Author Archives: Val

Book Review: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Subtitled “a novel in words and pictures,” this 530-page book is a fast read. Spoilers follow. The story follows a fictional boy named Hugo, who happens upon plans for fixing an automaton that was partially destroyed in a museum fire. … Continue reading

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Fantastic Friday: Summertime

Summertime has always been my bliss. As a kid, I counted down the days until I could go barefoot in June. I loved (and still love) when the local ice cream shop opens for the warm months. I love the … Continue reading

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Flash Poetry: Reflection by Cathy MacKenzie

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s prompt was to look out the window and write about what was out there. Today’s post comes to us from Cathy MacKenzie. Through her nanoscopic publishing company MacKenzie Publishing (nanoscopic is a thousand times … Continue reading

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Book Review: The Hypnotists by Gordon Korman

I received this book for free as part of a Kellogg’s cereal giveaway. There were several books to choose from, but I chose this one because I’d already read works by this author and was interested in how he’d write … Continue reading

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Flash Fiction: Stormsense

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s prompt was to look out the window and write about what was out there. Today’s tale comes to us from Val Muller, author of the horror novel Faulkner’s Apprentice (Kindle edition just $2.99). … Continue reading

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Fantastic Friday: The Houdini-mobile

A month or so back, I was contacted by Emma Powers of Turo, a peer-to-peer car rental company, asking if I would participate in an “auto”biography blog post about a car I own or used to own. Cars definitely seem … Continue reading

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Flash Fiction: The Tennis Courts by RC Bonitz

Welcome to the Spot Writers. Today’s contribution comes from RC Bonitz, author of DANGEROUS DECISIONS and the recently released ONLY EMMA. The prompt for this month is to write about the first thing you see when looking out your window. … Continue reading

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Book Review: Leaf and the Rushing Waters by Jo Marshall

I’m posting this a bit late, but I hope now to get back to my weekly book review feature on Mondays. Balancing a new baby with my writing, editing, and teaching work was tough. Now that the lil bug is … Continue reading

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Fantastic “Friday”: The Treehouse

This week’s Fantastic Friday post is being published on a Sunday in honor of Father’s Day. Going through some pictures for an author presentation this year, I found so many of me and my sister in, or on, or near … Continue reading

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Flash Fiction: The Spray

Welcome to the Spot Writers. Today’s contribution comes from Cathy MacKenzie. Contact her (info below) if you need formatting of print or e-books, editing, book covers, or help with publishing. This month’s topic is “death in the family.” *** The … Continue reading

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