Some Good Readin’

Those of you that follow my Facebook or Twitter know that I have a Goodreads account that I update on a regular basis.  Lately, I’ve been trying to review everything that I rate.  You might notice I’m a bit of a Suzy Sunshine over on Goodreads, and I’m afraid this is true — for every review I post, there are 3 or 4 books that I loathed and reviled and possibly flung against the wall. These are the books that never, never get mentioned again. Why? Because I’m a professional (sorta) and I’m doing my best to not be an author douchebag. Also, I’m a very impatient reader. If the story is going off the rails by page 50, I’m not going to stick around for the next 300 to see how it turns out. My DNF pile is quite huge.

But when something does make it on my Goodreads, it’s usually because I enjoyed it and want to talk about it! And I’ve had a really good spate of reading lately. I’m not sure if it was because I was in a reading mood, but whatever it is, I am thoroughly enjoying my time with books lately. And since it was a long weekend, and my husband was sick, I read. A lot. And it was so NICE. I read:

Meljean Brook — DEMON BLOOD. Ok, confession time. When you are an author, sometimes you get early copies of coveted reads because people want you to blurb them, or because you shamelessly beg in email or you have connections. I got an early copy of DEMON BLOOD and I’ve already read it. Twice. Probably going to read it a third time this week. It is so good. SO GOOD. Meljean does an amazing job with making her stories emotional and sexy and still keeping the overarching plot tense and action-packed. This also just came out today, so you should buy your own copy so we can squee over it together. I’m just saying.

Lisa Kleypas – LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON. Loved this! I went in not expecting much, because I put down MARRIED BY MORNING after about 3 chapters. I loved this one so much that I went back and finished MARRIED BY MORNING afterward.

Victoria Dahl – CRAZY FOR LOVE. Okay, so Dahl is on my auto buy because she writes such fun, breezy contemporaries. This one did not disappoint.

I have a few books in my queue that I need to finish (including THE PASSAGE) but…I’m a goober and I started re-reading Meljean Brook’s books again. Ah, comfort reads. How I love thee.

Giveaway over at Odd Shots

If you don’t read the Odd Shots group blog, then you’re missing out on a great giveaway! Meljean Brook is giving away 20 copies of DEMON BLOOD (the next book in the Guardians series). I’ve already read this one and it’s hot, emotional, and angsty. Yum. And no, I don’t think you need to read the rest of the series first – this one starts with a prologue that introduces you to everything you need to know about the world.

It’s one of the best books I’ve read this year. You should go comment!

Downside of the nook

So, ever since getting my nook several weeks ago (or has it been a few months? I forget), I’ve pretty much read exclusively on it. Paper has not crossed my hands since buying it. I figure I’m telling myself that I’m trying to get my $250 out of it, but…who are we kidding? I use the nook because I am super lazy and it can instantly download any book within seconds.

The downside of the nook?  No more early releases. It’s true – I confess. I’m one of those horrible people that starts scouring the shelves of the local bookstore a week or two in advance of an eagerly-anticipated book, all in the hopes that some employee might slip a copy or two onto the shelves early. I scan the grocery store, hoping that the distributor has ignored the lay-down dates and stuck the newest books out in advance! Release date? Shmelease date! Gimme my books now!

This, of course, does not work on the nook. It’s release day or nothing for them, and they don’t release the files early. This makes me a VERY SAD READER. I mean, as an author, I should rejoice in the hard release date for e-files because it makes it that much easier for someone to hit the lists, right? And I want my friends to do well.

But the reader in me? Wants your book NOW.  F&ck waiting! I think there should be a program where we can pay a dollar or two extra and get your book a week or two in advance. I’d pay it. A dollar buys me a candy bar…or my Meljean Brook fix a week earlier. I know which way I’d rather spend it.

So has anyone else felt this impatience with e-files on the nook or Kindle, or am I the only one feeling the pain of being forced to open Christmas presents on Christmas Day?

On vacation

I’m on vacation this week!

(secret confession: I haven’t done jack, either. I had lofty plans of spring cleaning and errand running but I’ve mostly sat in my jammies, playing video games and reading.)

So yeah, not a lot of bloggy goodness heading your way. Mea culpa. In the meantime, I *did* guest blog over at the fabulous Michelle Rowen‘s blog. She’s hosting 30 Days of Demons in celebration of her upcoming release, THE DEMON IN ME. I had an early opportunity to read it, and it was hilariously fun, and the plot had a totally unique, kicky little twist.

Did I mention I’m giving away a free signed copy of GENTLEMEN PREFER SUCCUBI if you comment? Go comment!

(Sidenote: My succubi aren’t *really* demons but I do have demons in my books, so I totally count. Right? Right.)

Ava Gray’s release, A Quiz at Odd Shots, and Ilona Andrews

First, let’s start with the obvious. Have you read this yet?

No? Because I did and it was pretty darn awesome, let me tell you. If you’re a SF/UF reader, you might have heard of Ann Aguirre, but if you read only romance (like I seem to do lately) this might have slipped past your notice. I read it a few months ago (thanks Ann!) and it was really awesome. Very fast paced, with a hard-edged, tough heroine and a sexy, roguish hero. She’s a con man and he’s an assassin, and no one gets watered down throughout the story, which was pretty awesome, IMO. Seriously – if you like a different kind of story, and if you like romantic suspense type books with just a dash of paranormal, check this out. I really do think you’ll like it.

Speaking of awesome, have you seen Ilona Andrews’s post today? No? Go read it. She says some wonderful, brilliant things that hit very close to home for me. If you’ve read my journal for any length of time, you know that I’m a little sensitive/easily irritated when people romance bash, and they romance bash all the time. It’s saddest when it comes from other authors, because for the most part? Romance writers might be terribly critical of other romance writers, but as a whole no one really denigrates other genres simply for existing. Not the case with other genres and romance. Anyhoo, I love Ilona for posting this, and I’m happy she spoke up and said what I was thinking (though in a less cuss-filled, more polite sort of way).

Oh, and it’s my day at Odd Shots and I’ve added a quiz – are you Psy? Are you Changeling? And did you buy the newest Nalini Singh release? Hop to it!

This book comes out tomorrow

It’s been a while since I’ve raved about a book, but I truly, truly loved this one. I went into it with no expectations – I’ve been on a definite historical romance slump, and especially slumping in the areas of regency or Victorian (this is a Victorian). But I met Meredith at RWA last year and she was such a fun, sparkling personality that I wanted to read it, regardless of genre ennui.

I. Loved. This. Book. Words cannot describe how much I freaking loved this book. I started to read it and couldn’t put it down. After I finished it, everything else made me fussy because it was Not This Book. She ruined me for a good two weeks on other reads.

The hero and heroine were perfect. Perfect. If you liked Loretta Chase’s MR. IMPOSSIBLE, you simply must read this book. Jane at Dear Author gave it an A. The Book Smugglers gave it an 8 out of 10. It’s brilliant and clever and tender and I think Duran is going to be the next Loretta Chase.

You seriously want to read this book, guys.

Oh, the joy of release day.

Not my release day! Someone else’s. It’s that day you’ve been waiting for, the day that is led up to by scouring the local grocery stores in the hopes that a hapless Andersons (or whoever is the distributor now) employee put out the books early. And when that fails, it’s taking my lunch hour to make the trek – in the rain – to Barnes & Noble for that most prized of possessions.

THE NEW CATHERINE ANDERSON BOOK. BOOYAH.

I will be useless tonight in a reading marathon. Two words for you. Gun and slinger, baby. Gun and slinger.

Also

I have discovered Goodreads and spent half the evening tagging some of my favorite reads. I’m Jill Myles on there as well, if you’re on Goodreads too!

Stuff.

My buddy Katiebabs is on vacation in the UK,  and asked me to guest blog. I decided to embarrass myself and my good taste by admitting to all those shameful romances storylines that I’m not supposed to love…but do anyway.

Also! Cindy Pon (she of the terribly awesome) is running a contest to celebrate the release of her new book:

It’s YA fantasy in an Asian setting. How awesome is that? I can’t wait to read it. And she also happens to have just the most gorgeous book trailer ever:

Seriously, isn’t it evocative and lovely?

Cindy is also holding a contest on her blog for original brush art (I *want*. Her bunnies look so cute). You should check it out.

Is this thing on?

I’m still alive! I swear! Quit sending me emails saying “Where did you go??”

I’m just…not doing anything interesting, people. Really. I have nothing to blog about. Honest. Same ol’ same ol.

And because I’ve been tagged on Facebook a million billion times, here’s 25 things about me.

1. When I am nervous, I have a fear of pauses in conversation. Usually this results in me babbling incoherently a mile a minute, and saying anything that crosses my mind. This usually ends up frightening the other person.

2. I also have a nervous smile. When I am nervous or uncomfortable, I smile a lot. This usually results in weirdos hitting on me (because they think I’m digging them) and getting into worse trouble when I mess up because I look like I’m smirking.

3. I still get carded for beer.

4. My favorite book from my childhood was WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS by Wilson Rawls. I have read it 100x and sobbed my heart out every time.

5. Shamefully, I am a Brangelina fangirl.

6. I favor one of my cats over the other, which is probably cruel.

7. I have a terrible fear of getting lost. Nothing can get me in a panic attack faster than missing an exit while driving and not knowing where I’m going.

8. I once won 2nd Place in a Magic:The Gathering tournament (NEEEEEEEEERRRRRRD)

9. I also cheated in the tournament (played one too many cards), but I didn’t realize it until after the fact. The opponent I beat was eight years old. Proud moment.

10. I really regret never finishing college, but to this day, I don’t know what I would have majored in.

11. I can hold a massive grudge. I can’t recall what I did last night or what I was talking about five minutes ago, but if there is perceived insult? I’ll remember forever.

12. I’m really easy to talk out of things, alas. For some reason I always trust other people’s judgment more than my own, and all it takes is a few good words about something to make me do a total flip of opinion.

13. I hate talking on the phone.

14. At 5 I was diagnosed with scoliosis (which does not set in until adolescence, usually) and I wore a Boston brace from age 5 until I had back surgery at the age of 15.

15. I can calculate the taxes on a paycheck down to a dime but I cannot balance my own checkbook.

16. My favorite song of the moment is the Veronicas “Untouched” and I listen to it on repeat over and over again. 30x yesterday.

17. I rub my lower lip while I’m driving. No idea why.

18. It’s really hard to come up with 25 things.

19. No kids. Don’t want any, don’t plan on having any.

20. I am terribly geeky in regards to the Eighteenth Dynasty in Ancient Egypt and can probably tell you entirely too much about any of the rulers or their families.

21. Writing-wise, I am obsessed with Norse mythology and valkyries. So far I’ve written two novels about Norse myth, and come up with a new concept/spin every week.

22. I recently came to the realization that I am a super-hard critique partner. I tend to tear something apart at the seams, and this is not necessarily the best approach.

23. I have multiple novels that no one has seen but me. One of them is my favorite book ever written. I should fix it someday.

24. I hate 90% of what I read, so I normally end up re-reading old favorites over and over again. I am just super picky.

25. I thought I’d never move from paper books to e-books but Jane talked me into trying the Sony Reader and OMG ILU SONY E-READER. MY PRECIOUSSSSSS….