Smorgasbord Blogger Weekly – 13th February 2022 – #Reviews D. Wallace Peach, #Writing Jacqui Murray, #Valentines Carol Taylor, #SouthAfrica Rebecca Budd and Robbie Cheadle, #Ireland Rowena Newton

A small selection of posts I have enjoyed in the last week and I hope you will head over to enjoy in full.. thanks Sally

The first post is from Diana Peach with her book reviews for January, always worth reading Diana’s recommendations and finding new books to add to our glowering TBRs.

January flew by with lots of blogging and reading (and no writing). February should prove more productive, but the reading paid off. I have some great books to share with you.
January book reviews include my 4 and 5 star reads of a sci-fi time-loop thriller, a YA magical coming of age story, a horror novelette, lots of fantasy, a thriller, and several variations on romance. Something for everyone!

Head over to read the review and buy some books: Diana Peach Myths of the Mirror Book Reviews

In this next post Jacqui Murray explores the truism that appears to be etched in stone for new writers… and the various genres it might require some flexibility.

How to Write What You Know

During my promo for my latest prehistoric fiction, Laws of Nature. one of my wonderful hosts posted this article I wrote about one of those truisms in writing that every writer-in-training learns from day one. In case you missed it, here’s a revisit:

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Mark Twain started it when he said, “Write what you know.” From then on, writers take that as gospel. Dig deep. Scratch out what you feel/think/are passionate about and bleed it onto the page. As new writers it’s one of three truths pounded into us–Show don’t tell, Murder your babies, and Write what you know.

Head over to add your thoughts to the post: Jacqui Murray – Write What You Know

If you are not planning on eating out on St. Valentine’s Day… then Carol Taylor has a lovely recipe you can prepare at home…

Valentines recipe… Lemon Chicken with Capers…

Are you still quarantined or don’t want to risk eating out?

This beautiful one-pan chicken dish is easy to make and a firm favourite with my family…it is truly tried and tested…Dinner for two then just halve the recipe…

This chicken dish is one we make often and it is quick and easy and served with rice or potatoes and some lightly steamed vegetables it is very nice. 

Head over to check out the recipe: Valentine Recipes to cook at home

The next post is from Rebecca Budd interviews Robbie Cheadle about her home in South Africa including travelling to the Cango Caves dating back to the beginnings of the earth with evidence of early man and cave paintings.. also ostriches, honey, forests and a link to one of the founding fathers of South Africa.

Tea, Toast and Trivia – Travelling to Cango Caves, South Africa with Roberta Eaton Cheadle 

Welcome to a new podcast series on Tea Toast & Trivia – “The Virtual Journey” which will explore new horizons through the eyes of a friend. As Marcel Proust reminds me, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

I am thrilled that Roberta Eaton Cheadle, aka Robbie, has invited me to South Africa, which is approximately 16,000 kilometres, as the crow flies, from Vancouver Canada. I have crossed an ocean and entered the southern hemisphere.

I invite you to put the kettle on and join the conversation on Tea Toast & Trivia. I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this adventure with you. 

Head over to enjoy this guided tour by Robbie Cheadle: Travelling to Cango Caves, South Africa with Roberta Eaton Cheadle

And the final post today is from Rowena Newton from Australia who also takes us on a virtual tour.. this time of Ireland, home of her ancestors, courtesy of Google.

Waking Up In Carrigaholt, County Clare, Ireland.

You can call me “bonkers”, “insane”, “weird” for heading off on another Virtual Adventure via Google Earth, but I don’t care. I’m “creative”. Moreover, after making a concerted effort to change and overhaul myself on the weekend, I’ve actually concluded that more people should embrace their dormant creativity, instead of supressing it beneath a veneer of glorified efficiency. That’s right. Let it all hang out.

There I was trying to get “alles ist in Ordnung” (everything is in order) when I cut my finger and found myself shut in a treatment room for three hours at the hospital. Of course, this was the very embodiment of Ordnung what with perfect white walls, no pictures, and not even a piece of paper, let alone a desk full of paperwork all out of place. Humph. That was a stark warning to be careful what you wish for!

Head over to enjoy this interesting and entertaining tour of a lovely part of Ireland: Waking up in Carrigaholt County Clare with Rowena Newton

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will head over to enjoy these posts in full… Sally.