Friday Five

1. It feels so good to be writing on a consistent basis again. I write so much better when I have a plot outline to follow. I never stick to the outlines perfectly, but it helps to give me a purpose in each of my scenes and I am loving the reworking that I'm getting done. I'm getting more words down on paper each night, and it is just getting better and better.

2. I can't believe that summer is almost here. Nine days until summer vacation, and three kids that will want to be entertained. I need a plan. Spring break and the winter breaks proved that to me, and I'm still struggling with what to do. We have some plans, which include pool passes, but other than that I'm pretty stumped.

3.

This happened on Tuesday. My husband called and told me this happened after a bad storm blew through. At first I didn't believe him. You never want to believe that a tree fell on your car, even a big branch, but there it is. Luckily there wasn't any real damage to the car.

4. The last few weeks have been super busy with band concerts, school activities and work projects. It's been crazy, and I know the load is ramping up (work wise) for the summer. It's why I need a summer plan so badly. However, it's always nice to get to the end of the month and look back at what I've accomplished. It makes me realize that I can do anything.

5. I've read a lot of good books this month. Books I've been looking forward to for several months. I'll talk more about them in the Books I Love posts, but I've been happy. Now I'm just looking forward to some new releases. What books are you most excited about?

Have a great week!

Writing Wednesday: Finally Plotting

This weekend, I finally got my plot mapped out for my current WIP. It was so nice to finally get my ideas down on paper in a way that made logical sense. It helped me figure out I was starting at the wrong spot, and I can easily shift what I have written to where it needs to be in the plot.

When I sat down to write last night, it was so much easier to get the words out. My scenes now have a purpose. I know what I need to accomplish, and I know how to make it happen. It really is a good feeling. It helps that I really like my characters right now.

I love that new project feeling when you are still in love with it. Still think that it's a great idea and it's going to work.

In a few weeks, I'll be more frustrated, I'm sure. But right now I'm still basking in the glow of it.

How do you feel when you start a new project?

Book Review: Missing Lily by Annette K. Larsen

Tour Schedule

 
  Missing Lily “You don’t know who I am,” I whispered. He didn’t move—either away from me, or closer—and after an interminable moment, I stepped back and hurried out of the house. He didn’t follow me as I fled into the night. Lylin was not used to being alone—much less alone, hurt, and lost. So when she is separated from her guard and forced to abandon her horse, she counts herself lucky to stumble upon a manor house. Still frightened by those who chased her into the night, she keeps her identity a secret, calling herself Lily as she accepts the help of kind servants, and the compassion of Lord Fallon. When they fall into an easy friendship, she wonders if her secrecy was too hasty. However, as she gets to know the manor and its residents, Lylin discovers that she’s not the only one hiding secrets, and it may be a very good thing that her host doesn’t know her true identity as a member of the royal family.  

My Review:

I really liked the main character Lily. She was an active character that made the best of the situation that she is in. She falls in love with Lord Fallon, but then finds out that they cannot be together. The story takes her through negotiating her relationships and her decision to accept the role as the queen. This is the second book that I've read by Annette Larsen, and both are really good.

Purchase on

AMAZON * Barnes & Noble * iTunes

Author Annette K. Larsen I was born in Utah, part of a crazy, fun family of nine. I grew up in Flagstaff, AZ and St. Louis, MO before striking out on my own college adventure in Virginia. I decided to try my hand at writing novels after I was married and living in Idaho. I write clean romance because it’s my favorite genre, but often difficult to find.

I have Charlotte Brontë to thank for the courage to write novels. After being bombarded with assigned reading about women who justified abandoning either their families or their principles in the name of love, I had the great fortune of reading Jane Eyre. And that was it: finally, a heroine who understood that being moral and making the right choice was hard, and sometimes it hurt, but it was still worth it. After rereading it several years later, I realized that if I wanted more books to exist with the kinds of heroines I admired, then I might as well write a few myself. My books are about women who face hard choices, who face pain and rejection and often have to face the reality of sacrificing what they want for what is right. The consequences are often difficult or unpleasant, but in the end, doing what’s right will always be worth it. I believe there is no substitute for good writing or good chocolate. Fortunately, one often leads to the other.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Blog

Not yet read Just Ella?

It is on sale for $3.99 for the duration of the blog tour.

Grab your copy on Amazon.

Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/15/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Immersed by Jennifer Griffith

Immersed by Jennifer Griffith

Lisette Pannebaker speaks five languages and has a brilliant business plan—personal language immersion. Clients can hire her to shadow them and speak all day in any language they need to learn for business or travel—whatever. But there’s a major hitch: she’s far too pretty. Clients with less than honorable intentions sign up just have Lisette at their side. Solution? A make-under. Way under.It works like a charm. None of her male clients show her the least bit of interest. Until… Erik. Erik Gunnarsson is charming, kind, and smart—everything she’s ever looked for. Even though he seems to have a secret and she swore she'd never date a client, Lisette is tempted to shed her disguise—even if it means jeopardizing her career.

My Review

This is the story of Lisette who is having a hard time making her business work, because she is too pretty. She defies to do a make under, and she is finally able to make a success of her business until her client Eric comes along and she's attracted to him. She doesn't quite know what to do. The premise is interesting, and there were a lot of humorous moments throughout the story. I like the play of the characters against each other. It is definitely worth reading.

Amazon

Author Jennifer Griffith Jennifer Griffith studied French, German, Japanese, and a wee bit of Spanish in her school days. Her grandmother was Norwegian, and Jennifer grew up with lots of Scandinavian traditions floating around, including fabulous cardamom laced cookies called Krumkaker, made on a fancy waffle iron. However, she’d never dream of trying to teach someone any of those languages. And she might botch the cookies. Instead, she writes novels in English, drives her five kids a million places, and laughs with her husband, who came up with the plot for Immersed because he’s just a cool muse like that.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

  Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/9/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Books I Love: The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass

This is the first book in a trilogy, and the final book was released in the last month. I am really reluctant to recommend trilogies until they finish, because I've been so disappointed in some of them lately. That said, I can confidentially recommend this entire trilogy.

The premise is great, it's a Bachelor show come to life. America is chosen to be one of the young women who is sent to the palace for the opportunity to be chosen as queen. This is a dystopian society, and a solid caste system has been put into place. The major catch is the America is already in love with someone else. I love the prince, Max, and Aspen has his finer qualities as well. Overall, this is a great series that you should check out. Particularly if you love The Bachelor series.

Friday Five: Bus Breakdowns

1. Today the bus broke down, which meant my I had to drive my kids into school. And I had to call in late to my job, which basically means I missed time and money. We have a school within walking distance of our home, but our kids go to a magnet school twenty minutes away. I love the school, and it's worth the time sacrifice even on days like today where I end up driving for nearly an hour just to get them there.

2. It's field day today for my kids. Field day always means the end of the school year. The boys were super excited about it and wet out at the bus stop about ten minutes early, which also meant we waited for the bus for about forty minutes before I decided to drive them to school. But the end of the school year is almost here. Everyone is anxious for it to end. What am I going to do this summer?  I don't feel like I have enough time now?

3. My husband and I are coming up on our 15th wedding anniversary. It's making me feel oldish. Not as old as him. He is hitting the big 4-0 this year, but still. Wow. We got married at the end of June, so it's a ways off, but I still keep thinking, it's been a long time. I am so lucky that I married him. He is a great fit for me.

4. Social media is really important. It's not as important as writing a great book, but it can help people find that book. I've been thinking about signing up for a class or looking for a mentor. I can't afford to hire a PR person at this point, but I really need to get going when it comes to social media. Do you guys know any great classes?

5. I've got a to-do list as long as I am tall. And I need to get to work tackling it. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Book Blast: Missing Lily

  Missing Lily “You don’t know who I am,” I whispered. He didn’t move—either away from me, or closer—and after an interminable moment, I stepped back and hurried out of the house. He didn’t follow me as I fled into the night. Lylin was not used to being alone—much less alone, hurt, and lost. So when she is separated from her guard and forced to abandon her horse, she counts herself lucky to stumble upon a manor house. Still frightened by those who chased her into the night, she keeps her identity a secret, calling herself Lily as she accepts the help of kind servants, and the compassion of Lord Fallon. When they fall into an easy friendship, she wonders if her secrecy was too hasty. However, as she gets to know the manor and its residents, Lylin discovers that she’s not the only one hiding secrets, and it may be a very good thing that her host doesn’t know her true identity as a member of the royal family.  

Purchase on

AMAZON

Author Annette K. Larsen I was born in Utah, part of a crazy, fun family of nine. I grew up in Flagstaff, AZ and St. Louis, MO before striking out on my own college adventure in Virginia. I decided to try my hand at writing novels after I was married and living in Idaho. I write clean romance because it’s my favorite genre, but often difficult to find.

I have Charlotte Brontë to thank for the courage to write novels. After being bombarded with assigned reading about women who justified abandoning either their families or their principles in the name of love, I had the great fortune of reading Jane Eyre. And that was it: finally, a heroine who understood that being moral and making the right choice was hard, and sometimes it hurt, but it was still worth it. After rereading it several years later, I realized that if I wanted more books to exist with the kinds of heroines I admired, then I might as well write a few myself. My books are about women who face hard choices, who face pain and rejection and often have to face the reality of sacrificing what they want for what is right. The consequences are often difficult or unpleasant, but in the end, doing what’s right will always be worth it. I believe there is no substitute for good writing or good chocolate. Fortunately, one often leads to the other.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Blog

Tour Schedule

Not yet read Just Ella?

It is on sale for $3.99 for the duration of the blog tour.

Grab your copy on Amazon.

      Book Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/10/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Writing Wednesday: On Reading

Long before I knew I wanted to write books, I loved to read. When people ask what do you like to do, hands down for as long as I can remember my only real answer was read. And I love talking to other people about what I read. Some of my best friendships have formed out of a mutual love of books.

One of my very favorite books about writing is On Writing  by Stephen King. And he talks about how much he reads. And he reads a lot. Nearly as much or more than he spends on writing each day.

I think when it comes to reading, there are two different ways to read as a writer. (This is aside from reading craft books). First you read to enjoy, and see what else is out there. This is important because it exposes you to different styles, and different ways to tell stories, and different viewpoints.

And then there is reading to learn. When there are books that sing to me, that keep me turning the pages, that grab me from the beginning or that turn me inside out. I'll read them again and again. I try to figure out what's working and why.

How did the author build tension in the story?

What did she do for the pacing?  How did she start and end each chapter?

How were the relationships built?  What does the character interaction say about each character including the narrator?

What did I like about that character? What makes me hate that one?

Each author writes differently. There isn't a magic formula that makes up an automatic best seller, but there are common threads that run through great books. Every scene matters. Every interaction shows us something new. The book pulls you in through the pacing, and keeps you wanting to turn the page. No character is absolutely perfect.

How does reading improve your writing?

Review of Second Chances by Donna K Weaver

  

  Tour Schedule

    

Second Chances 101 by Donna K. Weaver Thirty seven year old Francie Davis, a recent widow and empty nester, gets to attend college at last. She’s sure her luck has changed when she also lands a job on campus that will pay her tuition, as administrative assistant to a history professor. When her handsome new boss yells at her on the first day of work, Francie worries she will never be good enough. For Professor Alex Diederik, life is going downhill fast. Not only is his bitter ex-wife trying to poison their only daughter against him, but now his one place of solace—his work environment—is being complicated by his attractive new administrative assistant. She drives home his feelings of failure as a husband and father, and Alex wonders if hiring her was the right thing to do. Francie will have to put aside her hurt and insecurities or risk her dreams, while Alex must look outside himself if he’s to mend the breach with his daughter. And, perhaps, find someone who can help heal his pain.

My Review:

I really enjoyed the premix of the book, and Francie, the main character is a bit older than the other main characters in this series. Overall thesis a good book with an interesting storyline. I felt like the ending was a bit rushed overall. But Francie has been my favorite character as fas as being proactive with her situation. It is a fun fast read, and of course it's clean. The perfect escape for a lazy afternoon.



  Author Donna K. Weaver Donna K. Weaver has always loved reading and creating stories, thus she’s been ever entertained. An avid cruiser, she’s sailed the Pacific five times. Wife-mother-grandmother-Army veteran-karate black belt-Harry Potter nerd.

Website * Goodreads * Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest

  Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/26/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Books I Love: The Last Best Kiss by Claire LaZebnik

The Last Best Kiss by Claire LaZebnik

This is a retelling of the Persuasion by Jane Austen. I've read a lot of retellings, and this does a great job on creating c contemporary retelling of the story. I really enjoyed it, and I like Anna's self reflection, and the fact that she owns her past choices and how she tries to deal with the situation.

Claire LaZebnik has also written Epic Fail and The Trouble with Flirting. These are both retellings and young adult books. I enjoyed both of these books. She also has written some adult novels, which I haven't read. Have you tried any of her books? What did you think?

Writing Wednesday

So This week I thought I'd write about my current plotting issues. And man do I have them. I have tons of them.  My biggest problem is that I think I'm over complicating things. I have two narrators, and I think I have two story arcs. And I don't know if I can make it work. The two narrators are both main characters, and they fall in love--maybe, I'm not entirely sure about that, but they are both working through similar, but different feelings.

So I've been worried about plot. I like having my major plot points down before I write. It makes my revision process better, because I revise as I write. I recently got James Scott Bell's book Writing Your Novel from the Middle: A New Approach for Plotters, Pansters and Everyone in Between. Anyway, it's been enlightening. He talks about a mirror moment or of self-relfection in that moment. It's a good read, and I'm still trying to decide how to handle it.

But because I have the two stories, within one story, and the very similar story arcs. I'm still trying to figure it out, if I find the center point for those two stories, or if I find the center point and have both of them come to the mirror moment there.

What's your favorite way of handling plotting, and rising and falling action? How do you determine the low point in the story?

Books I Love: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Evil is the first in a trilogy about demons. Of course there is some mention of angels, but it really focuses on the demons. Anna, the main character, learns that she is the child of a demon, and that it is her job to tempt others to commit sin. The story is just great. I don't want to go into too much detail because the world building is done so well, and there are some great twists and turns. The trilogy continues with Sweet Peril,  and concludes with Sweet Reckoning,  which just came out. 

I was waiting to write about this book because lately I've loved book one and two of a trilogy and just hated the third book. I was so satisfied with the ending. It was everything I wanted in the book. So I heartily recommend this entire series. Have you read it? What did you think?

Friday Five: Jammed Fingers and Other Silliness

1.  This week has been hectic, in a way that means I've struggled to accomplish anything. One example is that my son jammed his finger playing basketball, only it didn't get better and it didn't get better, until my husband decided that he needed to be taken in for it. The way the appointment worked out, it also meant I had to pick up all of my other kids from school and take them since I'd be at the doctor when they were getting off the bus. It was a long day. And most of the days worked out that way.

2. This week I've also realized just how important it is take physically good care of myself. It is important that I'm in good shape so I can do all of the things that I need and want to do. This means making time for exercise and eating healthier. Hopefully it will pay off in the long run.

3. It's beautiful out right now. All week it's been stormy and rainy and we had to keep an eye out for tornados. I made Rob install an app on his phone that would wake us up if one came in the middle of the night. I'm terrified of night tornados. And it did go off, but we woke up and looked at the weather, we realized that the path of storms wasn't even near us. I was glad that alert worked, but I couldn't get back to sleep.

4. Back to how nice it is outside. It really is gorgeous, open your windows let the air come in, and just enjoy spring gorgeous. It makes me want to go outside and stare up at the sky and maybe take a nap out there. I don't want to be stuck inside working.

5. It's nearly time for peaches to be back in season, and for some reason this year, I've been craving them. I really, really want a good peach, and they aren't in the stores yet. I know it's still early, and it was cold a lot later than usual, but I'm still looking for a good peach.

Have a great weekend!