Thought for the Day:
A writer needs three things: experience, observation, and imagination, any two of which, at times any one of which, can supply the lack of the others.
~ William Faulkner ~
Gifts for My Writer Friends:
It never hurts to have a little refresher on punctuation. I know I find them useful. HERE is a good post by Fran Hodgkins writing for GROG called Don’t Get Punk’d by Common Punctuation Troublemakers.
I’m always looking for good query advice. HERE is a very useful post on query letters from Jodi Meadows on Jodi Spins Stories. This is chock full of good information. Enjoy.
Having a bit of writer’s block? It happens to all of us, some deeper and longer than others. HERE is an excellent post on Writer’s Rumpus by Gregory Maguire on Defeating Writer’s Block. It is short, sweet, and useful.
It’s good to see progress being made on the LA fires. If some predicted rain actually shows up, it should settle things down a lot. That may have been the only good report in the news this week. I try not to think about the rest of the news too much, or I will lose my mind. Maybe the fact that the party that wants to display the ten commandments in classrooms denigrates a bishop for suggesting they abide by the commandments is the perfect metaphor for what we are facing. At least we have football playoffs to distract us for a little while. I have the Eagles/Warriors game on, and it is very entertaining. The Chiefs/Bills game should be great too. I have become a big Chiefs fan over the last few years. They are just a pure pleasure to watch, so I will be cheering for them, but it wouldn’t break my heart if the Bills win. It has been a while for them. I just want a good game.
I’m not really a fantasy reader, but I don’t mind books with some fantastical elements. I saw some reviews of THE WITCHING WIND by Natalie Lloyd, and I thought it fell into the category of contemporary with fantastical elements, something I enjoy. So when I saw it on the review list for the Seattle Book Review, I requested it. I really enjoyed it. Just FYI, Barnes and Noble has the hardcover at 50% off right now! That’s such a great deal. Here is the review I wrote for SBR.
Roxie, 11, is looking forward to starting 6th grade. She’s to meet the other 6th graders at a pool party, but she has an incident that puts her in the crosshairs of a mean girl. Everyone has to join a club, and Roxie meets Grayson, a special girl, and a group of kids who become good friends. The Witching Winds are particularly bad this year, and Roxie’s beloved grandmother disappears in the wind. Grayson’s sister is also gone. The kids in the club aim to help Roxie and Grayson find their loved ones, but can this group of kids do what needs to be done?
Natalie Lloyd has written a real page-turner of a magical mystery. Told from the points of view of Roxie and Grayson in alternating chapters, the voices are pitch-perfect for sixth graders. There is plenty of friend drama to make this of interest to middle-grade readers. The characters are all well-rounded and believable. There are supportive adults who give the kids enough freedom to make their own way, and all the kid characters are true to life and interesting. A little fantasy and romance add more interest. Don’t miss this stellar book.
Please don’t forget to check for other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE.
Rosi Hollinbeck 
I’m glad you have football to distract you from all the bad news these days. I listened to Natalie’s book and really enjoyed it. I love how she combines a little magic and nails her characters in her stories.
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I don’t listen to a lot of books. I need ot do more of that. Glad you liked the audio version. Thanks for always reading and commenting, Natalie.
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I was hoping for a more unique Bills/Commanders Super Bowl instead of the redo from 2023. I’ll probably be tuning in anyway.
I’ve enjoyed Natalie’s previous books so I have this one even higher on my future read list thanks to your review. Contemporary with a little added fantasy always works for me. Thanks also for the links. I have them bookmarked and ready to read over the next few days.
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Super Bowl is a holiday at our house. We just hope for an entertaining game, whoever is in it. This is a good book, Greg. You will like it. Thanks for the comment.
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Great review! I’ve heard about this one, but I definitely want to read it now. I also love contemporary fiction with fantasy elements. Thanks for sharing this. Happy MMGM!
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You’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed reading. Thanks for stopping by.
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I think I’ve figure out that I can comment if I go to WP reader. Sheesh! This MG sounds great! I’ll add it to my TBR pile. (and yes, it’s been a horrible week for so many reasons)
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Glad you figured out how to comment. Every platform seems to have a little different method. There are some blogs I simply can’t comment on no matter what I do. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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It has been a rough week, but I’m rooting for the lawyers and people who “make good trouble” to help everyone willing to stand up for decency to prevail. In the meantime, I may just read a good book, and this one sounds like a good book. Thanks for keeping me reading, Rosi.
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things seem to be getting worse rather than better. Sigh. Good books are a good refuge. Thanks for the comment.
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A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd is a favorite of mine. I have also read other books by her and I love her style. I can’t wait to read The Witching Wind. I am glad you gave it a try and enjoyed it. 🙂
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I’m glad I read it too. I should try to get to other books by her. Thanks for the comment.
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Glad you read it!
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Not really my kind of story, but thanks for a good review anyway!
Alas for me, I don’t like football much more than I like the news these days.
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Thanks for reading and commenting. Hopefully I will hit on something more to your liking in future post.
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Thanks for the links and the chuckle, Rosi, and I hope you enjoy the football. I’ve read other reviews of this book and thought it sounded good (though I am not drawn to any romance, especially if involving 11 year olds!). Thanks for sharing and have a great week!
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So glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for stopping by.
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