Rebecca M. Douglass, Author

I seem to be having a lot of trouble getting back into the habit of blogging. Maybe that's my subconscious telling me something, like... maybe I should only post when I have something to say?  In all seriousness, I've been carrying on with blogging following the "rules" from when I first started ten years ago, and the truth is, everything has changed. I have appreciated the community that comes with being an active blogger, and I know that I want to remain part of the IWSG. But does blogging three days a week make sense anymore? Do people care about my book reviews, when I get around to writing them? (That's an interesting question--I definitely read and pay attention to reviews from a few bloggers I know have similar tastes, or whose reviews make it clear when a book won't be to my taste). I'm not sure about doing the book tours, either, as they carry an assumption that you will like the book well enough for three stars, anyway. For the record, when I hav

  Cozy Mystery – Humorous Amateur Detective Mystery 2nd in Series Setting – Arizona Tule Publishing (June 21, 2022) Print length ‏ : ‎ 209 pages Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09QRYQDBY Starting over at fifty might be hard, but it shouldn’t be deadly… Still recovering from an injury that might have permanently derailed her career as an international war correspondent, Kate Tessler is living in her childhood bedroom and pondering her second act when another case lands in her lap. Kate’s father and his coffee group are worried. Their friend Larry married a younger woman who now insists he has dementia and won’t let any of his friends visit. They’re convinced that Larry’s wife and her two adult, dead-beat kids are out to steal his money. Can Kate help?   Soon Kate and her unusual gang of sidekicks are unofficially, officially investigating. But before they can dig out the truth, a murder raises the stakes. Now they need to prove Larry is both mentally competent and not a killer

I've been back home for a week. You'd think I'd have the photos ready for at least one little post from the beginning of the trip, right? Wrong. I've spent a lot of time getting my computer cleaned up enough to load in the photos. I've organized the basement rec room, the biggest remaining place where stuff from my move was still just kind of randomly sitting about. I've even worked on the new novel, which may eventually even see the light of day. But the photos? I've just scratched the surface.  So instead of a proper trip report, here are a few of the shots off my camera that caught my eye in my first quick pass through the Scotland collection. A good dungeon door would probably help keep me at the computer and on task. On the John O'Groats trail, if you feel like someone is watching you... it's probably sheep. I like lichen. One's home is one's castle... I think I'm glad that's not literally true in my case. And a couple more place

This is a lousy cover, but is the cover my audiobook had. I'll share a couple of better ones at the end of the post. Title: Lyddie Author: Katherine Paterson, read by Alyssa Bresnahan Publication Info: Recorded Books, Inc., 1993. Originally by Dutton Juvenile, 1991 Source: Library digital resources Blurb (via Overdrive): Lyddie Worthen is only 13 when her family is split up and she is forced to hire herself out at Cutler's tavern. Far from home, she despairs of ever seeing her loved ones again. Desperate, Lyddie makes her way to Concord, Massachusetts where she becomes a factory girl, working as a weaver in a textile mill.  Six days a week Lyddie struggles at the back-breaking looms. In spite of the deafening noise of the machines, the sweltering heat, and the choking air thick with lint and dust, Lyddie holds onto her dream: to save enough money to pay off the family debts and bring everyone back home-together. But as Lyddie earns a reputation for being a hard and thr

This August IWSG post comes just a little soon for me, as I'm not quite back home yet. But I'll do my best to make it something, and I'll visit anyone I can in the next week. Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to visit and thank the Ninja Captain Alex and our wonderful co-hosts   Tara Tyler,   Lisa Buie Co

The Librarian has been having a heck of a time trying to keep up with Stinklet, who has decided that a circuit of Mt. Blanc is just the ticket.  We caught a glimpse of the wily little skunk atop the Col de Bonhomme in France several days ago, where he’d managed to avoid a drenching in a big thunderstorm by hiding inside a pack. You can see the storm disappearing into the distance as Stinklet perches happily on the pack he has claimed as his personal transport. It took several days after that to find the little guy again. He seems to have spend several days hanging around a fancy hotel in Italy before continuing the trip. We only caught up after he entered Switzerland, where he was apparently slowed down by the abundance of good chocolate. The Alps are a bit fuzzy, but Stinklet is clear about the chocolate. We caught him climbing on the slate roof of a building, probably in search of more chocolate. Meanwhile, the Librarian’s search took us to a cable car high about the Mer de Glace, ha

I'm taking this month off from the IWSG, and in fact from nearly all blogging as I am traveling (though if you follow me, you will catch periodic updates ). Please visit the other great participants in the IWSG Bloghop-- Go here for the li st ! Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

 A few days ago, we found Stinklet here: It looks like he’s been bagging peaks in the Scottish Highlands! The wind was ruffling his hair a bit, but he’s still happy and having a good time. A day or so later, Stinklet was delighted to make the acquaintance of some of his favorite characters from Jemima Pett’s Princelings of the East and the rest of the fun books about the Realms! Stinklet in conference with Victor What’s more, when the Ninja Librarian caught up with Stinklet in Southampton, we were able to capture a rare photo of authors Rebecca Douglass and Jemima Pett relaxing in the garden between bouts of plotting! That’s Rebecca on the left and Jemima on the right. Watch this space for the further adventures of Stinklet and the Ninja Librarian! ©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2022  As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated. Don't miss a post--click the "Follow-it" link below!

  Stinklet has decided to go see the world, and the Ninja Librarian is struggling to keep up! Who’s worried where he is? The Librarian is worried about the little guy! Big Al and the rest of the gang from the school are saying, Stinklet’s not ready to go home yet, but don’t worry, kids! He’ll be back in Skunk Corners when he’s done looking around a bit!