Book Review of Family: A Writing Bloc Anthology

The Definition of Family Can be Loving or Twisted

With foreword by Mike X. Welch

Writing Bloc Project Manager of Books

by GG Collins Copyright 2022

How do you define family? Is it the one you were born into or the one you chose? This inspired collection of stories expands by leaps and bounds the familial definition. An international effort – some intergalactic – each narrative takes the reader on a journey of discovery. We are surprised by what we find and encouraged to go further.

Could you change the course of your life in 30 minutes? That’s what Charlotte does in “Thirty Minutes to Life.” A stained wedding dress has led her to a dry cleaner. The bride-to-be contemplates what she wants. Wise words from a kind stranger influence Charlotte’s decision between a predictable and conformist life or one where she controls her own future. Bank or dry cleaner? A young woman realizes she can choose.

Iris plans an escape with her younger sister Lily when their mother’s boyfriend becomes abusive. She knows that the house at “l989 Redwood Lane” is considered to be haunted. That’s her planned destination. They should be safe there because everyone avoids the place. Iris packs their things along with food and they run away from home. The house on Redwood Lane holds some ghostly revelations for the girls.

The Sister of the Moon collects souls and delivers them to the Dark Goddess. Although she doesn’t normally interfere with the condemned, today Sister is offering a new family if this lass desires. The judged and damned stands on the gallows ready to drop. In “Pearls and Swine” a young woman can choose to accept her fate or serve the Dark Goddess who will demand much. Should she allow the executioner to continue or remove the noose from her neck?

If you’ve read the classic science fiction book “Logan’s Run” by William F. Nolan, “Olds” will be a special treat. Set in the future, people get 60 years on Earth and then have six months to say their goodbyes and enter the Ascension. Each person is assigned a job after being tested by the Olds. Eryn was assigned to Child-Rearing. Olds declared her partner a perfect genetic match for her and joined them in a ceremony. Eryn isn’t happy. She’s not sure her feelings matter.

Family: A Writing Bloc Anthology provides a cohesive exploration of what the family unit is complete with drama, humor and horror. These families are not all conventional, but wherever and whoever they are, the stories resonate.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rCWJu3

Note: Some stories include adult content.

Book Review: The Ghosts of Manor Ren by Helen G. Huntley

By G G Collins (Copyright 2022)

Available at Amazon

At first you might think that The Ghosts of Manor Ren is just another ghost story, but there is more to it than that. Loren is a newlywed in 1945, but it is an arranged marriage and her husband Claude is inattentive at best. While he spends his time at the estate next door, Loren gets to know Manor Ren.

The lonely new wife is captivated by the sprawling three-story main house and its expansive gardens. But it is inside the mansion that claims her utmost attention. Fireplaces are being lit, furniture moved and she feels a presence. It is that presence who comforts her as she sleeps alone in the big creepy house.

It becomes more apparent that the house is alive with the past actively playing a role. Her newly hired maid senses it too. As the two women become involved with the “ghosts” in the manor, they discover all is not what it seems.

The Ghosts of Manor Ren is a delightful adult fairy tale written with romantic whimsy and a bit of truth.

Note: Adult Content

Mystery Series Now Available on New Mexico Nomad Mercado

Rachel Blackstone Mystery Series Included on New Mexico Nomad Mercado

Find my books and many great New Mexico books and products at: https://newmexiconomad.com/product/anasazi-medium-rachel-blackstone-paranormal-mysteries-book-4/ Follow New Mexico Nomad on Twitter @505Nomad for art, culture, history and flavor of New Mexico. Read my books for even more.

Free Book Friday / In Conversation With Author G.G. Collins

My thanks to Leon Stevens for the interview.

Lines by Leon

About the interviews:

When I published my first book, I looked for ways to reach new readers, and being a brand new author, participating in various book bloggers interviews was a good way to start. Some interviews were standard questions, while others had more individuality built into them.

I then did a twist on the author interview by interviewing myself (Leon Interviews Himself). I then thought it would be fun to get to know some of the authors I was cross-promoting with, and the Friday Conversations were born. Guess what? They are a lot of work. I look up the authors information, visit the website so I can craft a unique set of questions (OK, there are a few standard ones) to let my readership get to know these new authors. Worth the work? You bet. Here is today’s conversation:

G.G. Collins loves the southwestern US where many…

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Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays from Santa Fe

New Mexico’s Supervolcano

The Valles Caldera is Only Dormant

By G G Collins (Copyright 2021)

Excerpt from Anasazi Medium, Chapter 8

Yellowstone isn’t the only supervolcano in the United States. The Valles Caldera is located in northern New Mexico in close proximity to the Los Alamos National Labs (LANL) and the Rio Grande. An eruption from the dormant, but not extinct, volcano could cause significant interruptions to life or extinguish life depending on the force of the eruption. Some of you will recognize the Valles Caldera as the location of the Longmire sheriff’s ranch.

Images, except the above, are from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science.

We pick up with an interview which journalist Rachel Blackstone is having with character Professor Axel Saxon at the University of New Mexico, Earth and Planetary Science. We join them with the interview already in progress.

“How dangerous is the Valles Caldera?” Rachel asked.

“It is considered a young supervolcano in that it erupted 1.25 million years ago. It’s geothermal and responsible for the hot springs that populate the area. We also know it is dormant, not extinct. The caldera is about 20 kilometres or 13 miles wide. A supervolcano isn’t one eruption, but multiple eruptions occurring at once. When the volcanic pressure cooker just can’t take anymore and it releases pent up energy in many places.”

He showed Rachel another map showing the resurgent lava dome, called Redondo Peak, and the smaller domes around it.

“If it were to erupt again,” Rachel asked. “What force are we talking about?”

“Supervolcanoes have an eruption of magnitude eight,” Saxon paused. “That’s the largest on the VEI or Volcanic Explosivity Index.”

“So this type of eruption really isn’t within our experience in the near past?” Rachel asked.

“No. You’ve heard of Pinatubo, Krakatau and a U.S. volcano called Mount St. Helens?”

Rachel nodded.

“These are inconsequential by comparison to the Valles Caldera. Even Crater Lake and Tambora are smaller. Only the Yellowstone supervolcano is larger.”

“Are you aware that the last time the Yellowstone erupted that ash and dead animal bones were found as far away as Nebraska? The three Yellowstone eruptions we know about produced enough ash to fill the Grand Canyon and were 2500 times larger than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. Today, if Yellowstone went off it would immediately kill 90,000 people. Those not dead would be standing calf-deep in ash. The nuclear winter to follow could cause famine as the great breadbasket of the world, the States, would likely not be able to grow much.”

“What would the results be of a Valles Caldera eruption?” Rachel asked.

“First there would be the ash fallout to consider. Not only would any planes in the area be at risk of losing engine performance and therefore crash, but water contamination could result and rooftop collapse. That is especially a problem for flat roofs that can be found all over our area, but especially prominent in Santa Fe due to the Pueblo architecture.

Tent Rocks (Kasha-Katuwe) was created with volcanic ash fallout, perhaps 1/4 mile thick. Enough to have cooked a moderate-sized city.

“Agriculture would be adversely affected, maybe not even possible. Livestock would become ill and die from breathing the ash and gases.

“People would also experience health issues and some, maybe many, would die. It would depend on the size of the eruption.

Notice the proximity of Los Alamos (LANL) to the Valles Caldera.

“We don’t even know how it would affect power-producing plants. And yes, we don’t know if the damage to the LANL would be sufficient to release plutonium and other nuclear materials into the air. If so, that could be cataclysmic in terms of loss of life.

“As to the influence on the country and the world; again, depending on the size of eruption, it could bring about the nuclear winter where ash would block the sun and make agriculture impossible. And this brings me to the most lasting product of supervolcanoes: worldwide famine, millions—maybe billions—of refugees, satellite disruption and the crash of world financial markets.”

“Good god,” Rachel said. “All because a New Mexico volcano wakes up.”

Buy Anasazi Medium at: https://amzn.to/3cHlUEA

Thanks for reading.

Memorial Day

A lonely bugle reveille in Arlington National Cemetery.

Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Share an Excerpt from a previous books 2021 – #Psychic #Thriller Reluctant Medium (Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mysteries Book 1) by G G Collins

My thanks to Sally and Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore for the addition to her shelves and this new excerpt from Reluctant Medium.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

We put a great deal of effort into promoting our new, recent and upcoming books but often our previous releases get sidelined.

In this latest series I am offering authors in theCafe and Bookstorea chance to promote an earlier book (not your most recent) by sharing an excerpt from the book of 500 words. At the end of the post you can find out how to participate.Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Share an Excerpt from a previous books 2021

Today GG Collins is sharing an excerpt from  Reluctant Medium (Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mysteries Book 1)

About the book

The shaman told Rachel: “Allow the power to flow through you. Don’t try to capture it. You wish only to borrow it.”

All Rachel Blackstone wants is to talk with her father; solve the mystery of how he died. Using a Native American ceremony given to her by a shaman…

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99 Cents Book Promo 5/7/2021

Reluctant Medium 3-day Sale: 99 Cents

The shaman told Rachel: “Allow the power to flow through you. Don’t try to capture it. You wish only to borrow it.”

All Rachel Blackstone wants is to talk with her father; solve the mystery of how he died. Using a Native American ceremony given to her by a shaman, she summons him in this paranormal mystery. Instead, a soul intent on revenge slips through and threatens people she loves. Now the Santa Fe, New Mexico reporter must follow the evil spirit, uncover its purpose and send it back. But how?

See our ad in eReaderIQ 5/7/2021 under Daily Deals & Steals: Mystery & Thriller Category. Special price good through Sunday.

Review: “I totally enjoyed reading “The Reluctant Medium,” and am thankful to see it is a series, so I can look forward to more. A very fast-paced story …“– Mallory Anne-Marie Forbes, Mallory Heart Reviews

GG Collins Added to Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore

Welcome Smorgasbord Cafe & Bookstore Readers

Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – New Author on the Shelves – #Psychic #Thriller – Anasazi Medium (Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mysteries Book 4) by G G Collins

Delighted to welcome G G Collins to the Cafe and Bookstore with her books and I am featuring her fourth book in her paranormal series, the Psychic Thriller – Anasazi Medium (Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mysteries Book 4)

To read more, https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2021/04/20/smorgasbord-cafe-and-bookstore-new-author-on-the-shelves-psychic-thriller-anasazi-medium-rachel-blackstone-paranormal-mysteries-book-4-by-g-g-collins/