Category Archives: Reading

June 20, 2012 · 6:36 AM

International Short Story Day

Today is the summer equinox, and also International Short Story Day. On the shortest night of the year (or day, for those of you down under), we’re celebrating short stories. And the best part? You can read my vampire romance short story for free (CLICK HERE).

As a writer, I find short stories very challenging, especially if they are not related to an existing novel. Starting a new story, defining the world it takes place in, and introducing new characters in a short story format can be challenging! I have to stick to the KISS mantra (Keep It Simple Stupid) – which makes it a great writing exercise.

As a reader, a short story is a great way to escape into prose without committing hours and hours. I’m the type who can’t put a book down once I start it, so short stories are like snack bags of chips vs. the big bag. A short story satisfies my craving without stealing me away from real life for too long.

What do you think? Do you read short stories? Like them? Dislike them?

For more short story fun, be sure and check out our short story blog hop! Find stories and authors to check out by clicking on the photo:

5 Comments

Filed under Reading

Tagged as free book, free story, KISS, Short Stories, short story

November 17, 2011 · 8:54 AM

Handsome Villains

Is Rik Young too handsome to be a villain? (photo from IMDB)

I don’t know about you, but I love an evil villain. Someone who’s conniving, creepy, and just plain mean – you know, the break-in-and-kill-the-family-pet-for-fun kind of evil.

My question for you today: is this guy, who’s so bad on the inside, good looking on the outside? Do you like your villains sexy?

And a follow up question for you: Is a handsome killer more creepy than a plain or ugly one?

Thank you to the handsome Rik Young for being my example today. He has the most dreamy British accent, by the way.

Author! Author! Blog Bounce

Click here to check out the Blog Bounce

It’s Thursday, and that mean’s it’s time to bounce!

What’s the Author! Author! Blog Bounce?? Well, it’s a fun way for readers to find new authors and for authors to connect with their readers!

All you have to do is click on the picture!

5 Comments

Filed under Reading

Tagged as romance, Villain

November 3, 2011 · 9:15 AM

NaNoWriMo What?

You might have seen people (authors) talking about the magical mystical thing called NaNoWriMo recently and wondered what the heck it is. No it’s not text speak for something illegal or immoral, it’s short hand for NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth. Every November a call is put out to writers everywhere to stop, drop and write. Many of us are talk about that book idea that’s a guaranteed best seller, but until it’s on “paper” it’s just a pipe dream. The point of NaNoWriMo is to wake us up and get us to write the darn book!

To help motivate us and keep us accountable, the Office of Letters and Light has set up a website, nanowrimo.org. It’s a place to connect with other writers and track your writing progress. No, you don’t actually publish your writing – this is an honor system setup – but you do post how many words you’ve written.

Oh, did I mention, the goal of NaNoWriMo is to write 50,000 words in 30 days? That’s half a novel like Whirlwind.

Now that I have Book 2’s first draft just about finished, I’ll be working on getting Book 3 in the Whirlwind Series kick-started during NaNoWriMo. So if you don’t hear from me, I’ll be busy writing as fast as I can.

Are you a writer? Join me in this writing-fest – I’m blondieakarobin on the nanowrimo website. If you’re a reader, be sure and cheer on your favorite authors as they write their minds out. If you want to know how I’m doing, click on the link. I can use all the love and whipping–er–support I can get!

Reading by the (Kindle) Fire

What would be better on a cold winter night than a hot, new Kindle Fire filled with great reads? You can win just that, in time for Christmas* by entering the Reading Next to the Kindle Fire giveaway.

Entering is easy. Click on the image to find the entry form and the list of participating authors. 20+ books are also included in the prize, so check out the authors on the list.

And be sure and follow this and other participants’ blogs to get the latest info on the giveaways, the books, and more fun stuff. You can subscribe to this blog by entering your email in the box on the right.

Good Luck!

*Christmas delivery for US winners only. See the Rules below the entry form for more information.

Author! Author! Blog Bounce

Click here to check out the Blog Bounce

It’s Thursday, and that mean’s it’s time to bounce!

What’s the Author! Author! Blog Bounce?? Well, it’s a fun way for readers to find new authors and for authors to connect with their readers!

All you have to do is click on the picture!

Unintended Sex Ed

Many romance readers (and writers) are a little hesitant to admit that they read books that include hot sex scenes. Pulling out a book with a nearly naked man (Like Lori Foster’s yummy book) or a woman about to bust out of her bodice to read at the kid’s dentist office can be kind of…awkward. Especially when the child next to you – yours – starts reading over your shoulder.

Embarrassing or Public Service?

If you’re like me, you immediately slam the book shut and hide it away. Or pick up a magazine and use it to hide the cover of your romance reading. Luckily, my kids have learned to ask when they find a book on the couch – “Can I read this?” They still think sex is icky (and hopefully will until age 25). If they see skin on the cover, they pretty much know it’s not for them. But what about books that aren’t quite as clear (um, like mine?).

A great example is Wicked. A friend of mine heard how great the play was, and that she should take her kids to see it. To prep for the performance she bought the book and let her son read it. It looks innocuous enough, and the back cover blurb is pretty tame.

Let’s just say he didn’t get very far in before he was “grossed out” and gave it back to his mom. (The book is not appropriate for kids, in my opinion, but the play is, and I recommend it.)

So what do you think? Do you hide your romance books from your kids? From your friends? Or do you prefer your hot books have hot covers?

Author! Author! Blog Bounce

Click here to check out the Blog Bounce

What’s the Author! Author! Blog Bounce?? Well, it’s a fun way for readers to find new authors and for authors to connect with their readers!

All you have to do is click on the picture!

11 Comments

Filed under Parenting, Reading

Tagged as book covers, Greg Maguire, Lori Foster, readers, romance readers

October 13, 2011 · 8:58 AM

Magazines – Remember Those?

Image via Wikipedia

In the new age of e-readers and apps for everything, I’m wondering what’s happening with magazines. Me? I don’t read many. Besides trade magazines, I only flip through Better Homes & Gardens. My hubby tends toward techie stuff (Wired is fun), and my kids read National Geographic (yes, they really do). So even though I don’t read many, when it came time for my son’s annual magazine drive, we had no problem filling up his list with renewals.

How about you? What magazines do you read? What do you pick up at the doctor’s office? Do you read paper magazines or do you read online?

Or are you done with magazines?

Author! Author! Blog Bounce

Click here to check out the Blog Bounce

What’s the Author! Author! Blog Bounce?? Well, it’s a fun way for readers to find new authors and for authors to connect with their readers!

Authors, all you have to do is click on the link, grab the icon, grab the link, make a blog post (don’t forget to include the link!), and enter your blog on our list. Easy peasy!