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!

Get Thee A Nom De Plume!

Good Evening One & All, Shakespeare wrote in Romeo & Juliet, "What's in a name?...A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Disney talked about names in Aladdin in the lyrics, "Better get a nom de plume ." (the song, "One Jump"). So, for a writer, what does a nom de plume (or, pen name) say about the author? It could be a different spelling of the author's name, it could be a name that has a significance. They could keep their first name, but change the last, or change both. A pen name is also the name a writer will write under for his or her books. The name that his or her readers will recognize them. The name on the autographs and the one where people will say, "Oh yes, that's so and so, they wrote..." Some authors write under their own names. Others, for a variety of reasons, choose a pen name. What about you? Are you considering a pen name? What have you looked at when thinking of your nom de plume ? For myself, I...

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...

Gregori Celebrates My Birthday

Happy Tuesday All, ****CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED**** In honor of my birthday (that was on Oct. 15th) I am doing TWO give aways! The FIRST one is TODAY! Today's give away is a copy of Kerrelyn Sparks' Sexiest Vampire Alive . Kerrelyn, being the awesome person that she is, has agreed to give a signed copy of the novel to ONE lucky commenter on my blog. Here's how it's going to work and please read all instructions CAREFULLY. ONE entry PER person : If you choose to email in your entry: Email to this email ONLY . Your email should state who your favorite vampire is. And no, it does NOT have to be one of Kerrelyn Sparks' characters, but that would be really cool if you DID mention one of hers. If you choose to enter by commenting on my blog: Leave your FIRST name, email address, and what vampire is your favorite. It can be ANY vampire--but like I said, it would be really cool if you mention a Kerrelyn Sparks' vampire. You don't know Kerrelyn Spa...

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