My dad was in the hospital much of last week with COPD related issues. That said, I didn't get much reading done. Not for want of trying. I really hoped to get caught up on things, including updating my challenges, which I really want to do before Monday.
Mostly I just played games.
Facebook games
Games on my cell phone.
Anything to keep from thinking.
My dad is 84 and his COPD has gotten worse in the last two months. In fact he was in the hospital for 4 days the week of Christmas.
I really wished I could use books as an escape right now, but I just can't focus. Hopefully this coming week will be less stressful
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Guest Post: Becca Dale w/giveaway
How Tough is Too Tough?
Is there such a thing as too tough and if so at what point does an Alpha cross the line and become a jerk? I had to ask myself this repeatedly as I wrote Untamable because I have spent my life surrounded by men who do not express their feelings, especially in public. The cowboys and farmers that I know tend to play their cards close to the chest. Those of us who love them must often find a way to understand without the words. Growing up, I learned quickly that my father’s laughter, always present after some stupid or dangerous event, spoke more of his relief that I was all right than of any humor at my expense.
There is a quiet patience, a cocky defensiveness, perhaps even a blatant arrogance to such men as my father, my husband, and frankly the majority of the guys who live and work more with animals and machinery than humans. A horse or a fine cattle dog understands that a pat means good job or I’m proud of you. Cattle and sheep only care that the man in the tractor cab braves the cold to auger feed upon the frozen ground or shepherds them to shelter from the wind and snow. These are the creatures such men as Thor understand. Women are foreign beasts to some extent. As a cattleman would have to learn about raising an ostrich, so must such men be taught to communicate with women or their women need to listen for the love expressed through action.
I was a teen the first time my father actually told me that he loved me. I had known it all my life but had never heard the words. However, with careful nurturing of his growing abilities, this same man shook my darling husband’s hand after he graduated from college and said, “I could not be prouder of you if you were my own son.” At that moment I wept and they looked at me like I had lost it. Dad grinned and patted my shoulder awkwardly, and hubby pulled me close for a quick hug before asking where we were going to eat. The moment meant so much to both of them but neither would say more.
When our children were born, I insisted that they never have to read the clues, that they would both always know that their father loves them without question. My husband rose to the occasion with class and style despite the fact that he has never heard such words from his own dad. A day does not pass that he does not verbally remind me that he loves me. But the skills of my childhood remain strong. His feelings radiate in actions like putting gas in the car so I won’t get stranded somewhere since I am usually running late, or his quiet, indulgent smile as he stands with a shovel in his hand and some strange plant at his feet and asks, “Where do you want me to dig?”
For some men, saying they care is easy and their wives see and hear it daily. Such men tear up as their bride walks toward them or as the doctor hands over their first born child. I have seen my husband and father cry so rarely in my life that the few times are etched indelibly into my heart. The dark hallway at two in the morning when the vet called to say that Dad’s favorite cattle dog had begun to hemorrhage and would need to be put down. My great uncle funeral. My mother-in-law’s deathbed. That’s it folks. No tears at weddings or births or most gravesites even. Life and death are to be accepted and dealt with. Tears solve nothing – emotions are private things.
Untamable represents both the challenges and rewards of loving such a man. So what do you think? Do you prefer a hero who demonstrates his feelings or one who expresses them aloud with ease? Is there such a thing as too tough or once the façade cracks and the truth shines, are you like Lily and in love with the man you wanted to smack? Share your preference. One commenter will win a copy of Untamable or another book from my back list.
Author Links:
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Buy Untamable
Is there such a thing as too tough and if so at what point does an Alpha cross the line and become a jerk? I had to ask myself this repeatedly as I wrote Untamable because I have spent my life surrounded by men who do not express their feelings, especially in public. The cowboys and farmers that I know tend to play their cards close to the chest. Those of us who love them must often find a way to understand without the words. Growing up, I learned quickly that my father’s laughter, always present after some stupid or dangerous event, spoke more of his relief that I was all right than of any humor at my expense. There is a quiet patience, a cocky defensiveness, perhaps even a blatant arrogance to such men as my father, my husband, and frankly the majority of the guys who live and work more with animals and machinery than humans. A horse or a fine cattle dog understands that a pat means good job or I’m proud of you. Cattle and sheep only care that the man in the tractor cab braves the cold to auger feed upon the frozen ground or shepherds them to shelter from the wind and snow. These are the creatures such men as Thor understand. Women are foreign beasts to some extent. As a cattleman would have to learn about raising an ostrich, so must such men be taught to communicate with women or their women need to listen for the love expressed through action.
I was a teen the first time my father actually told me that he loved me. I had known it all my life but had never heard the words. However, with careful nurturing of his growing abilities, this same man shook my darling husband’s hand after he graduated from college and said, “I could not be prouder of you if you were my own son.” At that moment I wept and they looked at me like I had lost it. Dad grinned and patted my shoulder awkwardly, and hubby pulled me close for a quick hug before asking where we were going to eat. The moment meant so much to both of them but neither would say more.
When our children were born, I insisted that they never have to read the clues, that they would both always know that their father loves them without question. My husband rose to the occasion with class and style despite the fact that he has never heard such words from his own dad. A day does not pass that he does not verbally remind me that he loves me. But the skills of my childhood remain strong. His feelings radiate in actions like putting gas in the car so I won’t get stranded somewhere since I am usually running late, or his quiet, indulgent smile as he stands with a shovel in his hand and some strange plant at his feet and asks, “Where do you want me to dig?”
For some men, saying they care is easy and their wives see and hear it daily. Such men tear up as their bride walks toward them or as the doctor hands over their first born child. I have seen my husband and father cry so rarely in my life that the few times are etched indelibly into my heart. The dark hallway at two in the morning when the vet called to say that Dad’s favorite cattle dog had begun to hemorrhage and would need to be put down. My great uncle funeral. My mother-in-law’s deathbed. That’s it folks. No tears at weddings or births or most gravesites even. Life and death are to be accepted and dealt with. Tears solve nothing – emotions are private things. Untamable represents both the challenges and rewards of loving such a man. So what do you think? Do you prefer a hero who demonstrates his feelings or one who expresses them aloud with ease? Is there such a thing as too tough or once the façade cracks and the truth shines, are you like Lily and in love with the man you wanted to smack? Share your preference. One commenter will win a copy of Untamable or another book from my back list. Blog
Buy Untamable
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Book Review: The Emperor's Edge Book Lovin Bitches Book Tours
Author: Lindsay BurokerTitle: The Emperor's Edge
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: The author and book lovin' bitches ebook tours
Book Blurb: Imperial law enforcer Amaranthe Lokdon is good at her job: she can deter thieves and pacify thugs, if not with a blade, then by toppling an eight-foot pile of coffee canisters onto their heads. But when ravaged bodies show up on the waterfront, an arson covers up human sacrifices, and a powerful business coalition plots to kill the emperor, she feels a tad overwhelmed.
Worse, Sicarius, the empire's most notorious assassin is in town. He's tied in with the chaos somehow, but Amaranthe would be a fool to cross his path. Unfortunately, her superiors order her to hunt him down. Either they have an unprecedented belief in her skills... or someone wants her dead.
Review: This book is a bit out of my comfort zone but that said it didn't take very long for me to get into the story. The Emperor's Edge is much more then sci-fi, its a great mystery with a bit of humor and some quirky bits too.
What I loved from the start was Amaranthe. She's one of the most kick ass heroines out there. If you are a lover of strong women in stories, this is definitely the book for you. She's smart and she goes after what she wants. After all, she's one of the only female "enforcers."
The story is fast paced and definitely keeps the reader interested from start to finish. I loved that it was a bit of a few different genres. It didn't feel overwhelmingly sci-fi to me. At times, it felt like the story could be happening in the hear and now.
Lindsay is definitely an author I'll be watching for in the future
Rating: 4 Flowers
Author Info:
Website
~ Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author, although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Author Interview: Lindsay Buroker Book Lovin' Bitches Book Tours
Lindsay can you tell us a bit about The Emperor’s Edge?
The Emperor’s Edge is a high fantasy mystery adventure novel set in an era of steam. There are monsters, steam-powered mazes, wizards, assassins, and scheming villains. The heroine is a bit of a schemer herself, and she’s the kind of gal who might save the day…but not without getting herself in a lot of trouble first!
Absolutely. I also love how speedy the process is. I finished my second novel, Encrypted, in October, and published it in January. It probably would have taken two years to hunt down an agent, find a publisher, and have the book out and available to buy. I’m sure I’ll have several more ebooks finished and published in that time!
The Emperor’s Edge is a high fantasy mystery adventure novel set in an era of steam. There are monsters, steam-powered mazes, wizards, assassins, and scheming villains. The heroine is a bit of a schemer herself, and she’s the kind of gal who might save the day…but not without getting herself in a lot of trouble first!EE is currently available as an ebook, and I’ll be doing a print version soon. I’ll also be putting it out as a free podiobook where you can listen to it in segments, sort of like the old radio serials.
Here’s the blurb:
Imperial law enforcer Amaranthe Lokdon is good at her job: she can deter thieves and pacify thugs, if not with a blade, then by toppling an eight-foot pile of coffee canisters onto their heads. But when ravaged bodies show up on the waterfront, an arson covers up human sacrifices, and a powerful business coalition plots to kill the emperor, she feels a tad overwhelmed.
Worse, Sicarius, the empire's most notorious assassin is in town. He's tied in with the chaos somehow, but Amaranthe would be a fool to cross his path. Unfortunately, her superiors order her to hunt him down. Either they have an unprecedented belief in her skills... or someone wants her dead.
Worse, Sicarius, the empire's most notorious assassin is in town. He's tied in with the chaos somehow, but Amaranthe would be a fool to cross his path. Unfortunately, her superiors order her to hunt him down. Either they have an unprecedented belief in her skills... or someone wants her dead.
What was your inspiration for The Emperor’s Edge?
I’ve had these characters kicking around in my head for a long time, so I’m not sure where they came from or what inspired me exactly. I did realize, as I was writing the epilogue, that I was doing a fantasy version of the A-team, so I guess I can blame being a child of the 80s as partial inspiration.
I knew I wanted to do a series, so the first book had to explain how these misfits (don’t tell them I called them that) all got together and how the lone woman ended up in the leadership position. Other than that, I just wanted to do a fun story with a mystery and plenty of action to keep things rolling along.
You write sci-fi/fantasy, what do you think is the reason that this genre has stayed popular?
Well, I’m not sure it’s all that popular when compared to other genres, but I imagine people like the infinite possibilities science fiction and fantasy provide. Especially with the stuff that takes place “in a galaxy far, far away,” it’s a true escape from your world and your problems.
Are there any authors in that genre that inspired you to write this genre?
I discovered fantasy in middle school, and R.A. Salvatore and David Eddings were the first authors I read. Before that I was reading historical fiction.
I still remember my first fantasy book was Salvatore’s Homeland. I guess it’s a good thing I liked it, or I might not have gone on to try others in the genre!
Too, I always give a nod to Lois McMaster Bujold as an author I admire. Her Vorkosigan books aren’t fantasy, but they’re very character-driven, and her heroes are lovable but flawed. That’s what I strive for with my stories.
You write children’s books as well. Is your writing process any different?
My children’s adventures are aimed at middle-grade readers, so I try to keep the sentences a little less complex and the overall stories shorter. I have a novel I’m hoping to publish with my goblin heroes this summer, and that’ll run 50-60k words (Emperor’s Edge is 105k).
I’m not afraid to throw in the vocabulary words though. Reading on a kindle or nook makes it easy for kids to look them up!
What made you decide to go Indie to publish your books?
Probably whatever silly trait made me go to work for myself instead of applying for jobs so I could toil for someone else. I like calling the shots and doing things my way.
I haven’t written off the idea of ever looking for an agent or a publisher, but I imagine that will be easier if I make a name for myself first and have fans who will buy my books (these people rock, by the way!).
Do you feel more in control publishing independently?
Absolutely. I also love how speedy the process is. I finished my second novel, Encrypted, in October, and published it in January. It probably would have taken two years to hunt down an agent, find a publisher, and have the book out and available to buy. I’m sure I’ll have several more ebooks finished and published in that time!Thanks for the interview opportunity! Folks can grab my novels at Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble, among other places.
Book Review: Untameable Book Lovin' Bitches Etours
Author: Becca DaleTitle: Untamable
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Publish Date: Jan 21, 2011
Review Copy Provided By: The author
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: Eight years ago Lily Swanson left Havashaw County with a broken heart. Now circumstances have brought her back to the cowboy who still drives her crazy. Seeing him again stirs erotic memories, but the pain of his betrayal refuses to be soothed with a sexy smile.
Lily left him. That inescapable fact drives Thor Hanson to succeed more than any other. Her return to Havashaw triggers anger, lust and regret, but when she reveals the truth behind her leaving, he's determined to rein her in and show her that what they have is more than a memory.
Neither can deny their passion, as untamable as the broncs Thor trains. But will it be enough, and can Thor convince Lily she's right where she belongs?
Review: If you can pull your eyes away from the cover you will find a short, very spicy read by Becca Dale. Lily and Thor have a past. A past that was a good one until Thor had an accident and said something stupid.
Up until it is revealed why Lily ran off on Thor, you could like him. He is exactly how a cowboy should be. He's all manly and a touch bit arrogant. He risks his life to help a child, while endangering his own by riding a horse that nearly crippled him years back.
Death wish? Possibly.
Lily is a little harder to like. She ran off without a fight when she loved someone and then stayed away for 8 years? I wanted to smack her quite a bit. However, once I found out the backstory on Thor's accident, I wanted to smack him. Rodeo circuit or not his behavior was pretty out of line.
Yet these two manage to fall back into bed together for some pretty steamy....glass of ice water for the reader sex. Sex is really what pulls them back together yet there is obviously love on both of their parts. I really wished this were longer than it was, because I would have liked to have really known what made Thor and Lily tick.
Becca wrapped things up nicely for the pair, giving them the happily ever after, you know they are going to get, but you did feel like there should be more.
Rating: 3 flowers
Author Info:
Blog
~ Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author, although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
February Wrap Up Post
Carolyn McCray - 30 Pieces Of Silver
Kristin Chenoweth - A Little Bit Wicked
Tina Folsom - Venice Vampyr (novella)
Ron & Janet Benrey - Dead As A Scone
Alexsandr Voinov & Kate Cotoner - The Lion Of Kent (novella)
Carolyn Meyer - The Bad Queen
Vicki Lewis Thompson - Wanted!
Amber Scott - Play Fling
Laura Kreitzer - Phantom Universe
Marta Perry - Murder In Plain Sight
J.J. Westendarp - Spiral X
I'm not sure how to really total this...9 full lengths and two novellas for the month of February. I'm going to have to sit down this weekend if I can and update all my challenges. I will say that all but 2 of these books go under the ebook challenge!
Kristin Chenoweth - A Little Bit Wicked
Tina Folsom - Venice Vampyr (novella)
Ron & Janet Benrey - Dead As A Scone
Alexsandr Voinov & Kate Cotoner - The Lion Of Kent (novella)
Carolyn Meyer - The Bad Queen
Vicki Lewis Thompson - Wanted!
Amber Scott - Play Fling
Laura Kreitzer - Phantom Universe
Marta Perry - Murder In Plain Sight
J.J. Westendarp - Spiral X
I'm not sure how to really total this...9 full lengths and two novellas for the month of February. I'm going to have to sit down this weekend if I can and update all my challenges. I will say that all but 2 of these books go under the ebook challenge!
Book Review: 30 Pieces Of Silver Bestseller For A Day #19
Author: Carolyn McCrayTitle: 30 Pieces Of Silver
Publish Date: Dec 22, 2010
Publisher: Off Our Meds Media
Review Copy Provided By: The author
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: "Carolyn McCray's 30 PIECES OF SILVER proves that Dan Brown's crown is up for grabs. Part minefield and all roller-coaster ride, here is a story as controversial as it is thrilling. Hunker down for a long night because once you start this book won't be putting it down."
James Rollins, New York Times bestseller of The Doomsday Key
That's right, 30 PIECES OF SILVER makes Brown's Da Vinci look like a Sunday school lesson!
You have been warned!
Review: There are some books that really get to you when you read them. This is one of them. It makes you think about your faith. In fact it really makes you think about Christianty and religion on many different levels. Carolyn McCray write a story in the same vein as The DeVinci Code, but there is much more to this...MUCH MUCH More.
There were many times when I read this that I wanted to pull out the Bible and look something up, just because Carolyn's writing felt so real. Her story proposes a real "what if," one that many Christians will probably find difficult to take, but her story is woven so tightly that no matter how much you agree or disagree with it, you'll have to finish every last page.
The story alternated between modern times and the time Jesus walked the earth. Carolyn really balanced the shifts in the story well. Readers are never left hanging in one time period. She also made Judas a very sympathetic character. The plot has him still as Jesus' betrayer, but he's in that role for reasons other than the ones most of us know.
If you liked The DaVinci Code, you definitely want to check this book out. It is phenomenal! I can't begin to say how great this book is, without spoiling it for everyone. Check this book out!!
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