Bellweather Rhapsody–Book Review

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Bellweather RhapsodyBellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kate Racculia wrote another whirlwind of a book with so many fun and quirky characters and a fascinating setting. I really enjoyed visiting this place, and having it filled with band and chorus students made it even more fun. My only complaint is that this isn’t anyone’s story. We move from character to character, circling back through them, so the story is about all of them. But there’s no lead, really, and that always makes it harder for me to stay immersed in a story. I still highly recommend this one, because the vivid writing and all the oddballs overcome that relatively small flaw.

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It’s A New Year!

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We’re almost a week into the new year. You probably already knew that. I also meant to write this post on Sunday, which you probably didn’t know. I checked early for the FB post on Sunday, and it wasn’t up yet, so I told myself I’d check back later and do my goals. And then I forgot.

Now I’m writing it while armed terrorists are in the U.S. Capitol, and I feel kind of dumb writing this right now. But it’s Wednesday check-in for ROW80 (Round of Words in 80 Days), and I am trying to stick to some routines. So onward I go.

Here’s my overall plan for the year and a breakdown by rounds. I’m guessing some of this will need to be tweaked as the year progresses, but it looks like a good starting point at least.

2021 Writing Goals

  • Write, revise, and submit eight (8) short stories
  • Finish a first draft of Old Ghosts
  • Outline a story for NaNoWriMo
  • Write the NaNoWriMo story and win NaNo 2021
  • Do writing practice at least once a week
  • Complete Sarah Selecky 6 Weeks 6 Senses course (starts January 1)
  • Complete the Cat Rambo classes I bought (4 of them, so probably one a month after the Sarah Selecky course is finished)

ROW80 Round 1 Goals

  • Write (or finish), revise, and submit two (2) short stories
  • Complete an outline of Old Ghosts
  • Start writing Old Ghosts (at least 2,500 words/week)
  • Do writing practice at least once a week
  • Work on writing courses

ROW80 Round 2 Goals

  • Write (or finish), revise, and submit two (2) short stories
  • Write at least 2,500 words/week for Old Ghosts
  • Do writing practice at least once a week
  • Work on writing courses

ROW80 Round 3 Goals

  • Write (or finish), revise, and submit two (2) short stories
  • Finish writing first draft of Old Ghosts (at least 2,500 words/week)
  • Brainstorm/audition NaNo 2021 ideas and pick one
  • Do writing practice at least once a week
  • Writing retreat if possible

ROW80 Round 4 Goals

  • Write (or finish), revise, and submit two (2) short stories
  • Outline a NaNo 2021 story
  • Write 50,000 words in November
  • Do writing practice at least once a week (take November off if needed)
  • Spend December doing writing practice and working on goals for 2022

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts–Book Review

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Tuesday Mooney Talks to GhostsTuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t know what to say about this book. Glorious, wild, kitschy, offbeat mystery puzzle of a story. Like Clue and Knives Out and all the best of that genre. With people I fell in love with and can’t believe aren’t going to tell me more stories and have more adventures for me to follow along. I’m so in love with this book and so very sad it’s over, and I can’t wait to read it again. This was a dreamy delight.

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The Sun Down Motel–Book Review

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The Sun Down MotelThe Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was so good! I wish I could read it again for the first time. It was eerie, the mystery was well done, the characters pulled me right in to their stories. I loved how the clues unfolded, making me think I knew what was going on but still leaving enough uncertainty that I was happy with the reveal. I even loved the story being told in two timelines which is something I don’t always like. This was a fantastic story, and I love it!

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The Ghost Tree–Book Review

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The Ghost TreeThe Ghost Tree by Christina Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this–definitely stayed up too late the last two nights reading it. The small town setting was right on. I feel like I’ve been to that town. I would have liked more direct interaction with the monster, or at least more direct menace from the monster, but that’s a pretty minor complaint. I feel like the end set up a possible sequel, and if there is one I’ll definitely be reading it.

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