"The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history."
George Orwell
The end is near! For July anyway. #BoutTime I struggled writing this post. The 7th month of the year has been packed with so many world/life changing events I hardly knew where to begin. Quite frankly, I dreaded rehashing the events and facing my emotions all over again.
Let's face it, there's not a lot that can be done to stop or change the flood of politics and degradation of societal norms at this point in time. Sadly, the boundaries and foundations of nations have been breached, with severe, turbulent times ahead. #BuckleUp
Out of all the changes and drama we've witnessed this month, the one thing that truly has saddened me is the blatant erasure and alteration of history and current events right before our eyes.
This goes beyond censorship, which at one time used to be considered a deplorable aspect of dictatorial or communist rule. I'm concerned about the technical giants who have been instructed to erase historical and current events as if they never happened. And re-write events to obscure actuality and make them more flattering. The most egregious cases in point are the coverup and obliteration of materials on the assassination attempt of former U.S. President Trump on July 13th and the career re-invention of the DNC's VP Kamala Harris. #PrestoChango (*Picture courtesy of NY Post)
As a citizen of what used to be a country where free expression and truth were once encouraged and respected, and as a writer, this was simply horrifying. How can you make for a better world when the happenings of the past have been altered and stricken?
The alternate reality narratives didn't take years or decades. They magically emerged in mere days and weeks. It doesn't matter what really happened, you're expected to believe the new chronicles with no questions. Or else.
Make-believe worlds are what you escape to in books. Take head. Real life has become censored fiction. With frightening consequences in the years to come if it is allowed to continue.
So, as July winds down and comes to a close, I have just one wish. As the 7th month hands over the temporal wand of 2024 to August, let not, the new month's opening remarks of things to come be: #HoldMyBeer.
Take care out there, friends, it's Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
Closer...Closer...
Thank goodness I had my favorite fictional world to retreat into when the stress of real-life became too much, LOL. The edits continue on the next release, Behind the Scenes: The Exhibition of Castlewood Manor. Many, many thanks to my editor, the fabulous Theresa Snyder. We're on track for what now is a planned mid-October release--just in time for Thanksgiving and the Holidays!
Speaking of holidays, a huge thank you to all the readers who bought my books during my #ChristmasInJuly sale!
A mix of mystery and inside scoops this month from the writers of X...
(*I've been a bit pressed for time this month, so reviews are brief in this post)
5 ⭐ A fascinating look at the women whose lives took a tragic turn when they became embroiled with this famous family. Camelot it was not...
5 ⭐ A whiskey drinking crossword author; a dog walker; and a vicar's wife form an eclectic sleuthing team when a murderer is on the loose in the streets of Marlow. An entertaining read for cozy mystery fans!
5 ⭐ An intriguing collection of Christie tales (many were new reads for this reader), sure to entertain your little gray cells!
5 ⭐ A closed case takes an unexpected turn when Anthony Horowitz delves into the case files of former Detective Daniel Hawthorne. The picture-perfect community of Riverside Close holds a few secrets...and a murderer.
A Fun, Pun, Funny Whodunnit!
During this frantic month, the OH and I had the pleasure of once again attending our annual play at the Solvang outdoor amphitheater. This year's play was 'The Play That Goes Wrong'.
It's a play about putting on a whodunnit play and this production rocked! The laugh generating dialog and slap-stick antics were non-stop, making this one of the best plays we've seen. If this is ever being performed at a theater near you, I'd definitely put it on the must-see list. A fun filled evening for sure!
Welcome to my world. Until next time, wishing you and yours a PEACEFUL August!
Crowns and Kisses,
Veronica
P.S. We'll be traveling in August, and I can't wait to head to Nashville for the 2024 Bouchercon Mystery conference! I'm honored to once again be on a panel--this year it's 'You Can Do Magic'. I have a bit of Christmas season mystery magic and psychic sleuthing to talk about... Gemma and Rikkhe approve 💖👑
You hit the nail on the head, so to speak. Current events are disheartening and depressing. And it's hard to know where to turn to get the truth. Even the word "truth" has taken on new and unsettling meanings.
On to happier topics, I saw "The Play that Goes Wrong" in London and it was a laugh-out-loud hoot! Great reviews this month (how do you squeeze in any time for reading so many books??) and I can't wait to preorder the next Gemma mystery!
xo Amy