Readin N Writin with Patricia

Off on a New Journey -- MFA Degree!

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 04:40:00 +0000

I have not blogged in years. Several years. Like at least three or four years, maybe longer.

I ran out of things to say.

No, that's not quite right...

I ran out of time to say the things I had to say, which convinced me I had nothing more to say.

Blogging can be time consuming, and although there are tons of new reads and plenty of new authors all the time, the whole blogging thing had started to feel stale. So I figured I'd take a short break. I was thinking a few months.

Wound up being years.

So sorry I've been away so long! (Although quite a few folks have kept in touch via Facebook or Twitter, and I'm glad that we have.)

But I'm back! (I think)

There have been lots of changes in my life, and one of the big ones is that I've gone back to school. I am in my first semester of a Master's of Fine Arts -- Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing at Emerson College (Boston, MA). It's a 100% online program so I'm still in sunny Florida, living life and studying away.

It's still pretty new, but I plan to post here to share my MFA experience with you. Looking forward to learning so much about writing and publishing, and hearing from all of you again.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Teaser Tuesday -- The Replacement Husband

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 14:34:00 +0000

"Dustin greeted fraternity brothers from all over the country as they filled the ballroom, but he never took his attention fully away from Chloe. She seemed unsettled. Sweat glistened on her forehead and she dabbed it witha tissue, but the room wasn't warm." -- from The Replacement Husband by Tiffany L. Warren (Kindle version)

The Replacement Husband is the sequel to Warren's wildly successful Cinderella-meets-The Sound of Music romance, The Replacement Wife.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page (in the comments or via link to your own blog)

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Reading anything interesting? (Even if you don't post the meme, post a comment to tell us what you're reading!)

Happy Readin' N Writin'!

Patricia

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- October 11, 2014

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000

It's "been a minute" since I've shared any tidbits. In my absence from the blog, I kept coming across interesting articles that I bookmarked. Some of these are from a few weeks back, but hopefully, you'll find them helpful.

NYC is getting a floating library

What I Learned from Screwing Up My Book Cover Design shares author Bryan Hutchinson's insights into the importance of professionally crafted book covers.

A free webinar: How to Sell 70 Copies of Your Book or eBook a Day

One of things I find interesting as a reader is how people of color are described (and the fact that their skin tone needs describing to begin with). Thus, this article caught my eye: If White Characters Were Described Like People of Color in Literature. It's a bit over the top, but it hammers the point home, certainly opens up the topic for thought and discussion.

Free Alogonkian 16-Part Commercial Novel Writing Program

Not all ebook bestselling authors are living the high life. My Amazon Bestseller Made Me Nothing

Rights of Writers: Can I Mention Brand Name Products In My Fiction?

Crowdsourcing new fiction? Amazon Looking to the Wisdom of Crowds to Find New Authors

The Art of Letting Go: How I Learned to Stop Procrastinating from Leo Babuta (for those writers like myself who always find something other than writing to do)

10 Rules for Aspiring Women Writers (now that you're over your procrastination)

Nothing Says Over 40 Like Two Spaces After a Period

The 100 Books Facebook Users Love

That's it for now, but I've got plenty more to catch you up on. In the meantime, I am writing, editing, enjoying the football season, antsy and twitching in anticipation of basketball season, and not baking. (My summer baking hiatus has been extended until Thanksgiving. I'm sure that, along with all the walking I've been doing, has contributed greatly to the moderate weight loss I've achieved.)

What's doing in your neck of the woods? I feel like when I encounter a family member I haven't seen in years. Time to catch up.

Happy Readin' N Writin'!

Summer Book Recap -- New Faces Pt 1

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 11:00:00 +0000

It's been exactly a month since I last posted to this blog. My how time flies, to use a cliche.

I've been very busy (1) going to youth football practices and games, (2) walking lots and lots of miles to get into better shape, including circling the football field and cleaning up trash there weekly, (3) transitioning to a new role at my day job, and (4) meeting my editing obligations.

But time to get back to blogging!

I read a number of books this summer by authors who were new to me--there's always time for reading, no matter how busy I am!--and I want to share them with you.

First up, Michele Grant, author of Heard It All Before and Pretty Boy Problems. I downloaded the first book, a free Amazon read, some time ago but hadn't gotten to it. Found myself searching for something to read and decided it was as good a time as any. Just a couple of pages in and I was hooked! I devoured book 1, then went back and grabbed book 2, a paid title. (See, there's value to authors putting their books on a limited free book offer.) Grant's stories feature strong, sassy heroines, just like herself (at least as she depicts herself on her popular blog, BougieLand; her heroes are smart and sexy. In this series, three friends--Jewellen, Renee and Veronica--are each looking for love and seemingly find it at a rec center basketball game. But finding love and keeping it is easier said than done.

Book two made me realize that the focus of this series is actually the Montgomery clan--Roman, Beau (the pretty boy), and Katrina. I can't wait to read the third book and Katrina's story, Any Man I Want, which was released at the end of July, but I had a few other books I needed to get to first.

Speaking of which, I read a number of books published by the new girls on the block, Brown Girls Publishing. BGP is the publishing company of bestselling authors Victoria Christopher Murray and ReShonda Tate Billingsley. (BGP published Motherhood Diaries 2, to which I am a contributor.) These ladies know how to spin a good tale, so it only makes sense that they would know how to pick one too. I read three BGP authors in September and loved them all.

Candy Jackson is the debut author of Pink & Patent Leather. Now the title and the cover art might lead put a few Christian fiction readers off, but don't be fooled. This is Christian fiction. A young woman with a huge crush on her pastor decides to put her plan into action to make him her man, notwithstanding the fact that he's a married man. Oh, but I've seen this story in real life before! Jackson's writing is fast, furious and wildly entertaining. It's also thought-provoking as it shines a light on how messages of the Bible, delivered with good intentions, can be misused and even abused by believers who are confused or broken.

Then there was Easier Said Than Done by author Nikki Woods, a lush, romantic tale about a woman who has one foot in Jamaica and family obligations and another foot in the windy city of Chicago and her career. As she tries to find the balance and make difficult decisions, her past comes roaring back into her life, and she has to decide how much she's going to welcome it (him).

Finally, there was In Strict Confidence by Dwayne Joseph. How shall I say this? I loved everything about this book. Let's start with its in the suspense genre, in the vein of the television show, Criminal Minds, which my blog family knows I love. Then, it's pretty unusual for a book of that nature to come from an African-American author. (Shouldn't be, but that's the way it is.) And, it's not a black book, in the sense that it's filled with black characters. Again, unusual for an AA author. That last point which makes me a little sad because if this book were published and marketed by a major publishing company--which BGP will be one day!--folks would be crowing about this new voice.

Joseph is actually a seasoned writer, having penned more than 10 other books, but this was his first in this genre. I hope he stays in this space because he definitely has a talent for suspense. I was so entertained, I reached out and told him just that. In this story, a policemen who is broken over the dissolution of his marriage must work a series of murders wherein a serial killer is doing grisly things to young boys. At the same time, said serial killer is visiting--and tormenting--a psychiatrist who is afraid to go to the police for fear his family will be harmed. Good stuff if you like this type of story.

That's it for now. I've got 5 other "new to me" authors I'll share soon. I'm so excited to be reading new voices that now I'm specifically looking for unfamiliar authors with a little positive buzz.

Have you read any new authors? Do tell.

Happy Readin' N Writin'!

Teaser Tuesday: My Steps Are Ordered

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 11:00:00 +0000

"Determined to sleep, Gina dove under the covers. She tossed and turned. Sleep teased but eluded her. Her mind refused to rest. All she could think about was that this was her opportunity." -- from page 146, My Steps Are Ordered by Michelle Lindo-Rice

My Steps Are Ordered is book 2 in Lindo-Rice's On The Right Path series. This is a very different kind of Christian fiction in that it features a woman who is married to one brother but has feelings for another. Lindo-Rice pulls it off, though, making all of the characters believable and sympathetic.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page (in the comments or via link to your own blog)

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Reading anything interesting? (Even if you don't post the meme, post a comment to tell us what you're reading!)

Featured Author: Linda Leigh Hargrove, author of Saving Tate Michaels

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 17:19:00 +0000

Today I've got an interview with an intriguing author, Linda Leigh Hargrove. Linda has just released the third and final book in her Isaac Hunt series, Saving Tate Michaels.

Linda, do you write full-time or part-time?

I write part-time. Mostly fiction but I do write the occasional article and blog post.

What books have most influenced your writing most?

The first most influential book in my life is the Holy Bible. The Bible guides my life, understandably, but it also inspires my writing. Other books that have influenced my writing include The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood and Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. I have several books on the craft of writing in my personal library but these two books that have informed my way of writing the most.

How did you come up with the title of your latest work?

Saving Tate Michaels is the third and last installment in the Isaac Hunt series. I wanted this last book to be about how so many individuals come together, despite their differences, to save Isaac’s best friend, Tate from a troublesome situation. I toyed with a few other titles but this one seemed the strongest.

How much of the book is realistic?

The book is not based on a real story. It’s totally made up, as are the first two. But I did get help from two FBI agents, one active and one retired, to make the action more believable.

Is there anything you find especially challenging in your writing?

My biggest challenge with writing fiction is plotting. To be honest I think I stink at plotting. My plotting skills have improved over the years but it still continues to be a challenge. I have tried several techniques but nothing seems to work seamlessly. If you have a silver bullet, I’d love to hear about it.

What was the hardest part of writing this particular book?

Well, apart from the plotting struggles, the hardest part of writing Saving Tate Michaels was overcoming fear of failure and a crushing sense of doubt. I basically finished the manuscript in 2011, but could not find a publisher due to poor sales of the first two books in the series. In my mind, I saw self-publishing as an insurmountable hurdle and I fought it with a vengeance. Self publishing, in my mind, was for the extremely self-assured and forward people. I am neither of those things. Then a strange, God-did-it kind of thing happened. I started receiving emails from people who had read and enjoyed the first two books, encouraging me to finish the book. So the Saving Tate Michaels you see today is my response to their resounding requests for the last installment in the series.

As I tread through the landscape of self publishing, I am so grateful that many writers have gone before and left a trail of Do’s and Don’ts. And I remind myself that I’m following a God-ordained path. I don’t believe in luck or chance. I believe in a God that places experiences in my life so that, in the end, I look more like His Son.

ABOUT LINDA

Linda Leigh Hargrove blends suspense, humor, and faith into compelling stories about race and class in America. Her writings include two novels: The Making of Isaac Hunt (June 2007) and Loving Cee Cee Johnson (September 2008). She is an environmental engineer and currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and three sons. She blogs at 17seeds.org and is a contributing writer for UrbanFaith.com. Read more about Linda and her books at http://LLHargrove.com

ABOUT SAVING TATE MICHAELS (Book Three in the Isaac Hunt Series)

Former FBI agent Tate Michaels’s past and present threaten to pull him further from his relationship with God and family when he needs them most. To save his family from a kidnapper bent on revenge, Tate Michaels must first lose himself. Tate is forced to examine his motives and open himself to a whole new definition of family.

Download the first chapter here: http://LLHargrove.com/

Self-published, Available on Kindle: September 1, 2014, $9.99 (USD)

Topics include: forgiveness, reconciliation, adoption, sex trafficking

Happy Readin' N Writin!

Teaser Tuesdays: Unbreak My Heart

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 11:00:00 +0000

"He'd do anything for her. She thought about the implications of that. Thought about how in the past few months, there had been times when she'd gone to bed hungry because she'd had her fill of peanut butter and Ramen noodles, the only food she could afford." -- from Unbreak My Heart by Rhonda McKnight (Kindle)

Unbreak My Heart is book 2 in McKnight's Second Chances series. A few characters from the first book, but this story focuses on television producer Jacob Gray and his estranged wife, Cameron Scott, a reality TV host whose career has gone off the rails as much as their marriage. Can they get over five years of hurt?

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page (in the comments or via link to your own blog)

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Reading anything interesting? (Even if you don't post the meme, post a comment to tell us what you're reading!)

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- August 9, 2014

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 11:00:00 +0000

Back to school! Whether you're a student or not, there's a sense of change in the air. Backpacks and school supplies fill the fronts of stores. Harried parents drag sometimes excited, sometimes disgruntled children up and down the aisles looking for dress code-compliant outfits and the specified color of folder/notebook/pen or other necessary tool. Sales of comforters, sheets, small refrigerators, and other such dorm room items flood mailboxes and email. Teary moms deposit their young in tiny rooms in far away places to study and grow.

All the while we read and we write so let's talk book stuff:

Evernote, which has become my go-to app for on-the-go note taking or writing, has inked a deal with FastPencil to enable users to self-publish books. Don't think I'd publish out of Evernote, because I'd want the flexibility that Scrivener gives me to edit/revise my scribblings, but anything's possible...

I like novels but sometimes (particularly around the Christmas holidays), I like to read anthologies. Anthologies are a collection of short stories. In the romance genre, there are typically three stories in each anthology, sometimes all from the same author, sometimes different authors around a single theme or set in a particular place. How to Create, Publish and Market an Anthology (and why you'd want to) from author J. M. Ney-Grimm.

Big 5 publisher Bertelsmann all but gets out of retail book selling. "Bertelsmann’s move says less about the viability of the print book business than about the current economics of publishing and book distribution."

Another big 5 publisher, Harper Collins, relaunches its direct-to-consumer book sales.

The Amazon-Hachette fight continues. Mark Coker, CEO of Smashwords, an indepedent digital publisher, argues for supporting Hachette in the fight.

Why Amazon Terrifies Publishers: Let's Look at Royalty Statements

Amazon Explains Why It Thinks $9.99 Is The Right Price for Ebooks

Kindle Unlimited's Two-Tier System Makes Some Authors Second-Class Citizens

At least one blogger thinks Amazon is okay: Close The Libraries and Buy Everyone an Amazone Kindle Unlimited Subscription

Tired of Amazon news? (Hard to find publishing news these days that doesn't involve Amazon). Well, here's some non-Amazon information:

NewsCorp closed a $416 million deal for Harlequin

These Romance Writers Ditched Their Publishers for Ebooks -- and made millions

13 of the Most Annoying Writers You'll Ever Meet

How Not to Start a Novel: Four Things to Avoid on Page One

First year I haven't said much about RWA's annual conference, in part because I was too busy to pay much attention. But here's a blog post that kind of sums up the importance of RWA: Romance Writers of American Offers Professionalism, Inclusion

One more Amazon article, but it's really not about Amazon. It's about a successful, independent author. How Barbara Freethy Became the Bestselling Amazon KDP Author of All Time.

Lots and lots of editing to do, some writing, a little reading (if I can find extra time). Then, back to school! (for the kids, not me)

Is back-to-school on your horizon, for yourself or family members? Are you lamenting the end of summer as I am?

Untamed Hearts Virtual Tour with Yahrah St. John

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 11:00:00 +0000

Today I'm featuring author Yahrah St. John as she releases her latest title, Untamed Hearts, and we’re going on a scavenger hunt!

Read on to learn more about Yahrah and her latest release, Untamed Hearts, then enter the contest below for a chance to win a $25 Bath & Body Works gift card!

About the Book

An untamed heart…

Rylee Hart has always been unconventional, choosing veterinarian medicine over the traditional role of rancher’s wife and mother. To appease her parents, Rylee accompanies her father’s perfect pick for a spouse to the Kentucky Derby, but the match generates no sparks. The moment she steps foot on the hallowed grounds of the Derby track and meets sexy billionaire and media tycoon Amar Bishop – a sheik’s son, all bet’s are off.

A disarming prince…

Cast-off by his father as illegitimate, Amar spurned love and chose casual flings, until he encounters alluring Rylee Hart. Rylee rejects his advances, not eager to be one of the noble heir’s latest conquests, which only fuels the playboy’s desires. Amar makes his intentions clear; he intends to have her…even if it means annihilating the competition. When Amar finally claims her, he vows to possess her. But when family tragedy strikes Amar and duty calls…will it signal the end of their love affair...or the beginning?

About the Author

Yahrah St. John is the author of thirteen published romances with Harlequin’s Kimani Romance line and a 2011 RT BookReviews Reviewer’s Choice Award Nominee. A member of Romance Writers of America, St. John enjoys the arts,cooking, traveling and adventure sports, but her true passion remains writing. St. John lives in sunny Orlando, the City Beautiful, and is working on her fifteenth book, Entangled Hearts.

Purchase links for Untamed Heart: Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Untamed Hearts Scavenger Hunt

Answer the questions below and submit your answers directly to Yahrah via the email below. Any entries on the site will not be counted! Be sure and leave a comment for Yahrah letting her know you’ve stopped by!

Name the three dishes that Yahrah is choosing between for an upcoming author cookbook.
How did the twins Chynna and Kenya come up with their scheme?
What exotic location is Yahrah going to in October?
What is the name of Yahrah’s first women’s fiction book and when was it published?
What book signing did Yahrah attend that she mentioned was a packed house?

Send your answers via email to Yahrah - yahrah@yahrahstjohn.com.

Be sure and follow the rest of the tour more chances to win!

Tour Schedule - http://allthebuzzreviews.com/virtual-tour-stops/untamed-hearts-virtual-tour-with-yahrah-st-john

Make sure to follow Yahrah on Twitter and "Like" her on Facebook because that is where the answers can be found. You'll find all the cool facts, comments, contests, polls and more about what's going on in Yahrah’s writing world.

Follow Yahrah on social media and participate every day to be entered for a chance to win a $25 gift card! #UntamedHearts #YahrahStJohn #VirtualTour

Thanks for stopping by, Yahrah, and happy hunting everyone!

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- July 26, 2014

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 11:00:00 +0000

Been a few weeks since I posted some tidbits. Summer is more busy than the school year!

But as usual, a lot has been happening on the publishing front:

Amazon. Need I say more? Well, I will. First, Amazon continues it's fight with Hachette, even going so far as to offer to pay authors directly until the dispute is resolved (with Hachette's approval, which they declined to give).

Then, Amazon launches Kindle Unlimited, a reader subscription service similar to Netflix wherein readers can download up to 10 titles at a time (and unlimited per month) for $9.99. Indie publishing sensation, author Hugh Howey, offers his thoughts on Amazon's subscription service, which I pretty much agree with: good for readers, jury still out on how authors are affected and how this plays with other Amazon programs.

Most recently, Amazon has offered to begin paying normal royalties and restart sales of Hachette titles while they continue to negotiate. But they want the authors to stop chiming in, claiming it makes Hachette less willing to negotiate.

What's next, Amazon?

Author Kim Ablon Whitney discusses maximizing a writing niche in "Writing Niche Novels, Writing What You Know"

Brown Girls Publishing has been in business for five months and already four authors plus the two founders have been nominated for African American Literary Awards. Congratulations to Nina Foxx (Best Fiction, Best Short Stories/Anthologies, Best Children's Author/Young Adult, Author of the Year), Candy Jackson (Breakout Author of the Year), Nikki Woods (Breakout Author of the Year), and ReShonda Tate Billingsley/Victoria Christopher Murray (Best Christian Fiction).

Author Michelle Stimpson has put together a video about how to create your own book covers:

Editing, editing...and doing something a little different on the writing side. School will start in a few weeks so it's a period of transition, from the lazy days of summer back to the routine of the academic year.

Happy Readin' N Writin'!

Everyone Should Write a Book (or Do Something Equally Hard)

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 17:29:00 +0000

A list of 12 blogs authors should follow came out recently. (No, this blog isn't on the list, but I'm open to a write-in campaign...)

And one of the blogs is Jeff Goins' Goins Writer. There are some interesting posts over there about writing, publishing, living life to the fullest, but this one caught me eye: Why Everyone Should Write A Book.

Not sure I agree with Mr. Goins, as I can tell you that not everyone has the writing skill to write a good book, but then he didn't say it had to be good. Also, it is very possible to write a not-so-good book and pay others (freelance editors, book doctors, ghost writers, publishing consultants, etc.) to turn it into a good book, although that's not an option I think most people will take. (The farther your book is away from "good", the more it will cost you to get it there.)

But I do like the sentiment.

Everyone should do something hard. It may not be writing a book. It might be starting a business. It might be inventing something and getting it to retail. It might be achieving a particular athletic feat. It might be getting elected to a political office. It might be serving humanity in a place as far removed from your comfort zone as you can imagine.

Doesn't really matter, but yes, everyone should do at least one hard thing in their life, one thing that requires them to dig deep, move past their fears, get creative, and use resources beyond themselves to accomplish it while humbling them along the way.

Mine is the book thing, but yours may not be.

What's your one hard thing?

Whatcha Reading? -- His First Wife by Grace Octavia

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 22:00:00 +0000

I'm finally reading what I want when I want because I've all but gotten out of the book review business. No more pressure to read and review by a certain date. Now I'm reading when I catch the mood for a particular book or genre.

I just finished up His First Wife by Grace Octavia. Published in 2008, His First Wife tells the story of a woman who thinks her husband may be having an affair, and although eight months pregnant with their first child, decides to confirm her suspicions. Using a back-and-forth style, Octavia tells the story of the fallout from Kerry Jackson's decision as well as the story of how of Kelly and Jamison Jackson came to be together. Theirs is a romance against the backdrop of black college life and two slices of black Atlanta--the black elite and the black middle/working class.

Since the title references "his" wife, one would expect the story to be Jamison's. It's not. This is Kelly's story, primarily told in her voice, and I enjoyed it. Kelly is spoiled beyond a level I'm able to grasp, but she comes to terms with herself and how her life has been impacted by her upbringing as well as the choices she's made. I'm always on board for what I call a "woman-growing-up" story, much like a teen's coming-of-age tale.

Kelly's life was predetermined for so long, it takes her a minute--okay, ten years of marriage--to figure out that she's not sure what she wants to do with her life and that it's her job to figure it out. Along the way, Octavia brilliantly captures all the nuances of being just weeks away from birth, just as she does those collegiate years and the first blush of marriage.

Although the women are no picnic, the men in this tale do not fare well. If Kelly is spoiled, so is Jamison, just not with material things. He's accustomed to having his way and the women in his life letting him.

I wasn't a fan of Jamison's so much, and perhaps that's why I was dismayed to learn there is a sequel entitled "His Third Wife." Third wife? What happened with Kelly and who was wife number two? Considering book one ends with a happy ending, and Octavia truly had me convinced, I find it disheartening that things didn't work out for Kelly and Jamison as I believed they did when I closed the book. I usually don't want to let the characters go, but, as with a satisfying meal, I was done with them and pushed away from the table. This is one book which simply didn't need a sequel.

Still, His First Wife was an enjoyable read.

That's what I've been reading. Not sure what I want to read next.

Whatcha reading?

Book Buzz: Get You Good by Rhonda Bowen

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 11:00:00 +0000

There are some things you should never do for love...

Sydney Isaacs has two priorities: her family, and Decadent, the gourmet pastry business they founded almost three generations ago. But both are in jeopardy when her brother, Dean, announces his sudden engagement to the conniving Sheree Vern. Much to Sydney's dismay, Dean inherits ownership of Decadent, despite his lack of interest. Now he and Sheree are selling the chain to finance his dreams of becoming a music producer—or so Dean believes…

Thanks to Sheree, Dean’s plans, the business, and his marriage, soon implode in ways he never expected—leaving Sydney determined to salvage whatever she can, and fix the mess left behind. Her only solace is her romance with Hayden Windsor. But Hayden is Sheree’s half brother, and it doesn’t take long for Sydney to wonder if Hayden knew about Sheree’s scheming all along? Soon Sydney creates a deception of her own to find out the truth. Her strategy is working, until the consequences threaten to destroy everything she values most—including her faith. Overcome with guilt, can she make things right with her brother, with Hayden, and with God?

REVIEW

Sometimes you happen upon a book and you put it aside, not quite ready to open the covers. In this case, I'd read Bowen's debut and it was good...but not intriguing enough for me to pursue her second book or move this third one--that I received in a package from Kensington--to the top of my TBR list.

Then it happened. I'd finished all my "required" reading, meaning I had no more books that I was obliged to read for review purposes and I was also in between editing jobs. I had time on my hands so I looked around, my gaze fell upon Bowen's novel, and I picked it up. I cracked open the cover, not sure whether it would make good 4th of July weekend reading, and took a chance.

Boy, was I served up a treat! From beginning to end, I thoroughly enjoyed Get You Good. The Isaacs family seems like a great bunch of people, even if they come with more than their share of drama. From the beginning, I rooted for Sydney and Hayden, and continued rooting for them when even I wasn't sure whether Sydney deserved another chance. Because sometimes it seems as though we mess up too badly, but Bowen shows how faith and a belief in God's love never allows that to be true. Loved Sydney's sisters--Lissandra and JJ. I found Lissandra the more interesting of the two, and hope to see her story, but JJ surprised me and made me a fan of hers also, so I'm glad to know that JJ's story gets told in Bowen's fourth book and most recent release, Hitting the Right Note.

Bowen incorporated messages of faith and redemption in a way that some may not categorize her fiction as "Christian fiction" (and I have no idea how she herself labels it) but I'm okay with that. I think it gets more readers to read and consider the goodness of God while offering an undeniably entertaining story. Another one of the themes of this book is sisterhood, and how not all sisterhood is easy nor biological.

Get You Good is good writing, good plotting and good storytelling. There were a few very unexpected plot twists, and even when I saw the situation unfolding, I still could believe how it ended. Bowen's writing style is fast-paced and completely engaging, making it the perfect holiday weekend read.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rhonda Bowen knew she would be a writer as early as eight grade when she wrote her first novel with a classmate in a dollar notebook. While waiting fro the day to come, she spent a lively childhood growing up in Kingston, Jamaica and later attaining her bachelor of arts at the University of the West Indies. Not long after, her family moved to Toronto, Canada where she spent a few years working in public relations and event planning. Throughout this time, however, her desire to write stayed alive. She eventually completed her first novel, Man Enough for Me, which was released under Kensington Book's Dafina imprint in February 2011.

In October 2010, urged by the call of God, Rhonda packed up her life again and moved to Thailand to teach English. Though most of her time was spent entertaining her students in the name of education, she still found time to scribble away at new stories. She returned to Canada just in time for the February 2012 release of her second novel, One Way or Another.

For now, Rhonda resides in Toronto with her family where she is engaged in the field of child and youth work. She is excited about the future and the path that God has for her life.

Learn more about Rhonda Bowen and her books on her website, http://www.rhondabowen.com, or connect with her on Facebook at RhondaBowenBooks

Who's That? -- Narrator Intrusion

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 11:00:00 +0000

"Hey! Where'd you come from?"

Like someone sneaking up on you from behind, an unexpected story narrator can be quite jarring. An abrupt change in who is talking or expressing thoughts always jumps out at me when I'm editing a manuscript. My brain immediately screeches like scraping a needle across an LP. What just happened?

Sometimes this intrusion looks like head-hopping, where an author wants to bring the perspective of another character into the immediate scene. That's easily fixable.

But sometimes, and this is one that writers often have a difficult time seeing, it's the writer who creeps into their own story. This happens a lot when the author has a particular point of view or message that he/she wishes to convey. The way this happens is that the author simply tells the reader what they're thinking...in the middle of the story.

Problem is...

-- The author's opinion may not mesh with the character's opinion.

-- The story is not the author's platform to give a speech. The character is supposed to be talking.

-- It's that voice, that omniscient voice, like the narrator in a movie or documentary. Sometimes you hardly notice it, but a lot of times, especially when it's not expected, it jars you out of the story.

Author and story consultant Diana Hurwitz has penned a two-part post on the Blood-Red Pencil blog that deals with spotting and fixing narrator intrusion: Narrator Intrusion - Part 1 and Narrator Intrusion - Part 2

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- July 5, 2014

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 11:00:00 +0000

Hope you're having a great holiday weekend!

The 2014 International Christian Retailer Show took place this past week in Atlanta. The 2014 Christy Awards were announced with debut author Lori Benton winning Book of the Year for Burning Sky. A few publishers are getting out of the Christian fiction business and publishers and authors talked about Christian publishing concerns.

Adam Firestone, a weapons expert and literary consultant, provides tips to writers on How to Choreograph Direct Action Scenes

Apply the long tail theory to publishing, and ebooks would seem to offer a potential bonanza. But some say the opposite is true, as in The Lost Tail: The Myth of Book Publishing's Long Tail, while others claim the long tail is alive and well--if one can find a way to get her books discovered. Discovery, User Experience and The Long Tail

Make Your eBook Look Great and Sell It Everywhere

Author/editor Shonell Bacon shares ways to Increase Your Writing Productivity using the Pomodoro Technique

Writing for publication is not all fun and games. It's the "for publication" part that changes everything. Author Jordan McCollum takes on the downsides of publishing, offering ways to keep your spirits up and stay encouraged through the less than fun portions in "Are You Good Enough? How to Preserve Your Spirit and Sanity in the Soul-Sucking Darkness That Is Self Publishing." (How's that for a title?)

A personal and very witty take from author James Scott Bell on the Hachette vs. Amazon battle, or Gozilla vs. Mothra for this author and all you sci-fi fans: Amazon, Hachette, Michael Corleone, and Me.

To Pseudonym or Not to Pseudonym. One of the age-old questions of publishing, whether authors should use their real names and the many reasons why they often don't.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend. I get to eat some BBQ (then workout, of course), take a break from editing, hang out with my guys, and savor the first half of the year that's gone by so fast.

Happy Readin' N Writin'!

The Way You Make Me Feel -- What a Reader Wants

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 17:30:00 +0000

I hear a lot about beta readers, readers who read the pre-published book, usually at the request of the author, to help the author refine the book prior to publication.

Putting one's work in front of other folks is never an easy thing, so beta readers are often members of one's trusted circle--other writers, knowledgeable readers, experts--who can provide insights that will help to elevate the finished product.

If you've been getting less than helpful feedback from your beta readers and wish to provide them with some direction for the next book, author/editor Jodie Renner recently published an article that hones in on this process: 15 Questions For Your Beta Readers--and to Focus Your Own Revisions.

Renner's questions are great questions, which are why they are just as useful for you, the author, as for your reading partners. Note that most, if not all, of the questions focus on how the book makes the reader feel.

That's really the crux of the matter, isn't it? Readers are drawn to authors whose books make them feel something. When readers say a book made them laugh, cry, gasp, shudder, (fill in the blank), that's a book they will cherish, covet, share, promote, etc.

Make your readers feel!

What's the last book that really made you, as a reader, feel something memorable?

Patricia's Early Summer Reading Picks

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 11:00:00 +0000

It's only been summer officially for less than a week, but already I've enjoyed some good reading--some new and some not quite as new--I'd like to share:

Forever An Ex by Victoria Christopher Murray

Three friends and prayer group members with man troubles of the "ex" kind

Till You Come Back To Me by Chicki Brown

Number two of the sexy Stafford brothers, the plastic surgeon who finds romance on the African continent

A Man's Promise by Brenda Jackson

Middle brother of the Granger series, the musician who reunites with an old love

Becoming Mrs. Wright by Sherri Lewis

Pregnant woman with a floundering faith tries to capitalize on her last chance to do right for herself, her children and her man

Heard It All Before by Michele Grant

The golddigger, the businesswoman and the radio DJ have heard it all before--until they meet up with some new brothers who just might sing a new song.

Either next to the bed or in my Kindle (which I use for 90% of my reading now), I've got the following books--some old, some new--queued up:

Firewall by Diann Mills

An Unexpected Blessing by Unoma Nwankwor

In The Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar

No Weapon Formed by Michelle Stimpson

Joy Comes in the Morning by Vanessa Miller

It Had To Be You by Susan May Warren

A Family Affair by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Fall From Grace by Ryan Phillip

Lady of Devices by Shelley Adina

His First Wife by Grace Octavia

What's Done In the Dark by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

...and I'm looking forward to

Unbreak My Heart by Rhonda McKnight

I miss authors Frances Ray and Miranda Parker, deceased favorites who usually had summer releases, and Steven James, who is still very much alive, but whose next installment of the Patrick Bowers series is scheduled for December, usually a September release.

What are you looking forward to reading this summer? Any authors you're missing?

Book Buzz: Till You Come Back to Me by Chicki Brown

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 14:12:00 +0000

Chicki Brown has penned a dynamic family series about six brothers. The Stafford family, richly steeped in the world of medicine, consists of a heap of unique, strong, attractive--did I say hunky?--men. There is family drama what with relationship issues between the family patriarch and all of his sons as to how he views their life decisions and the amount of influence he's exerted upon them. There's sibling drama between a few of the sons who have felt favored (or not) or have been disrespected over the years. As the men find their soul mates, they introduce women to the mix who bring new personalities...and in some cases, drama.

In this installment, Charles Stafford, a successful plastic surgeon in search of greater professional fulfillment, closes his Atlanta practice and heads to Nigeria where he volunteers with Doctors Without Borders. On the African continent, he meets Adanna, a Nigerian-born, London-raised nurse, who excites his physical and professional passions. But problems arise because her family does not think much of Americans and goes to extremes to keep them apart.

Brown lays out the flavor of Nigerian culture and politics, planting Charles and Adanna squarely in the middle looking for a solution that will satisfy both families and allow them to be together. Adanna wears her caring heart on her sleeve, causing Charles to fall for her that much more, and Charles shows himself to be as upstanding as he is a gifted surgeon, making Adanna a goner.

The characters are well drawn, and if Brown never tires of writing about these folks, I could see a number of spin-offs from this series, starting with Adanna's brother's story.

The fast pace of the story makes it an easy, entertaining read. I'm not anti-prologues. I can go either way. But this book didn't really need one, or at least not one so long. It was a bit confusing at first to pick up the story where book one left off, then retreat in time. Because I'd read the first book in the series, I quickly understood what was happening and was able to speed-read to get to where the story began moving forward.

One thing I enjoyed, however, is that Brown lays the groundwork for the next brother's saga in a manner that takes nothing away from this story. It's a pet peeve of mine when authors throw in a few lines to set up the next book, and it's obvious that it's just thrown in. Here, Brown serves up a juicy bone that fits will with the story, one that will cause eager readers to anxiously await the next Stafford installment.

Wednesday Worship: No One Else

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 11:00:00 +0000

Our church had a Worship Sunday and brought back a number of favorite worship songs. This was one of them.

No one else can receive the glory,
No one else can receive the praise.
Belongs to You!

Peace & Blessings

Teaser Tuesdays: Forever An Ex

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 11:00:00 +0000

"The tears in my eyes made her hesitate, so I pasted the biggest, silliest, toothiest grin on my face. That was when she grinned, too. I nodded at Bobby, and he gave me a sad smile before he led our daughter away." -- from page 78 of Forever An Ex by Victoria Christopher Murray

Forever An Ex continues the stories of Asia, Sheridan and Kendall, three women who have had more than their fair share of havoc wreaked by their exes. Oh, these ladies are not blameless, but it's near impossible to do anything but root for these women who try desperately to find loves worthy of them.

Today is release day for Forever An Ex! If you're a VCM fan, or new but intrigued, grab a copy wherever books are sold.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page (in the comments or via link to your own blog)

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Reading anything interesting? (Even if you don't post the meme, post a comment to tell us what you're reading!)

Books Don't Sell Themselves (and BIG Motherhood Diaries 2 Giveaway)

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:00:00 +0000

I'm one of 25 authors included in the fabulous anthology, The Motherhood Diaries 2, a collection of humorous and heartwarming stories about motherhood and parenting.

All 25 of us are responsible for promoting this book. Sound easy? It's not.

I'm getting an education in book promotion. I've read so many articles and blog posts over the years about promoting and marketing books, but it's a whole nutha thing when one actually has to do it.

So I'm working on some things. Of course, I've been using this blog to help get the word out and will continue to do that. (Putting together a series of blog posts with my fellow "Mommy Scribes" that I think you'll enjoy.) Then there's other social media, like Facebook and Twitter. Check out the hashtag #md2 because we'll have some good stuff coming up that you won't want to miss, like our upcoming "That Moment When..." tweet series.

Then there's plain old hustle. That's right, knocking on doors and selling the cookies, uh, books. (Forgot I was no longer a Girl Scout for a minute there!) There's a big book signing being planned for Houston in September and a possible table at the Book Club Conference in Atlanta in August.

All of that sounds great, right? So why am I sitting here feeling nauseous?

Because the idea of selling things--of asking people to show interest in what I have and then give me money to get it--sends swirls of despair in the bottom of my stomach while my skin starts to shrivel up and turn to ashes. That's what selling is like for me.

People know what they need or want and go out and get it, right?

Wrong. Most sales are influenced by some level of marketing and promotion, and often times folks don't know what they need or want until someone shows and convinces them.

As an author, selling is part of the job. Doesn't matter whether one publishes with a big, billion-dollar traditional publishing house or independently with monies extricated from the family budget. Either way, an author has to sell her books...if she wants them to be sold.

So I've put on my thinking cap. Working on promotional ideas. A number of authors read this blog, so I'm asking you: What have been some of your most effective book promotions?

And to the readers in my blog audience, because you know works for you: What types of book promotions get your attention? What turns you off?

While you put on your thinking caps, if you haven't already, you can click here to order an autographed copy The Motherhood Diaries 2.

And don't miss out on our big basket giveaway. Post a photo of yourself with The Motherhood Diaries 2 and enter to win a basket filled with "Mommy goodies."

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- June 14, 2014

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 11:00:00 +0000

Is Amazon Really The Devil? Depending on who you talk to in the publishing industry, Amazon is either that fiery entity that is ruining everything for everyone...or not.

What the Amazon vs. Hachette Debate Ignores: Independent Authors

Publishers Weekly reveals its annual Best of Summer Books list.

I'm always on the hunt for a good book. Comic Squad: Recess!, We Were Liars, Sing in the Morning, Cry at Night, and Land of Love and Drowning look interesting. I'm dying to read The Meta-Rise (Bot Wars) with my boys--we've been waiting we finished book 1 last summer!. Then there's Showtime: Magic, Kareen, Riley and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s and Michael Jordan: The Life.

I skimmed those last two while in Barnes & Noble with the boys last weekend. I love basketball and sports in general, but what I really love are the stories behind the competition.

It's been raining all week, not for long but hard and drenching when it comes. So this weekend, hoping to enjoy life between the downpours: flying with the boys (actually, they fly while I watch from the ground), getting my hair done, writing, editing, promoting The Motherhood Diaries 2, and of course, a little reading. (NO baking; ovens are closed for the summer!)

Happy Readin' N Writin!

Wednesday Worship: I Won't Go Back

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 14:41:00 +0000

Go ahead, continue what you were doing, but just listen...

I won't go back, I can't go back
To the way it used to be
Before your presence came and changed me.

Never going back, I'm
Never going back.
Never going back
To the way it was.

Sometimes, nothing else need be said...

Teaser Tuesday: A Man's Promise

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 16:03:00 +0000

Caden stared at his brother. For someone who had never been in love, Dalton was talking as if he were an expert on the subject matter. As if Dalton could read his mind, he said, "You don't have to know a lot about love to figure out your problem, Caden. You just have to know a lot about women. And they are my specialty." -- from Kindle version of A Man's Promise by Brenda Jackson

Book 2 in The Grangers series. What makes this series so interesting is that it combines romance with an ongoing murder mystery. Ms. Jackson is at her best, in my opinion, in her single titles, where the added length gives her lots of opportunity to unleash her creativity in romance and suspense with a kick of naughtiness thrown in.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page (in the comments or via link to your own blog)

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Reading anything interesting? (Even if you don't post the meme, post a comment to tell us what you're reading!)

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- June 7, 2014

noreply@blogger.com (PatriciaW) — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000

As she is laid to rest today via a private memorial at Wake Forest University, author, poet, actress, singer, professor and inspiring force Maya Angelou tells us in her own words how she wanted to be remembered. Also, hear her read her phenomenal poem, Phenomenal Woman.

This weekend, the romance team at Harper Collins presents its first-ever free digital Romance Festival. Meet romance authors, chat with readers and writers, and learn about new romance titles to come. Registration required, but the festival is free.

By now, readers (and writers) know about the battle waging between Hachette and Amazon. Amazon is accused of dropping discounts and being slow to restock Hachette titles to put pressure on supplier contract negotiations. Amazon isn't saying much, but something's afoot. So readers have to look elsewhere for Hachette titles...and they are. Walmart is reporting that its sales of Hachette titles is up 70%. Book buying options may not be as plentiful as they once were before the closing of Borders and numerous local bookstores, but there are still options.

Amazon might be wise to remember that.

WeNeedDiverseBooks, an initiative announced in the wake of the original (and all white) author line-up for BookCon, announced a slew of efforts to increase the diversity of the authors presented to readers, at conferences, and in schools, including a Lee and Low New Vision award for a YA author. (Past Lee and Low awards have focused on picture books.)

The school year is over! YAAAAY!!! My summer vacation begins (no more early mornings, no lunches to pack, no homework, no permission slips, no teacher conferences, etc.) My focus will be more exercise and more writing. Going to try to get a walk in before work in addition to a few evening workouts, finish up a couple of short stories, then get back my novel. Of course, a trip or two here and there.

What are your plans for the summer?