DARKNESS ECHOES anthology of YA #Hallowween stories @del_connor #Bookreview #wwwblogs

Darkness Echoes by L.A. Starkey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Darkness Echoes is an anthology if six YA short Halloween style stories.

Till Death Do Us Part by L.A Starkey involves Jennifer, cheer leader and troubled child after the death of her Grandmother. She has a school project to do and because she loves all things horror, she’d like to do it on the local haunted mansion. Friend Zack has been absent all summer and she persuades him to go with her to the mansion, where she gets more than one surprise.

Witch Moth by Kelly Hall. A teenage love triangle between Kitty and best friend Jenn over a boy called Colt, ends on the night they visit a haunted house. Kitty meets brother and sister duo Dahlia and Dominic Dane at the house and falls for Dominic’s good looks and manners. But there is something more to this pair and danger lurks for all the teenagers.

The Coming Of The Skin Walker by D.E.L. Connor can be read as a prequel to her Spirit Warrior series. Walking Bear and Nine Fingers are early native American hunters. They spot a young girl being chased by a figure who turns into a wolf before their eyes. They rescue the girl who tells them of a powerful medicine man called a Skin Walker who wants her dead.

Darkness Echoes by Chess Desalls is about a strange glowing lantern in the garden of Tori’s grandmother. She discovers that inside is a young man named Jared who was once a disabled apprentice to a clever man. Tori must find a way to help Jared escape from the lantern.

Cloak of Echoes by CK Dawn is the story of Emma. She is an empathy and can feel emotions of those around her. Mattox Daniels the new boy in school has eyes only for her. But he is more than just an ordinary boy, sent to protect Emma from the Netherwalkers he has come from Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table.

Hallowed Eve by DB Neilsen introduces us to Evee Hale, a troubled child who can see ghosts. Told to run by her dead father, Evee heads to the house of Dr Crane. Evee learns she has been chosen as a Soul Guardian and must face the real evil which surrounds the story of The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow.

A good mix of spooky tales for the YA market.

This review is abased on a free copy of the book given to me by the authors.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Spirit Warriors – The Burning by Della Connor @del_connor @Booktrope #Bookreview

The Burning by D.E.L. Connor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Burning is book #3 of The Spirit Warriors #YA series, set in Montana around a group of teenagers and their connections to animal spirits revered by the Native Americans.

The evil spirit of a once powerful medicine man known as the Machayiwiw is hunting narrator, Emme . She is a powerful descendant of Golden Flower, an Indian girl whose spirit is currently trapped inside a vulture. Emme and her friends Charlie, Ollie and Bets are spirit warriors called to face a big battle against this evil spirit. They are being taught the skills they need, and are helped via visions, from the ancient Indian chiefs they are building knowledge of the Machayiwiw.

During their preparations they must face other domestic dramas, Emme’s family are falling apart and she’s also finding where her future lies in her own love triangle.

This book is a building of the storylines, adding background depth, I thought there was going to be much more action with the Machayiwiw. I really enjoyed all the spirits and stories from the ancient tribesmen. However at times I felt some of the dialogue was too stiff and a little unrealistic. Roll on book #4.

This review is based on a free copy of the book given to me by the author.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT CookieBooker reviews Spirit Warriors: The Scarring By D.E.L. Connor

Today’s review comes from our Young Adult reviewer CookieBooker, who blogs at https://cookiebookreviews.wordpress.com/

Cookiebooker has been reading Spirit Warriors: The Scarring by D.E.L. Connor

The second novel in the Spirit Warriors, and just like the first, left me feeling multiple emotions.

All the characters have returned and have become more confident with their shifting, although, the more they practice, the more likely they are to be noticed by people. They can’t afford to be shot in their animal forms by hunters because then, both the animal and the human spirit will be gone.

Every time, I become more attached to the characters and it makes the read so much more intense as the feeling of reality is still there. You learn more about the characters Emme, Ollie, Charlie, Bets. Charlie and newcomers Jack and Raymond.

The cover for this is beautiful, the mix of colours fit perfectly and both warm and cold colours are incorporated.

I recommend this book to teens+ because of the adventure, relationships between the characters and the story itself.

Spirit Warriors: The Scarring is a fabulous book and once more, I could see this as a film.

Thank you D.E.L Connor for sending me the book to read and review, it was fantastic.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT Spirit Warriors: The Concealing by Della Connor

Today’s book review is from a new team member who will be reviewing YA books for us. Cookiebooker blogs at https://cookiebookreviews.wordpress.com/

Cookiebooker chose Spirit Warriors; The Concealing by D.E.L Connor

Spirit Warriors: The Concealing by D.E.L. Connor

Spirit Warriors: The Concealing left me with a whole load of contrasting emotions.

I love all the characters and the novel has a great idea behind it. It has the perfect description and immediately you, as the reader, are given the image of the world of Emme and her friends. Their friendship has been written in such a way that made me feel, alongside the description, I was there with them.

So much can happen, and it does. Spirit Warriors contains all the action you could possibly wish for in a novel, not too much or too little and everything has the sense of reality, the feeling of “I’m there with them”.

As the reader, there is the opportunity to catch on to things before the characters, but not here, this novel allows the reader to work out some parts before the characters but otherwise you are left in the dark until the right time.

This book is perfect for someone looking for adventure and friendship.

I love the cover because it’s very detailed and colourful. The cover also hints at the plot of the book, not enough to be able to say “I know exactly what this is about”, but just enough to win the interest of the reader to pick up the book and delve into the story.

I was glued to the book from the moment I began reading it and was sad when it ended, because it ended.

I can very easily visualise this book as a film, the descriptions are detailed enough to make it a great opportunity for a film.

Amazing.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

My Book Reviews In November Issues of Fleet Life & Elvetham Heath Directory

I’m really lucky in that I have another outlet for my book reviews where I can help spread the word to others about some of the books I’ve read.

I get a page in each of these monthly local magazines, which benefit from on-line versions to reach a world wide audience.

This month’s Fleet Life books were;

The Soul and The Seed – Arie Farnam

Stranger at Sunset – Eden Baylee

Frenzy – Mark King

Seaside Dreams – Melissa Foster

How I Changed My Life In A Year – Shelley Wilson

View the online version http://www.fleetlife.org.uk. Click on the online directory tab and load the magazine. Find my reviews on page 27

This month’s EHD books were;

Lost Souls – Penny de Byl

Spirit Warriors: The Scarring D.E.L. Connor

The Landland Chronicles – Dallad Sutherland

Patriot – A.S. Bond

Bend With The Wind – Suraya Dewing

View the online version http://www.ehd.org.uk. Click on the online directory tab and load the magazine. Find my reviews on page 6

Please note this is a voluntary task I get no monetary rewards for my reviews and the editors decision about which books we use is final.

Mystery Book Tour Day 2 #MysteryNovember Spirit Warriors: The Scarring by D.E.L.Connor

Please welcome to the mystery book tour, Della Connor and her book Spirit Warriors: The Scarring

Where is your home town?

I live in a small town in Texas about 90 miles north of Houston. We jokingly say that we live “behind the pine curtain.” This area is home to immensely tall pine trees that seem to isolate us from the big cities, which are just a short distance from us.

This is book 2 in your series when did you start writing them?

I had the idea for the series about twenty years ago but I didn’t start writing them until 2012. I am a late bloomer or as I like to say I never grew up I just grew old.

What is your favourite sub-genre of mystery?

I would have to say historical mysteries. I love history, old places and buildings, and people who have been gone a long time.

Where is your book set?

In the state of Montana in the present time. If you have never been there you must add it to your bucket list. Words can’t properly describe the beauty of Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

Introduce us to the main characters in the book.

Emmeline Rima Belrose: Emme is the storyteller of the books. She is strong-willed, brave, and fierce. Her spirit animal is the majestic soaring osprey, Eros.

Charlie Hunt: Charlie is a seer and a gifted medicine man. Charlie is the leader of the group. He has the visions and the powers that guide the others. He is Emme’s protector, as he alone knows how valuable she, and her gifts, are to his people and to the future of their tribe. His spirit animal is the fierce grizzly, Hercules.

Lilly Grayson: Lilly is soft, petite, and kind. She is loved for her kindness and grace. She loves cheerleading and barrel racing with her spirit animal the beautiful mustang Arion.

Betsy Ross: (Bets) Bets is the beauty of the group with reddish blond hair and green eyes. She is the questioner of the group, always wanting to know why, and then wanting to make things better. Her spirit animal is the graceful mountain lion, Electra.

Lachlan Jackson Arrington: (Jack) Jack moved back to the family ranch in Montana when he was in high school. He came from Australia after his father was killed in a car accident. He is not a part of the spirit warriors, but he knows about them and he helps them. Jack is the listener and solver of the group. He is the one the others turn to when they need to talk about something. He is also the one to come up with solutions when things get tough.

Oliver Graves: (Ollie) Ollie provides all the fun of the group. He always has a joke or a smile to share. Ollie’s spirit animal is the fast coyote, Zephyr. Read more about them here: http://dellaconnor.com/character-bios/

 

What is the element of mystery in the book?

The kids must find and destroy an evil spirit, the machayiwiw, before he kills Emme. The only problem is they don’t know where or in what body they will find him.

What unusual skills do the children have?

Emme, Bets, Charlie, Lilly, and Ollie all have the ability to move their spirits into an animal host.

Tell us a bit about Em’s new power.

Emme has discovered that in addition to her ability to move her spirit to her osprey Eros, she can communicate with animals.

What was the best bit about researching this book?

Reading all of the Native American stories. They have stories to explain everything from the stars in the skies to the water in the rivers. I have started adding the stories to my blog. Read about the origin of summer and winter here: http://dellaconnor.com/native-american-stories/

Where can readers find out more about you?

My website www.dellaconnor.com, my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DelconnorSpiritwarriors, or follow me on twitter: del_connor and instagram: delconnor

Find a copy of Spirit Warriors; The Scarring here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com This book will be down to 99c November 8th -10th

I reviewed this book here on the blog. Follow the link to read the review http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5FG

Romancing September #RomancingSeptember – Day 13

Welcome to Day 13 of Romancing September Across The World Tour. Today our guest is Della Connor. Catch up with more from Della in a few hours with the second part of our tour when Stephanie chats to her.

1)Where is your home town?

A small town in East Texas about 90 miles north of Houston. We call this part of Texas the “Piney-woods”. Right now it is hot and humid, a typical summer in Texas.

2)How long have you been writing romance?

I am a new author so I would have to say a short time! I have read romance novels since I was a teenager and my Grandmother would gift me her paperback Harlequins.

3)What is your favourite sub-genre of romance?

I guess since I write young adult, I would have to say young adult or new adult. I like the innocence and forever-ness of first love.

4)Tell are where your book is set.

It is set in present day Montana. I grew up in Montana and the pure beauty and majesty of that state gives you something to write about!

5)Who has been teaching the children about the Native Americans?

In my first book of the series, The Concealing, Archie who is the Native American grandfather of one of the five main characters tells the stories to the characters as they are growing up. He spends a lot of time with the kids and teaches them many things including how to build a tepee and how to do Native American dances. He also teaches them how to fight.

6)What games do the children like to play?

The characters have one game in particular that they play all the time. It is actually a re-enactment of Custer’s Last Stand or The Battle of Little Bighorn. Each of them has an assigned character that they play and of course we all know how the game ends.

7)Who is the dangerous spirit?

The machaywiw is an ancient Native American Medicine Man gone bad, so to speak. He is extremely powerful and has used his supernatural powers to exact revenge on a tribe who denied him the powers of their chief’s daughter.

8) Why does Charlie need to protect Emme?

He is Emme’s protector as he alone knows how valuable she, and her gifts, are to his people and to the future of their tribe. Charlie wants nothing more than to be with Emme for the rest of his life. But first he has to make sure that Emme lives to have the rest of her life – See more about the characters at: http://dellaconnor.com/character-bios/#sthash.mvqf3O1Q.dpuf

9)Tell us what you are working on at the moment.

I am 50,000 words into Book 3 in the series called The Burning. Here’s a teaser: “I don’t know. We didn’t get that far. I suspect she is here now because the time is drawing near to battle the machayiwiw.” I put my head in my hands. “Jack, in all likelihood I will die and possibly the others as well. Don’t you see why it just isn’t fair for me to lead you on? Do you want to spend your life like Golden Flower pining away for the love you lost? Can you imagine how hard it is to be left behind when everything you loved has left? I won’t do that to you. I can’t do that to you.” I stared at my boots. “Emme, I would gladly live what is left of my life alone to have you be mine in everyway possible for even a day or even just an hour. It would be the best hour of my life and the memory of our love could get me through the rest of my life. The thought of you waiting for me, would carry me through all the seasons of my life, until forever.” My eyes filled with tears and my voice cracked. “Oh… Jack.

10)Where can readers find out more about you?

On my new and improved blog. As you can tell I am proud of it! Come have a look. http://www.dellaconnor.com

Find a copy of Spirit Warriors: The Concealing here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Find out more about Della from Stephanie Hurts blog and all our Romance writers http://stephanie-hurt.com

 

 

 

Spirit Warriors: The Scarring by D.E.L. Connor

Spirit Warriors: The Scarring by D.E.L. Connor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the YA Spirit Warriors series set in Montana. We meet the characters from the last book; Charlie and Archie, descents from native American Indians, Jack, Ollie, Bets and Em. They’re Charlie’s friends and he and Em have a special relationship which will be tested to the core.

These children have learnt the ability to join their spirits with those of animals in a battle against the Machayiwiw an evil medicine man spirit escaped and running a muck in the world today. Em has already had one close call with him at the end of the last book and nearly drowned.

In this book Em finds that her destiny is not with Charlie and both of them find this really hard to accept. Em has her own special gifts which she must learn to control and which will help them defeat the evil Machayiwiw. Others on the reservation help Em to prepare her for future battles. Meanwhile the children’s animals that they join spirits with are in danger from poachers and the children must move them to safety.

Other relationships move on too, Bets no longer wants to hang out with Em and her little brother Ben goes to LA to pursue his music career taking their Mum with him and putting extra strain on Em and her Dad.

This is another great book from Della and it left me tingling with the spiritual tensions at the end. I do think you need to read the first book in the series to fully appreciate this book and the story will continue on as well into the next book in the series. The setting is beautiful and the storyline really makes it a good read.

View all my reviews on Goodreads.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Spirit Warriors: The Scarring by D.E.L. Connor July 21st

The Scarring (Spirit Warriors #2)

by D.E.L. Connor

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Booktrope

Published: July 21, 2014

Length: 244 pages

Blurb:

“One of us would finally end what had been started by the machayiwiw so many years ago. I would have to kill him. It was just that simple. I never thought I would want to kill anybody or anything, but maybe I never had anything worth killing for before.”

-Emmeline Rima Belrose, The Scarring (Spirit Warriors, Book 2)

In the majestic beauty of a Montana summer, Emme and her friends celebrate her near-drowning survival and their defeat of the powerful evil spirit, the machayiwiw. But even as they rejoice, things are amiss. Emme watches helplessly as her family divides, and her friends struggle to hold their relationship together. Worse yet, the love-of-her life, Charlie, announces that he will move back to the reservation, without Emme. Different nightmares take over and Emme realizes she must fight and kill—or watch those she loves be killed. Friends from the reservation reach out to Emme and show her what evil can steal from her. Emme believes that evil can never break her bond with the Spirit Warriors or the love she shares with Charlie. Or can it?

Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Although this is the second book in the Spirit Warriors series, it can be read as a stand alone novel.

Excerpt

I looked back at him. “I finally figured out that Golden Flower gifted me with the ability to talk to and control animals.” I smiled questioningly at Charlie.

 

Charlie didn’t smile back. “What else have you done?” I told Charlie about Ollie and the church and the birds. Charlie paced around me. “This is not good. The machayiwiw will notice a display like the one you did in town. You must not ever do it again in a public place where others can see you. Do you understand me?” I nodded with my head down. Charlie leaned forward and grabbed my face between his warm hands. “I have to admit that it was an awesome thing to do for Ollie, but we have to be more careful.”

 

I laid my hands over his by my face. I leaned into this chest as he slowly lowered us to the ground. We laid on the ground facing each other. I stared into his eyes lost in his world. Charlie stared back at me and as the beautiful empty world and the warm wind eavesdropped on us, we talked. I told him about Bets, and Mom and Ben, and how hurt Ollie was at the church. I told him about Jack and the preserve and Rose and the baby. We talked laying down and facing each other with our fingers intertwined until the sun started its slow climb to the edge of darkness. The sky was an incredible shade of deep purple with shades of violet blue. Even in the beauty of the sunset, I felt the desperation creep over me. I started to shake. I didn’t want to leave Charlie. I never wanted to leave Charlie. Charlie leaned closer. I could feel his breath on my cheek. He laid his gentle brown hands on my cheeks. I closed my eyes. “Let me take the pain away,” he whispered. We stood up.

 

Charlie closed his eyes and he chanted in a low voice. I listened to his voice. I closed my eyes and leaned into Charlie. I laid my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. I felt the desperation leave me and I was filled with a sense of peace and serenity. My breathing slowed, and my mind was filled with the beautiful times that Charlie and I had shared. We were like one in my mind, our thoughts joined and our spirits connected. It was the most incredible intense feeling. It was what I imagined making love would be like. I felt dizzy and my body felt it was on fire from the inside out. My legs gave way and I dropped to my knees. Charlie grabbed me and slowly lowered me down to the ground. “What did you do?” I asked Charlie. He stared back at me. “I showed you our love. I showed you what is worth fighting and dying for.”

As Charlie stood up, he staggered. I reached out and held his arm. “Are you okay?” Charlie put his hand over mine that rested on his arm. “Just tired. You wear me out.” He grinned broadly as I swatted his arm. “Poor me,” I told him. We held hands as we headed back to the main buildings.

 

Ollie and Jack were standing outside of the meeting room talking to Ryan and Hawke. Ryan looked up as we approached. “Hey, Em, can you come back next week? I want to run in the hills with you, and Hawke needs to start working with you on knife and lance throwing.” “Sure thing,” I told him. Hawke looked at Charlie and then at me. Charlie was leaning on the car while he talked to Jack. Charlie’s face was pale. Hawke walked the short distance to me and whispered in my ear. “Every time Charlie carries your pain, he gets weaker. Every time you feel better in Charlie’s presence, he pays the price for it. Is that what you want for him?” I shook my head “No.” I looked at my feet as Hawke said, “Don’t come back here. Walk away. His burden is too big to carry.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry I can’t do that. I just can’t. I love him too much.” Hawke shook his head and walked away.

We all walked to the car. I held Charlie’s hand as long as I could. I climbed in the back seat and Jack and Ollie sat down in the Mustang. As we drove off, I turned around and stared back at Charlie. He stood there watching us drive off.

 

An Interview with Author D.E.L. Connor

What was your favorite book growing up?

When I was old enough to read it was the Little House on the Prairie series. I must have read and reread each of them a hundred times. I honestly thought I was Laura Ingalls Wilder. Most girls my age were into dolls and while I liked dolls and playing house, my version of playing house always had a log house and a covered wagon. They are still my favorite books to read to children. Can’t you just picture yourself on a hot summer day bouncing along in the back of the covered wagon?

Who is your favorite author (living or dead)?

I have more than one. Obviously I love Laura Ingalls Wilder, but I am also a huge fan of Larry McMurray. I grew up admiring strong women writers like Margaret Mitchell and Harper Lee and more recently J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyers.

What inspired you to write the Spirit Warriors series?

Actually is has been a long time coming. I wrote the short story that the Spirt Warriors evolved from in college may years ago. The professor asked me to stay after class and he told me how good it was, but unfortunately, it was too dark to be a children’s story. I put it away and went on with my career as a nurse. Finally J.K Rowling and Stephenie Meyers came out with new dark tales and the young adult market was born. The time was finally right! I finished Book 1 in two weeks. The struggle to get it published took more time, but here I am with two books in the story completed.

What character do you most identify with in Spirit Warriors: The Scarring?

Probably Lilly, I tend to be kind to a fault, and love my friends and family unconditionally. I think as a child I wished I could have been more like Bets and Emme. They are headstrong, brave and willing to fight for anything or anyone they cared about. I was shy when I was young, although no one believes that today! LOL

Can you tell us about your next project?

Why of course. I am about half way through book 3 in the series The Burning. There will be 6 books total in the series. Book 4 will be The Lamenting, Book 5 The Ensouling and then a Prequel to be named later. In between those books or after them I’m not sure which, I plan to write a new adult romance novel about loss and finding the chance to love again.

The Concealing (Spirit Warriors #1)

by D.E.L. Connor

Release Date: November 24, 2013

Length: 191 pages

Publisher: Booktrope

 

Blurb:

Sixteen-year-old Emme Belrose has it all: four best friends, a horse of her own, a hidden tepee hangout, and a blossoming romance with tall and handsome Charlie. These friends also have a secret. They can move their spirits into animal bodies: an osprey, a mustang, a grizzly, a mountain lion and a coyote.

 

But when Charlie, who has a gift for seeing the future, has a vision of Emme drowning in the icy Yellowstone River, the Spirit Warriors must train their animal bodies to kill an enemy they know is coming… but know nothing about. Suspenseful, romantic, and awash in Native American magic, Spirit Warriors captures the tragic enchantment of the American West—and confirms the power of friendship.

Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Della was born in South Dakota and raised in the vastness and beauty of Montana on a farm. When she longed for the big city life, she moved to Texas where she attended college and received a PhD in nursing. When not nursing people back to health you can find Della huddled over her Mac writing the stories that have occupied her mind for so many years, or traveling with her best friends, the NOLA’s, riding bikes across the Golden Gate bridge or exploring botanical gardens. She is the proud mother of a champion triathlete, two aging dogs and 1 grand-cat. Della has admittedly confessed to her coffee addiction and swears that her two hour coffee crawl while on vacation in Seattle –was the best two hours of her life!

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Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spirit-warriors-del-connor/1119969790?ean=9781620154564

itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/spirit-warriors-the-scarring/id899402196?mt=11

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Warriors-Scarring-D-E-L-Connor-ebook/dp/B00KZQ2N6S

Good Deeds Week March 30th – April 5th

Welcome to my weekly roundup of my year long challenge to do one Good deed a day for a year. This challenge began back in April 2013 and is still going strong, I’m now entering my final few weeks. My inspiration came from reading “A Year of Doing Good” by Judith O’Reilly. Here is what I’ve been up to this week.

March 30th – Last night we changed our clocks in line with British Summertime, so I’m a bit late this morning. It’s also Mother’s Day, so I’ve been giving and receiving gifts as all Mothers should.

March 31st – A really busy day today. I’ve just done my morning at school. Now the April Issue of Fleet Life has just dropped through my door, so I’ve written a draft ready to coincide with the online version. http://www.fleetlife.org.uk click on the online directory and fins me on page 18. This months books are;

Please Call Me Derek by Mac Black

The Medea Complex by Rachel Florence Roberts

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Calculated by R.S. Novelle

Spirit Warriors by D.E.L Connor

It’s also my first month writing book reviews for Fleet Life’s sister magazine The Elvetham Heath Directory. http://www.ehd.org.uk, again click on the online directory and find me on page. This months featured books are different to Fleet Life although I will mix and match on occasions.

The Dating Game by Susan Buchanan

Greening of a Heart by Stepheny Houghtlin

Red Clay and Roses by S.K. Nicholls

The Griffin’s Boy by Julia Hughes

The Black Hours by Alison Williams.

With my A to Z Challenge starting tomorrow too, I’m sending out reminders to authors whose books are featuring in the first week. I want it to be a good give and take, I promote their books and they promote me.

April 1st – It’s here the first Day of the April A to Z blogging challenge with well over 1900 bloggers signed up this year it’s going to be huge. I’ve been all over the place visiting blogs and writing comments. My own challenge started with A World Apart by Camelia Miron Skiba. Catch up with posts in my Challenge round-up post, or from the A to Z page at the top of this blog.  The sun has finally burnt off the morning fog so now I’m off out in to the garden for a bit of one on one with nature after all my computing.

April 2nd – Online versions of both local magazines made it up on the internet today, so posted my pieces about them and let all the authors know. Having an absolute blast with the A to Z challenge, I can’t believe how many people are coming to my blog it is fantastic. Today’s book was Boot Camp Bride by Lizzie Lamb, Lizzie helped promote the post with her Facebook group of friends which I really appreciated. My slideshow on the sidebar is getting plenty of attention and good comments which is great to hear, have been helping a couple of people out with setting up their own gallery.

April 3rd – Met a friend for coffee in town and caught up with all her news. Went out this evening with more friends and took a birthday present with me for one of them whose birthday is in the next few days. Today’s book on the A to Z Challenge was Coronado’s Treasure by Randy Mixter. I’m thrilled to see lots of re-tweeting going on from other authors who will be taking part in my challenge and from followers of my blog, thanks everyone it means a lot.

April 4th – It’s a Derek Day today on the A to Z with Derek’s Revenge by Mac Black and a plug for the whole series. Went to the local market this morning, met a friend who has offered to pick us up in a few weeks time to attend a party. My Good deeds are mainly internet bound this week, visiting lots of blogs and leaving comments, tweeting and sharing posts. Finished reading Chill Factor by Rachel Caine and left a review on Goodreads.

April 5th – Everlasting by Candace Knoebel is the book for letter E in the A to Z today. Went for a quick walk this afternoon and picked up some litter. Am reading the second book in the Wardstone Chronicles, The Spook’s Curse, by Joseph Delaney, finished it late last evening and posted my review on Goodreads.