Insecure Writer’s Support Group Blog for July 2025

Well, it’s here at last. The summer of 2025 promises to be a lot of things, but dull won’t be one of them. I continue to recover from my hip surgery and am slowly embracing different ways of working. I now write standing as well as sitting, since sitting too long makes the hip stiffen. I’m also exploring the idea of using voice to text software. I use text to voice now to edit, but we’ll see. From the few times I’ve tried it, the words that flow so easily from my fingertips seem to freeze in my mouth. I suppose it just takes practice.

July 2 question – Is there a genre you haven’t tried writing in yet that you really want to try? If so, do you plan on trying it?

This is an intriguing question for me since I’ve tried most genres that interest me. While all of my books fall into the romance genre, I have shied away from erotica and horror. I did write one book for the Christian market, but sales were abysmal. So what have I tried and left sitting on my desktop? I began a Sci-fi novel years ago, one I tried to serialise but that didn’t work. That book is far from finished and since it’s a ‘we destroyed the Earth with war and pollution and now need a new planet to call home,” I may go back to it later this year. As well, I also have the first book that I wrote, a completed story about fairies and angels and all sorts of fey creatures, that requires serious editing since it was written before I knew the finer points of writng. I head-hopped all over the place. Currently, I have a fantasy series in progress. Book One, The Awakening, in the Listen to the Stones series is live, but my surgery and other things fate has tossed my way have delayed the publication of the next three books in the series. That’s at the top of my to do pile, along with a Christmas themed story due in October.

That’s my take on things for this month. Hope the weather treats you kindly! Check out other posts here. https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Tuesday Tales: From the Word VIOLENT

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales blog and the last post from And Justice for All. I’m a few words over, but since this week’s word is VIOLENT, it’s the perfect way to leave you wanting more.

Harry entered the trailer and closed and locked the door behind him before following the sound of voices down the hall. He’d asked them to come over here after they’d finished eating, expecting to be only five or ten minutes behind them but he’d been on the phone close to twenty minutes, and none of what he’d heard was good.

Adding that news to what Maggie had discovered, he knew they were closer than ever to discovering the truth, and the possibility that it could all be drug and smuggling related made more sense than ever. Performance enhancing drugs could not only bulk up a man, but also when taken in high doses often caused irritability, anxiety, anger, aggression, sudden and violent mood swings, as well as manic symptoms and paranoia. If Lacey was right, and he had no reason to doubt her, the MMA fight club Maggie had discovered could easily be a recruitment office for the FFA. Super soldiers without empathy or control, robots ready to do everything and anything for their leader, no matter how twisted and crazed he might be.

As expected, the team had crowded into the room that Lacey used, the walls and desk covered in screens and computer equipment. He spotted Maggie standing alone off to the side of the room and leaning against the wall. He could see that she was tired. If he could spare her this, he would, but it was out of his hands now.

“Come on, Lacey,” Peter Rasmussen spoke over the murmurs of the others. “Can’t you give us a hint? I don’t know what’s keeping the boss, but I’ve been up since five and would love to get some sleep.”

“And you will,” Harry said, stepping up beside Lacey. “Or maybe you won’t after you hear what we have to tell you. I’m sorry that took so long, and yeah, it’s late, but I just got off the phone with Sam Eastman. He’s the coroner from Kingston who took the bodies to the military base for autopsy. He felt they were better equipped for a job like this, and he was right. They’ve identified the bullets used this morning.”

“Were they stainless-steel?” Eban had moved closer to him.

“Yes and no.”

“What the hell does that mean?” the ex-soldier snarled. “Are we dealing with the same killers or not?”

“I believe we are, but they’ve upped their game,” Harry admitted. “The bullets are primarily stainless-steel, but the ones used this morning had a tungsten core with a cupronickel outer shell.”

“Maudite merde.” The curse exploded from Gabe. “You’re telling us that they now have armor-piercing bullets? How are we supposed to protect ourselves from those? Our vests are practically useless.” He shook his head. “Do you have any other good news?”

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Happy Canada Day!!!

Tomorrow, July 1, is Canada Day, the day we celebrate our country’s birthday. What began as a colony of France in the sixteenth century became a British colony in the eighteenth century after a decisive battle in 1759 on the Plains of Abraham just outside of Quebec City. A few years later, in 1775, the Continental Army attempted to lay siege to Quebec, but the efforts failed. We didn’t want to be part of the US then, and we still don’t. Those Americans who felt the same way immigrated to “Upper Canada” the part of the country which today is essentially the province of Ontario. Upper Canada was established by the Constitutional Act of 1791, which divided the Province of Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada. Upper Canada was primarily settled by Loyalists, land-hungry farmers, and American frontiersmen, and it had a predominantly English-speaking population with British traditions.

During the War of 1812, the Americans again attempted to invade Canada, but the colonists and Indiginous people assisted the British army in repelling the invaders. Once more, we did not want to be part of the United States. Upper Canada became the Province of Ontario on July 1, 1867 as part of the Confederation of Canada. This act united Upper Canada (now Ontario), Lower Canada (now Quebec), Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into the Dominion of Canada, giving us freedom over our governance, but still keeping us part of the British Empire since our constitution was still in Britain and laws etc. had to be ratified by the British parliament.

The repatriation of the Canadian Constitution, also known as patriation, marked the end of Bristish control over the Constitution of Canada. This process was completed in 1982 with the passage of the Constitution Act, 1982, which included the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and an amending formula, allowing Canada to amend its own constitution without needing approval from the British Parliament. That was it. Canada became a sovereign country without any kerfuffle, and believe me we want to stay that way–Canada strong and free!

Before 1965, Canada’s flag was the Canadian Red Ensign, which featured the Union Jack in the canton (upper left corner) and the Canadian coat of arms in the fly (right side). Some places also flew the Union Jack as a symbol of our ties to Britain, but since 1965, we’ve proudly flown the Red Maple Leaf.

As a Canadian, I’m very proud of my country. We may seem quiet and reserved, polite to a fault, but don’t underestimate us. We are stong and faithful allies, friends to those in need as we’ve proven many times, and our natioanl pride is as strong as that of any other nation.

As a writer, I have set several of my books in Canada and intend to do so again in the future. To that point, two books coming out in September are both set in Canada–From Paris with Love, a rom -com, and And Justice for All, a romance-suspense. Here are my other Canadian titles. Romantic suspense includes Fire Angel, Book Two (Vengeance Is Mine) and No Good Deed, Book Four (Vengeance Is Mine). Cozy mystery is A Case of Mistaken Identity (An Evie Chambers Mystery). Mild paranormal includes Echoes of the Past(With Native American elements), and Hello Again (With Native American elements). Historival Romances are The Price of Honor, Canadiana Series, Book One, and The Price of Courage, Canadiana Series, Book Two. Romance books include The Blue Dragon, Same Time Next Year, Trouble with Eden, and Finding Melinda. For Romantic Comedy, I have The Tipsy Pig, Emerald Glow, and Sea Breeze. Finally, my winter romance books are Come Home for Christmas and Forever in my Heart.

So, to celebrate this Canada Day and learn a little more about parts of the country I call home, why not grab a copy or two? All books are available in e-Book, paperback, and on Amazon Kindle.

Happy Birthday, Canada!

 

Tuesday Tales: From the Word QUAINT

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales and the official start of summer. I know I’ve whined about the snow, the rain, and the cold, and swore not to complain about the heat when we got it, but seriously, there’s heat and there’s going under the roiler. We are in for a heat dome for the next three day. It started yesterday, but today, the mercurt will hit 34C, but with the humidex, it’ll feel like 46C, 0r 114.8 F! I can’t remember it ever getting that hot! Good day for asthmatics to stay inside and read! This week’s word is QUAINT. I’m a few words over but I hope you’ll indulge me. I’m continuing with And Justice for All, my romance/suspense.

Harry stepped back. She’d done it. After months of searching, Lacey had found the killers once more.

His gaze fixed on the detested logo, the one that had haunted his dreams for months.

“This is incredible. I’m going to put your name in for a commendation.”

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with misery. “Harry, there’s more.”

What the hell more could there be?

Lacey clicked another link. His eyes threatened to bulge out of his head. The screen displayed a series of fourteen photographs, similar to what police officers used for photo lineups with witnesses. Eleven of those pictures were seared into his mind. The nine officers who’d been assassinated had DECEASED under their photo. While Patricia Holmes and Mikela Santiago weren’t there, Maggie was as well as Peter Malloy, the officer he’d been replacing the day he’d been shot and two who were strangers to him but wore the familiar OPP uniforms. The words PENDING CONFIRMATION appeared under the four pictures. If he needed proof that Maggie was still a target, he’d found it. He moved closer to the screen once more. Why wasn’t his picture there?

Given his position, he would’ve expected it to be there since his appointment to lead the task force had been reported by all of the major news networks as part of the Making Canada’s Border More Secure Initiative. Along with the Border Czar, a quaint name for the newly created government position for a man who was supposed to be responsible for all of border security, the article had focused on the task force, the deployment of more drones and helicopter patrols, the hiring of more than a thousand new RCMP officers over the next few years, and the expanded powers given to the CBSA enabling them to search vehicles exiting as well as coming into Canada. So who were the unknown officers?

His scowled deepened. Why weren’t this morning’s dead officers there? Was it possible that their deaths weren’t part of the FFA’s crusade? That they were personal as Maggie suspected? If so, how did the FFA and its successful demonstration fit into this? Either way, these crackpots had to be stopped before the PENDING under Maggie’s name became DECEASED. He turned to Lacey.

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales. See you next week!

Tuesday Tales: From the Word BROWN

Last week I inadvertently published two scenes. Giant oops, but what’s done is done. So, this week, I’m providing you with another scene from the word BROWN.

Harry examined the picture again, his eyes drawn to the man standing in front of the others, the balaclava not hiding the mania in his deeper brown eyes. Those eyes made his blood run cold.

“Any idea which one of them is in charge?”

Lacey shrugged. “The one in front might be their version of a general, but the actual leader isn’t one of the foot soldiers in the photograph. The man in charge calls himself the Anointed and considers himself a messenger from God—think Jim Jones, David Karesh, Charles Manson, and Marshall Applewhite. This guy thinks he’s the second coming, and that his mandate is to restore order to the world by following his slightly skewed good book—think of it as an extreme version of the Old Testament, filled with fire, brimstone, and a hell of a lot of hatred. I didn’t read many of his tenets, but those I did turned my stomach. Believe me, it’s not a world in which I would want to live. He makes Adolf Hitler sound like a choir boy. His flock has a definite hierarchy. There are women there but only those from God’s anointed race. Their role in his little wonder-world is to please and support men, have babies, and accept their rightful place as possessions and servants. Anyone else who isn’t part of this chosen group isn’t even considered human. Other than needing them as slave labor, they’re dispensable—think cannon fodder in a war situation. According to the American government’s Homeland Security Department, there are more than two hundred of these homegrown militias and survivalist cults active in the US at any time. Based on CSIS files, we have a few similar groups here, but they are smaller in number and usually less lethal. That White Lightning MMA group may just be a tip of the iceberg. A few other groups showed their true colors during the pandemic when they refused to follow government mandates, but it never really came to violence. A surprising number of them are affiliated with groups in the US. There are several screens like this. When I clicked on associates, guess what I found?”

Harry huffed out a breath. “Not in the mood to play guessing games. Show me.”

She pushed a few keys and sat back.

He gasped. A logo similar to the one from the Swine Eliminators site filled the screen. With one foot atop what was obviously a dead pig stood an AI rendering of the man in camo, holding an Uzi. The words White Thunder Pest Control encircled them.

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales. See you next week!

Tuesday Tales: From the Word SANDY

Well, here we are starting the second week of June. The weather has been good here for the most part, but in other places around the globe, it’s been insane. Hope this finds you and yours safe! This week’s word prompt for Tuesday Tales is SANDY. I’m continuing with And Justice for All. Enjoy! Harry is with Lacey, his forensic specialist.

Lacey inhaled and exhaled, calming herself, but he could see it was a struggle. She walked over to the computers and pressed a key. A man’s mugshot appeared. The guy, in his mid-twenties had sandy brown hair and deep blue eyes filled with hate.

“As requested, I’ve been monitoring the progress of all cases concerning officer-involved deaths. Three weeks ago, an off-duty officer—Greg Pershing, white male, didn’t match our parameters, but I followed the case anyway—was killed in a drive-by shooting outside at restaurant popular with members of the Islamic community. The Toronto police arrested his killer yesterday when the idiot decided to hold up a liquor store in a crowded mall, carrying the same gun. Idiot was high and probably too stupid to realize that the first thing they would do was check the ballistics on the gun.”

“So, he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.” Harry shook his head. “Why is this relevant if Officer Pershing wasn’t one of ours?”

“Nothing and everything,” she answered cryptically. “John Lennox, 28, has a rap sheet as long as your arm, but in the past, it’s been things like petty larceny, civil disobedience, indecent exposure, drunk and disorderly, and stuff like that. He’s quite mouthy one of the ‘I don’t recognize your authority’ crowd. I have a close friend on the force, so when I read that the gun was the one used, I called him for details. In addition to being a royal pain in thre ass, Lennox is a member of a pretty sketchy MMA club that calls itself White Lightning. It’s been on the Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s radar for some time. Apparently, many of those organizations attract young men who suffer from what’s been dubbed the male loneliness epidemic … guys lacking connections and emotional support. Sadly, some of those would-be alpha males are jerks and prefer to listen to like-minded influencers and blame women, minorities and DEI policies for their problems than try to change themselves and deal with their issues. The caveman tactics don’t work for most women. They’re looking for partners not chest-pounding gorillas who would lord it over them. A lot of these men find connections with incels, the involuntary celibate, and we both know innocent women die at their hands far too often. To make matters worse, CSIS has found that several of these MMA clubs have suspected links to a world-wide white supremacists organizations.”

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Tuesday Tales From the Word BROWN

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. The situation is ramping up. Time to meet the enemy. Our word is BROWN. I’m continuing where I left off last week with And Justice for All.

Harry wasn’t sure he’d followed all of that since she’d spoken rapidly, but the few points he did grasp were significant. He followed her over to her elaborate computer station with its four screens, each one on a different site or program.

The image on the main screen was now that of a man in desert camo fatigues, holding an Uzi, his face covered by a brown balaclava and sunglasses. At least half a dozen similarly clad men stood behind him. Cowards, like the KKK of old, they hid their faces from the world while they spewed hatred, racism, misogyny, and anarchy. He’d seen a few of these groups over the years, and never once had it been good.

“Another Jihadist site? So who do these guys hate? You said he was killed outside a restaurant favored by Muslims?”

“Not Jihadist. Worse.” Lacey clicked on the arrow. The screen changed. “Essentially, this site caters to Christian, English-speaking, pure-white males, and encourages violence against everyone else, especially women, what they consider the impure races, and those who defy what they accept as the right way to love.”

Words written in bold, red letters appeared on the screen. It was a call to arms, a declaration of war against anyone and anything they didn’t approve of or respect.

Harry stared at them. He read through some mumbo-jumbo meant as a preamble and the paragraphs that followed. Was there anyone these guys didn’t hate? Women, people of color, non-Christians, the LGBTQ+, immigrants regardless of their country, origins, or abilities, and at the top of the list, were police officers and those who enforced what they saw as illegal laws.

“Is this for real?”

Lacey nodded.

“Unfortunately, and that makes them very dangerous. Like the Kamikaze pilots during the war and the people who blow themselves up to make a point, there’s no reasoning with them.”

Harry ran his hand through his hair. He would find time to get a haircut if it killed him.

“They’re crazy. At least half of what’s written here is bull crap. While that might sound intelligent to someone who doesn’t know any better, everything here is a blatant lie.”

“Well, from what I can see, the site gets thousands of hits every day.”

“Thousands? You’ve got to be kidding me!”

If thousands believed this and openly followed the nonsense, how many others were hiding in the weeds, ready to join the cause?

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Week Six Complete: On the Road Again!

For those who’ve been following the progress of my hip replacement surgery, I’m pleased to report that after six weeks, I’m truly almost back to normal. For the first time in more than three years, I’m walking without a cane or a walker. I have a slight limp, but that will resolve itself in time. The best news? Not only do I have no pain, I have permission to drive again.

I never realized how liberating it is to be able to come and go as I pleased. The past six months, I’ve relied on others to drive me around, especially before the surgery when moving my right leg was slow and painful and made driving dangerous for me. Now, I’m almost back to normal. I’m still not allowed to bend over from either a sitting or standing position, climb a ladder, run, or use a trampoline, but I’m getting good at using the grabber. Since I can’t bend, I still need help with groceries–little short T-Rex arms can’t grab what’s in the bottom of the cart– laundry, making meals, and cleaning up, but I gain more mobility each day. It’s been interesting watching my husband master the jobs I’ve done for so many years. I hope he continues to help out when all this is over.

So, later today, I will go pick up a prescription by myself. I will make a quick visit to the market for a charcuterie tray for the company coming tomorrow. Next week, I will make appointments with the hairdresser, the manicurist for a mani-pedi, and see about renewing my driver’s license and health card which are up for renewal on my birthday. I may even just get in the car and drive around because I can.

Each day, I do my exercise and walk as required. Life is wonderful again. Now, if we can only get some decent summer weather!

Have a wonderful weekend.

IWSG Monthly Blog, June 2025

Welcome to my post for the IWSG’s monthly blog. I’m pleased to report that my hip surgery was successful, and that I am on the mend, pain-free, and walking without any aids. Spring has tried to bring warmer weather, but I’m hoping summer will do the trick.

This month’s question: June 4 question – What were some books that impacted you as a child or young adult?

I was a big fan of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys for as long as I can recall. I also read about the adventures of the Bobbsey twins, Annette, Donna Parker, and many others. Perhaps that’s why I inevitably add suspense of some sort to all my books regardless of the genre.

When I got older, I drifted toward historical romance and books about Ancient Rome, Greece, and Egypt, but there was always a dash of suspense in them ae well.

What about you? What kind of books made an impression on you?

Check out what others have said here. https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Tuesday Tales: From the Word HAPPY

Welcome to June, 2025 and this week’s Tuesday Tale scene based on the word HAPPY. I’m continuing with my Romance/Suspense, And Justice for All. Enjoy!

“It was only going to be for a few months, while Liam recovered from the surgery, but then COVID hit, and I couldn’t risk my son being around too many different people. She worked for a private nursing agency. I offered her full-time work, with room and board, and she took it. She’s the grandmother he never had—hell, she’s a better mother than the one who walked out on him. I don’t know what I would’ve done without her around to look after him during those critical months, and given the hours we work … He’s happy with her, and what pleases him makes me happy, too.” He rubbed her shoulder, wishing he could pull her into his arms, but while they may have cleared the air on this, there were still a lot of issues to deal with before he could open his heart to her and hope hers wasn’t permanently closed to him. He smiled down at her. “If and when I get married again, I guarantee that you’ll be the first to know. Are we good?”

Her green-gold eyes seemed to grow two sizes larger.

“Of course,” she stammered. “I don’t know why I thought…” She chuckled nervously and caught her lower lip in her teeth. “I really need that shower. My brain is fried. In the state I’m in, I’ll be leaping to conclusions and making assumptions … An hour should be plenty of time for me to get into gear. Can we get my stuff from the car now?”

He watched the red creep into her cheeks. She was flustered and confused. Was that a good thing?

“Why don’t you get in, and I’ll drive over to the room and park in front of it?”

She nodded and hurried to the vehicle. He walked by her side, but didn’t say anything or touch her again.

He would love to know what she was thinking. He put the car in gear and drove up the slight incline to the room he’d checked out earlier. According to the manager, it was the best room they had to offer, more spacious than the rest.

“Here we are.” He parked the car and opened his door.

Maggie reached into the back seat and grabbed her suit jacket and the purse she’d left their earlier. He opened the back and removed the backpack that held her computer. Normally, he would offer to carry it in for her, but at the moment he was sure she just wanted to be alone.

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.