Having lived through the Vietnam era, Dan Antion and Willow Willers’ novel, Poetic Justice, carved a special place in my heart as I read it. As Dan wrote in his dedication, “to the people who lost their lives in Vietnam… and the people who returned from service but did not receive the honor, respect, appreciation, and medical care they deserved.”
Amazon’s Blurb describing Book 2 of the Rascal Todd series made me want to read the book.
“Trevor Barcroft enlists the help of crime and mystery writer Brody Thompson to help solve his father’s murder — a murder the police and the FBI have been ignoring for five years. Trevor is convinced he knows who killed his father. Brody doesn’t agree, but he becomes convinced that there is much more to the story than anyone is sharing. He takes a strong interest in the murder and a series of related crimes.
Rascal Todd wants to help, but her editor keeps her away from the story. Why? What was Wilson Barcroft doing at Gateway Park the night he was killed? Who is the mysterious Poet? What do the odd bits of poetry he has spread around tell us? Is the Poet still alive? Will he survive? Will Brody and Trevor find the answers—will they survive?
Join Rascal and her friends and coworkers as they try to help from the sidelines without becoming targets in an ever-growing list of deadly crimes. Real life turns out to be far more dangerous than any fiction Brody could create as the history of a war long over comes back to haunt the city of Pittsburgh.”
******
It seems that digging up old, case-closed mysteries is always a recipe for disaster. This one was ripe for disaster. Led along by the poet’s cryptic clues, the hero of the story stumbled along in a maze of dead ends and threats on his life. Yet he persisted, despite the fact that he had no reason, no connection, no vindictiveness in his pursuit of solving the mystery. I really liked Brody Thompson and his dedication. He wasn’t without fear, but he was fearless.
The story had an equally opposite bad guy in the person of Professor Austin McGuire, also known as Miggs. You couldn’t like him no matter how you tried, but was he the murderer? When he got upset at the Rascal, the reporter who quoted him legally, for not asking permission, he lost any respect he might have earned from me.
The poems drove the story. They became the personification of the homeless man who wrote them and left them in strategic locations. He piqued their curiosity and made them work hard to figure out the mysteries behind this case – or at least he kept me wondering what was going to happen next.
For mystery lovers, this is a top-notch read. I also love the cover and the story behind it.
Dan Antion and Willow Willers are two talented and long-time close blogging friends. Their blogs are linked to their names. The schedule for their blog tours is listed in the link for Willow.
CFFC Vanishing Points (click Dan’s Name Above)
Dan has such a heart. When our friend Cee Neuner passed, he kept her challenge, Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, going. This week’s challenge fit our trip last week to Lodi, where we met our son and his wife for breakfast at a fabulous place called Appellation Lodi Resort and Spa. These pictures happened to have great vanishing points. I noticed that my portrait pictures worked much better for this challenge.
Great ideas for our new garden next year!
Work fire hydrant as a puzzle.
Speaking of Book Reviews
I want to thank Gwen Plano for her lovely book review on Amazon.
For those who have trouble reading the small print, this is what she had to say.
A Lovely Read
“Embracing the Power to Live is a memoir written primarily in the form of poetry. Readers travel with the author as she shares both the challenges of life and the joys. Although it is an unusual approach, the pages turn quickly, just as one’s heart does. There are photos, memories, and quotes that linger, and there is the writing skill itself, which is beautiful. I found this book to be a lovely read.”
Visit Gwen’s lovely blog. This is her Tanka Tuesday post. Gwen lives very near Prescott, AZ, and yet I never had the privilege of meeting her, which I count as a great loss. Gwen is the author of seven books, which you can access on Gwen’s page on Amazon. I just ordered her book about discovering the extraordinary after abuse, and I have also read her wonderful book, The Gift, which is part of the Harbor Point Series.
Congratulations to Gwen for her many accomplishments in life. You can read about them on her about page of her website.
Thanks again, Gwen.
Sunday Stills – Stay Safe in the Water
My experiences in the water can’t compare to Terri’s. I’m not afraid of it, but it isn’t good to go alone, and neither of my husbands, nor most of my friends, are water people. However, I’ve been fortunate to have been included on a couple of great trips.
If you read my comment on Terri’s post, you’ll know that I almost lost my life because I delayed putting on my life jacket. I thought being able to swim was good enough. I got it fastened just before we left the calm water and went over the first rapids on the Sandy River near Portland, Oregon. I enjoyed the rapids from underneath the canoe. Click on the heading to see more safety tips.
Tanka Tuesday Snuggles Between Challenges
This week Tanka Tuesday hosted by Grace from d’verse invites poets to try their hands at synesthesia, mixing the senses. Colleen made it look easy. I make it look hard. You can try it and decide.
cotton candy clouds
lounge on delphinium skies
pincushion mountain
peaks defend muffled ripples
for saffron serenity
All of my photos today were taken by my cell phone and processed in Lightroom for John Steiner’s Cell Pic Sunday.
Becky B’s Squares
The Queen of Squares started a new challenge this month called “Simply Red.”
I hope you’ve been enjoying some Iced coffee while you’ve been reading
This week Natalie the Explorer has found some beautiful reds. I hope you’ll visit her blog and link as well.
Story Chat Next Week
Changing up Story Chat happens constantly. Next week we will honor other flash fiction writing challenges and some of their authors. Stay tuned. Speaking of summer safety, don’t forget to visit Darlene Foster’s summer adventure short story, “Was That A Scream?.” Coming up in August, Yvette Prior has written an Uncle Ted murder mystery. Look for that on August 5. Sandwiched between everything else is July Poetry Day on July 22. Openings are still available for your poems. 🙂 xxx
I Still Love Reviews
Let me know you you write a much-appreciated review so I can stop by and say hi, and push it on my blog. 🙂 xxx
Have a great week. Be safe! x x x x x
Marsha Ingrao Always Write 
78 responses to “Book Review: Poetic Justice, Gwen Plano’s Review, & Challenges Over a Cuppa”
[…] however absolutely fine to combine your challenges, to go on beautiful searches and to share your red passion whilst enjoying a […]
LikeLike
Hi Marsha, this post is packed with lovely information. Congratulations to Dan and Willow on your review of their book and to you for Gwen’s review of your book. I appreciated Gwen’s memoirs very much when I read it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am going to read them soon. My TBR list is bigger than my brain and faster than my speed of reading.
LikeLike
I know, I am a fast reader but I’m not Supergirl. I have so many books on my TBR it might explode.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahaha! Bang!
LikeLike
☄️💥🔥
LikeLike
[…] related to my next installment for the Uncle Ted story, which will be featured August 5th, 2025 for Marsha’s Story Chat. The next installment for the fictional Uncle Ted series is coming in […]
LikeLike
I find it difficult to write to certain spacific prompts… not being an English Major I often get hung up. So generally I don’t follow many rules. I just hope things work out when I try to follow a few, like the last TT Prompt. I didn’t think I did well, but it seems to have worked out. I like your verse, I think you’ve got quite a few mixed senses in there.
Yes, always be safe on the water. I’ve done some kayaking, but never down falls! Most of my family aren’t water people either. But I do get to enjoy the ocean while on vacations 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jules, I’ve spoken English all my life, have a master’s degree, was a teacher and consultant in the areas of math, language arts, and social science. My grammar stinks even though I’ve always scored 90 percent above on tests. I struggle with prompts and almost never can write on demand. I don’t know why that is, but it is not unique to you. Your poems are amazing. Let’s just keep on doing what we do and loving it! 🙂 xxxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I have always written mostly for my own enjoyment. Some verses I like better than others. My idea is that if only one person – even if it isn’t me – has enjoyed what I wrote than it was worth the effort to write it.
So – Thank you! I’ve basically been writing since I was 10 or 11. So writing is just as natural as breathing to me. I’m glad that, that shows at least occasionally 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great coffee share, Marsha. That red fire hydrant photograph is eye-catching.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love red, don’t you? I guess that’s why hamburger restaurants’ signs and logos are primarily red and yellow! 🙂 xxx Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I did enjoy some ice coffee while reading through your lovely blog post, enjoying the photos, and became intrigued enough by the book review at the beginning to look for the book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Maria. I love that you were intrigued. I guess that’s why we all write book reviews! It’s rewarding when someone chooses a book because of them. 🙂 xxx
LikeLike
such a great hydrant
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, the whole place was so inviting and colorful. I loved the fire hydrant best, though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You surprised me, this week. I’d known that Cee N. wasn’t doing well, but I somehow missed the word that she had passed on. As paths cross and merge, and roads twist and turn, I somehow lost track of her posts, not noticing her absence until your post here. Sad face.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad face indeed. Thanks, my friend. Hugs to Lynn. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful review Marsha.
Really loved your poem 👏👏
Thsnk you for sharing the lovely photographs too xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Maggie. BTW, I’d love to feature some of your poems on Story Chat if you have some unpublished ones. Poetry week is July 22, if you’re interested.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Marsha
That is very kind of you.
I have a zillion unpublished ones .
That would be awesome!
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great! You should have my email. I am honored to publish some of your poetry! 🙂 xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks again Marsha 🤗 will be in touch soon xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent! I look forward to it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yayy
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely review Marsha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sadje! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome my friend
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful review . Nice poem. Marsha 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Raj. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most welcome Marsha 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Wonderful post, Marsha! I love your poem. It’s beautiful!
Yvette M Calleiro :-)http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Yvette. 🙂 xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice reds, Marsha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Janet. I like red. How are you?
LikeLike
We’re doing well. I was wondering just yesterday how you were doing.😁. I miss being able to get together so easily.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, We do too. We mention you name fairly often when we are talking about AZ. I think we will be back to visit in the winter. You know V loves to play poker. I foresee a visit when the weather gets cooler here – and there! LOL Enjoy the heat. We’re about 15 to 20 degrees behind you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds good. I still want to get out and visit you at some point. That might happen this fall because we may be in LA for about three weeks visiting our daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. It wouldn’t be hard to come up to your place for a short visit. Perhaps in the meantime, we should FaceTime or chat on the phone at some point.😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds good. I’m better at phone than FT. I can’t get the phone far enough from my face to feel comfortable showing it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marsha, I hosted, but got the synesthesia idea from Grace on her dVerse post. Anyway, I loved cotton candy clouds, delphinium skies, and pincushion mountains. This is a fun way to create more sensory drama in our syllabic poetry. 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it! Like I said, I need to add that sort of imagery to my story.
LikeLike
What a great overview of some of my favorite blog posts. I needed a break from editing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahaha! As many words as you write, I can’t even imagine. It takes me about 6-10 hours to write and edit a blog post. Can you imagine me writing your books? I can’t even imagining doing all the research and never writing a word. 🙂 xxx I’m in awe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hooboy that is daunting. That explains why they are all so good. I never find mistakes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, that’s great to hear. When I first started blogging, I even got spammers telling me that my blog was “rife with errors!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love reading your Over a Cuppa posts, Marsha! Excellent review of Dan and Willow’s book! I finally downloaded yours to my Kindle! Thank you for sharing your kayak images and your experience over on my post! Hair-raising, if yours hadn’t been wet! I believe you are the queen of double-dipping the challenges now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hardly, but I’m not through. I still need to link to Natalie’s on Friday. 🙂 xxx You are definitely the queen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Book Review: Poetic Justice, Gwen Plano’s Review, & Challenges Over a Cuppa […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the link, Willow. You are so welcome for the review. My pleasure.
LikeLike
I enjoyed Gwen’s review of Poetic Justice! I, too, loved Brody Thompson’s character and how the poetry is woven throughout the story with significant messages. Congratulations to Dan and Willow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Didn’t I see your review of their book on Amazon? I still need to get mine up there. It’s nice to leave the big A with a good impression! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Jan. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. I posted my review on Amazon, Goodreads and BookBub. It’s an enticing read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, BookBub, too? I’ve just recently been getting emails from them. I haven’t had time to do much exploring. I think I signed up for an author page and never got it done. I don’t know how you handle all the projects that accompany writing a book! You’ve been writing books since I met you years ago, so you must be an expert at all this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Ha! Expert??? Not by a longshot! I published my first book in 2013. It’s been a helluva journey!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe it. I thought I had reviewed one of your books, but I couldn’t find it. I started out doing reviews fairly regularly on my blog in those early days. It was so time consuming because I read almost as slowly as I write, and I get distracted by other chores. I always felt behind. Now I know that’s normal, LOL You can imagine how it is when I try to write, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much for the lovely review, Marsha. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. I know Willow will be happy with your comments about the poetry. I also love the photos you chose for CFFC. I was remain honored to carry on CFFC. I learned so much from Cee just in the photos she chose for her prompts. She led the way to thinking a little differently about those challenges.
LikeLiked by 2 people
She was one of my first friends. She introduced me to challenges. This was one that I particularly loved. I also loved her which way challenge that someone took over years ago. She really built up our community, didn’t she?
LikeLiked by 1 person
She did. So many of us are connected through those challenges.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ode to Cee.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review! I enjoyed Poetic justice, too 🙂 Congrats on your review and wonderful poem and puc for it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Denise. They wrote a fun book, and to be able to collaborate was even better. Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂 xxx
LikeLike
Wonderful spotlight on Poetic Justice, Marsha. It is so deserving of your showcase. And, thank you for sharing my review and introducing me to your readers. What a much-appreciated surprise. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so welcome. I appreciated your lovely review. I didn’t realize you had so many books. I have them on my TBR list now.
LikeLike
PS – I liked the photos for the CFFC Vanishing Points – and not sure if you have ever seen the fire hydrant photo of Cee’s – it had crackled paint and was one of my favorite photo of hers – well I think she would be a smiling to see the red hydrant in your post today!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so sweet of you to say. I think she would. She taught me so much about photography and processing photos. She was a dear friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I miss her too – I got so used to her being around the blogosphere, kind of took her for granted at times – and her passing away has been a reminder to embrace our blog friends more – because we just never know what a day will bring forth – so try and be present and all that
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, our blogging friends become more real every year. I’m almost finished with my story. I need some Beta readers to read it first. Then it’s off to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh how exciting! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Marsha, exciting post here and I liked your review of Dan & Willow’s book! I am planning on reviewing it soon, along with your book, and will let you know when I get to that (we have house guests coming and going this month and so juggling a bit).
Also, the water safety theme has been fun with Terri’s challenge (I enjoyed many of the posts I read for that) and your story – about putting the life jacket on was powerful. and a reminder to buckly up on the water – xxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! Buckle up. I didn’t link your name to your blog. I ran out of time this morning. I’ll be by later. I have an appointment soon. Dermatologist – another great water safety topic! 🙂 xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
you do such a good job with juggling what you do – and hope the derm visit went well –
LikeLiked by 1 person
She was adorable. She is 70 and looks and acts 40. So impressive. She froze a couple of spots and next time I’ll have the full body look since I had a couple of cancer spots removed last year. Meeting her gave me a lot of confidence in the medical professionals here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great review for Poetic Justice and congrats on the fabulous review on your book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Darlene for both. I now know how sweet and valuable every review is. I never realized that when I was a new blogger. I still don’t have time to review every book I read, but when someone takes as much time as Dan and Willow have with me, and I honestly enjoy the book, it’s only right to return the favor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent review, Gwen, and thanks for highlighting the works of Dan and Willow. I liked the melding of the prose and poetry. Kudos to both writers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Grant. It seems I saw a comment of yours somewhere on one of their blogs. Anyway, I appreciate your comment here. 🙂 xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person