Wednesday Reads and a Free Short Story

I have a cover, I have an editor lined up, now I just have to finish polishing Blind Temptation. My only dilemma is…do I publish as soon as I can or wait until Ghostly Liaison is released? I’d be surprised if Blind Temptation is finished before January 19, but stranger things have happened.

I know, I know. What a dilemma to have, huh? Anyway, here’s what I read in the past week:

Nov 6: “Sick” by Brett Battles, a horror novel. Blurb from Goodreads:  Daniel Ash wakes after midnight to the cry of his daughter. Just a bad dream, he thinks. She's had them before. Yet he can't help but worry when she cries out again as he pads down the hallway. Stepping through her doorway, he expects to find her sitting up in bed, frightened by a nightmare. But the nightmare is his. It's real. And it's just beginning... Something is burning Ash's daughter alive. Something horrible that is spreading beyond the walls of their home, and taking no prisoners. Thirty seconds later, Ash will discover his daughter isn't the only one in his family infected, and as his world spins, coming apart at the seams, a team of armed men in biohazard suits bursts into his house. But these aren't the good guys. They haven't come to save Ash's family. They've come to separate them, to finish what they started. The problem is Ash refuses to disappear. He wants only one thing: to find those responsible. Because humanity is on the brink of execution. And man is pulling the trigger. Reminded me a little of The Stand, but without the supernatural aspects. I enjoyed the book a lot, just wish it wasn't first in a series, where some threads are left dangling, but not in an annoying way. I'm not in the mood to read another series now, doesn't mean I won't later, but if you're looking for a good horror-ish series, check this one out. And I say horror-ish, because I think it is a horror, just not with supernatural monsters. (R Mac Wheeler: if you’re reading this, I think you’ll enjoy this one!)

Nov 7: “Take Me, Cowboy” by Jane Porter, a contemporary romance (novella). Blurb from Goodreads: When Jenny Wright’s fiancé leaves her standing at the altar in a Vera Wang bridal gown she can’t afford, she’s humiliated and heartbroken. To have Marietta hero bull riding champ Colton Thorpe witness her shame - makes the rejection even more devastating. Jenny and Colton grew up in the same rough neighborhood and they both left home right after school to pursue big dreams. Now they're both back, with Colton as the celebrity chair for the 75th Copper Mountain Rodeo, and Jenny in disgrace.
Sexy, rugged Colton didn't get to be a national champion by chance. He's a man that takes risks and goes after what he wants. During the rodeo weekend, Colton makes it clear he wants Jenny. Flustered but flattered, Jenny finds it difficult to resist his charm. But what happens when the rodeo ends and Colton leaves town? Will she dare to dream again? The book says it’s #4 in a series, but you don’t have to read the series to read this. I think they’re all just set in the same town. I enjoyed this novella, which I wouldn’t have read at all if not for an assignment with my RWA chapter on Saturday. See… sometimes reading assignments can be GOOD things.

I sent out my first newsletter yesterday, which included information about my short story, Forever Thirty-Two. If you would like a free copy of the short story (available in mobi and epub), just go to my website HERE and download the version you want. Easy peasy.

So…what book are you reading (or just finished)?

Happy reading!

Stacy