Wednesday Reads

I almost thought I might not have a book to list. The convention took up part of my reading time, and I’ve been busy cutting words on BITE ME, I’M YOURS, that I’ve not been reading as much. So far I’ve cut over 2500 words. Only have another 14,000 to go! I’m starting to doubt my success in this project. Well, if I can get even half of that accomplished, I’ll be happy.

Anyway, on to what I read in the past week (and just finished last night):

Jun 11: “Fool Moon” by Jim Butcher. This is the second book in the Harry Dresden series, an urban fantasy. I got this paperback book from the library. Blurb on back: Business has been slow. Okay, business has been dead. And not even of the undead variety. You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book. But lately, Harry Dresden hasn’t been able to dredge up any kind of work--magical or mundane. But just when it looks like he can’t afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise. A brutally mutilated corpse. Strange-looking paw prints. A full moon. Take three guesses--and the first two don’t count… Okay, I’ll admit it. This series has piqued my interest. Lots of action and suspense. A little mystery (or would that be a lot??). Even a love interest of sorts. I’ll go order the next one in the series (and by order, I mean from the library). I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads.

Okay, this isn’t reading related, but has anybody else been inundated with little moths? There sure seem to be a LOT of them around this year and they are driving me nuts!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Convention, Swag, and a Funny (and maybe a rant thrown in)

I had a really nice time at the Lori Foster Reader/Author Get Together. I mainly hung out with author Nickie Asher and had lots of fun with her. It was also nice seeing lots of writer friends and meeting new readers (somehow, hanging with someone made it a whole bunch easier to do). I might have even generated a couple of sales. Whoo hoo!

Sadly, I didn’t take many pictures. Oh…except this one from a boardroom ran by some writers (mainly Darynda Jones, Robyn Peterman, and Macy Beckett - there were others, but those are the authors I remember).

 

 

They had some condoms for the taking (don’t know why but I’m sure it had to do with someone’s book) and by the last day, they got used as balloons. Had lots of fun batting them back and forth across the table.

And you thought they only did strange stuff at RT? Ha ha!

What’s really great is that next year I’ll be attending as an AUTHOR and I’ll be able to sit during the book signing and not sign any books! J (In case you didn’t get the joke, that’s because my books will only be available digitally.) I’ll be able to sign something, though (provided people are interested), I just haven’t decided which way to go. Probably book cover cards or something like that. Book marks would seem strange to give away, because where are you going to put them on your e-reader?

Doesn’t mean I won’t have them, because I still plan on taking some to Dragon*Con and I’ll probably have leftovers. There, I’d rather promote myself instead of just my book. Still need that moon shot, though. Next chance: June 23 (which also happens to be my mother’s birthday). Here’s hoping the weather cooperates. Apparently, the moon will. I heard that’s when it’s closest to Earth. Ooh, BIG moon shots. I’m almost drooling.

Hey, want to see something funny?

My husband loves his Diet Coke. When we go to a restaurant, he usually asks for a Diet Coke, a refill for that Diet Coke, and a refill for the refill (he downs them pretty quickly). Our local Bob Evans knows to just give him 3-4 at a time. Well, when we were up in Michican, we visited the Bob Evans near our hotel and he pretty much ordered that every morning. On the third morning, the waitress wised up and gave him this.

Notice the straw? Yep, that was included. We all had a nice laugh.

Would you believe he finished it? Of course he did. He felt he had an image to uphold.

Have you noticed some blogs seem to have only Google+ comments? I really do NOT want to have to remember another sign-on just to comment, so I won’t comment. Is there some reason you can’t have multiple sign-ons? Have you heard if blogger is changing? I sure hope it’s not! Because if that’s the case, I might as well switch to Word Press. I already have an account with them.

So tell me, what’s your beverage of choice for breakfast? Mine’s coffee with LOTS of cream. Yum!

Stacy

 

 

I'm Out Having Fun!

Today and tomorrow I will be wandering around the Marriott in West Chester, OH, attending the Lori Foster Reader Author Get Together. If you happen to be going to this event and see me, please say hello!

I'm going to try and be more social this year. Of course, I say that EVERY year, then I get scared and plant my butt in a chair.

I'm also going to try and take more pictures. Again, I say that EVERY year, then for some reason my camera stays inside my purse. I figure if I stick it in my pocket, it has a better chance of being used.

Of course, if I actually follow through and become more social, it definitely has a better chance of being used!

This will be the last year I attend as a reader, too. When I registered, I had nothing to promote (well, I still don't), but next year my book will be out there (yikes!) and maybe I can help sell a few copies. You never know!!!

Heck, I'll probably still try to sell a few copies now - I plan on taking a picture of my cover to show people, and I have my business cards. I'm set.

See ya Monday!

 

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and a Rant

I don’t understand.

I was having trouble getting some books I wanted to read because so many publishers (mine included), have digital first or digital only. If I wanted to read the book, I needed an e-reader. So this past Christmas I broke down and told my husband if he wanted to get me an e-reader, the one I wanted was the Nook w/glow light (that one was the easiest on my eyes and I am a member of B&N). Being the smart man that he is (and knows easy when he sees it), got me the e-reader.

Okay, I’m ready now, right?

Wrong.

See…there’s this giant out there and a lot of self-pubbers apparently think that this giant is the ONLY way to make money (and of course their digital books won’t work on my e-reader). I’m sorry, maybe it’s my accounting degree, but I don’t believe using only one outlet is the way to reach more readers. Advertising is. If I don’t use the giant’s site, how am I learning about your book? And if I don’t have the giant’s reading device, how are you making it EASY for me to buy/download/read your book? (Reading my book on my laptop is far from EASY and I do NOT own a smart phone-not that I’d want to read a book on that small device).

I just don’t understand. Am I the only one who feels this way? I sure hope not.

Okay, rant over. This is what I finished reading in the past week:

Jun 4: “Deliver Me From Temptation” by Tes Hilaire. This is the second book in the Paladin Warriors series and is a paranormal romance (and I have the paperback, which I bought). Blurb on back: LOGAN SCREWED UP…BIG TIME. When things go bump in the night, Logan bumps back. Vampires, demons, succubi--you name it, he’s fought it. His job as a Paladin angel warrior is to protect humans. Not fall for one. SHE NEVER BELIEVED IN DIVINE INTERVENTION…UNTIL NOW. Detective Jessica Waters protects humans too--with her Glock and a good set of handcuffs. She doesn’t believe in fate. But if anyone looks like a gift from the gods, it’s Logan. And he clearly knows more about her case than he’s letting on… This is a series I’m coming to love. Just wish they were all written already, but no. #3 isn’t out yet (and hopefully it won’t be the last). Oh well, it’s not like I don’t have plenty to keep me busy until they are. I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads.  

Penguins aren’t doing so well in the series. I hope they get their sh*t together soon or they’ll be headed for home!

So, what’s your favorite way to read? I still pick paper over digital. So much easier to share.

Happy Reading!

 

Stacy

One Project Down, A Bazillion to Go

Finally!! I finished the revisions on ALIEN DESIRES (that would be Book #5) and it’s now ready for readers. I was beginning to wonder if I would ever finish it. Don’t know why it was so hard, either. I think a lot of it was just making sure I wouldn’t have to revise it again (editing, I’m okay with). We’ll see if I get my wish. I’d like to think all my readers love it to pieces, but I know better. Really. I do. Don’t you believe me?

Today I start back on BITE ME, I’M YOURS (that would be Book #1). I have some little things to fix, but I need to figure out how to cut some of it (it’s about 16,000 words too long for my editor--and I want to give it to her to read). I figure if I go through the pre-edit checklist (like I did for My Sunny Vampire) that should help. I also need to ask myself the same question my editor did with that story - Is this necessary? I hope I’m able to answer honestly. Yeah, cutting stuff isn’t my favorite thing. Heck, I’m sure every writer feels that way.

Sunday felt like a nice free day (especially with that long project finally finished) so my husband and I watched two movies  we own on DVD. We discovered they were quite similar, too. “This Means War” starred Chris Pine, Tom Hardy and Reese Witherspoon. “Killers” starred Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl. Have you seen either? Killers came out two years before War, yet I don’t remember it ever being in the theatre. I found the DVD in the $5.00 bin at Walmart and I liked the actors, so I bought it. After watching it (and it was cute - we'd seen worse, much worse), we then watched War (which we had seen in the theatre) and that’s when I realized how similar the movies were. There was lots of action (spy shoot-em-ups/blow-em-ups), romance (where the woman is kind of in the dark) and some crazy (bizarre) stuff thrown in there. Even though they were similar, it made for a nice evening and gave my brain a break!

On Saturday, the Penguins lost the first game in the Eastern finals (bummer!), but I have high hopes they’ll win tonight. They better!! I want to see them go all the way. I'm greedy like that.

 

So, what was the last movie you saw?

Have yourself a great Monday. 

Stacy