, I finally took action. I looked forward to helping folks put pen to paper or fingers on the keyboard to let go of the story that's been inside their heart for years. During the writing experience, the writer will discover revelations about her life, as well as create a treasured gift for their family and friends.

I have presented workshops to groups, but I can only reach so many. I hope the books will reach more people and inspire them to take time to sit down and write or video those precious life experiences, as well as explain how they overcame the obstacles in their lives.

A Survival Guide

Your Life with Jesus: How to Spark Memories and Write Your Spiritual Memoir by J.Q. Rose

BACK OF THE BOOK:

The purpose of this Christian-based book, Your Life with Jesus, is to spark memories of your life experiences so you can use them when writing your spiritual memoir. This book guides you in penning your sacred story and invites you to journey into a deeper faith experience.

Part One of the book includes information on ways to ignite your memories and tips on writing stories readers will want to read. Part Two suggests forty topics for journaling. Each topic, designed to awaken your life experiences, is accompanied by a verse from the Bible and a writing prompt. Not every topic will resonate with you. Select the ones that stir you.

Your Life with Jesus will open your heart to know God is speaking to you as you pray, plan, remember, and compose your stories.

Take the time now to create your spiritual memoir. Download your copy so you can preserve those special memories of Your Life with Jesus

Click here to download the eBook from your favorite online bookseller.

The paperback is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Amazon paperback 

Barnes and Noble paperback

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

UPDATES

December 13--I will be a guest on Canadian author and book coach, Diane Bator's Blog. She asked a lot of questions, and I enjoyed answering them, except for one very difficult question.

December 20--Fellow memoirist and author, Margaret Hanna, will be my guest on the Recipes and Reads Series with a yummy dessert that has been passed down through generations of her family.

On December 3rd, Margaret featured my book, Your Life with Jesus on her blog, Prairie Perspective. Margaret is an atheist, so why did she help me promote this Christian-based book? Click here to read her blog post to find out.

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays to all!!


The Rose Courier

The Rose Courier
Click here to receive the Rose Courier 
delivered quarterly to your inbox. 
However, if I am bursting with news I can't wait to share,
 I will send out a Special Edition!
Filled with photos, updates, new book releases and more!


Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on the J.Q. Rose blog.

Click here to visit more Insecure Writers Support Group  
members participating in this month's IWSG Blog Hop!

Click here to follow me on Facebook at J.Q. Rose, Author.

Thank you for stopping by today! And for clicking around this post!!






Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Recipes 'n Reads:Author Marsha R. West's Yummy Pot Roast Recipe and Mystery Novel, COMPROMISE, AND JQ's New Release!

 

Recipes 'n Reads Series
Guest author Marsha R. West

What a great blog post today! Two important features:

***My guest is mystery author and friend, Marsha R. West.

***I am announcing my new release, Your Life with Jesus: How to Spark Memories and Write Your Spiritual Memoir is now available in eBook and paperback! Find out all the details after Marsha shares an mmmm--good recipe and her romantic suspense novel, COMPROMISE, below.

Your Life with Jesus: How to Spark Memories and Write Your Spiritual Memoir
J.Q. Rose

****

Series by mystery author Marsha R. West

Let's welcome mystery author Marsha R. West to the Recipe and Reads series which is scheduled every third Wednesday of the month. Marsha shares her favorite recipe and the reasons why she chose this particular one. And Marsha has brought along one of her mysteries, COMPROMISE, with twists and turns that will keep you reading! If you enjoy stories with mature protagonists, then you will be delighted with Marsha's stories.

Welcome Marsha! Thanks for sharing your recipe and book with us today. Your dish is one of my favorites! Please, tell us all about them!

Thank you so much for inviting me to stop by, J. Q. As it turns out cooking and eating play big parts in my books. But for today’s post, I chose the crock pot roast, potatoes and carrots that Kathy, the daughter of my heroine in COMPROMISE, makes when she invites her mother Jessica to her home. Kathy has an ulterior motive. Because of the “accidents” that have happened to Jessica, Kathy, her husband, and her sister want to convince Jessica to stop protesting the use of Worley Construction, the company Jessica holds responsible for her husband’s death five years ago. Comfort food like pot roast can go a long way to soften up a person.

Now this is actually a meal I prepared in a crock pot for many Sundays when our daughters were young. We’d come back into the house after church and oh, my, the yummy smells. Then we moved away from eating so much beef. Hope you will try this recipe and you’ll give COMPROMISE a try, too. It’s my Hallmarkish type book with a murder on page two!

The recipe below is from Cooking Professionally, an online site where I find lots of recipes. Originally, I made the roast the way my mother told me—a little of this, a little of that. Taste and add what’s needed. My mother was a great cook. I thought you might need something a little more specific. LOL I did use this recipe just a week ago when we had a cold front come in. The roast was fall-apart-tender. Enjoy! Thanks again, JQ.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup low-sodium beef broth

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1 pound small potatoes, scrubbed and halved

• 3 carrots, peeled and cut crosswise into 2" pieces (I use baby carrots)

• 1 medium yellow onion, cut into 1/2" wedges’

• 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced• 4 cloves garlic (I used tsp of chopped garlic)

• 1 sprig rosemary (I use dried)

• 1 (3.5 pounds) beef chuck roast

• Kosher salt to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Step 1

In the bottom of a slow cooker, whisk together broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire, and cornstarch. Add potatoes, carrots, onion, celery, garlic, and rosemary.

Step 2

Season beef with salt and pepper, then nestle into vegetables. (I put the roast in the bottom and the veggies on top.) Cover and cook on high until roast is fork-tender, 5 hours (or 8 hours on low). (I did 5 ½ hours on high.)

Step 3

Thinly slice roast and arrange on top of vegetables on a platter. Skim fat from extra juices in slow cooker and drizzle over top. Serve warm.

****


COMPROMISE
Marsha R. West
Romantic Suspense
Back of the Book

Widowed, shopkeeper, and transplanted Texan Jessica Allen fights to protect the green in the New Hampshire town of Tidbury, settled by her late husband’s family. New Hampshire of the beautiful fall leaves, picturesque Christmases, and sometimes brutal winters. She’s angry to learn developers plan to use Worley Construction, a company she holds responsible for her husband’s death. When a member of the board of selectmen is murdered, family and friends encourage Jessica to run for the seat. Will threats force her to compromise her principles?
Developer Jeff Hudson wants to build a retirement center on the Tidbury Green. Despite Jessica’s opposition, he believes he can convince her of the need for the center and that its place on the green will leave plenty of room for all of the town’s activities. But has he partnered with an unsafe builder? How much money will he lose if he breaks the contract to please Jessica? Her position on the board of selectmen may cause a conflict of interest and force them apart. Will more people have to die to save the green?

Will Jessica be forced to compromise to find her second chance at love?

Thanks for being my guest, Marsha. I will definitely cook this. Sounds so tasty and tender. I already know I loved COMPROMISE! 

Click here to download the eBook or to order the paperback edition of COMPROMISE 

About Marsha R. West

A retired elementary school principal, a former school board member, and theatre arts teacher, Marsha R. West writes Romance, Suspense, and Second Chances. Experience Required.

Author Marsha R. West
The theme of her ten books is second chances, including a 4-part series titled The Second Chances Series. She believes in Happily Ever Afters. Her husband picked up a plaque for her on one of their several trips to Maine that states her philosophy exactly. Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end. The Heroines and Heroes in her books are in their 40s and 50s with their parents and children often playing supporting roles.

She has her own weekly blog and monthly newsletter. Her e-books can be found on Books to Read—which lets you choose your format— AMAZON, B & N, KOBO, iTunes, and other sites. Print books are also at Draft 2 Digital, Indie Lector Stores, and Amazon. 

Sign up for her Newsletter by clicking the link here NEWSLETTER MRW Press LLC (list-manage.com) 

Connect with Marsha online:

Author website to find all of her books with links and her blog

Twitter  @Marsharwest

Goodreads

****

I am thrilled to announce my eBook, Your Life with Jesus: How to Spark Memories and Write Your Spiritual Memoir, is now published! The paperback will be available soon.
So, you're probably wondering what this book is about and how it can help you. Read on.
SNIPPETS FROM EARLY REVIEWS:
“Topic aimed at women from a Christian perspective.”
“Content engages the reader to recognize the power of her own stories.”
Your Life with Jesus
J.Q. Rose
“Biblical references with prompts are excellent.”

****
The purpose of this Christian-based book, Your Life with Jesus, is to spark memories of your life experiences so you can use them when writing your spiritual memoir. This book guides you in penning your sacred story and invites you to journey into a deeper faith experience.
Part One of the book includes information on ways to ignite your memories and tips on writing stories readers will want to read. Part Two suggests forty topics for journaling. Each topic, designed to awaken your life experiences, is accompanied by a verse from the Bible and a writing prompt. Not every topic will resonate with you. Select the ones that stir you.

This book will open your heart to know God is speaking to you as you pray, plan, remember, and compose your stories.

Take the time now to create your spiritual memoir. Download your copy so you can preserve those special memories of Your Life with Jesus

Click here to download the eBook at amazon.com
Click here to download the eBook from major digital booksellers. The paperback edition will be available soon!

Thank you!!



Tuesday, October 31, 2023

IWSG Blog Hop: My National Novel Writing Month (NANO) Experience, Updates #IWSGbloghop

 

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop
#IWSGbloghop

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?
Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. 
To find out more, click this link:  Insecure Writer’s Support Group

The purpose of the group is 
* to share and encourage. 
* Writers can express doubts and concerns 
without fear of appearing foolish or weak. 
* Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. 
*It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 
You're invited to become a member of this supportive group. 
Click here to sign-up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

HAPPY NOVEMBER!
HAPPY IWSG DAY!!
(HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEE
IF YOU ARE CHECKING IN EARLY!!)
Author J.Q. Rose



Thank you to our awesome co-hosts for the November 1 posting of the IWSG Blog Hop--PJ Colando, Jean Davis, 

🍂🍂🍂🍂




November 1 question
November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?

When I first heard the term, NaNo, I thought it was a word comedian Robin Williams coined in his 70's TV show, "Mork and Mindy." It wasn't. Mork always said, "Nanu, nanu." 

NaNo actually is the shortened term for the National Novel Writing Month challenge held every November. Writers all over the world try to write a 50,000 word novel in just that one month. Some make it and some don't. 

There's no shame in not achieving the goal of 50,000 words because a writer is a winner when actually sitting down and writing!
Time to Write!!

I took on the challenge 13 years ago. I wrote my story which turned out to be only 20,000 words. I assumed I was done. I didn't know then that I could have started another story and another story because the word count is what winning is all about, not the completed novel. If a person writes 50,000 words, she wins! Nano doesn't care if it's 50,000 words that go together and make sense. There is no oversight on quality of storytelling.  We can understand the first draft is the worst draft.
"You need to start somewhere." Anne Lamott

I was thrilled when I received a contract from a publisher for the much revised and longer story. Since then, BWL Publishing released the book, Dangerous Sanctuary.
Dangerous Sanctuary

Pastor Christine Hobbs never imagined 

she would be caring for a flock 

that includes a pig, a kangaroo, and a murderer.

 


I haven't done NaNo recently. I found re-vising the project is time-consuming. Let's face it, writing all those words under a deadline makes one write a lot of "stuff." If I ever do it again, I'll have a lot of the story and characters and setting decided before starting the writing. Hopefully, that will eliminate chasing the story down the rabbit trails.

Looking forward to reading about your Nano experience. Please leave a comment below.


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UPDATE:

Speaking of revising your writing.....This month, I changed the book cover and updated and added new content to my nonfiction eBook, Your Words, Your Life Story: A Guide for Sharing Memories. I will have the paperback updated soon. Because it includes journal pages, the title is Your Words, Your Life Story: A Journal for Sharing Memories.

Your Words, Your Life Story:
A Guide for Sharing Memories

by J.Q. Rose
Available from your favorite online bookseller
Image created by Draft2Digital




I revised Your Words, Your Life Story because I have a second book on writing life stories and sharing memories that will be released in mid-November, Your Life with Jesus: How to Spark  Memories and Write Your Spiritual Memoir. I am marketing the two books together as a series, Books for Life Storytellers Series. I will have a companion book out in May--at least that's the plan now. Fingers crossed that making this series will be successful.




🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂

Have a beautiful November, 
the month of Thanksgiving!


T H A N K S

T hanks for time to be together, turkey, talk, and tangy weather.
H for harvest stored away, home, and hearth, and holiday.
A for autumn’s frosty art, and abundance in the heart.
N for neighbors, and November, nice things, new things to remember.
K for kitchen, kettles’ croon, kith and kin expected soon.
S for sizzles, sights, and sounds, and something special that about.
That spells THANKS for joy in living and a jolly good Thanksgiving.
– Aileen Fisher
Thank you to 37 November Quotes To Welcome The Amazing Month (ourmindfullife.com) for sharing this delightful poem.

The Rose Courier--Yes, you can still get the next edition in your inbox!


The Rose Courier
Click here to receive the Rose Courier 
delivered quarterly to your inbox. 
However, if I am bursting with news I can't wait to share,
 I will send out a Special Edition!
Filled with photos, updates, new book releases and more!


Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on the J.Q. Rose blog.

Click here to visit more Insecure Writers Support Group  
members participating in this month's IWSG Blog Hop!

Click here to follow me on Facebook at J.Q. Rose, Author.

Thank you for stopping by today! And for clicking around this post!!




















IWSG Blog Hop: Reviewing Reviews, Celebrating Newly Released Books with C. Lee Mackenzie's Latest Release--Rattlesnake #IWSGbloghop

  Insecure Writer's Support Group  #IWSGbloghop What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group? Founded by author   Alex J. Cavanaugh ,...

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