MY DRUG OF CHOICE

A-Z QUASI (meaning I won't be posting daily) ARTICLE WASN'T POSTED YESTERDAY--I HAD SOME TROUBLE WITH THE INTERNET. IN FACT, I WASN'T ON THE INTERNET AT ALL YESTERDAY. THERE WILL BE AN ARTICLE ON WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY.
Happy writing 'cause I'll be reading!

When life reaches a certain level of insanity and stress, I tend to increase my reading. Books give me a world to get lost in and far removed from everyday life. I get to go on adventures, fall in love, have supernatural abilities, solve a crime, and see the bad guys lose and good guys win. Of course, I write for many of the same reasons.  

Reading and music have always been at the top of my list of necessities. I could care less about TV (most of which drives me nuts) and while I like the occasional movie, I don’t need movies like I do books.  Books are truly a magic carpet whisking me away to far away worlds accompanied by a musical soundtrack of whatever takes my fancy at the time.

Since I've had to go back to work, reading for the pleasure of it (stories I want to read not books I have to read for reviews—that's work because you read with a different mindset) books have become my solace.

I just finished a good story, Immortal Ever After, by Lindsay Sands. I've read her books before but not this particular series (Argeneau). As usual, I started several books into the series rather than at the beginning—but that’s okay, I can catch up. She’s a good author who has a smooth way of keeping the reader abreast with what’s already happened without losing the thread of the current story she’s telling. I have to say; I love her wicked sense of humor (Count Rip-Your-Throat-Out? plus there is a great scene when Valerie has to deliver a baby, fight off the Count and wooden mallet…it cracked me up). Lindsay makes me laugh while feeding me an enticing dose of suspense, danger, and a fiery hot romance. I truly enjoyed the interaction between a feisty lady veterinarian, a cool German Shepherd, and an immortal man long on action and short on words.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Amazon, Barnes and Noble

A KISS DOESN'T MEAN ETERNITY… 

Valerie Moyer doesn’t believe in vampires—until a fanged psychopath kidnaps her! After escaping her bloodthirsty captor, she’s through  with creatures of the night. Until she finds herself under the protection of the darkly handsome Anders. Not only is she expected to accept that Anders is immortal, but also that she is the woman destined to be his life mate.

…OR DOES IT?

Anders felt a connection Valerie from the moment he cradled her bruised body in his arms. But before he claims her, he must destroy the vampire who almost stole her from him forever. His job would be easier if Valerie didn’t fight him every step of the way. Still, Anders loves a challenge, and the green-eyed beauty is worth fighting for. Excerpt 

                                                                                                                                                                

One of my favorite places to find good books to read is on Goodreads. Did you know, according to Publishers Weekly, Amazon is acquiring Goodreads? I discovered Goodreads (founded in 2007) about the time I started to take my writing seriously. I enjoyed the interaction between the authors (68 thousand) and their readers. I’m part of the 16 million members, I've shared more than one of the 23 million reviews posted to the site, and am part of a few of the 30 thousand book clubs listed there. For sure, I've added my share of the 530 million to my shelves. Be interesting to see how Amazon handles this. I only hope Goodreads is able to maintain it’s distinct identity and not become a little me Amazon as far as books and authors go.

Another bit of news I was happy to see was Penguin Group reducing their price to libraries for e-book lending and starting April 2, 2013, libraries will be able to lend e-books of new release hardbacks. It used to be readers had to wait 6 months to get their hands on a new hardback release. We had to wait until it was released to paperback. Not anymore. Now, if only Random House would follow in suit. But, no, they’re raising their prices for the use of e-books to libraries. Exorbitant prices that few libraries are going to be able to afford (like $65 to $85 per hardcover release for e-book lending).

According to Random house, "new library e-pricing reflects the high value placed on perpetuity of lending and simultaneity of availability for our titles…We believe that pricing to libraries must account for the higher value of this institutional model, which permits e-books to be repeatedly circulated without limitation. The library e-book and the lending privileges it allows enables many more readers to enjoy that copy than a typical consumer copy. Therefore, Random House believes it has greater value, and should be priced accordingly." 

Say what?

• Anyone read Lindsay Sands new book? Have you been following the series? 
• Any thoughts on Goodreads or libraries having current releases available in e-format for lending?

MOVING FORWARD WITH GINA LAMM

If you happen to see a flying marshmallow or four, don’t be alarmed. It’s only my guest, romance author, Gina Lamm, demonstrating her astounding mouth popping abilities. 

Most writers are more introspective than outgoing. We spend a lot of time lost in the worlds we are creating. We know  very well our faults and failings. It's hard not to get tangled up in doubts and worries. Gina’s topic today is how not to get lost in navel gazing aka artistic depression. 

Hi! I want to thank Sia (which is an incredibly cool name, btw) for having me for coffee today. I’m sipping on my overly sweetened coffee with almond milk while writing this, so it’s totally appropriate. J

Today I thought I’d talk a little bit about the hard times. It’s not always sunshine and roses being an author. There are days when the to-do list seems like it’s as long as a stretch of desert with no water.

Being an author is a pretty lonely occupation. Sure, it’s not my only job. For my 9 to 5, I work in a doctor’s office, answering phones, doing paperwork, and being generally pleasant. But, like a lot of authors, I’m somewhat of an introvert. Especially on days like today, when it seems that there’s no chance to get everything done, all I want to do is hide. But that’s not possible, so I smile, keep working, and secretly pray that somehow I’ll get everything done on time.

I read a statistic somewhere that creative types—authors, artists, etc.—are about three times as likely to be clinically depressed as other types. I believe it. When you spend so much time alone, being introspective, climbing for the goal of always improving your craft, it’s hard not to see all your failings. But we creative types have a responsibility to each other. To keep ourselves from navel-gazing too long. To show each other that there’s a beautiful world outside of our mind’s eye, one that feeds our muses and soothes our souls.

So here’s what I do to keep the over-introspection at bay. I read. I play video games. I spend time with my wonderful and loving husband and family. I chat with my writer friends online, or on the phone. I try to be there for them when their own doubts catch up with them. And I keep on ticking the bullets off my to-do list. With each check, it seems that three more tasks leap to fill the space. But I keep working, and with each tick, I get a sense of accomplishment. 

There are things I could have done differently in any one of my books. There are things that I’m not as pleased with as I could be. But those books are done. They’re behind me. And each book has taught me something about writing, about life, and about me. Even the ones that didn't make it to publication were important, were critical to my growth as an author and a person. And for that reason, it’s important to keep moving forward.

THE GEEK GIRL AND THE SCANDALOUS EARL taught me a lot. Almost more than any other book I've written to date. It taught me that a great idea is what it takes to snag the attention of a great editor. It taught me that when I want something badly enough, I can make it happen, including writing a full-length novel in about 8 weeks. It also taught me that I have a unique voice, a unique perspective, and that my work is worth sharing. It taught me to believe in myself as an author.

• What helps to keep you moving forward? Are you a creative type? How do you feed your muse and keep your doubts at bay?

Thanks again to Sia. I’m so grateful to have been here!

                                                                                                                                       

AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE

THE GEEK GIRL AND THE SCANDALOUS EARL

Gina Lamm

The Stakes Have Never Been Higher...

An avid gamer, Jamie Marten loves to escape into online adventure. But when she falls through an antique mirror into a lavish bedchamber—200 years in the past!—she realizes she may have escaped a little too far.

Micah Axelby, Earl of Dunnington, has just kicked one mistress out of his bed and isn't looking to fill it with another—least of all this sassy, nearly naked woman who claims to be from the future. Yet something about her is undeniably enticing...

Jamie and Micah are worlds apart. He's a peer of the realm. She can barely make rent. He's horse-drawn. She's Wi-Fi. But in the game of love, these two will risk everything to win. 

                                                                                                                                      

Becoming a magician proved to be less interesting than Gina Lamm had anticipated when she was six, so in her adult life, she’s turned to writing.

This belly-dancing, wisecracking, marshmallow-addicted mother of three energetic fur-children loves nothing more than penning funny, emotional tales of love, lust, and entertaining mishaps.

Married to a real live superhero, she and her family live in North Carolina, surrounded by tobacco farms, possums, and the occasional hurricane.

MONDAY MUSINGS: THE TAXMAN COMETH

Have I mentioned lately I'm ready for Spring?

Fortunately, he isn't taking but giving, although not as generously as he has in the past, but hey, I'll take what I can get. J  I have friends going through shoe boxes and pulling out their hair. I just gather everything together and keep a master list and hand it off to a very skilled bookkeeper/tax preparer. Bless her heart.

I've thoroughly enjoyed my day off Sunday. I needed it. I got fresh baked donuts and I had, not one, but two of the yummy things (unusual because I rarely eat them. I love them but they don't love me back). I also got to snooze and rest. Also finished reading a good book by Jayne Ann Krentz Copper Beach (Dark Legacy book one). The weather was perfect for snuggling up and reading. I was in the mood to watch a movie Saturday night, but not a new one. So I watched Vogage Home, my all time favorite of the Star Trek movies. I love the humor and drama of it. Spock is also a favorite, followed by Scotty and McCoy. One of my favorite touches Nimoy did for this movie (I have a list), is when Sarek asked Spock if he had a message for his mother and he replied, "Tell her I feel fine." Sarek eyebrow lifts, which made me smile, but there is a look in his eye that says he understands.

For those of you who enjoy Jayne Ann Krentz, as much as I; check out her latest, Copper Beach. Well done story and she does suspense well. I enjoy her blend of romance and danger and the way she creates a villain—or two. It's been interesting and entertaining to watch her blend the paranormal elements she's developed in her historical alchemists and futuristic stories and skillfully bring those unique elements together into a solid contemporary setting. She makes it a compelling read. I also loved the addition of a junkyard dog aka condo dog. Newton was cool! I'm looking forward to Judson and Gwen's story!

AMAZON, B&N

COPPER BEACH (Dark Legacy Novel)
Jayne Ann Krentz

A rare book and an ancient code...

Within the pages of very rare books some centuries old lie the secrets of the paranormal. Abby Radwell’s unusual psychic talent has made her an expert in such volumes—and has sometimes taken her into dangerous territory. After a deadly incident in the private library of an obsessive collector, Abby receives a blackmail threat, and rumors swirl that an old alchemical text known as The Key has reappeared on the black market.

Convinced that she needs an investigator who can also play bodyguard, she hires Sam Coppersmith, a specialist in paranormal crystals and amber—“hot rocks.” Passion flares immediately between them, but neither entirely trusts the other. When it comes to dealing with a killer who has paranormal abilities, and a blackmailer who will stop at nothing to obtain an ancient alchemical code, no one is safe. Excerpt (Amazon)

For those who may have wondered? Oh, yes. We got more snow. I feel like I should be singing Jingle Bells or something.  I'm so over snow! It's almost April—enough already. One of the nice things about Missouri is it's ability to turn off one season and start the next one the following day. I'm waiting—*grumbles and curses while searching for the switch.* Damn. I can't find it. Hope it's not broken.

My guest on Wednesday is Gina Lamm. Be sure to check back then.

Oh, and: 

Thank you Mark Koopman!

 Happy Birthday to Talli Roland! Hope you have a simply marvelous day!