• Man looking through magnifying glass - TEXT: Cozy mystery writing prompts, Rita Mock-Pike

    Writing Prompts: Cozy Mysteries

    One of my favorite genres is cozy mysteries. They’re great for a low-key read on an airplane or road trip or before turning out the light at night. But writing them can be a little tedious and challenging, because, well, let’s be honest — there are only so many kinds of mysteries to solve.

  • tea cup sitting on table with flowers and a sign reading: Come let us have some tea and talk about happy things - IMAGE TEXT: U.S. Wellness Naturals Rooibos Tea Review - Rita Mock-Pike

    U.S. Wellness Naturals — Loose Leaf Rooibos Tea Review

    When it comes to Rooibos tea, I am exceptionally picky. I have drunk many cups and determined that they were “okay” but not “worthy” of purchasing again. This includes both bagged teas and loose leaf offerings. A couple of years back, I found a rival for my previous favorite Bos Rooibos in the form of my new favorite loose leaf option: U.S. Wellness Naturals Rooibos.

  • I Will Answer yes, prayer essay title card with happily married couple

    I Will Answer Yes

    One evening, readers were challenged to sit back, shut up, and listen. We were led to ask the Lord to speak clearly and listen to Him and trust that what He spoke would encourage and uplift us. As most of us know, keeping back a flood of thoughts in a quiet room can be rather challenging. But I somehow managed to still myself and my own thoughts, and soon found my mind resting in the space quietly.

  • Woman sitting in dentist's chair, mouth wide open, dental tooths in her mouth - TEXT: Dark Humor Flash Fiction, EJ Moran, My Happy Place

    My Happy Place

    As a teenager, my happy place was always Jones Beach, NY. I would arrive early before the toll, just as dawn was breaking. The causeway was empty of other cars, all was quiet on the beach, parking spots were plentiful and you could choose any field you’d like.

  • Hell Town book review

    Hell Town -The Untold Story Of A Serial Killer On Cape Cod: A Book Review

    The most startling portions of Hell Town are true. Let that sink in. I am not easily made nauseous by true crime, but this was brutal. Casey Sherman’s writing style, and description of the events are both brilliant, and nightmare-ish.

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🦉 Submissions next open from June 1 to August 31 2024
June 12, 2025
Man looking through magnifying glass - TEXT: Cozy mystery writing prompts, Rita Mock-Pike
Published by Rita Mock-Pike at June 12, 2025
Categories

Writing Prompts: Cozy Mysteries

One of my favorite genres is cozy mysteries. They’re great for a low-key read on an airplane or road trip or before turning out the light at night. But writing them can be a little tedious and challenging, because, well, let’s be honest — there are only so many kinds of mysteries to solve.
Do you like it?
0 Read more
June 11, 2025
tea cup sitting on table with flowers and a sign reading: Come let us have some tea and talk about happy things - IMAGE TEXT: U.S. Wellness Naturals Rooibos Tea Review - Rita Mock-Pike
Published by Rita Mock-Pike at June 11, 2025
Categories

U.S. Wellness Naturals — Loose Leaf Rooibos Tea Review

When it comes to Rooibos tea, I am exceptionally picky. I have drunk many cups and determined that they were “okay” but not “worthy” of purchasing again. This includes both bagged teas and loose leaf offerings. A couple of years back, I found a rival for my previous favorite Bos Rooibos in the form of my new favorite loose leaf option: U.S. Wellness Naturals Rooibos.
Do you like it?
0 Read more
June 10, 2025
I Will Answer yes, prayer essay title card with happily married couple
Published by Rita Mock-Pike at June 10, 2025
Categories

I Will Answer Yes

One evening, readers were challenged to sit back, shut up, and listen. We were led to ask the Lord to speak clearly and listen to Him and trust that what He spoke would encourage and uplift us. As most of us know, keeping back a flood of thoughts in a quiet room can be rather challenging. But I somehow managed to still myself and my own thoughts, and soon found my mind resting in the space quietly.
Do you like it?
0 Read more
June 4, 2025
Woman sitting in dentist's chair, mouth wide open, dental tooths in her mouth - TEXT: Dark Humor Flash Fiction, EJ Moran, My Happy Place
Published by EJ Moran at June 4, 2025
Categories

My Happy Place

As a teenager, my happy place was always Jones Beach, NY. I would arrive early before the toll, just as dawn was breaking. The causeway was empty of other cars, all was quiet on the beach, parking spots were plentiful and you could choose any field you’d like.
Do you like it?
1 Read more
June 2, 2025
Hell Town book review
Published by Sue Cook at June 2, 2025
Categories

Hell Town -The Untold Story Of A Serial Killer On Cape Cod: A Book Review

The most startling portions of Hell Town are true. Let that sink in. I am not easily made nauseous by true crime, but this was brutal. Casey Sherman’s writing style, and description of the events are both brilliant, and nightmare-ish.
Do you like it?
1 Read more
May 31, 2025
Rows of books on shelves in brown-tones. - TEXT: Got Resources? - Tandy Malinak - Writer's Book Roundup - writer's guide
Published by Tandy Malinak at May 31, 2025
Categories

Got Resources?

One of my favorites is writing resources: I love finding books or articles that I can dive back into again and again to hone my craft and (hopefully) help others to hone theirs. With that goal in mind, today I’d like to share a little about five of the many, many useful books that grace my overstuffed shelves.
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May 27, 2025
Watercolor painting of yellow roses
Published by Cyndi Lublink at May 27, 2025
Categories

It Was Supposed to Be About Being Well-Loved

Love is a risk every single time. A worthy one. One I have by His grace been able to go all-in on. When we love, we jump. We risk it all for the hope, the promise, the forever. It feels like a miracle to be able to do this when you have been hurt mentally, emotionally, and physically. To me, it reveals God’s grace, his mercy, his healing, and the tenacity He created me with. I have been told many times that I have a gift of love. There’s a reserve within me with which only He could have gifted me.
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3 Read more
May 25, 2025
The Forger's Forgery Audio Book Review
Published by Rita Mock-Pike at May 25, 2025
Categories

The Forger’s Forgery, an Audio Book Review

Overall, The Forger’s Forgery is an exciting, intriguing literary fiction novel that keeps a reasonably quick pace, as long as you’re not expecting an action or thriller. The characters are vivid and memorable (even after a couple month gap at one point, the characters were still extremely present for me, even if the plot needed reminders!).
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5 Read more
May 24, 2025
image of Bible pages as background - text:Writing Theology Papers - Positivity Corner - Rita Mock-Pike
Published by Rita Mock-Pike at May 24, 2025
Categories

Positivity Corner: Writing Theology Papers

You see, writing theology papers isn’t just a school task for me. It’s an exploration of what I’m learning, how I’m growing, how I’m changing, how I’m developing as an adult human. So much of youth was spent regurgitating rote memorization and trying to make a grade. But now, in seminary I’m synthesizing and expanding the knowledge I’m gaining. And it is an utter delight!
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4 Read more
May 22, 2025
Book cover for Iphigenia Murphy by Sara Hosey - Fiction - Book Review - Rita Mock-Pike
Published by Rita Mock-Pike at May 22, 2025
Categories

Iphigenia Murphy, a Coming-of-Age Novel Review

Sara Hosey does a beautiful job of painting the settings for readers and giving us a real look into the soul of a young woman who’s seen too much and known more than a girl should ever know. Being someone who’s experienced some trauma, I found it a little hard to read in places, but ultimately, it was worth the journey.
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0 Read more
May 21, 2025
Tea set in pink with butterflies - Twinings English Afternoon Tea review
Published by Rita Mock-Pike at May 21, 2025
Categories

For An Elegant Cuppa: Twinings English Afternoon Tea Review

I can drink this tea on its own or with a meal, be it sweet or savory, heavy or light. It doesn’t have to cut through like the Scottish Breakfast blend or dance around the edges of flavors like a fruit tea must.
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May 20, 2025
Woman open arms
Published by Rita Mock-Pike at May 20, 2025
Categories

Breath Prayers and Reflections – Positivity Corner

This past couple of years, I’ve stumbled into a lovely way to reflect, calm, and breathe. It’s something the leadership team at my church has encouraged […]
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May 17, 2025
View of the Tower of London from the water at sunset - Tower of London tea from Harney & Sons - a Review - Rita Mock-Pike
Published by Rita Mock-Pike at May 17, 2025
Categories

An Elegant and Whimsical Moment: Review of Harney & Sons Tower of London Tea

I have a thing for British tea. After Scottish Breakfast Tea for January and English Afternoon Tea for February, I wanted to try something with a more colorful flavor profile. So when I bumped into Harney & Sons Tower of London Tea, I immediately decided this was the one to try for March.
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0 Read more
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