Wednesday Reads and I'm Moving Up!

I’m five books ahead of schedule. Ain’t that awesome? I think I might actually reach my goal this year (unlike last year, where I was 2 books shy).

Here’s what I read this week:

Sep 17: “Dinosaur Lake” by Kathryn Meyer Griffith, first book in the Dinosaur Lake series, a horror/thriller at 275 pages. Blurb from Goodreads: An ancient predator has been reborn in the caves beneath Crater Lake…and it’s hungry. Ex-cop Henry Shore has been Chief Park Ranger at Crater Lake National Park for eight years and he likes his park and his life the way it’s been. Safe. Tranquil. Predictable. But he’s about to be tested in so many ways. First the earthquakes begin…people begin to go missing…then there’s some mysterious water creature that’s taken up residence in the caves below Crater Lake and it’s not only growing in size, it’s aggressive and cunning…and very hungry. And it’s decided it likes human beings. To eat. And it can come up onto land. So Henry, with the help of his wife, Ann; a young paleontologist named Justin; and a band of brave men must not only protect his park and his people from the monster but somehow find where it lives and destroy it…before it can kill again. This book kind of reminded me of Jaws. Well, except sharks are for real now. It’s written in omniscient, which is kind of expected in this type of genre, but even so, I got a little confused as to whose thoughts I was in during some parts. Still, it was a fun read and it did keep me wondering what the heck was going to happen next! I think it would make a great disaster flick (just like Jaws). Don’t let the sequels fool you, though (yes, there’s a II and III out there I believe). This is a complete story and it ends. If you loved Jaws or Jurassic Park, you’ll get a kick out of this one!

Sep 20: “Unexpected Eden” by Rhenna Morgan, the first book in the Eden series, a paranormal romance at 257 pages. Blurb from Goodreads: Most people believe Eden no longer exists. Lexi Merrill’s about to learn they’re wrong. A hard-working bartender with a self-sufficient backbone and a wary nature, she knows pickup lines like a second language. So, when Eryx Shantos barges into her world with too-smooth words and a body to back it up, she locks up her libido and vows to keep her distance. Eryx has other ideas. As king of the Myren race, Eryx is duty-bound to enforce the laws preventing exposure of their existence to humans. Yet The Fates have led him through his dreams to Lexi, a temptation he doesn’t want to resist. The question--is she Myren, or human, which makes her forbidden fruit? When Eryx’s nemesis tags Lexi as his next target, Eryx insists on taking her home where he can keep her safe. Lexi had no idea “home” would mean the one-and-only land of creation…or that she’d trigger a prophecy that could doom her newfound race. Actually, this felt more like a fantasy than paranormal. Too many strange names for me to keep track of (but that’s an issue for me and not necessarily one for you). This series has a story that is not resolved in this book, but at least there weren’t any cliffhangers. I enjoyed the story, just wish I knew how I was supposed to pronounce some of those names. If you like to read sexy romances with some adventure in a world unlike our own, give this one a try.

RWA (that would be Romance Writers of America) changed their rules for admittance into PAN (that would be Published Authors Network). Used to be I needed to either earn $1000 on one book published through a traditional publisher, or earn $5000 on a self-published book, or I could be PAN-eligible for a $1000 advance on a book published through a traditional publisher (becoming PAN once the book is actually published). I couldn’t apply because none of my traditional books have earned at least $1000 (I didn’t get an advance, either) and my self-pubbed book hadn’t earned at least $5000.

Go figure, huh? You’d think my books would be selling like hotcakes. Or chocolate. They’re that good. Would I lie to you? ;)

Now… I just have to be published (whether traditional or self) to become PAN-eligible and a can become (full-fledged) PAN once any one of my books (traditional or self-pubbed) earns at least $1000. I applied and…got in! I’m now PAN-eligible. Whoo hoo! What’s the difference between the two, you ask? I just can’t vote for the PAN Liaison. I’m okay with not voting (for now). I’ll earn that $1000 eventually (and I have a feeling it might happen with Ghostly Liaison first).

Isn’t that a wonderful way to start a week? I think so.

So… Did you ever read Jaws? (I read it when I was 17, just before the movie came out.) Did you like it? (I loved it so much I was ready to watch the movie!) Think you might check out Dinosaur Lake? Let me know!

Happy Reading!

Stacy