Mom’s Favorite Reads eMagazine May 2022 by Mom’s Favorite Reads

Mom’s Favorite Reads eMagazine is published monthly by Goylake Publishing and designed by Melanie P. Smith of www.melaniepsmith.com

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Shawn Reilly Simmons Interviewed by Wendy H. Jones Shawn, thank you for agreeing to join me here at Mom’s Favorite Reads. It’s an honour and a pleasure to have you join us in the magazine. I know you are a busy lady, so thank you for taking time out of your hectic schedule to answer my questions. I promise to be gentle, and no torture will be involved. Thank you for thinking of me and for the opportunity!

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We’ll start off gently – can you tell us how you came to writing?

I decided I wanted to be a writer when I was very young, and there wasn’t anything else I really wanted to be, except maybe a rock star. I had a lot of encouragement early on from my teachers and one college professor in particular who encouraged me to start writing a novel when I was just 19 years old. To pay for things like rent and food, I worked in marketing and different culinary jobs, but becoming a full-time writer was always the goal. For the last dozen years, I’ve been able to do just that, and I am grateful every day that I have my dream job.

DC area each spring. When I wrote my first novel, I wasn’t sure what it was going to be, but I love culinary mysteries and have a culinary background working in restaurants and on catering crews, so those experiences were easy to draw on for inspiration for the books. I think cozy mysteries will always be popular because they offer the reader a sense of justice and a problem solved which is comforting, especially when the world around us can feel overwhelming.

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I love reading cozy mystery books and you write in this genre, so why cozy mysteries?

If you were to write in another genre, what would it be?

I’m working on a domestic suspense standalone novel, which is one of my favorite genres to read.

I got involved in the cozy mystery community through Malice Domestic, an annual convention that takes place in the Washington -8-

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This is a tough one, because I’m a confirmed and unapologetic book hoarder! If I could only have three, I’d bring Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton, and Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie. Each of these books have resonated with me for different reasons, and I think they’d keep me entertained until the search party found me!

We always ask authors about their own books but never ask them about their reading habits. What do you read to relax and what books would you pack to go on holiday?

I read a lot of crime fiction, and always have a stack of books on my nightstand. I like to shut off all devices early in the evening and go to bed with a good book. I also read short story anthologies and love good biographies, usually about chefs or musicians. I have a huge cookbook collection and love reading about how chefs find inspiration for their recipes. My reading goal is to read a new release, a classic novel, a short story collection, and a non-fiction book each month. When I head off to the beach or board a flight, I usually bring a stack of newly released thrillers or domestic suspense novels with me.

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Which author do you think has most influenced your writing? Early on I was obsessed with Stephen King. I loved how he took ordinary relatable situations and turned them into the scariest things you could imagine. I’ve lost a lot of sleep because of Mr. King! I’ve also been influenced by writers from the Golden Age of crime fiction, and contemporary writers as well. I’m a constant reader, which I think is so important for career authors. You have to read well to write well.

The ubiquitous Desert Island Discs Question – which three books would you take to a desert island?

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Do you have a favourite book on Writing and if so, what is it?

carpenters, wardrobe, set designers, executives, sound technicians, etc. And they all had to eat at least two meals a day! I’d read a number of culinary mystery series but never one that revolved around a film set, so that was my unique offering to the genre.

On Writing by Stephen King is a book I go back to reread often. I haven’t read very many books on the craft of writing, to be honest. Similar to my culinary career, I came up in the “hard knocks” school of cooking, learning hands-on in restaurants and on catering crews which eventually led to cooking for A-list celebrities on movie sets. I learned about good writing through reading and noting different styles and choices as I read. I studied English lit and writing in college, so I was trained to read thoughtfully early on, although I was obsessed with reading at a very young age organically.

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How important is characterisation in your books? Would you say they were plot driven or character driven and why? I think for a long-running series like mine, readers come back for the characters, like they’re visiting old friends. In each book I work on moving each character forward in some way, deepening their relationships, or having them discover something about themselves. So I do think characterization is very important. That said, many readers have commented that they love reading about how movie sets work, so I do try and illuminate that world in each book too. Each book takes place on a different movie set, in a different location, much like the life of a real-life movie set caterer—you go where the movie goes!

Back to your writing (yes, I know we are all over the place; I like to keep the surprises coming) I love your books which are all set around catering for film crews. I’m fascinated as to why you came up with that idea. I was inspired to write about a chef on movie sets because I’d actually done this job, and I followed the whole “write what you know” model. My sister is a classically trained chef, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. She started working on movie sets right out of school, and I’d tag along as her sous whenever they needed an extra set of hands in the prep tent. I was eventually hired on full time as one of the chefs and spent a few months cooking outdoors in very cold weather on a set in Washington DC. It was one of the hardest and most fun jobs I’ve ever had. A film set became my cozy mystery small town, populated by a few hundred people working together toward a common goal every day: actors,

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Do you have an ideal reader in mind when writing your books? If so, who are they? I’ve met fans of my books from so many different backgrounds I don’t think there is one ideal reader of my books. My job as an author is to write the best book I can in the hopes I entertain and surprise as many readers as possible!

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In terms of setting most authors stick to one setting and yet you move around. Tell us about how you incorporate such diverse settings into your books?

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Yes! Every year Malice puts out a call for stories all revolving around a different theme. We then ask three members of the Malice community to read the submissions, and the top scoring stories from that judging panel are included in the book. I have been co-editor of the anthology for the past several years, and it’s one of my favorite things I get to do—working with authors on their stories. Every year new authors are included, and many have made their publishing debut in a Malice Domestic anthology.

I set out to do this on purpose, to avoid the “Cabot Cove” syndrome that is so often talked about, where a small town has a higher murder rate than a big city. Each book is set in a place where I’ve lived or visited regularly growing up, and it was fun to remember those places and create a film set there, giving my characters a set of challenges to deal with on top of a murder to solve!

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You are in several of the Malice Domestic Anthologies. Tell us about those.

I know you are part of the organising committee for Malice Domestic. What is Malice Domestic?

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Malice is a fan convention that takes place in the DC area each spring that celebrates the Traditional Mystery, books best typified by Agatha Christie. The Agatha Award Banquet takes place during the convention, which is a fan award, voted on by the attendees of Malice. I’ve been on the organizing committee for twenty years now—time has flown by. For me, it’s a family reunion each spring of my Mystery family.

Tell us a bit about your writing space? I found this great vintage corner desk at a second hand shop. It’s not very big, but that’s good for me—I find clutter distracting. It’s been a lucky desk for me…I’ve written thousands of words on it, so while it’s a little beat up here and there, I’m not parting with it anytime soon.

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If you could go anywhere in the world to write, where would it be and why?

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I’ve lately been fantasizing about going on a writing retreat to somewhere warm and fabulous. The south of France, Tuscany, Costa Rica…I would get up and write early, do some yoga, hike, eat, drink, venture out and learn, soak up the sun and culture…I think that would be very inspiring. My plan is to make this fantasy a reality, hopefully in 2023.

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Beach, all day, all the time! I’m not a wilderness person at all, so my second choice would be the city. I grew up on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale, and now spend a few weeks each summer in Ocean City, Maryland, with my family. I love swimming in the ocean, the feel of the sand under my feet, an icy margarita in my hand, and a good book. I would do this every day if it were possible!

Let’s get personal, what would be your perfect meal. Ah—I get asked this a lot! And it’s always hard to answer. My default cuisine is always Italian—my step-grandmother was from Italy and cooking was always the main activity of the day when you were at her house. She’d take us to the bakery, the pasta place, the pork store…my family just went to the local grocery store for everything so this was all new to me, this passion for food. I cook Italian once or twice a week (I am of British and Scottish heritage so this is all learned behavior!). A perfect meal is my homemade lasagna, made with love and eaten the next day with a loaf of garlic bread and an excellent chianti.

On holiday do you prefer beach, city, or wilderness? Why?

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My final question, which one of your books would you recommend Mom’s Favorite Reads readers, read? I suppose since it’s a series, Murder on a Silver Platter would be the best place to begin. That’s where we’re introduced to Penelope Sutherland, chef-owner of Red Carpet Catering, and her friends. Murder and mayhem like to follow them around. For short story fans, Malice Domestic: Mystery Most Edible is a great collection of short stories with a culinary theme. “The Last Word” is my story, which won the Agatha Award, and the anthology went on to win the Anthony Award that year. So I’m very proud of both of these…and hope others will enjoy them!

Wendy H. Jones is the award winning, international best-selling author of the DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries, Cass Claymore Investigates Mysteries, Fergus and Flora Mysteries, Bertie the Buffalo children’s books and the Writing Matters books for writers. She is also a writing and marketing coach and the President of the Scottish Association of Writers. As copy editor for Mom’s, she works hard to ensure content is appropriate and free of grammatical and spelling errors. You can learn more about Wendy on her website:

https://www.wendyhjones.com/

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Murder on the Half Shell by Shawn Reilly Simmons Reviewed by Wendy H. Jones

things – so, what’s not to love. Simmons is a skilled writer who uses every word to good effect. The characters are fabulous, especially Penelope, the main protagonist. She interacts well with the side characters and the locals are also well drawn. You get a real sense of island life, and I loved the movie set aspect which brings a whole new dimension. If you like Cozy Mysteries you will love this and I am sure you will find a new favourite author.

Murder on the Half Shell by Shawn Reilly Simmons Description Dealing with the brutal heat, a difficult director and a leading lady with a serious aversion to seafood makes for a challenging task for Penelope Sutherland and her Red Carpet Catering crew. After two girls go missing during a raucous beach party thrown by the movie's director, the cast and crew fall out of favor with the Andrea Island locals. When a flashy celebrity chef is accused of the crime, Penelope Sutherland steps in to help her former culinary school instructor find the truth. Surrounded by suspicious locals with a history all their own, Penelope uncovers clues from the past that reveal an undercurrent of evil amid the magnificent sandy beaches.

Review As cozy mysteries go, this one is up there with the best. Up front, I love Shawn Reilly Simmons books and I was not disappointed by this offering. A juxtaposition of mystery and food – my two favourite

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Title Mystery Most Historical by Stan Phillips Compiled by Charlaine Harris Reviewed by Wendy H. Jones

Description The Malice Domestic cozy anthology series returns with a new take on mysteries in the Agatha Christie tradition -- 30 original tales with historical settings!

Review Now for something different. Usually, I review a book by the author herself but in this one she has written a short story. In addition, she is the editor of this book. I wanted to bring you something slightly different, so you could ring the changes with your reading. I love a good mystery, I adore a good historical mystery, and sometimes I just need something short to read whilst I’m in a coffee shop enjoying a nice cup of coffee. This pushes the buttons in every way. With thirty different authors, the stories are varied with different interpretations of the genre. What they all have in common is that they are taut and extremely well written. I enjoyed them all, although, as you can imagine, some resonated with me more than others. I thoroughly enjoyed Shawn Reilly Simmons offering and it was good to see her turn her hand to something historical. Some of my favourite authors are in here, so it was a win all round. I would urge you to read this as it is a cracking good read.

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Victory Submitted by Hannah Howe Written by Rhys Ages 14 I can’t believe this mystic news, This must be some horrid ruse, The Second World War is finally over, Sophie, I will soon see you, and not in some military Rover.

Remembering Normandy makes me shiver, And the bloody battle at the Rhine river, But I will always have you, And forever we shall remain true. Our great battles should not be ignored, For we defeated the Nazi tyrant and his horde, Now, all I crave is some peace, As well as the peoples’ happiness to increase.

Remembering you makes me smile, The sight of your crystal-clear eyes and chic hairstyle, To me you have always been gorgeous, And your kind heart is simply enormous..

It’s time to rebuild, To remember those the Nazis have killed, We have done our fateful duty, Now our world must return to its former beauty

I cannot wait to see you again, But first I must exit the lion’s den, Your love has ever stayed with me, Along with our lovely home in Tennessee.

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Europe by Book by Hannah Howe The extraordinary story of the courageous women who spearheaded the Italian Resistance during the Second World War

A House in the Mountains: The Women Who Liberated Italy from Fascism by Caroline Moorehead

In the late summer of 1943, when Italy changed sides in the War and the Germans – now their enemies – occupied the north of the country, an Italian Resistance was born. Ada, Frida, Silvia and Bianca were four young Piedmontese women who joined the Resistance, living clandestinely in the mountains surrounding Turin. They were not alone. Between 1943 and 1945, as the Allies battled their way north, thousands of men and women throughout occupied Italy rose up and fought to liberate their country from the German invaders and their Fascist collaborators. The bloody civil war that ensued across the country pitted neighbour against neighbour, and brought out the best and worst in Italian society. The courage shown by the partisans was exemplary, and eventually bound them together as a coherent fighting force. The women’s contribution was invaluable – they fought, carried messages and weapons, provided safe houses, laid mines and took prisoners. Ada’s house deep in the mountains became a meeting place and refuge for many of them. The death rattle of Mussolini’s two decades of Fascist rule – with its corruption, greed and antiSemitism was unrelentingly violent, but for the partisan women it was also a time of camaraderie and equality, pride and optimism. They had proved, to themselves and to the world, what resolve, tenacity and, above all, exceptional courage could achieve.

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Rise: Life Lessons in Speaking Out, Standing Tall & Leading the Way by Gina Miller Gina Miller came to prominence when she brought one of the most significant constitutional cases ever to be heard in the British Supreme Court. Gina successfully challenged the UK government’s authority to trigger Article 50 – the formal notification to leave the European Union – without parliamentary approval. For standing up for what she believed was right, Miller became the target of not just racist and sexist verbal abuse, but physical threats to her and her family. One question she kept being asked was how could she keep going at the cost of so much pain and aggravation? To her the answer was obvious: she’d been doing it all her life. In Rise, Gina Miller draws on a lifetime of fighting injustice and looks at the moments that made her; the trauma, failures and successes that gave her the confidence in her voice, the ability to know how to use it and the strength not to let others diminish it, even when it came at incredible cost. To those who say one person cannot make a difference, this memoir demonstrates irrefutably how you can.

Hannah Howe is the author of the Sam Smith Mystery Series, the Ann's War Mystery Series and the #1 international bestseller Saving Grace. Hannah's books are published by Goylake Publishing and distributed through Gardners Books to over 300 outlets worldwide. Her books are available in print, as eBooks and audiobooks, and are being translated into ten languages. Discover more on Mom's Favorite Reads website: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/hannah-howe

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The Butterfly by Becky Hemsley “trade me a memory,” the butterfly said,

then the spots on her wings deftly captured his tears

“a memory that’s heavy and harsh

and softly and gently she spoke

and I’ll sit and I’ll listen and try my sweet best to lighten the load on your heart”

“thanks for the memories,” she said with a smile then she gave him a butterfly kiss

so he told her of struggles, of heartache and pain

then she drew a deep breath as she wistfully sighed

and he cried as he spoke them aloud

and then traded her memory for his

for it wasn’t one memory but lots of the same that were, all of them, weighing him down

“I’ve always been me, but not always like this there was once when I thought I had died

he spoke of a place filled with darkness and fear,

I was shrouded in darkness ‘til I grew my wings

a tunnel devoid of all hope

see, I needed that darkness to fly”

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The Butterfly A poem by Becky Hemsley, taken from the book Talking to the Wild Talking to the Wild is a poetry collection, the bedtime stories that we were likely never told as children but that can bring us comfort, joy, healing, peace and gentle reminders as we grow. Some days you’ll need comfort, some days you’ll need joy, and some days you’ll just need to feel heard. Validated. Seen. And I hope that’s what this book gives to you. I hope you get lost in the words and find yourself.

You can hear Becky reading her poems on TikTok. @talkingtothewild https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM87scaJe/ Or see more on her Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild/ https://bookgoodies.com/a/B09JM7KJRQ

Becky Hemsley is an empowered romantic with a hint of magic. She is from middle England and writes her poetry with her own accent in mind. Wherever, or however you read her poems, the message is the same; the story is about you.

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Farmington Bay, Utah by Melanie P. Smith https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/melanie-p-smith/

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Drawing Imaginary Creatures by Alison Rasmussen I think making imaginary creatures believable should come from things that work and are recognisable in the real world. Believable anatomy will make you think the creature could exist, or make you hope it exists, at least. I have tried making creatures up just from my head and they are never as believable as they are when I have done some forward planning. Even borrowing tiny snippets from something real can really add to your own freaky freak. I don’t think that approach is due to a terrible lack of imagination (at least I hope not), they are useful to help you make real the thing you already thought of.

I call it the humming pig. I named it before I discovered the hummingbird moth so I feel this is some sort of destiny, and that makes me happy. I like moths. I know some people don’t but since they are the cool and darker cousins of the butterfly, I’ll take it.

As you can see, my humming pigs are based on a number of real animals to help make it believable despite them not being real at all. I’ll just put it out there. All of them were fun to draw and explore, but Jerboas are ridiculously adorable. Those things are so cute it’s heartbreaking. I drooled over and drew many examples preparing this. Just for practice, you understand.

A few years ago, I was participating in the Twitter Collective Animaloonies (a very silly art challenge to inflate creatures) and one month it was the turn of the elephant - an elephantloon. I always hesitated at just inflating them into balloons and often chose other whimsical ways to play. So, I went the way of the chimera, combining a jerboa with an elephant and insect wings. This work was ultimately used in a Twitter Art Exhibition (TAE) charity auction and seemed to be well liked, too!

Sketching out the real animals helps us to learn more about them – such as their form and proportions, and the correct positioning of the limbs and wings. It also serves as a practice run for the animal they will eventually become. You can try out different angles and figure out what your imaginary creature is doing, and how it functions in the world it inhabits.

My creation has since evolved and is now based on the body of a jerboa, an anteater’s snout, and a hummingbird moth wings.

I looked at lots of different examples of each animal and considered how they would work together to make - 22 -

something believable. Some things were simply abandoned. Not just because they wouldn’t work, but because they just didn’t appeal to me.

evolving in different climates and with different diets, all influencing the final creature. There is a huge line of animals just waiting to be transformed!

It’s worth mentioning that looking at other artists is always helpful. I like to collect art books and I have a couple of really nice ones about imaginary creatures. So, here’s some recommendations: Principles of Creature Design – Creating Imaginary Animals by Terryl Whitlatch, 2015, Design Studio Press The anteater snout replaced the original elephant trunk, but it isn’t that prominent – and to be honest this is maybe a sign that the elements are blending successfully as I make something new. The original proboscis wasn’t there in my first attempts either, but I think the proboscis is important for my redesign since I eliminated the elephant trunk, the kids got to eat after all, and I wanted to make something that might actually survive.

Mythical Beasts – An Artists Field Guide to Designing Fantasy Creatures, 2017, 3dtotal Publishing Sketching from the Imagination – Creatures and Monster, 2019, 3dtotal Publishing There’s an animal anatomy section in a magazine which is still available: The Creative Masterclass Anatomy Essentials ImagineFX, Future Publishing.

https://www.twitterartexhibit.org/

My humming pigs will continue to evolve, and I look forward to continuing my project. I’ll be trying different animals as a way to take my humming pigs forward and expand their natural history. I plan to keep exploring and testing new ideas so I can build a world for them. I want to explore geographical considerations which would inspire distant cousins - humming pigs from different places,

Animaloon Collective (@Animaloonies) / Twitter Links about me: https://folksy.com/shops/PaynesGreyArtShop https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PaynesGreyArtShop https://paynesgreyillustration.com/

Alison Rasmussen is a self-taught illustrator who also loves to write. She creates fantasy creatures and whimsical gothic art and is writing a ghost story where lots of her characters go to play. She’s done illustration work for children’s stories and a zombie series, and is now illustrating her own story, just for fun. Alison has a young son and works at home, running her online art shop and creating art to go in it. When she isn’t writing about her imaginary world of ghosts, she works on improving her drawing with traditional media - mainly graphite, soft pastels, and coloured pencil. She gets inspiration from Asian art, anime, fairies, and folklore. https://paynesgreyillustration.com/ - 23 -

The Adventures of Bear Bills and Timmy Submitted by Poppy Flynn Chapter Two

Written by Noah and Jacob Ages 11 and 13 Chapter One

The Journey As Bear Bills was swinging around trees, Timmy was struggling to keep the camera on him.

The Great Fall As Bear Bills and his colleague ventured deep into the woods, the camera man, called Timmy, slipped, and fell onto his bottom. He yelled in pain. As he slipped down the hill, he crashed into the cold water below.

Then Bear Bills found a luxury five-star hotel, which was a hole in a tree, so when Bear Bills slept there, Timmy had nowhere to go.

As Bear Bills was crying with laughter, Timmy was crying in pain. Bear Bills said, “Let’s continue our journey,” and left Timmy to try climb back up the slippery hill.

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Chapter Three

Chapter Five

The Lost Stick

In Danger

As Bear Bills was walking along, he remembered he yeeted his stick for no reason so he had to venture back for it.

Bear Bills quickly got the antidote from his pocket. It was made from the skull of a sheepaleepadeepa. Then he went up to the person in danger and they said they were fine. The End

The original story

Timmy was falling and dropping his camera as Bear Bills was getting his stick back.

Chapter Four The Poisonous Poisonous As Bear Bills was travelling and Timmy was recording, they came across some poisonous poisonouses. Bear Bills explained how they were poisonous and if you make contact with them you will die within days. Bear Bills saw someone who was in danger, he got so shocked he slammed his hand into a tree and his hand was stabbed by a poisonous poisonous thorn.

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Qigong for Health: An Introduction by Eileen Rolland Chinese Medicine. The concept is relatively simple. The body has a system of channels through which energy can flow. If your energy is flowing, you’re healthy; if it’s blocked, that’s when problems can arise. A person’s energy can become unbalanced by a number of influences such as bad diet, lack of exercise, poor sleep, too much stress, and so on. In the process of practising Qigong, we can help to boost energies that are deficient or under-active and stabilise energies that are in excess or overactive.

We all need a little help sometimes, especially when it comes to our health. Medical science has made some amazing breakthroughs and patients receive a very high standard of care. As individuals, we also know more about how the human body works and have a much better understanding of illness and disease, allowing us to make informed choices. Our life expectancy has increased and we want to be able to enjoy that extended life to the full. Scientists now tell us that everything is energy. Healers and Mystics have known this for millennia and Tai Chi and Qigong have been a way of life in China for thousands of years. These practices have been accepted by many Western cultures as gentle forms of exercise, suitable to a wide range of people with different levels of ability. That’s true, but have you ever wondered about the thinking behind it?

The focus of Qigong is on its benefits to our health. Qi, sometimes written as Chi, refers to energy and Gong, sometimes written as Kung, means work/ exercise/practice. So, Qigong is simply energy exercise. The combination of physical movement, coordinated breathing and mental focus can help keep the body’s energy flowing, encouraging internal organs to work the way they are meant to. It works as a more holistic form of exercise by strengthening the body, boosting the immune system and helping to calm the mind.

Although similar in nature, Qigong is older than Tai Chi and both are based on principles of Traditional

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Channels Diagrams of the energy channels (sometimes called ‘meridians’) can be found online or in books relating to Chinese Medicine. The twelve main channels feed energy to the Liver and Gallbladder; Heart and Small Intestine; Stomach and Spleen/Pancreas; Lungs and Large Intestine; and Kidneys and Bladder. Yes, I know that’s only ten but the other two are not recognised as organs in western medicine. They are the Sanjiao (Triple Energiser or Triple Heater) and the Pericardium (Heart Protector). These have their own energy channels and are used in Chinese medicine for diagnosis and treatments. The Sanjiao/Triple Heater is effectively the torso divided into three sections. It is said to control the interrelationship of all the organs. The organs are paired – one Yin and one Yang – as they work in conjunction with one another.

Energy Stores – The Three Dantiens The word ‘Dantien’, translates to mean ‘field of elixir’. There are three main energy centres, or ’Dantiens’ in the body and are identified as follows: Upper - in the forehead between the eye brows; Middle - at the heart, and; Lower - just below the navel. These three sites are said to be energy storehouses and are used a great deal during the practice of Qigong.

The Effects of Qigong on the Body Qigong movements are slow, gentle and flowing. They involve twisting, stretching, bending and stepping in a particular way. These movements serve to massage internal organs and stimulate circulation throughout the body as well as facilitating lymph flow. By co-ordinating breathing with the movement, the practitioner can begin to breathe more efficiently, making better use of lung capacity. Qigong also invigorates and regulates digestion, helping to prevent diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Static Qigong (Quiescent exercise) can slow the heart rate, helping to reduce pulmonary pressure and also calm the mind, inducing a sense of well-being. Many practitioners report a sensation of feeling invigorated while at the same time, feeling calm and relaxed.

Can you feel your Qi? We all have energy flowing through us but we are largely unaware of it, as we are largely unaware of the air we breathe. Qigong can build up our sensitivity to energy. 1. Sit with your body relaxed, back straight, your hands at the lower Dantien area. Let the fingers point forward so that the palms face each other. There should be a space about the width of your fist between the palms. Close your eyes and take slow, regular, comfortable breaths. - 27 -

2. After a minute or so, you may begin to feel a sensation in your palms – heat, cold or tingling, for example. If you gently pull your hands away from each other, you might feel a slight ‘pulling’ against the palms. Gently bring the palms towards each other again and feel the ‘pushing’ sensation or a feeling of pressure against them.

2. Shooting the Bow Feet together, wrists crossed in front of heart, left hand to outside to start. Step out left, curl in fingers of left hand except index finger and thumb (make L shape) and push out to left looking leftward. Right fingers curl in to ‘draw the bow’ and pull across from the heart to right shoulder, elbow pointing outward to the right. Turn head to look right, extend right arm then relax bringing arms to sides and stepping in to start position. Repeat to other side reversing movements.

3. If you don’t feel anything, simply try again another time.

The sensations have been described as; squeezing and releasing a balloon that had been blown up but from which some air had been released; or having a handful of bubbles and feeling the substance of them as you move your hands. See what works for you.

3. Heaven and Earth Feet shoulder width apart. Bring hands together at tantien then push one arm upward and the other downward at the same time. Relax the arms and repeat switching arms.

If you would like to try some Qigong, below is a set of eight exercises which will work all of the major organs. You can repeat these as many times as you wish, but it’s a good idea to start slow. Also, there should be a bit of tension on pushes, etc but only for a second or two. Once you’re familiar with the movements, you can co-ordinate you’re breathing to enhance the effect. It’s best to breathe in when performing an inward or upward movement and breathe out when performing an outward or downward movement, but don’t get bogged down with this. Breathing in and out is good, regardless.

4. Looking Back Feet together, hands by your side. Roll shoulders back allowing palms to naturally face forward. (Use your shoulders, not your hands.) Keep back and neck straight, turn head to one side and look down at the hand. Face forward again and relax shoulders. Repeat to other side.

5. Kidneys

Eight Pieces of Brocade

Raise arms out in front of body, palms down. Curl fingers to point in toward body. Bring under the arms, around the back and down to rest palms on kidneys. Knees soft, lean backwards. Gently straighten, then lean forwards allowing hands to rub/ massage down back of legs. Bring hands round to the front, straighten and reach up to repeat movement.

1. Holding up the Sky Feet shoulder width apart. Bring hands together, one on top of the other, at lower tantien (navel). Slowly lift to middle tantien (heart), twist palms to push upward, watching the hands. At upper tantien (forehead), separate hands and let them float down to the sides back to start position. Repeat - 28 -

6. Dragon Feet wide apart, knees bent. Rest hands on knees. Weight on one side, bend to sweep the body down on that side, across the front (changing weight) to the other side, then up to start position. Repeat going in the other direction.

8. Bouncing/ Shaking off the Cares of the World Feet apart. Lift heels and then drop (gently) relaxing the body allowing the body to shake/ripple slightly. Repeat.

7. Punching

Feet shoulder width apart. Hold fists at hips so that palms would face upward if fists were open. Reach one arm straight out in front. Open the fist, palm down, and twist the hand by dropping the thumb and twisting as far as possible. Twist back so palm is up toward the ceiling. Curl fingers in, one at a time from pinkie, and take fist back to hip. Repeat with other arm.

You can find this on YouTube: 8 Brocade Qigong (Note that movements may be slightly different or in a different sequence)

Eileen Rolland took her first Tai Chi class in 1996. She then studied locally for a year, attending workshops and conferences whenever she could. She worked with some amazing teachers over the years, and trained as an instructor in 2003. While teaching Tai Chi classes with a bit of Qigong as a warm-up exercise, she realised that she preferred Qigong. She retrained as a Qigong instructor between 2009-2011, and hasn’t looked back since. As a qualified Complementary Thera-

pist, she ran her own business doing Massage, Reflexology and Indian Head Massage. She also taught Reiki and Qigong and ran a small Writers’ Group. Working alongside different therapists opened her eyes to different therapies and how they worked. - 29 -

Ladybird By Alison Rasmussen Hot, dry weather and a cloud of green followed by ravenous red. The aphids had taken over and all hope was lost until the ladybird swarm of ’76. I ran happily through a storm of hungry ladybirds – my world suddenly filled with scratchy flapping wings of red and black, and it felt like pure joy. I had never been this fearless of insects. I loved ladybirds so much and I didn’t see them as a threat. Not at all! Not like earwigs, and spiders, and wasps, and bluebottles. Ladybirds are the absolute best. I loved them. Unconditionally. I liked it when they landed on my knee or crawled up my arm from my wrist to my elbow. I liked providing assisted launches if I thought they were in danger. I loved their trusting natures, and their strange bellies and their strange cousins. Their poisonous yellow cousins. They’re not really poisonous, though. I’m sure of it. I think… But they look it! Don’t you think? Honestly, I want one as a pet. I swirled and danced with the ladybirds, along the narrow path of paving slabs that lead to the bottom of the garden and to the garden shed, then on to the grass that lay just before the shrubs and bushes that nestled against the brick garden wall, and I knew I would never forget this moment. It felt otherworldly, as if anything could happen. It felt like a dream!

the line at eating their version of healthy greens). But to come indoors? If I went inside, they would never find me there! Despite her pleas about not letting them in the house all she had to do was close the doors and windows and leave me outside. What did it matter which side of the door I was on?

My mother started scolding me to come indoors, but I would not budge. I could not budge. How would I see them from inside the cold, dark kitchen? Its ghastly outer walls pebble dashed for a long serviceable reign, overlooking my mother’s rockery garden, the washing line, and a discarded tricycle. Between them, they were trying to dash my hopes of being whisked away on an exciting adventure with that red flurry. (Although I’d probably draw

“I want to stay outside!” I insisted, and she looked at me.

She had dragged me inside, unappreciative of the ladybird hoard, somehow forgetting their dramatic, heroic arrival and aphid decimation. She began slamming shut all the windows with an angry bang! - 30 -

She had run out of patience. I was in serious trouble, and it was so, so hot inside. Pinned to the kitchen chair by fear all I could do was look up to the sky to catch glimpses of the ladybirds as they continued to swarm, eating their fill and then eventually moving away, moving on, to aphid pastures new. I felt forlorn. I had wanted to be with them right until the end, and I could only view them from the chair I had been unceremoniously dumped in, restricted by someone else’s idea of what was and what was not fun, or interesting; by a grown up bound by her need to keep bugs out of her laundry, out of her kitchen, and out of sight. I swore I would never be that type of grown-up. “I’ll take my child to go look for ladybirds, not run from them!” I vehemently promised, inside my busy, buzzing head.

And, in a few years’ time I’d get my revenge with a caterpillar invasion. But that’s another house and another story.

https://folksy.com/shops/PaynesGreyArtShop https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ PaynesGreyArtShop https://paynesgreyillustration.com/

The Pet Submitted by Sylva Fae Written by Alicia Age 13

we used to live our life, the void within our hearts will never be fulfilled as the land we used to live on, cry on, and have blissful joy on, had sunk beneath us giving us no hope and desires to be content again. This thought has led me to hate the way my scaly skin clings to my bones just how I cling onto guilt, the guilt in which I’m forever suffocating people my age, who once lived a normal life just like me and my co-workers – the forever guilt of hearing people yearning silently for their old life back! As no one wants to live in a cage, having to live cautiously, forever wondering what evil did we pursue to have gotten ourselves in this place. I, and many others, have longed for the ability to at least have some say in how we live our lives.

It’s now May 2082 and today is the day I mourn for the life I once lived. Today is the day I wish I could just think a new thought as my brain has been running this thought for too long, like an everlasting episode, never wanting to stop. And after all these years the thought became so intense and so risible, that it was merely laughable to imagine that I am now some pet in a cage, once called the sea. That which was once praised by humans, as its beautiful coral colours shone, while fish elegantly swam intertwining the seaweed like moving art, but regardless of how it used to look and regardless of how

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Paul’s Puzzles By Paul Godding The Main Challenge Which is the ONLY way to make 38 when adding together SIX unique digits from 1-9?

The Target Challenge Can you arrive at 87 by inserting 3, 4, 6 and 7 into the gaps on each line?

The 7puzzle Challenge

◯×◯×√◯+◯ = 87

The playing board of the 7puzzle game is a 7-by-7 grid containing 49 different numbers, ranging from 2 up to 84. The 4th & 5th rows contain the following fourteen numbers:

◯²×(◯+◯)–double◯ = 87

(◯+◯)²+double(◯–◯) = 87

3 6 7 10 16 21 32 35 44 50 54 60 81 84

Which number, when 5 is added to it, becomes a square number?

The Mathematically Possible Challenge Using 2, 3 and 11 once each, with + – × ÷ available, which THREE numbers is it possible to make from the list below?

The Lagrange Challenge Lagrange’s Four-Square Theorem states that every positive integer can be made by adding up to four square numbers.

1 4 9 16 25 36 49 64 81 100 #SquareNumbers

For example, 7 can be made by 2²+1²+1²+1² (or 4+1+1+1). There are FOUR ways of making 87 when using Lagrange’s Theorem. Can you find them?

*** Solutions: http://7puzzleblog.com/answers/

Hello, my name is Paul Godding. I am a full-time professional private maths tutor based in the south-east of Wales who delivers face-to-face tuition locally as well as online tuition to students globally. It would be lovely to hear from you, so feel free to click paul@7puzzle.com if you wish to secure maths tuition for you or your child. Alternatively, you can ring/message/WhatsApp me from anywhere in the world: 07970868121 from within Wales and the UK - 33 -

Coloring Page By Adrian Czarnecki Though I love dreaming up and putting together my Siberian Husky themed children’s illustrated picture story books, Adventures of Hot Rod Todd, I don’t think of myself as an ‘author’ or as a ‘writer’. ‘Story teller’ sounds better. My books are so dependent upon the illustrations. That’s where illustrator Cameo Anderson http:// www.cameoanderson.com/ comes in. Cameo really can see into my mind’s eye interpreting my often rambling page descriptions into works of art; there’s a saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words” and with a children’s book that is so important and Cameo nails it every time and then some. So, for your enjoyment, here is a page from the Coloring Book featuring some of the characters and scenes from the books.

Coloring Book FREE PDF download available via website www.adventuresofhotrodtodd.com

Adrian S. Czarnecki is a semi-retired writer of Siberian Husky oriented children’s books based on an actual litter of 6 puppies born to his Dam Empress Maya and Sire Damien Czar on March 14th 2019. Born in Huddersfield, England, Adrian has travelled the world extensively pursuing careers in journalism, photography, PR / Marketing as well as print and sales. Adrian now lives in Idaho, USA with his wife Meta and their Siberian Huskies who keep them on their toes. - 34 -

- 35 -

Around America in 50 Books by Wendy H. Jones

California

Wild: A Journey from Lost to Found by Cheryl Strayed

Description At twenty-six, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother's rapid death from cancer, her family disbanded and her marriage crumbled. With nothing to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to walk eleven-hundred miles of the west coast of America and to do it alone. She had no experience of long-distance hiking and the journey was nothing more than a line on a map. But it held a promise - a promise of piecing together a life that lay shattered at her feet...

https://bookgoodies.com/a/ B005IQZB14

- 36 -

Review I don’t often read memoirs but, when I do, I like them to be a travel memoir. Therefore, this ticked the box for me, especially since I was looking for something different to read. What a powerful tale it turned out to be. I felt I was at the heart of the story and walking every step with her. I got a real feel for Strayed herself and those she met along the way. Whilst I would never undertake such a journey, I understood why the author herself chose to do so. Did I get a sense of California? You bet I did. The writing is good and the descriptions vivid with a real sense of place. It made me long for wide open spaces and the California that most of us will never know. There is so much more than Los Angeles and the movie stars. This is a compelling book which I think everyone would enjoy reading.

- 37 -

Using Objects in Flash Fiction by Allison Symes garden because there is something or someone they are desperate to bury?

I’ve used objects in stories, often using a random generator to trigger something for me to write about. Objects are great because a reader pictures them. You can also give that object special meaning. You can get an ordinary ring to have meaning to your character because it belonged to Granny, say. The story can then be about the relationship with Granny even if it isn’t specifically about the ring.

I use spider diagrams/flowcharts to work out possibilities for using an object. There usually is more than one and I go with what has the strongest impact on me. I figure if I react strongly to that choice, so will a reader. I want my stories to have emotional impact on the reader, whether it is to make them laugh, cry, scream etc.

I’ve also come across writing competitions where you’re given an object to put into a story so it is a good idea to practice writing this kind of tale. If you can write about one object, you can do it again for others.

Stories must hook the reader. One great way to do that is to provoke curiosity. Put an object they know in a story and it is a case of the reader wanting to find out why you’re writing about it. There’s only one way to find out - read the story!

If you are stuck for ideas, have a look at objects around you. What could you put into a story? How would your characters use them?

The challenge this time is to write a flash piece of up to 300 words about a teapot. My take is below.

I’ve found using objects a great way to get into writing a story. I have to work out how I am going to use the object. Some are obvious. There are only so many things you can do with a ring - wear it, have it stolen or lost (and recover it or not), give it away, make it a magical ring with possibilities of summoning up genies etc.

The Silver Teapot There was Janice eyeing the silver teapot again. Mary finished polishing the teapot and put it back, pride of place, on her dust-free kitchen shelf. Her sister might take every opportunity to glance through the window at the teapot but their mother

An object like a garden fork is so everyday, there must be a good reason for using it. Are you getting your character to use a garden fork to dig over their

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The Silver Teapot

The Silver Teapot by Jenny Sanders

The ancient three-tier stand dominates the table. Refined crustless sandwiches; their genteel fillings of salmon, cucumber and foie gras nestle beneath a garnish of fresh watercress. Toasted teacakes jostle fluffy scones; their portions of thick, crusty, clotted cream and home-made strawberry jam tempting us to indiscretions we will regret by suppertime. Crowning the feast: exquisite cakes with filigree icing, fragile chocolate embellishments and decorative glazes, promise a grand finale to please the palate and complete the ritual.

stage position for generations. Light dances across the pristine linen cloth; reflections from the polished protagonist; the Queen of the recital, who rules the whole affair as she has done for ages past under the direction of many willing hands. A modicum of milk as required; sugar, in pleasing lumps,

Gnarled hands reach for fine china and antique teaspoons, as the dance begins. The matriarch’s tea steeped for the perfect four minutes before pouring in a perfect arc from the antique silver pot – her pleasing curves having established her center - 40 -

dropped with suitable drama but minimal splash, by dexterous tongs.

I wished for castles and fine fancy clothes, and of tables laden with all of my favourite foods and some that I’d never eaten. I dreamt of treasure troves full to the brim of gold and beautiful jewels. I wished for socks without holes, a coal-hole forever replenished, and never having to be cold at night again.

Stir; sip; sigh.

The performance moves on; the acts unfold as we steadily progress, ascending the layers of the teatime tower with the measured assurance of professionals and the synchronized maneuvers of elite artists. Liver-spotted hands grip the accouterments once more and the silver spout streams refreshing liquid into our cups, playing her part with consummate skill. Swollen knuckles wield familiar tea knives and cake forks as the final act unfurls.

I took out that familiar silver pot again today, placing it on the newspaper next to the little grey and blue tin. I picked up a magic pink puff and the smell brought back a flood of memories. As I started to rub away the years of tarnish I had but one wish - to feel my mother’s presence behind me and to hear her voice telling me that she wanted to see her face reflected in the shine.

Replete, and reluctant to acknowledge the closure of our assignation, or the noisy demands which await us offstage, we loiter.

I looked longingly at the mirrored silver finish, but I could not see her.

She does not disappoint. Our silver heroine allows an appreciative encore and quenches our thirst one last time.

The Genie Lamp by Joy Margetts

Every month it would appear on the newspaper covered table, the little grey and blue tin sat beside it. In that tin were magical pink puffs that smelt strange but when applied would turn the tarnished vessel silver and my fingers black.

The Unwanted Inheritance by Penny Luker

Of course, it wasn’t really a genie lamp, it was grandma’s silver teapot. My mother would stand over me, reminding me that she wanted to be able to see her face in the shine. So I would rub hard to make her proud. That teapot was all she had inherited, and the only valuable thing we owned. It was daunting to be trusted with the cleaning of it. It became my genie lamp and as I rubbed it to a shine, I conjured up in my mind all the wonderful wishes I would make if a benevolent spirit ever were to appear out of that slender spout.

I picked up the silver teapot. What was I going to do with it? I suppose in its time it had been the height of fashion. It was solid silver in an art deco design, with beautiful clean lines, but, at the end of the day, I’m a strictly tea-bag in a mug type of girl. After some thought I decided that tomorrow, I’d take it to the Cancer Research charity shop. That seemed a fitting way to commemorate my formidable grandmother. - 41 -

Strangely, when the next day came, I found it hard to part with it, so I stuck it on a shelf in my studio.

Research. My dear grandmother was duly remembered and now I’m building my own memories, painting a certain shiny teapot, with various backgrounds.

Later, I was setting up a still life to paint. I placed freshly cut flowers in a blue glass vase, in front of a mirror, but when I started to sketch it out, I couldn’t get inspired. Then I caught sight of the teapot gleaming on the shelf.

Penitence by Sylva Fae

I placed the teapot on the table with a couple of floral cups and saucers, and rearranged it all on a lace tablecloth and added a slice of Victoria sponge cake on a fancy plate with a doily.

“Grandma, do you ever get lonely?” Jessica asked, putting a shiny goblet down on the table. She rubbed her aching arm – polishing the silver with Grandma was fun but hard work.

For the following three hours, I was lost in my canvas and beautiful buttery oil paints and eventually I produced one of my best pieces of art. The sharpness of the lines of the teapot and mixing colours to portray the silver and reflections kept me engrossed.

“No, love. I don’t have time to get lonely. I have many visitors stopping by for wishes.”

“Wishes?” Jessica squinted at Grandma and grinned. This was probably going to turn into one of Grandma’s weird and wonderful tales. They were fun when she was little but now she wasn’t so sure how true the stories of mischievous faeries were.

At the next village art exhibition, that painting sold for four hundred pounds, which I donated to Cancer - 42 -

Grandma held up the silver teapot she was polishing – she never let Jessica polish this one, it was too precious she’d explained many times over. “I think you’re old enough to make a wish now. This is a magic teapot…”.

front of the fireplace. Colin trotted a highwayman doll atop a wooden horse toward the hapless victims in the ornate toy carriage Culain pushed back and forth. Alessia, their mother, watched them from the sofa.

“What, like I just rub the teapot and a genie pops out, saying, ‘I grant you three wishes,’” Jessica said, giggling.

A silver teapot stood on the coffee table before her. With its tall geometric shape, black handle, and lid’s finial-like knob, it presented shattered reflections and sharp edges.

“Not quite a genie but that kind of thing,” Grandma winked and placed the teapot in front of Jessica. “To make a wish, first blow into the spout, then say your wish out loud…but make it clear.”

She’d found the wrapped box, her name scrawled on the attached tag, when she entered the room. Ripping the package open heedlessly, stupidly, she avoided burning her hand at the last moment by grasping its handle instead of the carafe.

Jessica giggled again. Grandma was clearly getting lost in one of her old faery tales again, but it was fun to play along. She blew down the spout… “I wish for a large bowl of ice cream.”

Who’d give such a gift to a faerie? She couldn’t touch silver, and imbibing anything brewed in it would burn her internally.

Jessica’s reflection in the teapot’s shiny surface shimmered and a wisp of blue smoke rose from the spout. She watched as the wisp rose to hover in front of her nose…it looked like, no it couldn’t be… “Is that a faery?” she whispered.

Culain met her gaze. “What troubles you, Mother?” She smiled. He sounded like such a little man. “Nothing, my darling.” As she spoke, though, she reconsidered the words.

The faery poked her on the nose, giggled, and darted out through the window.

“Come here, Culain.”

Grandma handed her a large bowl of ice cream. “Eat this while I tell you about how I became the keeper of the faery jail. Only using their magic for good can set them free from my old silver teapot.”

Obedient as always, the boy scurried to her side. “Someone wants to hurt me.” His face clouded over. “Who?” She shook her head. “Someone sent me a warning.” A friend or foe? This felt more like a taunt than a note of caution. She’d have to take more care than usual from now on.

Queen of Cups by Val Tobin

“Remember this silver teapot forever, child. It’s lovely and enticing, but it’s also deadly.” She waved a hand at it. “Evil can oft cloak itself in beauty.”

Queen of Cups: Tea for a Loving Mother (a shortstory prequel in the Tales from the Unmasqued World series)

Eyes wide, face pale, Culain said, “I’ll never forget it. I promise.”

The children—Colin, barely out of toddlerhood, and Culain, only two years older—played on the rug in

She patted his head, satisfied the future king had learned the lesson. - 43 -

Genealogy: Meet My Ancestors by Hannah Howe

Constance of York

My 19 x great grandmother, Constance of York, Countess of Gloucester, was born in 1374, the only daughter of Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York, and his wife Isabella of Castile. In November 1397, Constance married Thomas Despenser, 1st Earl of Gloucester, one of Richard II’s favourites. The couple produced three children: a son, Richard, and two daughters. The first daughter, Elizabeth, died in infancy, while the second daughter, Isabel, was born after her father’s death. When Henry IV deposed and murdered Richard II, the Crown seized the Despenser lands. In consequence, in December 1399, Thomas Despenser and other nobles hatched a plot known as the Epiphany Rising. Their plan was to assassinate Henry IV and restore Richard, who was alive at this point, to the throne.

Glyndwr rebellion to liberate Wales, Constance instigated a plot to abduct Edmund Mortimer, 5th Earl of March, and his brother, Roger, from Windsor Castle.

According to a French chronicle, Edward, Constance’s brother, betrayed the plot, although English chronicles make no mention of his role. Thomas Despenser evaded immediate capture, but a mob cornered him in Bristol and beheaded him on 13 January 1400.

Constance’s plan was to deliver the young Earl, who had a claim to the English throne, to his uncle Sir Edmund Mortimer, who was married to Glyndwr’s daughter. The first part of Constance’s plan went well, only to stumble when Henry’s men captured Edmund and Roger Mortimer as they entered Wales.

After Thomas’ death, Constance was granted a life interest in the greater part of the Despenser lands and custody of her son. However, in February 1405, during the Owain - 44 -

With the plot over, Constance implicated her elder brother, Edward – clearly sibling love was not a priority in the House of York – and he was imprisoned for seventeen weeks at Pevensey Castle. Meanwhile, Constance languished in Kenilworth Castle.

mistress of Edmund Holland, 4th Earl of Kent. Out of wedlock, they produced my direct ancestor, Eleanor, who married James Tuchet, 5th Baron Audley. Constance outlived Henry IV and her brother, Edward. She died on 28 November 1416 and was buried in Reading Abbey.

With the rebellions quashed, Henry IV released Constance and she became the

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Division and Destruction by Father Ian Maher

Luke 11.14-23 Division, that which separates and sets people in opposition to each other is invariably destructive. That is true wherever division manifests itself. We see it on the global stage where nations build walls and fences to keep the other out. In every case the agenda is driven by the powerful; those nations with strong economies and military might. It is also true in the context of the political arena where division, both between and within parties, so often brings out the worst in people. The baying and name-calling, even within parliament, is a shameful consequence of a lack of civility and decency in debate which, it seems to me, has become worse in recent years. There is, of course, nothing wrong with people disagreeing with each other and arguing their case strongly. This is a hallmark of democracy. But trading insults and animosity always represents failure.

mute man. When the man speaks, Jesus is then criticised by some in the crowd and accused of being in league with Beelzebul, the devil. Jesus responds by saying how a kingdom divided against itself is sure to fall and, similarly, if the devil is divided against himself his own kingdom would also fall. Jesus is highlighting the absurdity of the argument that the casting out of a demon is carried out by the one who put it there in the first place. The devil would be fighting against himself.

The fact of the matter is that such conduct entrenches division and very quickly pushes people further apart, serving only to foster hostility in attitudes, words and actions. Unless there is a real intent on the part of all sides to listen to each other, division quickly gains destructive momentum.

I think that is one of the lessons to be drawn from a story in which Jesus faces attack and criticism for carrying out an act of mercy. Jesus casts out a demon from a

Maybe this story is a timely reminder for us of the importance to think carefully and sensitively about how we conduct ourselves in times when hostile divisions over differences of opinion threaten to tear us apart. - 46 -

Yes, people have strongly held and conflicting views over all sorts of different issues: political, religious, theological, and the list goes on. This is true within families, churches, wider society, within and between nations. There is something very human about this. We have the freedom to make choices and voice opinions.

What we must beware of is allowing those differences to cause us to lose sight of our shared humanity, our respect for each other’s integrity, and our willingness to find creative ways of living with difference. Without such a commitment the end result of division will almost certainly be destructive.

I am a priest and minor canon at Sheffield Cathedral. My last post prior to retirement from stipendiary ministry was as the Multifaith Chaplaincy Coordinator and Anglican Chaplain at Sheffield Hallam University, where I worked for 12 years. https://imaherblog.wordpress.com/ Twitter @IanMaher7 - 47 -

Home by the Sea by Stan Phillips

And the songs of birds serenade the passing hours.

I shall make us a house on the top of

And the waves on the sea hiss and

a cliff with a balcony overlooking the sea.

whisper tales of love and wonder.

And we will sit on floral covered

And you and I, with gentle breezes wafting us through the hours, touch hands, drink our coffee, eat our food, and drift and dream our days away.

chairs to watch the days unfold. See the morning clouds chase each other across the sky as they race away to reveal the blue, yellow, and sunbedecked glory before us.

Yes, I shall make a house that overlooks the sea, where we will tell our stories, write our poems, and etch our love so intensely onto the echoes of time, that when we have long gone, passers by will pause, look at the view as once we did, and smile without quite knowing why.

We could watch the gulls swooping and crying as they seem to skate upon the white crested water. And music plays soft in the background as our day in the house on the clifftop eased along.

Stan Phillips is a poet, musical podcast maker, part-time wannabe male model, and occasional stand up comedian. “I used to be a psychotherapist/counsellor when I had an honest job. I was born into prewar London, and attended 17 schools (my father believed they couldn’t hit a moving target) and I eventually finished up here in Ireland. Still wondering what I will be when I grow up — but enjoying writing my quirky poetry as I do so.” Discover more about Stan on Mom’s Favorite Reads website: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/stan-phillips - 48 -

Grimes Graves by John Greeves The First Industrial Revolution Grimes Graves is one of the most fascinating Neolithic sites in Britain. Despite its name, it is not a grave, or burial place, but a flint mine worked between 2200 and 2,500 BC. Much later on the Anglo Saxons gave it its name 'Grim's Graves' meaning the quarries of the pagan god Grim, or Woden. Located East of Weeting and some 7 miles North West of Thetford, the site contains a strange undulating landscape with grassed over craters reminiscent of a lunar surface. As to its historical importance Professor Peter Topping tells me: 'I suspect that its importance lies in the fact that it is the only Late Neolithic flint mine we know of at present, and it was being used when the major stones were being raised at Stonehenge and other ceremonial monuments were being built (e.g. Orkney) clearly a very dynamic time.' Archaeologist and clergyman Canon William Greenwell (1820-1918) excavated one of these shafts in 1868-70 and deduced correctly that the landscape was the result of Neolithic flint mining. Depressions in the ground surface reveal 700 to 800 pits may have existed in the past. Dug over a period of 300 to 500 years, 433 shallow pits survive over this Norfolk heathland. Human activities have shaped the natural environment and created an important wildlife habitat as one of its legacies. During the Neolithic period, dense deciduous woodland covered the area, broken only here and there by natural clearings.

Today grassland dominates the heath along with a profusion of rabbit burrows. Numerous tracks crisscross this undulating landscape. Hare bells bend in the breeze and skylark song fills the air. More importantly for me, it's the connection with this ancestral past and understanding of these Neolithic people. Neolithic people were the first agriculturists to spread along river valleys and over chalk downlands, although it took many generations of farming to have a significant impact. The ability to control the growth of food meant that at last people could be freed from a wandering life dependent on hunting and fishing and live in one locality. It's an era distinguished by polished stone tools, the manufacture of pottery and the construction of large communal monuments such as Durrington Walls, Stonehenge, Silbury and Avebury.

Just as the first stones were being erected at Stonehenge, flint mining began at Grime's Grave. Vertical shafts were sunk to depths of 10 to 14 metres in order to reach the better quality flint nodules that lay below ground. Flint layers formed during the Cretaceous - 49 -

reaches of the shaft with its limited space. Once they had reached the floorstone seams, narrow horizontal galleries were dug. One miner would occupy each gallery with another removing the flint noddles and spoil behind him.

period are known as topstone, wallstone and floorstone. These three flint seams ran through the chalk strata at roughly the top, middle and bottom levels of the mine shaft. Floorstone was the finest with its black, shiny and flawless appearance and looked very much like the volcanic glass of obsidian and was the most sought after.

Galleries were seldom more than 20 to 30 meters in length and not too wide or high to ensure the ceiling didn't collapse. Lengthier galleries involved additional workers removing the flint and the spoil and proved to be less efficient than the shorter ones.

Miners dug funnel-shaped pits. These Neolithic miners had a practical knowledge of soil mechanics and excavated through silt, sand, clay and various chalk layers to obtain their prized flint. It's estimated more than 2,000 tonnes of chalk had to be removed from the largest pits and that it took twenty men around five months to dig the shaft with perhaps only ten eventually working the lower

Archaeological evidence suggests flint was then transported to the surface in baskets, using pole ladders with timber platforms built across the width of some shafts (as staging posts). This eased the hauling of flint nodules to the surface. Scratched remarkably on the wall of one mine shaft above a platform was a series of vertical incised lines which one excavator has interpreted as a sundial as it is illuminated by the sun's rays at midday. In another excavated mine what was thought to be tally marks were found on the shaft wall suggesting miners could account for their loads. The wide pits would have been lit by natural daylight, but the galleries were excavated using light from small lamps with floating wicks, made by - 50 -

filling hollows in chalk walls with animal fat or oil. The miners used picks made from the antlers of red deer and shovels made from wood or animal shoulder blade bones. These tools have been assessed as being about 70% as efficient as modern equivalents. The bulk of these antlers were cast from deer and seem to suggest the careful resource management of deer herds in the forest at the time.

like Icknied Way, an ancient trackway along the crest of the chalk ridge from southern England to Norfolk, are likely to have been used as trading routes in Neolithic times. The flint tool kit remained basically the same everywhere; polished axes, leaf shape arrow heads, convex scrapers, sickle blades and knives. Some were multi-functional and I like to think of the Discoidal knife as being the Swiss Army Knife of the age.

Medium depth shafts yielded as much as 60 tons of flint nodules brought to the surface. Only one or two mines operated at any one time and it seems the work was seasonal. Once one shaft was exhausted, another was dug nearby, the waste from it being tipped into the disused mine.

Going Down Below In the nearby visitor's centre I put on a hard hat and then tentatively descend a 30 ft shaft on a metal ladder to view the radiating galleries. I'm glad to see it is firmly attached to the shaft side as I make my way down. Looking up I can see ferns and algae around the concrete cap of the shaft and halfway down seams of wallstone gleam in the roughly hewn chalk

On the surface of Grime's Graves, the evidence points to workshops where flint tools were knapped and roughed out before they were traded. Trackways

- 51 -

sides of the pit. Six horizontal galleries radiate out below me. Only electric light illuminates this silent place. The floor feels damp and the air moist. I am amazed at the engineering skills and the social organisation needed to undertake this venture; of the people who worked here, their ingenuity in surmounting technical problems and the efficiency of their problem solving. Surely this was no simple society of farmers and herders, but a complex mining community with extensive trade routes and economic capabilities. Other tell-tale signs were left behind, rope marks above the entrance of gallery II, numerous antler picks, including three arranged in a straight line. In other shafts, fragments of Grooved Ware pottery were discovered along with other artefacts which suggest ritualised ceremonies were carried out to ensure the renewal of flint or the safety of the miner, not unlike the ceremony we have today in launching a new ship or blessing a building project. I climb back out of this time capsule that has connected with a distant past. I’ve been humbled at the ingenuity of our distant ancestors whose way of life and endeavour seems so stereotypically understated by modern perceptions of a primitive people, who in fact lead the first modern industrial revolution specializing in a single commodity which was traded far and wide.

Link: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/ grimes-graves-prehistoric-flint-mine/ Address: Grimes Graves Visitors Centre, Lynford, Thetford, Norfolk IP26 5DE

John Greeves originally hails from Lincolnshire. He believes in the power of poetry and writing to change people’s lives and the need for language to move and connect people to the modern world. Since retiring from Cardiff University, Greeves works as a freelance journalist who's interested in an eclectic range of topics. - 52 -

Chess Supplied by Chess.Com White to move. Checkmate in two.

Supplied by https://chess.com the #1 chess website. Used with permission. For more chess puzzles please visit https://chess.com

You can find answers for this activity on Page 69 - 53 -

Mom’s Favorite Reads Author Melanie P. Smith Long before she delved into the world of fantasy and suspense, Melanie P. Smith served nearly three decades in the Special Operations Division at her local sheriff’s office working with SWAT, Search & Rescue, K9, the Motor Unit, Investigations and the Child Abduction Response Team. She now uses that training and knowledge to create stories that are action-packed, gripping and realistic. When Melanie’s not writing, she can be found riding her Harley, exploring the wilderness or capturing that next great photo. Visit her website to learn more. https://melaniepsmith.com/ Find links in Melanie’s comprehensive brochures…

Connect with Melanie —

https://geni.us/FantasyBrochure

https://geni.us/MPSBookBub https://geni.us/MPSmithYouTube https://geni.us/MPSMeWefan https://geni.us/MPSFacebook

https://geni.us/SuspenseBrochure https://geni.us/FictionBrochure

Trigger (Book 1) Vigilante Justice Series https://books2read.com/Trigger1 Balancing the Scales by Force A ruthless killer, a survivor, and a dysfunctional family running out of options. A shocking act of violence sends a young widow into hiding. Now, a killer with rules of his own has set his sights on those fighting for justice. Frustrated by the system they dedicated their lives to, doing their best to fly under the radar, a small group of unlikely heroes set out to stop a madman. To succeed, they must put personal beliefs before professional ethics. - 54 -

Get the audiobook

https://shop.authors-direct.com/collections/melanie-p-smith

Paige Carter Series (Police Procedural) Seasons 1-6 Was moving back home the worst mistake she ever made? Paige Carter has moved back to town, but not everyone is happy about her return. Her past is complicated and filled with tragedy. Her father was killed on a top-secret Ranger mission in Afghanistan. Her mother was murdered when she was a senior in high school. After seven years as a forensic science expert with the FBI, a failed relationship, and too many unanswered questions — Agent Carter needs a change. Follow Paige in her new career as a deputy sheriff in a rural Utah town where local crimes are solved, and secrets are revealed.

https://melaniepsmith.com/paige-carter-series/ - 55 -

May eBooks by Mom’s Authors

Had We but World Enough By Maggie Cobbett Looking for something new to read? One 5 star review of Ripon writer Maggie Cobbett’s short story collection Had We Not World Enough describes it as ‘thoroughly engaging from beginning to end, and brim-full of humanity’. All kinds of reasons lead to people leaving everything they know behind them for life in a new country. The starting point of Cuban Nights And Yorkshire Mornings is a salsa holiday. Plenty More Where She Came From begins in an African Village and ends in the kitchen of a UK brothel. The narrator of A Deal’s a Deal, Isn’t It? will stop at nothing, even murder, to fulfil her dream of moving to Florida. Seven very different stories will take you from tears to laughter and back again. Above all, they will make you think.

A Deal’s A Deal, Isn’t It? Aspiring writer Vivien dreams of moving to Key West. Only two things stand in her way; a sceptical husband and US immigration policy. Grandfather’s Dream Two young Afghan boys are sent off on a perilous overland journey neither wants to make. Only family pride and loyalty will stop them turning back.

Available to download from Amazon onto a Kindle, PC, tablet or iPhone. Also available by the same author: Anyone For Murder? And Other Crime Stories.

Fine For A Fling A holiday romance in an idyllic Turkish resort has unexpected and far reaching consequences. An earlier version of this story, entitled ‘Not Wanted’, is included in ‘Migration Stories’, a Crocus book launched by Commonword in 2009.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Had-We-But-WorldEnough-ebook/dp/B00BKPRB9C/ All Royalties from this collection will be donated to a charity assisting Ukrainians displaced from their homes. Every little helps and a download will cost you far less than a takeaway coffee.

You Can Always Tell A Yorkshireman When down to earth George Barraclough stumbles across a frightened fugitive, neither can imagine the effect they will have on each other’s lives.

Description Life in a new country sounds enticing, but will the hopeful characters in these short stories end up with more or much, much less than they bargained for?

Cuban Nights and Yorkshire Mornings Most tourists to Cuba bring back cigars or Che Guevara T-shirts, but one woman ends up with something better. Or so she thinks...

Plenty More Where She Came From Whisked from an African village childhood to the scullery of a British brothel, Mary is tired of being a drudge. This story was first published in Writers’ News, having won first prize in its short story competition

First Christmas It’s Christmas Day and Clare’s family has disappeared. Whatever can be going on? - 56 -

Thunks by Sylva Fae While doing the morning's procrastination scroll through social media, I was introduced to thunks. "What on earth are thunks?" I hear you say. Well, after a little googling, I discovered thunks are 'Questions to make your brain go ouch!' If you gloss over the questionable grammar and creative spellings they are quite an addictive read and I did feel my brain go ouch on several occasions.

Here are some of my favourite thunks: •

What is the speed of dark?

•

Can you taste clouds?

•

When does a wood become a forest?

•

Does a sandwich need bread?

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Do fish get thirsty?

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Would a crow give distances 'as a human walks'?

Do we all see the same colours? How would we know?

•

Is a hole a thing?

- 58 -

The site reminded me of the barage of questions I face every day from my girls. They are most definitely expert thunkers with the ability to make the most patient brain go ouch. From being four years old, my middle daughter woke up thunking, thunked continuously throughout the day then fell asleep midthunk. Young thunkers make the assumption that mum has the answer to every conceivable thunk. I have always tried to give honest answers to my children (with selective half-truths about tooth fairies and Father Christmas when they were little) but sometimes I'm completely stumped - outthunked!

Here are some of their recent thunks: •

If a ladybird lost all its spots would it still be a ladybird?

•

Can you feel a rainbow?

•

Why does green have so many colours?

•

If I shout loudly in my dream can you hear me in your dream?

•

What colour is air?

•

What is the point of slugs?

•

Do robots like cheese?

•

If I ate a cushion would I be more comfy?

•

If an orange is orange why is a banana not called a yellow?

•

If I close my eyes can the light still see me?

Of course there are some standard outthunked answers I churn out after a moments bemused pondering: 'Oh, I bet your dad will know the answer to that.' This is usually in retaliation for the many occasions he's redirected a complicated thunk at me. And 'That's something you'll learn when you're as old as me.' usually reserved for those tricky coming of age questions. As writers I think we're all secret thunkers. They usually occur at some ungodly hour or when we should be doing something more productive. What are your thunks? You can check out other people's thunks at: www.thunks.co.uk

Sylva Fae is a married mum of three from Lancashire, England. She has spent twenty years teaching literacy to adults with learning difficulties and disabilities, and now works from home as a children’s writer and illustrator. Sylva has published several children’s books and also writes a blog, Sylvanian Ramblings. Her debut book, Rainbow Monsters won the Chanticleer Best in Category award. Discover more about Sylva on Mom’s Favorite Reads website: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/sylva-fae/ - 59 -

Conspiracy Test Card 3 by T.E. Hodden

The Illusion of Information

Imagine for a moment that you are sat in a theatre, watching a magician, as they prepare to perform their latest miracle. They smile warmly, as they walk around the car that has just been brought onto the stage, the car they are going to make levitate, or vanish, in the blink of an eye. This, we are assured, is a perfectly ordinary car. The question is: Do you believe them? If I happened to have upon my person a sliding scale, at one end of which are lies, honest mistakes, or misunderstandings, and at the other is absolute certainty of truth, where would you place the likelihood that it really is a perfectly normal car? The thing about magic tricks is, we watch them expecting to be deceived. We know we will be lied to, and we are willing to play along, trying to spot the trick, and work out the mechanics of the impossible, but the chances are the reality would disappoint compared to the smoke, mirrors, and trickery we imagine, often because we have built those theories on one or two assumptions we have taken for granted. This is precisely why academic studies are built in such rigid frameworks, citing sources, blinding studies, and offering findings for peer review, and why so much of science is putting somebody else’s findings to test. Some years ago I was a member of a internet forum, run by a sceptics group, on which I discovered a long discussion of the assassination of JFK, and

the many (many) theories surrounding it. It was not a subject I knew anything much about: I had seen the movie, and read a few articles when headlines proclaimed that the mystery had been solved once and for all (yet again). The few facts I remembered about it were from one of the Murder After Midnight tapes that used to keep me company on my paper round as a kid, half a lifetime ago. For quite a while I followed the discussion and had a casual interest in the case, doing a little reading, and for the first time, skimming the plethora of documents and sources that were available. I was by no means doing anything I would come close to calling “research”, it was, after all, a casual conversation on a forum. It was however the first time I looked at some of the key notes of the case, and some of the assumptions that popped up time and again in the articles and TV shows, with any kind of scrutiny. And those assumptions did not withstand the scrutiny. Now, I want to be very careful and clear here: I am not going to accuse anybody of being deliberately deceitful. I am all too aware that there are grifters out there, preying upon the conspiracy sphere, but they are not who I want to address today. I had the luxury of looking at the subject in the age of the internet, after certain documents had made their way out into the public spheres. - 60 -

better information came along. After all, not everybody reads every article, and every book, least of all at the moment it is published. It takes time for information to spread out, and it doesn’t always travel in straight lines, or at a consistent speed

For decades, others had been working at a considerable disadvantage, while key documents were unavailable, having to trawl through the vast swathes of Warren Commission testimony by hand, without the help of digital search functions to aid in cross referencing, or relying on the memories of witnesses years or even decades after the fact, and trying to reconcile the differences.

More importantly, an idea can be a difficult thing to let go of. Once we like a theory, once we are invested in the idea, it is far easier to move that idea up our sliding scale into trust, than it is to push it back the other way. It can take far more evidence to discredit than it took to accept it as a truth.

It's easy to see how somebody might, for example, look at descriptions of Oswald’s rifle, as cheap, and its age, and take that to mean it was clapped out, or how the dry descriptions of the geography might lead somebody half a world away to overestimate the difficulty of the shot, or the likelihood of the timings.

And we should make no mistake, by their nature, by the sheer weight of the accusations that they contain, many of these conspiracy theories demand a considerable emotional investment to take seriously. Excepting those who gleefully treat such theories as tasteless games, we have to assume, that for the majority of believers, by virtue of having some common human decency, it is no easy thing to accuse somebody of murder (or any number of other terrible crimes).

Considering that for any investigation we would expect a certain amount of noise and confusion: witnesses who remember events slightly differently, gaps that the evidence can’t cover, and questions that will never be answered by more than a reasonable deduction, there is more than enough room for somebody to reach the wrong conclusion.

This investment goes some way to explaining the often jarring disconnect that allows some people to take the purely theoretical crimes of conspiracy theories far more seriously than the all too real

A few of those wrong conclusions hung around for a while, long enough to become accepted wisdom, rooted deep enough to hang around even after - 61 -

scandals that fill the headlines. They are simply more invested in the theory, so it carries more weight, and urgency. It is also this spark of something purely emotional, that makes certain ideas so alluring. It is why the planes and ships that vanish in the Bermuda Triangle feel like something far apart from the equally tragic vanishings and disappearances, that happen at around the same rate, in the rest of the world’s oceans.

We want there to be something special about the Bermuda Triangle, because there is something about the idea of a mystery, that tingles at the back of our neck. That little touch of mystery, that sense that there might be something unknown, has a power of its own. Or, to return to our seats in the theatre, the chances are, that perhaps more often than we would be prepared to admit, we are going to accept without question that yes, it really is a perfectly normal car.

T.E. Hodden trained in engineering and works in a specialized role in the transport industry. He is a life long fan of comic books, science fiction, myths, legends, and history. In the past he has contributed to podcasts, blogs, and anthologies. Discover more on Mom’s Favorite Reads website: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/t-e-hodden/

- 62 -

https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/sylva-fae/

- 63 -

Birthstone Crystal Grids by Lisa Shambrook May — Emerald May heralds Beltane’s arrival with blossom and the bounteous beauty of Spring, and the green of May’s birthstone, Emerald. This crystal grid is for Love and Joy and the pure energy of awakening to both. Spring flowers and cherry blossom blesses the centre of this grid with renewal. Thulite, known as Rosaline, resonates with your heart bringing love and joy, as do Strawberry Quartz, Rhodochrosite, and Rose Quartz. Emerald offers protection, wisdom, and love. And Lodolite Quartz, with chlorite inclusions, often called the Shaman Dream Stone, assists with karmic healing, connects with the mystical realm, and brings gentle strength and love. Pink Tourmaline surrounds the grid guiding anxieties and worry into self-love and healing. Love yourself.

Crystal Grids made by Lisa Shambrook for mindfulness, meditation, and art. Prints of some grids are available at: www.amaranthalchemy.etsy.com.

You can find out more about the sensory author and artist, who will lift your spirit, steal your heart, and ignite your imagination at: www.lisashambrook.com. She also loves dragons and squirrels.

Lisa Shambrook is an author, artist, and dreamer who loves dragons. Born and raised in vibrant Brighton, England, living by the ocean heavily influenced her lyrical and emotional writing. She now lives in Carmarthen, West Wales, another town rich in legend and lore. A sensory writer, Lisa delves into sensitive subject matters that will lift your spirit and steal your heart.

Find out more at her website lisashambrook.com and her Etsy shop

amaranthalchemy.etsy.com - 64 -

The New Season by Stan Phillips I recall that day, it was a magical introduction to summer, which, though a long time coming, exploded at last into a long, sun flooded, celebration to welcome the new season.

Every shade of gold was there. Mixing and melting as day folded into evening, as if preparing to embrace the night. All so perfect as the universe reminded me that all is well, all is as it needs to be.

The evening though. Oh the evening!

And we must learn to cherish what we have.

For as I watched the fading sun painting it's unique, never to repeated, farewell to the day onto the sky, I felt privileged to be alive.

Which I shall try to do. Who will join me?

Counting the colours moving and shifting with the gentle caress of the passing moment.

- 65 -

Title Identity Secret by Alex Stan Phillips Segura Carmen isn’t really close with anyone at her job, though she does take cigarette breaks with junior editor Harvey Stern from time to time. Stern shows up wasted at her apartment one night with a proposal: help him write a new comic. There’s one catch, however; her name won’t appear in the credits. At first resistant, Carmen eventually warms up to the idea, and proposes an idea for a more realistic comic with a female superhero as the lead.

Reviewed by Joe DeRouen

One of the things that originally made me want to read Alex Segura’s Secret Identity was that it was set in 1975, like my debut novel Small Things. Unlike Small Things, however, there were no magic talismans or monsters (at least not the supernatural kind), but what it does have is a kick ass heroine, an amazing murder mystery, and a whole lot of references for comic book nerds like me.

Carmen and Harvey brainstorm late into the night, until Harvey makes a pass at Carmen and is promptly shown the door. She forgives him, however, and they continue to work in secret to develop The Legendary Lynx, with Harvey promising to reveal her part in its creation once the first issue is published. There’s something else going on here, though. Carmen seems to be doing the lion’s share of the work, with Harvey merely adding ancillary bits here and there.

Carmen Valdez is a young queer woman of Cuban heritage who moves from Miami after graduating college. Part of the move is an effort to get away from her parent’s non-acceptance of her sexuality and her ex-girlfriend, who has a child as well as a husband, but the real reason is to earn a spot in the comic book industry. Instead, she winds up working as a secretary at the headquarters of Triumph Comics, a third-rate comic book house in New York City. We get to know Carmen slowly, as the novel explores her past as well as her present. It’s clear early on, however, that she won’t settle for just answering phones and filing papers.

Without Carmen’s knowledge, Harvey turns in six comics worth of scripts with only himself listed as the writer. Angry, Carmen goes to his apartment to confront him, only to find him dead with a bullet hole in his head. Carmen runs from the apartment screaming, but eventually makes an anonymous call to the police from a payphone. When the police investigate, she steadfastly denies even knowing Harvey, afraid of the potential fallout for her career.

What she really wants is to write comic books. Unfortunately for Carmen, her misogynistic boss Jeffrey Carlyle doesn’t think women should be involved in the male-dominated world of comics. In addition to walking on glass to avoid hurting Carlyle’s fragile ego, she is also forced to deal with her mentally unstable former flame Katherine, who follows her from Miami, determined to mend their broken relationship.

Who killed Harvey, and why? As Carmen begins to put the pieces together, she comes to believe that Harvey wasn’t just using her but also had a history of stealing ideas from others as well. What follows is an amazing murder mystery that has more tosses and turns than even an issue of The Legendary Lynx, which winds up becoming Triumph’s hit comic. - 66 -

Carmen must not only figure out who killed Harvey (while trying not to be killed herself) but also find a way to claim authorship of the comic while not getting fired for deceiving her boss. It isn’t all dark noir and murders, however, as Carmen’s musician roommate Molly is a welcome addition to the book and provides a much-needed light among the shadows. The entire book is at once both an incredible homage to the comic book industry in the 1970s and a realistic portrayal of the massive barriers women (especially queer brown women) faced to find their place and make their mark in the comic book industry. The backdrop of a gritty New York City creates the perfect atmosphere for the story that will have you guessing not only who killed Harvey but also what prompted his murder. While the mystery was incredibly well done, what made this novel for me was the intricately detailed comic book references. Segura, who works in the present-day comic industry as a creator, really knows the history of the business and shows it off brilliantly within the pages of Secret Identity. If you enjoy historical fiction and a good mystery filled with red herrings galore, you’ll love this book.

https://amzn.to/3KKdL17

Joe is the author of the best-selling SMALL THINGS trilogy. He was born in Carthage, Illinois, and currently lives in Rogers, Arkansas with his wife Andee, their son Fletcher, and their cats Archer and Biscuit. Joe is a freelance writer, web designer, and substitute teacher. He collects all sorts of things, including Mego action figures, books, and Bicycle playing cards. When not teaching or writing, you can probably find Joe playing Pokemon Go on his phone.

- 67 -

Writing Prompt By Angela Abraham

Descriptionari Quotes and Descriptions to Inspire Creative Writing Discover, Share, Connect

Creativity is the weaving of random into a new and wonderful dish. Descriptionari helps you to fill up your idea cupboard with new ingredients, unleashing your inner Masterchef! And so, in keeping with our fantastic flash fiction theme ‘the silver teapot, tongue firmly in our extended-pun-cheek, here are a few nibbles!

***** On Descriptionari there are over 19k ideas all free to check out (taking the pun bow now, tee hee).

The teapot reflected the light of the sun from its happy kitchen perch.

https://www.descriptionari.com/

By Angela Abraham, @daisydescriptionari, December 21, 2020.

The teapot was made all the more perfect for its imperfections, rendered all the more unique. By Angela Abraham, @daisydescriptionari, December 21, 2020.

The teapot had become all the more beautiful for the years of faithful service it gave.

Angela spent the past 10 years building Descriptionari one flash of inspiration at a time. She is now focusing on the creation of fiction novels. Her dog Oliver says it is all a complete waste of time and can he go for a walk now?

By Angela Abraham, @daisydescriptionari, December 21, 2020.

- 68 -

National Batman Day by Melanie P. Smith

May 1st

dresses in black and hides in the shadows just waiting patiently for someone to need him. Yet, he is a loner and deeply flawed. The complexity of his life, tragedy, pain and how he ultimately deals with that loss is what makes Batman relatable. Is it any wonder National Batman Day was established?

Cover design created to honor National Batman Day

Riddle me this… If you had to pick your favorite superhero, who would it be? Statistically, more people pick Batman than any other superhero. Why? Maybe because he has that human element. Anyone could be batman, he’s just a super rich guy by day and a vigilante by night. He doesn’t possess any superpowers. He’s extraordinary based on his bravery, pure athleticism and personal motivation.

While no one really knows when Batman Day was started, it is believed this unofficial holiday began on May 1st because that is the date on which Batman made his appearance in the comics in 1939.

•

Have a Batman movie marathon

Add to that he has cool toys in the Batmobile, Batcycle, Bat Sub, Boat, Tank… the list goes on. If you can think it, Batman probably has one.

•

Help kids learn to read by forming an “Alfred Reading Circle” with Batman Comics.

•

Have a costume party and play Batman Trivia

To top it all off, Batman has Robin — a super likable side kick. He is respected by one of the only good cops in the city. And, women love him, but don’t seem to understand him enough to stick it out for the long haul.

Did you know…

How can you celebrate this caped crusader?

In Washington DC, Tokyo, Berlin and Paris (all cities known as Gotham City), real life bat signals shine the sky on Batman Day.

Batman is mysterious,

We are excited to announce that Goylake Publishing has teamed-up with the Fussy Librarian and in partnership we are offering you 20% off your first book promotion with the Fussy Librarian. To qualify for this promotion, your book must be either permafree or listed free during a special offer. In our experience, the Fussy Librarian is the best book promoter in the business. When we promote with him, our free books always reach the top five of Amazon’s genre charts, most often they reach the top three. We promote with the Fussy Librarian every month and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. Prices start from as low as $15, minus our special discount of 20%. Click here: https://authors.thefussylibrarian.com/?ref=goylake for full details. And, at the checkout, be sure to enter this code: goylake20 to claim your 20% discount. Thank you for your interest. And good luck with your promotion! - 70 -

Coming Soon...

Brought to you by...

Marketing seems to be one of those areas that every author struggles with. It’s the same struggle companies world-wide have been dealing with for decades. How do I get my product in front of my target audience? Connections eMagazine can help. The publication is free to readers, bloggers and to authors looking for a little extra exposure. Visit our website for details. https://melaniepsmith.com/ https://melaniepsmith.com/emagazine/

Connections eMagazine is a FREE quarterly publication founded by authors Melanie P. Smith and Rhoda D’Ettore. It is currently produced entirely by Editor, Melanie P. Smith. Over the years, the magazine has evolved and it now features promos, freebies, blog articles, and short stories in every issue.

Discover more about Connections eMagazine on their website here: https://melaniepsmith.com/emagazine-landing/ - 71 -

Editor In Chief—Hannah Howe The Editor-in-Chief is the key figure in every publication. Hannah Howe works closely with the editorial staff to ensure the success of each publication. She is the author of the Sam Smith Mystery Series, the Ann’s War Mystery Series and Saving Grace. Get to know more about Hannah, her projects and her work on Mom’s Favorite Reads website here: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/hannah-howe/

Executive Editor | Graphic Designer—Melanie P. Smith The Executive Editor / Graphic Designer is responsible for developing the layout and design of MFR eMagazine. She also works hard to create new covers each month that captures the essence of each publication. In addition to the editorial staff of Mom’s Favorite Reads, Melanie P. Smith also produces Connections eMagazine. She is a multi-genre author of Criminal Suspense, Police Procedural, Paranormal and Romance novels. Get to know more about Melanie, her projects, and her work on Mom’s Favorite Reads website here: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/melanie-p-smith/

Managing Editor, Art Director & Proofreader —Sylva Fae Our Managing Editor oversees the physical content of the magazine and coordinates the production schedule. She administers the day-to-day operations of the publication, manages submissions, sets realistic schedules and organizes each edition of the magazine. Sylva is is responsible for the amazing graphics that appear throughout the publication each month. She works hard to ensure the images capture the spirit and message our author's convey in their articles and stories. In addition, As Copy Editor, Sylva works hard behind the scenes to correct any grammatical, typos and spelling errors throughout the magazine. Sylva Fae—Mum of three, fairy woodland owner, and author of children’s books. https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/sylva-fae/

Copy Editors / Proofreaders — Wendy H. Jones and Sheena MacLead Our Copy Editors for Mom’s work hard to ensure content is appropriate and free of grammatical and spelling errors. Wendy H. Jones is also our Feature Editor and works hard to provide content that is interesting, informative and profession. She’s the award winning, international best-selling author of the DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries, Cass Claymore Investigates Mysteries, Fergus and Flora Mysteries, Bertie the Buffalo children’s books and the Writing Matters books for writers. She is also a writing and marketing coach and the President of the Scottish Association of Writers. You can learn more about Wendy on her website: https://www.wendyhjones.com/

Sheena Macleod lectured at the University of Dundee, where she gained her PhD. She now lives in a seaside town in Scotland. Reign of the Marionettes is her first novel. She currently has two additional books: Tears of Strathnaver and Women of Courage—A Forgotten Figure—Frances Connolly. You can learn more about Sheena on her website: https://www.sheenas-books.co.uk/

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Story Editor—Allison Symes Allison Symes works diligently each month to generate flash fiction writing prompts that will stimulate creativity in our authors and entertain our readers. As Story Editor, she also ensures each entry is professional and polished. Allison

Symes is an award winning, published flash fiction and short story writer. She also writes a weekly column on topics of interest for writers for online magazine, Chandler's Ford Today. Allison's fiction has appeared in anthologies (CafeLit and Bridge House Publishing) over many years. Allison judges competitions, runs workshops, and is always happy to talk/write about flash fiction writing. https://allisonsymescollectedworks.com

Marketing Director—Grant Leishman Our Marketing Director, Grant Leishman, oversees marketing campaigns and social media engagement for our magazine. After an exciting career in accounting and journalism, he now focuses on his true calling—writing. Get to know more about Grant on Mom’s Favorite Reads website here: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/grant-leishman/

Young Writer Content Editor—Poppy Flynn Poppy Flynn works hard each month to generate ideas, proofread submitted content, and provide stories, articles, poems and other pieces that are creative and relevant from young writers around the world. Get to know more about our Young Writer Content Editor on Mom’s Favorite Reads website here: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/poppy-flynn/

General Content Writers Our Content Writers are freelance authors who contribute articles, short stories, etc. to the eMagazine on a regular basis. They work hard to make our magazine interesting and professional. Get to know our Content Writers here: T.E. Hodden — https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/t-e-hodden/ Val Tobin — https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/val-tobin/ Stan Phillips — https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/stan-phillips/ Father Ian Maher — https://imaherblog.wordpress.com/