Hang On, We're In For a Ride

Happy Thursday Everyone,

I had trouble with this site earlier, so I'm posting a little later in the day than I normally would...

I'm going to verbally jump up and down for a moment here, so just bear with me. Finally, finally, finally! Tess St. John, one of my illustrious Critique Partners, is starting to release her Romantic Suspenses! Yesterday she released onto Amazon Kindle and Barnes &Noble Nook Don't Let It Show. This looks good and if it's anything like what I've read of her other work, it's going to be awesome!

Okay, now that you've seen me be total fan girl (not the first time, right?) I can get into today's discussion:

Yesterday I finished reading Lauren Oliver's Delirium. Can I just say, WOW? This dystopian novel took me on one wild ride. Even when there wasn't any running or looking over one's shoulder I had this feeling that any minute someone was going to jump out and yell "Boo!" (metaphorically speaking, of course).

Delirium asks the question: "What if society/government thought love was a disease and had found a "cure" for it?" People react in a myriad of ways in this novel. Some resist ("sympathizers"/"invalids"/"resisters") and some are forced to comply and others just go ahead with the procedure on their own--those are the "cureds". The idea is without the "disease"--the "deliria"--people are able to live happy, rational, and secure lives. The fear of being "infected" before you're "cured" is perpetuated by the "New Religion" and the "Book Of Shh"--all put out by the government, scientists, and those in the medical field associated with administrating the "cure".

I found the book utterly intriguing and totally unforgettable. It's one of those things that you have to take a step back and digest before moving on to the next book on my reading list.

The second book in this series, Pandemonium, is due to release in March of 2012. So far the series is slated to be a triology and it looks like it promises to be quite the adventure.

My impression: the book is intriguing and thought provoking. It took me out of my "comfort zone" so to speak and had me contemplating its question and deciding that I'm very glad that the government/scientists don't have a "cure" for love and that I'm free to love my husband, offspring, friends, and family to my heart's content.

Anyway, if you haven't already, pick up a copy of Tess St. John's Don't Let It Show (from what I understand this novel will eventually go into print, but I don't have an exact date at this time). Also, you might want to check out Lauren Oliver's Delirium for yourself. She's got quite the imagination.

What books have you read that just stick in your mind--ones that maybe took you out of your comfort zone, or ones that you just can't forget because you loved them so much?

Have A Thoughtful Thursday!

It's Worth A Fortune

Happy Tuesday Everyone, Does anyone remember the song If I Had A Million Dollars by Barenaked Ladies ? I can't remember when or how I was first introduced to this song, but it's a fun song. So, how about if you had a million dollars? What would you do with it? Of course there's the responsible things to do with a million dollars--pay off debts, and such like that. Then there's the question of whether or not you give to charities, and how much. But, suppose you answered all those questions and you still had quite a lot left; what would you do with it? Maybe I'd go to Disney World. I've wanted to go, and I've never been able to. Or, perhaps I'd go to Germany and England, and Belgium (three of the countries my ancestors are from). Travel around seeing family and friends I don't see often. There's all kinds of possibilities. So, what about you? What would you do with a million dollars? Have A Tremendous Tuesday!

Spotlight On Author: Loretta Wheeler

Happy Tuesday Everyone, There's a gem of an author I've had the privilege of coming across...I'm talking about my friend, Loretta Wheeler. She's a sweetheart and very talented author. I enjoyed her YA Paranormal novella, The Pan Man immensely. And, she also writes Romance. So without further ado, come into my parlor and meet Loretta Wheeler: Me: In your YA novelette, The Pan Man , you mention Pan's looking for his long lost soul mate. What made you choose Pan out of all the Greek/Roman gods and goddesses? Loretta: I chose the Greek god Pan, because of the connection with the music. I found later on in the story, (my stories take over and write themselves usually) it applied even more than I realized because of the band's name. I won't mention the name of the band in here, because it's part of the surprise ending. Me: You're mostly known for your Romance stories. How would you describe your writing style? Hot, suspenseful, sensual, sw...

Myths About Writers

Afternoon Folks, I thought we'd do a post to dispel some of the myths people seem to have about writers. I'll put the ones that first come to mind then y'all can chime in. Myth: Writing is a great way to make a lot of money. I'm not sure exactly how this one matriculated. Probably in the wake of some of the big best sellers (i.e. Stephen King, Anne Rice, Stephenie Meyer, JK Rowling, and the like) but most of the time writers put in more money for their writing than they do get out of it. Generally a writer doesn't make a ton of money unless somehow his/her book is a blockbuster hit and blasts through what the author owes in the advance (which is paid back to publishers through royalties). Most writers I've met and talked to are not millionaires. I'm not saying it can't happen, I'm saying it's not one of those things that's automatic. Myth: Writing Is Easy Anybody Can Do It. Okay, granted this isn't entirely a myth, but it's not ent...

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