How are you all doing out there? Reading more?
For me it’s a time of rediscovering my creative writing mojo – I’ve finally begun The Five Kingdoms book #4 – yay!!! 2019 was such a horrendous year for me, I could only write non-fiction. I must be one of the few who can honestly say this coronavirus lockdown, if it had to happen at all, has actually come at the perfect time for me. I completed my move to the Scottish Highlands just a couple of weeks before this all started to kick in, and I really, really appreciate the downtime. I’m using it for unpacking/settling in/decorating/getting the wayward garden under control…
First veg bed, turned and planted with peas. Only 7 more and the polytunnel to go…
It’s also really easy to stay isolated – the only time we see anyone else is at the supermarket (rare visits) or when the postie comes, and the box is the other side of 2 gates. The only downside to living where we do (one and a half miles from the nearest village)
is that out internet is pre-historically slow, and with so many extra people using it at the moment, just about impossible right now 😦
So with that in mind, I managed to upload a review late last night to Goodreads, which thankfully comes complete with included thumbnail image, so here it is!
The Light by Marcia Meara
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The fourth book in the Wake-Robin Ridge series is once again a terrific read. Rabbit is now settled in happily as Mac and Sarah’s son. He adores his baby sister, and continues to bring his wide-eyed innocence to everything he learns about modern life, without once losing his impeccable sense of morality.
This book begins with Rabbit’s request to view the phenomenon known as the Brown Mountain Lights (a real, as yet unexplained event), and what happens when one of the mysterious lights behaves oddly, and follows Rabbit home.
At first, it seemed like the villain was going to be motivationally similar to the previous book, but no, Meara sneakily misleads us about what’s really going on, while introducing Rabbit’s new friend and accomplice, Austin, and integrating the family yet further as a supportive unit that doesn’t back down from a challenge when the emotional stakes are high.
Once again, the author has blended mystery, murder, ghosts, folk lore, and reality into a coherent and enthralling story with real heart. As ever, it is beautifully told, and my only gripe is that now I’ve reached the end of the four books in this series (read back to back), I now have to wait for the next one to be written.
deborahjay 
Wow, thanks for such an outstanding review, Debby, and I’m SO glad you enjoyed The Light. It was a fun book to write, and I truly had a good time adding some new characters to the series. It will be fun to have them on board for various things going forward.
I’m so pleased that you’ve enjoyed these characters and that Rabbit has worked his magic on you. 😀 He is absolutely a delight to write about, and whenever he takes center stage, the words just fly. (He dictates, I type.)
I have some ideas about where to take the series now, as you probably guessed from the ending, and do plan to get back to it very soon. First, I need to finish up the 3rd Emissary novella so I can pack it with the other 2 and offer a print version. And then, I have to get back to Riverbend, as I left a question unanswered at the end of That Darkest Place. But after that, I promise I’ll be back to Wake-Robin Ridge, and more adventures with the Cole family, including Austin, who is probably a permanent fixture now. 😀
And I have to say I’m so glad you finished your move and got settled in before this virus came along and disrupted life everywhere. Great timing on your part! Also, my good friend and cover designer has chickens, too, so your photo really made me smile. (SHE lives in town, though a small one, on an urban street. She built a small run alongside the house and into the backyard, and loves her chickies!) I’ve always thought it would be neat to have some, and I can’t live without eggs, which are getting harder to find at our stores. Maybe now is the time time, though I’m not sure we’re zoned to allow them.
Thanks again for your lovely review, and I hope to get back to Rabbit’s world soon, though I have to confess, my creativity is stretched pretty thin with all that’s going on these days. But I’m working on it. Stay safe, stay well, stay home! And enjoy your beautiful views!! 🙂 ❤
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Wow, that’s a lot to get through before you get back to Wake-Robin Ridge 😦 Just keep on going, will you? 😀 😀 😀
And you are most welcome for the review, I’ve taken to giving up on books that aren’t going to be great star ratings for me. I just finished one I’d give 3 stars, and it was a struggle to get to the end, but it’s from an author I’ve connected with, so I felt obligated, sigh. I won’t be writing that one up 😦 Tricky…
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Oh, and the chucks say hi 😉 We have plenty of eggs – another reason for not going out to the shops too often!
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I had thought to have the 3rd Emissary published by the end of March, but not feeling well for five weeks slowed me down, and now I’m just not focusing like I need to. I’ve heard that from several writers, so I guess it’s not uncommon when there’s so much upheaval in our daily lives. I’m keeping busy, but haven’t felt like writing. 😦
And I don’t review any books I can’t give 4 or 5 stars to these days, largely because I have trouble finishing them if I’m not truly enjoying them. So I understand what you mean. Trouble is, there are quite a few I’ve read, loved, and NEED to get reviewed. I’m way behind. If all goes well this week with some house projects I’m working on, I’m going to focus on reviews next week, in the hopes of catching up. I’m embarrassed that I’ve fallen so far behind on them and really want to do this. I’m even thinking of adding a review page to The Write Stuff, so folks who visit there can also read what I’ve said on Amazon, Goodreads, or BookBub. Maybe that will motivate me to take a break from house and garden tasks and get busy on them! When I read something like your review of The Light, it makes me remember that not only are reviews good for sales, they make the author feel good, too. And that’s hugely important! What inspires us more than knowing someone loves and appreciates our hard work?
As for eggs, it’s a darn good thing they weren’t put on my “NO! List” when I was diagnosed with diabetes. I don’t think I could make it one single day without them. And it’s getting harder for Mark to find them at the store, too. 😦 I’ll be in real trouble if I run out. :O
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Many things seem to be getting harder to find in the stores 😦 And often not the things you’d expect, but hey, that’s the human race – endlessly contradictory. Which, I guess, is what give us so much material to work with 😀 😀 😀
A review page sound good, provided you also post them up on the blog first to get attention. I know some authors don’t look at their reviews, as they can be discouraged when they find a negative one, but for me, the positive ones are soooo worth checking out, for that lift the good ones provide.
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I always check my own reviews. The good ones inspire me to keep going, but even a lackluster ones could teach me something, especially if I were to see the same complaint more than once. And you have to allow for the fact that people don’t all enjoy the same things. Books are very subjective so what one person’s “Wow!” read is another one’s “Meh.” or maybe even (shudder) “Ugh.” There are some HUGELY popular writers out there that I cannot stand to read, but it doesn’t mean their fans are wrong. Different strokes an’ all that! 😀 So I take that thought with me when I read my reviews.
I was thinking to post the opening paragraph or so of each new review on the blog home page, with a “Read More” included. I also planned to post some of my older reviews that are already on Amazon, in case they disappear one day, as reviews tend to do lately. If nothing else, it will consolidate them in one place, again as insurance they won’t be lost forever in the sands of time.
And I’ve got a Countdown post to put together this morning, yet I’m still sitting here at 10:00am going over emails! DOH!!! Must. Get. Busy!
I hope you have a wonderful day, my friend! Say hi to your chickies for me! And wave at your stunning view! Man, that’s nice!!!! 🙂 ❤
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PS, please ignore typos. My eyes are giving me fits today. 😦 Sorry.
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Marcia–your book looks wonderful. Rabbit is such an appealing character.
Deborah–I could fall in love with your new home. The big garden, the chickens, the vast open spaces. But the grey sky–that, I’d struggle with.
My sister had chickens until last week when a weasel killed all three. Not to eat, just to kill. Didn’t know they did that.
Enjoy your glorious new home, Deborah!
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Ah, but the sky is not grey all the time – we’ve had some glorious sunshine too. We just accept it comes and goes – the scenery and location are worth it!
We have the chickens carefully shut in at night because of foxes, although we have lost a couple to a feral cat in the past. At least the cat wanted to eat them, while the foxes also kill indiscriminately, like weasels 😦
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Thank you so much, Jacqui! I’m so glad you are drawn to Rabbit and hope you’ll meet him one day. I’ll be looking forward to seeing what you think when you do.
Sorry about your chickens! Yours, too, Debby! What I love best about chickens is that happy little crooning noise they make as they go about their scratching around. It’s very soothing. 🙂
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Fab review and I’m sure well deserved. I look forward to getting back to this series. My reading has just gone into some obscure directions this past year. ❤
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Yes, I’d noticed that! I’m really pleased I read these back to back, it was just like reading one big book. Just itching to see the next one!
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Thanks, Debby! I was thrilled to see Deborah reading these books one after the other! And this review of The Light is truly a smile-bringer! The timing of the release of this book couldn’t have been worse, so I’m especially happy to see it getting some love over here! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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Your books always get love Marsh. One thing for sure about these new times is many are not feeling inspired and going to the solace of reading books! 🙂
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Debby, thank you for sharing your lovely review of Marcia’s book and I feel drawn to get to know Rabbit. ❤ Loved your chicken's picture and I can 'see' you digging and nesting in your new home. I am relieved you are there and can face forwards. Much love flowing to you both. ❤ Xxx
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Jane, you will adore Rabbit, he has the sweetest, most wholesome heart ❤
Hadn't thought about 'nesting' in my new home, but yes, that's exactly what I'm doing. Thanks for all your support through that terrible period of my life last year – you stay safe and well <3xx
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❤ always, Debby. ❤
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Thanks so much, Jane. I hope you’ll check out these books one of these days, when you get a chance. I’ll be really interested in seeing what you think, especially about Rabbit who just slipped into the series in Book Two and took over the whole thing! 😀 Thanks for stopping by! ❤
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Thank you, Marcia. I can’t wait to meet 🐰. Rabbit. Much 💗 flowing to you. Xx
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Fabulous review to share, Deborah. Thank you. Bravo to Marcia! 🙂
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Thanks Natalie, I hope that encourages you to take a look at Marcia’s series, if you haven’t already read it 😀
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Yeah, Natalie–what DEBBY said! 😀 😀 😀 Seriously, thanks so much for stopping by, and I do hope you’ll get a chance to read the series one day, and that you’ll enjoy it! 🙂 ❤
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[…] Continue reading at Deborah Jay […]
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Thanks so much for sharing Deborah’s great review, Sue! I hope your readers will enjoy it, and then will rush right over and check out the series! 😀 ❤
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Thank you, for the review. Looking When i looking at the pictures its really (no spoiler Lol) “the bright side of life”. Congratulations! Stay save, and well. Michael
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❤
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🤗😊
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I adore Rabbit. So glad to see him getting some love here today.
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Thanks, Staci! He’s been nothing but a joy to write, and he’s taught me a lot, along the way. And thanks for stopping by today! 🙂 ❤
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Adorable is a perfect description of Rabbit ❤
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Nice to see Marcia getting some attention today. Great review.
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Thanks, Craig! This poor book was released at an awful time, as the pandemic turned life upside down for so many of us, but it will STILL be standing when this mess is OVER! Books don’t get sick, thankfully! So I’m especially grateful to Debby for this wonderful review, and I hope folks who are looking for something to pass the hours will check out the series. Thanks for stopping by today! 🙂 ❤
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Thanks for dropping in to take a look, Craig 😀
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