Dangerous Women by Hope Adams is one of those books that nearly made Book of the Year for me in 2021, but it was up against terrific competition! It’s my featured book for my A2ZChallenge post today. But if you write, published or not, and you feel the need for a regular check-in with some like-minded people, take a look at the Insecure Writers Support Group pages. There’s a huge amount of useful information there, but most importantly, a place to sign up and join in with the monthly posts.
This is my Insecure Writers Support Group post, in which we share our successes and failures as writers, our insecurities, in fact. Anyone can join in, just sign up at the IWSG Sign-up page, write a blog post on the first Wednesday of the month, and go back to that sign up page to link with everyone else–or a goodly sample. Our host is Alex J Cavanaugh, and cohosting this month are:
Nancy Gideon, Natalie Aguirre and me!
And the IWSG question of the month is…
Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? If you’re at the start of the journey, what are your goals?
My answer: if the first one was the Princelings of the East and its two follow-ups, then yes I remember writing them. But it was just for fun, and to entertain my friends. I had no plans for a career in writing, and still don’t. I do try to do it as professionally as I can, though.
One of the most difficult things about writing is to market oneself. That’s why I blog. And one of the most important blogging events of the year is the A2Z Challenge. If you don’t do it, check it out and see what others are doing, and maybe join in next year.
And now for today’s Blogging from A to Z Challenge
The plan for the month is to feature daily a book I’ve reviewed in the past (or review it that day), and also highlight others: not all are included each day.
- review/featured
- spacetime challenge (I host this reading challenge – you can join here)
- middle grade (childrens) choice
- series (love a good series – there’s a challenge for finishing those, too)
- ‘notable’ reads
- ‘outstanding’ books
- my books!
Featured Book: Dangerous Women by Hope Adams
This gripping adventure features several women who are convicted of crimes warranting deportation to Australia. You know the sort of crime: stealing a loaf of bread, begging on the street… But one of them is in for something worse–murder. She manages to impersonate one of the others sent on the transport ship, thus escaping the gallows. Events on the ship are the most part of the story, and it’s as good a whodunnit as on any land, modern cosy mystery, thriller or whatever. What made it extra special for me, was the way Hope Adams weaves this very believable story from a few strands of history, recorded in a log book, in a census, in a court record… and a marriage report! It’s a historical tale of crime on the high seas, and I loved it. Read my review here.
Spacetime and series
Dining Out with the Ice Giants by Clare O’Beara: Despite being the second in the series, I recommend starting the Dining Out series (4 in total) with this one. It’s a snappy tale of two mismatched journalists in a future London, doing undercover investigations into the maltreatment of the foreign workers… in this case from Uranus and Neptune. Hah! You wondered where the space bit came in! I got totally addicted to this series, and finished it last year. I still think this one is best, the first is a tad long, the third is brilliant, the last takes a while to hit the heights. I love them all.
Want another series, fantasy if not space or time? Look no further than Discworld. I got it mixed up with the Gormenghast thing which I hated, but I’m finally back on the right track. I’ve a lot of catching up to do!
A Middle Grade recommendation
Deeplight by Frances Hardinge. I was nervous of reading Deeplight because I hadn’t really liked The Lie Tree, for which she is arguably better known. But I just peeked at my review and remembered everything I loved about this one. It’s beautifully written, and imaginative… you might as well read my review – or just the book.
Something Cozier?
I read a lot of crime, but I don’t write it. I have too many blogging friends who do it brilliantly. My one peeve is that so many cozies go for titles starting with Death. It’s hard to know whose series is whose.
If you don’t know who to go for, go for Rebecca M Douglass’s delightful JJ MacGregor and her troubles on Pismawallops Island, starting with Death by Icecream. If you fancy a trip to Maine, go with Noelle (N A) Granger’s Rhe Brewster starting with Death in a Red Canvas Chair.
And Noelle has just launched the latest Rhe Brewster, which sounds really scary. Check it out on Noelle’s blog or watch the trailer…
Outstanding Books
I’ll finish D with the outstanding book of 2022 for me: The Darkness Manifesto by Johann Ekloff. It’s a serious, but engrossing and very readable look at what we are doing to ourselves and everything on our planet by lighting it up where and when we shouldn’t be.
It seems to me, the food chain is going to collapse from lack of the lower-order species before we fry from climate change. I’ve been working on the wrong problem for the last twenty years. Apologies to my IWSG friends who got this recommended in December, too 🙂
Turn off the lights.
Have you got some good reading recommendations beginning with D?
That’s all for today, so come back tomorrow for more. I’m hoping to meet more people who like the same kinds of book, so feel free to recommend something you’ve read beginning with the letter of the day!
Dangerous women sounds great, mixing mystery with history, especially from a woman’s angle. I might give it a go! 🙂
So many books here Jemima.. loads to think about 💜
It’s only going to get worse, Willow!
I think you should! Also watch out for L, P and R which all challenged it for supremacy!
Dangerous Women ? A must . And all the others too,
Darkness Manifesto – Another absolute must, thanks for the reminder. . Every night, unless it’s raining – we have the wonder of dark skies At full moon, we can follow the example of the Lunar Men – or the nursery rhyme – the moon doth shine as bright as day.
I’m not sure that I know that poem, Esther. I’m now thinking about the one that goes ‘the sun was shining in the sky, shining with all its might. And that was odd because it was the middle of the night!’ (Lewis Carroll, I think)
I like the cover for “Dangerous Women”. I’ve added “Deeplight” to my TBR after reading your review 🙂 You might like “The Devouring Gray” — it was my D post last year. This year’s D is a bit meh, but you’re welcome to take a look!
Ronel visiting for D:
My Languishing TBR: D
Dichotomy of the Sasabonsam
Well I’ve added ‘the Devouring Gray’ but I’m not sure that it’s really my thing–and there are plenty more on your list that I’ll probably be adding later!
My first story also ended up being my first book. But not without a total re-write!
Thanks for co-hosting today.
You’re welcome 🙂
Dangerous Women sounds great. I love stories that start with snippets of history. Thanks for the review and thank you for hosting IWSG today.
You’re also welcome, Liza, thanks!
Thanks for co-hosting with me today. I agree that marketing is one of the most daunting aspects of getting published, which is why I’m not sure I want to be published.
Well, there is always the option of not doing any marketing… and thanks for co-hosting, too!
You wrote about your stories “it was just for fun, and to entertain my friends.” Isn’t that what Mary Shelley did with her Frankenstein story? Nothing wrong with writing for fun. Good luck with the A2Z challenge.
Thanks for cohosting this month.
I think you’re right there. I’m noting a Year without Summer for Y… that is when she wrote it.
Thanks for the shout-out! And I promise the next series won’t all start with “Death” 🤣. Writing because it is fun. That may the best way, with no pressure but our own.
You might like to check out N as well….
Love the title!
It is good, isn’t it 🙂
Whew! That’s a lot of books and I’ve only heard of ONE of them! Thanks for the recommendations and for hosting the IWSG this month.
Ah, but you had heard of one of them! Some blogs I go to and I don’t know any of them!
Thanks for co-hosting, Jemima. And thanks for the book review. I remember the learning about Australia’s history in school, and how they sent prisoners there to coloninate. What a way to start of country. The books sounds interesting.
I recommend it, Joylene. It’s slightly different from the typical convict-shipped-abroad type of story.
You are a Reader! I’m blown away with all your choices here. I love cozies. Thanks for the recommendations! And thanks for co-hosting!
Well, I try. I mean, all those thousands of lives we can live when we read! Thanks for visiting.
Thanks for the great reviews! And the reminder about A to Z. I’m not participating this year, which is a bummer. I am challenging myself to write a poem a day in April, so next year, I’ll make them an A to Z poetic challenge. 🙂
I think there’s a NaPoWriMo – national poem writing month which sometimes happens in April. Are you doing that? Good luck!
I’ve seen some A2Z blogs doing poems, as well 🙂
Hi,
I haven’t read Dangerous Women, but the title intriques me.
Shalom shalom
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
It’s a great title, isn’t it. And Dangerous? To whom?
Seriously, Jemima, you have some awesome books here. I like the Dangerous Women premise. It sounds truly intriguing. Thank you for co-hosting this month’s IWSG question. All best to you!
Yes I think the D was quite easy; some of the other letters I was really hunting for some reasonable books. But… they’ve all got some choice.
Awesome post, Jemima! You are my inspiration!! Thanks for joining me this month on IWSG!
Aw! You are too kind! Likewise on the co-hosting, awesome person 🙂
What a great post, Jemima! I enjoyed your descriptions/reviews of the books. Dangerous Women looks like a great book. I really enjoy Rebecca Douglass’s books. She was a co-author with me in Voyagers. I should probably read Death by Adverb ~ lol! Trying to do the A-Z would put me over the edge. Wishing you success and sanity as you tackle the A-Z. Hugs to you!
Thanks Louise. I think the trick to the A-Zs it is to have all the posts done before the end of March. I just about made it this year, and most of my content is old reviews – although I did have to hunt for a lot of covers.
Dangerous Women sounds like an engaging book. My paternal line in America started with a couple being sent to VA from England. I can relate to some of the story.
Good to see you take on another A to Z Challenge!
Lee
I think the story the convicts went through whether shipped east or west is amazing especially when some of them were really just trying not to starve.
Nice to see you too Lee!
Earlier this year, I had thought about trying the A to Z challenge, but given the way life got upended at the end of February, I’m glad I didn’t. Have fun with yours, though.
I’m sorry to hear that things have got very complicated. I can understand. The trouble I am in with my hands and wrists started from mid-January and I think if I haven’t already got as far as I had I would’ve had to give up. But having got to about letter M by mid feb it was easier to finish off one letter every other day.
Especially after I learnt to use the dictation software in my Mac!
Excellent post! Thank you for all of the recommendations. Dangerous Women – the title itself is compelling. Thank you for co-hosting IWSG this month. Enjoy the A-Z challenge!
Thanks, Diedre!
You wrote, “One of the most difficult things about writing is to market oneself.” This seems to be common with seasoned writers and beginners. The A to Z challenge sounds interesting.
I think for many people it’s difficult to market oneself, writing or not. I spent some time as an independent consultant and it’s just as hard. I’m much better at selling other people!
Marketing is so hard and so draining. (For me at least). Where do I find out more about this A to Z Challenge?
I’m surprised I didn’t link the A-Z to its website! It’s still not too late to join in if you check the post for 26th of March.
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/2023/03/atozchallenge-2023-master-list-sign-up.html
Sounds like the letter D is the perfect letter for mystery! Thanks for co-hosting!
You’re welcome, Loni. 🙂
So many books to check out. Thanks.
There are lots of book recommendations in the A-Z this year so I think you better be careful, Olga!
Thanks so much for the plug, Jemima! I am heading to my Kindle to download Dangerous Women!
And another TBR gets filled up!
Thanks for co-hosting this month. Here are a few good “D” titles. The IWSG anthology
Dark Matter: Artificial, Dragon of the Stars, Deep Point of View, and Dead in the Dinghy.
I know I’ve got Dark Matter and I think I’ve also read it–but if I have, I would’ve reviewed it so I wondered why I didn’t include it here.
Darn it! I forgot about AtoZ this year. Too much going on. I’ve always enjoyed participating and I love your theme. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
It’s the first time I’ve done it for quite a few years on the blog, but I started putting it together around Christmas. I listed the books and then by mid January I had already drafted half the posts.This is just as well as I haven’t been able to type much recently. I finalised Z last Sunday 🙂
Hi Jemima. Thank you for co hosting today. And for those stellar recommendations. The Death by series sounds really intriguing.
I have to say Sonia that I am honoured to know these fantastic writers who write “Death by” series so wonderfully. Thanks for visiting.
Blogging is a good way to market. And all the social media. And desperately hoping to find people who like “your kind” of books in “your genre.” Not easy. But that’s how it goes. Gotta fight to have your story told.
Happy IWSG day! Here’s a giveaway- rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4fa90ac761
It’s April, so I’m focused on the #AtoZChallenge.
Proof of Existence, book two in my dark urban fantasy series, is out this month.
I’m running another giveaway on my blog.
J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Reference& Speculative Fiction Author, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, and Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge
Thanks, J. I hope your launch day for Proof of Existence went well.
Marketing is definitely draining at times. Wow at all the book reviews!
Well, I’ve been doing the reviews over a long time now. I think the earliest one during this A2Z is possibly 2013.
Thank you for hosting IWSG this month AND for recommending Dangerous Women. I too was inspired by the Rajah Quilt; this is the first time I’ve seen a story that dives into what these women experienced . . . You are an amazing reviewer!
Thank you, Beth. I found the whole background to the story fascinating.
A lot of great books here,wow. Thank you for all the recommendations.
You’re welcome, Juneta!
A great selection there. You can’t go wrong with Discworld and Rebecca’s books are a lot of fun. I’m intrigued by Dangerous Women, too.
There are a lot of great Ds to choose from! Thanks for checking them out, Nick 🙂
Writing for fun is the best reason to start writing.
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