I love sunset photos. This was taken in Poriya, Israel where there were beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I was so blessed to go there and look forward to returning.
Now onto what I’ve been reading. On Deadly Grounds by Kaye D. Schmitz was a delight to read. I met Kaye a few years ago on a cruise and loved her twisted mind…well, really it’s only twisted when it comes to fiction. I also loved that the book went back and forth in time–1940s to present day, with a story that tied both eras together. Here’s the back cover copy:
On the eve of an international G7 Summit, event coordinator Mattie Maguire discovers that the venue, a century-old estate close to Asheville, NC, is more than simply a picturesque setting. It is also the center of political conspiracies involving a ruthless Russian spy ring that will stop at nothing to steal the massive fortune they believe to be hidden there. The search intensifies and a rogue Russian agent attacks Mattie’s grandmother, still living on the estate. She hovers in a coma, barely clinging to life.
As Mattie struggles to protect her family and ensure a safe event for the most important leaders in the world, her discovery of a fraudulent heir to the estate puts her own life in danger as well. But when her eighty-five-year-old grandfather is kidnapped and held at gunpoint, her path becomes clear. Despite her fear, she must locate the only person who has the information the Russians seek—the estate’s rightful heir, hidden away for decades after the murder of his father. But will the true owner’s return to his childhood home put his life in danger, too?
My take:
The story had love, murder, mystery, and intrigue. It turned and twisted a different way just when I thought I had it all figured out. I really liked Mattie Maguire and the way she wanted to protect her grandparents as she ferreted out the bad guys! And Kaye D. Schmitz did a great job with the historical part of the story. I liked the way the pieces from the present helped solve the murder in the past. It kept me up way past my bedtime—I had to know how it ended!
Kaye D. Schmitz did a great job with the setting, especially the old mansion. She described the house and grounds so well, I felt I was there. And her great descriptions didn’t end there–when the story shifted to a small island in Greece, I felt like I traveled there as well. I hope there will be another Mattie Maguire book!
I wrote an endorsement for On Deadly Grounds, and once it was out, I purchased a copy for a friend.
You can purchase On Deadly Grounds at Amazon.
Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library. A lot of readers don’t want the main characters described too deeply as they like to picture them in their own mind. Do you think readers feel the same way with settings? Tell me how well you like a place to be described.
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Comments 38
On Deadly Grounds sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I like the setting described and personified, too, so it’s like the setting is a character, conspiring with or against the protagonist.
Author
Agree, Priscilla! So sorry to be awol on comments, but I actually got out and went somewhere yesterday, mask and all. Thanks for stopping by!
Hmm, interesting question! I like the setting described with enough detail to allow me to get an accurate picture in my head. And often, knowing what the main character feels in each setting is important to that picture. Like, a dark and peaceful forest is different to a dark, eerie forest… Though the feeling can change due to outside conditions and circumstances, like day vs night, or being chased by a murderer!! 😛
Author
Monique, I like to know what a place looks like, but not to the degree Mitchner described his settings. lol. And you’re so right–circumstances dictate how the setting affects you. Thanks for stopping by.
On Deadly Grounds is a great book! I enjoy descriptive settings so I get a feel for the place and can see it like I’m actually there, especially if it’s a place I haven’t been to before.
Author
Glad you agree, Sally. And I like to get a feel for a place, too. It’s one reason I traveled to Natchez for the Ranger books–I’d never been there and I really wanted a feel for the area.
I like the setting described. I want to be able to picture where it’s taking place.
Author
Me, too, Nicole. Thanks for stopping by!
Fantastic review. I love when settings & especially houses are described in detail. Gifts then heart.
Author
Kaye does a great job with settings, Lisa. Thanks for dropping by.
Thank you for the review; this sounds like a needed addition to my TBR pile! I like the descriptions to be detailed. I am one of those readers who remembers the lay out of buildings and towns, so if there are consistent details, it just works for me! (I especially like maps at the beginning of books I read so that I can refer back!)
Author
Readers like you Heather are why I try to draw out my buildings and towns, the streets, etc. Because I don’t always remember. lol Thanks so much for stopping by!
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I like the setting described well, it helps you feel like you’re there. The only time I don’t care for it is when an author goes on and on about it to the point where you have several pages telling you every detail of the area or architecture.
Author
Sounds like you may have read James Mitchner, Megan. lol I loved his books, but sometimes I skipped the details. Thanks for dropping by.
I love intrigued. This is fascinating.
Author
On Deadly Grounds has intrigue, Sonnetta! So glad you dropped by.
On Deadly Grounds sounds like a book I would love to read! I really like it when a setting is well described as it makes me feel like I am right there in the story. Vaguely described surroundings don’t pique my interest – leaving the story to be so enthralling that I won’t quit reading.
Author
I agree, Betti. And I love the way settings influence the characters, too. Thanks for dropping by.
I usually end up with a picture in my mind of the characters that may or may not match the authors description, so it doesn’t particularly matter to me. I like real descriptions of places. If it’s somewhere I have visited, I want the author’s description to line up with my memories.
That is a great picture and verse above. Do you ever use your pictures as the background on your PC? I have an aunt in Texas who texted me a picture of beautiful mountains with a gorgeous sunrise spreading out over the mountain ranges. It reminded her of the Blue Ridge or Smoky Mountains. I got it transferred to my laptop and am using it as my background now.
Author
That’s one reason I don’t like real people on my covers, Edward. I don’t want to influence the way they think about my hero or heroine. Fortunately, Revell did a great job with Standoff–the character on the cover is exactly as I picture her as I wrote.
I haven’t used my photos for my desktop backgrounds simply because I so seldom see my desktop. lol. I always have a document open.
I put this book on my wish list based on your Goodreads review. Sounds like a good one. I like to have the setting described well so I can picture it. The setting is an important part of the story to me.
Author
Kaye is great at describing settings and characters, Gloria. I think you will enjoy the book.
The characters are the author’s, not mine. So I expect the author to describe them in a way that conveys the author’s view of who they are.
Settings can be a different matter. If the setting is imaginary, then what the author conveys about them is important so I understand how the setting contributes to the story. If the setting is a real place, then you bet the author needs to get it right. If I know the setting is different from reality, it will bug me through the whole book!
Thanks for your choices of pictures, and Scripture to match, Pat. They fit so well.
Author
I so agree, Tim and it took several trips to Natchez and even to Memphis (to make sure what I remembered was correct, even though I grew up there). And I’m glad you like my scriptures.
I enjoy descriptions that help me picture it in my mind without going overboard. Thank you for sharing as this book sounds very good. Have a blessed weekend.
Author
Thanks, Lucy! And I so agree about settings. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi, this book sounds intriguing and like a very good page turner! I like settings described to where it makes me feel like I am right there. Thank you for sharing about this book. Have a Great weekend. Stay safe and take care. God Bless you and your family.
Author
Alicia, Kaye really puts you there. You have a wonderful weekend and take care!
I do enjoy having the setting described. It gives me a more accurate picture of what is happening and where it’s taking place.
Author
I agree, Faith. I’ve actually learned a few things from Kaye’s book. 🙂 Have a blessed weekend.
I like having the setting described. I have both her books on my TBR for Kindle Unlimited( a free trial).
Author
Great, Joni! I think you will enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by.
sounds like a great book! Like to see how the author pictures the setting.
Author
Me, too, Shelia, and Kaye does a good job. 🙂
It sounds like an interesting book. I like the setting described with enough detail to enable me picture it in my mind.
Author
So do I, Diana. And I loved the way she put me on the little island in Greece. Thanks for stopping by.
I like when a setting is described in detail because I can picture it in my mind better. Like a painting. I also feel like I have stepped into the pages and can “see” myself in whatever environment the author wrote about.
Kaye is a new author to me, I’ve never heard of her before! But the books sounds intriguing 🙂
Author
Her book is intriguing, Trixi. And I’m like you I like to ‘see’ my surroundings. Thanks for stopping by!