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On the road again...
I'm very jealous of all my writer friends who are currently winging their way to RWA Nationals in Orlando this year. My only consolation is that next year it's in NY and I'm there! It's not like I haven't gotten to travel this summer, cause I have. In fact, much of it is mini-road trips to see my honey. So I've discovered the wonderful concept of books on CD. The last time I tried these, I always went for books I knew. Books that were familiar, and that I knew would make me laugh. This time around, I'm trying authors I know but books I haven't read. So far they keep me entertained...as long as I have enough caffeine. And yes, we all know what caffeine does to me. But as R puts it, I have about a 2 hour attention span, and the trip is 3 hours. You do the math. Right now I'm "reading" JD Robb's Salvation in Death. Not sure what I'll pick up next. One friend suggested the Harry Potter series. Any other suggestions?Labels: books, travel
What I'm reading...
 It's the end of Spring Break, and I've used my time very, very wisely. I spent it reading, of course. I looked at this last week as a time to fill the well.And to possibly test myself on how much reading I can still do in a week.
Now it's Sunday night, and I've finished 4 books and started a 5th. The were all fantastic reads, but my favorite still has to be The Girl Who Chased the Moon, by Sarah Addison Allen. She has such a magical (no pun intended) way of writing. There's something about knowing I had a full week all to myself (sort of), with nothing pressing to worry about. With Boards basically done, there was nothing dangling over my head any more. It's such a fabulous feeling. I wish I could bottle it up and partake of it any time the well felt dry. Sadly, that's not an option.
Instead I'll soon dive back into my novel writing, and the Great Agent Hunt. Between the two, the well should slosh around just fine I think.
What about you? How did you spend the weekend? Labels: books, vacation
Best wishes...
As I sit here at my future mother-in-law's house, amidst much Christmas excitement (I know, odd for a good, little Jewish girl), I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.It's been a very exciting week for me, and I'm still adjusting. What better way to do that than with forced relaxation and several good books? Right now I'm re-reading Nalini Singh's Mine to Possess in preparation of reading Hostage to Pleasure (I'm a little behind these days). I'm also getting to read the new hit in my classroom, The Lightening Thief. Winter Break is one of my favorite times of year because there's little time for me to get bored, but just enough time for me to recharge. So what are you reading right now? What books do you recommend I get for my Kindle? Inquiring minds want to know.Labels: books, random musings
I realized...
how geeky I really am. I arrived home to discover my Kindle was finally delivered. My reaction? To rush in, wake the boy and show him. I don't think he appreciated being woken up...but I sure appreciate my new toy. So far I've only downloaded one book, mainly because I have so many physical ones left to read...but I'm not sure I can restrain myself for long. It's way too easy to buy books for this thing. Eep! Maybe this wasn't such a good plan after all...Labels: books, random musings
Save the School of Gallantry Series
 Frequent readers of this blog know I love to share what I'm reading. Even more, I love to support other writers...especially those I can count among my friends. Delilah Marvelle is one of those writers. She's the author of the deliciously sexy Mistress of Pleasure, one of my top recommendations from last year. Her next book, Lord of Pleasure, will release Aug. 4th, and you know I'll be at the store waiting to bang the door down. Unfortunately, her publisher has decided to end this decadent series...which means Lord of Pleasure will be the last in the School of Gallantry. But maybe, if we all go and buy a copy, it doesn't have to be the last. So August 4th, get thee to the bookstore to purchase Lord of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle. You won't regret it!Labels: books
How are you spending your summer vacation?
If you're anything like me, you're spending it trying to do all the things you put off during the rest of the year...filing, shredding, reading.Ah, reading. It was so nice to sit down on my couch the other day and just read. And read. And read some more. I think I'm probably trying to cram as much reading into my summer as I can, since I know I won't have nearly as much time to enjoy it during the rest of the year. In light of this, I thought I'd share some of my more recent reads, which include (but are not limited to):- Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn
- How to Ruin My Teenage Life by Simone Elkeles
- Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs
- The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
And I'm currently in the middle of Adios to my Old Life by Caridad Ferrer and Brain Rules by John Medina. So many books, so many thoughts. Strangely, the best part of all this reading is that it's giving my creative brain the break it needs to really think through my current WiP. I've made more progress on revisions and edits since I've had the time to read, simply because I'm more relaxed about it all. Which doesn't make the revision process any easier, really, but at least the ideas are there. Labels: books, summer vacation
Contest Time!!
 I don't know about you, but I've been biding my time until I could post my latest contest. Since it's both my birthday and a holiday weekend, I decided to share the joy. Serena Robar's Giving Up the V comes out next month, but you can win it here early!What's So Wrong With Waiting
Spencer Davis just turned sixteen. But unlike most hormonal teenagers who seem obsessed with sex -- like her entire crew of friends -- Spencer just doesn't get it. She'd rather wait for the right guy and the right moment. But that moment may be arriving sooner than she'd thought.
Enter Benjamin Hopkins, a new transfer student who seems to have his eyes on our V-card-carrying heroine. He's gorgeous, funny, suave, athletic, and capable of making Spencer's knees wobble with a single glance. Spencer has never felt this way about anyone before, but is Ben truly V-worthy? I devoured this book in just a day once I got my greedy little hands on an ARC. Now it's your turn. Simply leave a comment telling me how you plan to celebrate the holiday weekend by Monday, 12 noon, and I'll draw a name at random to win a signed ARC of Giving Up the V. Labels: books, contests
In honor of Spring Break
My district is finally on Spring Break, which means I'm finally getting my much needed "vacation." Not that I'm going anywhere, really. But the break came sneaking in and bringing with it sun, sun, and more sun! After months of the rain, sunshine and almost 70 degree weather is downright tropical for me. So is it any wonder I broke out the bicycle this afternoon? Of course not. Mom and I have another ride planned for tomorrow, and I hope the ride is smoother now that I've already done one. In honor of Spring Break, good books, and a chance (finally!) to relax for a few days, I'm offering another contest. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me your favorite thing about Spring, and you'll be entered to win a copy of Julia Harper's For the Love of Pete. Contest runs through Thursday night at midnight and the winner will be announced Friday morning.Make sure to check back on Friday, not just for the winner, but also to hear about how I fit 14 people into my tiny apartment for the first night Passover Seder.Labels: biking, books, contests, sun, vacation
The plague...
The Plague (or at least, it's very distant relative) is currently making it's way through my classroom. I've thankfully managed to avoid it, but the margin for error is fairly narrow. I'm working hard to fight it all off (and taking whatever miracle worker is currently being sworn for). This fight includes: taking long walks on a sunny afternoon, spending time with The Boy, some writing, and catching up on my reading. To be more specific, the new Eileen Carr book - Hold Back the Dark - is out...and in my hot little hands. Ooh, boy. I can't wait to read this one. Though to be honest, you should have seen the look of dismay when The Boy met me at B&N last week. The conversation went a little like this:"Where are you?""At the bookstore.""Which section?""I'll give you two guesses."He found me a few minutes later with HBtD and Jill Shalvis's Instant Attraction in my hands. "I need them," I explained. He gave me the look reserved for crazy people."No, I really do. And see? I have a gift card."Somehow, this last part made it all okay. But the laughter began again when I refused a bag from the store, and instead insisted on shoving them both into my purse...along side the book I was already reading. Labels: books
New book alert! What Would Emma Do?
One of the best parts about being a writer is all the fabulous people I have met, and can now count as friends. One of those friends is Eileen Cook, author of Unpredictable. Eileen has a new book out that I can't wait to get my greedy little hands on. What Would Emma Do. Check it out: What Would Emma Do?
Simon Pulse/ December 30, 2008
Thou shalt not kiss thy best friend’s boyfriend…again…. There is no greater sin than kissing you best friend’s boyfriend. So when  Emma breaks that golden rule, she knows she’s messed up big-time. Especially since she lives in the smallest town ever, where everyone knows everything about everyone else….and especially because she maybe kinda wants to do it again. Now her best friend isn’t speaking to her, her best guy friend is making things totally weird, and Emma is running full speed toward certain social disaster. This is so not the way senior year was supposed to go. Time to pray for a minor miracle. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s time for Emma to stop trying to please everyone around her, and figure out what she wants for herself. What others are saying: “Sassy and sly and sweet all at the same time, this book made me laugh out loud.” – Meg Cabot author of the Princess Diaries “Not since Judy Blume’s Margaret introduced herself to God has there been such a funny, geuine, conflicted, wanna-be-sort-good-maybe-later girl as Emma. Eileen Cook’s tone as she takes on the big ones – life, love, faith and friendship is pitch perfect.” – Jacqueline Mitchard author of Deep End of the Ocean and Midnight Twins “Smart and fun and full of heart.” – Sarah Mlynowski author of Bras and Broomsticks About the Author: Eileen Cook spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. When she was unable to find any job postings for world famous author, she went to Michigan State University and became a counselor so she could at least afford her book buying habit. But real people have real problems, so she returned to writing because she liked having the ability to control the ending. Which is much harder with humans. You can read more about Eileen, her books, and the things that strike her as funny at http://www.eileencook.com/. Eileen lives in Vancouver with her husband and two dogs and no longer wishes to be anyone or anywhere else. Buy the book here! Labels: books, geeky fun, happy times, writing
What I'm reading...
Since I have a short week (and report cards are drawing near), I thought an update was in order. What I've read: -Fearless Fourteen, Janet Evanovich - the latest Stephanie Plum. Enjoyable, lived up to expectations.-Mistress of Pleasure, Delilah Marvelle - new historical voice, fabulous debut. I can't wait for her next one.-One Silent Night, Sherrilyn Kenyon - loved it! This one reveals some very important information about some of our favorite characters. What I'm reading: -Playing Dead, Allison Brennan - the latest in her Prison Break series. What's up next: -Karma Girl, Jennifer Estep-Wish You Were Here, Lani Diane RichSo how about you? What are you reading? Share!Labels: books
Bad books...
We here it all the time. You can have an alpha male hero, but you must make him sympathetic. There has to be something redeeming to make the reader (or if it's a movie, the watcher), root for him. Fail to gain my endorsement and you lose any ability to keep my attention. Which is what happened over the weekend. Thank goodness I brought another book with me. I tried. Honestly. I read 100 pages. But by page 100, I still couldn't stand the hero. He was an arrogant jerk with no redeeming qualities that I could find. And I looked. Hard. The heroine was nice enough. But even she began to wear thin. If the hero had been more likeable, I would have gotten past it pretty quickly.All of this wouldn't be quite so sad, except the author is one I usually enjoy a lot. That I couldn't read more than 100 pages of her latest tells me that maybe I won't be reading too many more. And that makes me sad. So word of advice for all my writer readers, make me like the hero. It can make all the difference.Labels: books
And the winner is...
Yan! Congratulations. Keep your eyes on the mail. Labels: books, contests
Help! I'm being buried...
...under a pile of books. How is it that no matter how quickly I read, the book pile grows faster? Is it an addiction? Do I simply lack the ability to say no when it comes to buying more books? Does it have to do with the belief that if I don't buy the book RIGHT NOW it won't be there when I want it? Or am I simply the weakest link and dependent upon a pile of papers to keep me happy?Yeah, I don't have the answer either. But share with me your weakness, and I'll share with you a book I picked up a the recent Emerald City Conference (and yes, pics coming soon). I'll pick a name at random from comments left. Contest ends Friday, Oct. 24.Labels: books, contests
Books, books everywhere...
Why is it that my TBR pile never seems to shrink? It only grows. Exponentially. Which is why even though I've read several of the books I brought back with me from Nationals, I still have more than my fair share waiting to be read. Books like The Queen's Bastard by C.E. Murphy, and The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. But they'll have to wait while I finish off Tempted by the Night, Elizabeth Boyle's latest. ***Be sure to check back next week for the story of this year's Emerald City Conference, or how I spent my weekend.Labels: books
Contest time!
 It's been too long folks, so to gear back up into what is my normal life (and away from all the drama of the last month), we have a contest. Entering is easy, all you have to do is leave me a comment telling me what you love best about fall. See? Simple.  What's the prize, you ask? In honor of the new school year I have a YA themed treat for you. The winner will receive a signed copy of the now out of print Braced2Bite by Serena Robar, a copy of Shrink to Fit by Dona  Sarkar, as well as a copy of Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr. All of these authors are fun, fabulous, and guaranteed to leave you wanting more. So leave me a note, and take a chance. Winners will be announced Friday, September 26th. Labels: books, contests
Book fun!
We'll take a break from fun with pictures to share a little of what I'm reading: Recently finished-Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon - worth the wait, though I'm still thinking about it and the ramifications that she's created for the Dark Hunter world. I may have to read it again very soon, since I'm sure I missed a ton in my marathon session. Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyers - here's another one I enjoyed but I'm left thinking an awful lot about it. For the first time in a while the book I was reading affected my dreams (in general just making them a bit screwy). His Mistress by Morning by Elizabeth Boyle - a local writer and a woman I consider a friend, this is one of her newest (though not THE newest). I loved this book and the world she's created. Elizabeth took a chance by adding a touch of magic to her newest series, and it paid off. I can't wait for the next one.Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr - I picked this one up at conference, and I'm glad I did. The author takes on the world of the Fae in her debut. She has created a dark world, one where there is no easy answer, and I appreciate her ability to stay true to her story in the end. She could have taken the easy way out, but it would have ended the series, and left her readers greatly disappointed. Instead she took the hard road, and the book is all the better for it. Currently reading-Goy Crazy by Melissa Schorr - I admit the title is what caught me, but the concept dragged me in. G.C. is the story of 15 yr. old Rachel Lowenstein (I just caught the joke here, ladies...haha!) and her attempts to navigate high school, dating and faith. Up soon-How to Ruin My Teenage Life by Simone ElkelesDriving Sideways by Jess RileyDelicious by Sherry ThomasShrink to Fit by Dona SarkarAnd a slew of others...eep! With school set to start next week I better get to work!Labels: books, geeky fun
More book fun...
While I'm scrambling to get in as much writing as my hands will allow this summer, I have plenty of books to look foward to. This is my favorite time of year (at least, for this year), thanks to releases from some of my favorite authors. Not to mention the Literacy Signing at Nationals. I'll be in book heaven!In the meantime, here are some titles you should check out: Into the Fire by Suzanne Brockmann - I can't wait for this one. The return of many of my favorite characters promise a fabulous read. Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon - need I say more? Fans have waited years for Ash's story, and our wait is almost over. It's also why you may not hear from me much the week after the conference. The book is around 900 pages...so I'll be busy for a few days. So while I'm in my happy place, what are you reading? Labels: books
Oh, but I couldn't...
I am a compulsive book buyer. There, I admit it. Of course, most of you out there reading this blog are also compulsive book buyers, so I know I'm not alone in the world. But do you have a mother like mine? My mom enjoys reading. She's not the type to re-read a book, so she often gets hers from the library (or Costco because they're on discount). We have very different taste in books, but every once in a while she'll borrow one from me. This is where life gets weird. See, I love to loan out my books. I want them back, don't get me wrong, but I'm happy to share the love. As a matter of fact, if I can get another reader excited about a series that I enjoy? It's like the heavens open up and a choir of angels begin to sing. When I come across a book I believe she'll like, I make sure to share. I do so almost without thinking. I don't notice if it's a hardcover or soft cover. If the spine is broken or not. I don't usually even worry about how long she has it. But mom does. She worries about all of it. Apparently I take such good care of my books, I've given her a complex. As much as she enjoys borrowing certain books, she gets very nervous...and has almost turned and given them right back a time or to. Don't even get me started on the signed copies. You'd think I loaned her the Hope Diamond. Or perhaps the Queen of England's Crowned Jewels. I don't understand her either. I've never yelled at anyone for returning a book in a condition other than the way it left me. I think the most I've said on the subject is, "It's a signed copy, so I'd eventually like it back." Her nerves confuse me. What about you? Do you loan out books? Do you borrow books? Why or why not?Labels: books, geeky fun, random musings
Priceless
Miles ridden on the bike: 58Pages written: 21Books read: 4Movies watched: 2Hours slept: more than I can countBeing on summer vacation: priceless Okay, hokey I know. But I had to. School ended a week ago Friday. I've spent a busy week between relaxing and working job #2. I've visited with friends, hung out with Mom, and I've written. After almost a month off thanks to report cards and various other end of school duties, I needed to get back to my book. And get back I did! I'm not sure it was my wisest move to set a goal of 20 pages after not writing for four weeks...but when have I ever claimed to be wise?This week is looking to be another beautiful week, filled with more biking, more writing, and way more reading. And maybe we'll even throw in some adventures. Labels: books, random musings, sun
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