Smorgasbord Book Promotions 2026 – Share an Excerpt – Boost one of your books – #Memoir #France #Boars – Fat Dogs and French Estates: Beyond the Forest Fringe by Beth Haslam

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In this regular series for 2026, you are invited to share an excerpt of 400 to 500 words from any book you have written you would like to give a boost to.

This feature is for any author who has been promoted on Smorgasbord previously.

Please read full details of how to participate at the end of the post and I will respond to your emails as soon as possible.

The aim of the series

    • To showcase any of your books you would like to give a boost to.
    • To gain more reviews for the book.
    • Promote a selection of your other books that are available

Delighted to share an excerpt from the recent release by Beth Haslam – Fat Dogs and French Estates: Beyond the Forest Fringe.

About the book

Beth, Jack, and their dogs navigate the laughter and chaos of rural French life from their woodland home at Le Palizac.

But challenges emerge.

As they explore the forest’s untamed beauty, nature’s harsh realities test their goal to create a wildlife sanctuary.

Just as hope fades, an extraordinary creature appears – his courage and resilience become an inspiring testament to surviving the forest’s toughest conditions.

Part of the Fat Dogs and French Estates series, this warm, poignant memoir draws readers to the heart of the forest, where the bonds between humans and animals are tested, and transformed, in the wild.

An excerpt from Fat Dogs and French Estates – Beyond the Forest Fringe
Beth Haslam

I had just returned from an eventful dog walk with a friend. It was eventful for all the wrong reasons. The dogs were worn out, Jack, my grumpy husband was not.

Our adventure ended almost two hours later than planned. We returned to a worried Jack.

“You’re very late. Everything okay?”

“Sorry, there was no phone signal to warn you. Um, we got a bit lost.”

“Women and directions. Bloody useless. Why not feed the dogs, then leave them to sleep while we go into the forest? I want to check on the latest pheasant activity.”

“Perfect. My mirador or yours?”

“Yours, of course.”

We took Jack’s quad bike and drove to my favourite observation hide. After climbing the steep ladder to the wooden cabin on stilts, we settled in as the light softened into its dusk hues. The fading glow was just enough to make out the shapes of animals going about their business. A small cluster of pheasants graced the field, strutting with unhurried confidence, pecking at sun‑weary insects, blissfully unaware of the dangers that shadowed them.

Quarrelsome growls and grunts shattered the peace. I took the binoculars and scanned the field. A restless group of three young boar had broken cover, but it was the giants that stole my breath. Two colossal males with rolling gaits lumbered into view from opposite sides of the field. Snouts lifted, they tested the air, scenting danger before locking eyes. Then the challenge was on. Stiff-legged, they stamped towards one another, the protective shoulder plates discernible beneath bristled hides – their natural armour in combat. I stared, gripped by this gladiatorial encounter.

Instead of a head-on charge, they began to circle, their snorts creating a bizarre vapour surrounding this primaeval ritual. Slow. The menace was palpable. Low growls vibrated in their chests, their weapons the filthy tusks that protruded from their massive jaws. Their tails were erect; their manes crested with aggression as their sides heaved, almost brushing as they manoeuvred.

In a blur of fury, they wheeled and smashed into one another at shockingly close quarters, a mighty collision of muscle and tusk. Vicious screams ripped across the field as they battled, causing the adolescents to scatter in fear. And then, as soon as it had begun, it was over.

Moments later, to my surprise, I caught sight of a tiny animal appearing from the undergrowth, though I could barely make it out in the dying light.

“Jack, quick. You’re never going to believe what I’m looking at.”

©Beth Haslam

One of the reviews for the book

MacTrish  5 out of 5 stars
A heartwarming, funny and poignant memoir – highly recommended

I’ve missed out on the series of books by this author, but I picked up this one that works as a standalone and it’s wonderful!

The main content of the book concerns the wildlife that the author and her husband interact with on the massive French estate they bought as a second home. What follows is an entertaining tale of hard work, a love and understanding of animals, and a fierce need to do all they can for the welfare of the living things roaming their land.

The love of nature comes through loud and clear – even when it’s set on harming them- and Jack, the author’s husband, is lovingly portrayed as a grumpy bear of a man with the softest centre you could imagine. Their relationship was an important part of the book for me and the love, humour, and understanding they show each other is heartwarming.

They faced many obstacles that I think would have floored most people and one of the more worrying ones was La Fédération. This is a hunting organisation, and without passing their exams, they would have the right to enter the estate and hunt the estate animals to keep them in check. Undaunted, Beth and Jack swotted-up on the rules and regulations and sat the exams. I’ll not reveal the outcome.

There are many creatures in this book that captured my heart, but my favourite was Tripod. Tripod was a three-legged, wild boar that everyone expected to die before adulthood because of its disability. Somehow, he defied all the odds and became famous in the area. His story is remarkable.

The author also has that knack of sharing information without it seeming like a lecture. Snippets of flora, fauna, geography and history all added to my pleasure of this book, including tales such as how mixomatosis arrived in the country.

And a final shout-out to Maggie Raynor for her captivating drawings at the beginning of the chapters.

I’m now going to buy the first in the series. 

Read the reviews and buy the book:  Amazon UK And: Amazon US

Also by Beth Haslam

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Beth: Goodreads – Website: Beth Haslam –  Twitter: @fatdogsfrance – Facebook: Beth Haslam – Instagram: Fat dogs and French Estates.

About Beth Haslam

Beth Haslam grew up on a farm estate in Wales. Passionate about animals, her free time was spent on horseback or messing around with the family pets, waifs and strays. Following a successful business career, Beth and her husband, Jack, decided to buy a second home in France. A decision they had no idea would change their lives forever. Beth is now occupied as never before. Raising and saving animals, writing, and embracing everything that rural France has to offer. She’s loving it!

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books. 

What will be in the post and how to get in touch

  • I will top and tail the post in the usual way with your other books and links, bio, photo and social media.
  • I will also select one of the reviews from Amazon or Goodreads for the book.
  • Please share a book that has reviews to select from.
  • This series is open to all authors who have previously been featured in the promotions on Smorgasbord.
  • I do have a younger readership for the book posts so please consider that when selecting your excerpt.
  • I suggest an excerpt of around 400 to 500 words that you feel would encourage a reader to buy the book, or a poem that you feel best reflects the theme of your collection.
  • No need to send the cover as I will have that or will access from Amazon.
  • Please send your excerpt to sallygcronin@gmail.com
  • I only ask that authors share the link to their social media and respond to each comment individually as a matter of courtesy.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Music Column Retro – The Big Band Era with William Price King and Sally Cronin – 1940s – Dooley Wilson, Glenn Miller, Debbie Reynolds

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Welcome to the 2026 series of the music column where I am joined as always by Jazz singer and composer William Price King.  We hope you will join us every Tuesday for some of the chart hits of the big band era from the 1930s through to the 1950s.

Some of the earlier videos are not of the best quality however where possible we have sourced remastered copies to share with you. Considering some are almost 100 years old, it is remarkable that they exist at all.  A testament to the love of the music of that era. Along with our selections each week we will also be showcasing some of the iconic dancers of the era.

Here is my next selection from the Big Band chart in the 1940s from Dooley Wilson

Dooley Wilson “As Time Goes By” (1942)

“As Time Goes By” was written by Herman Hupfeld in 1931 for the Broadway musical “Everybody’s Welcome,” and became famous when it was featured in the 1942 Warner Bros. film “Casablanca,” performed by Dooley Wilson as Sam. The song was voted #2 on the AFI’s 100 Years . . .100 Songs special, commemorating the best songs in film. The song has since become the signature tune of Warner Bros. and used as such in the production logos at the beginning of many Warner Bros. films.

Here is my next selection from the 1940s from Glenn Miller

Glenn Miller with Marion Hutton, Tex Beneke, & the Modernaires “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else But Me” (1942)

“Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else but Me)” is a popular song that was made famous by Glenn Miller and by the Andrews Sisters during World War II. Its lyrics are the words of two young lovers who pledge their fidelity while one of them is away serving in the war

Originally titled “Anywhere the Bluebird Goes”, the melody was written by Sam H. Stept as an updated version of the nineteenth-century English folk song “Long, Long Ago” Lew Brown and Charles Tobias wrote the lyrics and the song debuted in the 1939 Broadway musical Yokel Boy. After the United States entered the war in December 1941, Brown and Tobias modified the lyrics to their current form, with the chorus ending with “…till I come marching home”.

On February 18, 1942 the Glenn Miller Orchestra recorded the song with vocals by Tex Beneke, Marion Hutton, and The Modernaires. This record spent thirteen weeks on the Billboard charts and was ranked as the nation’s twelfth best-selling recording of the year.

Other sources: Wikipedia – And: Jazz Standards

Debbie Reynolds – Mary Frances “Debbie” Reynolds (April 1, 1932 – December 28, 2016) was an American actress, singer, and businesswoman. Her career spanned almost 70 years. She was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer for her portrayal of Helen Kane in the 1950 film Three Little Words. Her breakout role was her first leading role, as Kathy Selden in Singin’ in the Rain (1952). Her other successes include The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (1953), Susan Slept Here (1954), Bundle of Joy (1956 Golden Globe nomination), The Catered Affair (1956 National Board of Review Best Supporting Actress Winner), and Tammy and the Bachelor (1957), in which her performance of the song “Tammy” reached number one on the Billboard music charts.In 1959, she released her first pop music album, titled Debbie.

She starred in Singin’ in the Rain (1952), How the West Was Won (1962), and The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964), a biographical film about the famously boisterous Molly Brown.[1] Her performance as Brown earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her other films include The Singing Nun (1966), Divorce American Style (1967), What’s the Matter with Helen? (1971), Charlotte’s Web (1973), Mother (1996) (Golden Globe nomination), and In & Out (1997).

Reynolds also had several business ventures, including ownership of a dance studio and a Las Vegas hotel and casino, and she was an avid collector of film memorabilia, beginning with items purchased at the landmark 1970 MGM auction.

Here is Debbie Reynolds with Donald O’Connor and Gene Kelly with the iconic Good Morning from Singing in the Rain

 Your Hosts for The Big Band Era

William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.

His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.

While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.

Blog– IMPROVISATION – William Price King on Tumblr – Buy William’s music: William Price King iTunes – Facebook – William Price King – Twitter – @wpkofficial
Regular Venue – Cave Wilson

Sally Cronin is an author, blogger and broadcaster who enjoyed four years as part of the team on Onda Cero International’s English speaking morning show in Marbella and then for two years as a presenter on Expressfm the local radio station in Portsmouth. She co-presented two ‘Drive Time’ shows a week with Adrian Knight, hosted the live Thursday Afternoon Show and The Sunday Morning Show guests including musicians and authors. Following this she became Station Director for a local internet television station for two years, producing and presenting the daily news segment, outside broadcasts and co-presenting the Adrian and Sally chat show live on Friday evenings.

She and her husband David have now returned to Ireland where they live on the Wexford Coast where she blogs and continues to write books.

Books :Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – More reviews: Goodreads – blog: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Twitter: @sgc58 – Facebook: Sally Cronin – LinkedIn: Sally Cronin

Thanks for tuning in and as always we love to hear from you.. thanks William and Sally.

 

 

Smorgasbord Book Promotions 2026 – New Book Spotlight – #Murder #Contemporary – Death by Coconut ( Holly Swimsuit Series) by Susie Black

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Delighted to share the news of the latest release by Susie Black – Death by Coconut (Holly Swimsuit Series)

About the book

Obnoxious Mystique Swimwear sales rep Simon Posnick was universally despised by competitors and customers alike. So the question wasn’t who wanted the lying, cheating scoundrel dead. The question was who didn’t. Mariel Levine, Laurie’s Fashions’ swimsuit buyer and Holly Schlivnik’s career mentor, is wrongly arrested for murdering Posnick by impaling him with the jagged edge of a coconut shell at the base of his skull. The wisecracking, irreverent President of Mermaid Swimwear jumps into action to uncover the real killer. But the treacherous trail holds more dangerous human predators than the alligators and black pythons in the Everglades. Everything turns out differently than amateur sleuth Holly thinks it will as she tangles with a vengeful killer.

An excerpt from the book

I reached into the well and pulled out the lug wrench. I ran back to the blue car and smashed the lug wrench into the driver’s side back window. It took three swings before the glass shattered. I used the lug wrench to smack the remaining glass shards out of the frame.

I gingerly reached in and unlocked the door. I opened the door and hopped into the back seat, climbed over, and onto the passenger’s front seat. I opened my messenger bag and pulled out my cell phone. I clicked on the flashlight and leaned over to get closer to the body. Blood was splattered all over the car. I gagged as I recognized Avril Wilts’ blood-drenched tiger print jumpsuit on the torso draped across the steering wheel.

Alert the media. For the first time in my life, I didn’t burst out laughing upon discovering a corpse. Or the tiger print jumpsuit rendered me speechless. Flip a coin.

I opened the front passenger door and stretched across the seat on my belly to position my head under the body to check if she was breathing. I was careful not to touch or move the body. I didn’t need an MD next to my name to make a diagnosis. Avril Wilts was as dead as it gets. A half-dollar-sized round hole in the lower part of the front of her neck was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot from the .38 Special Lady Smith pistol clamped tightly in Avril Wilts’ right hand.

A copy of yesterday’s East Coast Apparel News with the headline

Bikini Buyer Beats Bust

Coconut Killer at Large

was next to a blood-splattered, typed suicide note under Avril’s right hand. I twisted my torso into a pretzel and read the note: “I killed Simon Posnick. I can’t live with the guilt. God forgive me.”

****

Twenty minutes later, sirens shrieked a pulsing series of ear-splitting wails, and bubble lights blazed as Mo Lehrman, two sets of uniforms in two patrol cars, the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s wagon carrying Jazzy and her team, a crime scene team, and an EMT crew bringing up the rear, all converged on the back parking lot of the convention center.

Mo parked his car and joined our trio. He pointed to the body slumped over the car’s steering wheel. “Do you recognize the victim?”

I nodded. “Avril Wilts.”

I grinned. “It turned out she had a good excuse for not being available to answer our questions.”

©Susie Black

One of the early reviews for the book 

Cyndi L. Stuart, Author of Deadly Yours
5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite so far!

My favorite of the series so far! You really can’t go wrong with a Holly Swimsuit Mystery, and Coconuts is no exception. Holly and the Yentas have taken the show on the road to the big swimsuit convention in Miami and everyone’s getting hot and bothered by; insider intrigue, threats, innuendo, cutthroat sales reps and, of course, murder! Author Susie Black has really stepped up the tension for our intrepid sleuth, Holly Schlivnick, by steering her into the uncharted romantic waters of juggling two handsome detectives (one on each coast) while trying to solve multiple murders. When Holly faces off with this killer, you’ll be on the edge of your seat. This killer is probably the most creative and diabolical of Black’s creations so far. It’s a must read! 

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

A selection of other books by Susie Black

. Connect to Susie Black: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK –  Follow Susie: Goodreads – Website: Author Susie Black – Twitter:@hollyswimsuit – LinkedIn: Author Susie Black – Facebook: The Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series – Pinterest: HollySusie1 – Instagram: Holly Swimsuit – Bookbub: Susie Black

About Susie Black

Named best US author of the year by N. N. Light Book Heaven, award-winning cozy mystery author Susie Black was born in the Big Apple but now calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries.

She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals. Since life without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector. Susie lives with a highly intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect.

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.

 

 

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives 2026 – Posts from last six months of 2025 – #Memoir #Bullying – The Beauty Lesson by Kay Castaneda

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Welcome to the  series of Posts from Your Archives for 2026 and I have been sharing posts from the SECOND six months of 2025 from your archives which I will select. This series is now closed but there will be another later in the year.

This is the second post from author  Kay Castaneda…and she shares memories from her school days when she was sat next to a boy whose bullying tactics resulted in Kay going to great lengths to be accepted.

The Beauty Lesson

I still fume when I remember a boy in my 5th-grade science class. That was a very long time ago. I was shy and silent at that age and everything bothered me. My mom had moved my sisters and I away from Indianapolis to Detroit after she and my dad got a divorce. It made me sad and angry to leave my dad and other relatives here.

A mean boy told me one day that my hair was dirty. At the time, I didn’t care about hair or clothes because I was too young and depressed. When he told me that, I went home and scrubbed my hair VERY hard and soaked in the tub in steaming hot water for an hour. I poured some of my mom’s perfume, Evening in Paris, in my wet hair and went to bed.

The next morning, I brushed it 100 times because I’d read that in Good Housekeeping magazine. It was so shiny! He sat next to me. I wanted to sit somewhere else, but the teacher wouldn’t let the students change seats. The boy sneered at me and didn’t compliment me, but he did tell me I should use curlers. My hair was stringy, according to his opinion.

What did I do that night? Of course, I curled my hair! I borrowed Mom’s brush curlers and fastened them to my head. I slept in them and tossed and turned all night because the pain in my scalp was so bad. I took them out slowly because that was the advice from Redbook magazine. I combed gently and applied tons of hairspray. The next day, that boy didn’t compliment my curly hair.

He insulted me even more when he told me I had fat lips. I used to have full lips, a lot fuller than I have as an adult, especially now as an older women. If I showed you my school picture from that year, you would see what I mean. Anyway, the boy laughed at me, and even pointed at me to the other kids. That night I practiced ways to make my lips smaller; keeping them closed and not talking to anyone, covering them with several layers of Mom’s foundation and keeping my head turned away from him.

He insulted me in many ways. According to him, I didn’t have any breasts. I was a bit confused about that one because I was obviously a girl. I went home and asked Mom to buy me a bra but she didn’t have the money. I put one of hers on and stuffed it with socks and toilet paper to make them “big”. No compliments from him, of course. I endured suffering from him about my body until Mom decided to move back home at Christmas. I never had to sit by him again.

“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” Coco Chanel

I thought about him the other day, and I don’t know why. Maybe it was when I washed my hair and used the curling iron. Hurt lasts a long, long time. Those people who were abused when they were younger make me feel sympathy with them. I secretly rejoice when the bad guys get outed. But those celebrities and so-called important people escape to sex-addiction clinics with equine therapy, yoga, gourmet meals, and other luxuries at the $30,000 six week stay. Six weeks to ride horses and have aromatherapy massages? Baloney! Caca in Spanish.

Now many people are coming out of the woods to bring the evil to light, and it is evil when somebody assaults a person sexually, emotionally and physically. Words can hurt. I wish I would have said something to my Mom or a teacher about that boy.

And I wish I could have told someone about abuse at my jobs as an adult. That is another story…

©Kay Castaneda 2025

My thanks to Kay for inviting me to share posts from her archives and I know she would be delighted to receive your comments.

About Kay Castaneda

Kay Castaneda is retired from a career as a college writing instructor and special education tutor. She earned a B.A. and M.A. in English at Indiana University. Her publications include poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction in literary journals plus articles about education for reference books. Kay attended writing seminars in Lithuania, Scotland, and Mexico. She dreams of going camping in Alaska someday and visiting Israel. Her hobbies include reading, especially Russian novels, biographies, watching crime shows on TV and genealogy. Kay’s talents include daydreaming, inventing characters for future writing and baking.

She published a novel based on her experiences growing up in the Midwest, Emmie of Indianapolis. She is currently researching the history of Ireland for a novel based on her ancestors. Her work in progress is a mystery novel with an amateur female sleuth. Future plans include teaching online writing classes plus creating her home art studio. Her husband says that she is addicted to reading and this is true. She loves to eat at Mom and Pop diners and browse in antique stores and flea markets. Kay lives in Indiana with her husband Tony, son Richard and dog Buddy.

About Emmie of Indianapolis

In 1963, a young teenage girl moves with her mother and sisters from the suburbs to the downtown of a Midwestern city after her parents get a divorce. Emmie, a naïve, curious and intelligent girl, wants the security of her suburban life but has always dreamed of adventure in faraway places. She must take risks, meet new people and become independent. The change is difficult for all because of her mother’s alcoholism and lack of a steady income. When Emmie’s mother takes a job, she cares for her sisters at night. In her new neighborhood, Emmie meets people from different cultures who are both good and evil. She defends her sisters and herself each day by confronting the evil, thus awakening her courage and inner strength. But she never gives up.

One of the reviews for the book

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars When I think of Indianapolis I now also think of Emmie.

When Henry James wrote “What Maisie Knew” all those years ago, he did a couple of things that were especially clever. He produced prose that was entirely suited to the story of a young child, and he merged Maisie’s world with his authorship. James’ “What Maisie Knew” is a child’s take on the inequities of adult life. And Maisie, as she grows, goes from borrowing adult words, without necessarily understanding them, to being able to comprehend the adult world and it effects on her. He also used prose entirely suitable for a child-centric story; prose different from his adult-centric stories. At least that’s what I made of James.

“Emmie of Indianapolis” by Kay Castaneda shares some similarities with “Maisie,” in that like James, Castaneda, has successfully produced a child’s story. (Cf an adult telling a story about a child – as is the case with most YA fiction.) The charm of Emmie’s year is that she tells us about it, and she tells us as a child would. It is this charm, in spite of some troublesome episodes in Emmie’s year, that made the story such a pleasure to read.

Too many YA authors feel the need to show their adult self in the narrative, where as Castaneda successfully avoids that pit fall. “Emmie of Indianapolis” reads as if Emmie is speaking directly to us, simply, succinctly, sometimes without understanding, and other times with deep understanding; but more often than not a sense of wonder. From time to time Emmie does use words from the adult world, and Castaneda’s prose choices makes it clear that Emmie uses them with a child’s appreciation – as borrowed words, rather than as her own.

With this approach Castaneda tells a story of the essentials of friendship; against the inequities that adults, through their needs and intolerances, visit upon the lives of children. And in spite of those inequities, and in spite of the failings all too present in Emmie’s world, the story is a warm one. A story, also, that makes it now impossible to think of Indianapolis without Emmie in it. I should finish by saying that I enjoyed the story as a story for adults, on adults terms, and I think that it stands in its own right as narrative fiction – rather than as a story reliant on being genre pigeon holed as Young Adult. 

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Website: Bookplaces – Facebook: Kay Castaneda – Twitter: @kay_castaneda Instagram:Kay Castaneda 90 – Pinterest: Kay Castaneda 

 

Thank you for dropping in today and it would be great if could share Kay’s post.

 

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Weekly Round Up 18th-24th May – Big Band Era, Chart Toppers and Movie Hits, Cuisine Oman, Book Reviews, Tai Chi, New Short Story series, Wonderful Bloggers

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Welcome to the round up of posts you might have missed this week on Smorgasbord.

I hope you have had a brilliant week and here we have had sunshine over the weekend and milder temperatures. I am sure you can guess where I have been spending my time!

My thanks this week to Jacqui Murray for her wonderful feature and review this week for Tales from the Irish Garden and a boost for Sam too…

Head over to Jacqui’s: Sally Cronin Sequel Don’t Miss It.

And my gratitude to Denise Finn for kindly including my book in her May newsletter.

My thanks as always to the amazing contributors for their posts and support.

William Price King joined me for a Big Band era and on Friday another in the Chart Toppers and Blockbuster series and we are delighted you are enjoying along with us.  You can catch up with William on his own Blog– IMPROVISATION– William Price King on Tumblr

Debby Gies  Debby with her next post in the As We Age on June 1st. On her own blog you can find her writing links for May and her Sunday Book Review Fringes, Heartstrings and Lyrics by Jan Sikes.  D.G. Kaye

Carol Taylor was here on Wednesday to explore the cuisine of Oman...this week in the Cookery Column Carol will be sharing wonderful recipes for rice…savoury and sweet. On her own blog you will find plenty to enjoy in Carol’s archives. CarolCook 

Thank you so much for your support and shares this week again..it is always appreciated. 

The Big Band Era with William Price King and Sally Cronin – 1940s – Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman with Peggy Lee, Donald O’Connor

Chart Toppers and Blockbusters 1980s with William Price King – “What a Fool Believes” and Ordinary People.

A-Z World Cuisines with Carol Taylor – Discovering the Cuisine of Oman…officially the Sultanate of Oman

Ancient Healing Therapies – #Tai Chi – Non-Combative Chinese Martial Art by Sally Cronin

#Western #Romance Silverhills’ Rescue by Sandra Cox

Another opportunity to show off your writing skills and your blog and books…

Starting soon I will be sharing a new series of stories with a summer feel… to get you in the mood I am sharing one of the stories from the 2021 series by D.L. Finn…The Dolphin. Details of how you can participate in Authors in the Sun are in the post.

Authors in the Sun Short Stories: The Dolphin by D.L. Finn 

#Paranormal, #Mystery, #Romance – The Edge of Too Late: Harbor Pointe Series Book 5 by Jan Sikes

#Poetry #Art  Burning Butterflies: Poetry About Southern African Flora and Fauna by Robbie Cheadle

#poetry #Challenges “With love…” – for TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge #39 by Nicole Sara.

#Poetry #TheOcean – Memoirs of a Shark by Kay Castaneda

– #Writing #Expletives by Laura Lyndhurst

#shortstory – The (Not So) Grim Reaper by Jim L. Wright

#Challenge BKD Cookbook Club – Italian #Peperonata by Darlene Foster

Just a small selection of posts I have enjoyed this week and I hope you will head over to enjoy in full.

Paulette Mahurin donates the profits from all her exceptional novels to rescue dogs from Kill Shelters and over the years she has helped save hundreds including this year so far with 16 dogs finding loving homes. I do recommend her books and after you have read about and seen some of the many dogs saved, you can read some reviews for her books and head over to Amazon to discover them all.

Head over to support Pauline in her mission to save more dogs from Kill Shelters: Paulette Mahurin on a mission.

Nicole Sara shares a wonderful post in celebration of a wonderful family pet called Rex and the part he played in her childhood.

Head over to meet Rex: Nicole Sara and Rex

Patricia Furstenberg shares the the history of the letter long before there were envelopes and stamps… a fascinating post and a reminder that in our modern communications of emails and DMs there is nothing like receiving a letter through the post and holding it our hands to read. And not to miss… a letter from Vlad Dracula

Discover more of the history of the letter: What did medieval epistles really look like

If you are contemplating a long haul flight in the near future to some exotic location for sun and fun, I know you will find this post very useful from Kara, the creator of Travel Comfort and Style– However good your seat might be there are still some areas that can be improved with some forethought and preparation.

Small Travel Essentials That Make Long Flights More Comfortable

Head over to discover some tips on making your long haul flights more comfortable: Small travel essentials when on long flights

 

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will join us again next week. 

Smorgasbord Short Stories – New Series – Authors in the Sun – The Dolphin by D.L. Finn

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When I worked on radio in the south of Spain I presented and recorded four series of Authors in the Sun showcasing local writers and their short stories. I ran a series here on the blog in 2017 and 2021 which was much enjoyed and showed off the skills of some amazing writers.

I would love to share your short stories here too this summer and details of how you can participate are at the end of the post.

So you can get a feel of how your post will look, I am sharing one of the short stories from the 2021 series… The heartwarming story of family and love from D.L. Finn… set in the warm waters of Hawaii

Image by Claudia Beer from Pixabay

The Dolphin

The cool winter sun reflected off the blue water, making it difficult to see. I blinked hard to clear my vision as I dove back into the ocean. Why were my children and grandchildren huddled together on the white, sandy beach? Didn’t they want to swim with me?

My oldest grandson, Peter, walked to the water’s edge. He tossed a lei of pink plumeria flowers into the waves. Those flowers reminded me of the wonderful day when Bob and I renewed our vows for our 50th Wedding Anniversary on a beautiful Hawaiian beach.

I jumped high into the air and called out. “Where did you get the flowers, Peter?”

An enormous wave crashed against the rocks, drowning out my words.

Peter stood with his arms folded over a black shirt and a dolphin tie that I’d bought him when he graduated from college last year. The incoming waves soaked the bottom of his black pants.

I shook my head and tried again. “The water’s great! Join me!”

Louder breaking waves masked my words, leaving only a whistle.

Right then, a small pod of dolphins approached and swam urgently around me.

“What’s wrong? Are you protecting me?” I scanned the area but didn’t see any sharks or other dangers.

A dolphin was studying me. A familiar chill ran through me as the dolphin gently brushed against my legs. I dove underwater to get a better look.

Was it? No. I smiled. It was just a silly dream to believe my beloved husband would come back as my favorite mammal.

Although the dolphin held my stare, it was just curiosity. I shook my head and kicked to the surface, only to find my family leaving.

“Hey! Where are you going?” But only a high pitch noise came from my lips that the waves didn’t hide this time. I’d lost my voice.

Peter was the only one left standing on the edge of the ocean. He met my gaze, smiled, and pointed to his tie. Then wiped the tears off his face and put on black framed sunglasses.

What he did next tugged heavily on my heart. My sweet grandson blew me a kiss just like he had as a small boy when it was time to leave grandma and grandpa’s house.

“Peter!” I yelled, yet nothing but that strange sound came out again.

He paused for a moment and offered a wave before picking up black shoes. Peter soon disappeared with everyone else I loved.

The lei was floating in a patch of grey powder that reminded me of when we scattered Bob’s ashes into the ocean last year. I swam to the flowers and found a plastic card attached.

Mother and Grandmother, You will be missed and forever loved.

I couldn’t catch my breath when it all came crashing back to me with the force of a spring-loaded trap, and I remembered. I was in an uncomfortable hospital bed, suffering through too many tests, and never had a moment’s peace with the forever beeping machines.

In my drugged haze, my doctor’s sad tone brought me the answer I needed. “There’s nothing else we can do, except make her comfortable.”

The cancer had won its battle, and it was time for me to let go. There was that moment when I hovered over my withered body, grateful to be free of the pain. Then there was a bright light, and I ended up here.

I smiled. It had happened. I turned in a circle and saw a dolphin’s tail, not legs.

The same dolphin who had been staring at me whistled and clicked—this time, I understood.

“Darci! I’ve been waiting for you!”

“Bob! I can’t believe it. I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you, too, sweetheart.”

We’d found each other again. Words couldn’t come fast enough as we caught up. Then we swam comfortably in our blessing long after Bob’s pod had moved on.

It was just the two of us, and we happily explored the new world. We avoided humans, killer whales, and sharks, or maybe it was us they avoided. We were never sure, but time passed in the same blur as our human lives had.

One day when we were peacefully investigating the purple, pink, red, green, and blue colors that mingled in the coral reefs off the Big Island in Hawaii, a lone dolphin swam up. The eyes were so familiar I immediately knew it was Peter.

Our joy at that moment could only be expressed in high spinning jumps. After the celebration, we quickly caught up and learned our grandson was a famous author, had three boys, and happy marriage.

“You kept your promise, Grandma. You said when you left me, you’d come back as a dolphin. I knew that was you when we scattered your ashes.”

“Yes, it was me. Grandpa was there waiting for me.”

Peter blew out some bubbles. “They scattered my ashes in Hawaii, where Lacy and I got married forty years ago. It was cancer like you, grandma.” He turned away. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to say goodbye.”

As the years passed, our pod continued to grow as our family slowly joined us, including ones we’d never met in life, like Peter’s amazing wife and children. To this day, our family still explores the ocean. We offer gratitude with our high leaps that we’ve been given such a special gift. Maybe you’ve seen us and felt our joy?

©D.L. Finn 2021

I am sure that had your reaching for the tissues as it did me and thank you to Denise for this wonderful story.

D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.

A selection of books by D.L. Finn for adults and children

One of the reviews for Dolphin’s Cave 

Miriam Hurdle 5 out of 5 stars
A Mystical Adventure of a Underwater World

This delightful fantasy book is one of my favorite books by D.L. Finn. The story is set in Maui, Hawaii. Coral is a fifteen-year-old girl whose parents disappeared in a plane crash going from Oahu to Maui in Hawaii. She has lived with her Aunt Ruby for eight years. She has a recurring dream about riding a dolphin going into the depth of the ocean. The dream is always the same, but short at leading her to the crash site to find out about her parents. She wants her aunt to take her on a vacation in Maui to solve this mystery.

Coral’s dream comes true when Aunt Ruby plans a work-related trip to Maui. Mr. and Mrs. Penny and their children Ben and Beth are going on the same trip. The first half of the story has a slow build-up with many fun activities such as sunbathing on the beach, watching the sunset, shopping, eating, and sightseeing. They remind me of my frequent visit to Maui.

The vacation turns into an adventure when a strange woman seems to spy on them and take photos of them. A strange man follows them, then pretends to fall in love with Aunt Ruby. A strange thing happens when Ruby is almost hit by a car when she crosses the road. Eventually, Ruby is in a car accident with a broken foot and sprained shoulder and ends up in a hospital.

Coral knows her aunt wants her to have fun. So, she, Ben, and Beth go swimming while Ruby is in the hospital. It is during this swimming that she meets the dolphin and the turtles that appear in her dream. The dolphin takes her to a golden city with the water people, where she discovers her hidden heritage. She also finds out about the spies trying to murder her aunt to control her. This fantasy story has a satisfying magical conclusion. I recommend this book to older children and young teenagers. 

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow D.L. Finn: Goodreads – Connect to D.L. Finn – Website: D.L. Finn Author – Facebook: D.L. Finn Author – Twitter: @dlfinnauthor 

If you have a fiction short story to share with us then here is what I will need. Please send to sallygcronin@gmail.com

  • A word document with your edited story. A new story or one you have written and published on your blog.
  • 1000 to 1500 words.. but if it is slightly shorter or longer that is no problem. It can be any genre except for erotica as I have younger readers.
  • If you are an author or blogger who has featured here before I don’t need anything else.
  • If you are new to the blog then I will need an Amazon page link, blog or website links, three main social media links and a profile photograph.

I look forward to hearing from you and sharing your writing here… thanks Sally.

 

Smorgasbord Book Promotions 2026 – Share an Excerpt – Boost one of your books – #Poetry #Art  Burning Butterflies: Poetry About Southern African Flora and Fauna by Robbie Cheadle

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In this regular series for 2026, you are invited to share an excerpt of 400 to 500 words from any book you have written you would like to give a boost to.

This feature is for any author who has been promoted on Smorgasbord previously.

Please read full details of how to participate at the end of the post and I will respond to your emails as soon as possible.

The aim of the series

    • To showcase any of your books you would like to give a boost to.
    • To gain more reviews for the book.
    • Promote a selection of your other books that are available

Today Robbie Cheadle is sharing one of her poems from the wonderful collection  Burning Butterflies: Poetry About Southern African Flora and Fauna.

About the collection

Butterflies are interpreted, inter alia, as symbols of transformation and change, hope and rebirth, spirituality, the soul, creativity, nature, beauty, and resurrection. Faced with the annihilation of much of the planet’s forests, wetlands, and other habitats for wildlife, all the wonderful things that butterflies symbolise are gradually being destroyed.

This book celebrates Southern African flora and fauna, while acknowledging the threats it faces.

One of the poems along with Robbie’s original and amazing artwork.

Elephant (rhyming verse)

Elephant, you rise out of the veld like a mountain
Spouting water and mud like a fountain
People think your nature is gentle and kind
But those who act inappropriately, trouble find
***
Your thoughtful eyes are brown, honey, or grey
In puddles and rivers, you love to wallow and play
Consuming vegetation in enormous amounts
Any opponent, including a lion, you’ll trounce
***
You are known for your impressive memory
And will do anything to protect your family
With your trunk so clever and sensitive
Saving your impressive species is imperative
***
An end to your days on this planet is approaching
Due to human encroachment and mindless poaching
It’s hard to understand the penchant for hunting tournaments
Even less, the human desire for ivory ornaments
***
I can only pray for some sort of intervention
That will give African wildlife much better protection
Otherwise, the animal kingdom that’s existed for centuries
Will continue only in the elderly’s faded memories
***
Elephant, you rise out of the veld like a mountain
Spouting water and mud like a fountain
People think your nature is gentle and kind
But those who act inappropriately, trouble find

©Robbie Cheadle

 One of the reviews for the collection 

Dawn Pisturino
5.0 out of 5 stars Five-Star Review

Reading this collection of poems about threatened wildlife in South Africa made me realize how lucky the author is to live near these magnificent creatures and watch them in their native habitat. The idea of losing them forever is unthinkable. Yet, human development, climate change, and demands for trophies, safari experiences, and traditional medicine are driving them to the brink. After fifty years of environmental awareness, the message isn’t sticking.

We need people like Robbie Cheadle—writer, poet, artist, photographer, and activist—who devote their skills to advocating for the rights of the vulnerable among us. Even if threatened species instinctively understand their plight, they can’t speak up for themselves, influence legislation, or enforce laws. They can only react when provoked, hunted, and harmed.

Cheadle’s original poems remind us of the beauty and nobility of nature, as well as the numerous benefits we derive from interacting with the natural world. Yes, nature is cruel as predator and prey reenact the death dance over and over again. But each dancer understands their role in the cycle of life. Humans are the ones who don’t play by the rules.

Augmented with photos and artwork by the author, Burning Butterflies is a delightful read. I highly recommend it and give it a solid five stars. 

Read the reviews and buy the collection: Amazon US – And Amazon UK

My thanks to Robbie for participating in this series and I know she would love to hear from you.

A small selection of other books by Robbie and Michael Cheadle, African related stories and as Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Read the reviews and Buy the books : Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – As Roberta Eaton Cheadle: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Robbie : Goodreads –  Website: Robbie Cheadle – blog: Robbie’s Inspiration- Twitter: @bakeandwrite – Also at: Bluesky – Youtube: Robbie Cheadle

About Robbie Cheadle

South African author, photographer, and artist, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated four poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: Robbie Cheadle

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books 

What will be in the post and how to get in touch

  • I will top and tail the post in the usual way with your other books and links, bio, photo and social media.
  • I will also select one of the reviews from Amazon or Goodreads for the book.
  • Please share a book that has reviews to select from.
  • This series is open to all authors who have previously been featured in the promotions on Smorgasbord.
  • I do have a younger readership for the book posts so please consider that when selecting your excerpt.
  • I suggest an excerpt of around 400 to 500 words that you feel would encourage a reader to buy the book, or a poem that you feel best reflects the theme of your collection.
  • No need to send the cover as I will have that or will access from Amazon.
  • Please send your excerpt to sallygcronin@gmail.com
  • I only ask that authors share the link to their social media and respond to each comment individually as a matter of courtesy.

I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Smorgasbord Book Review – #Western #Romance Silverhills’ Rescue by Sandra Cox

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Delighted to share my review for the latest release by Sandra Cox… the third book in the Silverhills saga… Silverhills’ Rescue.

About the book

A marker is called in.

Brandon comes home from a trail drive to find his wife on her way to Mexico to help the mission folk that took her in. Putting herself in danger. Crossing perilous terrain, where not only the weather kills, but Comancheros and bandoleros as well. He climbs back into the saddle and heads out after her. Both of them now embarked on separate journeys that involves killers, flooded arroyos and narrow divides where one misstep means a plunge to certain death. And, if that’s not enough to challenge them, at journey’s end they’ll face the most dangerous situation of all.

My review for the book May 23rd 2026

You always know when you open a western by Sandra Cox you are going to find great characters, exciting action and heartwarming relationships and romance. This is particularly the case when you revisit the characters from a series that you have become connected, to as in the case of the Silverhills homestead.

There is a dramatic start to the book as Alex, who we have come to admire from the previous books, is faced with a decision which could result in a devastating outcome. A woman who beliefs in paying her debts… this one might be fatal. First a long and dangerous ride in the company of loyal friends to a place where Alex once found sanctuary.

It is not just nature that is dangerous but men on the lookout for an easy target and Alex and those who are following her have little opportunity to rest.

The pace of the story is relentless with the harsh nature and the lawlessness of the time waiting around every corner. You had to be very resilient and strong to withstand the both the enviroment and the culture of the time. Particularly as a woman.

Just when it seems one crisis has been resolved another arrives to take its place, and it would seem that Alex will pay a very high price for her courage and devotion to those she considers friends. Thankfully she has Brandon at her side as always and he is not someone to be messed with by bandits out for revenge or brawlers. Along with the loyal Charlie they will attempt to beat the odds against them on this perilous journey.

Having been brought up on the best of the western films of the 50s and 60s, I love the fact there is still an author today who understands the elements required to make this a action packed and riveting read. I have no hesitation in recommending. 

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

A small selection of other books by Sandra Cox

Read the reviews and buy the books : Amazon UK –And: Amazon US- follow Sandra Cox: Goodreads – Blog: Sandra Cox Blogspot – Twitter:@Sandra_Cox  – Bluesky: @scoxauthor.bsky.social

About Sandra Cox

Sandra, who also writes as S. Cox, is a vegetarian, animal lover and avid gardener. She lives with her husband, their dog and several cats in sunny North Carolina.

An award-winning author, her stories consist of all things Western and more.

Foodie Facts:

She spent a number of years in the Midwest chasing down good Southern BBQ. By the time she moved to North Carolina where Southern BBQ is practically a staple, she’d become a vegetarian.

Pineapple is a must-have on pizza, along with black olives and onions.

She loves pumpkin waffles. Pumpkin cream cheese, not so much.

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books. 

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives 2026 – Posts from last six months of 2025 – #Challenge BKD Cookbook Club – Italian #Peperonata by Darlene Foster

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Welcome to the  series of Posts from Your Archives for 2026 and I have been sharing posts from the SECOND six months of 2025 from your archives which I will select. This series is now closed but there will be another later in the year.

In this first post by Darlene Foster she shares a much loved Italian cookbook and a recipe as part of monthly challenge.

BKD Cookbook Club – Italian 

I was delighted when I discovered Jo had decided on an Italian theme for this month’s cookbook challenge. I love cooking and eating Italian. I was surprised that I didn’t own one cookbook solely devoted to Italian fare. So I went with an old favourite that I have featured here before.

The Vegetable Market Cookbook – Classic Recipes from Around the World Robert Budwig features an excellent Italian section, and I’ve made many of the dishes over the years. All of them very good. I love the recipes, but I also love the drawings that are included in the cookbook.

Some of the things I’ve made:

Trenette with Pesto, Beans and Potatoes. So easy and so tasty.

Baked Aubergine with Mozzarella

Rosemary Potatoes

Courgettes with Mint

Broccoli & Courgette Lasagne

Today I have decided to share the recipe for Peperonata, which I recently tried.

Peperonata

  • 670g/1/2 lb yellow and red peppers
  • 75 ml/5 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium-sized onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 450g/1 lb ripe tomatoes, chopped
  • 3 bay leaves
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  1. Clean the peppers. remove the seeds and white membrane, and cut into small dice.
  2. Heat the oil in a medium-sized heavy saucepan and fry the onion and garlic until the onion begins to turn golden.
  3. Add the peppers and celery and fry for 2-3 minutes, then add the tomatoes and bay leaves.
  4. Reduce the heat, cover and slowly simmer the vegetables until soft, about 35.40 minutes.
  5. Discard the bay leaves, season with salt and pepper. Serve hot or cold.

This was a perfect summer dish. I had it with a fresh baguette and some cheese.

You can find out more about the Brookford Kitchen Diaries HERE

©Darlene Foster 2025

My thanks to Darlene for inviting to delve into her archives and I am sure she would love to hear from you.

A selection of books by Darlene Foster.

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One of the reviews for Amanda in Ireland. 

Balroop Singh
5.0 out of 5 stars A blend of culture, history and mystery

‘Amanda in Ireland’ is a captivating story that pulls you in from page one. Amanda comes to Ireland to be a junior bridesmaid at her cousin Taylor’s wedding, but the bride, Roisin, and her beautiful horse are kidnapped. The chain of events that follow is woven together with interesting cultural details and visits to Dunmore Caves, boglands, museums and castles.

Amanda’s curiosity and keen observation land her in trouble more than once when she follows the suspects, but she doesn’t give up. Her grit and determination to solve the mystery are noteworthy. She misses her bestie, Leah but writes long emails to tell her about her adventures. Foster keeps the suspense alive till the last page, and it is hard to guess who the real villain is.

It is a marvel how the beauty of the Emerald Isle blends with the country’s traditional games, culture and historical landmarks. This is a wonderful way to introduce young children to beautiful places, and Amanda’s travels are the perfect series for them. 

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Website/Blog: Darlene Foster WordPress – Goodreads: Goodreads – Twitter: @supermegawoman – Bluesky: @darlenefoster.bsky.social  

About Darlene Foster

Growing up on a ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, Darlene Foster dreamt of writing, traveling the world, and meeting interesting people. She also believed in making her dreams come true. It’s no surprise she’s now the award-winning author of Amanda Travels, a children’s adventure series featuring a spunky twelve-year-old who loves to travel to unique places. Readers of all ages enjoy following Amanda as she unravels one mystery after another. When not traveling herself, Darlene divides her time between the west coast of Canada and the Costa Blanca, Spain with her husband and entertaining rescue dogs, Dot and Lia.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Music Column – Chart Toppers and Blockbusters 1980s with William Price King – “What a Fool Believes” and Ordinary People.

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Welcome to the series where I will be sharing the chart toppers and blockbusters through the decades… be prepared for some nostalgia and some foot tapping music. William

🎶   The Doobie Brothers – “What a Fool Believes”

“What a Fool Believes” was composed by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. The best known version of this song was done by the rock band “The Doobie Brothers” with Michael McDonald singing the lead vocals. The song was taken from the group’s eighth studio album “Minute by Minute,” and won the 1980 Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

As “What a Fool Believes” turned up the funk, “Ordinary People“ turned up the drama on the big screen. 

🎬   “Ordinary People”

“Ordinary People” starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, and Timothy Hutton was directed by Robert Redford in his directorial debut. The film portrays the disintegration of an affluent family after the accidental death of one of their two sons and the attempted suicide of the other.

“Ordinary People” earned six Oscar nominations and won four in 1980 including: Best Picture, Best Director (Redford), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor (Hutton), the youngest recipient at age 20.

Join William again next week for more entertainment…

Your Host

William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.

His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.

While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.

Blog– IMPROVISATION – William Price King on Tumblr – Buy William’s music: William Price King iTunes – Facebook – William Price King – Twitter – @wpkofficial
Regular Venue – Cave Wilson

 

Thanks very much for dropping in today and it would be great if you could share the music with your connections.

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives 2026 – Posts from last six months of 2025 – #shortstory – The (Not So) Grim Reaper by Jim L. Wright

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Welcome to the  series of Posts from Your Archives for 2026 and I have been sharing posts from the SECOND six months of 2025 from your archives which I will select. This series is now closed but there will be another later in the year.

This is the second post from the archives of Jim Wright and I sharing another of his short stories to share with you. It is not Halloween for a few months but you never know when this fellow might turn up on your doorstep!

The (Not So) Grim Reaper 

The air on our street always tasted different on Halloween. Crisp, sure, but also like cheap chocolate and the faint, smoky breath of a jack-o’-lantern. I was leaning against my doorjamb, a giant bowl of candy cradled in my arm, feeling pretty good about my own costume—a passable “DIY Ghostbuster” if I did say so myself.

That’s when I saw him.

He was… magnificent. The best Grim Reaper I had ever seen. Not the cheap, plastic-sheathed kind, but the real deal. The robe was a deep, fathomless black, like a hole cut out of the night, and it didn’t so much rustle as it just absorbed sound. The scythe wasn’t painted cardboard; it looked like real, aged wood and pitted steel that seemed to faintly hum with a note just below human hearing.

He was short, though. Couldn’t have been more than four feet tall. A kid, then. A phenomenally talented, pint-sized harbinger of doom.

He stopped in front of me, silent. No “trick or treat,” just a slow, upward tilt of that iconic skull face.

“Whoa,” I breathed, genuinely impressed. “Dude. Killer costume. No pun intended.”

The skull just stared, its empty sockets seeming to hold a deeper darkness than the robe.

“How’d your parents make it?” I continued, reaching into the bowl and grabbing a handful of mini-Snickers. “The robe feels… real. And that mask! The detail is insane. Is it latex?”

I leaned forward; the candy held out in one hand. With my other hand, I reached out, intending to give the mask a playful pinch on the cheek, to test the material.

My fingers made contact.

It wasn’t latex. It wasn’t silicone. It was cold. Hard. And porous, like very old, very dry bone. I tried to give it a little tug, a “you-scoundrel” kind of cheek-pull. It didn’t budge.

I frowned, my smile faltering. I shifted my grip, my thumb finding the jawline and my fingers curling under the chin. I pulled, gently at first, then with a bit more force. Nothing. It was like trying to pull a mountain off its foundation.

The kid—the thing—hadn’t moved. It just watched me.

A cold trickle of unease dripped down my spine. “Okay, ha ha,” I said, my voice a little tighter. “You got me. It’s a great one-piece deal, right? Helmet and all.”

I released the chin and, in a moment of pure, unadulterated stupidity, I grabbed the top of the skull and tried to twist it like a helmet. Left. Right. It was fused to the robe beneath. There was no seam. No line. No… nothing.

My heart began to thud a slow, heavy rhythm against my ribs. The festive sounds of the street—the shrieks of playing children, the laughter—seemed to fade into a dull roar.

The Reaper slowly, deliberately, lifted a bony hand—not a glove, I could see the delicate carpals and metacarpals, yellowed with age—and pointed a single, phalangeal finger at the candy still clutched in my frozen hand.

“Right. Yeah. Candy,” I stammered, dumping the entire handful into the small, black pouch he proffered. The Snickers bars vanished into the void without a sound.

He then pointed that same finger at me.

“M-me?” I squeaked.

He gave a single, slow nod. The great scythe shifted in his other hand, and the humming intensified, making my fillings ache.

Panic, cold and absolute, washed over me. This was it. I was going to be harvested by a four-foot-tall Grim Reaper on my own doorstep, dressed as a Ghostbuster. The irony was so thick you could spread it on toast.

“Wait!” I pleaded, holding up my hands. “Is this about the thing with the neighbor’s cat? Because I swear, I was just trying to shoo it away from the flowerbeds! I didn’t mean to launch it into the hydrangeas!”

The Reaper tilted its head. If a skull could look unimpressed, this one was nailing it.

It took a step closer. The air grew cold. The smell of cheap chocolate was entirely replaced by the scent of old dust and forgotten stone.

“Okay, okay! My diet!” I cried, desperate now. “It’s mostly lies! I had a whole pizza for breakfast! And I definitely don’t floss as much as I tell the dentist!”

The Reaper was now inches from me. I could see every minute crack in its bony visage. It slowly raised the scythe.

I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the end.

A moment passed. Then another.

I heard a faint, dry, rattling sound. Like stones being shaken in a gourd.

I cracked one eye open.

The Grim Reaper was… shaking. Its shoulders were quivering. That rattling sound was coming from it. It lowered the scythe, and the skull seemed to contort. It was… laughing. A silent, skeletal chuckle that was, without a doubt, the most terrifying sound I had never heard.

It reached into its pouch, pulled out a single, miniature Snickers bar, and tossed it to me. Then it patted me, almost consolingly, on the arm with its bony hand. The touch was like ice.

It then turned and shuffled away, the rattling chuckle fading as it merged back into the shadows between two houses, leaving me standing there, drenched in cold sweat, clutching a fun-sized candy bar.

I looked down at it. My hand was trembling.

My wife came to the door. “Everything okay, hon? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I stared into the darkness where the small, eternal being had vanished.

“Something like that,” I muttered, my voice hoarse. I held up the Snickers. “He… he left a tip.”

Happy Hallowe’en, y’all!

©Jim L. Wright

My thanks to Jim for participating and I know he would love to hear from you.

About Jim Wright

Jim L Wright is a freelancer, online blogger, editor, and author. His Young Adult Fantasy, New Yesterdays is published by Amazon and Create Space. His latest project is an action thriller that will be published next year.

This is my review for the book from August 2025

This is an interesting and intriguing read, capturing the time in history when the fate of the American Indian was decided without their input, resulting in forced marches to designated reservations away from the ancestral lands and resulting in the deaths of thousands.

The author has put a spin on this by opening a portal to the past for a young boy eager to explore the land before his own grandparents farmed it. What he finds profoundly changes his world as he is warmly welcomed by the Cherokee’s including a boy his own age.

Despite his young age, he knows from his history lessons what would happen to those currently living happily on this land and with a great deal of courage, he chooses to share that knowledge with his friend and also the elders of the tribe. Little did he know that he would set in motion a period of defiance that would change the course of a nation.

As well as the plight of the American Indian, the author also touches upon another tragedy where those already on the land are summarily removed from it or enslaved. He introduces Seamus who fled the turmoil in Ireland for the freedom of the America’s and has been made welcome by the tribe to work the land next to them. Another example of those who explore and claim lands in the name of an empire to the detriment of those who have occupied them for thousands of years.

It is always a danger with time travel from the future, that imparting known facts about an era could dramatically change the course history then takes. And this story demonstrates that very clearly.

The characters are very engaging, the outcomes very believable and it did leave me pondering the fate of both the Indians engaged in their act of defiance and those hundreds of settlers on the receiving end of their anger; many of whom where escaping the harsh realities of their own lives. The real perpetrators of this injustice were hundreds miles away, safely in their governmental offices putting the lives of their own people in grave danger because of their greed. Something which despite the passing of centuries is still happening today.

I have no hesitation in recommending this thought provoking book. 

Connect with Jim: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK –   Find out more about Jim: Travel Stories by Jim – Goodreads: New Yesterdays –  Blog: Ol Big Jim – Facebook Author Page: Jim Wright Author – X: @olbigjim – Bluesky: @olbigjim.bsky.social – Instagram: theoldbigjim 

Smorgasbord Health Column 2026 – Ancient Healing Therapies – #Tai Chi – Non-Combative Chinese Martial Art by Sally Cronin

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Following on from the aromatherapy series I am sharing some of the ancient healing therapies that you can still benefit from today.

I went to Tai Chi for a few classes when I was looking after my mother, but it became difficult to leave her on a regular schedule, but I did practice the moves at home to stay flexible and to help my breathing.

Ancient Healing Therapies – #Tai Chi – Non-Combative Chinese Martial Art

What is Tai Chi?

This is a non-combative martial art that combines breathing techniques with a series of slow movements often replicating the actions of birds and animals. It promotes the flow of vital energy (chi) throughout the body promoting health and calm.

It is also used to aid meditation and there is one technique that I found really demonstrates the gentle power of the art and is a great place to start to focus your mind and body.

Health Benefits of Tai Chi

There is some research into the various benefits of the technique, and certainly for those of us over 65 it has been found to reduce stress, improve posture as well as increasing muscle strength in the muscles in the legs. This may have an impact on balance, flexibility and mobility. This might also help prevent the elderly from falls and improve arthritic conditions. It is a gentle but weight bearing exercise to might also improve bone density.

Although most of the exercises are in the standing position there is also no reason why you cannot complete the arm movements and strengthen your core and shoulder muscles whilst sitting.

Suitable for all ages.   If you were to drive through a Chinese city you would find the parks and empty spaces filled with groups of men, women and children attending a Tai Chi class. Perfect for the family to enjoy together. Great for children and in China the day often start with a 30 minute class.

Here are just two of the many exercises that are part of this technique and I hope you will explore this amazing form of exercise for yourselves.

Kong Jing to relax and focus your mind.

  1. If you can sit on a mat on the floor with your legs crossed that is the most effective position. But if like me you have knee problems, sit on a straight- backed chair and cross you legs at the ankles.
  2. Rub your palms together rapidly to the count of 10 seconds ( there are a number of ways to time that… one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand or one Mississippi two Mississippi etc)
  3. Place one palm slightly cupped above the other 15cm apart.
  4. Keeping your eyes closed, imagine that you have a spongy ball between your palms and gently press them together until you feel some resistance (it is weird at first as you know there is no actual ball between your palms) Do not let your hands touch.
  5. The feeling is best described as magnetic. If you have ever held a magnet in each hand and moved them together you will begin to feel a slight repelling sensation the closer you get. You might also experience a feeling of warmth or tingling in your fingers.
  6. Hold that feeling of resistance for five minutes and in subsequent sessions increase until you are holding that position for 15 minutes.

You should find that after a few sessions that you are less stressed and also that you breathing has slowed and your heartbeat dropped slightly as the body relaxes.

I would like to share one more exercise with you which you can use as a warm up before a Tai Chi class or on its own to unwind at the end of the day and boost your energy. If you do have a dry, level spot in the garden on grass, where you can stand barefoot, then that is fantastic.

N.B. It is advisable not to do Tai Chi if you are suffering from any joint injuries especially shoulder and knee.. always check with your doctor or physiotherapist first. However, once you are healed this gentle exercise might prevent further injuries.

  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your knees slightly bent.
  2. Relax your shoulders and upper body and hold your head balanced as if someone had tied a ribbon to the hair on the crown of your head and was pulling it upwards.
  3. Your hands should be down by your sides, palms facing backwards and slightly apart from your body.
  4. Breathe naturally and allow you mind to empty.
  5. Shift all your weight onto your right foot and gently lift your arms up in front of you to shoulder height.
  6. Keep your palms facing downwards and your fingers pointing to the floor.
  7. Transfer all your weight to the left foot and in one easy flowing motion, lower your arms down to your sides.
  8. Bend your wrists to that your hands are parallel to the floor facing forwards.
  9. Transfer your weight to your right foot, raising your arms again to shoulder height and then transfer all your weight to the left and lower the arms again.
  10. Repeat this flowing motion in a rhythmic sequence until if becomes effortless and without you thinking about the process.
  11. Build up the repetitions until you are practicing this every day for 15 minutes.

You should find that after a week or two your muscles, particularly in the shoulders and legs are more toned and that breathing and your circulation are improved.

Here is a video with instructions in English from a Hong Kong teacher to show you the beginning moves. jackysum5

Here is a directory for classes in the UK and wherever you live you should be able to find a similar directory: Taoist.org class locations

And to show you that you are never too young to feel the benefits of the discipline…..so cute. Leeds Taekwondo

Thanks for dropping in today and hope you have found the post interesting and as always I would love your feedback

©Sally Cronin 2026

Sally Cronin is the author of eighteen books including her memoir Size Matters: Especially when you weigh 330lb first published in 2001 which followed her weight loss of 150lbs and the programme she designed to achieve a healthy weight and regain her health. A programme she shared with her clients over her 26 year career as a nutritional therapist and on her blog. This has been followed by another seventeen books both fiction and non-fiction including multi-genre collections of short stories and poetry.

Her latest book Size Always Matters is an extended and updated version of her original book Size Matters and now includes the nutritional element to losing weight and some recipes with ingredients that provide the nutrients necessary for healthy weight loss and continued good health.

As an author she understands how important it is to have support in marketing books and offers a number of FREE promotional opportunities in the Café and Bookstore on her blog and across her social media.

After leading a nomadic existence exploring the world, she now lives with her husband on the coast of Southern Ireland enjoying the seasonal fluctuations in the temperature of the rain.

A selection of my books

You can read the reviews: My books 2026

 

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives 2026 – Posts from last six months of 2025 – #Writing #Expletives by Laura Lyndhurst

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Welcome to the  series of Posts from Your Archives for 2026 and I have been sharing posts from the SECOND six months of 2025 from your archives which I will select. This series is now closed but there will be another later in the year.

This is the first post from author Laura Lyndhurst who explores the use of expletives in our writing… with some illustrious references to past storytellers.

Greetings to all, and business as usual, as promised. Isn’t it strange how some weeks you’re knee-deep in issues to blog about, and others there’s nothing. Zilch. Nada. Nil. That was me last week, and I dropped the odd expletive as I scraped the bottomless pit of my mind for something, anything; which leads me to this week’s subject.

A friend and fellow author posted this week about the badge of honour he’d just received; membership of the 1* review club. He wasn’t bitter about it, he’s big enough to accept it, and wear it with pride; but a one-liner complaining about the limited use he’d made of ‘profane language’, claiming that ‘there is no place or reason for it’ didn’t give the book its due; plus it was wrong, plainly and simply—but more of that later. My response was to the effect that I don’t have a problem with ‘profane language’ and use it in my own books. I write about real people, who use four-letter-language on occasion, and I make no apologies for that.

I’m in good company, because some of the greatest writers used it. D. H. Lawrence had no issue with it, and neither did his Lady Chatterley. Before him, Shakespeare revelled in it. He wrote for a wide-ranging audience, speaking to them in language familiar to them—including the ‘profane’ variety—as a sure-fire way of putting—backsides—on seats and feet in the pit. His usage was extensive, as evinced by Eric Partridge, who put together a 223-page text entitled Shakespeare’s Bawdy, which lists pretty much every use contained within the Bard’s works. Much of it found its way into the mouth of The Earl of Kent—in King Lear—who’s noted to voice some of the foulest invective in Shakespeare; but then he was attempting to disguise himself as a low, rude, fellow, which brings me to my own experience.

Twelve years old, walking home across the council estate where I was born and raised, wearing my grammar school uniform. It took me a while to get to and from said school, which wasn’t located nearby, so by the time I got back there were few people about. The kids from the local schools were home, their mothers feeding them, their fathers still at work.

Climbing the hill with my satchel, I saw two older and larger boys coming down towards me. One held a large stick, and it was clear from their demeanour that they’d seen me and had bad intentions; and there was nobody else about to ask for help.

This wasn’t the most upmarket area, so I’d heard a great deal of ‘profane language’ bandied about and was well-versed in it, even if I’d never voiced it myself. That was about to change, as against these two boys my tongue was the only effective weapon I possessed. As they came close I plucked up the courage and let them have it; every word I’d ever heard from that particular section of the vocabulary issued from my trembling lips in a seemingly never-ending stream.

They drew back, looked horrified, then gave me a wide berth, circling around me and going on their way down the hill, not looking back. Job done, and I got home unscathed.

So excuse me, reader who thinks there’s ‘no place or reason’ for ‘profane language’. I had every reason to use it in that particular place, at that particular time. It served me well, as my only recourse, and saved my—backside—on this memorable occasion.

In conclusion, I’d like to say, Authors, please feel free to use such vocabulary as you wish; you have the blessing of the Bard.

And anybody who doesn’t like it can do the other thing.

©Laura Lyndhurst

My thanks to Laura for inviting me to share posts from her archives and I know she would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

About Laura Lyndhurst

I was born and grew up in North London, England, but was unable to attend university when young due to family financial circumstances. Instead, I worked at various occupations, including dental nurse, laboratory assistant and shop assistant.

I married just before I was 20, and travelled to some interesting places around the world, following my husband’s career. I spent much time reading, a passion, but in order to keep further occupied I took office jobs when these were available to me; I hated the work, but the money was useful.

When we were back in the UK I took evening classes at various times and gained ‘A’ levels in Psychology, Sociology and English, eventually settling in Kent with my husband and becoming a mature student and gaining Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English and Literature before training and working as a teacher.

In 2016 we moved to the peace and quiet of rural Lincolnshire, and my sporadic writing activities became more permanent. I self-published Fairytales Don’t Come True, my debut novel, in May 2020 and since then have written and published four books of poetry, October Poems, Thanksgiving Poems & Prose Pieces, Poet-Pourri and Social Climbing and Other Poems.

In January 2021 I published a sequel to Fairytales entitled Degenerate, Regenerate, and at the end of March 2021 I published a psychological suspense story, You Know What You Did. A third book was published in June 2021, entitled All That We Are Heir To, to make up the ‘Criminal Conversation’ trilogy with Fairytales and Degenerate, In November 2022 I published another psychological suspense story, What Else Did You Do?, which is a sequel to You Know What You Did. The work didn’t stop, as alongside this sequel I was writing a fourth book to follow the ‘Criminal Conversation’ trilogy. Entitled ‘Innocent, Guilty’. It was published in January 2023, and a fifth book, ‘The Future of Our House’ came out in June 2023. The sixth and final book is entitled ‘Uphill, Downhill, Over, Out’. A standalone novel, ‘An Honourable Institution’ was published in January 2025 and Fatal my latest release in February 2026.

A small selection of  books by Laura Lyndhurst

One of the reviews for Fatal 

Julia Blake
5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping whodunnit with a satisfying shocking ending

A twisting tale of bitterness, regret, and resentment as the interconnected lives of a group of disparate people all revolve around the stain on humanity that is Ken Brady. A truly dislikeable character with no redeeming features and no chance of redemption, it’s not a matter of IF someone whose life has been shattered by Ken Brady strikes back, but rather WHEN and, more importantly, WHO?

An aggressively grim whodunnit that highlights the destruction one evil individual can have on everyone he encounters. This convoluted tale wound tighter as motives aplenty are discovered and alibis examined by police and reader alike. The ending shocked me rigid. I genuinely did not see it coming, and congratulations to the author for a gripping and engrossing read. 

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US – Follow Laura: Goodreads – Website: Books that make you think –  Facebook Author Page: Laura Lyndhurst– Pinterest – Instagram

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – A-Z World Cuisines with Carol Taylor – Discovering the Cuisine of Oman…officially the Sultanate of Oman

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Welcome to my virtual tour of Oman the only country beginning with the letter O…this diverse cuisine is a blend of Arab, Indian, Persian and East Africa with this blend of influences aromatic spices play a big part when cooking rice, seafood and meats plus as is popular in many Arab countries traditional underground cooking still plays a big part with the meat cooked for hours and hours it is guaranteed to be delicious …tender and moist…

Shuwa (slow-cooked meat in an underground pit) is the national dish, typically eaten on festive occasions…it is testament to this wonderful traditional way of slow cooking…

The cuisine showcases Indian, Iranian, and African influences, with southern coastal areas using more coconuts…Dhofari Manshab: A traditional, fragrant dish featuring fish steaks (often kingfish) cooked in a rich sauce of coconut milk, ghee, and aromatic spices like turmeric, coriander, and cinnamon, typically served over rice. ..another delightful dish is Saloonat Rubyan (Coconut Shrimp Curry): A popular Southern Omani dish featuring prawns stewed in a spiced coconut milk gravy…mymouth is just watering as I type…

The use of coconut is not just prevelant in the delicious curries but also in confectionary and desserts…Chaklama is such a coconut based dessert…basically it is just like a coconut macaroon (not to be confused with French Macarons).

Macaroons are said to come from Italy around the 9th century and they have split into variations across the world. So who made them first: Omanis or Italians? I say my mother as she made the most delicious coconut macaroons…therefore I guess we will never know.

Researching the recipes of which there are few it seems condensed milk and cardamon or maybe rosewater would be the difference and whole eggs were used whereas my mother used egg whites only and no cardamon/rosewater or condensed milk…just vanilla essence xx

Ingredients: My Mothers Recipe. 

  • 4 egg whites
  • 3 cups of desiccated coconut or fresh coconut if you have it.
  • 1/2 cup of sugar
  • 1 tsp of vanilla essence
  • 1/4 tsp of salt

Let’s Cook!

  1. Whisk the egg whites, sugar, vanilla essence and salt until the mix is soft and frothy.
  2. Fold in the coconut and put spoonfuls on a lined baking tray.
  3. Cook in a preheated oven on 350F or 175 C for 15-20 minutes.
  4. Remove from oven and cool on a baking tray.
  5. This recipe made about 12 depending on the size of your spoon.

I think these would be really nice with the addition of cardamon or rosewater…

Enjoy! 

Northern regions lean toward spicier dishes…distinguished by fragrant rice, slow-cooked meats, and intense spices, influenced by Indian, Zanzibari and Persian traders…subtle flavors rather than intense heat. Curries and stews in the region are commonly built on a base of browned onions, garlic, ginger, and turmeric, often featuring dried lime (loomi) for a tangy, complex flavour…Loomi is a key ingredient in Omani stew-like curries, providing a distinct citrusy, smoky sourness…

A specialty in Muscat and northern regions is camel meat curry, this rich stew features tender camel meat cooked with spices…It is often described as a cross between beef and lamb. It is rich and, because it is generally low in fat, it has a distinct, sometimes slightly sweet or nutty taste.

Omani seafood curries are especially popular near the coast…these often use fresh, locally caught fish or shrimp, sometimes cooked with coconut milk, tomatoes, and spices.

Due to historical connections, Northern Oman (particularly Muscat) has a heavy influence from Zanzibari and North Indian cuisine:

A staple in Muscat, featuring spiced chicken or meat with a thick, rich gravy is Zanzibari Birryani…plus Indian curries like North Indian butter chicken , rogan josh and tikk masala can be found in high end restaurants…

It now time for my favourite food vlogger Mark Weins and he will take you on a virtual tour of all Muscat has to offer and it is most delicious…

And yes there are also pancakes…Traditional Omani breakfasts often feature Quroos (small, round, sweet pancakes served with honey or date syrup) or Gola (smashed pancakes with ghee and honey)…as the name implies they are just that…made in the normal way you make a thin pancake but cooked with ghee , once made and still hot , tear or chop them into tiny, bite-sized pieces using a metal spatula, spoon, or clean hands (or traditionally, a heavy-duty smasher)…While the pancake pieces are still hot, pour over generous amounts of ghee and honey so they are absorbed…

Serve immediately, often in a traditional clay dish, warm with tea…and there you have “Gola” Omani smashed pancakes x

Traditionally Qahwa is the national drink, served with dates to show hospitality. Karak tea (chai), a strong, sweet tea brewed with milk and spices, is also very popular…

Laban is widely consumed, particularly in the heat. It is a refreshing, salty yogurt-based drink. Other cold options include fresh fruit juices (mango, grape, pomegranate) and sweetened yogurt drinks…of course as it is worldwide drinks like Mountain Dew iare extremely popular, followed by carbonated drinks like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Rani fruit drinks. Non-alcoholic malt beverages (Barbican, Laziza) are also common…

I hope you have enjoyed this dip into this countries cuisine and look forward to seeing you next time xx

About Carol Taylor

Carol Taylor now lives in Thailand having been brought up in England and has built a dedicated following of her blog and guest posts where she creates not only amazing dishes, but sources fantastic ingredients in line with her philosophy of sustainable food ‘cooked from scratch’. Having travelled extensively Carol has incorporated the cuisines of many different cultures into her recipes, and shares her research into the backgrounds to both the traditional cultures and the origins of the ingredients.

She loves shopping at local markets and wherever she is, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetables she has never seen or cooked with.

Health and the environment are key priorities, particularly the concern about our oceans and fisheries. Also, how many of our foods on the shelves of our supermarkets are ultra processed and contain additives that do not add to the nutritional value and are not healthy. She is an advocate about growing our own food where or when we can even it it is only a few pots or a window box of herbs.

She wishes everyone would count chemicals and not calories as they would be much healthier…it’s true ‘we are what we eat‘ and while a cake or a bar of chocolate does no harm on occasions, sticking to a fresh food, balanced diet will keep our bodies healthy as we age…

Cookbooks by Carol Taylor

Head over to buy the books:  Amazon UK  – And: Amazon US For reviews: Goodreads – Connect to Carol – Blog: Carol Cooks 2 – Twitter: @CarolCooksTwo – Facebook: Carol Taylor 

 

Thanks Carol for another fascinating post..and join us again in two weeks for the next cuisine in the series.

Smorgasbord Book Promotions 2026 – Share an Excerpt – Boost one of your books – #Paranormal, #Mystery, #Romance – The Edge of Too Late: Harbor Pointe Series Book 5 by Jan Sikes

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In this regular series for 2026, you are invited to share an excerpt of 400 to 500 words from any book you have written you would like to give a boost to.

This feature is for any author who has been promoted on Smorgasbord previously.

Please read full details of how to participate at the end of the post and I will respond to your emails as soon as possible.

The aim of the series

    • To showcase any of your books you would like to give a boost to.
    • To gain more reviews for the book.
    • Promote a selection of your other books that are available

Today the excerpt is from a The Edge of Too Late by Jan Sikes, part of a collaborative series by authors of The Story Empire. Eight multi-genre stories covering two hundred years in the history of The Harbor Pointe Inn

About the Book

The Harbor Pointe Inn has loomed on California’s cliffs for generations of Hawthornes. For some, it’s been a blessing. For others, a curse. Travel through two centuries of stories to discover the old inn’s secrets.

What’s the point of having it all when you have no one to share it with?

Brandon Miller has his dream job, financial security, and he’s madly in love. Only one thing is missing—a commitment.

Angela Cooper’s ex-husband left her with deep scars, souring her on the concept of marriage. She’s not interested in a do-over. Not with Brandon or anyone. Her heart is locked securely away behind a thick wall.

With a ring in his pocket and hope in his heart, Brandon arranges a romantic getaway to the historic Harbor Pointe Inn, where he plans to pop the question.

Before they reach the inn, Angela’s got her camera in hand and ghosts on her mind. But they arrive to find a much more tangible horror.

Accident or foul play?

Someone is up to no good, and Angela is the next target. When suspects can be worldly or otherworldly, danger and secrets lurk everywhere.

Poised at the perilous edge of too late, Angela and Brandon face the fight of their lives.

An excerpt from the book

Angi shuddered as the figure plummeted toward the ocean. Why could no one else see it? The couples around them stared, then looked away as if embarrassed for her.

Brandon tightened his grip.

It stung that he didn’t believe her. For a brief instant, she thought about the woman in the dining room. Her husband didn’t believe her either. Did Bran think she was hallucinating? Was she?

Captain Duke poked his head out of the wheelhouse. “Everything okay out here?”

Angi pointed. “Sir, I just saw a woman jump from the lighthouse into the ocean.” She fought to stop trembling.

“Oh, matey. You’ve seen Viv.”

“Viv?” Angi turned out of Brandon’s arms to face the captain. “She’s real?”

“Well, she was a hundred years ago. Some say Vivian O’Shea committed suicide, but other accounts state she was swept off the widow’s walk by a ferocious gale while watching for the return of her lover’s ship during a massive storm.”

Angi gripped Brandon’s arm so hard her nails dug into his flesh. But she couldn’t let go.

“That’s one of the ghosts I read about. But I swear I saw her.”

“You and lots of others,” Captain Duke rubbed a hand across his forehead.

“So, you don’t think I’m crazy?”

He laughed. “Not crazy at all.” He swept a dramatic arm around the group. “Anyone else see Viv?”

No one replied, but there were hushed whispers.

“Well, I’ve seen her lots of times, always around this same spot and especially close to a full moon.” He nodded toward Angi. “So, you’re not crazy at all. Maybe gifted, but not crazy.” He ducked back into the wheelhouse to navigate the boat toward the dock.

Brandon hugged her tight. “See. You’re not imagining things. The ghost is real. I wish I could see it.” He rubbed small circles on her back. “Like Captain Duke said, you have a gift.”

“Or curse,” she mumbled into his shirt.

Thank goodness the captain verified her sighting regardless of whether anyone else had seen the woman plunge into the ocean. At least she wasn’t completely bonkers. While she’d seen orbs and mists before, Vivian was the first fully formed ghost figure she’d seen.

Her wish had come true, yet she’d be lying if she didn’t admit to being shaken by the sight.

She turned away from the lighthouse and took deep, slow, deliberate breaths. This trip was turning out to have some drastic ups and downs. The day had been so carefree and wonderful, but now she fought to suppress strangling emotions. Thank goodness it wasn’t a real live person. There was no way she could stand to watch someone die, especially by suicide.

Brandon tugged her back to the bench they’d vacated. “Relax, babe. Everything’s okay.”

Angi forced a smile. “Some ghost hunter I am, huh? I almost wish I couldn’t see things like that. Now I’m apprehensive about going up inside the lighthouse tomorrow.”

©Jan Sikes The Edge of Too Late

One of the reviews for the book  

Harmony Kent
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun, tension-filled read with a touch of the supernatural

This entertaining novella from Jan Sikes has it all: Romance, ghosts, a crazy man, a dangerous womaniser, and lots of tension in the midst of a beguiling, beautiful setting.

The story starts out with a deceptively slow pace and allows the tension to mount gradually until it explodes in the last 30% of the book. And the narrative is full of wonderfully descriptive writing, which pulls you right in to the read. Below are a couple of lines that stood out for me …

‘When she pressed the shutter button, the doe raised her head and froze, leaves dangling from her mouth.’ … This detailed description brings the scene alive so well, and I loved it.

And …

‘He’d never been so desperate for news. Nor so fearful of it.’ … One of the best descriptions of fear and angst, which shows rather than tells the emotional turmoil of the character.

While this story contains violence, most of it happens off page, thus making this a fun, tension-filled read with a touch of the supernatural, and a young couple in love, without being at all traumatic. This is a gripping tale that has something for everyone, and it gets 5 stars from me, which means it’s good enough to lure any reader into pulling an all-nighter to finish it. Go and buy this book! And while you’re at it, check out other works by the versatile Jan Sikes.

Head over to read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

A small selection of other books by Jan Sikes

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Website: Jan Sikes – Goodreads: Jan on Goodreads – Twitter: @rijanjks  – Bluesky: Jksikes-author

About Jan Sikes

I’ve been an avid reader all my life. There’s nothing I love more than losing myself in a story.

Oddly enough, I had no ambition to be a writer. But I wound up in mid-life with a story that begged to be told. Not just any story, but a true story that rivaled any fiction creation. Through fictitious characters, the tale came to life in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books. Not satisfied to stop with the books, I released music CDs of original music matching the time period of each story segment. In conclusion, to bring the story full circle, I published a book of poetry and art. I was done.

Wrong!

The story ideas keep coming, and I don’t intend to turn off the creative fountain. I have now written numerous short stories, a series of paranormal romances and a series of historical fiction.

I love all things metaphysical and often include those aspects in my stories.

I am an dedicated fan of Texas music and grandmother of five beautiful souls. I reside in North Texas.

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books… Sally

What will be in the post and how to get in touch

  • I will top and tail the post in the usual way with your other books and links, bio, photo and social media.
  • I will also select one of the reviews from Amazon or Goodreads for the book.
  • Please share a book that has reviews to select from.
  • This series is open to all authors who have previously been featured in the promotions on Smorgasbord.
  • I do have a younger readership for the book posts so please consider that when selecting your excerpt.
  • I suggest an excerpt of around 400 to 500 words that you feel would encourage a reader to buy the book, or a poem that you feel best reflects the theme of your collection.
  • No need to send the cover as I will have that or will access from Amazon.
  • Please send your excerpt to sallygcronin@gmail.com
  • I only ask that authors share the link to their social media and respond to each comment individually as a matter of courtesy.

I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Music Column Retro- The Big Band Era with William Price King and Sally Cronin – 1940s – Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman with Peggy Lee, Donald O’Connor

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Welcome to the 2026 series of the music column where I am joined as always by Jazz singer and composer William Price King.  We hope you will join us every Tuesday for some of the chart hits of the big band era from the 1930s through to the 1950s.

Some of the earlier videos are not of the best quality however where possible we have sourced remastered copies to share with you. Considering some are almost 100 years old, it is remarkable that they exist at all.  A testament to the love of the music of that era. Along with our selections each week we will also be showcasing some of the iconic dancers of the era.

Here is my next selection from the Big Band chart in the 1940s from Glenn Miller

Glenn Miller with Tex Beneke & Marion Hutton “I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo” (1942)

“I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo,” from the musical film “Orchestra Wives,” was the best selling record in the US in 1942 according to Billboard magazine. Composed by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, it spent 19 weeks on Billboard’s charts and 8 weeks at the #1 spot. The song was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Music, Original Song in 1943. William Graff

Here is my next selection from the 1940s from Benny Goodman with Peggy Lee

Benny Goodman with Peggy Lee “Why Don’t You Do Right?” (1943)

“Why Don’t You Do Right?” (originally recorded as “Weed Smoker’s Dream” in 1936) is an American blues and jazz-influenced pop song usually credited to Kansas Joe McCoy
One of the best-known versions of the song was recorded by Peggy Lee and Benny Goodman on July 27, 1942, in New York. Featured in the 1943 film, Stage Door Canteen, it sold over one million copies and brought her to nationwide attention. maynardcat

Other sources: Wikipedia – And: Jazz Standards

Donald David Dixon Ronald O’Connor (August 28, 1925 – September 27, 2003) was an American dancer, singer and actor. He came to fame in a series of films in which he co-starred with Gloria Jean, Peggy Ryan, and Francis the Talking Mule.

His best-known works came in the film “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952), for which O’Connor was awarded a Golden Globe. He also won a Primetime Emmy Award from four nominations and received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

O’Connor joined a dance act with his mother and elder brother Jack. They were billed as the O’Connor Family, the Royal Family of Vaudeville. They toured the country doing singing, dancing, comedy, and acting. “Our entire family composed an act”, he says. “We really didn’t have a choice; if you were in the family you appeared in the act. I loved vaudeville. The live audiences created a certain spontaneity.”

When they were not touring they stayed with O’Connor’s Uncle Bill in Danville, Illinois. O’Connor never went to school. He later said, “I learned two dance routines. I looked like the world’s greatest dancer. I did triple wings and everything. But I had never had any formal training. So, when I went into movies and started working with all those great dancers, I had a terrible time. I couldn’t pick up routines because I didn’t have any formal training. At the age of 15 — from 15 on, I really had to learn to dance. And that’s quite old for someone to start dancing real heavy, professionally.

 Your Hosts for The Big Band Era

William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.

His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.

While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.

Blog– IMPROVISATION – William Price King on Tumblr – Buy William’s music: William Price King iTunes – Facebook – William Price King – Twitter – @wpkofficial
Regular Venue – Cave Wilson

Sally Cronin is an author, blogger and broadcaster who enjoyed four years as part of the team on Onda Cero International’s English speaking morning show in Marbella and then for two years as a presenter on Expressfm the local radio station in Portsmouth. She co-presented two ‘Drive Time’ shows a week with Adrian Knight, hosted the live Thursday Afternoon Show and The Sunday Morning Show guests including musicians and authors. Following this she became Station Director for a local internet television station for two years, producing and presenting the daily news segment, outside broadcasts and co-presenting the Adrian and Sally chat show live on Friday evenings.

She and her husband David have now returned to Ireland where they live on the Wexford Coast where she blogs and continues to write books.

Books :Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – More reviews: Goodreads – blog: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Twitter: @sgc58 – Facebook: Sally Cronin – LinkedIn: Sally Cronin

Thanks for tuning in and as always we love to hear from you.. thanks William and Sally.

 

 

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives 2026 – Posts from last six months of 2025 – #Poetry #TheOcean – Memoirs of a Shark by Kay Castaneda

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Welcome to the  series of Posts from Your Archives for 2026 and I have been sharing posts from the SECOND six months of 2025 from your archives which I will select. This series is now closed but there will be another later in the year.

This is the first post from author Kay Castaneda… and for those of you who are wary of swimming in the ocean… enjoy one of her poems.

CHALLENGE

I decided to participate in this week’s dVerse challenge. The prompt is SHARKS. In honor of Shark Week, I wrote a poem. I never watched the entire movie JAWS. I left the room once I saw that Huge shark.

Shark Week is an annual week-long programming block on the Discovery Channel focusing on shark-themed programming. It originally premiered on July 17, 1988. The block is featured annually in the summer, and was originally devoted to conservation efforts and correcting misconceptions about sharks.

Over time, it grew in popularity and became a hit on the Discovery Channel. Since 2010, it has been the longest-running cable television programming event in history.The block is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, and is broadcast in over 72 countries. Shark Week is promoted by the Discovery Channel heavily via social networks such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). Episodes are also available for purchase on services such as Google Play/YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV. Some episodes of the shows on Shark Week are free on the over-the-top streaming services HBO Max, Hulu (owned by Disney), and discovery+ Wikipedia Shark Week

Shark, Shark

Look! It’s a shark!

No it’s not.

A Giant Shark.

You’re crazy.

I can see its fin.

Where? Don’t see it.

There! Swimming toward us.

You’re likely mistaken.

It’s coming closer!

You’re overheated.

I swear I see it.

Better sit down.

I’m telling the truth!

You’re making it up for attention.

Sit under the umbrella.

No! Not on the sand.

Relax. Not a shark anywhere.

Why don’t you believe me?

Have a cool drink.

I’m leaving this beach now!

Hey! Everyone’s screaming.

What are they yelling?

Shark! Get out of the water!

Oh no! Run back to the hotel.

Here comes the lifeguard.

Shark attack! Shark attack!

Ok! I believe you.

Listen it’s quiet now.

A boat? A shark attacked a boat?

All the people say it’s over.

It was that wooden canoe.

Yeah!

Anyone in it?

They’d just climbed out.

Someone said they went to the bar.

Look! They’re returning.

The shark?

No, the people.

Hey! What’s the commotion?

A shark attacked your boat.

Damn! My wife and I are lucky.

Next time believe me.

Yes! Believe her.

Sharks aren’t evil.

They just do what they do.

NOW we see that sign.

Sharks Have Been Spotted.

Don’t Swim Today.

The sign should be bigger.

And the letters in red!

The hotel is at fault.

They failed to warn us.

They owe us a refund.

We came here to sun bathe.

Get our feet in the water.

Read a book, have a cool drink.

Not to see his big teeth.

And watch a boat get attacked

By a gigantic hungry shark!

We’ll go somewhere else

Yes! The neighborhood pool

Where it’s safe and secure

From great white sharks!

©Kay Castaneda 2025

My thanks to Kay for inviting me to share posts from her archives and I know she would be delighted to receive your comments.

About Kay Castaneda

Kay Castaneda is retired from a career as a college writing instructor and special education tutor. She earned a B.A. and M.A. in English at Indiana University. Her publications include poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction in literary journals plus articles about education for reference books. Kay attended writing seminars in Lithuania, Scotland, and Mexico. She dreams of going camping in Alaska someday and visiting Israel. Her hobbies include reading, especially Russian novels, biographies, watching crime shows on TV and genealogy. Kay’s talents include daydreaming, inventing characters for future writing and baking.

She published a novel based on her experiences growing up in the Midwest, Emmie of Indianapolis. She is currently researching the history of Ireland for a novel based on her ancestors. Her work in progress is a mystery novel with an amateur female sleuth. Future plans include teaching online writing classes plus creating her home art studio. Her husband says that she is addicted to reading and this is true. She loves to eat at Mom and Pop diners and browse in antique stores and flea markets. Kay lives in Indiana with her husband Tony, son Richard and dog Buddy.

About Emmie of Indianapolis

In 1963, a young teenage girl moves with her mother and sisters from the suburbs to the downtown of a Midwestern city after her parents get a divorce. Emmie, a naïve, curious and intelligent girl, wants the security of her suburban life but has always dreamed of adventure in faraway places. She must take risks, meet new people and become independent. The change is difficult for all because of her mother’s alcoholism and lack of a steady income. When Emmie’s mother takes a job, she cares for her sisters at night. In her new neighborhood, Emmie meets people from different cultures who are both good and evil. She defends her sisters and herself each day by confronting the evil, thus awakening her courage and inner strength. But she never gives up.

One of the reviews for the book

Marsha Ingrao
5.0 out of 5 stars Life in Indianapolis during the 60s from a 12-year-old perspective

Emmie from Indianapolis: The Story of an American Girl was a page-turner for me. From the start, the reader can tell that Emmie is a gregarious and responsible girl living in Indianapolis in 1963. I fell in love with this book first because I had been a 12-year-old American girl living in Indianapolis in 1963. Kay, a blogging friend, and I compared notes and maps after I read her delightful book.

Sadly, Emmie’s life was fraught with constant moving and danger after her parents’ divorce. Even so, she didn’t seem like a girl who let herself get bogged down with problems.

For example, the day after they moved into a poorer inner-city neighborhood, she wandered around her new neighborhood and reported meeting church ladies dressed in all matching colors.

“If a woman had a lavender dress, she wore a lavender hat. Some of the women had on shoes the same color as the rest of their outfits.”

I remember thinking for years that matching colors was the only way to dress. I love all the details she shared and felt transported back to the 1960s.

As the separation between her parent became longer, so did the dangers. Then her mother started drinking.

“One evening, Mommy forgot to make our supper before she left for work. I ran after them (her mother and a co-worker) as they started down the stairs.

‘What can we eat tonight, Mommy? You didn’t cook anything.’

…I gave Cissy (the baby) some Jell-O water, and she went to sleep.”

Emmie’s narration employs short sentences, simple vocabulary, and straightforward descriptions of people and events. The language works well for elementary students, and the two main characters are elementary students. However, several of the episodes in the story are violent and contain sexual abuse or attempts at sexual abuse, not to mention alcohol-induced physical and supervisory neglect of three vulnerable girls.

I would recommend sharing this book with middle schoolers and above, rather than elementary schoolers.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Website: Bookplaces – Facebook: Kay Castaneda – Twitter: @KCastanedauthor –  Instagram:Kay Castaneda 90 – Pinterest: Kay Castaneda 

 

Thank you for dropping in today and it would be great if could share Kay’s post.

 

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives 2026 – Posts from last six months of 2025 – #poetry #Challenges “With love…” – for TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge #39 by Nicole Sara.

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Welcome to the  series of Posts from Your Archives for 2026 and I will be sharing posts from the SECOND six months of 2025 from your archives which I will select. This series is now closed but there will be another later in the year.

This is the second post from the archives of Nicole Sara and she shares her responses to one of the poetry challenges in November 2025.

“With love…” – for TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge #39 

“In the beginning, the price of giving great love is risking
that it won’t be returned.
Until you understand, of course, that great love
is always returned. With interest.”
― Mike Dooley 

With Love

She stared out the window. The cold curtain of raindrops was so thick that she could barely see the trees for it. The soaked air seemed like a whitish canvas onto which she could at any moment throw drops of color, and they would penetrate the liquid fabric, scattered chaotically and impregnating the gloomy landscape reverberatingly. Her hands were cold. Silence.

She touched the drops beyond the window with her gaze. Fragments of her liquefied thoughts were slowly absorbed and dissolved into their fall. The chill was now descending through her eyes. Unstoppable. Random pieces of sadness began to flow slowly through her mind, unsettling and mixed, as though from the sky. A sky one with the rain. A sky that wasn’t sky. It had become a dome of fog. A cascade of gray clouds undulating through her whole being. Fall.

Unstoppable downpour… slow, carrying her through herself beyond herself. Beyond autumn. Her gaze cast into thin air, she stretched out a hand as if in a dream and plucked a fragment of thought from the dizzyingly scattered outpouring. As if from nowhere. It seemed foreign to her. Was it really hers? Was it of the turmoil in the heart of autumn? Was it a shade of her yet unshed tears? She let the thought splinter, now meaninglessly struggling in her palm, take flight and closed her eyes. She inhaled deeply, her own heartbeat murmuring awkwardly through the same thick fog. A mere throb.

The soft but cold quiver of ripples enveloped her entire being. She felt her eyelids pierced as if by shards seeking to free themselves. A deep sigh burst through her inner whirl as if cutting through fragments of pale forsaken color.

Slightly noticeable, a warm fragrance touched her cheek softly. She opened her eyes… abruptly leaving behind a broken tangle of threads hanging in the air. She shook her head in a sharp shiver and looked around. It had gotten dark. She took a few steps through the darkness and turned on the lamp on the table. The room was suddenly filled with an orange, velvety light.

“Are you cold? I’m making some tea…” she heard a voice coming from the other room. A voice she knew so well. A voice she loved.

“Some tea?… Yes, thank you!” she replied, dimly smiling to herself as she slowly pulled the mint green curtains over the darkness in the windows.

“Any particular preference?”
“No. Hmm… maybe linden though.”
“Right away then!” the voice replied. “Did you see the colorful chrysanthemum bouquet I got you?”

Cold thought shards
from beyond the rain
Pierced darkness
Tears touched by
warm sweet fragrance in the air
Linden tea with love 

Shadorma Prose inspired by and written for:
TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 39 – 18/11/25

©Nicole Sara 2025

My thanks to Nicole for inviting me to share posts from her archives and I know she would love to hear from you.

About Nicole Sara

Nicole Sara is an inspirational poet, writer and blogger with a Master’s Degree in Philology and American Studies. She loves languages and performing magic with words and ideas in both playful and dreamy, insightful ways.

For Nicole, writing, and especially writing in verse, is a delight! She writes in order to fly away without too many restrictions and to rejoice in every beautiful thing around. When writing, she feels she leaves the “much too real” routine behind, and she soars freely with each and every line and piece of imagery, dreaming away and fluttering restlessly among words, thoughts and rhymes.. and of course, lovely nature photos.

Aside from writing, photography is Nicole’s other great love. When she is not writing, she can be found clicking away, taking lots of flower and sunset photos, exploring the outdoors with her Nikon cameras and her phone, capturing pictures which she enjoys sharing on her blogs.

A little drop of orange and pink, her two favorite colors, and a couple of strawberries can also be added to the mix, a little more love of travelling, and a huge deal of sea, sky, sun and sand… there, the picture is almost done! The rest is to be discovered and enjoyed between the lines and photos dreamily dancing along the pages.
”

Rhyming Dreams”, Nicole’s debut collection, is for anyone who dreams a lot, loves deeply, going through both good and less good moments… like steps on a pathway, continuously winding but tirelessly searching for happiness and hope in the enjoyment of small but sweet things all around.

Books by Nicole Sara

One of the reviews for Rhyming Dreams 

D. W. Peach
5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisiting rhyming verse

For fans of verse, this collection is indeed a “rhyming dream.” I’m usually not a fan of rhyming poetry. I think it’s hard to do well, to make it flow and feel natural, versus forced. Nicole Sara dispelled any qualms I had about picking up this collection of just over 40 poems. Her poetry is beautifully and expertly crafted, reminiscent of some of the classical poetry that has lasted through the centuries.

There’s a lightness to verse, a whimsy, that Sara makes good use of. Many of the poems are light-hearted, testaments to the beauty of nature and the power of love, but not all. This collection’s overall feel is peaceful, reflective, and grateful, with touches of longing. The depth of feeling and sophistication of the language make this a collection suited to adults, and I thought the juxtaposition with the youthful rhythm of the verse gave it an interesting quality as well as a timeless feel.

Speaking of rhythm and flow … those elements of verse are meticulously rendered.

Lavender Scent

I take the breeze like a balm
to wear it as a bracelet
summer leaves through
the calm
caressing my skin, soft
and patient

Sipping the colorful air, the light
melting the mist,
a magical scent full of
whispers
fragrant around
my wrist

The collection includes color images and famous quotes that I assume inspired the poetry. Regardless, they add another element of beauty to the read. Highly recommended to poetry readers, including those who don’t usually appreciate verse. This poetry will change their mind about that! 

Connect to Nicole: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Nicole: Goodreads – Blog WordPress: Starrysteps – Romanian/English blog WordPress: Doarnicol – Facebook: NicoleSaraArt – Instagram: Nicoles Steps 

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Weekly Round Up May 11th-17th – Promotion News, Music, Summer Recipes, Humour, Sleep strategies, Book Reviews, Book Excerpts, Blogger Weekly.

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Welcome to the round up of posts you might have missed this week on Smorgasbord. 

I hope you have had a great week. It has been mixed here weatherwise and still quite cool for the middle of May, but sun most days in the coming days. I am hoping for some garden time to make inroads into my TBR, which is teetering at the moment.

Later in the post a note about the Summer Book Fair beginning in June and whilst as always I will be featuring as many authors as possible, there is a change to this year’s fair and I hope you will like it..

First a couple of thank you notes for the generous ongoing support from the writing community.

My thanks to author John Dolan for his review for Life’s Rich Tapestry: Woven in Words…it is lovely when an older book gets some love and Goodreads – If you need cheering up, for whatever reason, I recommend you dip into ‘Life’s Rich Tapestry’. 

Jacqui Murray shared her review for Tales from the Irish Garden and so delighted she enjoyed meeting the new residents. As always, Sally shows us how to find the good in life when it seems to elude us. I couldn’t have enjoyed this story more. 5/5 Goodreads

Just to let you know that I will be keeping this series going throughout the year so if you have not yet shared an excerpt from one of your books you would like to give some love to time to get cracking…This is open to all authors who have featured here before and all I need from you is the title of the book you want to showcase and around 500 words. Email me on sallygcronin@gmail.com.

Even though for some of us the weather is not exactly warm and sunny… it will soon be time for the annual Summer Book Fair on Smorgasbord. This year something a little different. You can choose which book I share. This as always is open to authors who have previously been promoted on the blog… new authors can participate too and details are in the post.

If I have not heard from you by May 23rd I will choose one of your books as I will be starting to schedule the posts.

Make sure to get your book in the book fair : The Summer Book Fair 2026

My thanks as always to the amazing contributors for their posts and support.

William Price King joined me for a Big Band era and on Friday another in the Chart Toppers and Blockbuster series and we are delighted you are enjoying along with us.  You can catch up with William on his own Blog– IMPROVISATION– William Price King on Tumblr

Debby Gies  Debby with her next post in the As We Age on June 1st. On her own blog you can find the first post in a wonderful new series celebrating women and their courage and of course  her Sunday Book Review and this week Hopes, Fears and Reality: Stories, Poems & Personal Tales by Alex Craigie    D.G. Kaye

Carol Taylor was here on Wednesday with fabulous summer recipes and on this Wednesday she will be taking us to Oman explore the cuisine...On her own blog you will find plenty to enjoy in Carol’s archives. CarolCook 

Malcolm Allen was here earlier today with some of his great funnies.

Thank you so much for your support and shares this week again..it is always appreciated. 

The Big Band Era with William Price King and Sally Cronin – 1940s – Jimmy Dorsey, Bing Crosby, The Nicholas Brothers

Chart Toppers and Blockbusters 1970s with William Price King – “Just The Way You Are” and “Kramer vs. Kramer”

The Cookery Column Retro with Carol Taylor -#Coleslaw, Potato Salad and Potato Cakes

Malcolm Allen Entertains

beating heart GIF

Sleep Part One – Weight Loss, Heart function and Immune System – Sally Cronin

Resilience – Sleep Part Two #Sleep Strategies and Nutrients – Sally Cronin

#Poetry #Photographs – Social Climbing by Laura Lyndhurst with Photographs by Clive Thompson

From B to A: Britain to Albania: The True Story of an Overland Van Life Adventure Through Europe towards the Balkans – With Dogs (Never Mind The Balkans Book 1) by Jacqueline Lambert

Elizabeth Gauffreau Publication in The McNeese Review #poetry #civilrights #socialjustice #jonathandaniels #martyr

#shortstory – The Great Escape of Walter T Pickett by Jim L. Wright

#ScaryReads #Halloween by Andrew McDowell

A small selection of posts I have enjoyed this week and I hope you will head over to enjoy in full.

Laura Lyndhurst writing for Story Empire explores how many words should you be aiming for when you write a book… it varies depending on genre… but you also need to edit effectively whatever the length.

Head over to read more: Size Matters 

Pete Johnson offers some wonderful funnies and also some interesting facts… do you know the emergency number to call if you are visiting other countries?… a good thing to swat up on before you go on holiday.

Head over to enjoy the funnies: Tuesday Bits and Pieces

Debby Gies has begun a wonderful new series on her blog celebrating the courage and power of women and in her first post the extraordinary story of a young French woman Alice Arteil

Head over to discover more about this extraordinary young woman: Empowering women of War

Another wonderful good news story from John Howell… this week he shares how Dawn Zuidgeest-Craft fulfilled a life long dream to qualify as a doctor at 72 years old. So inspiring and a reminder you are never too old to achieve success.

Find out more about Dawn’s journey to becoming a doctor: John Howell Good News

Judith Barrow writes a compelling post about a meeting she had with a man who puts some ideas into ChatGPT, takes the story it produces, does a bit of a tidy then publishes it… Judith shares the conversation they had which is very disturbing for those of us who put heart and soul into our books… Judith does however also share some amazing photos taken on Arran..

Head over to add your thoughts: Write a story Easy Peasy

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will join us again next week.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Comedy with Malcolm Allen – Shyness and Artificial Intelligence

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Delighted as always to share Malcolm Allen’s funnies and I am sure you will be leaving with a smile on your face.

My thanks to Malcolm for excellent foraging and we hope you are leaving with a smile on your face.

About Malcolm Allen

The author was born in London UK and experienced a challenging childhood, leaving school with no academic qualifications at the age of 15. He had mixed fortunes in his early working days but managed to secure a job in the banking industry at the age of 19. During a period of 32 years he enjoyed a demanding and successful career in London, the pinnacle of which was becoming a Company Director at the age of 37. Following a life changing experience in November 1998 he emigrated to Perth, Western Australia in September 2001, relocating to his current home in Melbourne, Australia in November 2015.

My thanks to Malcolm for bringing laughter into our lives and it would be great if you could share.

Smorgasbord Summer Book Fair – Which book of yours would you like me to promote? by Sally Cronin

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Every year during June, July and August I like to showcase the books of those authors who have given me so much reading enjoyment and are on my Recommended book page, or have released a new book in the last year which deserves another boost.

As always in the main book fair posts I will be featuring authors who have already been promoted on the blog.

New authors to Smorgasbord are welcome to contact me for a new book spotlight as part of the summer book fair and contact me on sallygcronin@gmail.com for details.

This year is a little different.

I usually select the book to be featured, but this year I would like to offer you a choice…

You can let me know which of your books you would like me to showcase instead. It might be your latest release or an earlier book you feel would benefit from a boost.

It is your decision… my choice or yours?

If I have not heard from you by May 23rd I will go ahead and select a book myself as I will be scheduling the posts from then.

I will be featuring three or four authors in each post as there is not just safety in numbers, but also the power of exposure on social media if all the authors share the post on their own platforms.

Last year there were 40 posts in the Summer Book Fair, this included new book spotlights and my own book reviews but there were over 120 authors included in the series.

Make sure you are included in this book fair, and you can find the details of how to participate beneath the post. Don’t miss this opportunity.

In the interest of self-promotion I am going to showcase my latest release today so you can see how your own feature is going to look.

About the book

In the Irish Garden there is fantasy, magic, friendship and love to be found in this green and welcoming haven. For some of those who find their way to the garden there is a renewal and an awakening of the spirit and special gifts lost through tragedy. For others it is the end of a long and arduous journey to find their soulmate.

The Irish garden has been a sanctuary for centuries for those escaping persecution, invaders and grief. Its guardian is the storyteller, a man who has lived for hundreds of years and who is part of a network of guardians around the world, offering a safe haven to those worthy of their protection.

It is not only humans who travel from afar to this garden, but animals which are hurt or lost. One creature in particular has travelled across time following the elusive melody remembered from its time in an ancient civilisation, a cat who has reached its ninth life.

You are welcome to join the storyteller, Finn, Lilah, Ramon, Michael, Bebechat and Flaco in the garden to enjoy their company, discover their stories and be amused at some of the antics they get up to as they finally find a peaceful home to call their own.

One of the reviews for the book

Jan Sikes five stars Goodreads

This beautiful tale is woven together in such a compelling way that I breezed through the book in no time. I couldn’t wait to see what new character would find their way to the magical Irish Garden!

My favorite character is The Storyteller. He is wise, compassionate, and has strong magic. At 700 years old, he’s learned a lot and seen a lot of things come and go through the garden. I pictured him to look like Gandalph from The Lord of The Rings.

One by one, characters are added into The Storyteller’s realm, starting with a young man, Finn, who is reeling from grief, having lost everything and everyone he loved. He finds the solace and purpose he needs to continue living.

Not all the characters are people. The crow is another favorite of mine. He is ever watchful, reporting anything out of place to The Storyteller. And I mustn’t forget the swans that arrived or the bees that make sought-after honey.

When Lilah comes to live in the magical garden, she adds so much more to the story that is unfolding. Lilah is a healer and in danger of being killed for practicing so-called witchcraft. She seeks protection and finds it and so much more in the garden.

But it is the young boy who stole my heart. Sold into slavery, he didn’t even know his name much less his date of birth. Lilah is the perfect one to take him in and show him kindness and love, give him a name and birthdate.

This is a magical story from start to finish. It is well-written and compelling. If only a place like The Storyteller’s magical garden really existed. The world could use just one to offset the evil that has spread. If you love a bit of mysticism and a great story with unforgettable characters, you’ll need to pick up this book!  

Head over to buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US

A selection of books by Sally Cronin

Find out more about Sally Cronin, read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – More reviews : Goodreads –Blog: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Twitter: @sgc58 – Facebook: Sally Cronin – LinkedIn: Sally Cronin – Bluesky: @sallycronin.bsky.social

Over to you.

As you have been promoted here before, all I need is the title of the book you would like me to feature in the summer book fair… and the Amazon link would be useful too. You can leave the title in the comments or email me on sallygcronin@moyhill.com.

Look forward to hearing from you and I will then let you know dates when I have scheduled your particular post.

Smorgasbord Book Review – #Poetry #Photographs – Social Climbing by Laura Lyndhurst with Photographs by Clive Thompson

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Delighted to share my review for the photographically inspired poetry collection Social Climbing by Laura Lyndhurst with photographs by Clive Thompson.

About the collection

I had no plans, after publishing Poet-Pourri, to write any more poems; at least not in the near future. But while I was in the prepare-to-publish stage of that book, I made the acquaintance of photographer Clive Thompson and his large archive of photographs, put together over quite a lot of years. Scanning through these on the internet I found the picture of a discarded Father Christmas chocolate-bearing Advent calendar, which immediately said ‘poem material’ to me. I wrote the poem and presented it to Clive, who loved it; and there was born the idea of a collaboration, my poetry written to the prompts of some of his photographs.

The photographs I have used for the pandemic-themed poems were taken quite some time before that ominous word had become a part of all our daily lives, but they seemed to fit the subject and I therefore took the liberty of utilizing them in that way.

The results of my poems joined to Clive’s photographs I present here, as Social Climbing and Other Poems. It may not be the catchiest of titles but it works for me, and for Clive, and for you also, I hope. Enjoy.

My review for the collection

Having read and much enjoyed the novels by Laura Lyndhurst, I thought I would delve into one of her poetry collections and I am very glad I did.

The author took inspiration from the photographs of Clive Thompson who certainly captured the world in brilliant detail and colour, and they provide a wonderful accompaniment to the text they inspire.

When someone of your own generation looks at aspects of life, nostalgia and history you do tend to relate, and this is the case with these photographic inspired poems which despite their brevity, capture elements of the picture you might dismiss at first glance. There is also an emphasis on giving those overlooked aspects or less appreciated creatures in history their time in the spotlight, such as in Dog Days and Solidarity.

And for those of us who pestered our mothers from an early age and spent years scouring the shops for shoes of a certain colour, as a message to the world that we were at the top of our fashionable game, an awakening awaits in Social Climbing.

There are tales that have been told over centuries that have become mythical and in response to a colourful display the author turns what was legendary into something far more thought provoking.

Relationships provide plenty of material for dissection and I found The Reckoning particularly enlightening. One photo which appealed to the people watcher in me celebrated the drama visible if you are attentive enough in Street Theatre.

It is clear from the poems how certain parts of our lives have changed over the decades and in our perspective for example of festive occasions, which have become increasingly commercialised. It serves as a reminder that modern life is not all it’s cracked up to be.

This includes poignant poems written during the pandemic period, when for all of us life was put on hold, leaving its mark on every age group and certainly calling time on those with businesses dependent on customers walking through their doors.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading and absorbing the poems and thought provoking perspectives in this collection and I am very happy to recommend.

Read the reviews and buy the collection: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US

A small selection of other books by Laura Lyndhurst

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US – Follow Laura: Goodreads – Website: Books that make you think –  Facebook Author Page: Laura Lyndhurst– Pinterest – Instagram

About Laura Lyndhurst

I was born and grew up in North London, England, but was unable to attend university when young due to family financial circumstances. Instead, I worked at various occupations, including dental nurse, laboratory assistant and shop assistant.

I married just before I was 20, and travelled to some interesting places around the world, following my husband’s career. I spent much time reading, a passion, but in order to keep further occupied I took office jobs when these were available to me; I hated the work, but the money was useful.

When we were back in the UK I took evening classes at various times and gained ‘A’ levels in Psychology, Sociology and English, eventually settling in Kent with my husband and becoming a mature student and gaining Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English and Literature before training and working as a teacher.

In 2016 we moved to the peace and quiet of rural Lincolnshire, and my sporadic writing activities became more permanent. I self-published Fairytales Don’t Come True, my debut novel, in May 2020 and since then have written and published four books of poetry, October Poems, Thanksgiving Poems & Prose Pieces, Poet-Pourri and Social Climbing and Other Poems.

In January 2021 I published a sequel to Fairytales entitled Degenerate, Regenerate, and at the end of March 2021 I published a psychological suspense story, You Know What You Did. A third book was published in June 2021, entitled All That We Are Heir To, to make up the ‘Criminal Conversation’ trilogy with Fairytales and Degenerate, In November 2022 I published another psychological suspense story, What Else Did You Do?, which is a sequel to You Know What You Did. The work didn’t stop, as alongside this sequel I was writing a fourth book to follow the ‘Criminal Conversation’ trilogy. Entitled ‘Innocent, Guilty’. It was published in January 2023, and a fifth book, ‘The Future of Our House’ came out in June 2023. The sixth and final book is entitled ‘Uphill, Downhill, Over, Out’. A standalone novel, ‘An Honourable Institution’ was published in January 2025 and Fatal my latest release in February 2026.

About Clive Thompson

Clive Thompson is an extensively travelled photographer from South Wales who has held a membership of the Royal Photographic Society for some ten years. His photographs have sold extensively through his agency Alamy.com where they have been taken up by corporate magazines, educational text book producers and calendar makers, along with various travel magazines including the monthly Sunday Times Travel Magazine. If Clive is ever found to be without his trusty Nikon D810 or Fuji X-Pro1 then he will probably be either asleep or showering.

You can find more of Clive’s photography : Alamy.com

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.
 

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives 2026 – Posts from last six months of 2025 #ScaryReads #Halloween by Andrew McDowell

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Welcome to the  series of Posts from Your Archives for 2026 and I will be sharing posts from the SECOND six months of 2025 from your archives which I will select. This series is now closed but there will be another later in the year.

This is the second post from the archives of Andrew McDowell and it is a post Andrew published in October close to Halloween… however, I know there are some of you out there who are happy read scary stories all year around…

Scary Stories by Andrew McDowell.

Now that it’s October, it’s time to get in the mood for all things spooky. I have some fond childhood memories of Halloween. It was always fun getting dressed up. Watching horror movies and documentaries, and seeing decorations, still gets me in a festive mood.

For many Halloweens, I dressed up as a pirate. I was Robin Hood one year. Another year I dressed up as a character from the picture book The Boy of the Three-Year Nap, the ujigami. In my last year of trick-or-treating, I was a Union soldier. But perhaps my most memorable, and my favorite, costume was the Invisible Man. It was simple. I dressed up in a suit with gloves, sunglasses, a hat, and my head was wrapped up in gauze.

If you’re looking for some reads to get you in a spooky mood this Halloween season, here are a few anthologies featuring my horror-themed work.

This anthology includes my poem inspired by a real black cat:

Amazon | Goodreads | B&N | Books2Read | IngramSpark

These two include a psychological horror story involving knives and two of my poems, one of which is in the style of “The Raven.” The former includes the latter as well as its companion volumes rolled into one book.

Amazon | Goodreads | B&N | BAM! | Books2Read
Waterstones | Foyles

Amazon | Goodreads | B&N | Books2Read

Nightmare Whiskers came out last year, and the Nightmare Whispers series has been out for five years.

And for anyone who wants to get in a spooky Halloween mood with music, I highly recommend the Halloween carols of Kristen Lawrence

©Andrew McDowell 2025

My thanks to Andrew for participating and I know he would love to hear from you.

Books by Andrew McDowell and a small selection of the anthologies he has contributed to.

One of the reviews for Beneath the Deep Wave

Beneath the Deep Wave is the second book in the One with Nature series. I read, and loved, Mystical Greenwood, which introduces the reader to the fantasy land of Denu which is under assault by an evil sorcerer, Taranis, and his fanatical followers.

While this series does revolve around the traditional themes of good versus evil, this author has added the destruction of the natural world by the evil forces as an interesting and topical twist. It is this aspect of these books that particularly appeals to me, as a fellow lover of nature and wildlife.

This second book is fast paced and the action escalates quickly as Taranis continues his attacks on the towns and villages of Denu. He is steadily moving towards the King’s stronghold and preparing for a final assault. The Driacht, including their apprentice sorcerers, Brian, Dermot and their two friends, have travelled to the capital city to offer their services in defending Denu. The novice sorcerers are introduce to the King and his two heirs, his nephew, Aidan, and his niece, Eilwen. Dermot and Eilwen instantly develop a rapport and become good friends.

After Taranis launches an initial attach on the capital city which does not go well for the King and his supporters, the novices, under the leadership of Prince Aidan, are sent to renew the alliance with the gryphon’s. They take Ferghus, son of the expelled gryphon Maeve, to assist them.

This book is packed with mystery and delight. Each of the characters discovers new characteristics and family relationships that amaze and strengthen them. I enjoyed the growth in both Dermot and Brian who have learned and changed since the beginning of book 1. Both are becoming extraordinary and resilient men with a strong passion for nature and doing what is right for all living things.

This book will appeal to readers who enjoy a well-written fantasy book with some different and interesting themes and concepts.

 Andrew has also contributed to many anthologies – read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Andrew: Goodreads – Website/Blog: Andrew McDowell Author – Facebook: Andrew McDowell Author –   Youtube: Andrew McDowell Author – LinkedIn: Andrew McDowell – Bluesky: Andrew McDowell Author

My thanks to Andrew for participating and I know he would love to hear from you.

About Andrew McDowell

Andrew McDowell became interested in writing at age 11, inspired by childhood passions for stories and make-believe. By the time he was 13, he knew he wanted to be a writer.

Andrew studied History and English at St. Mary’s College, and Library & Information Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is a member of the Maryland Writers’ Association.

As a novelist, he plans to try his hand in multiple genres, for he is inspired by a variety of interests. He has also written poetry, short stories, and creative nonfiction, and is interested in drama writing and lyrics.

He was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, when he was 15

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books. 

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Music Column – Chart Toppers and Blockbusters 1970s with William Price King – “Just The Way You Are” and “Kramer vs. Kramer”

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Welcome to the series where I will be sharing the chart toppers and blockbusters through the decades… be prepared for some nostalgia and some foot tapping music. William

🎶   Billy Joel – “Just The Way You Are”

“Just The Way You Are” penned by Billy Joel, was the second single from his album “The Stranger,” and his first US Top 10 hit. It won two Grammy Awards in 1979 for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Whether you were grooving to “Just The Way You Are” or gasping through “Kramer vs. Kramer” the ‘70s had something to say. 

🎬   “Kramer vs. Kramer”

“Kramer vs. Kramer” starring Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Justin Henry, and Jane Alexander was written and directed by Robert Benton.

The film tells the story of a young married couple’s divorce and its impact on everyone involved, including the couple’s young son.

In 1979 “Kramer vs. Kramer” was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won five, including Best Picture, Best Director for Benton, Best Actor (Hoffman), Best Supporting Actress (Streep), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Join William again next week for more entertainment…

Your Host

William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.

His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.

While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.

Blog– IMPROVISATION – William Price King on Tumblr – Buy William’s music: William Price King iTunes – Facebook – William Price King – Twitter – @wpkofficial
Regular Venue – Cave Wilson

 

Thanks very much for dropping in today and it would be great if you could share the music with your connections.

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives 2026 – Posts from last six months of 2025 – #shortstory – The Great Escape of Walter T Pickett by Jim L. Wright

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Welcome to the  series of Posts from Your Archives for 2026 and I have been sharing posts from the SECOND six months of 2025 from your archives which I will select. This series is now closed but there will be another later in the year.

This is the first post from the archives of Jim Wright and I am sharing one of his short stories to share with you.

The Great Escape of Walter T Pickett 

Walter T Pickett, age eighty-two, shuffled into Whispering Pines Rehabilitation and Nursing Center with all the fanfare of a man being marched to the gallows. His family had patted his shoulders and spoken in syrupy voices: “It’s for the best, Dad. You’ll be well looked after.”

Well looked after, indeed. He was looked after the way a museum looks after mummies. He didn’t need a nursing home; he needed his workshop, his garden, and the sacred right to eat bacon without somebody in a lab coat gasping like he’d committed a capital offense.

Whispering Pines was a place of squeaky linoleum and never-ending TV game shows. Residents shuffled past with walkers like a parade of penguins, and Walter’s roommate, Ernest, spent most evenings brandishing his dentures at Walter like a weapon.

“I know you’re trying to steal my teeth!” Ernest hissed.
Walter blinked. “Why the hell would I want your teeth? I tried them, and they don’t even fit me!”

That settled it. Enough is, by God, enough! Walter would escape from this hellish place.

Planning

He studied the staff like a general studying enemy lines. Nurse Ashley made rounds on the hour, clomping up and down the halls like a marching band. Ed, the janitor, mopped the hallway at exactly 11:15 each night, singing “Sweet Caroline”. He sounded as if he were trying to summon demons. The front doors unlocked briefly at dawn when the milk delivery arrived.

Walter prepared like a Boy Scout. A wrinkled one, but a Boy Scout nonetheless. He tied sheets together to make a rope and tested it by tugging with all his weight. It promptly ripped, so he added duct tape. He couldn’t have explained why he thought he needed a rope made of sheets in this single-story building. He practiced stuffing pillows into his bed, creating a “sleeping Walter.” The result looked less like a man and more like a collapsed snowman, but he figured it would pass in the dark.

The Escape

The night finally came. Walter tiptoed down the hall in his squeaky sneakers, wincing with each chirp. He ducked behind a potted plant that offered about as much cover as a cocktail umbrella. When a nurse’s aide appeared, he grabbed a visitor’s wheelchair, sat in it, and rolled past at breakneck speed. He nearly collided with Ernest, who was lurking in the hallway, zealously clutching his teeth.

“Thief!” Ernest shouted.

“Dammit, Ernest, go haunt somebody else!” Walter hissed, spinning the wheelchair like a NASCAR driver.

At last, he reached the lobby, where Doris, the receptionist, dozed behind her desk. A crossword puzzle dangled from her hand.

Summoning all his dignity, Walter strutted up and said:
“I am… I’m the milkman. I need to get out to my truck.”

Doris blinked. “You don’t look like the milkman.”
“That’s because I’ve been promoted.”

And with that, she buzzed the doors open.

Freedom!

Walter burst into the dawn like a victorious general, arms raised, sneakers squeaking in triumph. The cool air hit his face, smelling of cut grass and gasoline. For the first time in weeks, he felt alive.

He tried running but only managed three heroic steps before stopping to clutch his knee and laugh. He caught the early bus, waving grandly to bewildered commuters, one of whom offered him a stick of gum as if she were rewarding a performing monkey.

At the park, Walter claimed a bench like a throne. He fed pigeons, one by one, and when a little boy laughed at the way they swarmed him, Walter laughed too; deep, wheezy, teary-eyed laughter.

He had escaped. He had snatched a day from the jaws of beige-walled boredom and Family Feud.

The Return

Of course, his daughter eventually tracked him down, red-faced and frantic, hurrying across the grass with a blanket. She scolded him, kissed his cheek, scolded him again, then bundled him back to Whispering Pines.

But Walter didn’t mind. He went to bed grinning, with Ernest glaring at him from the other bed.

“You stole my teeth, didn’t you?” Ernest muttered.

“No, Ernest,” Walter whispered, rolling onto his pillow with a sly grin. “I stole the whole damn day.”

©Jim L. Wright

My thanks to Jim for participating and I know he would love to hear from you.

About Jim Wright

Jim L Wright is a freelancer, online blogger, editor, and author. His Young Adult Fantasy, New Yesterdays is published by Amazon and Create Space. His latest project is an action thriller that will be published next year.

One of the reviews for the book which I can also highly recommend 

Jess Sturman-Coombs
5.0 out of 5 stars A big adventure!

I really enjoyed this book. I love experimenting with different genres and themes because you never quite know what little gem you’re going to find or get a taste for next. New Yesterdays didn’t disappoint in this regard. I really didn’t know what to expect but I was more than a little intrigued by the synopsis; A young boy travels back in time and is suddenly faced with the power to change the face of the future…to include his own.

This story is written beautifully with lots of facts that I found absolutely fascinating. I always used to read biographical works, always felt I should be learning something new from each new reading experience. One of the many great things about New Yesterdays is that I came away feeling like I’d gained an insight into the way of the Cherokee Indians, and what a beautiful, respectful and fascinating picture the story illustrates. The main characters were left for a while as the plot gained momentum and I missed their company but, what was fantastic, was that I easily recognised each one again when they returned and it was like they’d never been away! I do believe this is a shiny example of great characters.

I found New Yesterdays to be warming, entertaining and gripping and it even made me cry at one point! A very lovely read and I’m so glad I picked it up! 

Connect with Jim: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK –   Find out more about Jim: Travel Stories by Jim – Goodreads: New Yesterdays –  Blog: Ol Big Jim – Facebook Author Page: Jim Wright Author – X: @olbigjim – Bluesky: @olbigjim.bsky.social – Instagram: theoldbigjim 

Smorgasbord New Book Spotlight – From B to A: Britain to Albania: The True Story of an Overland Van Life Adventure Through Europe towards the Balkans – With Dogs (Never Mind The Balkans Book 1) by Jacqueline Lambert

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Delighted to share the release of the latest road trip adventure by Jacqueline Lambert…From B to A: Britain to Albania: The True Story of an Overland Van Life Adventure Through Europe towards the Balkans – With Dogs (Never Mind The Balkans Book 1)

About the book

The Comic Memoir of a Questionable Road Trip

“Don’t go there,” they said – but Jackie and Mark did. In their 16-tonne truck, The Beast – with four dogs. .

Looking beyond the headlines – and drawn by curiosity – they set course for a misunderstood country on the fringes of Europe.

Their slow, dog-filled adventure winds through France and Italy, where they seek out quiet roads, wild camps, and experiences you won’t find in guidebooks.

But the journey didn’t quite go to plan.

When they finally cross into Albania, a frightening incident forces them to confront the realities that come with choosing an unconventional life – particularly when others depend on you.

Rich in history and populated with unforgettable characters, this is not a glossy van-life fantasy. It’s a wry, honest, and witty memoir about choosing curiosity over fear – even when it comes at a price.

If you’ve ever wondered what lies beyond the well-trodden routes – and whether it’s worth the risk – this journey is for you.

Perfect for readers who enjoy: van life • overland expeditions • The Balkans • dog-friendly travel • slow adventure • funny, heartfelt travel memoirs.

Book 1 of Never Mind the Balkans– the hit new series from bestselling author Jacqueline Lambert.

An early review for the book

fabulouschrissie 5 out of 5 stars
Jackie informs, amuses, educates, and entertains. 

I loved the cover: it drew me in and I just had to read this book. Yes, I have read all Jackie’s other memoirs, and enjoyed them all, but this is a new adventure, in their huge ex-Belgian Army truck, accompanied of course, by the Fab Four Cavappoos. Jackie informs, amuses, educates, and entertains. I cried with laughter at some parts, and was brought to tears at others.

I love the mix of humor and history, driving and dogs. She is such an accomplished writer, I really feel as if I’m listening to a friend talking to me. I can’t recommend this highly enough, and I’m already looking forward to the next stage of their adventures.

Head over to buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US

A selection of other books by Jacqueline Lambert

Read the reviews and buy the books: author.to/JLambert – Follow Jacqueline: Goodreads – Blog: Worldwide Walkies – Facebook: Jacqueline Lambert Author – Twitter: @JLambertAuthor

About Jacqueline Lambert

Jacqueline (Jackie) Lambert is an award-winning travel writer, adventure traveller, and dogmother, who loves history and curious facts.

B.C. (Before Canines) she hurtled, slid, submerged and threw herself off bits of every continent except Antarctica. Even though she was single at the time, she asked for – and was granted – ‘maternity leave’ to backpack around Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand.

A.D. (After Dog), with husband Mark, she gave up work to become an Adventure Caravanner. With The Fab Four, their four pups in tow, their stated aim is: To Boldly Go Where No Van Has Gone Before.

Jackie has published six light-hearted memoirs about her travels since quitting work: Fur Babies in France, Dog on the Rhine, Dogs ‘n’ Dracula, It Never Rains But It Paws, To Hel In A Hound Cart, and Pups on Piste.

Her new series of books will chronicle her Brexit-busting plan to convert a 24.5-tonne army truck and drive to Mongolia.

A keen off piste skier and windsurfer, Jackie is the wordsmith behind her own travel blog, http://www.WorldWideWalkies.com. She has contributed to several anthologies, and also writes articles and posts for publications such as Eurotunnel Le Shuttle Newsletter and Dog Friendly Magazine.

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you are leaving with some books.. thanks Sally.

 

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives 2026 – Posts from last six months of 2025 – Elizabeth Gauffreau Publication in The McNeese Review #poetry #civilrights #socialjustice #jonathandaniels #martyr

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Welcome to the  series of Posts from Your Archives for 2026 and I will be sharing posts from the SECOND six months of 2025 from your archives which I will select. This series is now closed but there will be another later in the year.

This is the second post from the archives of Elizabeth Gauffreau and shares the injustice in a murder case in the 1960s with a poignant poem which brings the events of the case into a stark reality.

Publication in The McNeese Review #poetry #civilrights #socialjustice #jonathandaniels #martyr

I was very glad when The McNeese Review accepted “The Murder of Jonathan Daniels” for publication so that more people would know his story and why he must never be forgotten.

During his time in Alabama, Jonathan Daniels lived with the West family in Selma. The family, Alice West has said, had kept their doors open to so-called “outside agitators” working in the civil rights movement. Daniels became part of her family, she said. Caption & Photo: Archives of the Episcopal Church:

Past Due

On the sixtieth anniversary of his death, I am past due to share the poem I wrote about seminarian Jonathan Daniels, who was murdered in Alabama in 1965: (If  you go to the original post you can listen to Liz reading this poem)

The Murder of Jonathan Daniels (1939–1965):
57 Years Later, I Learn from FBI Case File #282A-MO-45946
Why My Father Was Despondent That Day by Elizabeth Gauffreau

For the Public Corruption/Civil Rights Intelligence Unit. For information only.
Case agent has 5 cold case civil rights era cases.
Locating necessary information a time consuming and difficult task.
Information has been requested. Death certificates have been ordered.

Case agent has 5 cold case civil rights era cases.
Voting rights demonstration in Fort Deposit, Alabama.
Information has been requested. Death certificates have been ordered.
White male seminary student. Two young black females. Catholic priest.

Voting rights demonstration in Fort Deposit, Alabama.
Arrested. Taken to Haneyville jail. Released.
White male seminary student. Two young black females. Catholic priest.
In need of a ride back to Fort Deposit, Alabama.

Arrested. Taken to Haneyville jail. Released.
Searched for a telephone near the courthouse.
In need of a ride back to Fort Deposit, Alabama.
Females decided to purchase a soft drink.

Searched for a telephone near the courthouse.
Thomas Coleman a part time Deputy Sheriff.
Females decided to purchase a soft drink.
Hanging around the courthouse playing dominoes with his cronies.

Thomas Coleman a part time Deputy Sheriff.
Known as the executioner of Lowndes County.
Hanging around the courthouse, playing dominoes with his cronies.
Pistol at his side and a 12-gauge shotgun in his arms.

Known as the executioner of Lowndes County.
He aimed the shotgun at one of the young women.
Pistol at his side and a 12-gauge shotgun in his arms.
Mr. Daniels pushed the young women to the ground.

He aimed the shotgun at one of the young women.
Began to pull the trigger. Just as the gun went off.
Mr. Daniels pushed the young women to the ground
Used his body as a shield.

Began to pull the trigger. Just as the gun went off.
Nearly tearing his body in two.
Used his body as a shield.
All-white jury found Mr. Coleman not guilty of the death.

Nearly tearing his body in two.
Over the years, Mr. Coleman continued to play dominoes at the courthouse.
All-white jury found Mr. Coleman not guilty of the death.
For the Public Corruption/Civil Rights Intelligence Unit. For information only.

Childhood Memory

I have a childhood memory of a day when I noticed something wrong with my father. It was as if he had gone somewhere, and I couldn’t reach him. When I asked him what was wrong, he came back long enough to say that a good friend of his had been killed. Then he withdrew into himself again.

The Pieces Fall into Place

As an adult, I tried to put the pieces together to figure out whose death had affected him so profoundly. I thought maybe Medgar Evers, but he was killed in 1963. I finally figured it out when I did an Internet Archive search for my dad’s name (as I sometimes do). I found my dad’s name in a book about the Episcopal Church’s role in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. On the same page was a mention of Jonathan Daniels, who had been from Keene, New Hampshire. At the time, we lived in New Hampshire, and my dad was active in the civil rights movement, including the voter registration drive in Mississippi. The pieces fell into place.

Found Poetry

When I sat down and tried to write a free verse poem about Jonathan Daniels’s murder, every line I attempted was maudlin and clichéd. I thought I might have an easier time of it if I could find out more details about his life and death. I went back to Internet Archive, searched on his name, and the first hit was a 2008 full-text (with some redactions) FBI report about the murder. I read the report cover-to-cover, getting more shocked and appalled with every page. Found poetry using lines and phrases extracted from the FBI report was the answer. I chose to make the found poem a pantoum for the impact of repetition and to fracture the chronological sequence of events.

Remembering Jonathan Daniels 

©Elizabeth Gauffreau

My thanks to Liz for inviting me to share posts from her archives and I know she would love to hear from you.

Books by Elizabeth Gauffreau

One of the reviews for Telling Sonny 

MacTrish
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully told tale of a young girl forced to face life’s realities

This novel about a young girl’s literal and metaphorical journey took me by surprise. It’s not a thriller, mystery, or whodunnit, but it kept me hooked until the end and I was still reading it at 3.30 in the morning.

It’s 1924 and Faby Gauthier has just left school and is enjoying the freedom of the summer holidays. Her life is simple and uncomplicated until the vaudeville show comes to town and she meets Louis Kittell, a ‘hoofer’ who goes by the name of ‘Slim White’ and who is hoping to make it big on the circuits. Naïve and sheltered from the harsh realities of life, she finds herself pregnant and, after a hasty marriage, follows Louis on the circuits, often travelling to two destinations a week by train, staying in cheap accommodation.

The first surprise is the opening which tells us that she was Louis’ first wife and that their son is about to be married. Aware of this, for the rest of the book I was looking for reasons why their marriage had failed. I also began to realise that Faby was noticing things about her husband not long after I was. However, this is not a tale of dastardly deeds with a hard-hearted villain at its core. The characters of Faby and Louis are beautifully realised and I really did feel that I knew both of them so well by the end. Innocent Faby, in particular, stole my heart as she struggled with pregnancy, poverty and the relentless rail travel without the support or guidance of her family. Louis is a complex character and there were times I wanted to throttle him and others where I’d have given him a pat on the back.

Telling Sonny brings the vaudeville era to life with its references to the performers, the gruelling schedules, and the desperate need to keep ahead of the game. There’s also a wonderful attention to period detail including lifestyles, fashions and colloquialisms.
The writing is superb. At the beginning, Faby is ‘ready for the smell on the air that comes only in the spring and carries with it a poignant blend of melancholy and hope’.

There are metaphors for her situation – variations in the ice on the river ‘indicating that something had shifted, something had changed, and although the surface looked solid, it was no longer safe.’ There’s unexpected humour and observations that made me smile. After meeting Louis’ mother, ‘Faby couldn’t remember ever having seen the back of someone’s head look so smug’.

Telling Sonny is, for me, the perfect package. I recommend it to everyone. 

Read the reviews and buy: Amazon US – and : Amazon UK – Read more reviews and follow Elizabeth: Goodreads –  – Website/blog: Liz Gauffreau – Family History: Liz Gauffreau – Facebook: Liz Gauffreau –

Elizabeth Gauffreau profile image

About Elizabeth Gauffreau

Elizabeth Gauffreau writes fiction and poetry with a strong connection to family and place. Her work has been widely published in literary magazines, as well as several themed anthologies. Her short story “Henrietta’s Saving Grace” was awarded the 2022 Ben Nyberg prize for fiction by Choeofpleirn Press.

Liz has published a novel, TELLING SONNY: THE STORY OF A GIRL WHO LOVED THE VAUDEVILLE SHOW, and two photopoetry collections: GRIEF SONGS: POEMS OF LOVE & REMEMBRANCE and SIMPLE PLEASURES:HAIKU FROM THE PLACE JUST RIGHT. Her second novel, THE WEIGHT OF SNOW AND REGRET, based on the closing of the last poor farm in Vermont in 1968, was published on October 1, 2025.

Liz’s professional background is in nontraditional higher education, including academic advising, classroom and online teaching, curriculum development, and program administration. She received the Granite State College Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018.

Liz lives in Nottingham, New Hampshire with her husband.

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Cookery Column Retro with Carol Taylor -#Coleslaw, Potato Salad and Potato Cakes

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Over the next alternate Wednesdays I will be sharing a series we originally ran back in 2018, and with many more visitors to the blog now and fans of Carol’s food posts, we thought you might enjoy all the foods and recipes that she covered in that series.

Time for Salad

Last week I gave you ham and bacon this week as many of you will hopefully be enjoying some spring sunny weather I thought I would bring you some sides to go with your ham…

Starting with my simple Coleslaw which is lovely as a filling in a jacket potato and equally at home with your main fish or meat dish…

There are so many permutations of this dish and all wonderful in their own way…My version, 5 ingredients plus mayo and you have a beautiful slaw to eat with anything…

I add no sugar as carrots and apples have their own natural sweetness.

So….Lets Get Chopping.

  • Shred half a white cabbage or red or half and half.
  • Peel and quarter at least one apple and then slice thinly.
  • Grate or dice a carrot.
  • Cut up some spring onions or finely chop a few shallots.
  • Put all the ingredients in a bowl, add some mayo, pinch of salt, freshly ground black pepper and a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
  • I go easy on the mayo as I don’t like slaw with more mayo than vegetables.

Keep in the fridge until you are ready to serve. It will keep in the fridge maybe covered until the next day but I just make it as I want it…an easy dish to make for 1 or 10.

Enjoy!

Another salad which accompanies many dishes is Potato salad and again there are so many versions made with either crushed new potatoes, peeled potatoes cubed and boiled, cubed and boiled in their skins or steamed.

Whatever potatoes you use I add to mine some chopped spring onions and or shallots maybe some crispy bacon, just enough mayo not too much and stir through I always do mine when the potatoes are still warm…

Season really well with salt and fresh black pepper add some lemon or lime juice an easy one to knock up and again a nice accompaniment.

Lovely creamy mashed potatoes also go well with a salad…they are lovely served with cold meats and a lovely mixed leaf salad.

Have you some left over mash then these lovely little potato cakes are so good.

This recipe use diced cherry tomatoes, okra chopped and lightly sautéed in a little butter or oil, and spring onions.

Using one cup of mayonnaise (preferably homemade) and to that add 6 cloves of roasted garlic, mashed, I tbsp lemon/lime juice and a tsp of cayenne pepper.

Mix well and season with salt and pepper and set to one side until required. Or cover and put in the fridge.

For the potato cakes:

• 3 or 4 cups of mashed potato.
• 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes diced.
• 1/2 cup of okra chopped and lightly sautéed.
• 1/4 cup finely chopped spring onions again some prefer to sautéed the onions before adding to potato I add them raw.
• 1 egg beaten
• Salt and pepper to season.
• 2 tbsp parsley chopped.

Let’s Cook!

  • Add okra, spring onions and tomato to potato, season with salt and pepper and mix in beaten egg.
  • Shape into round patties. Heat your oil and cook for 4-5 minutes until they are golden on both sides.

To serve:

Sprinkle with a tbsp of the parsley and also decorate the top of the mayonnaise with parsley.

These little cakes also freeze well but defrost before cooking.

N.B Depending on the texture of your mash some people like really soft mash and others like a firmer mash but it may impact the texture of your potato cakes you may need more or less egg or if very soft add a little flour.

Sometimes I also use fresh breadcrumbs and beaten egg and dip my potato cakes in this before frying it just gives a crispier texture.

Or you could also add some parmesan to the breadcrumbs which is very nice.

Enjoy!

Rice Salad is something I have made for years and years as something to eat with ham/chicken as a salad…

The dressing:

• ¼ cup of lime or lemon Juice
• ½ cup virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 1tsp of fresh oregano finely chopped
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1/8- ¼ red pepper flakes

Ingredients for rice…

• ½ each red, yellow peppers chopped finely
• 1/2cup chopped spring onion
• 2 sum shallots chopped
• 1 sm cucumber peeled and chopped finely

Let’s Cook!

Cook rice as per normal. Whisk the dressing ingredients together.

Add the dressing to the rice and allow to cool down.

Add the other ingredients and stir to combine. Serve at room temperature or cold.

Caesar Salad is very popular here the Thais love it…with crispy croutons it is lovely on it’s own as a starter or as a side with ham and salad.

Ingredients:

• anchovy fillets packed in oil, drained
• 1 small garlic clove
• Kosher salt
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more
• ¾ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
• Freshly ground black pepper
• A romaine or cos lettuce.

Preparation

Chop together the anchovy fillets, garlic and a pinch of salt. Use the side of a knife to mash the mix to a paste then scrape it into a medium sized bowl.Whisk in egg yolks, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, and mustard. Adding drop by drop to start, gradually whisk in olive oil, then vegetable oil; whisk until dressing is thick and glossy. Whisk in Parmesan. Season with salt, freshly ground pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired.

This can be made 1 day ahead.

The croutons:

  • Make your own. Tearing, not cutting the bread ensures nooks and crannies that catch the dressing and add texture.
  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Toss bread with olive oil on a baking sheet; season with salt and pepper.
  • Bake, tossing occasionally, until golden, 10–15 minutes.

The Lettuce:

  • The whole leaves are crisper and just right to absorb the dressing.
  • The cheese…use a vegetable peeler to shave a small amount on top for salty little bursts.
  • I find it best to use your hands to gently toss the lettuce, croutons and dressing then top with the shaved parmesan cheese.
  • You could also serve just a nice, crisp salad like this…

That’s all for side dishes today to go with your ham or other meat until next time enjoy the sunshine and salads.

About Carol Taylor

Carol Taylor now lives in Thailand having been brought up in England and has built a dedicated following of her blog and guest posts where she creates not only amazing dishes, but sources fantastic ingredients in line with her philosophy of sustainable food ‘cooked from scratch’. Having travelled extensively Carol has incorporated the cuisines of many different cultures into her recipes, and shares her research into the backgrounds to both the traditional cultures and the origins of the ingredients.

She loves shopping at local markets and wherever she is, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetables she has never seen or cooked with.

Health and the environment are key priorities, particularly the concern about our oceans and fisheries. Also, how many of our foods on the shelves of our supermarkets are ultra processed and contain additives that do not add to the nutritional value and are not healthy. She is an advocate about growing our own food where or when we can even it it is only a few pots or a window box of herbs.

She wishes everyone would count chemicals and not calories as they would be much healthier…it’s true ‘we are what we eat‘ and while a cake or a bar of chocolate does no harm on occasions, sticking to a fresh food, balanced diet will keep our bodies healthy as we age…

Cookbooks by Carol Taylor

Head over to buy the books:  Amazon UK  – And: Amazon US For reviews: Goodreads – Connect to Carol – Blog: Carol Cooks 2 – Twitter: @CarolCooksTwo – Facebook: Carol Taylor 

 

Thanks Carol for another fascinating post..and join us again in two weeks for the next in the series.

 

Smorgasbord Health 2026- Project 101 – Resilience – Sleep Part Two #Sleep Strategies and Nutrients – Sally Cronin

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This series is aimed at developing a resilient immune system to provide the body with a defence against opportunistic pathogens. There are a number of vital elements to this and you can find the introduction to the series: Project 101 – Resilience

Yesterday I looked at the importance is of sleep not just for the resilience of our immune system but also in maintaining a healthy weight and reducing stress on the body… you can find it Here

Getting to sleep at night

Unless you are Mediterranean, and used to eating late at night from childhood, avoid having dinner just before you go to bed. Leave at least two hours – and if it has been very spicy then leave for at least three hours. I have no idea how anyone can go out for a night drinking, eat a curry and go to bed and not suffer a dreadful night’s sleep.

Your digestive system will still be in full operational mode as you are trying to get off to sleep and if your digestive system is awake, so are your other organs such as your liver and heart.

I certainly have found it better to eat my carbohydrates at breakfast, with a moderate amount at lunchtime and none with my supper. I tracked my sleep patterns for several weeks and it was clear my digestion has slowed down quite a bit and by eating carbs at night I was getting a sugar hit around 3.a.m.. I now have something like a spinach and onion omelette for supper around 6pm to 6.30pm and nothing afterwards.

Alcohol can be a stimulant and whilst excessive amounts may make you sleepy it is going to wake you up four hours later with a raging thirst and a thumping headache. Once in while you may get away with it but if it is the norm you will become seriously sleep deprived.

If you have not been very active during the day, but have been working on your computer for several hours, your mind might be tired but your body still has some surplus energy. Those of us who have had dogs who need walking benefit from both the physical activity and the fresh air before hitting the pillow and if you can safely take a stroll at night then it is an excellent idea.

You can try some musical therapy followed by the breathing exercises that I earlier in the series: Breathing exercises for morning and evening

Sitting up too late, watching an action thriller is not the best way to ensure a good night’s sleep. If you are anything like me you are still in the middle of the action as you try to get to sleep and we usually pick something light and humorous to end our viewing with… laughter is good all over exercise!

Make sure that there is plenty of airflow in the bedroom and sleep in comfortable clothes. I have no idea how people manage in button up pyjamas as they must be so restrictive and you will be moving around quite a bit at night and getting tangled up in both bedclothes and your nightie is going to disturb you.

I find that, however late I go to bed, reading a few pages of a book is guaranteed to help me drop off. Many people have discovered their own sleep triggers over the years, including warm baths with Epsom salts, herbal teas such as Kava Kava and Valerian, and gentle music that drowns out the noise of neighbours, or a snoring partner.

Earplugs can be very useful, particularly if you are sharing a bed with a snorer, although you may miss the alarm clock in the morning.

If you are going to bed at more or less the same time every night you will find, within a very short space of time, you will wake at about the same time every morning. In fact, it is a good idea to follow the same sleep patterns all week rather than opt for a lie in at the weekend. It establishes a healthy downtime for the body and does not confuse it for two days every week.

Stages of sleep that need to take place for you to be healthy.

There are a number of different stages of sleep and it is important that you go through the entire cycle to reap all the benefits.

There are two main phases. In phase one you will be going through Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep or NREM. There are different stages within this phase which naturally lead you to phase two or Rapid Eye Movement sleep or REM.

Phase one NREM

Stage One. This is the lightest stage of sleep and although your main senses are turned down they are not off completely and you can be disturbed by certain noises such as snoring, dogs barking or doors slamming.

Stage Two. If you get into this stage you will fall deeper asleep and your heart rate and temperature will begin to level out and drop. This stage represents about half your night’s sleep.

Stage Three and Four are the deepest stages of NREM and represent about 15% of your night’s sleep. Your breathing will slow; your temperature will drop further as will your blood pressure.

Phase two REM

After about 30 minutes in stage four NREM sleep you begin to move back to stage one and two where your brain will become more active and you will begin to dream. If you are woken up at this point in the cycle you are likely to remember the dream you were experiencing at the time. If you have reached one of the NREM stages then you are not as likely to recall anything when you wake up.

This cycle of phase one and two takes approximately 90 minutes and then begins again. To really benefit from this combination of rest and activity you need to complete at least 5 cycles during the night. This adds up to approximately 8 hours of sleep. If you only manage one or two cycles then your brain and body will not have completed its cleansing process and you will feel tired. If this becomes the norm you will begin to notice the symptoms of sleep deprivation.

Sleep is as essential as air, water and food and if you are not currently enjoying a good night’s sleep then you need to work towards finding a solution.

One of the strategies I use to drop off every night is a relaxation exercise which is both easy and effective I have found.

Start from your toes and work your way up through your body.

  • My toes are relaxed and I am feeling sleepy.
  • My feet are relaxed and I am feeling sleepy.
  • My shins are relaxed and I am feeling sleepy.
  • My calves are relaxed and I am feeling sleepy.
  • My knees are relaxed and I am feeling sleepy.zzzzzzzzzz
  • Oops sorry I dropped off lol.

However you get the idea, and at first I would work my way up my front and back, shoulders, down my upper arms, to the elbows, then the wrists, thumb, fingers, palm, back of my hand, back of my neck, back on my head, top of my head, forehead, eyelids, nose, mouth, chin before I dropped off.  Now, I am lucky to get as far as my knees.

It takes practice but it is more relaxing than counting sheep which seem to have minds of their own.

A nutrient that may help you to sleep….

Magnesium or the lack of this mineral in our diet that may be the contributory factor in many of the diseases that we suffer from, particularly as we get older.

Deficiency alert

It is believed that the availability of magnesium in drinking water and in our soil is now greatly decreased.

Not only is the soil depleted but the plants that we eat are also becoming more and more magnesium deficient for two reasons. There is less magnesium in the soil that nourishes them, and the use of potassium and phosphorus-laden fertilisers, alter the ability of the plant to absorb the mineral.

When we cook food we lose magnesium and if we restrict our calories during a diet and remove specific food groups such as whole grains; it can create an imbalance.

pH balance – Acidity and Alkalinity

It is important that our bodies have a pH level that maintains the correct balance between too acid and too alkaline. Major organs and our blood have their own healthy pH level and this also applies to our intestines. Our modern diet of high sugars and processed foods compromises the pH balance in our gut creating a high acidity environment, leading to malabsorption of not just magnesium but of all the nutrients the body needs to maintain health.

It is staggering how many diseases are linked to a deficiency of this mineral including:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Angina
  • Asthma
  • Autism
  • Auto immune disorders
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Insomnia
  • Kidney stones
  • Headaches
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Muscle weakness
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Osteoporosis.

Muscle contraction is made possible by calcium but muscles also need to relax and that requires magnesium.

If you suffer from muscle cramps regularly even when you are sitting or lying in bed you need to look at the amount of magnesium that you are consuming daily. Have you recently given up eating all carbohydrates, or excluded nuts and seeds because you feel that they are too ‘fattening’? This is particularly important for the heart which is muscle and contracts and relaxes to push blood around the body.

Bone density and joint health requires the right balance of a number of minerals and vitamins such as Vitamin D.

We are all told that we need calcium for health bones and teeth but unless magnesium and Vitamin D are part of the formula calcium levels are elevated and it collects in our soft tissues including around our joints which leads to inflammation and arthritis. Because the mineral is not being absorbed into the bones where it is needed it leads to a loss of bone density and ultimately to osteoporosis.

Magnesium’s role in critical reactions in the body particularly as we get older

Brain health: Without this mineral as part of our diet we are also at risk of heavy metal poisoning and a deficiency has been linked to these being deposited in the brain resulting in Alzheimer’s disease and other brain disorders. The nervous system is regulated from the brain so a deficiency or damage to parts of the brain will result in impaired physical function as well as hormone transmission.

Magnesium is essential for that transmission of hormones such as the secretion and action of insulin, thyroid and oestrogen and in the neurotransmitters such as serotonin.

Apart from our bones magnesium is needed in the formation of protein and fatty acids, new cells throughout the body, activating the B vitamins, clotting blood and helping form the ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) fuel that we run on.

Lifestyle risk factors for magnesium deficiency.

There are a number of risk factors that decrease our ability to absorb magnesium including excessive alcohol intake, using recreational drugs, excessive levels of calcium, too much caffeine in coffee, severe dieting, high intake of phosphorus laden foods such as fizzy drinks and processed foods. Too much refined salt in the diet (better to use Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt in a natural form), over exercising and physical and mental stress also contribute.

The good news is that by consuming magnesium in high quality fresh products (not necessarily organic but not the cheapest) daily is usually effective provided you are not over consuming calcium rich foods every day in excess.

The best food sources for magnesium are to be found in dark green vegetables such as spinach also in fish, meat, seafood, apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, whole grain cereals such as brown rice, beans and nuts.

There are a number of herbal remedies available in health food shops and also supermarkets now which promote their sleep benefits and one in particular is Valerian.

What is Valerian

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is an herb native to Europe and parts of Asia. Valerian root has a long history of use as a sedative and sleep aid in herbal medicine dating back several thousands of years.

Apart from sleep the herb has also been used by healers to relieve anxiety and stress, but there is not a great deal of scientific studies in our times to confirm its effect.

As with any herbal medicine it can take four to six weeks to exhibit effectiveness and I have tried in the past but have found magnesium to suit me better.

There are some indications that valerian does not mix well with certain prescription drugs and certainly I suggest if you do begin to take it you start with a slower dose and increase over a couple of weeks.

There are some possible side-effects including dizziness, drowsiness, headache, stomach upsets and it migh also result in  withdrawal symptoms after long-term use. So in the same way as you should begin with a lower dosage and work up to the recommended 300-500mg each night, it is a good idea to reduce gradually when stopping after long term usage.

Supplementation

My view on supplementation is that it should always be used in combination with a nutrient rich diet and only at times when needed. However, our modern lifestyle probably classifies. Stress, industrially produced foods, lack of sunlight and reduced nutrients in the soil that grows our food, all contribute to deficiencies.

Whilst calcium is certainly essential for many processes in the body you can have too much and you need magnesium to create a balance and to ensure you are not at risk of a deficiency and the possible diseases it would lead to.

I take nearly all my supplements in capsule form now as I find tablets particularly the very large ones, are not as easily absorbed as I need. I have a diet rich in magnesium but now I am in my 70s I also take magnesium in capsule form daily last thing at night. You can also buy a magnesium lotion to use as an alernative

I hope you have found this series on the immune system and how to upgrade your defences useful. 

As always I would love your feedback and you can reach me on my email sallygcronin@gmail.com

©Sally Cronin 2026

Sally Cronin is the author of eighteen books including her memoir Size Matters: Especially when you weigh 330lb first published in 2001 which followed her weight loss of 150lbs and the programme she designed to achieve a healthy weight and regain her health. A programme she shared with her clients over her 26 year career as a nutritional therapist and on her blog. This has been followed by another seventeen books both fiction and non-fiction including multi-genre collections of short stories and poetry.

Her latest book Size Always Matters is an extended and updated version of her original book Size Matters and now includes the nutritional element to losing weight and some recipes with ingredients that provide the nutrients necessary for healthy weight loss and continued good health.

As an author she understands how important it is to have support in marketing books and offers a number of FREE promotional opportunities in the Café and Bookstore on her blog and across her social media.

After leading a nomadic existence exploring the world, she now lives with her husband on the coast of Southern Ireland enjoying the seasonal fluctuations in the temperature of the rain.

A selection of my books

You can read the reviews: My books 2026

 

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Music Column Retro – The Big Band Era with William Price King and Sally Cronin – 1940s – Jimmy Dorsey, Bing Crosby, The Nicholas Brothers

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Welcome to the 2026 series of the music column where I am joined as always by Jazz singer and composer William Price King.  We hope you will join us every Tuesday for some of the chart hits of the big band era from the 1930s through to the 1950s. William is on his usual summer break but will be returning in September.

Some of the earlier videos are not of the best quality however where possible we have sourced remastered copies to share with you. Considering some are almost 100 years old, it is remarkable that they exist at all.  A testament to the love of the music of that era. Along with our selections each week we will also be showcasing some of the iconic dancers of the era.

Here is my next selection from the Big Band chart in the 1940s from Jimmy Dorsey

Jimmy Dorsey with Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell “Tangerine” (1942)

“Tangerine” was launched in the 1942 movie “The Fleet’s In,” produced by Paramount Pictures and directed by Victor Schertzinger just before his death. It starred Dorothy L’amour, William Holden, Eddie Bracken, singer Cass Daley, and Betty Hutton in her feature film debut. The song was composed by Schertzinger, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The recording was released in January 1942 by Decca Records and lasted 15 weeks on the Billboard chart, including six weeks at #1. A disco instrumental version by the Salsoul Orchestra brought the song back into the US top twenty in 1976 and reached #11 on the US, Easy Listening chart.

Here is my next selection from the 1940s from the John Scott Trotter Orchestra with Bing Crosby

 Bing Crosby “White Christmas”

“White Christmas” is an Irving Berlin song reminiscing about an old-fashioned Christmas setting. The song was written by Berlin for the musical film Holiday Inn, released in 1942. The composition won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 15th Academy Awards.

Since its release, “White Christmas” has been covered by many artists, the version sung by Bing Crosby being the world’s best-selling single (in terms of sales of physical media) with estimated sales in excess of 50 million copies worldwide. When the figures for other versions of the song are added to Crosby’s, sales of the song exceed 100 million

Other sources: Wikipedia – And: Jazz Standards

The Nicholas Brothers were an entertainment act composed of biological brothers, Fayard (1914–2006) and Harold (1921–2000), who excelled in a variety of dance techniques, primarily between the 1930s and 1950s. Best known for their unique interpretation of a highly acrobatic technique known as “flash dancing”, they were also considered by many to be the greatest tap dancers of their day, if not all time. Their virtuoso performance in the musical number “Jumpin’ Jive” (with Cab Calloway and his orchestra) featured in the 1943 movie Stormy Weather has been praised as one of the greatest dance routines ever captured on film.

Growing up surrounded by vaudeville acts as children, they became stars of the jazz circuit during the Harlem Renaissance and performed on stage, film, and television well into the 1990s. Diminutive in size, they were appreciated for their artistry, innovation, and soaring leaps.

 Your Hosts for The Big Band Era

William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.

His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.

While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.

Blog– IMPROVISATION – William Price King on Tumblr – Buy William’s music: William Price King iTunes – Facebook – William Price King – Twitter – @wpkofficial
Regular Venue – Cave Wilson

Sally Cronin is an author, blogger and broadcaster who enjoyed four years as part of the team on Onda Cero International’s English speaking morning show in Marbella and then for two years as a presenter on Expressfm the local radio station in Portsmouth. She co-presented two ‘Drive Time’ shows a week with Adrian Knight, hosted the live Thursday Afternoon Show and The Sunday Morning Show guests including musicians and authors. Following this she became Station Director for a local internet television station for two years, producing and presenting the daily news segment, outside broadcasts and co-presenting the Adrian and Sally chat show live on Friday evenings.

She and her husband David have now returned to Ireland where they live on the Wexford Coast where she blogs and continues to write books.

Books :Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – More reviews: Goodreads – blog: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Twitter: @sgc58 – Facebook: Sally Cronin – LinkedIn: Sally Cronin

Thanks for tuning in and as always we love to hear from you.. thanks William and Sally.

 

 

Smorgasbord Health 2026- Project 101 – Resilience – Sleep Part One – Weight Loss, Heart function and Immune System – Sally Cronin

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This series is aimed at developing a resilient immune system to provide the body with a defence against opportunistic pathogens. There are a number of vital elements to this and you can find the introduction to the series: Project 101 – Resilience

Last time I covered Pre-diabetes and its impact on our general health but also our immune system. You can find that post Here

I am posting the last two articles in the series today and tomorrow as they both relate to sleep.. 

Weight Loss, Heart function and Immune System

As I have already established in many earlier posts, healthy weight loss is not just about calories in and calories out. Although that is the basic principal of losing fat, there are so many other elements to consider, that are emotionally, physically and mentally critical to a successful outcome.

Stress, emotional and physical, types of foods that are nutrient dense, willpower and exercise are all key elements to a healthy body. Another daily activity that also has a part to play in maintaining a healthy balance in our bodies is sleep.

If you are trying to lose weight…sleep is one of your most powerful diet aids.

You might wonder why weight loss and sleeping go together. Well apart from the fact you won’t be putting any calories in during that time; your body will be processing those you ate the day before. If you consistently only have five or six hours of sleep not only has that process not been completed efficiently, but you wake up wanting to dive into carbohydrates and as many sugary coffees you can get your hands on.

Over a period of time as your body loses energy it will demand that you top up more frequently and consume sugars to keep it going… Before you know it your weight is going steadily upwards.

Sleep is essential for the recovery of the body and mind. It is the time of day when organs continue to function but calmly enough to be able to carry out diagnostics and repairs ready to face the next active 16 hours. Without this down time every night you will find yourself vulnerable to physical and mental stress and if sleeplessness is a long term issue for you it can lead to a number of health problems.

The Power of Sleep and the immune system

Sleep is as vital to humans as breathing, drinking water and following a healthy diet. We need exercise and movement throughout the day, to keep us supple and fit, but you cannot run any operating system for 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for 70 or 80 years without carrying out essential maintenance.

If we are doing our bit, we should be providing the body with the raw materials it needs to process, manufacture and rebuild our bodies internally and externally. For many of us, however, the ingredient our bodies are deprived of most is sleep.

During the day, our normal activities help our bodies to excrete toxins, but the body also needs time to heal, rejuvenate and rest. Most of the day our body is focusing on keeping you upright and able to accomplish every task you set yourself, including providing you with a functional immune system. At night your body can concentrate on cleansing and restoring all the operating functions, ready for the next day.

If your body is tired, your digestive system will not be working efficiently to give your body the nutrients it requires or to remove toxins from the body. If  you are also stressed and your heart is working overtime, your immune system will be under pressure. If you then are in contact with an infectious disease, your defense system is compromised and cannot protect your effectively.

For example: the heart normally beats 82 times in a minute when you are reasonably active. At rest it might drop down into the 60s or even 50s but that is usually for someone with quite high fitness level.

beating heart GIF

At 82 beats per minute that is 4,920 times an hour – 118,080 times a day – 826,560 times a week – Almost 43 million heartbeats a year. That is a huge amount of work for the organ that keeps us alive!

However, when we are asleep our hearts beat at around 60 beats per minute, or lower.

This means that for 8 hours of the day our heart will beat 28,800 instead of 39,360 times, which is a saving of 10,560 for those down time hours.

If you multiply that over a year you will be saving nearly 4 million heartbeats. Take that in relation to our life-span of an average of 80 years, and your heart will have to work 320 million heartbeats less, saving wear and tear on this vital organ.

With regard to weightloss, your heart will also have to beat less as you lose weight which is one of the reasons that being close to a healthy weight is so important. Also if you are asleep you digestive system has time to process food that you have eaten and if you have left three hours after your last meal, it can work more efficiently.

I have covered intermittent fasting in other posts, and by extending the period of fasting to 12 to 14 hours a day may help you lose weight and also give your body time to repair and recover. If you are getting 8 hours of sleep per night, and are awake for only a couple of hours each side of this… you will be able to manage this shortened eating window much easier.

The same principal applies to the rest of the body and its operating systems. Your lungs will work less as your breathing slows during the night. Your muscles will rest and recuperate and your brain will undergo diagnostic tests and repairs while you sleep.

Most mental disorders, including depression and Alzheimer’s, are linked to various sleep disorders, some resulting from drugs used to control the disease or from changes in parts of the brain that normally regulate sleep patterns. There are also some concerns that sleep aids, particularly prescribed medication used long term may result in mental impairment. (As always do not stop taking any prescribed medication without consulting your doctor.)

Our dream states are important as it is part of your brain’s downtime function as it sorts information, filing and in some cases deleting unimportant information or spam, much as we do with our computers.

Going without sleep affects hormonal balance, and therefore our mood and stress levels. The glands that produce these hormones, such as the adrenal glands, are on constant alert and have no chance to rest and rejuvenate. As in the case of a rowdy neighbour it is “one up, all up”. The knock-on effect of having all these hormones rampaging around the body is that nobody gets any rest, leading to physical, mental and emotional problems.

Performance levels will decrease without proper sleep and our reactions and internal processes will be impaired. Research has shown that sleep deprivation has the same effect on driving performance as taking alcohol or drugs. People who do not get enough sleep become increasingly less sensitive to certain chemical reactions within the body and in the case of insulin this increases the risk to developing both diabetes and high blood pressure.

If you are tired then your body is trying to tell you something

Some strategies to help you get a good night’s sleep tomorrow in the last post of this series.

©Sally Cronin 2026

Sally Cronin is the author of eighteen books including her memoir Size Matters: Especially when you weigh 330lb first published in 2001 which followed her weight loss of 150lbs and the programme she designed to achieve a healthy weight and regain her health. A programme she shared with her clients over her 26 year career as a nutritional therapist and on her blog. This has been followed by another seventeen books both fiction and non-fiction including multi-genre collections of short stories and poetry.

Her latest book Size Always Matters is an extended and updated version of her original book Size Matters and now includes the nutritional element to losing weight and some recipes with ingredients that provide the nutrients necessary for healthy weight loss and continued good health.

As an author she understands how important it is to have support in marketing books and offers a number of FREE promotional opportunities in the Café and Bookstore on her blog and across her social media.

After leading a nomadic existence exploring the world, she now lives with her husband on the coast of Southern Ireland enjoying the seasonal fluctuations in the temperature of the rain.

A selection of my books

You can read the reviews on my books page: Sally’s Books and Reviews

 

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives 2026 – Posts from last six months of 2025 – #Book Review #Poetry Nicole Sara reviews King Copper by Lauren Scott

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Welcome to the  series of Posts from Your Archives for 2026 and I will be sharing posts from the SECOND six months of 2025 from your archives which I will select. This series is now closed but there will be another later in the year.

This is the first post from the archives of Nicole Sara and she shares her review for the lovely and poignant novel King Copper: Our Dog’s Life in Poetry by Lauren Scott.

“Sniffing in the yard,
marking my territory,
sniffing through the house –
each corner felt like comfort,
finally,
I found my home.”
– Lauren Scott, King Copper (“I Was Adopted”)

I came across a series of WP posts that were mentioning a blog tour for a lovely book. This, of course, stirred my curiosity, it all sounded new to me, and so… I tried to become familiar with this nice new idea. Slowly but surely, in a matter of days, I swiftly found myself going with the flow of it… a stream of beautiful heartwarming articles for this new Collection of poetry.

“King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry” is the title of this sweet collection, and Lauren Scott is its author. The book was published on August 6, 2025.

About the book

When I knelt down to Copper’s level, my heart melted. His amber, soul-searching eyes told me all I needed to know.

I recalled sitting at the table, perusing a Labrador rescue website. A lab sporting a copper-colored coat stood out like a citrine crystal in a bowl of black diamonds. I had to meet the handsome fellow.

So, on a late winter March day in 2012, my family drove to Oakland to meet Copper. A woman was fostering him in her small apartment. He had a gentle demeanor, and after a walk around the block and some play time, I was ready to take him home. My son and I were excited to welcome Copper into our lives. But my husband and daughter were hesitant to adopt another dog so soon. Would we be replacing Lucky Girl, our black lab mix, who passed just four months earlier?

Despite telling the woman we needed time to make a decision, only three days later, we found ourselves signing the adoption papers. Copper effortlessly jumped into the back of our car for a ride to his new home. We heard that the best way to get past the grief of losing a pet is to get a new one, and that’s what we did. Lucky Girl would always be in our hearts. But after many conversations, we felt the timing was right. I, especially, couldn’t shake the feeling that Copper was meant to be our next canine friend.

From the hugs, cuddles, and games of fetch, Copper learned to trust us. And so, he became family. For thirteen years, he gave us unconditional love. He crossed over the rainbow bridge this past March. It is serendipitous to know that he came into our lives in March and left our earthly world also in March – the month of new beginnings. He was a bright light in our lives that will shine eternally. This is the power of our dogs or any pet. They leave a positive, long-lasting imprint on our souls.

Review for the book by Nicole Sara

Lauren has put together this tender collection in memory of her family’s Labrador, Copper. Each and every poem in this book feels like a precious gem and a keepsake, Lauren’s verses carrying along the joy of companionship, the ache of farewell… and the warmth of cherished memories. The poems are also accompanied by cute photos, elegant too… of sweet handsome Copper, photogenically posing or playing with family and friends.

They are all touching, heartwarming poems, the whole collection being a deeply moving read and companion for anyone who has ever shared their heart with a four-legged friend. There are the funny and playful moments, the gentle ones, the nostalgy and the love, the warmth and the togetherness… all captured wonderfully by Lauren in her poems. Several limericks are also part of this collection, so sweet… as is this endearingly cute memory she shares in Copper Boy,

“When he smiles, his white choppers
shine as if they’ve never caused
any commotion…never mind
the afternoon when he attempted
to eat the barbecue!”

or this reminder of the purity of unconditional love, and the way it can transform our life, so beautifully described in Whatever the Shape,

“Some walk on four legs
some walk on two
some purr with joy
some bark for a toy
some wear feathers for style
some wag tails for a treat
whatever the shape
the love is sweet
from a heart that gives all.”

The poems which warmed my heart in a enchantingly profound way was Castanets,
here’s an excerpt from it,

“…The sun’s gentle touch
adds a glimmer to his copper coat.
I pause, bending down to his level,
fingers stroke shiny, silky fur,
his eyes close, contented from contact…
When we move again, his nails on asphalt
mimic the clicking of two sets of castanets,
and in seconds,
I realize these observations are what life is all about…
seeing…feeling…smelling…listening…
being. “

and the short but very sweet, My Best Copilot,

“I slide behind the wheel,
looking in the rearview
Where’s Copper, resting his chin
over the back seats?
missing my best copilot”

Lauren’s message seeps through it all, that what we can do, with the sadness left behind after a beloved furry companion “crosses over the Rainbow bridge”, is think of them fondly, as they are still in our heart… and their love will forever be with us, as long as we lovingly remember them .

Lauren’s tribute collection reminded me of Rex, our German shepherd dog when we were kids, me and my sister. Rex was such a dear presence to us all, faithful and patient… so sweet and elegant in his ways, in spite of his impressive size. Rex had also been adopted by us, when he was already an adult dog, and his loss later on also left behind a sad empty space, a place we could not fill in for a while in those childhood years of ours.

Head over to buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US

Also by Lauren Scott

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Website/Blog: Baydreamer – Facebook: Lauren Scott Author – More Reviews: Goodreads – Instagram: baydreamerwrites

About Lauren Scott

Lauren Scott is a poet, and writer of fiction, memoir, and children’s books. She enjoys small-town living in Northern California with her husband, Matt. They have a wonderful relationship with their son and daughter who are adulting and enjoying life out of state. Lauren has authored three collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013), Finding a Balance (2015), and Ever So Gently (2023). In 2021, she released her memoir, More than Coffee in verse and prose. In 2024, her first children’s book, Cora’s Quest, was released. Lauren’s writing has been published in many anthologies, and she is a monthly contributor on Gobblers at Masticadores, an online literary site. Her work has also been featured at Spillwords Press, also an online literary site, where she was voted Author of the Month in May 2023, Publication of the Month in October 2024, and Publication of the Month in June 2025. Lauren discovers writing inspiration from family, her connection with nature, and the simple things in life.

©Nicole Sara 2025

My thanks to Nicole for inviting me to share posts from her archives and I know she would love to hear from you.

About Nicole Sara

Nicole Sara is an inspirational poet, writer and blogger with a Master’s Degree in Philology and American Studies. She loves languages and performing magic with words and ideas in both playful and dreamy, insightful ways.

For Nicole, writing, and especially writing in verse, is a delight! She writes in order to fly away without too many restrictions and to rejoice in every beautiful thing around. When writing, she feels she leaves the “much too real” routine behind, and she soars freely with each and every line and piece of imagery, dreaming away and fluttering restlessly among words, thoughts and rhymes.. and of course, lovely nature photos.

Aside from writing, photography is Nicole’s other great love. When she is not writing, she can be found clicking away, taking lots of flower and sunset photos, exploring the outdoors with her Nikon cameras and her phone, capturing pictures which she enjoys sharing on her blogs.

A little drop of orange and pink, her two favorite colors, and a couple of strawberries can also be added to the mix, a little more love of travelling, and a huge deal of sea, sky, sun and sand… there, the picture is almost done! The rest is to be discovered and enjoyed between the lines and photos dreamily dancing along the pages.
”

Rhyming Dreams”, Nicole’s debut collection, is for anyone who dreams a lot, loves deeply, going through both good and less good moments… like steps on a pathway, continuously winding but tirelessly searching for happiness and hope in the enjoyment of small but sweet things all around.

Books by Nicole Sara

One of the reviews for The Blues and the Beautiful

D.L. Finn
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful collection mixing emotions, nature, and colors!

I read and loved “Rhyming Dreams” and was eager to read this collection. I wasn’t disappointed as I dove into more captivating poetry, photos, and quotes. The beautiful passages weave emotions, nature, and colors.

It was a trip through the seasons of both nature and feelings. Here are just some of the poems I highlighted along the way. “I take a step/I create a remembrance/I draw a sign in the sun…/and I color the way/in a hue or another/with the choice that make or I shun…”—Multicoloured Minutes, “Shy shimmers carried afar/on wings of moments and cloud/afloat on a wave of blue thoughts,/on steps like reflections/aloud…”—Sweet Dear Memories, and “Like waves, my search unwinds through/rolling seconds/and thoughts collect dark clouds, sunny/shine/spiraling tides of coldness and blue…”—Splash. A beautiful collection that I can easily recommend! 

Connect to Nicole: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Nicole: Goodreads – Blog WordPress: Starrysteps – Romanian/English blog WordPress: Doarnicol – Facebook: NicoleSaraArt – Instagram: Nicoles Steps 

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Weekly Round Up – May 4th-10th 2026 – Gratitude, Big Band Era, Chart Toppers 1970s, Aging Tips, Cuisine Nepal, Doggy Influence, Book Reviews, Bloggers.

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Welcome to the round up of posts this week on Smorgasbord you might have missed.

I hope your week has gone well. There has been some sunshine here and so have managed to get some reading done in the garden… my favourite place to be.

I have some wholehearted thanks to share for some lovely friends who this week have continued to promote Tales from the Irish Garden..

Sue Wickstead added her delightful review this week as did Pete Springer yesterday…so appreciate the time they have spent reading and writing their recommendations. Tales from the Irish Garden reviews Goodreads

Joy Neal Kidney did not stop at reviewing the latest Tales from the Irish Garden but went back to read and review the previous two… that is beyond generous and definitely delighted me. Reviews for all the Tales from the Garden books

Denise Finn posted her book reviews for May so far and kindly included my book along with her recommendations for Jan Sikes, Sylvia Kay Rose and Craig Boyack. D.L. Finn Book Reviews May

Jan Sikes shares her reviews for April for Laura Lyndhurst, Kristin Hannah, Teddy Jones, Craig Boyack and for my book too..Jan Sikes Reviews May

Cindy Georgakas created an amazing book feature for me and shares wonderful news about preparing for and acting as birth coach for her new granddaughter arriving on June 1st… I was touched by all the comments of her visitors and again I cannot imagine publishing a book these days without this incredible ‘village’ we belong to.

Head over to enjoy Cindy’s feature:  Fri-Yayy Funday Tales From The Irish Garden: The Missing Pieces

Also delighted that Stevie Turner and Rasma Raisters responded to their awards with brilliant responses to their questions and find out more about them by clicking on their names.

My thanks as always to the amazing contributors for their posts and support.

William Price King joined me for a Big Band era and on Friday another in the Chart Toppers and Blockbuster series and we are delighted you are enjoying along with us.  You can catch up with William on his own Blog– IMPROVISATION– William Price King on Tumblr

Debby Gies  Debby was here on Monday  with her new series As We Age and this time…Use it or Lose it… and she will be back with the next post on June 1st. On her own blog you can find a reminder of her wonderful tribute to her best friend Sanja and her responses to another nomination for the Sunshine Blog Award..and of course  her Sunday Book Review and this week for  Leave It Up To Love: A Short Story by Kristy Woodson Harvey   D.G. Kaye

Carol Taylor was here on Wednesday with the amazing cuisine of Nepal and this Wednesday she will be sharing her recipe for an amazing Coleslaw...On her own blog you will find plenty to enjoy in Carol’s archives. CarolCook 

Thank you so much for your support and shares this week again..it is always appreciated. 

The Big Band Era with William Price King and Sally Cronin – 1940s – Horace Heidt, Duke Ellington, Leslie Caron

Chart Toppers and Blockbusters 1970s with William Price King – “Hotel California” and The Deer Hunter

#Life #Aging – As We Age – Use It or Lose It – Physical Agility – Part 1 by D.G. Kaye

A-Z World Cuisines with Carol Taylor -Discovering the Cuisine of Nepal…The Roof of the World or if you are feeling romantic…The Land of Shangri-La…

Who has influenced you the most in your life? Doggy Influence by Thomas Wikman

Smorgasbord Health 2026- Project 101 – Resilience -Risk Factor and Immunity System- Pre-Diabetes Sally Cronin

#Anthology #Shortstories #Poetry – Story Chat Digest – Contributing Editor Marsha Ingrao

#Cats Louise Ross, #Western #Romance Linda Broday, #Food #Culture #Anthology Yvette Prior, #Shortstories #Poetry Alex Craigie, #Thriller #Family Stevie Turner

#AmericanHeartland #Stories The Immigrant and the Outlaw by Joy Neal Kidney

#Dark Fantasy The Thunderbolt Effect by Kristina Gallo

Share an Excerpt – Boost one of your books – #Memoir – Scrap: Salvaging a Family by Luanne Castle

Book Review by Elizabeth Gauffreau for Meadow Lark Songs by Joy Neal Kidney

#Creativewriting #Characterdevelopment – Adapted from, based upon, inspired by – Andrew McDowell

And I thought I would end this post with the joyful relationship between a very special little boy and his equally special dog… One of my favourites.

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will join us again next week.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Guest Post – Who has influenced you the most in your life? Doggy Influence by Thomas Wikman

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This series is about the person you feel has had the most influence on your life and has shaped the person you are today, and what you have achieved.  That might be in reaching personal goals or to do with your career.

This is of course also a marketing opportunity for your blog and books, and a showcase of your writing skills.

At the end of the post you can find out how you can participate in this series.

Today Thomas Wikman shares how dogs have influenced his life, including the now famous Le Bronco…

Doggy Influence

Bronco our affectionate Leonberger dog

Many people have had a great influence on me. My wonderful wife of almost 35 years, who has done so much for me, and who is the love of my life. My parents influenced me a lot of course. My three children. Having a child teaches you responsibility and love like never before. They become the most important people in your life. A couple of quotes by Cooper in Interstellar come to mind. “When you become a parent, one thing becomes abundantly clear. And that’s that you want to make sure your children feel safe”. “Once you’re a parent, you’re the ghost of your children’s future”.

In addition, I’ve had many great teachers and books I’ve read that changed the way I view the world. Books are not people, but the authors are. After learning about relativity, quantum physics, and other mind-altering science topics, I no longer viewed the world the same way. I have also met many other people along the way who have had a big impact on me for better and for worse. However, when all was said and done, I had a hard time picking a specific person as the one who influenced me the most.

As I was thinking about my life and who had influenced me the most, I realized that the person who has influenced me most wasn’t a human at all, but a dog, in fact all of our dogs. Dogs taught me that feelings, conscience, and deep connections are not limited to humans, it is part of the world we live in. Expanding your circle of care and empathy is one important way you can grow. A few things about dogs that have made an impression on me are their love and loyalty, their integrity, their silliness, and their similarities as well as differences from us humans. Coming home from work and be greeted by a dog or several dogs who are so happy and excited to see you is true happiness.

Well, some scientists will say that what influences all of us the most are the microbes we live with. We just don’t know about it. That might be true, but microbes aren’t individuals that we can have a personal relationship with. Well, I don’t know that for sure, but it seems so.

I grew up by the coast in northern Sweden. The region I grew up in is called the High Coast. It is a region with mountains, fjords, hundreds of islands, and large forests filled with wildlife. A lot of people had dogs, but we didn’t. Both my parents were working, and they were gone most of the day. My brother and I took care of ourselves until our parents came home. We walked to school in the morning and walked back home in the afternoon from the day we started kindergarten. Our school was an old countryside public school, and we had about a mile to walk each way. We had a key to our house to let ourselves in. It was a reasonable arrangement for that time, but not a good situation for a dog. I wanted a dog though.

The High Coast in northern Sweden on a cloudy day

I met my best friend Lars, or Lasse, in first grade. We started hanging out together both at school and at home. The first time Lasse visited us at our house I told him a lie. I told him that we had a dog. I should say my parents were not home yet, but as I mentioned, I had the key.

He asked me where the dog was. I told him that we keep him in our caravan in the driveway. He wanted to see the dog, so we walked outside to the caravan. I told him that he was not allowed in the caravan but that I was. I walked into the caravan, and once inside I started barking like a dog in an attempt to fool him into thinking that we had a dog. He told me, “That was not a dog, that was you barking”. I guess one lie led to another, and in the end my lies failed to convince him.

That was not a good start of our friendship. He later told me that he really disliked that I did that. Despite the rocky start, we become best friends, and we spent most of our childhood together.

Later in life I studied in The United States (physics and electrical engineering at Case Western University), I met my wife, I got a PhD, and I immigrated to the United States. My wife and I lived in Ohio, New Mexico, Sweden, Wisconsin and finally Texas. That’s where we’ve lived most of our lives. My wife loves dogs, so when our niece went to college, we adopted her rescue dog Baylor. He was a Labrador Retriever mix, allegedly a quarter Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Baylor was the dog who taught me what it means to be a dog owner. Since I had never had a dog before I was unused to them and I even found them a bit scary. I guess people who let their aggressive and poorly trained dogs run loose and bother children walking to school had cemented that impression on me. Hamsters and turtles seemed a lot easier to take care of, and they don’t run around growling and barking at people. But there was Baylor, and I had a lot to learn, which I did. It wasn’t long before we were best friends.

Baylor our Labrador mix on the left. Baby our German Shepherd on the right.

It wasn’t long before we got more dogs. Next, we got a German Shepherd from Claudia’s sister. Her name was Baby and she was also a rescue. After that we bought a very large dog, a Leonberger, and we named him Bronco. We bought him from arguably the most prominent Leonberger breeder in North America, Julie Shaffert.

This photo of Bronco was taken when he was around three months old, soon after we got him.

We also got some smaller dogs including a Japanese Chin, that we called Ryu, a Pug called Daisy, and a mini-Australian Shepherd called Rollo. All our dogs were/are amazing, loving, loyal, funny, and so full of life.

Three of our dogs are ready for their next adventure.

However, our Leonberger Bronco was special. He was like a person, a funny and hilarious person, who was very protective of the other dogs, especially the little dogs. He saved our Pug Daisy from an attacking loose German Shepherd. He even saved our runaway hamsters by sniffing them out, finding them and carrying them back in his mouth.

He also sniffed out an oncoming insulin shock in our Labrador who had diabetes. He was never trained to sniff out insulin shocks, but he realized that something bad was coming and alerted us to the problem right before we were all going to bed. We didn’t understand what the problem was, but we stayed up to monitor the situation, and we eventually noticed that Baylor’s legs were shaking and we took him to the ER right after he collapsed.

In addition, to protecting our other dogs, he was very tolerant of the occasional rambunctiousness. When our Japanese Chin Ryu wanted help barking at dogs passing by our house he ran inside and jumped on Bronco’s stomach. Bronco was sleeping on the floor, but he got up and followed Ryu outside and helped him bark.

Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo loved Bronco, but he was always bothering him in various ways, sitting on his back, and playing with his tail and even swinging in his tail like Tarzan. Naturally, we stopped Rollo when we saw it, but Bronco never got mad and he was very patient with Rollo.

To my astonishment, Bronco didn’t react angrily when Rollo swung like Tarzan from his tail.

My thanks to Thomas for participating in this series and I know he would love to hear from you.
 

Thomas is the author of The Life and Times of Le Bronco

One of the reviews for the book

Alex Diaz-Granados
5.0 out of 5 stars Bronco’s Biography is a good story, well told!

Back in 2007, an automation, robotics, and software engineer named Thomas Wikman of Dallas, TX bought a Leonberger puppy for his son’s upcoming 14th birthday. Wikman and his family, which also included his wife Claudia and two other children, already had two dogs (a Labrador mix named Baylor and a German Shepherd named Baby), but Thomas wanted to get a Leonberger, too. So, after being vetted by the breeders in Canada, the cute furball they’d eventually name Le Bronco von der Lowenhole was shipped from our northern neighbor by air to the Lone Star State.

Thus began the Wikmans’ 13-year journey of love and friendship with their big – and I mean BIG – Leonberger, who despite his aristocratic name for his American Kennel Club papers answered to plain, simple, and unforgettable “Bronco.”

Bronco – as the book’s title, The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle: Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger, foreshadows – was unusually long-lived for a big dog. He lived long enough to earn the Leonberger Health Foundation International’s Grey Muzzle Award, which is earned by dogs who live to be 12 years old. As a result, Thomas Wikman and his family have a treasure trove of memories, not just of Bronco himself, but the other dogs in the family.

There are some wonderfully touching vignettes in The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle, such as the one early in the book in which Thomas – who finds himself alone in the house on a quiet Dallas evening – is making a sandwich in the kitchen when, suddenly, he feels what he thinks is a human hand on his shoulder. Thinking that it is an intruder, Thomas turns around, only to see the sweet, loving face of his big furry Leonberger, asking for half a sandwich.

And, of course, because Thomas tells the reader about the ups and downs of life with multiple dogs, there are some sobering stories in The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle: Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger as well, including one about the Dogsitter from Hell. Having been a pet- and house-sitter when I lived in Miami, I could not understand how someone like that young lady that Thomas and his wife Claudia hired to take care of their dogs while the Wikmans went on vacation could be so inept and irresponsible. (What did she do? Read the Intermezzo – pages 73-80 – to find out.)

If you’re like me and love dogs, or if you’re interested in adding a Leonberger to your family, The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle: Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger is a must-have book that will entertain, enthrall, and inform you from the first chapter to the last one. It is excellently designed – by Susan Hood Design – and features many illustrations, including Wikman family photos of their furry family members and drawings by artist Naomi Rosenblatt.

This is a terrific book. Not only does Wikman know how to tell a story, but he also gives potential Leonberger owners lots of tips on how to properly care for a Leonberger. In The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle, you’ll find out what types of dog food you should give to a Leonberger in all the stages of his (or her) life, what Leonbergers are like personality-wise, and what to look for in canine health issues, especially since Leonbergers are a large breed and require lots of tender loving care, especially as they grow older.

I smiled a lot while reading this book, but I have to admit that I shed more than a couple of tears, too. That’s the hallmark of a good story, well told. And it’s a true story, at that. 

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US –  And: Amazon UK – Connect to Thomas: Website/Blog – Personal Facebook – Facebook book page – Instagram – LinkedIn 

About Thomas Wikman 

Thomas Wikman is a retired automation, robotics, and software engineer and inveterate dog lover who emigrated from Sweden to the United States, where he and his wife raised three children. Their cherished Leonberger, Bronco, crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2020. The Wikmans live in Dallas, Texas, with their two dogs-a pug and a miniature Australian shepherd

Thomas has recently joined us as a collaborator and you can find the first post in his Superfact series Here

Some guidelines.

  • If you look back at your life, who would you say had the most influence on who you are today or your life’s achievements?
  • It might be a parent, grandparent, or other relation, perhaps a teacher, employer or someone who you only encountered for a brief period, but changed the course of your life in a positive way.
  • It might be someone you have never met but influenced you in another way such as by their actions or a book that you read by them. This is a tribute to that person.
  • It can be a post your have already written or one that is unpublished.
  • If already published just send me the link.
  • I will top and tail the post with the usual links and a recent review etc.
  • This is an opportunity to show off your writing skills and to encourage readers to follow your blog or buy your books…dress to impress.

What I need from you sent to my email sallygcronin@gmail.com

If you are have been promoted here before.

I just need your word document 1000 to 1500 words and two or three photographs to break up the text.. perhaps of you at that stage in your life or one of the person who you are writing about.

If they are an author then an Amazon link so I can copy the cover of their book or books with a link.

If you have not been featured on the blog before

  • In addition to the word document and photographs for the post I will need your information.
  • A profile photograph, up to date  biography, social media links for website or blog, Facebook, Twitter, or Linkedin.
  • If you are an author your Amazon Author page, Goodreads and Bookbub if you are there too.

Once I have received your post

  • I will schedule and let you have the date.
  • On the day of publication I will send you a link for the post.
  • It would be great if you could share your post on your social media.
  • I ask that all comments are responded to individually as it does make a difference to the number of times the post is shared.
  • When shared on social media I will tag you if you are on that platform and it would be great if you could thank the person who has shared the post..

I am looking forward to discovering the amazing people who have inspired you and sharing them here in this series… get in touch… thanks Sally. 

 

Smorgasbord New Book Spotlight – #Dark Fantasy The Thunderbolt Effect by Kristina Gallo

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Delighted to welcome Kristina Gallo to Smorgasbord with her dark fantasy released late last year, The Thunderbolt Effect. Kristina is a multi-genre author with 20 books published.

About the book

Frustrated with her job, Susan Grant is desperate to change her life. Curious about what her future may hold, she visits her aunt Dorothy Brown, a tarot master, for a reading.

As Susan and her husband Charles return from the trip to Dover, they are involved in a car accident, during which a thunderbolt hits Susan leading to shocking consequences.

Nothing will be the same after Susan’s personality changes.

One of the reviews for the book  

Martin Best
5.0 out of 5 stars A Fast-Paced Thriller With A Supernatural Twist!

Multi-genre author Kristina Gallo has a talent for writing high-octane novella length thrillers, and ‘The Thunderbolt Effect’ is no exception.

The plot revolves around the female members of one family: Dorothy Brown, a widow and accomplished Tarot reader whose accurate predictions are much sought after; her sister, Alice Smith, an adulteress who died in a suspicious car accident; and Alice’s daughter, Susan Grant, trapped in a dead-end job as an advertising analyst.

Driving home from Dover after a Tarot reading with her Aunt Dorothy, Susan and her husband, Charles, have an accident during a severe thunderstorm, following which Susan is struck by lightning. The thunderbolt releases a latent power in Susan with extraordinary consequences.

Overall the story flows well, although, a greater application of contractions and vernacular, particularly in the dialogue, would create a more immersive and authentic narrative. I would recommend ‘The Thunderbolt Effect’ to readers who enjoy a fast-paced thriller with a supernatural twist. 

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

A small selection of other books by Kristina Gallo

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK –Goodreads: Kristina Gallo – X: @gallo_kristina – Facebook: Author Page – TikTok: @Kristinagallo1 – YouTube : Books, Mysteries and Events

About Kristina Gallo

Kristina is a multi-genre indie author inspired by reality, darkness, and sharp sarcasm. A native Croatian speaker, she was born a rebel and has always followed her own principles.

After spending twenty years working as a legal adviser, she gained extensive knowledge across various fields — experience that now enriches her storytelling with depth and authenticity.

In 2013, she launched her blog Rebellious Rules by Kristina Gallo, where she portrayed real-life situations through satirical short stories. Encouraged by her readers, she transformed those reflections into books, publishing a collection of self-help titles.

In 2020, Kristina expanded into suspenseful thrillers. Her novels are inspired by real events, blended with imagination, and shaped by grim atmospheres, sharp wit, and sarcastic undertones. Rather than offering predictable happy endings, her stories deliver powerful and thought-provoking messages.

Since 2023, she has collaborated with the British publishing house Red Cape Publishing, writing horror and thriller fiction.

Her book Pink Glasses, written in Croatian, is traditionally published in Croatia. It explores relationships between two distinct cultures and the complexities that arise between them.

Writing is her passion, and new ideas are always taking shape. She also shares her literary insights and creative inspirations on her YouTube channel, Books and Mysteries.

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.

Smorgasbord Book Review – #Anthology #Shortstories #Poetry – Story Chat Digest – Contributing Editor Marsha Ingrao

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Delighted to share my review for the anthology Story Chat Digest with many authors and poets from our writing community… Marsha Ingrao is the editor and also contributor to the stories and poetry.

Contributing authors are:

Marian Allen – Nigel Byng – Cathy Cade – Robbie Cheadle – Esther Chilton – Diana Coombs – Philip Cumberland – Miram Elen – Grant P. Ferguson – Amanda Forestwood – Darlene Foster – Cindy Georgakas – Marsha Ingrao – Doug Jacquier – Geoff Lepard – Jules Paige – Yvette Prior – Hugh W. Roberts – Sadje – Lauren Scott – J. T. Twissel – Smitha Vishwanath – Maggie Watson – Gary A. Wilson

About Story Chat Digest Where Stories Meet An Anthology of Short Stories and Poems

Story Chat Digest Where Stories Meet brings together a vibrant collection of short fiction and contemporary poetry from writers across continents. Each piece stands on its own, yet together they form a thoughtful conversation about life’s moments—large and small, joyful and difficult, humorous and reflective.

Within these pages, you’ll encounter stories that linger like candlelit conversations and poems that capture the quiet textures of everyday life. Mystery, memory, family, resilience, faith, and friendship all find their place in this rich and varied collection.

The anthology grew out of the Story Chat community—an international group of writers and readers who share a love of storytelling and the discussions stories inspire. Throughout the book, readers will find Book Club Questions and Story Chat reflections designed to encourage conversation and deeper engagement.

Whether you are reading alone or with friends, this anthology invites you to pause, reflect, and enjoy the power of stories shared across cultures and experiences.

Story Chat Digest Where Stories Meet is more than a collection of writing—it is an invitation to join the circle where stories meet, and conversations begin.

My review for the anthology 9th May 2026

This is a multi-genre anthology with stories and poems that explore and capture the many different sides to life and its impact on us.

This is not just a collection of stories, as the reader is also invited into a book club chat room where the short stories and poetry are discussed, offering a more intimate inclusion for a reader as they are introduced to the contributing writers.  All the stories are to be celebrated but I have selected a few to highlight.

Certainly the stories will keep you fully engaged from the first page where Cathy Cade,  kicks the collection off with ‘But Is It Poetry?’, exploring the departure from rhyming poetry to free verse…which she achieved with great skill. As she did in a following ‘Acrostic’ poem…Another poem which was thought provoking was Robbie Cheadle’s ‘Invisible’ which was a reminder of how grateful we should be for all we have.

This is followed by the story  ‘All About Sophia’ by Nigel Byng and her ambitions in life, which certainly resulted in some interesting interactions with others, which served to showcase her creative thinking. This resulted in quite the discussion between the members of the book club and I can understand why..

The stories vary in length and it was in the Flash Fiction where you will find some compelling gems. ‘The Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse’ by Doug Jacquier captured the devastation caused by fire. And if you are in the habit of talking to your domestic helpers, then you will relate to Marsha Ingrao’s ‘Creative Snow Removal’.

There are some stories which will break your heart such as ‘Going Home’ by Esther Chilton.  As does Geoff LePard’s poem ‘How Do I Love You’ and Darlene Foster’s mystery ‘The Right Wrong Man’ will keep you guessing right to the end. As does The ‘Shrew of Termagant Court’ by Gary A. Wilson.

Hugh Roberts offers a masterclass in the art of Flash Fiction… a tricky form of storytelling but very satisfying when done with skill. As you will discover when you read the examples the writers share in the collection.

Yvette Prior contributes a mystery that has you turning the pages as you learn the fate of Uncle Ted, and Limerick in tribute to a form colleague.

I particularly related to ‘I Walk in Circles’ by Cindy Georgakas as I am sure all readers will. And I loved ‘If Not For That Old Tower’ by Gary A. Wilson…have tissues to hand. And intrigued by Grant Ferguson’s story ‘Countdown’.

Unforgettable is the original artwork and poem by Robbie Cheadle in the ‘Cape Buffalo of Black Death’… chilling as well as beautiful.

Geoff Le Pard features a number of times in the collection and one of his pieces shares a poem by his father Desmond called ‘Our Garden’ and it is a celebration of love as well as nature.

I was very taken with Doug Jacquier’s ‘Bear Air’ and the exploration of the future of air travel… intriguing and rather disturbing but since modern air travel is equally disturbing these days… who knows it might be an improvement. And a tissue alert for ‘Jenny’ by Philip Cumberland and it if doesn’t put you in the Christmas spirit nothing will.

I can highly recommend this anthology for its creativity and originality.

Read the reviews and buy the anthology: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

A selection of books by Marsha Ingrao and anthologies

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – and: Amazon UK – Follow Marsha: Goodreads – Blog: Always Write  – Facebook: Marsha Ingrao – Twitter: @MarshaIngrao –  LinkedIn: Marsha Ingrao – Bluesky: Marsha Ingrao 

About contributing editor Marsha Ingrao

Marsha Ingrao lives in Visalia, California, with her husband, cat Moji, and chihuahua, Goldie. She is an author, retired teacher, and consultant. Through her blog, Always Write, she shares reflections on writing, creativity, and community. She also enjoys photography, traveling, walking at least 10,000 steps a day, working jigsaw puzzles, cooking, and gathering with friends.

She is the author of Images of America Woodlake (2015); Embracing the Power to Live (2025); and two volumes in the Story Chat series—Story Chat: Online Literary Conversations Series of Short Stories and Ruminations (2023) and Story Chat: International Short Stories Generating Conversations (2024).

Her poetry has appeared in Sunflower Tanka: Into the Light (2024) and Sunflower Tanka: Dreams (2025). Her short stories appear in the anthologies This Is How We Grow (2023) and This Is How We Work (2025), and her poems are included in This Is How We Eat (2026).

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.

 

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives 2026 – Posts from last six months of 2025 – #Creativewriting #Characterdevelopment – Adapted from, based upon, inspired by – Andrew McDowell

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Welcome to the  series of Posts from Your Archives for 2026 and I will be sharing posts from the SECOND six months of 2025 from your archives which I will select. This series is now closed but there will be another later in the year.

This is the first post from the archives of Andrew McDowell and he explores many aspects of the writing process including story and character development, world building and editing.

Adapted from, based upon, inspired by – Andrew McDowell

Art often imitates life. In searching for stories and ideas, they often come from real life. Real people, events, situations, whether from the author’s life or from others’ experiences, make excellent soil to plant story seeds in. Sometimes the real story is told through the lens of fiction with fictional names for people and places (known as a roman à clef, or novel with a key; film à clef for movies), which allows for stretching of truth a little more. Yet this calls into question how close to the truth should a writer stick. What’s more, how will the people upon whom characters are based react?

If characters are not composites but primarily based upon specific individuals, there is a risk they might not like how they are portrayed, especially if it is in a negative light (such as caricatures, a technique used by a fictional writer in the mystery shows Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders who wasn’t a good person). Ernest Hemingway has been accused of antisemitism due to the character Robert Cohn, based on his contemporary Harold Loeb, in his roman à clef, The Sun Also Rises. As revealed in Ken Burns’s program, Hemingway used people’s real names in his first drafts, but he changed them so as not to be sued.

If people’s real names are used, even if it’s just the first name, the risk is even greater that they will be forever associated with the fictional versions. It was true for Peter Llewellyn Davies, Alice Liddell, and Christopher Robin Milne. Even aliases in nonfiction/memoir can be viewed negatively, as it was with Donald Sinclair and the family of Fritz Pfeffer, respectively, over “Siegfried Farnon” and “Albert Dussel” in All Creatures Great and Small and The Diary of Anne Frank, or if unflattering names are used for fictional characters.

Then, of course, it’s not just themselves but those they care about, and trying to say counterparts aren’t the real people may not matter. William Randolph Hearst not only disliked that his life was the main inspiration for Citizen Kane, but he also hated how the counterparts to his mistress Marion Davies and his mother were depicted. He used his influence to sabotage the film’s box office success.

Of course, when telling a fictional narrative with fictional names, one can always claim plausible deniability. Plus, hopefully most people won’t mind, especially if the writer is on good terms with them. Nevertheless, it is always something to bear in mind when fiction is drawn from reality. There is a boundary regarding fact vs. fiction, and it should be taken into account when crossing it.

©Andrew McDowell 2025

My thanks to Andrew for participating and I know he would love to hear from you.

Books by Andrew McDowell and a small selection of the anthologies he has contributed to.

One of the reviews for Mystical Greenwood 

Dermot has felt called to the land for as long as he could remember. As a youth his wanderlust caused him all manner of trouble, but now it could be the very thing that saves him. When a griffon appears it puts into motion an ancient promise, a vow made by The Dark Prince to return and finish the task he had started years before. Dermot, with the aid on unexpected allies must journey across the land to seek the only chance of stopping this rising force. Will he find what he seeks, or will The Dark Prince make true his promise and destroy everything Dermot holds dear?

Mystical Greenwood is a high fantasy. Andrew McDowell whisks the reader on a fantastical journey filled with legends, magic, and mythical creatures. With a smooth flowing narrative it is easy to connect to the characters and be pulled into the terrifying plot. I enjoyed the incorporation of old words into the narrative, which I always feel add a little extra something to any fantasy setting. The characters are intriguing and offered the potential to grow and develop as their journey progresses, and watching them change as life tempers them in itself is an adventure.

If you’re looking for a high-stakes fantasy plot filled with classic fantasy elements, then this could be just the read you’re looking for. 

 Andrew has also contributed to many anthologies – read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Andrew: Goodreads – Website/Blog: Andrew McDowell Author – Facebook: Andrew McDowell Author –   Youtube: Andrew McDowell Author – LinkedIn: Andrew McDowell –  Bluesky: Andrew McDowell Author

My thanks to Andrew for participating and I know he would love to hear from you.

About Andrew McDowell

Andrew McDowell became interested in writing at age 11, inspired by childhood passions for stories and make-believe. By the time he was 13, he knew he wanted to be a writer.

Andrew studied History and English at St. Mary’s College, and Library & Information Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is a member of the Maryland Writers’ Association.

As a novelist, he plans to try his hand in multiple genres, for he is inspired by a variety of interests. He has also written poetry, short stories, and creative nonfiction, and is interested in drama writing and lyrics.

He was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, when he was 15

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books. 

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Music Column – Chart Toppers and Blockbusters 1970s with William Price King – “Hotel California” and The Deer Hunter

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Welcome to the series where I will be sharing the chart toppers and blockbusters through the decades… be prepared for some nostalgia and some foot tapping music. William

🎶  The Eagles – “Hotel California”

“Hotel California” was composed by Don Felder, with lyrics by Glenn Frey and Don Henley. It features Henley on lead vocals and concludes with an extended section of the electric guitar interplay between Felder and Joe Walsh. In 1998 this long *guitar coda was voted the best guitar solo of all time by readers of the “Guitarist.”

In the 2013 documentary entitled “History of the Eagles,” Don Henley said that the song was about “a journey from innocence to experience … that’s all.” In 1978 the song won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

While “Hotel California” ruled the radio, “The Deer Hunter” ruled the silver screen. 

🎬   “The Deer Hunter”

“The Deer Hunter” was directed by Michael Cimino, and written by Cimino, Deric Washburn, and Louis Garfinkle.

It stars Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and John Savage, with John Cazale, Meryl Streep, and George Dzundza in supporting roles. It portrays the lives of three blue-collar American friends in a small steel-mill town before, during, and after their service in the Vietnam war.

In 1978 “Deer Hunter” was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won five including: Best Picture, Best Director for Cimino, and Best Supporting Actor (Walken).

Join William again next week for more entertainment…

Your Host

William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.

His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.

While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.

Blog– IMPROVISATION – William Price King on Tumblr – Buy William’s music: William Price King iTunes – Facebook – William Price King – Twitter – @wpkofficial
Regular Venue – Cave Wilson

 

Thanks very much for dropping in today and it would be great if you could share the music with your connections.

Smorgasbord Book Reviews Round up April 2026 – #Cats Louise Ross, #Western #Romance Linda Broday, #Food #Culture #Anthology Yvette Prior, #Shortstories #Poetry Alex Craigie, #Thriller #Family Stevie Turner

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Another wonderful month of excellent books and here is the round up of my recommendations for April.

Delighted to share my review for the recent release which will delight anyone who loves cats and memoirs – Slow Blink by Louise Ross

About the book

Slow Blink is a memoir about more than the weight of loving something you cannot keep. It recounts the author’s relationship with a stray black cat whose bond with her transcended the ordinary, changing her understanding of love, loss, and the liminal space between life and death. Exploring themes of grief, wonder, and the mysterious threads that connect us across species, across time, and across the veil, this memoir reveals how one cat taught her that love persists even when we must let go.

My review for the book April 4th 2026

This is a story about trust and love between a stray cat and a human on a mission to offer an alternative to life on the streets.

Anyone who has encountered feral or stray cats will relate to the desire to provide a humane environment of health and safety. It can be a slow process with each step towards trust often hard won with some scratch marks along the way. But there is also joy in that first touch, purr and when they look directly into your eyes for the first time and respond to your own slow blink.

As this story unfolds and the relationship between the author and cat evolves, we share in these milestones, including some which do not go down well for a feline who objects to confinement very vocally. It is also entertaining as life with a cat brings some complications on the accommodation front.

The author explores this bond that forms with our pets, not just a physical connection, but one at a more profound level, revisiting other times in her life when she found herself emotionally impacted by a pet.

The bond that is forged over several months with this particular feline is a delight to observe. This is an emotional read, relatable for anyone who loves animals and brings them into their home, and there are moments, as most of us have experienced, of sadness alongside the joy. I certainly treasure the bond that has grown over the last three years with the stray who adopted us, and this book made me appreciate it even more.

Head over to buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US 

Delighted to share my review for New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical western romance novels Linda Broday and her novel Forever His Texas Bride… book three of Bachelors of Battle Creek.

About the book

“There’s this thing between us that refuses to die. I’d like nothing better than to be able to…” His words faded. He’d give anything to change people’s views about his race…to be able to make her his wife.

But the world wasn’t that simple. Not for people like them.

All his life, Brett Liberty has straddled two worlds: white and Iroquois. The only place he’s truly at peace is with his wild mustangs. But after he’s arrested for the color of his skin, he discovers Rayna Harper in the cell next to him. Rough and tumble Rayna has known little kindness, but Brett sees the depth of her heart hidden beneath layers of hurt and fear, and he refuses to leave without her.

Fierce and loyal, kind and strong, Rayna is everything Brett has ever wanted. But the world doesn’t look kindly on a love like theirs, and he would rather let her go than bring her pain. Yet when the demons of his past threaten her future, Brett realizes he will do anything to keep Rayna safe…and make her his.

Bachelors of Battle Creek series:

  • Texas Mail Order Bride (Book 1)
  • Twice a Texas Bride (Book 2)
  • Forever His Texas Bride (Book 3)

My review for the book April 11th 2026

Having grown up watching westerns with my father from an early age, I am drawn to books in the genre especially when they have great characters, plenty of action and a good dose of romance. This time in the American west was not easy for anyone, but particularly women and those with mixed heritage, and the author captured the fear and desperation so many faced with great empathy.

The main characters of Brett and Rana evolved and grew stronger with everything that was thrown at them. The other cast members all brought something meaningful to the story including an old indian warrior whose wisdom brings a sense of purpose to those around him.

At the heart of the story is the love that grows between Brett and Rayna despite their past traumas, and as that history is revealed, it is easy to stand beside them as they face the bigotry and hatred some have for them. They are brave in the face of extreme danger to save others who are defenceless, as are those who support them, including adopted family and unexpected allies. 

Although this is the third book in the series there was sufficient details about the back stories for me to pick up the threads and enjoy as a standalone. 

If you love westerns and romance then I can recommend you pick this book up and enjoy. 

Read the reviews and buy the book:Amazon US – And: Amazon UK 

Delighted to share the news of the latest anthology in the This is How series This is How We Eat with many authors from the writing community you will be familiar with…

About the anthology

Food is never just nourishment; it is a lens through which we experience connection, culture, memory, emotions, and growth. The content in This is How We Eat highlights topics like special meals, everyday dishes, family recipes, baked goods, airplane food, feasts, snacks, solitary dining, communal gatherings, food interventions, and signature dishes. We also see how stressors are linked to foods, early priming, and social messages. The foods we consume and the ways we take our meals carry deep meaning. Seventeen authors came together to contribute their voices, blending fiction and nonfiction to explore the many ways food shapes our lives.

Join us as we share both fictional and nonfictional experiences about food to discover how eating brings meaning, insight, and connection to everyday life. As you read, you may feel textures under your fingers, imagine the smells of freshly baked treats, taste flavors in your mind, and maybe even lick your chops at stories about food and recipes. You might need tissues for heart-tugging moments or feel tension from social dynamics.

Contributing Authors.

  • Marnie Birch (here)
  • Robbie Cheadle (here)
  • Donna Connolly (here)
  • Joseph J. Dwyer (here)
  • Nancy Franz ( here)
  • Cindy Georgakas (here)
  • Miriam Hurdle (here)
  • Marsha Ingrao (here)
  • Kelvin M. Knight (here)
  • Mabel Kwong (here)
  • Ana Linden (here)
  • Sherri Matthews (here)
  • Frank Prem (here)
  • Pete Springer (here)
  • Carol Ann Taylor (here)
  • Gary A. Wilson (here)

My review for the anthology April 16th 2026

There is no doubt that anyone reading this collection will relate to one or more of the stories since the theme is food. Human beings require food to survive, but those of us lucky enough to have an abundance of produce at our disposal, do not just recognise the physical requirement, but often an emotional connection, associated with the people and events in our lives.

In these stories we are invited into the lives of the writers to experience their memories, attachments to certain foods, moments when something as simple as burning a piece of toast evokes a memory of a very lucky escape. How very different Christmas in Romania was in the 1980s, when oranges were rationed and getting one as a gift was precious.

I enjoyed reading all the stories and applaud their authors for writing about their lives and their association to food with such honesty and often emotion. Clearly the concept evoked times in their lives when food brought families together, falling in love and moving a continent away or a classroom of young students baking cookies with mathematical precision. I could certainly relate to Cindy Georgakas exploration of the obsession with dieting and how it developed from the 1800s when curves were the fashion. She also shares some effective strategies for the childhood years helping children find a healthy way to relate to food that will stand them in good stead in later years.

Robbie Cheadle’s personal story demonstrates how not finding that healthy way to relate to food and exercise can result in an obsessive approach to dieting and intense exercise which she candidly shares with us. Thankfully Robbie’s approach changed dramatically when something very special changed her perspective.

Marsha Ingrao shares her cancer journey and the dieting variations she was encouraged to follow despite her sugar addiction, something many of us suffer from. At the end of the day it is a daunting challenge to stick to a very restrictive regimen, and is more likely to lead to relapses that are tough to come back from. This is mirrored by Miriam Hurdle who found financial awareness was a way to evaluate the cost of buying commercial coffee and muffins versus making her own, reaping the benefits in both income and health. This led to not one major change but small incremental ones over many years leading to a freedom most will never attain.

Yvette Prior shares her A-Z of foods and nutrients that are tried and tested over the years and it is a comprehensive list, which form a strong foundation of physical, emotional and mental health.

The literary table offers the reader a fictionalised perspective on food and Gary Wilson’s story certainly got me thinking about long haul flights I have taken and the people I met as we endured hours of static sitting. I recall often this resulted people taking the opportunity to share more personal information than usual, perhaps due to the knowledge this would be a brief encounter before going separate ways

What are also highly enjoyable are the recipes attached to the stories associated with family and memories of childhood. I will certainly be trying Donna Connolly’s Nancy Franz’s Potatoes, Marnie Birch’s Granny Mac’s Scones, Carol Taylor’s apple pies and certainly admired Gary Wilson’s creative way of getting his children to eat more vegetables. Cindy Georgakas shares a wonderful lentil soup and Robbie Cheadle’s oxtail with red wine are winter winners. 

As an addition to the stories at the end of the collection, Yvette Prior shares her thoughts on each of them and awards them an appropriate Limerick which are a joy in themselves.

Food is an essential component of all our lives and this collection is a reminder of how it also bonds people together in a very special way. I also appreciate all the work that went into bringing these talented writers together to make such a compelling read. I can highly recommend.

Read the reviews and buy the collection:Amazon US– And: Amazon CA – And:Amazon UK 

Delighted to share my review for the latest release by Alex Craigie..Hopes, Fears and Reality: Stories, Poems and Personal Tales

About the collection

What do a terrified boy, a ruthless beauty queen, a fairy godmother from hell, and a group of quietly rebellious pensioners have in common?

In this eclectic collection of short stories, poems, and anecdotes, everyday moments uncover the hopes we cherish, the fears we try to hide, and the realities that shape us.

Inside this collection:

• Gently humorous pieces that find laughter in life’s small absurdities
• Reflective moments that explore the experiences that shape who we are
• Sharper, unexpected stories that catch you off guard and linger

Meet unforgettable characters and moments:

• A child facing what lurks beneath the bed
• A teenager consumed by image
• Elderly friends with secrets—and mischief—of their own
• Twists on the familiar that don’t go quite as expected

Many of these pieces are brief and powerful, born from creative challenges—flash fiction, structured poetry, and writing shaped by rules and constraints—alongside glimpses drawn from real life.

Perfect for readers who enjoy:

• Short, impactful reads
• A mix of humour, reflection, and edge
• Dipping in and out whenever time allows

Open the book anywhere.
There’s always something waiting—something to make you smile, pause, or see things a little differently.

My review for the collection April 18th 2026

This much anticipated collection by Alex Craigie was as always beautifully written, full of surprises and a reflection on life from childhood through the decades. Being of a similar age certainly reminded me of my own early years, and what was going on in the world and on the doorstep. The non-fiction, poetry and short stories are cleverly constructed to keep you turning the pages. Every story will draw you in as the author weaves her magic with words, however short the story might be.

I could really relate to so many of the stories and one in particular was ‘Changing perspectives’…I loved the coincidence in this story too.

In contrast is the story of fairy tale endings abruptly trashed by cruelty…and the stubborn insistence of a father against his son’s gift for words. And then there is the humour…. two cowboys walked into a bar! And ghostly touches…There are heart stopping moments as in ‘The Betrayal’…how could you ever trust again?

The flash fiction and poems are superb and several caught me by surprise…’She Smiled with Relief’…And the poignant ‘When Alfie Kissed Me’, and one many women of a certain age can relate to in ‘Enigma’.

In the reality section of the collection the author describes her fears as a child, and again they evoke memories of similar natural events and reactions to world-wide threats to our safety. And there is a cautionary tale about soda bread that will have you on the edge of your seat when you read it. As will the story of the author’s grandfather and his exploits in the First World War.

And what is hell? Along with some of the author’s relatable definitions, I am sure like me you will come up with some of your own! And there is a wise reminder to us all about where we sit in relation to hell. In stark contrast is a guided tour at the other end of the afterlife spectrum with some delightful insights into some people’s ascension and what they might expect.

Anyone planning on exploring the less touristy side of Spain should take notes when reading ‘Climb Every Mountain’…and the ‘Holiday Romance’ is definitely not as expected. Nor is ‘The Hiding Place’. And having fun is not just for the young in ‘Stayin’ Alive’.

So many wonderful moments and surprises in this collection and I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending.

Head over to buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US 

Delighted to share my review for the latest release by Stevie Turner.. Holding Hands… a thriller and a reminder to live every day to the full.

About the book

Elderly widower Tom Hopkins is lonely. In-between going to Bingo, taking bus rides for the sake of it to look around shops, and trying line dancing for beginners, he often spends his time doing voluntary work as a hand-holder in the Ophthalmology Department of his local hospital where nervous people arrive to undergo injections for the eye condition ‘wet age-related macular degeneration’

Ellen Wilkinson, also widowed, is a patient in the clinic. She soon makes a friend of Tom after they meet by chance in the hospital’s café. Unbeknown to Tom, Ellen is a wealthy woman and has not yet made a will. Her son Bob is against the friendship, and tries his best to stop the burgeoning relationship between his mother and Tom.

When Bob finds out that a wedding might be on the cards, he is sure Tom is a gold-digger and is determined to stop the marriage once and for all. Ellen and Tom, however, have other ideas, but are unprepared for the lengths Bob will go in order to scupper their plans.

Shortlisted for the 2025 Page Turner Golden Author/Writer/Screenwriter Award and the Phoenix Award.

“The voice of Tom rings loud and clear, bringing his character and those he encounters to life. The minute observations are spot on and are often qualified by the kind of sharp, erudite comments that reflect his advanced years. Excellent writing.” – Judge Stewart Carry  

My review for the book April 25th 2026

It takes great skill to write an intriquing psychological thriller and condense it into a novella. The author certainly knows how to write compelling characters and you are immediately drawn into the life of widower Tom who is nearing ninety but still has the will and drive to be part of life in a meaningful way.

Once the reader has become immersed in his daily life and his kindness he offers to so many in his voluntary work, Ellen enters the scene bringing with her something Tom has long thought denied to him. Unfortunately it also brings the unwanted presence of her son. 

This is not a love story in the traditional sense but is about a relationship built on mutual respect, kindness and a desire to maintain the right to independence and to still experience all that is good in life. It is amazing the lengths others will go to deny you that privilege. It is certainly a reminder to live every day to the full and not allow anyone to prevent you from doing so. 

The story heats up as Tom and Ellen make their break for freedom with evil following in their footsteps. Thankfully the author knows how to end a story leaving the reader somewhat comforted.

I can highly recommend this short read for anyone who enjoys a clever and well written thriller.

Buy the book:Amazon UK – And:Amazon US

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.

 

Smorgasbord New Book Spotlight – #AmericanHeartland #Stories The Immigrant and the Outlaw by Joy Neal Kidney

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Delighted to share the news of the upcoming release by Joy Neal Kidney on pre-order for May 13th...The Immigrant and the Outlaw…stories from the American Heartland.

About the collection

For years, Joy Neal Kidney carried a story she felt called to tell—a World War II family history marked by love, courage, and devastating loss.

In the journey toward writing that book, she discovered something more: a gift for telling true American stories. Beginning her freelance career in her forties, Joy has published dozens of narratives in newspapers, magazines, and through the popular podcast Our American Stories.

The Immigrant and the Outlaw gathers some of her most compelling work—stories rooted in Iowa soil yet echoing far beyond it. Tales of grit, heritage, sacrifice, and the quiet heroism woven through everyday lives.

These are stories worth remembering.

Just some of the stories waiting for you in the collection.

Chapter 1: Celestial – meteors (this was my first byline, first $50), comets, the moon, thunderstorms

Chapter 2: Childhood on a Farm – an old upright piano, roller-skating in the house, old barns

Chapter 3: Flora and Fauna – monarch larva, birds, lilacs, winter, spiders, morning glories

Chapter 4: Discovering Ancestors – the cover story is in this chapter, a small cemetery (Lee Habeeb mentioned this one in his Foreword), a family tragedy, a Victorian house, the story behind an old quilt, first women’s suffrage, a Civil War story

Head over to pre-order the collection: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Books by Joy Neal Kidney

One of the reviews for Meadowlark Song 

MacTrish 5 out of 5 stars
A remarkable chronicling of the experiences of five generations of mothers

This book has been compiled by the author – the ‘family’s record keeper’ – through painstaking research, letters and personal stories that trace her maternal line back five generations from Jane Watson (born 1782) to her own birth in 1944.

The women are introduced in a way that anchors them in time such as who was president and how many states there were. Jane Watson was born in 1782, and there were seventeen states led by George Washington. There are also verses from the bible which are testament to the ‘legacy of faith and integrity’ that the author inherited.

Meadowlark Songs tells of the amazing courage and hardship of these pioneering women who set off into the unknown coping with danger, hardship and frequent births. The language carries the stories along beautifully. These pioneers experienced the ‘earthy aroma of warm Iowa soil where their lives would take root’.

There are sweet touches such as the poppy plate heirloom connecting the eldest granddaughters, and the closeness and strength of these women is remarkable as they supported their families. Despite tragedy and poverty, they were the cornerstones that held everything together. Leora experienced the anxiety of two world wars but is described as the heart of the family and physically connected to all five generations.

I’d already read the earlier books about Leora and this one helped to put the different names in context. It’s a lovely way to celebrate such a quietly amazing family line.

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – More reviews: Goodreads – Website: Joy Neal Kidney – Facebook: Joy Neal Kidney Author – Twitter: @JoyNealKidney – Instagram: Joy Neal Kidney

About Joy Neal Kidney

Joy Neal Kidney is the oldest granddaughter of Leora Wilson, who lost three sons during WWII and was widowed, all during a three-year period. Through the decades, Joy helped take Memorial Day bouquets to the graves of those three young uncles, not knowing that only one of them is buried there–until decades later, after the death of her courageous little Grandma Leora.

Joy became a writer in order to tell her stories.

She and her husband, Guy (an Air Force Veteran of the Vietnam War and retired Air Traffic Controller) live in central Iowa. Their son is married and they live out-of-state with a small daughter named Kate.

A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Joy has lived with fibromyalgia for two dozen years, giving her plenty of home-bound days to write blog posts and books, working with research from decades earlier.

All of the “Leora books” tell stories about world and national events reaching into the American Heartland–westward expansion, two world wars, pandemics, how mental health issues were handled, the Great Depression, and surviving great personal losses. But they are hopeful as well.

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books