This year seems to be flying by in a blink of an eye. While it's just about a month until National Novel Writing Month, it's time to get ready for a month full of daily writing with the goal of just under 2,000 words a day. That's right NaNoWriMo is about finishing a 50,000 word novel in just one months time. It's a great time to work on your craft of getting your butt in that chair and getting that first draft done.
For some the first draft is a scary thing, always going back to rewrite and fix the parts that they have finished in a vicious cycle that makes it near impossible to get to the finish line. That's what is wonderful about NaNo. It's about getting that first shitty draft done. After you get that done you can go back and fix the draft to make it all nice and shinny. It's also about getting in the habit of writing every day. Even if it's not for 2,000 words a day. For a writer this is one of the most important things to learn.
The one piece of advice I always hear first from successful authors is But In Chair, and Finish the Damn Book. It's not about waiting till you get your muse to write beautiful prose. No it's about getting that word count done and when your muse shows up to work you take full advantage of her.
This year will be my second time taking no the challenge of writing 50,000 in a month. Last year I rewrote my first book and wasn't quite able to meet the goal, though I did eventually finish the draft. As I type this I'm bouncing between revisions of that manuscript along with a contemporary novel. Now the question is what idea should I take on to write for this November?
Personally I'm torn between, once again, contemporary and paranormal. I still have some time before I go into full writing mode, but I think I'll start preparing for either.
What does it mean by preparing for both? For me it means breaking out the index cards and starting my plotting of each story. Personally I try not to do too much plotting since my characters tend to switch things up on me as I write, so I keep it to the important parts of the story that will help guide me as I write.
I will do this with my second book in my paranormal series, as well as a new stand alone contemporary novel. Once November arrives I will see or shall I say feel which characters are talking to me more then will pants my way through writing with the help of my plot points.
Pants my way through writing? Emily, what the hell am I talking about, you ask? Well that means I have no clue what is going to happen next and I'm flying by the seat of my pants. It's a lovely writing term for the type of writer a person is. As is pantster, plotter, or puzzler. Nope you don't have to be just one but a combination of all.
Anyways, I digress, NaNoWriMo is just around the corner and it's prep time to get ready for the challenge. Are you going to accept the challenge of writing 50k words in a month? Even if you don't hit the 50k it's a great exercise for your writing. I'll make sure to check in with everyone when November comes around to let you all know how it's going.
Now, I gotta get back to revisions and preparing for NaNo. Hope you all have a great weekend and will talk again soon!
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
My Wicked Enemy by Carolyn Jewel
It had been a while since I've read a Paranormal Romance and so I went into search for an author I've never read before on my bookshelf I've dubbed 'The must read shelves'. It has seemed that over the years and since I've gone to RWA for the first time that this bookshelf has grown bigger than my normal bookshelves could handle. That's right I added a bookcase to my collection just to have a to be read shelves that don't mix in with the books I've already read. Don't judge me, you know you've wanted to or have done the same at some point. So I found Carolyn Jewel's book My Wicked Enemy staring at me. Yelling at me to read it.
So, I did. I mean I even had it signed by the author while I was at the conference. Thanks, Carolyn!
What is the book about? Well, let me tell you. (Better yet, let me have the back cover explain it even better)
A Desire that Can't be Controlled . . .
Carson Phillips is a witch on the run. For years, the notorious mage Alvaro Magellan has held her as his psychological prisoner. But once Carson gets a glimpse of the true extent of his evil, she flees MagellanÕs mansion--stealing a stone talisman of unimaginable power on the way. Her only hope for survival is a demon who ignites a voracious hunger in her she can't deny, a longing she can't resist . . .
A Hunger that Can't be Sated . . .
Nikodemus is a warlord with a mission: Kill Magellan and his green-eyed witch at any cost. But when he meets the desperate Carson, the pull of her magic takes his breath away. HeÕs not sure he can trust this tantalizing woman--she is his enemy--and less sure he can keep his hands off her. But Magellan will stop at nothing to reclaim what belongs to him. Can Nikodemus save Carson before his desire for her destroys then both?
The whole concept of demons or fiends along with Mages had caught my attention. I loved the idea of them being in a war while trying to keep it under-wraps from the human world. And it takes place in my city, San Francisco! Okay, it's not my city but I live here so it's close enough.
Chemistry from two people who should be at war, action, sex, love, magic, and blood lust. It's everything I want in a good paranormal romance. But here is the thing that got me, there is so much going on that some of the world and characters are hard to keep track of. Especially when the fiends are able to feel and communicate with each others magic and minds, it's hard to keep clear, who's what and what is exactly going on.
Over all I enjoyed the book but it was frustrating at times when I'd be like wait I thought they already had sex? Oh okay, that didn't really happen. There is a lot that goes on and keeping track of it can be a little hard at times, especially when it comes to the magic and the progress of time. The whole book seems to have taken place in 3 days, but if you go to the beginning it mentions that they were supposed to have a big meeting of the fiends in 7 days. I might have missed something in there that made time go by, but with the level of injury that Carson goes through it feels nearly impossible for her to fully heal and no one sleeps.
Don't get me wrong, there is a sentence that says that once she bound herself to a fiend that she didn't need as much sleep and seemed to heal quickly, but still it seemed to not quite fit right to to me.
With this novel being Carolyn's debut, I'm interested to see how the other books in the series have evolved along with her writing. With all the nonstop action and the world already established, I'm willing to pick up the second book and see if it smooths things out a bit more.
Out of all the genres that are out there I find that Paranormal and Urban Fantasy to be the hardest to create a world. Especially when it comes to developing rules to the world so that not everything is possible. There needs to be limitations and Carolyn Jewel has done that. The only things that really bugged me was the need to smooth out a few of the magic elements when the characters are in each others heads and what the fiends actually look like when not in there human forms. Other than that I really enjoyed the action and the breaking of the total norm in a the San Francisco I live in.
Make sure to check out Carolyn Jewel at her website at www.carolynjewel.com and her other books both paranormal and historical.
So, I did. I mean I even had it signed by the author while I was at the conference. Thanks, Carolyn!
What is the book about? Well, let me tell you. (Better yet, let me have the back cover explain it even better)
A Desire that Can't be Controlled . . .
Carson Phillips is a witch on the run. For years, the notorious mage Alvaro Magellan has held her as his psychological prisoner. But once Carson gets a glimpse of the true extent of his evil, she flees MagellanÕs mansion--stealing a stone talisman of unimaginable power on the way. Her only hope for survival is a demon who ignites a voracious hunger in her she can't deny, a longing she can't resist . . .
A Hunger that Can't be Sated . . .
Nikodemus is a warlord with a mission: Kill Magellan and his green-eyed witch at any cost. But when he meets the desperate Carson, the pull of her magic takes his breath away. HeÕs not sure he can trust this tantalizing woman--she is his enemy--and less sure he can keep his hands off her. But Magellan will stop at nothing to reclaim what belongs to him. Can Nikodemus save Carson before his desire for her destroys then both?
The whole concept of demons or fiends along with Mages had caught my attention. I loved the idea of them being in a war while trying to keep it under-wraps from the human world. And it takes place in my city, San Francisco! Okay, it's not my city but I live here so it's close enough.
Chemistry from two people who should be at war, action, sex, love, magic, and blood lust. It's everything I want in a good paranormal romance. But here is the thing that got me, there is so much going on that some of the world and characters are hard to keep track of. Especially when the fiends are able to feel and communicate with each others magic and minds, it's hard to keep clear, who's what and what is exactly going on.
Over all I enjoyed the book but it was frustrating at times when I'd be like wait I thought they already had sex? Oh okay, that didn't really happen. There is a lot that goes on and keeping track of it can be a little hard at times, especially when it comes to the magic and the progress of time. The whole book seems to have taken place in 3 days, but if you go to the beginning it mentions that they were supposed to have a big meeting of the fiends in 7 days. I might have missed something in there that made time go by, but with the level of injury that Carson goes through it feels nearly impossible for her to fully heal and no one sleeps.
Don't get me wrong, there is a sentence that says that once she bound herself to a fiend that she didn't need as much sleep and seemed to heal quickly, but still it seemed to not quite fit right to to me.
With this novel being Carolyn's debut, I'm interested to see how the other books in the series have evolved along with her writing. With all the nonstop action and the world already established, I'm willing to pick up the second book and see if it smooths things out a bit more.
Out of all the genres that are out there I find that Paranormal and Urban Fantasy to be the hardest to create a world. Especially when it comes to developing rules to the world so that not everything is possible. There needs to be limitations and Carolyn Jewel has done that. The only things that really bugged me was the need to smooth out a few of the magic elements when the characters are in each others heads and what the fiends actually look like when not in there human forms. Other than that I really enjoyed the action and the breaking of the total norm in a the San Francisco I live in.
Make sure to check out Carolyn Jewel at her website at www.carolynjewel.com and her other books both paranormal and historical.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
One Last Conference
Since I'm a little crazy, I've decided to add one more conference in this year. In October I will be attending the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America's Chapter's conference, the Emerald City Writers Conference. It will be my first time attending a smaller conference as I've only gone to RT and RWA Nationals.
I'm excited to see the difference between the larger conferences and a smaller one. One thing that I'm already loving is there Gem Mentor program, where they will match up newbies to the con to a vet, so that they will help guide them getting ready to attend and meet up once the conference starts. On top of that they will be having a speed dating workshop on finding a crit partner. These were two major selling points for me personally. As I don't have a crit partner at the moment and know the value of them. Plus who doesn't love the Pacific Northwest that is filled with some amazing authors.
In 2014 I've already started to plan out my Conference/Convention schedule here it is to date:
-RT 2014 in New Orleans
-RWA Nationals in Texas I believe
-SF Writers Conference (this one is a maybe, as due to funding, but who knows it is in my city)
Once ECWC is over I will make sure to post about all the wonderful adventures I'm sure to have meeting some lovely people. Cause in the end writers are some of the most amazing and passionate people I've ever met.
I'm excited to see the difference between the larger conferences and a smaller one. One thing that I'm already loving is there Gem Mentor program, where they will match up newbies to the con to a vet, so that they will help guide them getting ready to attend and meet up once the conference starts. On top of that they will be having a speed dating workshop on finding a crit partner. These were two major selling points for me personally. As I don't have a crit partner at the moment and know the value of them. Plus who doesn't love the Pacific Northwest that is filled with some amazing authors.
In 2014 I've already started to plan out my Conference/Convention schedule here it is to date:
-RT 2014 in New Orleans
-RWA Nationals in Texas I believe
-SF Writers Conference (this one is a maybe, as due to funding, but who knows it is in my city)
Once ECWC is over I will make sure to post about all the wonderful adventures I'm sure to have meeting some lovely people. Cause in the end writers are some of the most amazing and passionate people I've ever met.
Diary of an Urban Panther by Amanda Arista
Today I finally finished The Diary of the Urban Panther the first book in the Violet Jordan series by Amanda Arista, a Paranormal Romance with Avon Impulse.
The shy Violet Jordan is used to living in a fairy tale, having grown up from on their stories even as an adult being a writer for a film production company specializing in horror films. Never did she think that the stories her mother had told her as a child would end up being what would help her deal with being attacked by a panther shifter and stop her sire from bring a demon in to the human realm and destroying the world. With the help of her best friend who turns out to be a fairy princess, Chaz a guardian, and Iris a lion shifter, Violet for the first time is able to discover who she really is. And that she can take on any challenge set in front of her without running away to start a new life.
While I was at the RWA national conference in Anaheim this year, I was able to get these set of books and signed by the sweet Amanda Arista. I'd never read any of her books, but as I was walking through the crowd the covers caught my eye. A cat lover and never one to pass up a good paranormal romance, I walked up to her not quite knowing what to say, said the first things that came to mind, "Hi, I'd love to hear about your books. What are they about?" Nothing overwhelming, but like Arista's character Violet I'm a little shy.
My nerves were quickly put to rest as Amanda quickly chatted about her books and she not only offered to sign her newest book, the third in the series, but the first to as well. Newly informed on which to read first, I was not able to enjoy the story of Violet the Urban Panther.
Overall it's a great story and I've really enjoyed it. I loved the way she was able to weave the paranormal world into the real world, which can be harder to do than one might think. The connection between Violet and Chaz is snarky and to a man who may be model beautiful and shy about it is refreshing. Their relationship is full of sparks, and sass and drama. Which alone would be a fun read, but with the added drama of learning how to embrace her new inner cat, Violet learning more about her best friend Jessa, you are able to connect with the characters.
My grievances has nothing to do with the story, there were a few typos that caught my eye. Nothing to make me want to stop reading, but enough to notice it once every hundred pages. This could also be because I've been editing my own work and more open to seeing little mistakes, like whole instead of hole. Or the indentation of one paragraph being one tab space too far over. It's these little things that were my only thing that bugged me.
With the next two books in the series waiting for me to read on my book shelf, I can't wait to see Chaz and Violet's relationship evolve and what drama will ensue all with a cup of coffee close at hand.
Make sure to check out Amanda Arista's website at http://www.amandaarista.com/ and on twitter @pantherista
I know I can't wait to see what else Amanda will come out with, and hope everyone else will check out her work as well.
The shy Violet Jordan is used to living in a fairy tale, having grown up from on their stories even as an adult being a writer for a film production company specializing in horror films. Never did she think that the stories her mother had told her as a child would end up being what would help her deal with being attacked by a panther shifter and stop her sire from bring a demon in to the human realm and destroying the world. With the help of her best friend who turns out to be a fairy princess, Chaz a guardian, and Iris a lion shifter, Violet for the first time is able to discover who she really is. And that she can take on any challenge set in front of her without running away to start a new life.
While I was at the RWA national conference in Anaheim this year, I was able to get these set of books and signed by the sweet Amanda Arista. I'd never read any of her books, but as I was walking through the crowd the covers caught my eye. A cat lover and never one to pass up a good paranormal romance, I walked up to her not quite knowing what to say, said the first things that came to mind, "Hi, I'd love to hear about your books. What are they about?" Nothing overwhelming, but like Arista's character Violet I'm a little shy.
My nerves were quickly put to rest as Amanda quickly chatted about her books and she not only offered to sign her newest book, the third in the series, but the first to as well. Newly informed on which to read first, I was not able to enjoy the story of Violet the Urban Panther.
Overall it's a great story and I've really enjoyed it. I loved the way she was able to weave the paranormal world into the real world, which can be harder to do than one might think. The connection between Violet and Chaz is snarky and to a man who may be model beautiful and shy about it is refreshing. Their relationship is full of sparks, and sass and drama. Which alone would be a fun read, but with the added drama of learning how to embrace her new inner cat, Violet learning more about her best friend Jessa, you are able to connect with the characters.
My grievances has nothing to do with the story, there were a few typos that caught my eye. Nothing to make me want to stop reading, but enough to notice it once every hundred pages. This could also be because I've been editing my own work and more open to seeing little mistakes, like whole instead of hole. Or the indentation of one paragraph being one tab space too far over. It's these little things that were my only thing that bugged me.
With the next two books in the series waiting for me to read on my book shelf, I can't wait to see Chaz and Violet's relationship evolve and what drama will ensue all with a cup of coffee close at hand.
Make sure to check out Amanda Arista's website at http://www.amandaarista.com/ and on twitter @pantherista
I know I can't wait to see what else Amanda will come out with, and hope everyone else will check out her work as well.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Wedding Craziness
No, I wasn't the one to get married. One of my big sisters (I have 3) got married last weekend. E is the first of us four girls to get married and I'm so happy for her and my new brother (for some reason I hate saying in-law, he's family now no need to point out that he chose to join our crazy family). The festivities were last weekend, hence why there was no post with all the craziness going on.
So here is an update on the wonders of the week I was visiting family in Utah while trying to lend as much help as possible to ease the stress of putting on a wedding, especially one with the insane dynamics that run in my family alone.
Sorry writing, but you took a major back seat to this major event in my sisters life.
It's not very often that we are able to get all four of us sisters together, let alone get us with extended family. But E was able to get everything together and it was a great wedding even with the little blips I call it a major success. I commend my sister and new brother for not letting the stress of doing a wedding by themselves tear them apart. That's right they did it 100% on there own. No wedding planner. Whenever E got upset (as normal with any wedding that you are taking on) he wouldn't let her run from the problem letting it feel like it's the worst thing than slice bread but would chase after her to help work through it. In a matter of minutes E would be back with a smile on her face and we all would move on to the next thing. I commend my new bro in this matter. He doesn't just let his new wife go be upset at anything, he goes holds her hand and work through it together. They truly are a team.
I already like M, my brother-in-law, but the fact that he is willing to fight to break down walls with family members who might be more hesitant to get to know him and he is always there for my sister, as she is for him, makes me appreciate him even more. They are both hard workers in there everyday life they both need that moral support to help take on every day stress of running their own businesses.
Normal wedding arguments didn't last long, as they work as a team to get through it. And they did. Even with it raining during the out door wedding, thank goodness for covers spaces, and a half hour late, everyone had a smile on their face as us girls looked up into the sky saying thanks to the weather God that might not have given us the sun we desired, but blessed us with rain in a gorgeous botanical garden a a sight of a new clean chapter in E and M's new life as man and wife.
Even though it rained on the day of the wedding, and the kids that were there loved playing in it with the field games that were supposed to be enjoyed by everyone, we still looked fabulous determined to not let the rain bring us down. And we didn't.
Good thing that we all like the rain. Going with the flow as things popped up. Bonus it made the flowers and grass all the brighter and more enjoyable as we declared to dance in the rain after the photos. Fortunately and unfortunately the rain stopped after dinner and photos were taken so no dancing in the rain this time. Maybe next time we will all go in our fancy dresses to frolic in the rain together.
The week was great, going by way too quickly. Though you'd think that I'd learn by now to drink more water to help battle altitude sickness that I always get, and the impending heat exhaustion that comes with the summer heat. What? I'm a delicate flower that lives in a city that rarely gets to be over 70 degrees let alone come out of the fog. Though I now have learned about essential oils to help out with that, but more on that on a later post.
I got to play on the family farm, pick fresh corn from the field of my Grandmothers field, ride a four wheeler with cousins kids on the back yelling to go faster, made friends with Norman the cow, enjoy the Peach Day Festival, relax at a hot spring, got to know M's close family more, and get to see my paternal grandparents that I've maybe only seen a handful of times through out my life. Best thing of that week, was seeing my sister marry her best friend. I've always looked up to E as she has always stuck to her morals, ethics and put in the hard work to make her dreams come true. Even if some of our family doesn't have the same views (both antimarriage and traditional mormon views). The things that she as accomplished amazes me. I'm proud to call her sister.
Oh, my goodness I forgot to tell you about the Peach Day Festival. The day before the wedding we went to a hot springs about an hour outside of Ogden UT to relax with no talking of the wedding, since that was all that was talked about that week. Getting to the hot spring before they opened we went back to a small town, Brigham City, where they were having a Peach Day Festival.
Why not enjoy some vendor shopping and carnival food? While there we found cool Margaritas to stay off the heat, but I wouldn't call them a Margarita as the sign suggested. More like a slushy. It's Utah, there really isn't much booze around. So they had to say that the Margarita Ville was sans alcohol. That wasn't our only find, they had purses for concealed weapons. Um ok. Guess every lady needs a fancy animal print purse to hold there guns. Ty was determined to buy me one. I told her she could if they had one in a style I'd actually use...not that I carry a gun with me or even own one. She conceded in my rule and we left the festival for the hot spring sans purse, but with a slushy pretending to be a margarita.
Even with all the stress of the wedding and family that doesn't always get along, and unhelpful groomsmen, everyone had a good time even finding a semblance of a balance of quality family time. And with family time comes vampire movies and lots of pictures. See below for proof that we take weird photos. Our Dad had rented a car that had a backup cam. Of course that meant that we had to take a photo of Ty on main street with her boba tea on the screen that was telling us that if we backed up that not only would we have a squished Ty but we would go directly into her eye. Haha.
I now leave you to dive in to revisions. As my hands are twitching to get some writing done. I hope you all have had a great week and go into the weekend with some relaxation and joy. One thing I've learned this past weekend is that you need to find time relax and know that it's not the end of the world. That walking down the street holding your siblings or loved one's hand can help ease any overwhelming emotions that you might have. Cause in the end you know that you aren't alone. That you can do anything you put your mind to. Even if you fall they are there with a helping hand even if if they are states away.
This is why I write romance. To create a book that makes you have the feels, that lets you know that anything is possible and that you are never alone even if you feel like you are.
 |
| E & MJ cutting the cake. Noms! |
So here is an update on the wonders of the week I was visiting family in Utah while trying to lend as much help as possible to ease the stress of putting on a wedding, especially one with the insane dynamics that run in my family alone.
Sorry writing, but you took a major back seat to this major event in my sisters life.
It's not very often that we are able to get all four of us sisters together, let alone get us with extended family. But E was able to get everything together and it was a great wedding even with the little blips I call it a major success. I commend my sister and new brother for not letting the stress of doing a wedding by themselves tear them apart. That's right they did it 100% on there own. No wedding planner. Whenever E got upset (as normal with any wedding that you are taking on) he wouldn't let her run from the problem letting it feel like it's the worst thing than slice bread but would chase after her to help work through it. In a matter of minutes E would be back with a smile on her face and we all would move on to the next thing. I commend my new bro in this matter. He doesn't just let his new wife go be upset at anything, he goes holds her hand and work through it together. They truly are a team.
I already like M, my brother-in-law, but the fact that he is willing to fight to break down walls with family members who might be more hesitant to get to know him and he is always there for my sister, as she is for him, makes me appreciate him even more. They are both hard workers in there everyday life they both need that moral support to help take on every day stress of running their own businesses.
Normal wedding arguments didn't last long, as they work as a team to get through it. And they did. Even with it raining during the out door wedding, thank goodness for covers spaces, and a half hour late, everyone had a smile on their face as us girls looked up into the sky saying thanks to the weather God that might not have given us the sun we desired, but blessed us with rain in a gorgeous botanical garden a a sight of a new clean chapter in E and M's new life as man and wife.
 |
| Still looking fab in the rain. |
Good thing that we all like the rain. Going with the flow as things popped up. Bonus it made the flowers and grass all the brighter and more enjoyable as we declared to dance in the rain after the photos. Fortunately and unfortunately the rain stopped after dinner and photos were taken so no dancing in the rain this time. Maybe next time we will all go in our fancy dresses to frolic in the rain together.
The week was great, going by way too quickly. Though you'd think that I'd learn by now to drink more water to help battle altitude sickness that I always get, and the impending heat exhaustion that comes with the summer heat. What? I'm a delicate flower that lives in a city that rarely gets to be over 70 degrees let alone come out of the fog. Though I now have learned about essential oils to help out with that, but more on that on a later post.
I got to play on the family farm, pick fresh corn from the field of my Grandmothers field, ride a four wheeler with cousins kids on the back yelling to go faster, made friends with Norman the cow, enjoy the Peach Day Festival, relax at a hot spring, got to know M's close family more, and get to see my paternal grandparents that I've maybe only seen a handful of times through out my life. Best thing of that week, was seeing my sister marry her best friend. I've always looked up to E as she has always stuck to her morals, ethics and put in the hard work to make her dreams come true. Even if some of our family doesn't have the same views (both antimarriage and traditional mormon views). The things that she as accomplished amazes me. I'm proud to call her sister.
 |
| Peach Day Festival Margaritas. What? No booze? |
 |
| At the Peach Day Festival |
Why not enjoy some vendor shopping and carnival food? While there we found cool Margaritas to stay off the heat, but I wouldn't call them a Margarita as the sign suggested. More like a slushy. It's Utah, there really isn't much booze around. So they had to say that the Margarita Ville was sans alcohol. That wasn't our only find, they had purses for concealed weapons. Um ok. Guess every lady needs a fancy animal print purse to hold there guns. Ty was determined to buy me one. I told her she could if they had one in a style I'd actually use...not that I carry a gun with me or even own one. She conceded in my rule and we left the festival for the hot spring sans purse, but with a slushy pretending to be a margarita.
Even with all the stress of the wedding and family that doesn't always get along, and unhelpful groomsmen, everyone had a good time even finding a semblance of a balance of quality family time. And with family time comes vampire movies and lots of pictures. See below for proof that we take weird photos. Our Dad had rented a car that had a backup cam. Of course that meant that we had to take a photo of Ty on main street with her boba tea on the screen that was telling us that if we backed up that not only would we have a squished Ty but we would go directly into her eye. Haha.
 |
| Back up cam photo op |
I now leave you to dive in to revisions. As my hands are twitching to get some writing done. I hope you all have had a great week and go into the weekend with some relaxation and joy. One thing I've learned this past weekend is that you need to find time relax and know that it's not the end of the world. That walking down the street holding your siblings or loved one's hand can help ease any overwhelming emotions that you might have. Cause in the end you know that you aren't alone. That you can do anything you put your mind to. Even if you fall they are there with a helping hand even if if they are states away.
This is why I write romance. To create a book that makes you have the feels, that lets you know that anything is possible and that you are never alone even if you feel like you are.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
The Mating by Nicky Charles
In the search for an author I've never read before and wanting to try out my new e-reader I dove in the iTunes library for my next adventure. I've always found going to the free ebooks kind of like rush and roulette, you never quite know what you're going to find. Some have a great concept but are missing that polished touch to help smooth the story out. And well in Nicky Charles The Mating I found a series that is on my must read list. The first book in her Law of the Lycans, you can continue to enjoy Nicky's characters after you are hooked by The Mating.
This paranormal romance is about Elise who never thought that she would be the pawn to seal an alliance when her father has her mated with a complete stranger an Alpha of a neighboring pack.
Not your typical werewolf genre you are empathetic to what Elise is going through, when she goes through with the arranged marriage and it not being to the man she is in love in. Wanting the best for her pack Elise goes with her new husband Kane. Struggling to be an Alpha's wife while struggling with finding a way to be accepted by her new pack mates, and finds herself falling for her husband all the while there is a threat to the Pack's land.
Charles' world she created is believable one that make you believe the world she craftily brings to life. No relationship is easy and being a werewolf doesn't make things any easier. Slowly as Elise begins to fall for her husband Kane, so do you. Though like any man you want to smack him upside his head every once and a while. With the excitement of the mystery of the threat of their land the story keeps you on your toes.
If you're anything about me then you will absolutely love her books. Personally I couldn't put her books down once I started them and I hope you all enjoy her work as much as I have. And I can't wait to read more of her work.
You can find all of Nicky Charles' novels can be found at
This paranormal romance is about Elise who never thought that she would be the pawn to seal an alliance when her father has her mated with a complete stranger an Alpha of a neighboring pack.
Not your typical werewolf genre you are empathetic to what Elise is going through, when she goes through with the arranged marriage and it not being to the man she is in love in. Wanting the best for her pack Elise goes with her new husband Kane. Struggling to be an Alpha's wife while struggling with finding a way to be accepted by her new pack mates, and finds herself falling for her husband all the while there is a threat to the Pack's land.
Charles' world she created is believable one that make you believe the world she craftily brings to life. No relationship is easy and being a werewolf doesn't make things any easier. Slowly as Elise begins to fall for her husband Kane, so do you. Though like any man you want to smack him upside his head every once and a while. With the excitement of the mystery of the threat of their land the story keeps you on your toes.
If you're anything about me then you will absolutely love her books. Personally I couldn't put her books down once I started them and I hope you all enjoy her work as much as I have. And I can't wait to read more of her work.
You can find all of Nicky Charles' novels can be found at
Also check out her website at https://sites.google.com/site/nickycharlesbooks/home
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
The Impetuous Amazon by Sandy James
A few months ago I had reviewed the first book in the Alliance of the Amazons series by Sandy James and now that the second book the series, The Impetuous Amazon, is out I had a chance to catch up with the four Amazons representing each element.
While the first novel The Reluctant Amazon had focused on Rebecca, the Earth Amazon, this second is about Megan, the Fire Amazon. Struggling with controlling her not only her powers but with the forbidden attraction that she has with one of her Sentinels, Johann. With the threat of the patron Goddesses stripping her of her powers it is up to Johann to help Megan gain control of her ever growing powers as they take on a threat to humanity. But both Megan and Johann have to come to terms with there feelings for the other to be able to join together to take on the struggles that lay awaiting for them.
James picks up almost a year after the first novel had ended and if you know anything about Megan and Johann's back story from the first novel you know that there will be some witty banter back and forth between the two. It's no surprise that they have an attraction that burns just as hot as any fire Megan sets.
There is non stop action through out the book that keeps you pulled into story, let it be the fighting against reverents, demons, or the attraction for the each other you can relate with Megan (as well as the doubts that she has about a pending romance). She may be one tough cookie, but like any good cookie there is a soft center. What better for a tough Amazon, with doubts and flaws like any other person, to have a Soldier/Warrior with a nerdy soft side to help her through her adventures.
Normally I can get through a book like this, 92,000 words, in a few days but with real life getting in the way I kept getting pulled away right before the good parts happened. It has taken me a bit longer to read this time around. And one of the many things that I like about James' writing is that she is able to get what she wants said across without getting too over the top or dumb it down to the point where it's boring. Finding a good book that is an easy read yet keeps the excitement going is hard to find...especially for someone who has ADD. Yes, I'm pointing a finger at myself.
As much as I love the story between Megan and Johann, and the arguments they have that only show how passionate they are about the others safety, the only thing that I would have liked to know more background on are of the Ancients magical artifacts. There are some that are spread out through out the story that I'd like to know more. There are little snip bits, but personally I'd like to know more. Then again it might just be me, since I'm a bit sucker for mythology and think there would be a great story to some of the artifacts. (I'm trying really hard here not to give away anything from the story about what is used, since I want you all to go out and read the book) But for the sake of not going doing an info dump in a book or completely derailing the main story to tell the history of something is totally understandable. My inner mythology nerd just perked up and wanted to know more about them.
Make sure to check out Sandy James' website at www.sandy-james.com and the next book her this series The Brazen Amazon, coming out on May 6, 2013.
While the first novel The Reluctant Amazon had focused on Rebecca, the Earth Amazon, this second is about Megan, the Fire Amazon. Struggling with controlling her not only her powers but with the forbidden attraction that she has with one of her Sentinels, Johann. With the threat of the patron Goddesses stripping her of her powers it is up to Johann to help Megan gain control of her ever growing powers as they take on a threat to humanity. But both Megan and Johann have to come to terms with there feelings for the other to be able to join together to take on the struggles that lay awaiting for them.
James picks up almost a year after the first novel had ended and if you know anything about Megan and Johann's back story from the first novel you know that there will be some witty banter back and forth between the two. It's no surprise that they have an attraction that burns just as hot as any fire Megan sets.
There is non stop action through out the book that keeps you pulled into story, let it be the fighting against reverents, demons, or the attraction for the each other you can relate with Megan (as well as the doubts that she has about a pending romance). She may be one tough cookie, but like any good cookie there is a soft center. What better for a tough Amazon, with doubts and flaws like any other person, to have a Soldier/Warrior with a nerdy soft side to help her through her adventures.
Normally I can get through a book like this, 92,000 words, in a few days but with real life getting in the way I kept getting pulled away right before the good parts happened. It has taken me a bit longer to read this time around. And one of the many things that I like about James' writing is that she is able to get what she wants said across without getting too over the top or dumb it down to the point where it's boring. Finding a good book that is an easy read yet keeps the excitement going is hard to find...especially for someone who has ADD. Yes, I'm pointing a finger at myself.
As much as I love the story between Megan and Johann, and the arguments they have that only show how passionate they are about the others safety, the only thing that I would have liked to know more background on are of the Ancients magical artifacts. There are some that are spread out through out the story that I'd like to know more. There are little snip bits, but personally I'd like to know more. Then again it might just be me, since I'm a bit sucker for mythology and think there would be a great story to some of the artifacts. (I'm trying really hard here not to give away anything from the story about what is used, since I want you all to go out and read the book) But for the sake of not going doing an info dump in a book or completely derailing the main story to tell the history of something is totally understandable. My inner mythology nerd just perked up and wanted to know more about them.
Make sure to check out Sandy James' website at www.sandy-james.com and the next book her this series The Brazen Amazon, coming out on May 6, 2013.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Retreat From The Big City
Next week one of my older sisters is getting married to her college sweet heart. With her living in another state it's always hard to be able to spend a lot of time together, but with the big day right around the corner I get to spend the week with my sister, mom, and her side of the family. It's always refreshing to come up and visit them in Utah. I know what you're thinking, but it's Utah...in the summer. Well guess what I get to let my country side out while I'm here. And it's so much fun to see all the extended family as we gather at our Grandmothers house.
It's amazing just how much you need a break from the big city and go out the a small town with a house full of kids running around, doing manual labor, picking/eating veggies fresh from the field, riding around on a four wheeler with my cousins kid hanging on the back screaming faster and watching Grandma (who's practically blind) teach/do make homemade pickles and relish with one of my cousins wives.
A cousin had mentioned just how much of a culture shock it must be to go from living in San Francisco to visiting the family farm in Utah. But here's the thing....it feels natural to me. My family has always had roots out here, having raised cows and having a large garden on there land. I have country in my roots and while my small section of the family has been more apart of the "big city life out in California" I love being around the wide open spaces (which is starting to get more and more homes and less and less farms), but in the end there is nothing like having organic beef you raised and a home cooked meal with family crammed around the table with kids running around. One thing that they don't know is that my dream house is a country house with a the big city not too far off for when you need a good dose of city and country.
Oh my gosh I almost forgot to tell you guys about Norman the Calf. He is a orphaned calf from our herd, so my cousins took him in an has hand fed him for the past few months and it wasn't until now that he's being whinnied off milk. Yes, he was named after the movie City Slickers and has become a large dog. He loves head scratches and comes when you call his name. Yes, he moos back when you talk to him. Basically he is not going anywhere. He's kind of adorable.
Anyways, it's going to be a week full of good chaos of helping my sister get the final plans done and ready for her big day next Saturday, and I can't wait. Even with the stress that goes with planning a wedding (the first in my immediate family), being around family that you don't see very often is great.
So, this week is my retreat to the smaller towns, ok really they aren't that small (only when compared to where I live) and letting my country roots show as I drive around in our old family farm truck that I remember being driven around by my Grandpa when I could barely see out the window.
Writing will have to take a second, no third seat, this week, but it's well worth it to spend time with my sister and mom, who I only get to see maybe once or twice a year. Sorry writing. I love you more than you know, but you gotta wait till I can find a few moment for you.
It's amazing just how much you need a break from the big city and go out the a small town with a house full of kids running around, doing manual labor, picking/eating veggies fresh from the field, riding around on a four wheeler with my cousins kid hanging on the back screaming faster and watching Grandma (who's practically blind) teach/do make homemade pickles and relish with one of my cousins wives.
A cousin had mentioned just how much of a culture shock it must be to go from living in San Francisco to visiting the family farm in Utah. But here's the thing....it feels natural to me. My family has always had roots out here, having raised cows and having a large garden on there land. I have country in my roots and while my small section of the family has been more apart of the "big city life out in California" I love being around the wide open spaces (which is starting to get more and more homes and less and less farms), but in the end there is nothing like having organic beef you raised and a home cooked meal with family crammed around the table with kids running around. One thing that they don't know is that my dream house is a country house with a the big city not too far off for when you need a good dose of city and country.
 |
| Me and Norman the Calf wanting Milk and scratches |
Anyways, it's going to be a week full of good chaos of helping my sister get the final plans done and ready for her big day next Saturday, and I can't wait. Even with the stress that goes with planning a wedding (the first in my immediate family), being around family that you don't see very often is great.
So, this week is my retreat to the smaller towns, ok really they aren't that small (only when compared to where I live) and letting my country roots show as I drive around in our old family farm truck that I remember being driven around by my Grandpa when I could barely see out the window.
Writing will have to take a second, no third seat, this week, but it's well worth it to spend time with my sister and mom, who I only get to see maybe once or twice a year. Sorry writing. I love you more than you know, but you gotta wait till I can find a few moment for you.
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