Coffee Blog

Mugs, Manuscripts & Moments

Writing Sparkle

Welcome to the twenty-sixth book review of fifty-three. As you know, I used to provide freelance book reviews to several review companies. It was a great experience that introduced me to new authors and their wonderful books. Each week this year, I’m opening my Weekend Coffee shares with a link to a review I’ve provided. Reviews are three stars or higher. The genres range from picture books to fiction and nonfiction titles. This week’s review is a bit different because I’m sharing some details about my novel Dug UP, which released today (June 26, 2026)

Dug Up
Booklife says, “At its core, the story celebrates friendship.” 
Indie Reader states, “. . . there is much to enjoy in DUG UP.”
Prairies Book Review advises that “Marshall crafts an atmospheric tale filled with rain-soaked graveyards, eccentric townsfolk, and simmering tension beneath the town’s cozy exterior.”
Goodreads reviews can be read here: Dug Up Goodreads

The author is Shari Marshall
Published June 26, 2026
The publisher is Writing Sparkle Books
Available in eBook and Paperback (213)
Urban Fantasy | Women Sleuths Mysteries

If we were having coffee, I would share that in honour of the release of Dug Up, this week’s post is going to be a photo gallery of my books and stuff.

The Ember Files

If we were having coffee, I would ask what you are reading or writing.

By Shari Marshall (2026)

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Published by Writing Sparkle

15 thoughts on “Mugs, Manuscripts & Moments”

  1. Congratulations on the new book! I just started 4 new books– The View from Lake Como, If Books Could Kill, Wombat Waiting, & When You Read This. So far I em enjoying each one.

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  2. Congratulations to all your writing successes. I am currently reading a different, and very interesting novel “The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese (I’m reading it in Swedish). I am almost half way through it and it was difficult to put it down long enough to open my computer for a few minutes!

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  4. Congrats on the release of your new book! I currently can’t read eBooks because my Braille display is acting up, but this does get me to step into the world of audiobooks.

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      1. Well my first audiobook was nonfiction but I’ll give novels a try too. The reason I hardly ever listened to audiobooks is the fact that they’re the go-to accessible reading method with the Dutch library system but quite often the narrators aren’t the best.

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        1. Yes, the narrator makes or breaks the listening experience for sure. I have heard that Stephen King narrates his book, “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft,” and does it brilliantly. I haven’t listened to it, but I read it and would recommend the book.

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  5. Hi Shari:

    I am reading Peter Biskind’s Gods and monsters for about the second time.

    For those of you who do not know Mr Biskind – he is a film critic and he edited a magazine called Premiere for ten years – 1986-96.

    Also I just finished The Australian wars which is based on a show by Rachel Perkins.

    So in Gods and Monsters there is a really good piece about Spielberg and Lucas and their work as of the late 1980s and early 1990s. [especially Indiana Jones 3 and Star Wars – that whole 9-film colossus!]

    I am now into the piece about Woody Allen – or perhaps I have just left it.

    The pieces I have enjoyed have been about working-class men in New American Cinema – and profiles like Australian actor Judy Davis.

    I am hoping to read more Biskind books especially the one he had written about independent cinema and maybe the one about the 1950s.

    The last fiction book I read was By my side by Alice Peterson, who is a psychotherapist and who used to be a tennis player. The By my side character is a golden labrador and belongs to the heroine Cass. Cass has lots of interesting relationships; especially with Charlie and with a gentleman called E – and two gentlemen who have spinal cord injuries too.

    Reference books I am reading include PEOPLE AND PLACES and THE OXFORD COMPANION TO AUSTRALIAN HISTORY [2001 revision] – in AUSTRALIAN HISTORY I am reading about {classical} music and medicine {specifically drug policy} – because of a man called Desmond Anderson.

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    1. That is a varied reading experience, Adelaide. I confess that I haven’t read those titles. I will have to look them up. Thank you for sharing. Happy reading.

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  6. Good morning, Shari! Congratulations on your book release! I really enjoyed seeing all your book and event photos! What a beautiful library you’ve built!

    I’m currently reading Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous by Autumn K. England. I needed a touch of whimsey in my life and it is not disappointing 🙂

    Hope the week ahead is a glorious one for you and yours! Happy Strawberry Moon!

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