5
An Interview with debut author Casey Wyatt
And while I'm here, I just wanted to let you know my friend Casey has an interview about her fine new book up today. Do check it out!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Review: Telling Details
So y'all know I got a Kindle for Christmas and have been having mixed feelings about it. One of the things I like is all the neat stuff I've stumbled on for the thing. One book I finished this week was, and this is for the writers more than the readers. Yes, yes, I know. I don't usually review the non-fiction stuff I read, but I'm making some exceptions this year.
I picked up a copy of Telling Details by Kat Duncan.
The book is primarily written for aspiring writers, with advice on how to make the story compelling to readers and the all-important editor. Advice includes things like, using sensual detail, ways to simplify instead of complicating your manuscript, and including certain details that anchor the reader into your book and how much , really, to use. Some is like sensual details (touch, hearing, sigh) and such like that. Things most of us use every day--erm (apologies to hearing and sight-impaired readers.
There’s a lot of “workshop” wisdom here, much of which is, in this reader/writer/reader’s point of view some useful, some, well, I don't know. The useful bits I found were her suggestions on action sequences and how to deal with them effectively, to slow down the scene so to speak, without slowing it down. I also found her take on mannerisms, and telling vs. showing quite interesting. Also, the section on eye expressions and locations.
While I find some of her suggestions worth trying, some... I don't know. For instance she mentions my friend Marilyn's workshop 11 senses, which, um go beyond the five, into an esoteric realm--which isn't bad, it just depends on how literal you want to be, I suppose.
She also cautions the writer not to use “ten cent words”. She offered an example that included the words Kinetic and cordovon and alfresco--which, I don't know, I maybe weird, but made the scene seem more alive to me because of those words. (But then, I'm a geek with an English degree)
I must say, of the whole book which I did find some interesting tidbits in, this one bothered me. I’m sorry. I like the idea of stretching my readers’ minds—and, oh, learning something I read. Learning a new word is cool. *tsk* And to move out of the Romance genre, to another... You know, Science Fiction and fantasy are often rife with unfamiliar words, almost all of which add flavor to the books.
Ahem:
Gandalf: Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul,
ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.
Translation: 'One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the Darkness bind them.'
...
Think about it. Somehow it seems way more powerful and sinister when Gandalf speaks the Elvish version doesn’t it? (Or maybe I am just a geek. ;))
So, there are some tidbits one could find useful in the short tome, and I must admit, I did make a few notes that I thought useful for my own work, and if you're curious as to why your favorite writers make something of the editorial and narrative decisions they do, this book might give you a glimpse into their thinking. So I'd give it maybe a 4 out 5 pearls.
If you want to give it a shot, it’s available for Kindle, free at Amazon.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
A writer's take on SOPA
Cross posting, sorry...just want to make sure it gets seen. ;)
I'm sure you can't go anywhere online today without seeing the blacked out sites. Rather than blocking ourselves out, however, shouldn't we be discussing this subject?
As an artist, I have mixed feelings about this. Ya!!! for being down on pirates, but... a lot of sites and artists offer their stuff up for free (ya!! to them for being aware of the fact that not everyone's last name is Rockefeller). See that lil ole sexy security guard I have hanging out on my writing site? here. That came from a Free to Use (for certain terms of use) stock photo and art site called Freedigitalphotos.net. And its terms stated, yep, it could be used, so there he is to look all sexy and hot and catch any bad guys that slip past my guardian dragons. *weg* In fact its tou states: This royalty free image, "Security", can be used in corporate, personal, charitable and educational projects: it may be used in web design, printed media, advertising, book covers and pages, music artwork, software applications and much more. For more information please read our terms of use.
I figure being a selling writer falls me under the corporate thing although technically at the moment, I'm hosting and selling other folks. So either way, I'm good with regards to that babe above.
There's also a FTU section of Dreamstime.com (which is where my gravitar fox came from), and various other FTU sites and artists. Gods bless these sites for having the artists willing to, basically, share their art and photos with the world for things like, websites, book covers for, you know, books that'll end up for sale, and other sundry uses. I've watched the FTU/PTU (pay to use) image use debate for a long time, in the Paint Shop Pro community and I always, always try to find the terms of use on pictures I display for that reason. When in doubt I often don't use it. (Like mama always says, "When in doubt, throw it out!")
(Curious about this subject? You can read about it on sites like Copyright Corner and Bel's Safe Graphics School. The terms for use on art under pay to use art sites like MPT, CILM, AMI, Up Your Art, and the like usually go something like this: buy the tube for a nominal fee, and certain restrictions apply--usually that the art is *not* allowed to be used to make a profit--like for a book cover or a graphic on an author website. So you're paying to use it for personal use only (like making an wallpaper for yourself that you won't share with anyone else--possibly icons but again, I think putting them on an author site violates those tou, so I avoid it).
So, no buying and downloading the pic and putting it on your professional site or a book cover. No taking that cute half-naked guy you spotted on the web and posting his pic for a bit of eye candy. Think you can claim fair use exists? Not hardly. Not the way so many on the net think. (I could tell you a story about that that goes back decades, but I don't have the space).
What bothers me most about this SOPA thing, I think, is that I wonder how they will note those sites that use FTU/Free for Commercial use stock art, legitimately, in their "block out" logs. I'm thinking the artists and website owners who use them will have to prove the TOUs of said pic or poem or what-have-you after the fact. So I'm supporting this, on the one hand for myself and my writer friends who've been struck by book pirates, but for the users who know about and follow TOUs, to the letter? Not so much. I'm a little worried this is going to hurt them too because this SoPA thing might cover all in one big wet blanket and put the burden of proof on us, the users.
We could debate all day what constitutes copyright infringement and what doesn't, so I don't see that there's a middle ground in this debate. On the one hand, I thank the authors and artist who offer up their works FTU, on the other hand, heck, no one wants to be a thief, right? And certainly we don't want the government to make that decision for us. So what do you do? Damned if you do, damned if you don't? But happily, I found a ground of artists who seem to agree. Don't know what I'm talking about? Check out this site: An open letter to Washington from Artists and Creators.
(For the reviewers, I don't think posting book covers as part of reviews falls under this block out thing, not that I've heard, anyway. If I hear anything otherwise I'll share it, or if you hear anything otherwise, I'd be curious to know.)
So for whatever good it'll do, that's my three cents.Whatever side of this debate you're on, I wish you all the freedom make that choice for yourselves.
I'm sure you can't go anywhere online today without seeing the blacked out sites. Rather than blocking ourselves out, however, shouldn't we be discussing this subject?
As an artist, I have mixed feelings about this. Ya!!! for being down on pirates, but... a lot of sites and artists offer their stuff up for free (ya!! to them for being aware of the fact that not everyone's last name is Rockefeller). See that lil ole sexy security guard I have hanging out on my writing site? here. That came from a Free to Use (for certain terms of use) stock photo and art site called Freedigitalphotos.net. And its terms stated, yep, it could be used, so there he is to look all sexy and hot and catch any bad guys that slip past my guardian dragons. *weg* In fact its tou states: This royalty free image, "Security", can be used in corporate, personal, charitable and educational projects: it may be used in web design, printed media, advertising, book covers and pages, music artwork, software applications and much more. For more information please read our terms of use.
I figure being a selling writer falls me under the corporate thing although technically at the moment, I'm hosting and selling other folks. So either way, I'm good with regards to that babe above.
There's also a FTU section of Dreamstime.com (which is where my gravitar fox came from), and various other FTU sites and artists. Gods bless these sites for having the artists willing to, basically, share their art and photos with the world for things like, websites, book covers for, you know, books that'll end up for sale, and other sundry uses. I've watched the FTU/PTU (pay to use) image use debate for a long time, in the Paint Shop Pro community and I always, always try to find the terms of use on pictures I display for that reason. When in doubt I often don't use it. (Like mama always says, "When in doubt, throw it out!")
(Curious about this subject? You can read about it on sites like Copyright Corner and Bel's Safe Graphics School. The terms for use on art under pay to use art sites like MPT, CILM, AMI, Up Your Art, and the like usually go something like this: buy the tube for a nominal fee, and certain restrictions apply--usually that the art is *not* allowed to be used to make a profit--like for a book cover or a graphic on an author website. So you're paying to use it for personal use only (like making an wallpaper for yourself that you won't share with anyone else--possibly icons but again, I think putting them on an author site violates those tou, so I avoid it).
So, no buying and downloading the pic and putting it on your professional site or a book cover. No taking that cute half-naked guy you spotted on the web and posting his pic for a bit of eye candy. Think you can claim fair use exists? Not hardly. Not the way so many on the net think. (I could tell you a story about that that goes back decades, but I don't have the space).
What bothers me most about this SOPA thing, I think, is that I wonder how they will note those sites that use FTU/Free for Commercial use stock art, legitimately, in their "block out" logs. I'm thinking the artists and website owners who use them will have to prove the TOUs of said pic or poem or what-have-you after the fact. So I'm supporting this, on the one hand for myself and my writer friends who've been struck by book pirates, but for the users who know about and follow TOUs, to the letter? Not so much. I'm a little worried this is going to hurt them too because this SoPA thing might cover all in one big wet blanket and put the burden of proof on us, the users.
We could debate all day what constitutes copyright infringement and what doesn't, so I don't see that there's a middle ground in this debate. On the one hand, I thank the authors and artist who offer up their works FTU, on the other hand, heck, no one wants to be a thief, right? And certainly we don't want the government to make that decision for us. So what do you do? Damned if you do, damned if you don't? But happily, I found a ground of artists who seem to agree. Don't know what I'm talking about? Check out this site: An open letter to Washington from Artists and Creators.
(For the reviewers, I don't think posting book covers as part of reviews falls under this block out thing, not that I've heard, anyway. If I hear anything otherwise I'll share it, or if you hear anything otherwise, I'd be curious to know.)
So for whatever good it'll do, that's my three cents.Whatever side of this debate you're on, I wish you all the freedom make that choice for yourselves.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Author Q and A with romance suspense author Rachel Brimble
 |
| author Rachel Brimble |
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Kimberly Llewellyn's free read, Almost a Bride
Author Kimberly Llewellyn's new one Almost a Bride is free at Amazon now. If you don't know her (you should. She guested here last October!), she writes cute Romantic Comedy so if you in the mood for some fun, go snag Almost a Bride now, here.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Rosalie Lario
Any lovers of Paranormal Romance here? Rosalie's new work, Heart of the Incubus, has just been released (she blogs about it here), so I say, if you love PNR, and supernatural beings (in this case, an incubus) battling it out and finding love, do go check her new one out, at Entangled Publishing!
Congrats, Rosalie!
Congrats, Rosalie!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
New Year, new goals
So...what are you all up to this year? Aside from the Goals I posted on my other blog, I do have a couple reading related things I'd like to accomplish this year. ready?
I want to...
Finish Jezebel's Wish by AJ Nuest (so good, AJ! :)) and Cast-Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell (almost done!).
Though I flopped on the Gothic Reading Challenge (only for lack of time, I assure you), I'd like to try to read a few more titles under that category.
I'd like to read the Game of Thrones series--or at least the first book, and of course *squee* Melanie Rawn's The Diviner is top of the list too. (I like to hope that, now that this one's out, *ducks* the Exiles series end isn't far away--or at least that Kate Elliott, and Jennifer Roberson's contributions to the Golden Key saga aren't far off. *fingers crossed* Although, in other news, I see Ms. Rawn has a new series beginning. Touchstone, book one is called, is due out in February. (*pokes hubby* Guess what I want for my birthday! ;))
If I can I'd like to try to squeeze in some Asimov. I've been eying the Foundation series for awhile.
I also hope I can get back to my self-imposed challenge of reading a few more Virginia Woolf titles (a goal started a few years ago and interrupted by the You Know What thing I don't want to talk about anymore :p).
I've also got quite a few new Kindle pieces I hope to get to. Yes, I'm finally getting used to the stupid thing. :(
All these will be reviewed here, when I can, if I can. but of course, my writing has to come first.
So what are your reading hopes for this year?
I want to...
Finish Jezebel's Wish by AJ Nuest (so good, AJ! :)) and Cast-Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell (almost done!).
Though I flopped on the Gothic Reading Challenge (only for lack of time, I assure you), I'd like to try to read a few more titles under that category.
I'd like to read the Game of Thrones series--or at least the first book, and of course *squee* Melanie Rawn's The Diviner is top of the list too. (I like to hope that, now that this one's out, *ducks* the Exiles series end isn't far away--or at least that Kate Elliott, and Jennifer Roberson's contributions to the Golden Key saga aren't far off. *fingers crossed* Although, in other news, I see Ms. Rawn has a new series beginning. Touchstone, book one is called, is due out in February. (*pokes hubby* Guess what I want for my birthday! ;))
If I can I'd like to try to squeeze in some Asimov. I've been eying the Foundation series for awhile.
I also hope I can get back to my self-imposed challenge of reading a few more Virginia Woolf titles (a goal started a few years ago and interrupted by the You Know What thing I don't want to talk about anymore :p).
I've also got quite a few new Kindle pieces I hope to get to. Yes, I'm finally getting used to the stupid thing. :(
All these will be reviewed here, when I can, if I can. but of course, my writing has to come first.
So what are your reading hopes for this year?
New Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc release: No One Makes It Out Alive! New Anthology I'm In!
BECOME ONE OF THE DAMNED...: No One Makes It Out Alive! New Anthology I'm In!: Greetings Fiends! Your Mistress is so proud to be included in this one-of-a-kind anthology about the end of the world. I am pleased to s...
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Beth Trissel Guest post
I have one more guest in my Christmas extravaganza. Romance author Beth Trissel stopped by talking about that classic Christmas tale, "A Christmas Carol" and her own new Christmas Romance.
Also, a giveaway. Do drop by! :) The post is up here: http://wp.me/p1tw8T-td
Also, a giveaway. Do drop by! :) The post is up here: http://wp.me/p1tw8T-td
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Christmas event, Linda McLaughlin Regency Cinderella
This one's for the Regency Romance lovers. Author Linda McLaughlin's guest post is now up. You can see it here: http://wp.me/p1tw8T-t2
There's a giveaway involved too (and of course, Night Mistress Emcee sheenanigans. ;)) So do drop by.
There's a giveaway involved too (and of course, Night Mistress Emcee sheenanigans. ;)) So do drop by.
What are you reading?
Slightly late, of course, you know me. :)Here's another edition of another addition of What are you reading Monday. Well here's what I'm reading:
In a holiday mood (OMG, can you believe Christmas in next Sunday?), I'm reading Paty Jager's historical romance short, Christmas Redemption.
Here's the blurb for this one:
Van Donovan returns to Pleasant Valley, Oregon where twelve years earlier as a boy of fifteen he left in handcuffs after standing guard for a bank robbery. He's learned a trade and excelled at it and is ready to prove to his father and the town he can amount to something.
Upon his return he learns the fate of the daughter of an innocent man who died in the robbery crossfire. To make amends he takes her out of the saloon and gives her a job, not realizing she'd been squatting in the very building he'd purchased for his business.
Can two battered hearts find solace or will the past continue to haunt their lives?
It's currently available free (Until January 1st) at Smashwords and Amazon for Kindle.
I've also been reading Joanne Rock's Under Wraps.
The book blurb reads:
Marnie Wainwright started her fantasy escapes travel agency, Lose Yourself… to spice up boring dialing routines for others. But when she discovers she’s the subject of a deliciously hot private investigator’s surveillance, she suddenly starts living her own wildest fantasies. After all, what better gift could she get than a chance to spend the holidays at a quaint Adirondack Inn—which just happens to offer naughty playtime for sensually adventurous couples—with her sexy PI?
Jake Brennan should keep his hands off Marnie. But she’s delectable… irresistible! And the longer he keeps his desire under wraps, the more he wants her.
If only she wasn’t his number one suspect…
Lose Yourself… what you find might change your life.
It's available for Amazon's Kindle, or Nook, if you'd like to check it out.
This one actually came out last Christmas, and I had hoped to get to it, but longtime readers remember what a downer last Christmas was for me here. I really am enjoying it (Under Wraps) though. What can I say? I just like Ms. Rock's voice and style. *nods* I think romance fans'll like this one. Full review forthcoming.
So what are you reading, today?
In a holiday mood (OMG, can you believe Christmas in next Sunday?), I'm reading Paty Jager's historical romance short, Christmas Redemption.
Van Donovan returns to Pleasant Valley, Oregon where twelve years earlier as a boy of fifteen he left in handcuffs after standing guard for a bank robbery. He's learned a trade and excelled at it and is ready to prove to his father and the town he can amount to something.
Upon his return he learns the fate of the daughter of an innocent man who died in the robbery crossfire. To make amends he takes her out of the saloon and gives her a job, not realizing she'd been squatting in the very building he'd purchased for his business.
Can two battered hearts find solace or will the past continue to haunt their lives?
It's currently available free (Until January 1st) at Smashwords and Amazon for Kindle.
The book blurb reads:
Marnie Wainwright started her fantasy escapes travel agency, Lose Yourself… to spice up boring dialing routines for others. But when she discovers she’s the subject of a deliciously hot private investigator’s surveillance, she suddenly starts living her own wildest fantasies. After all, what better gift could she get than a chance to spend the holidays at a quaint Adirondack Inn—which just happens to offer naughty playtime for sensually adventurous couples—with her sexy PI?
Jake Brennan should keep his hands off Marnie. But she’s delectable… irresistible! And the longer he keeps his desire under wraps, the more he wants her.
If only she wasn’t his number one suspect…
Lose Yourself… what you find might change your life.
It's available for Amazon's Kindle, or Nook, if you'd like to check it out.
This one actually came out last Christmas, and I had hoped to get to it, but longtime readers remember what a downer last Christmas was for me here. I really am enjoying it (Under Wraps) though. What can I say? I just like Ms. Rock's voice and style. *nods* I think romance fans'll like this one. Full review forthcoming.
So what are you reading, today?
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Joanne Rock’s Highland Twelfth Night festivities
(Testing. I think I fixed the blogger problem. In the meantime, if you missed it on the new blog, enjoy this book review)
Summoned For Seduction
by Joanne Rock
Publisher: Harlequin
(My review copy was purchased from the Harlequin Website)
In romance author Joanne Rock’s release for Harlequin Historicals Undone, Summoned for Seduction she presents Helene MacKail whose Twelfth Night fun at Domhnaill Keep is ruined by the fact that her father wishes her to marry a particularly fiendish highland lord, Léod mac Ruadhán, about whom vicious rumors swirl. It is said Léod caused his first wife’s death, after all. She does what any sane woman would do: She lies to Léod and hides out in her bedroom during the festivities. Some kind courtier takes it upon himself to offer her the dinner she missed, in Lady Cristiana’s brewhouse, and hungry, she can’t help but accept anonymous invitation. How could she expect what intrigue, seduction, and ultimately fate, awaits her?
What happens? Well, you’ll have to read to find out. As prequel to Joanne Rock’s January 2011 Harlequin Historical novel, In The Laird’s Bed, this short, 47 page Historical Undone novella brings the intrigue and some could say threat, as well as passion of an arranged Medieval betrothal to life. Though, in my opinion it may be a little too early to start thinking about Christmas, this book will definitely get you in the mood, I think. I enjoyed it, anyway. :) If you'd like to try it out, Summoned for Seduction is available for kindle and other e-readers from the Harlequin website, or for Kindle at Amazon.com or the Nook via barnesandnoble.com.
(As usual, a slightly different version of this review resides at the Examiner here, if you'd like to give it a click. Thanks! :))
guest posts alert
Just thought I'd let y'all know, Laurie at Bitten by Paranormal Romance is hosting Harlequin Historicals author Marguerite Kaye, today. She'll be giving away a copy of her new book, so don't miss that. You can see it here: http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com/2011/12/guest-post-and-giveaway-with-marguerite.html
Thursday, December 8, 2011
WW28: Jezebel's Wish
Just in case you missed it on my new blog Tarnished Gaslamps (which, if you haven't followed, please do so)
Sorry I'm late on this...is it another Wicked Wednesday already? Well, here's my pick for the week's WW28,
From Jezebel's Wish by AJ Nuest
published by the Yellow Rose line of The Wild Rose Press
P.28
The next thing she knew she was waking up at her mother’s house in Wisconsin, the banging noise of an irritated horse jolting her from her dreams.
Hmm....sounds like she's in for quite a day, doesn't it?
Here's a bit about the book from Good Reads:
Haunted by nightmares, tormented by guilt, Jezebel came to Redemption Ranch to escape the past-except now she's stuck in the middle of nowhere with no redemption in sight. When her mother pushes her into riding lessons with local veterinarian Matthias Saunders, Jezebel balks. Sure, the doctor is gorgeous, but he's completely obnoxious and knows how to push every one of her buttons.
Only her deep connection with The Reverend, a gentle stallion who guards her darkest secrets, has her agreeing to spend any more time with Dr. Saunders. Caring for the stallion is the first bright spot in her life in months, and if being around the horse means she has to deal with Matthias Saunders, then so be it. Surely a city girl like her can handle one country vet-even one with disturbing blue eyes. Can't she?
Want to read more? You can find out more on AJ's site: AJ's Tattered Pages. The book is available at The Wild Rose Press here, and Amazon.com for paperback and Kindle, and via barnes and noble in paperback and for the Nook. I hope you enjoy it! :)
Sorry I'm late on this...is it another Wicked Wednesday already? Well, here's my pick for the week's WW28,From Jezebel's Wish by AJ Nuestpublished by the Yellow Rose line of The Wild Rose Press
P.28
The next thing she knew she was waking up at her mother’s house in Wisconsin, the banging noise of an irritated horse jolting her from her dreams.
Hmm....sounds like she's in for quite a day, doesn't it?
Here's a bit about the book from Good Reads:
Haunted by nightmares, tormented by guilt, Jezebel came to Redemption Ranch to escape the past-except now she's stuck in the middle of nowhere with no redemption in sight. When her mother pushes her into riding lessons with local veterinarian Matthias Saunders, Jezebel balks. Sure, the doctor is gorgeous, but he's completely obnoxious and knows how to push every one of her buttons.
Only her deep connection with The Reverend, a gentle stallion who guards her darkest secrets, has her agreeing to spend any more time with Dr. Saunders. Caring for the stallion is the first bright spot in her life in months, and if being around the horse means she has to deal with Matthias Saunders, then so be it. Surely a city girl like her can handle one country vet-even one with disturbing blue eyes. Can't she?
Want to read more? You can find out more on AJ's site: AJ's Tattered Pages. The book is available at The Wild Rose Press here, and Amazon.com for paperback and Kindle, and via barnes and noble in paperback and for the Nook. I hope you enjoy it! :)
Giveaways
There are a couple giveaways going on around the blogosphere. Two I thought you might be interested:
Smexy Books is giving away a Kindle Fire, with some very hot Guess Who games.
and Caroline Clemmons, in a guest post here, is talking about Christmas shopping and giving away a copy of Home Sweet Texas Home, over here on Sky Purlington's blog. Good luck to all who try for them!
Smexy Books is giving away a Kindle Fire, with some very hot Guess Who games.
and Caroline Clemmons, in a guest post here, is talking about Christmas shopping and giving away a copy of Home Sweet Texas Home, over here on Sky Purlington's blog. Good luck to all who try for them!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
teaser tuesday 2
Blogger is being even worse to me now. I hope you've all subscribed to my new blog because this one? peh!!
Anyway, my whack at this week's Teaser Tuesday is up now, on the new blog... here: http://wp.me/p1twUF-8c
I hope you like it!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sharron Riddle guest post
Paranormal romance author Sharron Riddle visits me, with a Halloween post and giveaway. If you'd like to, you can see it here.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Early cover art release
Check out Suzanne Lazear's cover art for her upcoming YA steampunk release Innocent Darkness.
http://tinyurl.com/3jw4xh4
Isn't it gorgeous?
http://tinyurl.com/3jw4xh4
Isn't it gorgeous?
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Halloween event continues.
Romantic Comedy author Kathy Carmichael is guesting on my wordpress blog today, talking about the first time she went ghost hunting--and of course, how that tied into her new comedic romance Your Magic Touch.
If you wish to stop by (and leave a comment) you can see the post here.
If you wish to stop by (and leave a comment) you can see the post here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)