Bits and pieces

Quite a few things going on at the moment. First of all, you can read my thoughts on errors and decision making in fiction writing on Cat Rambo’s blog. Cat’s blog is full of excellent advice and information for writers, and I’m delighted I had the chance to write a guest blog post there.

Here are the reviews I’ve put up on Goodreads recently. They’re also posted on LibraryThing, which is a site you might want to check out if you’re looking for book recommendations based on books you’ve already read.

Lay Brothers by David Neilson (who I’ve mentioned previously)

123 Tomorrows: It’s Not a Story, It’s a Puzzle by Vaibhav Thakhur

French Short Stories for Beginners: 20 Captivating Short Stories to Learn French & Grow Your Vocabulary the Fun Way! See a bit further down the page for why I chose to read this book!

Taking On Lucinda: A Kent Stephenson Thriller by Frank Martorana

I’m pleased to say that A Quiet Rebellion: Restitution is still on track for a June release. I just need to proofread the paperback, and then format and upload the ebooks and things will be ready to go. The process might be interrupted by a few work-related conferences entailing two trips to Glasgow, with a trip to Switzerland in between (hence the French revision). At least the travel time will be an opportunity to catch up on some reading and maybe do a few more book reviews!

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And to round off, here are a few more very short stories.

sabotage

“Sir, something’s up. Sabotage?”

His jaw clenched. “You’re imagin—”

“I told Mission Control.”

Damn. Now he’d have to investigate. “Don’t worry your pretty little head.” He grabbed his extravehicular suit.

After his exit, she jammed the door and practised a tale of woe.

Image by Jonny Lindner from Pixabay

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frame

By the pool, I frowned at the picture frame. “Won’t it get damaged here?”

The widower’s eyelid twitched. “My wife enjoys sunshine.”

“And swimming?” I peered closer. Her complexion did seem more tanned.

While my host fetched drinks, I touched the canvas. It was wet.

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keyhole

He stumbled up the path towards the blurry door. His key wouldn’t fit in the keyhole.

What! A new lock just ‘cos he went on a bender? He hammered on the door.

As he paused to rub stinging knuckles, a voice called from across the road,

“Eejit, that’s not your house!”

Image by bohed from Pixabay

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second

#1 shoved the smaller two aside. “Mine!”

SNAP! First mouse got the trap.

#3 crept towards—

#2 cuffed him. “Hey, #second mouse gets the cheese. That’s me.”

The poison was fast. #2 soon groaned his last.

#3 dusted his paws off and smiled. Third mouse got everything else.

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay

I also have to share a cartoon from GoComics that seems particularly appropriate for this situation too. Check it out here.

Hope you’ve enjoyed these. With luck, my next post will be an announcement of a new release!