In this first feature for the Smorgasbord Bookshelf I am sharing authors whose books I have read and can personally recommend along with one of my reviews for their books.
The first award winning author today is Jan Sikes.. I am enjoying working my way through her extensive portfolio of books and I am sharing one my review for Ghostly Interference. I am looking forward to reading more in 2022.
Meet Jan Sikes
I’ve been an avid reader all my life. I can still remember the excitement that surged through me the first time I realized I could decipher words. Many summers, I won the highest award possible from the Hobbs, NM Public Library for reading the most books.
There’s nothing I love more than losing myself in a story.
Oddly enough, I never had any ambition to be a writer. But I wound up in mid-life with a story that begged to be told. Not just any story, but a true story that rivaled any fiction creation. Through fictitious characters, the tale came to life in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books. Not satisfied to stop with the books, I released music CDs of original music to match the time period of each story segment.
In conclusion, to bring the story full circle, I published a book of poetry and art. I was done.
Wrong!
The story ideas keep coming, and I don’t intend to turn off the creative fountain.
I am a member of the Author’s Marketing Guild, The Writer’s League of Texas, Romance Writers of America, and the Paranormal Writer’s Guild. I am an avid fan of Texas music and grandmother of five beautiful souls. I reside in North Texas.
A small selection of other books by Jan Sikes
My review for Ghostly Interference (White Rune Series Book 1) February 2021
This is a passionate love story with a gentle paranormal theme running through it. Whilst the central characters are Jag and Rena and is about the development of their relationship, the story also has other players who also create interest and mystery.
The author has done a great job of creating the world that they all inhabit and you almost feel that you are riding pillion on a motorcycle, tapping your toes to the music and seeing something faintly familiar in the shadows.
There is also plenty of action as the lives of others intrude into the love story, and the author does not shy away from writing about tough issues such as domestic violence and life in the foster care system, both relevant to background story and as the plot evolves.
There are some terrific twists and turns in the story that keep you guessing and turning the pages.
I have no hesitation is recommending the book to lovers of well written romance, paranormal and family sagas.
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Website: Jan Sikes – Goodreads: Jan on Goodreads – Twitter: @rijanjks
I was introduced to the next author today, Ailish Sinclair early in 2021 and loved the first book I have read and look forward to reading more of her work.
Meet Ailish Sinclair
Ailish Sinclair trained as a dancer and taught dance for many years, before working in schools to help children with special needs. A short stint as a housekeeper in a castle fired her already keen interest in untold stories of the past and she sat down to research and write.
She now lives beside a loch with her husband and two children where she still dances and writes and eats rather a lot of chocolate.
Books by Ailish Sinclair
My review for Fireflies and Chocolate June 2021
As the author explains in her notes, this story is based on actual events that took place in Scotland in the 1740s, when six hundred children and young people were kidnapped from Aberdeen and sold into indentured servitude in the American colonies. Although there are accounts of this devastating event, they are mainly from the male perspective and the author created her central character Elizabeth to redress the balance.
Sinclair has done an excellent job of merging fact and fiction with wonderful characters, some based on real people of the day. Those who survived the crowded and dangerous crossing, were sold to the highest bidder to use as they saw fit for the years of their indenture. At that time slavery was still embedded in the culture, and the indentured servants worked side by side, often in appalling and cruel conditions.
Elizabeth comes from a privileged background but it is a time of conflict with the English and like many Scottish noble families times are hard. However, nothing could prepare her for voyage that broke the spirits of many, and the horror of being sold into an uncertain future.
We follow her adventures as she meets those who are on the run from the harsh treatment on the plantations, and those with a more enlightened attitude to the slavery and the use of indentured servants. Her bravery in the face of the treatment to those she now works side by side with, wins hearts and also endangers her life and those she loves.
This book is well researched, bringing history to life and the writing flows smoothly like hot chocolate as it warms on a cold day. It is a coming of age and love story which will have you holding your breath on occasion as Elizabeth comes to terms with her future.
I can highly recommend the book to those who enjoy well researched and compelling historical novels.
Read the other reviews and buy the books:Amazon UK – And: Amazon US – Other reviews :Goodreads – Website:Ailish Sinclair – Twitter: @AilishSinclair – Facebook: Ailish Sinclair Author – LinkedIn: Ailish Sinclair
The next poet whose collections are much enjoyed is Balroop Singh and I read and reviewed her most recent collection in 2021.
Meet Balroop Singh
Balroop Singh, an educator, a poet and an author always had a passion for writing. She would jot down her reflections on a piece of paper and forget about them till each drawer of her home started overflowing with poetic reminders, popping out at will! The world of her imagination has a queer connection with realism. She could envision the images of her own poetry while teaching the poems. Her dreams saw the light of the day when she published her first poetry book: ‘Sublime Shadows Of Life.’ She has always lived through her heart. She is a great nature lover; she loves to watch birds flying home. The sunsets allure her with their varied hues that they lend to the sky. She can spend endless hours listening to the rustling of leaves and the sound of waterfalls. She lives in California.
Books by Balroop Singh
My review for Slivers: Chiseled Poetry July 2021
Poetry, particularly about nature is perfect for enjoying sitting in sunshine and listening to the sounds always present in a summer garden. The poet Balroop Singh captures this wonderful environment and other aspects of mother and human nature in her collection of micro-poetry. Inspired by Haiku and Tanka with the addition of a section of acrostic poetry, it is a collection to be savoured and reread again and again.
I have some particular favourites out of the 100 or so poems.
each day reminds us
it’s the symphony of surroundings
that whispers life into us
*****
ochre and crimson
robes of mother nature remind
decay can be exquisite
*****
I believe in the sun
even when it is not shining
I believe in love
even when I cannot feel it
love and light are my mentors
This is a collection that will appeal to all lovers of micro poetry that manages to capture the essence and beauty of the world around us, the fickleness of human nature, and offers hope for the future.
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – and : Amazon UK – Follow Balroop : Goodreads – blog:Balroop Singh on WordPress – Twitter: @BalroopShado
Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books… Sally.
Great reviews, Sally. I loved Jan’s Mountain Laurel Christmas and have Ghostly Interference on my Kindle. I completely agree with you about Ailish’s Fireflies and Chocolate and I must bring Balroop’s Timeless Echoes to the top of my TBR list. So much fine writing to savour! xx
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Thanks very much Alex and for adding your boost for Jan and Ailish.. and you are right.. to much to enjoy..♥
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Oh, thank you, Trish, for your recommendation for Mountain Laurel Christmas!!
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Three talented authors. Congrats to all. I’ll add my recommendation to Ghostly Interference.
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Thank you, Joan!
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Thanks Joan and for the boost for Jan..♥
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Congrats to Jan, Ailish, and Balroop on these wonderful recommendations. Thanks for sharing, Sally 💕🙂
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Thanks very much Harmony..♥
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Nice reviews, Sally. I’ve read two of these wonderful authors. Obviously, I need to add the third to my TBR!
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Thank you Priscilla. xx
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Wonderful reviews. Congratulations to all the authors.
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Thanks Craig..xx
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Great reviews, Sally. Congratulations to the authors.
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Thanks very much John..hugsx
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Fantastic reviews, Sally. I’ve read Jan’s Ghostly Interference and Balroop’s Slivers: Chiseled Poetry. I really enjoyed both of them. Thanks for the introduction to Ailish as well. Congratulations to all three authors!
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Thank you for your added recommendation, Mae!
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Thanks for the added recommendation for Jan and Balroop Mae.. And I am sure you will enjoy Ailish’s book too..xxx
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Wonderful spotlight on all three authors and their work. Thanks, Sally.
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Thanks Staci..xx
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Thank you, Sally, for sharing these wonderful reviews and offering a spotlight to Jan, Ailish, and Balroop. Congratulations to each. 😊
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Oh my dear Sally, I am dancing on sunshine at this wonderful review of Ghostly Interference!! Thank you SO much, and I am thrilled to be here with Allish and Balroop, both amazing authors! You made my day!!
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Happy to reshare the review Jan and include you..♥
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Great collection, Sally. I hadn’t heard about the events Sinclair covers. I think they’ll break my heart.
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Thanks Jacquie.. and her book is written with great sensitivity.. xx
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I’ve read works by Jan and Balroop and can attest to their wonderful writing. I am not familiar with Sinclair, but I will be looking into her books. Thanks for sharing your excellent reviews, Sally! 🙂
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Thanks Yvette for adding your recommendation for Jan and Balroop and I am sure you will enjoy Ailish’s books too..hugsx
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Thank you for the kind words, Yvette!
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Thank you so much Sally 🙂
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I’ve enjoyed all three of these authors, Sally, and read Jan’s and Balroop’s featured books. They’re wonderful reads. I’ve yet to catch Ailish’s Fireflies and Chocolate, but loved her other one. Thanks for sharing your recommendations, and congrats to the authors!
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Thanks Diana and for your boost for Jan and Balroop.. I am sure you will enjoy Ailish’s book… hugsx
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Thank you for your added recommendation, Diana. I have the Mermaid and the Bear waiting for me on my Kindle and look forward to opening it!
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You’re welcome, Jan. Wonderful books everywhere!
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Great reviews, Sally. I’ve read Ghostly Interference and Slivers and loved them both 🙂 Fireflies sounds like a great read too.
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Thanks Denise.. Jan and Balroop will be delighted with that… hugsx
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Thank you for your added recommendation, Denise!
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for reblogging, Michael!
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Thanks for sharing Michael..hugsx
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Great reviews, but i am not wondering about, because all three authors are famous with great reading stuff. Will pick some again, even it will last reading them to the end. Thanks Sally! Wish all in the same timezone a nice evening, all the other a wonderful day! xx Michael
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Thank you, Michael!
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Thanks Michael and yes all the authors have a great selection of books.. hope you had a good evening..hugsx
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Many thanks for your fabulous review of Slivers Sally and I am thrilled to be clubbed with such awesome authors. I have read Jan’s books. I have to check Ailish’s books. Love and hugs. 🥰
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I am thrilled to be featured alongside you and Allish today, Balroop!! And thank you for the kind words!
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♥
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My pleasure Balroop and delighted to reshare.. ♥♥
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Congratulations to Jan, Ailish, and Balroop. It is such a treat to see these wonderful authors getting time in the spotlight.
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Thanks very much Beem..xx
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Thank you, Beem!
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Wonderful writers, Sally – congratulations to them on your fantastic reviews. Toni x
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Thanks very much Toni ♥
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Great authors you have featured today. I am familiar with the work of Balroop and Jan, and Ailish’s books look wonderful.
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Thanks Darlene.. Ailish brought that period in history to life…hugsx
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Wonderful reviews Sal. I have all these wonderful books to look forward to. Congrats to Ailish, Jan and Balroop ❤
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Thanks Debby… something to keep you warm over the next month or so!! ♥♥
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❤
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I love this new feature, Sally! Thanks for sharing your reviews with us. Bravo to Jan, Ailish, and Balroop! 🙂
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Thanks very much Natalie…hugsx
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Hi Sally, I have read and enjoyed this book of Jan’s and I’ve read a few of Balroop’s beautiful poetry collections. I have this one and her new one on my kindle. I just don’t know where all my reading time goes. I’m always reading but never on top of anything. I like the sound of Fireflies and Chocolate, historical fiction is right up my street.
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Thanks for adding your recommendations Robbie and I have more spare time than you do with your job and family and still can’t get on top of it.. perhaps I shouldn’t keep buying books lol…hugsx
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Haha, me too.
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