REDEMPTION by Gwen M. Plano (@gmplano) #newrelease #fiction #thriller #family

Ciao, amici! Did anyone ever come into your life in an "ordinary" way (neighbor, classmate, co-worker) and end up having such a profound impact on you, you'd swear it was divine intervention? It hasn't happened often for me, but there are a few people like that in my life. Today's guest is one of them. …

Michelangelo’s Birthday… Celebrate with a Series

Ciao, amici! Every year, I post about Michelangelo's birthday on social media, but I seldom think to post on my blog. I'm going to rectify that today. In real life, the Medici were patrons of Michelangelo. With their backing, he was able to create timeless classics that we still enjoy today. In my fictional world, …

New #TimeTravel #ShortStory on VOCAL

Ciao, amici! I made a promise to myself to write at least one Vocal story a month. This wasn't my favorite prompt. I've already written a time travel story. (You can read it---"Vicious Circle"---in Quantum Wanderlust, a free anthology.) But I'm always (usually) up for a challenge. Here is the prompt: Write a fiction story …

I’m VOCAL Again: “Voices of the Past”

Ciao, amici. I'm still catching up on work and trying not to dwell on things that hurt. But I think you'll find my problems aren't far from mind. I wrote a story for the latest Vocal challenge. If (when?) you read it, you'll understand where my head and heart are. Even in fiction, I can't …

A Quick Update and an Unbefitting Memorial

Ciao, amici. I would imagine you've noticed I've been largely MIA for a few weeks, particularly during the last few guest posts I've hosted for friends. (Thank God they were all on the ball, had their materials to me well in advance of their run date, and picked up my slack on their post days.) …

Extended New Release Tour: Jacqui Murray’s NATURAL SELECTION

Ciao, amici! This year is off to a strong start, and this author would know all about strength. She writes about some of the strongest characters you can imagine, as well as some of the most inhospitable settings and dangerous plots. A character would have to be strong to survive, and a writer would have …

Introducing Joan Hall’s Short Story Collection: MENAGERIE

Ciao, amici! You know how much I love to host authors (especially good friends). Well, we kicked off a string of wonderful guests yesterday, and today, we're still going strong. I'd like to welcome Joan Hall back to the blog. I'm sure many of you recognize her from her guest posts here as well as …

THE LAST DRIVE by John W. Howell #newrelease #supernatural #fiction

Ciao, amici! I'm so happy to host today's guest. He's funny; I'm not. (Well, I think I am, but my kids would argue otherwise.) He's retired; I would love to be. He's a gentleman and a scholar; I... used to teach, does that count? But we have a lot of things in common, too. We …

A #bookreview of Sue Coletta’s UNNATURAL MAYHEM #mystery

Ciao, amici! I know I usually do reviews on Tuesdays, but due to personal issues in December, I'm already behind. So, here's a special Thursday edition of my book review feature. With the fate of the Natural World at stake, can Shawnee and Mayhem stop trophy hunters before it’s too late?Explosive news of a crow …

Welcome 2023!

Ciao, amici! Felice Anno Nuovo! I am stunned that it's already 2023. I feel like it shouldn't even be the 2000s yet. But here we are---another year gone, another ahead of us. January is always weird for me. It's so full of promise, but it's also a glum time of year. I get winter doldrums, …