#bookreviews – Jean's Writing

Do you need a good book for the weekend?

Published on October 27, 2017October 26, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

Want a book you can finish before Monday?

Well, below are two fun light-hearted books.

It’s been a great summer and I managed to squeeze in a few good books. Nothing better than curling up on a screened porch and kicking back with a tall glass of iced tea and reading a fun book.

Unless it’s curling up in front of a roaring fire, and of course, with a good book.

So, if you’re looking for characters to fall in love with, click on these links. Because you will adore Samuel Collins and his neighbors as four-year-old melt away his grumpy demeanor.

Both books are standalone, but I can assure you that you won’t be able to stop after book one.

Plus, both are now available in Kindle Unlimited!

Click on the book image to read a preview.

Advice of Counsel (The Samuel Collins Series Book 1)by Debra Trueman

158 customer reviews

Advice of Counsel (The Samuel Collins Series Book 1) by [Trueman, Debra]

Family Counsel (The Samuel Collins Series Book 2)Kindle Edition by Debra Trueman (Author)

31 customer reviews

Do you have any great books to recommend?

Share your favorite books?

Do you read more ebooks or do you prefer hard copies?

Please leave your recommendations in the comments. We all want to know.

Also, if you can please stop by my other locations and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

OR CLICK THE “WRITE ME” TAB AND SEND ME AN EMAIL.

What is the difference between suspense and tension in a story?

Published on April 21, 2017April 21, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

I know it’s hard to decide.

Suspense, and tension work hand in glove throughout a good story. The chills, thrills, big and small are what keep us turning the pages.

Here is a reblog of a post from Ryan Lanz and his guest blogger John Briggs about how to add ratchet up tension in your story:

Favorite Writing Advice: Adding Tension to Your Story

Until recently I always thought I preferred a more direct fast paced action. What changed my mind? A book that was written with page after page of subtle clues that built suspense and tension with emotions.

This book was also written in two of my least favorite formats. Head-hopping and non-linear. You know what I mean. Where each chapter is from a different person’s point of view and the story jumps back and for over a span of time. Yet, I couldn’t stop reading.

Why? Because I had to find out what happened.

The story is about a neighborhood and the domino effect that happens when one misunderstanding after another leads to problems. Throw in a stalker, control freak, drugs, booze, kids and you have a recipe for one big mess.

Fractured by Catherine McKenzie is a five-star read!

Fractured by [McKenzie, Catherine]

But which do you prefer?

The blood and guts action or subtle building of suspense?

Talk to me – I love reading your comments.

Please head over and “like” my Facebook page at Facebook at jeanswriting . Or to connect with me, click the “write me” tab. Don’t forget you can follow me on StumbleUpon, on Twitter @jeancogdell , and Amazon.com.

Please stop by and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

Suspense versus Tension

What’s the Difference Between Conflict and Tension?

Do you need to spring clean your Amazon links?

Published on April 18, 2017April 16, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Read any great books lately?

Sharing a good review with an Amazon link?

Then make sure you clean up that link. Don’t leave an electronic breadcrumb trail with your information embedded in the link. (Unless you want it there.)

Do you know how to clean up a link?

Find out by reading: Are you Cleaning up Your Amazon Links? – Be Careful Sharing Book Links by D.G. Kaye.

Did you know all about this?

Have you cleaned up your links?

Do you think it’s important or not?

Talk to me – I love reading your comments.

Please stop by and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

To be a better writer, be a better reader

Published on November 25, 2016November 21, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

From the archives while I’m on holiday.

The weekend is here. Time to curl up with a good book. But do remember to leave a review when you’ve finished. Also, take the time and notice what you love or hate about the book.

Analyzing how we feel about a story can make us better writers!

Everything boils down to the characters.

I have a policy. No bad reviews. Why? Because I would no more tell a writer their book is flawed, than a new mother her baby is ugly. And I do not plan to give a bad review today. However, I learned…

Click and keep reading!

Source: What do your readers feel? PUBLISHED ON July 9, 2015