Wednesday Reads

I found another way to scale back. I’ve changed some of the Yahoo groups I’m in so that I will now get the e-mails in batches instead of individually. It was do that or unsubscribe, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to go that far…yet. Just that little bit has really reduced some of the stress I was feeling. Who knew e-mails could do that to a person?

Here’s what I read the past week (another 2-book week!):

Book #1

Dates read: March 24-29
Title: “How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days”
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Genre: Fantasy romance
Series: Book 1 in The Embraced series
# of Pages: 394
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: As one of the Embraced—one born with magical powers—the beautiful, innocent Luciana escaped certain death after her father hid her away on the Isle of Moon. Now, nineteen years later, her father has returned with a frightening request. He will be executed unless Luciana returns to the mainland and marries a man feared throughout the land: a terrifying brute known as the Beast..
   Luciana accepts her fate and agrees to wed the Beast—Lord Leo—in order to save her father. Soon she learns that her betrothed is also one of the Embraced. With the ability to wield lightning, Leo’s immense power strikes fear into the hearts of men…and his mere touch can put an end to a woman’s life. But Luciana cannot deny the passion that burns between them. How can she resist the man who scorches her soul and makes her feel intoxicated with desire—even if surrendering to him could destroy them both?
My thoughts: Set in a world without technology or any kind of power (except for the magical kind), this book read like an historical. I enjoyed it very much, though (lots of danger and suspense), and will continue to read this series.

Book #2

Dates read: March 30-31
Title: “The Education of Dixie Dupree”
Year of publication: 2016
Author: Donna Everhart
Genre: Fiction
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 299
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: In 1969, Dixie Dupree is eleven years old and already an expert liar. Sometimes the lies are for her mama, Evie’s sake—to explain away a bruise brought on by her quick-as-lightning temper. And sometimes the lies are to spite Evie, who longs to leave her unhappy marriage in Perry County, Alabama, and return to her beloved New Hampshire. But for Dixie and her brother, Alabama is home, a place of pine-scented breezes and hot, languid afternoons.
   Though Dixie is learning that the family she once believed was happy has deep fractures, even her vivid imagination couldn’t concoct the events about to unfold. Dixie records everything in her diary—her parents’ fights, her father’s drinking and his unexplained departure, and the arrival of uncle Ray. Only when Dixie desperately needs help and is met with disbelief does she realize how much damage her past lies have done. But she has courage and a spirit that may yet prevail, forcing secrets into the open and allowing her to forgive and become whole again.
My thoughts: For fear of saying too much about this book, I’m finding maybe I shouldn’t say anything at all. A lot of disturbing things happen (in detail) and could be triggers for some people (it wasn’t for me, but then I’m used to reading horror). So if you want to know what, e-mail me and ask. I’ll tell you. Otherwise, I’ll just say… While this is not the type of book I normally read, it intrigued me (especially since some people compared it to To Kill a Mockingbird—which this is not like, let me say that now) and once I started reading…well, I couldn’t put it down (as you can see, I read it in two days). Dixie is an interesting young girl, but this is a very dark book and I’m not so sure the blurb portrays that.

Since mentioning my Facebook Group in my newsletter (which went out last Friday), membership has picked up. Yay! If you’d like to join, just click HERE!

So… What are you reading now? Anything good?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and a Hard Decision

I almost didn’t finish the book in time, but it finally got interesting and I found time to read and finish it. So here you go…

Dec 17: “Born in Chains” by Caris Roane. This is a paranormal romance; Book 1 of the Men in Chains Series. Blurb on back: Adrien is an Ancestral vampire, one of the strongest of his kind ever to exist. Scarred, tormented and extraordinarily powerful, he’s been imprisoned high in the Himalayan mountains…until a beautiful woman releases him from his chains and demands his help. Two years ago, Lily’s home was invaded by vampires who killed her family and kidnapped her son. Now she had one mission--to get him back. And the only man who can help her is a vampire whose strength has made him legendary. But can she ally herself with a creature who frightens her…and ignites her darkest needs? As Adrien ushers Lily into his hidden vampire world, he must show her that his kind can be trusted. But when saving her son requires her to unleash a weapon that will destroy his entire race, can he say the same for her? Their relationship started with animosity toward one another (she hates vampires, he despises humans) and it took awhile into the book before they started liking one another (I guess the sex helped - haha). Once they got their sh*t together, I started to root for the couple. While the story for this couple ended, you can tell more is to come. I gave this 3 stars on Goodreads.

My next book needs to be something I can breeze through so I can reach my goal by Dec 31. That means I won’t read the last Dexter book until after the next one I choose. It’s not like I don’t have a LOT to choose from, though. Decisions, decisions…

Speaking of decisions… I’ve been struggling with a decision ever since I heard my local (non-RWA) writers group is not only enforcing I pay monthly (regardless if I attend meetings, which is how it has been in the past), but increased it another dollar/month (last year it went up from $2 to $5).

I can’t say it’s just the fee increase, but it’s certainly helping to push me out the door.

When I joined this group 4 years ago, I only had one book under my belt and was looking for feedback. I’ve gotten it, too (taking in mind the majority of the members don’t care for romance), but we’re only allowed to bring in no more than 1000 words for critique. Meeting once a month makes it hard to get a whole novel critiqued (unless you want to spend years at it), so I only brought in the beginnings of my stories (those were always the hardest anyway) and did mostly critiquing.

I voiced my concerns about the cost of staying with the group, wanting to know where my money was going (there is no board that I know of; there certainly isn’t any voting if there is). I figured they would convince me to stay (you know, tell me all the benefits I would receive). Instead, I was basically told if it’s not working out for me then don’t come back.

Okay, then.

I didn’t want to be THAT person who quit going to meetings once they became published, and the timing of all of this makes it look like that’s what I’m doing. I wanted to stay. I had prepared to stay. But at $72 a year, I don’t see the benefit to me. Is that so wrong?

Maybe I’m better off just sticking with my semi-local RWA chapters. They might not do group critiques, but at least they “get” me (and account for where the money goes!).

So, did you play Mega Millions last night?

Happy reading!

Stacy

 

My Decision

There’s been an e-mail thread going around in the RWA Craft group about critique partners. Someone mentioned attending a writers group with very few romance writers, how she didn’t get adequate feedback, and felt uncomfortable sharing her work during her first draft.

It was kind of refreshing to read, to know it’s not just me.

She ended up quitting her group. But after reading the comments I received from my last post, and her e-mail, it got me to thinking. Maybe I’m looking at this group all wrong.

It’s not that I hate sharing my work. I just hate sharing work that isn’t ready. And it’s very hard to share a complete book when you only meet once a month (and you’re limited to three pages). Damn – that would just take, like, forever! And that’s not what the group is for anyway – that has been clear from the start.

But I can share short stories (whenever I get around to writing another), I can share good news, and I can critique work I’m interested in reading. I’ll stop feeling like a dummy when I read something I don’t get (i.e. Fantasy or Memoirs). I’ve got critique partners that will help me with my manuscript. I don’t need the group for that.

So I decided to stick with the group awhile longer. It certainly won’t hurt me, unless they all get wind of this blog and kick me out! *HINT* *HINT*

I thank everyone that read/listened and offered suggestions. It was really appreciated. Sometimes you just have to share your feelings or they’ll fester inside. I’m glad I was able to share here.

When Do You Know?

I belong to a local writers group that meets once a month. It’s not for any specific genre (like RWA) or type (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, any writer can join), and it was free. I have been attending for about 18 months.

I’m beginning to wonder if I should continue. I don’t feel like I’m contributing all that much and their disdain at romance (my genre) is insulting at times.

I’ve made some friends there (and they follow this blog), but I really wonder if I’m doing me or anyone else any good by going. Critiquing someone’s work in about 10 minutes is not the way I work. So I really chalk it up to it being my problem, not anyone there (except for the snide remarks every now and again regarding paranormal romance).

So, when do you know it’s time to quit?