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Like the Hummingbird

October 22, 2025 by in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as , ,

When you love someone, you want to know everything about them. That someone, in this case, was my maternal grandmother. We shared a close bond, but there was a wrinkle on the face-map of her life that I could not trace. I wish I had asked her my questions while she was still with me.

Interviewing relatives would, I hoped, complete my connection to this woman I dearly loved, and terribly missed. But to find the remaining pieces, I did what writers do best­­—research in order to build a world.

So like the hummingbird that can fly backward, I went back in time to Grandma’s world.

Historical records, genealogies, news media archives, the library, and the internet supplied a wealth of factual information. But it was the literature of my grandmother’s generation that proved invaluable. These books transformed into photo albums before my eyes, showing me beginnings, goals accomplished and milestones reached: footprints on the path of life. Preserved intact on the pages of novels and poems were the tears, sorrows, dreams, humiliations, and losses of real people; experiences true to their time and place.

Stories, I realized, are essential to our lives. They preserve the knowledge of who we are. They alone have the power to travel unfettered bridging cultural gaps, producing empathy, and transforming strangers into friends. Stories too serve as mirrors. By them, we view and measure our growth and change, or lack thereof.

I started out seeking missing facts about my grandmother’s life. I found so much more: a living reminder of the hopes and sacrifices of my ancestors that paved the way for me to be born happy, healthy and free. Lives and experiences that I want to always remember and never forget.

May these novels and poems never pass away for my Granny lives enshrined therein forever.

See you next time on November 22nd.

Veronica Jorge

Below are some of the books reviewed by Veronica.

BLACK FOOD: STORIES, ART & RECIPES FROM ACROSS THE AFRICAN DIASPORA

INCIDENT AT SAN MIGUEL

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INCIDENT AT SAN MIGUEL

REFUGEE

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REFUGEE

THE WITCH WHISPERER

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THE WITCH WHISPERER
UPROOTED: THE JAPANESE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE DURING WORLD WAR II

THE ORPHANS OF BERLIN

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THE ORPHANS OF BERLIN

DISTANT RELATIONS

Buy now!
DISTANT RELATIONS

FIVE BELLES TOO MANY

Buy now!
FIVE BELLES TOO MANY

THE ONLY ROAD

Buy now!
THE ONLY ROAD

THE LAST GOODNIGHT

Buy now!
THE LAST GOODNIGHT

MIGUEL’S BRAVE KNIGHT

Buy now!
MIGUEL’S BRAVE KNIGHT

FOUR CUTS TOO MANY

Buy now!
FOUR CUTS TOO MANY

FORGIVING MARIELA CAMACHO

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FORGIVING MARIELA CAMACHO

FORGIVING STEPHEN REDMOND

Buy now!
FORGIVING STEPHEN REDMOND

FORGIVING MAXIMO ROTHMAN

Buy now!
FORGIVING MAXIMO ROTHMAN

MY FRIEND JACKSON

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MY FRIEND JACKSON

THREE TREATS TOO MANY

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THREE TREATS TOO MANY
SERIOUSLY, MOM, YOU DIDN’T KNOW?

SECRET RELATIONS

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SECRET RELATIONS

TWO BITES TOO MANY

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TWO BITES TOO MANY
#PLEASE SAY YES (#HermosafortheHolidays Book 1)

ONE TASTE TOO MANY

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ONE TASTE TOO MANY

THE ALLIANCE

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THE ALLIANCE

A DRAKENFALL CHRISTMAS

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A DRAKENFALL CHRISTMAS
THE RELUCTANT GROOM AND OTHER HISTORICAL STORIES
THE DAY BAILEY DEVLIN PICKED UP A PENNY

THE SCRIBE OF SIENA

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THE SCRIBE OF SIENA
THE DAY BAILEY DEVLIN’S HOROSCOPE CAME TRUE

SEVERED RELATIONS

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SEVERED RELATIONS

FOREIGN RELATIONS

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FOREIGN RELATIONS
WHEN PLANS GO AWRY

A BIRD WILL SOAR

Buy now!
A BIRD WILL SOAR

NEMESIS AND THE SWAN

Buy now!
NEMESIS AND THE SWAN

FLORES AND MISS PAULA

Buy now!
FLORES AND MISS PAULA

I AM FLAWSOME

Buy now!
I AM FLAWSOME

LA NOCHE BEFORE THREE KINGS DAY

Buy now!
LA NOCHE BEFORE THREE KINGS DAY

A SKY FULL OF SONG

Buy now!
A SKY FULL OF SONG
A SLIGHT CHANGE OF PLANS
WITH OUR BELLIES FULL AND THE FIRE DYING: TALES OF SINNING AND REDEMPTION
GREEN PROMISES: GIRLS WHO LOVED THE EARTH

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Old Books and Faded Dreams

October 16, 2025 by in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Rabt Book Tours tagged as , , , , ,
 

 

Historical Fiction

Date Published: September 14, 2025

 

 

Old Books and Faded Dreams transports readers on a nostalgic journey with the townspeople of Tilden, a quaint community in Madison County, Nebraska. 
 
At the center of the heartwarming story is Maggie Davis, a middle-aged widow and heiress to a grand Victorian estate. The stately home, which Maggie shares with her spunky nine-year-old daughter Jenna, also serves as a bed-and-breakfast to a once regular, but now transitory, clientele.
 
The kitchen table is the epicenter of lively, often contentious, conversation where no topics are off-limits. Maggie’s out-spoken, spinster neighbor delights in keeping everyone on guard with her opinionated, prejudicial tirades, but she is frequently reined in by an elderly, equally forthright family member who has recently become a permanent dweller at the manor.
 
Maggie finds herself struggling with the painful memories of her husband’s tragic death, as well as the stirrings in her heart associated with a new house guest. A scandalous scheme to swindle Maggie out of her inherited property rides on the heels of a sudden, unexpected death, pointing to a member of the
family as suspect. The startling discovery of a sinister family secret locked away for decades in an old attic trunk threatens to overshadow a highly esteemed familial image and cherished legacy. Can relationships be salvaged?
 
Old Books and Faded Dreams is a captivating, small-town tale about friendship,
grief, reconciliation and ultimately, unconditional love.
 

About the Author

D.L. Norris is a notable author and motivational speaker who has written numerous short stories and articles on health, emotional wellness, family, and cultural history.

Norris’ novels, The Long Way Home and Where the Heart Is, capture in colorful, humorous style the actual events and cultural mindsets surrounding her Scandinavian family and personal life experiences.

Norris’ expressive writing style quickly engages her readers and encourages them to sit back and enjoy a nostalgic, magical journey.

She and her husband are happily retired in beautiful Hartford, Connecticut.

 


 

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RABT Book Tours & PR
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Tracy Reed: Our October Featured Author

October 15, 2025 by in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Featured Author of the Month tagged as , , , ,

A California native, novelist Tracy Reed pushes the boundaries of her Christian foundation with her sometimes racy and often fiery tales.

After years of living in the Big Apple, this self proclaimed New Yorker draws from the city’s imagination, intrigue, and inspiration to cultivate characters and plot lines who breathe life to the words on every page.

Tracy’s passion for beautiful fashion and beautiful men direct her vivid creative power towards not only novels, but short stories, poetry, and podcasts. With something for every attention span.

Tracy Reed’s ability to capture an audience is unmatched. Her body of work has been described as a host of stimulating adventures and invigorating expression.


Find Tracy on Social Media


Books by Tracy Reed

THE GOOD GIRL PART FOUR

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THE GOOD GIRL PART FOUR

THE GOOD GIRL PART FIVE

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THE GOOD GIRL PART FIVE

THE GOOD GIRL Part Trois

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THE GOOD GIRL Part Trois

THE FIX UP

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THE FIX UP

A SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN

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A SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN

MISS MATCH

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MISS MATCH

THE GOOD GIRL PART DEUX

Buy now!
THE GOOD GIRL PART DEUX

WHAT MY FRIENDS NEED TO KNOW

Buy now!
WHAT MY FRIENDS NEED TO KNOW

WHAT MY FRIENDS DON’T KNOW

Buy now!
WHAT MY FRIENDS DON’T KNOW

GIRLFRIENDS & SECRETS

Buy now!
GIRLFRIENDS & SECRETS

DESPERATE DESIRE

Buy now!
DESPERATE DESIRE

INTENTIONAL CURSE

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INTENTIONAL CURSE

GENERATIONAL CURSE

Buy now!
GENERATIONAL CURSE

UNEXPECTED LOVE

Buy now!
UNEXPECTED LOVE
GOD’S BOMBSHELL: LIVING A BEAUTIFUL SINGLE LIFE

LOVE NOTES

Buy now!
LOVE NOTES

FIRST ENCOUNTERS OF LOVE

Buy now!
FIRST ENCOUNTERS OF LOVE

THE GOOD GIRL PART ONE

Buy now!
THE GOOD GIRL PART ONE

THE NIGHT I FELL IN LOVE

Buy now!
THE NIGHT I FELL IN LOVE

THE FLING

Buy now!
THE FLING
TO L.A. WITH LOVE: A CHARITY ANTHOLOGY

To L. A. With Love Volume 3

Buy now!
To L. A. With Love Volume 3

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OCRW Birthday Celebration

October 12, 2025 by in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as , ,

Many of us on this blog originated from OCRW, which once was called OCC. Today was the annual OCRW birthday celebration and it was fun to gather and celebrate the BBB winners, the BIAY celebrants, and those that earned roses.

There were baskets for raffle, a book cover contest, a speaker, potluck, and lots of catching up and fellowship.

I’ve been a member for over twelve years and I remember this meeting be a highlight every year. I don’t think this year was any less. Much kudos goes to our board and all the hard work behind the scenes to pull this off.

I thought I would share pictures I took. I wish I could’ve gotten a big group photo since there were many there you would all recognize (and some on zoom). It was nice to see familiar faces. The meeting was jam-packed full of lots of great things.

The Birthday Bash Itself

Here we are listening to our speaker of the day, the baskets for the raffle, and the food table.

Book Cover Contest

This year instead of large printed covers, it was all online. With a monitor to showcase them during the meeting. There were a large selection of covers to choose from with 5 different categories.

MOST ROMANTIC: Worth the Risk by Liz Durano

BUY IT NOW (Best Cover): What Happens At the Beach by Skye McDonald

SEXIEST COVER: Blue-Eyed Jacks by Calia Wilde

BEST TITLE AWARD: Where She Belongs by Liz Durano

BEST IN GENRE: A Slight Change of Plans by Denise M. Colby

Other OCRW Activities and Announcements

We have an active online book club that meets monthly for different topics. We also have Book in a year to encourage writers to finish their book. If you are interested in learning more about the Orange County Romance Writers group check out our website. (which we will be updating soon).

Book Buyers Best Contest Winners

Winners were announced during the meeting. My debut novel, When Plans Go Awry, placed in 3rd place in the Historical Romance category. Congratulations to all the winners.

It was a lovely day. I’ve been so blessed to be a part of this organization for so long and make lifelong writing friends here.

If you notice the vase of roses, it has been tradition as long as I’ve been here to receive a rose for published work. I remember sitting in my chair dreaming of the day I would receive a red rose (for traditionally published).

I’ve written about it in this blog post about my debut novel and all the firsts that came with it.

Now I have my first novella publishing in November and I’ll be receiving a white rose. I’m a little excited about that too. And now I realize I haven’t written about this book at all here on this blog.

My next published book releasing November 4, 2025

My novella No Plan At All releases November 4, 2025

Sometimes the best life is the one we never planned.

Sarah Anne Baker never wanted to be anyone’s burden. But hours after losing the Godmother who raised her, she faces an impossible choice: marry her late fiancé’s brother—or flee into the unknown. With fear as her only companion, she places her trust in the one man leaving town that night—the enigmatic traveling peddler known only as Mr. Smith.

Alexander Sinclair walked away from his noble title in Scotland to live a quiet, hidden life. Peddling wares from town to town has given him peace, free from the weight of expectation. Until a desperate young woman crosses his path. He can’t turn her away… no matter the cost.

Together, Sarah and Alex set out on a journey through loss, healing, and a bond neither expected to find. But as secrets surface and choices demand to be made, both must decide: cling to the lives they planned—or risk everything to embrace the future God has written for them.

A tender tale of courage, redemption, and love strong enough to change the course of two hearts forever.

You can preorder the e-book here on Amazon for $3.99

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When the world was black and white but the circus was a colorful place by Jina Bacarr

October 11, 2025 by in category circus, Jina’s Book Chat, Writing tagged as , , , , ,

Hitler loved the circus.

According to classified reports uncovered after the war, the Fuehrer would sit in the front row of the circus and cheer on the performers he perceived to be ‘working class folks’ putting their lives on the line.

He loved the ‘woman in danger’ element in the acts, as my heroine Lia di Montieri discovers when she appears in a circus in Germany in the 1930s. I shan’t spoil the surprise, but we follow Lia’s career, her heartbreak over losing her baby, and how she makes a daring leap to join the Resistance to save Jewish children.

I’ve always been fascinated by circuses since I was a little girl. Especially the trapeze. We had a swing set in the backyard when I was growing up and I’d try every crazy trick I could think of, pretending I was flying under the big top, that I was ‘an angel without wings’ until one day the swing broke. Then we moved. As we did a lot in those days.

And so ended my circus dreams.

Finally, I can fly again! In my Boldwood Books upcoming WW2 novel about Occupied Paris and the circus.

‘The Stolen Children of War’ is…

The heartbreaking story of Lia di Montieri, Queen of the Flying Trapeze, who loses her own baby and risks her life to save innocent children from the Gestapo.

An adorable baby elephant named Bebe.

And lurking in the background is a serial killer preying on circus queens who threatens to destory what Lia holds most dear.

I wanted to write a story about circuses with a twist — there’s danger under the big top at every performance… lions, tigers… knife throwers… high wire walkers, trapeze artistes flying 100 mph from the flybar to the catcher, but what if there was also a killer watching their every move, ready to strike?

You’ll find all that and more at Le Cirque Casini!

It’s a psycological thriller with a mad doctor serial killer, beautiful circus queens in danger, heroes willing to die to protect them, baby animal ‘cuteness’, and ‘stolen children’ who will steal your heart.

Step right up, ladies and gents, and let’s go to the circus!

Now on NetGalley for all you book bloggers and reviewers.

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