This has been the longest twelve weeks of my life. Actually, I'm only into week 8, and the suspense is killing me! Not literally killing me, but you get my drift.
The last time I checked my submission to Carina Press it said "In-Progress". What that means I have no idea, but it's got to be better than "Received" which was the last level. My writer friend in New York hasn't heard back either, so we're both sporting shorter nails.
I just finished Brenda Novak's, THIS HEART OF MINE, part of her Whiskey Creek series, for the second time. It's a mood book for me. Something about that romance tugs at my heart. Brenda says she loves to write about redemption, and this is a classic example. A double shot. Phoenix and Riley are two former lovers looking to redeem themselves from guilt. His, from not believing her in the first place, hers from the stigma of an ex-con. Of course, there's a child involved, only now he's a smart-mouthed teenager, but so intricate to the story. Jacob adds just the right amount of naivete, humor and unconditional love, keeping the story moving forward. Love this book!
On the home front, it's still freaking hot here in Nevada. The AC and fans are running every day. The winds are picking up, too, making it difficult to walk outside. The garden is cleared, waiting for cooler weather for planting veggies that tolerate the milder desert climate.
My heart is still hurting for all the victims of Las Vegas, the fires, floods, hurricanes, and whatever else has been thrown at us humans. The amount of recovery is mind-boggling, and my prayers go out to all the first responders, volunteers, clean-up crews, and all the behind-the-scenes personnel giving their time and effort to make this possible. May God Bless You All.
Hope you get to write today.
Marcia
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Monday, September 18, 2017
Reading Books and Posting Reviews
Let's face it, and own it...I read a LOT of books.
Yes, I write, too, and sometimes, well...most of the time, my love of reading gets in the way of my writing. I did read somewhere something an author said that she NEVER read when she was writing her books so as to not pull her away from her concentration. You go, girl!
I'm also owning up to my crunch addiction. There, I said it...My name is Marcia, and I have a serious crunch addiction. If I don't crunch on something every day, I'm borderline certifiable. Potato chips are usually my crunch du jour, but if I'm out, popcorn will do. Or, tortilla chips, or crunchy veggies. Crunchy veggies are last on my list. I like the fun crunchies best.
But, I digress. Back to reading. If I don't read something every day, I feel I've been cheated out of something great. I feel I've let the one get away, left the barn door open, fell off the mountain, missed the train...well...you get my drift. I'm lost.
Where am I going with all of this? I'll tell you. When I finish a book, and it leaves me with an awesome feeling, whether happy, sad, indifferent, I try to review it. Sometimes, it's just the 5-star review rating, and other times I'll take a moment to write one. I think if an author took the time to write the one book that touches my soul, then he or she should know about it. I'm not a reviewer that gives the whole story away...I hate those, but I say yay or nay, and get it over with. I've read articles on how to review a book, and still prefer to do it my way. I've even received some feedback from the authors on my simple, but effective reviews. That makes me feel good. So, I'll continue doing it my way, thank you very, very much.
Hope you get to write today.
Marcia
Yes, I write, too, and sometimes, well...most of the time, my love of reading gets in the way of my writing. I did read somewhere something an author said that she NEVER read when she was writing her books so as to not pull her away from her concentration. You go, girl!
I'm also owning up to my crunch addiction. There, I said it...My name is Marcia, and I have a serious crunch addiction. If I don't crunch on something every day, I'm borderline certifiable. Potato chips are usually my crunch du jour, but if I'm out, popcorn will do. Or, tortilla chips, or crunchy veggies. Crunchy veggies are last on my list. I like the fun crunchies best.
But, I digress. Back to reading. If I don't read something every day, I feel I've been cheated out of something great. I feel I've let the one get away, left the barn door open, fell off the mountain, missed the train...well...you get my drift. I'm lost.
Where am I going with all of this? I'll tell you. When I finish a book, and it leaves me with an awesome feeling, whether happy, sad, indifferent, I try to review it. Sometimes, it's just the 5-star review rating, and other times I'll take a moment to write one. I think if an author took the time to write the one book that touches my soul, then he or she should know about it. I'm not a reviewer that gives the whole story away...I hate those, but I say yay or nay, and get it over with. I've read articles on how to review a book, and still prefer to do it my way. I've even received some feedback from the authors on my simple, but effective reviews. That makes me feel good. So, I'll continue doing it my way, thank you very, very much.
Hope you get to write today.
Marcia
Monday, September 11, 2017
Harvey, Irma, Fires, Floods, Earthquakes, Tornadoes, and Normal Everyday Life
WOW!!!
That's all I can say, or write. These past few weeks have taken a toll on everyone, and I am feeling so blessed right now that all my family and friends are safe. I've lived through a disaster, and it is possible to recover. Life goes on...with or without us, and I'd rather be in the living column.
We Will Never Forget...all the victims of 9/11 and their families. My heart and prayers are with you.
The 4th of this month was a banner day for me. I managed, by the hair of my chinnie-chin-chin to submit my first three chapters, synopsis and query letter to an open submissions invite from Carina Press, an imprint of Harlequin. Normally, a full manuscript is all they will allow, but the editor's curiosity got the best of them, and they wanted to see what us wannabe-authors were working on...our Work-In-Progress, WIP, if you will, and I jumped on the bandwagon. A writer friend of mine in New York informed me of this opportunity so we worked together to get our WIPs whipped into shape and editor-ready. Fingers crossed at this point...we have to give them up to 12 weeks for a response to our hard work. I'm willing to wait. Of course, while I'm waiting I'm thinking of all the stupid dialogue, shoddy descriptions, blah names, and poor GMC that I foisted on my characters and story line.
But, my dear readers, that is why we call it a Work-In-Progress. We get to fix the POS to the best of our ability so it really shines!
Hope you get to write today,
Mxo
That's all I can say, or write. These past few weeks have taken a toll on everyone, and I am feeling so blessed right now that all my family and friends are safe. I've lived through a disaster, and it is possible to recover. Life goes on...with or without us, and I'd rather be in the living column.
We Will Never Forget...all the victims of 9/11 and their families. My heart and prayers are with you.
The 4th of this month was a banner day for me. I managed, by the hair of my chinnie-chin-chin to submit my first three chapters, synopsis and query letter to an open submissions invite from Carina Press, an imprint of Harlequin. Normally, a full manuscript is all they will allow, but the editor's curiosity got the best of them, and they wanted to see what us wannabe-authors were working on...our Work-In-Progress, WIP, if you will, and I jumped on the bandwagon. A writer friend of mine in New York informed me of this opportunity so we worked together to get our WIPs whipped into shape and editor-ready. Fingers crossed at this point...we have to give them up to 12 weeks for a response to our hard work. I'm willing to wait. Of course, while I'm waiting I'm thinking of all the stupid dialogue, shoddy descriptions, blah names, and poor GMC that I foisted on my characters and story line.
But, my dear readers, that is why we call it a Work-In-Progress. We get to fix the POS to the best of our ability so it really shines!
Hope you get to write today,
Mxo
Monday, August 14, 2017
Review of The Billionaire In Her Bed by Regina Kyle
Got an invite from Regina Kyle to be on her review team. Gladly. She writes the kind of books I like to read, and writes them well. I read mostly romance in a variety of sub-genres. I like contemporary, sweet, inspirational, erotic, mid-steamy, lots-steamy, and some in need of steam. I just love romance, period.
Anyway, here's my review I left on Goodreads on 8.14.17:
You had me at Regina Kyle. She could write soup can blurbs and I would read them. I loved her Art of Seduction series, and The Billionaire In Her Bed is as superbly written as they were. The characters are very believable, her sense of humor is spot on, and the romance is just how I like it. This book is definitely a keeper, and I look forward to reading the next one. I did receive this book to read in advance to publication, but I will be pre-ordering a physical copy to add to my library. Well done, Regina!
I hope to be posting more reviews as I read. It's been tough as I'm trying to finish my own work in progress, and trying to run a household. Tough, yes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)