This is part of the weekly meme over at the Caffeinated Reviewer, where book bloggers can share the books and blogs they have written.
Thank goodness, this has been a far less busy week. Tuesday saw the last Creative Writing class of the term, as we wound up the year at Northbrook College, though thanks to the Bank Holiday, my Monday sessions don’t finish until this week. Fortunately, I have a Poetry Workshop starting this coming Tuesday, which will continue for the next three weeks – I know it’s completely uncool, but I really miss my students once the summer holidays get under way.
I finally made a Fitstep class on Wednesday – my attendance has been atrocious this year, so I am hoping to get there more regularly during the summer months. Mhairi came over on Friday, when we continued with our forays into Marketing – it’s been a real roller-coaster ride, so far – and we also knocked around some plot ideas for her latest project. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with my sister, who is helping me get more organised with my life – I’m so lucky to have her! When J returned home from his shift, we had a takeaway as a reward for trudging through all that boring admin.
Other than that, I’ve been line editing Breathing Space and preparing it for the wider world. I’m hoping to have it ready for my arc readers by the end of the week. And if anyone else would like an arc, please get in touch. According to my marketing guru, we’re giving Breathing Space a soft launch. I’m also formatting Running Out of Space for the paperback edition.
The weather continues to be awesome – I just wish I was spending more of it out in the sunshine, but that doesn’t stop me loving the heat!
This week I have read:
Outcasts of Order – Book 20 of The Saga of Recluce series by L.E. Modesitt Jr
Beltur, an Order mage, discovers he possesses frightening powers not seen for hundreds of years. With his new abilities, he survives the war in Elparta and saves the lives of all. However, victory comes with a price. His fellow mages now see him as a threat to be destroyed, and the local merchants want to exploit his power.
I was delighted once more to be immersed into this richly detailed world – no one writes fantasy quite like Modesitt and it was lovely to catch up on all that with going on with Beltur and his companions.
Drop by Drop – Book 1 of the Step by Step series by Morgan Llewelyn
In this first book in the Step By Step trilogy, global catastrophe occurs as all plastic mysteriously liquefies. All the small components making many technologies possible―Navigation systems, communications, medical equipment―fail.
In Sycamore River, citizens find their lives disrupted as everything they’ve depended on melts around them, with sometimes fatal results. All they can rely upon is themselves.
I haven’t yet written the review to this one – I am still considering my reactions to it. That said, I enjoyed the small town dynamic and the fact we stay with the same characters throughout.
My posts during the last week:
Review of A Trail Through Time – Book 4 of The Chronicles of St Mary’s by Jodi Taylor
Can’t Wait Wednesday featuring Truth Sister by Phil Gilvin
Review of Ancell’s Quest by Tony Main
Friday Face-off featuring A Cold Day for Murder – Book 1 of the Kate Shugak series by Dana Stabenow
Interesting/outstanding blogs and articles that have caught my attention during the last week, in no particular order:
Book Blogger Hop No 133: Balancing Work and Blogging https://anightsdreamofbooks.blogspot.com/2018/06/book-blogger-hop-no-133-balancing-work.html?spref=tw Maria’s articles are always worth reading, but I think we are all confronted with this one from time to time…
Life Lessons and Personal Development by Bishop Dr Akwasi Kwarting https://siuquxebooks.wordpress.com/2018/06/23/siuquxebooks-life-lessons-personal-development-akwasi-kwarteng/ Those one-liners that facilely sum up our lives/problems irk me as much as the next man – but the fifth observation in this list has very much resonated with me.
Happy Solstice; Happy Litha! https://charlesfrenchonwordsreadingandwriting.wordpress.com/2018/06/21/happy-solstice-happy-litha/ Like Charles, I love the long, sunfilled days. This year’s marvellous June weather has emphasised the day length, so that I got to see the sun setting at 10 pm – wonderful!
An exploration of art in writing, Part 3: Grief Art Writing https://jane-davis.co.uk/2018/06/20/an-exploration-of-art-in-fiction-part-3-grief-art-and-writing-by-vivienne-tufnell/ Viv is always worth reading – and in this is a fascinating insight into part of her writing process
Best 2018 Pictures from Space http://earthianhivemind.net/2018/06/22/best-2018-pictures-from-space/ Steph reminds us just what exciting times we live in as regards space exploration…
Thank you very much for taking the time and trouble to visit, like and comment on my site – and I promise to get back to you as soon as I can!
Brainfluff 
Have you been keeping up with all the books in the Saga of Reculce series!?
No! I read a bunch of them, then stopped for some reason. I have read Modesitt’s Imager series and I loved his Ghosts of Columbia alternate world duology that I personally think is his best writing, ever. But I’m quite happy to hop back aboard without necessarily backtracking…
Your reaction to Drop by Drop doesn’t sound too promising…I just received a review copy so now I’m curious to see my reaction😊
I mostly enjoyed it, but I do have some issues with it – particularly the ending… And I try to always be fair because I know only too well just how much work goes into writing a book. Which is why I’ve given myself some thinking time before writing the review.
I think it’s sweet that you miss your students over summer break. And it sounds like you are using the time to get things done:) I really enjoyed your first two books and would love to read Breathing Space, Sarah. Very curious about what is happening with your characters!
My Sunday Post
Thank you so much Laura! Would you like an arc, when it’s are ready? I’m delighted that you enjoyed the first two books and really appreciated your lovely reviews. That said, I quite understand if you are a tad stacked out:)
Thank you for stopping by earlier. I can understand missing Tim already when you so used to him being there an you spending a lot of together. Hop rummage a fantastic week?
Yes… I know! I’m planning to have him stay over with us during the holidays at some stage so we can binge-watch the Lord of the Rings films together:).
Thanks for the blog tips, and good for you on the “fitstep” class (whatever that is!!!!). It sounds hard!
Thank you for swinging by Luanne:). Fitstep is using dancesteps based on the main ballroom and latin dances and designed by two of the Strictly Come Dancing professionals to keep folks fit. I love going, but it’s been rather hectic and there are two sets of traffic lights at present, so I keep missing it:(. It probably is more demanding than I make, as I simply hurl myself about in time to the music if I lose my way with the steps!
It sounds like such a lot of fun!!! What a great idea. I’m sure you do much better at it than you think!
Thank you for your kindly confidence:). I really love it, as it’s so much fun.
Enjoy a break from all the busy activities…and congrats on another book launch.
Drop by Drop sounds really terrifying. Thanks for sharing, and also for visiting my blog.
Thank you, Laurel:). Yes… Drop by Drop explores a really scary prospect. The book launch isn’t just yet – hopefully in the first half of July. But not too far away! Have a great week.
That’s great that your sister is helping you get more more organized. I wish I had someone to help me with that. I hope you enjoy your upcoming poetry workshop!
Thank you, Suzanne – she is a diamond! And yes – I’m really excited about teaching the Poetry Workshop…
That sounds nice you had a less busy week this week. Sounds like you still did plenty to keep you busy. That’s nice your sister is helping you get more organized. The weather here has been a bit cooler which is great. I hope you’ll have a great week!
Thank you Lola – I hope your week is a great one:)
Glad your weather has been nice! We’ve actually cooled a bit the last few days, and had a bit of rain. I won’t complain though (well, maybe a little). 🙂
I’ve long wondered about Modesitt’s books but have never read them. Love the cover and the sound of that one. I should try one this summer…
Thanks for sharing the articles too. I’ll have to go read the solstice one… and I love the long days, boo to them getting shorter now… 🙂
I know… still, I’m just so grateful we have had such a brilliant June so I’ve been able to fully appreciate the longer days:)
We both had good weeks this week, and I have high hopes for the coming one!
Delighted to hear you, too, have had a great week:). And I’m equally pleased to hear you have the prospect of an great week ahead of you – so do I:)).
I’ve always wished I had a sister to share things and trade talents with me. Enjoy your bit of breather in the summer space to do things you normally can’t or don’t. Happy reading. I love the Kate Shugak books. I’ve read them all. Some of the later ones were frustrating but they are finally progressing. The something like 3 year wait between 19 and 20 was killer. Anne – Books of My Heart
Thank you, Anne – yes… I’m very lucky as I have two lovely sisters, who are both fabulous and I love them very much. And yes – I’m also looking forward to the summer break – it’s been a really hectic year, so far. I confess I haven’t got very far with the Kate Shugak books which is no excuse as we own them all. I recall Himself having things to say about that long wait, too! Have a great week!
Oooh, a poetry workshop! Does it have a particular theme, like a specific poetry form, topic / subject matter, etc.? Or is it more open-ended? (I hope those questions make sense. I was trying to ask “What will the workshop cover?” in a different way. *lol*)
Glad to hear you had a good week overall, and that the weather continues to cooperate. We’ve had a dry spell lately here – until yesterday, when it rained in the morning and caused me and my parents to postpone a day trip to Chatham. But that meant it was perfect weather for going to a museum! Specifically the Sandwich Glass Museum, which features (among other things) glass-blowing demonstrations on the hour.
Ooo… glass-blowing – what fun! I hope you enjoyed the day:)).
Yes! Because there are 3 sessions, we are looking at Personification during the first session, word symbolism and nonsense verse in the second session and then we will be looking at those poems that require more structure, such as sonnets, villanelles, rima terza and terzanelles in the third session:)). So much fun!
Sounds like a busy week! I’m also hoping to get more time for morning walks once the kids start camp this week. I could really use the time outside!
It’s a bit of an occupational downer isn’t it? I’d love more outside time – but my desktop isn’t that portable… I hope you manage to get those walks in, SJ:)
I see summer is your favorite weather, and that is perfectly acceptable! I myself love winter and rainy days a lot more, I hate the heat XD. Have a great week!
Yes… I’ve decided the human race is divided into those who love and heat and sun and those who are more comfortable with the cold and rain. That’s when I shrivel and become cranky and sorry for myself…
Drop By Drop looks and sounds really cool. Good luck with getting the ARCs done. Have a great week!
It is a really interesting premise – and I love that it is set in a small town, instead of a feral city. Thank you – hopefully this launch will all go smoothly… there always seems to be a gazillion things to do!
An excellent compilation of highlights. Off to check’em out!
Thank you Jean, have a great week:))
Nice to have a calm week – that’s what I’m hoping for this week.
Yes – though this week is a tad more hectic than last week… I’ve got a few more weeks before it properly calms down.
Another lovely week and sounds like you’re making good plans for your book launch. Hope you manage a bit more time to spend in the sun this week.
Lynn 😀
So do I… but all the same, I’m still loving the heat and the sun pouring in through the open windows – gotta love a hot summer:))
I’m enjoying the sunshine but some days have been way too hot… It’s making sleep difficult. 😦
My poor long-haired kitty is suffering too.
I’d love a nice thunderstorm to break the mugginess and then a return to the sun.
Yes… my husband is also suffering with the heat. But I’m guessing your version of heat is far more intense than ours! Hoping you have a cooler week:)
Your mentioning editing Breathing Out of Space made me realize how out of time I was: my first thought “Editing it? But it’s already out!” – because I see the banner to the side every time I visit. 🙂
Yes… it’s now all grown up and out in the world:))