January 23, 2023
In August, I discovered an outdoor gem within the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Remic Rapids Park - from its rock sculptures and surrounding scenery - to The Bistro, which offered a variety of foods with plenty of seating space. I went back there a few times during the summer and decided to pop back and visit the area during winter. What a delightful treat it turned out to be! I enjoyed seeing the large trees adorned in snow and the water with ice having...
September 06, 2020
Cal Rogan doesn't have a photo; all I've seen is his profile from behind because he is always turned away from the camera. I learn from Cal and, except for his addiction to heroin and the danger it poses, I wouldn't mind being like him. He has a sharp mind, is a loyal friend, loves his ex-wife and daughter and has a thirst to see justice served. Truth be told, though, I wouldn't have met Cal if not for Robert P. French. Robert introduced me to Cal and that is when I learned about Cal's...
June 16, 2020
On December 31, 2019, I woke feeling as though an exhausted person with no desire, nor enthusiam for life, had crept into my body and mind and taken over - with no warning. I managed to get myself to a doctor's office where I couldn't even manage to sit and wait to be seen. Feeling I was about to pass out after sitting for a couple of minutes, I dragged myself to the counter and asked if there was somewhere I could lie down. Of course, it was a clinic - not an emergency room - so they were not...
December 04, 2019
In a nutshell, an addict is considered to be someone who is addicted to something. What is an addiction? Essentially, it is an inability to stop partaking in an activity or consuming a chemical, drug or substance knowing it has a detrimental effect on a person/family's well-being, according to Medical News Today. Yes, it is true that many people, when thinking of an addict, think mostly of people who have substance abuse disorders or gambling problems. However, a person who needs to smoke every...
October 29, 2019
Never in my life have I been as enthused to be loved by so many people. Yes, it may sound strange to you after reading my words but that's because you haven't delved into the world of Morgan Tutwiler and the legacy of hatred he left in his wake. The man was gunned down in his home in the first scene of Secrets and Lies but his character from beneath the grave was clearly portrayed. I kept wondering if he had any redeeming characteristics because even bad guys have some good in them, but there...
May 23, 2018
I enjoy writing my stories, getting to know my characters as the pages unfold. Their challenges become my own; their triumphs - as rewarding for me as for them. When the stories are published I enjoy sharing the wonderful news with you. When I read a review posted online, or someone shares thoughts through a private message, it excites me as few things do in this writing world I've come to call home. However, on occasion, it's refreshing to let you hear another person's voice sharing thoughts...
December 04, 2017
I've been in touch with Elaine Stock since being introduced to her book, Always With You. It was such a poignant tale which stands out in my mind, even several months after reading it. It brought forth a reaction from me that I may never forget; it even ended up with the honor of being featured here at Budden Book Reviews. (See book title link above) In March of 2017, one of my books, If Only, had the privilege of being featured on her blog, Everyone's Story. Due to the nature of the various...
September 23, 2017
What elements make for an intriguing story? That answer differs for every reader but, for me, I love a story with a lot of mystery and intrigue that keeps me guessing about ‘who dun it’ until the very end. Norma Budden’s novel, An Affair to Remember, fit the bill for me. “Affair” opens with information about a man who has lived in the shadows and his mission to protect Monica Townsend, the book’s main character. We learn that this man of mystery would die before breaking this pact...
June 18, 2017
The subject of this post relates to the upcoming release of One Wrong Turn by Deanna Lynn Sletten, scheduled to be published June 20, 2017. It is with great pleasure that I present this title to you but, contrary to what you may expect, it's not because the author asked me to promote One Wrong Turn on my site. It's also not because I've read the book and enjoyed it. Rather it's because of my past experience with reading Sletten's titles. Let's just say that I know, beyond a shadow of doubt,...
May 21, 2017
Novelist Sally Fernandez wrote her way into my life and thoughts when she penned a story she later published titled, Climatized, which I would discover and decide to read. Neither of us imagined the impact the title would have on the other. After all, Fernandez was merely writing a story (even if interjecting fact with fiction) and I was only selecting a book to read to pass the time. Never in my wildest dreams did I anticipate reading such a book - one I can't forget about, yet would like to...