Great news, Cozies! I've finally finished developing a reader newsletter so fans can sign up for email updates. My subscribe buttons are scattered around my website, but you're just one step away from signing up here at The Cozy Page. See the pink Subscribe To My Newsletter button on the right sidebar? Click on that, fill out the short contact info form and you're on my mailing list! Easy, huh? I'll be sending my first newsletter out late this week or early next week so be sure to sign up now!
I know there haven't been many updates at my website, but that will change soon, I promise! Until then, NaNo starts tomorrow and in addition to writing 1700 words a day, I'll be working out four days a week. The extra challenge keeps me from getting too far out of shape while I'm pounding away at the keyboard more hours than usual every day until the end of November. More on my special NaNo workout soon....
This week here at Cozy I roll out the red carpet for two virtual book tours from Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to check back in on Thursday and Friday for excerpts, prizes, and more from paranormal romance author Jacqueline Paige and romantic suspense author Rie McGaha!
Halloween costume votes have been tallied and between those of you here at Cozy and those on Twitter and Facebook, it seems that The Indian Maiden is the popular choice! Thank you to everyone who participated in the poll!
Remember that this week, on Wednesday, I will be at the LASR Blog giving away a free audio book to one lucky commenter! If you missed it, be sure to check out my Halloween-themed guest blog at AJ's Notes.
In November, I should have a newsletter finally for my website so check back in for that news. November also brings NaNoWriMo. My fourth paranormal can't wait! Are there any others who will be braving 30 days of literary abandon this year?
I’m having a fan girl moment. Forgive me, but I can’t hold it back any longer. I adore actor Matthew MacFadyen. Not just because he’s gorgeous…or because his voice is so rich and deep and…British. That’s all wonderful, but what I really really love about him is that he is a man not afraid of the period drama.
It all started in 1998 when he starred as Hareton Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights. Then he did it again by tackling the iconic role of Mr. Darcy in the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice. In this movie, I thought he would underwhelm after Colin Firth’s beloved Darcy portrayal in 1995. I don’t know about other Austenites, but I saw Matthew give Colin a run for the Pemberley crown!
More recently, Matthew gave period fans more to fawn over by starring as Arthur Clennam in the adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Little Dorritt and signed on to play Athos for the upcoming 2011 version of The Three Musketeers. This year he even took a turn as a villain by portraying the Sheriff of Nottingham against Russell Crow’s title character in Robin Hood. I’m looking forward to watching the mini-series Pillars of the Earth in which he plays Prior Philip. If all this weren’t reason enough to love Matthew MacFadyen, there’s this. The man recites Shakespeare….
Dear Lord, if only he’d been my literature professor. I wouldn’t have learned a thing, but going to class would’ve been my top priority!
Ok, weak moment's over. Thank you, Cozies, for letting me get that off my chest. I feel so much better now. If there are any other MacFadyen fans out there, shout it out! I know I’m not alone :)
Halloween's coming up fast and today at fellow Wayback author Autumn Jordon's blog AJ's Notes, I'm getting into the spirit with a look into how the supernatural has influenced my stories. To see which of my books features a scene with otherworldly elements, click on over to AJ's Notes. Next week I'll be continuing the October theme with more western romance goodness by giving away an audio book edition of Bluest Heart at the LASR blog!
A month or so ago I started brainstorming for Halloween costume ideas. I've been kicking them around and have come down to two alternatives....
A) The Western Showgirl! Haha, you probably knew I was going to go there. The cute thing about this costume (besides the boots) is that I can dress up my four-legged critters to match!
B) The Indian Maiden! This costume would go with the fringed moccasins my father bought me while my husband and I were on vacation this weekend in northern Alabama! I liked them so much, I wore them to our football tailgate. Here's me and my sister playing Cowgirls and Indians in Auburn!
So, Cozies, I'm going to let you decide this one! I'll round out the tallies on Sunday and announce the winner next week!
Today I continue my Recommended Reads for the third quarter of this year. Earlier this week, I listed my favorite historicals. Today's books are my favorite contemporary, romantic suspense, and paranormal titles....
***Some of the following reviews may contain spoilers***
Sin Undone by Larissa Ione (My Review: LOVE) - I knew Larissa Ione wouldn't disappoint Demonica readers with this fifth and final installment of the paranormal series, but still - WOW! Sin may be the only female Seminus demon and the youngest of five, but she lives up to her brothers' previous books. Add half-werewolf/half-vampire hero, Con, to the package and wowza! A whole bunch of page-turning goodness happens! As always, conflict between Ione's characters is superbly written, particularly between Sin and Con and the ending sums up an amazing series while setting up her next: Lords of Deliverance!
Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher (My Review: 4/5) - I really enjoyed this book. Along with heroine Helen, the reader is plunged into the world of the Sentinels and their war against the Synestryn demons. I don't know if it was her voice or the worldbuilding but something about Butcher's style reminds me a bit of J.R. Ward. Still, the story itself is original and I will be buying Book II. Not a lot of books make me go bump in the night, but this one definitely went there for me. It's dark parts, however, never outweighed the romance and I loved the hero. I felt that some of the love scenes maybe left a bit to be desired, especially after the great build-up of sexual tension between Helen and Drake. That's my only complaint...except (***spoiler warning***) I wish Thomas wasn't killed off. I was really rooting for his story.
Warriorby Zoe Archer (My Review: LOVE) - I've heard nothing but awesome things about the Blades of the Rose series and for good reason. This book rocked my socks off! It is so clear right from the onset that Zoe Archer is a natural born storyteller and a wordsmith to boot! I can't find any complaints with this book. The paranormal/historical setting transplanted me into another world as only J.D. Robb has transplanted me into 2060 NYC. And the characters: perfection! Thalia is the perfect example of a well-written strong heroine. A fighter, a survivor but still vulnerable and easy to connect with as a reader. The hero, Capt. Gabriel Huntley, is in an alpha with a noble streak. I've used perfection to describe this book already, but I have to say it again here. The hero of this book was absolute perfection. As soon as I finished with his and Thalia's story, I wanted to dive straight back in and do it all again! Serious kudos to Zoe Archer for crafting an addictive world that is completely original and so compelling I could hardly put it down for a few minutes at a time. She is clearly in a league of her own.
Skykeepers by Jessica Andersen (My Review: LOVE) - Another paranormal for the keeper shelf. Skykeepers is hands-down my favorite Final Prophecy so far. I didn't expect to love the character of Michael Stone, but he won me over very quickly. His devotion to heroine Sasha Ledbetter is so endearing and the inner conflict that prevents him from being with her is so compelling and heartbreaking. I really felt for both of them. The world of the Nightkeepers keeps getting richer and denser. I have a hard time believing anyone who hasn't read the previous novels in this series could fully enjoy Skykeepers or the next books, Demonkeepers and Blood Spells. For fans like me however, this is a treat!
Primal Male by Sasha White (My Review: 5/5) - This sizzling Brava title is a quick one but one to reckon with, no less! If you like your paranormal romance white hot, look no further. I was intrigued by the worldbuilding and the characters' predicament. There are two previous novellas that proceed Primal Male, both of which are available in the Sexy Devil paperback but this one stands alone even as it draws from world and characters of other stories. There is an alarming number of typos in this book. Such a shame since the story packs a great punch and is written with a healthy dose of flair. I found it highly enjoyable and look forward to combing White's backlist for more!
The Sheriff of Silverhillby Carol Ericson (My Review: 4/5) - This is the second in Carol Ericson's romantic suspense series about the McClintock brothers of Silverhill, Colorado. Carol Ericson keeps getting better and better and I was thrilled with this glimpse into life on the rez. The heroine, Dana, is a government agent who specializes in Native American crimes. She returns to Silverhill, the place of her childhood, when a serial killer begins targetting Native American women. This romantic suspense is well-written and worth reading just for the title character, Rafe McClintock, the Sheriff of Silverhill. The well-researched Indian culture as well as the reservation setting took me away from the usual romantic suspense setting and I enjoyed the escape. I already have my copy of the third series installment and recommend this one to RS fans.
A Very Special Deliveryby Linda Goodnight (My Review: 5/5) - I don't read enough inspirational romance. This was clear to me after reading this winter-themed contemporary inspy about a single father and a woman who suffers from anxiety. I felt akin to the heroine despite the extraordinary circumstances in which her panic attacks stem from. The inspirational parts of this book were neither too heavy nor too light. The romance itself is well-blended with the heroine's journey toward healing and the hero's discovery of place and home for himself and his baby daughter. For inspirational readers, this Linda Goodnight novella is a heart-warming treat that I recommend with a glass of cocoa!
Chasin' Mason by Stacey Joy Netzel (My Review: 4/5) - This list wouldn't be complete without western romance! After reading Dragonfly Dreams, I couldn't help but pick up Stacey Joy Netzel's next single title. This book starts out strong with great conflict between the hero and heroine who are thrust reluctanly into an adventure. My favorite element of this story is that it proves further that what we love most about contemporary western is mainly it's echoes of historical westerns. In Chasin' Mason, the characters battle the outdoors as well as themselves as they race to clench their hold over a loved one's ranch land with the capture of a wild stallion. An enjoyable read from start to finish. Netzel is another author who writes with flair and is one of my favorite contemporary voices!
Readers, I would love to hear your favorite contemporary, paranormal, or romantic suspense recent reads!
Dancing with the Stars is the only show I'm watching on primetime these days. As a regular viewer, I've noticed that this is the first season the show has felt below par. The cast doesn't lack for entertainment. In fact, the cast - B-list and all - is my favorite element. This doesn't change the fact that show night feels a bit lackluster. The weird, negative energy from last week made it clear that a lot of the charm and sparkle of past seasons that I love most about DWTS has dimmed. It certainly didn't seem like a great time to bring out the brand spanking new round stage and unplug the band.
I understand the reasons for it - the judges/producers wanted to focus more on the actual dancing. But I love the special effects and general over-the-topness - the glitter, the lights, the big stage that in no way limits the choreography of these creative professionals. Even with the audience packed so closely around the stage Monday, the energy still lagged. (And was the only one who detected ushers spaced throughout the audience to amp up the spectators? It also seemed like a weird night for Sarah and Todd Palin to be among the voyeurs...I mean, spectators...with people raunching it up with the rumba and Argentine tango. Her presence made things in the ballroom almost as awkward as Florence and Corky's rumba.)
I will say that some of the charm and magic that drew me to the show to begin with glimmered for the first time since the Season 11 premiere. Len's shirtless on DanceCenter. The hilarious appropriate/inappropriate signs. Maks and Bruno both seemed to be in a far better spirits. The producers cut most of the training videos to come off as entertaining, not mood killing like Maks and Brandy's last week. The scoring is improving marginally. No more room for elimination night fake-outs. And the Tom Bergeron Butt Pinching Brigade is back on track. I'm still rooting for Team Grey - Jenougher - and right now there's a poll going on over at ABC.com where fans can choose their Top Ten Dances. I'm campaigning for Gilles and Cheryl's Foxtrot. Choose your favorites here!
Here's hoping DWTS recaptures a little more of the magic from seasons past. Like this....
Derek Hough's Emmy-nominated Paso Doble with Chelsea Hightower
Sabrina Bryan and Mark Ballas's Macy's Stars of Dance Performance...which ties nicely into what I'll be doing on the plains Saturday ;)
Care to share some of your favorite DWTS moments, Cozies?
(A reminder: I'll be presenting an online workshop with Laura Breck and Lisa Lipkind Leibow all week long on Grogging at The Muse Online Writing Conference, as a reminder for those who are interested. And don't forget to check back in Saturday for contemporary, romantic suspense and paranormal recommended reads!)
Hi Cozies! I've decided to do two Recommended Reads posts for the third quarter of 2010 because it seems I've read quite a bit in the last three months. Quite a few books wound up on my keeper shelf and to avoid a post that just keeps going and going, I'm doing historicals today and highlighting contemporaries and paranormals on the 16th. Keep in mind that not all these books were published this year. I believe strongly in trying both recent titles and not-so-recent titles. Most titles listed today were reviewed for The Season. (Note: Books reviewed for The Season are ranked on a scale of 1-10 while personal reviews are ranked on a 1-5 scale.)
Devil's Highlander by Veronica Wolff (My Review: LOVE) - This book begins a new saga, Clan MacAlpin, for author Veronica Wolff. And an exciting series launch it is! From the first page to the last, I was completely swept away by Devil's Highlander and enjoyed every moment lost in Cormac and Marjorie’s tale. I felt that it is also a unique tale, a departure from the usual Highlander romance setting and plotline. Amidst the well-researched streets and docks of Aberdeen, the book takes on weighty issues like human bondage and child labor as well as explores the depths to which guilt and blame can destroy lives. I look forward to the next story in the Clan MacAlpin saga. Meanwhile, Devil’s Highlander has all the right ingredients for a must-read historical romance.... (Read the full review at The Season)
Never A Bride by Amelia Grey (My Review: 8/10) - Clever characters, smooth prose, and a fluid pace make Amelia Grey’s Never A Bride an enjoyable read. This book is both romance and mystery as the heroine, Mirabella Whittingham, risks her reputation to find the scoundrel who led her family’s ward, Sarah, to an untimely death. To do so, she must kiss every titled bachelor who fits the description Sarah left behind of her “Prince Charming.” Conflict ensues when the fiancé who abandoned Mirabella for America returns. Grey’s voice and writing style are on par with Julia Quinn’s. My only issue with it is the tendency to repeat information the reader already knows. Her love of the Regency time period radiates from the pages of this book. It’s everything I love about romance in Regency times and I highly recommend it to fellow lovers of the genre.... (Read the full review at The Season)
All Night with a Rogueby Alexandra Hawkins (My Review: 5/5) - I read this first book in the Lords of Vice series after the second, Till Dawn with the Devil (below). Although both books are standout Regency romances, the Lords of Vice debut is superb! I enjoyed every moment with both the hero, an unrepentent rake, and the heroine. I've mentioned before that it's hard to find a romance where I enjoy the main characters in equal measure. I thought the villains of this book were also well-written.
This is a page-turning read that turns out a most unexpected villain. Still, the story resolved itself quite nicely and I was satisfied with the outcome. There is no doubt that Alexandra Hawkins is making a splash in historical romance and fans of the genre who haven’t read the Lords of Vice series should sit up and take notice. These men are downright delicious. I haven’t been this excited about Regency heroes in some time. They are the ultimate bad boys of the ton, rogues and scoundrels to the last, but fresh and addictive, adding their own brand of devilry to the Regency scene. I cannot wait for more in this series and have already scoped out the next title, due out early next year.... (Read the full review at The Season)
Something About Her by Jeannie Ruesch (My Review: 4/5) - I was eager to read this author's debut because it was presented so well in all the advertising I saw on it. The story was not without a few issues, but overall I had fun reading this Regency. Ruesch's voice flows well and is almost light-hearted. I liked the heroine and learned to love the hero. There are several sub-plots and villains, but they are all tied up in the end. The prose is smart and polished, but it was the ending that really got me on an emotional level. I look forward to seeing Jeannie's Ruesch's future works!
Scandalous by Candace Camp (My Review: 6.5/10) - Within the first few pages, this book didn't waste any time sweeping me along for the ride. In Scandalous, the reader gets a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Hamilton family and the mystery of John Wolfe's identity. The book expands on that, weaving the motivations and colorful personalities of neighbors and friends into the fabric of the story and its suspenseful elements. Despite a few story issues, it isn't hard at all to imagine why Candace Camp is a historical favorite. Her writing is exquisite, the work of a consummate professional. Scandalous is written in so well a hand and so well-paced I was almost surprised to find myself flipping pages so fast. Suffice it to say, I could hardly put this book down once I became immersed in the story. The sub-plots and arcs were no doubt a complex balancing act, but Camp fashions it all together beautifully, crafting this suspenseful historical with finesse.
My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud'homme (My Review: 5/5) - I always like to toss in a little non-fiction, just to mix things up every quarter. After seeing Julie & Julia this past spring, I couldn't help but pick up Julia Child's memoirs. I knew it would be a treat, but it went so much further than I thought in terms of depth of emotion and political overview. I loved this book mostly because Julia Child wasn't just an innovative chef - she was also a highly disciplined writer. I could not put this book down once it started and I didn't want it to end. It's one of the best memoirs I've read in some time. The most fascinating thing about it was the glimpse into post-war France. It wasn't just the food that left me hungry at the end of of every page; it was the colorful descriptions of Paris and the French countryside.
Be sure to check out The Season for upcoming fourth quarter historical romance reviews....
Stay tuned for more third quarter recommended reads later this week! And readers, I'd love to hear your recommended reads from July, August, and September!
Hi Cozies! It's October now and Breast Cancer Awareness Month! The romance family is affected every year in some way by breast cancer so if you're a fan of romance, support Breast Cancer Awareness. Wear pink, think pink, and spread the word! Even you guys out there. Those tough NFL players are wearing the pink gear this month. Joining the fight for the cure just makes you all that more heroic!
There has also been a lot of talk about bullying recently. I was a victim of bullying at one time beacuse of my small stature - never to a degree that my life was endangered but bullied all the same. I believe that bullying is an issue that has been overlooked far too long - and if not overlooked, no one has taken an aggressive stand against it until this point. I'm happy to share this video I found of Elphaba from Wicked: The Musical who is taking an active role in fighting bullying with Bully Bust. Visit her on Facebook to hear her message!
As some of you know, the hub is no longer working for the Gulf Coast oil spill cleanup. He worked all summer long and then some seven days a week with a two-day break every fourteen days from June through September. I'm extremely proud of his commitment, but it was a tough job and now he's back home with the fam for some well-deserved rest. He's moved a worktable into my office so we can rub elbows when we're both home. It's a cozy arrangement that I love! Something that I haven't mentioned in regard to this is that just because the hub no longer works for oil cleanup doesn't mean that oil isn't affecting our waters still. As late as last Thursday, he was cleaning it off boats in Mobile. I feel like the media has kind of neglected our coastline because the well is closed and our beaches are looking clean and healthy again. Oil still is a factor here on the Gulf Coast and I ask that people please keep that in mind.
I have recommended reads coming up soon. Here's a little preview. I had to go across the bay to Mobile to find a bookstore where this book wasn't sold out. As soon as I finish the last two books on my September TBR list, third quarter recommended reads will be posted here at Cozy. There are some good ones you'll wanna see, trust me! I'm shooting for the 15th. I'd also like to take this time to announce that I am developing a newsletter. The fan mail these past couple of months has been so heartwarming that I decided it's high time I give my readers a newsletter. Hopefully by November, everything will be in place and you'll be able to subscribe. I promise not to send one unless you subscribe for it and an unsubscribe link will also be posted as well. I believe in this method because lately I've been receiving messages from new authors especially via my contact addy and my personal email address (which is inexcusable) asking me to buy their books when I never signed up to receive news from them. I consider this spam. In fact, a lot of people do. I believe that as an author it's your job to build a readership from the ground up. There is no skipping channels, not if you expect to have integrity in this industry. Developing a fan base can, yes, be hard work, but everyone starts from scratch and hard work does pay off. I can vouch for that. I hate to have to post this here on Cozy, but it needs to be said. Some publishers don't educate their authors on the differences between marketing/networking and spamming or even professionalism and unprofessionalism. New authors, please be respectful of your potential readers and go through the channels out there that are available for feedback. I know the wait for review sites to get to your title is intense and nervewracking but be patient. Develop a blog tour. Post excerpts on promotional loops. Feedback will come, I promise!
And that's the end of my spiel today. When my newsletter is ready, I will send an announcement via Twitter and Facebook. Have a good day Cozies and stay warm! It's getting chilly out there!
The Sweethearts of the West group blog opened officially the first day of this month and today I got the chance to blog there for the first time. This exciting new group is all about western romance - good news for you Wayback Ridge fans! In fact, I share an excerpt from the Ridge family saga as well as break down readers' love of the contemporary west with a special focus on rodeos!
Read it all here today and check back soon for posts from fellow Sweethearts Caroline Clemmons, Celia Yeary, Anna Jeffrey, Anna Kathryn Lanier, Ashley Kath-Bilsky, Cheryl Pierson, Jane Leopold Quinn, Jeanmarie Hamilton, Marin Thomas, Nicole McCaffrey, Paisley Kirkpatrick, Paty Jager, and Sandra Crowley!
I know there haven't been many updates at my website, but that will change soon, I promise! Until then, NaNo starts tomorrow and in addition to writing 1700 words a day, I'll be working out four days a week. The extra challenge keeps me from getting too far out of shape while I'm pounding away at the keyboard more hours than usual every day until the end of November. More on my special NaNo workout soon....
