Book Review: Clarity

While on vacation I had a day where I didn't feel so great. So, while everyone was enjoying swimming, Lego Land, or the beach, I was cuddled under a blanket reading. Which isn't a bad way spend vacation as far as I'm concerned. And Kim Harrington's Clarity was a great vacation read.

It's fast paced so I read it one day. I like those kinds of books.

However, I only gave it three stars on goodreads. And here's why. It started out good enough. It was almost like Medium and Veronica Mars wrapped into one book. I love both those shows, so I'm thinking it's gonna be great. Unfortunately, it didn't work out as well as either of those shows. For some reason the author felt the need to describe exactly what every person was wearing every time they entered the scene. Except Gabriel. First it was, holy cow he has a hot body, and then enter description of what he's wearing. It was very distracting. I wish she would have focused more on the mystery.

This may sound like a little thing to most of you, but it sure bugged the heck out of me. I wanted more emotion and less attire.

That alone would have earned it four stars, but I took another one off for cheesy dialogue.

I really wanted to like it, and if you're looking for a quick read and like to know exactly what everyone is wearing, then give it a shot. The plot moved nicely and I didn't want to put it down. She left it open for a sequel, and I'm tempted to read it. I guess that says something.

Back to life, Back to reality

I am back from vacation and excited to get back to writing again. I purposely left my junk drive at home so I woulnd't even think about writing. Which was good. It left me to day dream and work out a lot of details. Unfortunately, those details weren't about book two.

Lets face it people, book two is being forced. I mean, I haven't even thought of a name for it. How good can it be? I'm taking a break and worki

ng on something I'm actually excited about.

And with all those pesky details worked out in this l

ittle brain of mine, I really am VERY excited about this one. But all I can tell you about it for now is that my inspiration will come from watching Buffy again. Could this be why I'm so excited? Perhaps. I really miss her.

One more thing. There are no demons.

Enough about that! California was a lot of fun. We

went to Legoland but we only have two girls. Very easily scared girls, so we didn't ride a lot of the rides that didn't involve sitting in a boat and looking at stuff. But they had fun all the same.

The beach was their favorite. And I think it was

mine too. I know it was my hubby's. He's like a fish. Isn't he hot?

p.s. Don't forget to enter for your chance to win the protector's eye charm! (if you want to)

Get used to disappointment

I feel like I've set this really great New Years resolution and kept it for 11 months then gave in to that stupid chocolate bar in the 12th month. Ya, I know, I suck.

I didn't reach my goal. Book two is not finished. Not even close. But really, it wasn't all my fault. I mean, I had a sick kid, and family to converse with and friends to meet. Not to mention Nichole and Bryshen have stopped talking to me. What's up with that? Don't they know I'm trying to finish their story?

I know, I know, it's nothing but excuses. Honestly I have no idea

when I'll get this book finished. It seems that time is being sucked from me a little more everyday.

However, as a way to make it up to you, I've decided to do another giveaway. Two actually. One for books. I've decided to giveaway two books on goodreads so if you haven't had a chance to pick it up yet, you can enter there. I'll have a widget on my blog as soon as it's approved by goodreads.

But! What about my loving and adoring fans who have already received a copy of

my book? Well, in honor of my birthday next month I'll be hosting a giveaway on my blog. One lucky winner will receive the same kind of charm the protector's wear. Closer to what Bryshen gives Nichole. I've lucked out and they already make them. Cuz, you know, I didn't invent the eye.

Since I blog so sporadically, I think my followers only follow sporadically, so I'll be mentioning this a lot between now and when I pick the winner, which will be August 14th. YAY!

See sometimes I'm cool.

Miles to go before I sleep

Well, if you all are expecting an apology from me for not posting in such a long time–too bad. I think I said in an earlier post I have no idea what I'm doing here. Networking I guess. You know what I've discovered? I don't know how to network. I've signed up for all these blogs, which I read gladly everyday, but I never leave comments. Could it be that I–a writer-don't have anything to say? Hmmm...

I'd love to tell you all that I'm wrapping up book two of Akasha (which still has no name. Any suggestions out there?), but I'm not. There's still a lot of story left to tell and I'm closing in on my deadline. Which is July 15th BTW.

I did an outline of the rest of the story the other day. I thought that would help me move it along. But by the time I finished the first chapter I had outlined I had already gotten so far off, the rest of it was useless. I just don't think me and outlining works. Does it with anyone?

The good news is that I'm going away for like a week and a half to a house with no cable, and more important for me, no netflix. This equals no distractions. Or at least fewer distractions.

Still have kids. They still have to eat and want me to play with them when we go on vacation. Weird huh?

Mission: Impossible

Last week was one of those weeks you survive rather than live through for me. Nothing really major happened, just a lot of little things I won't bore you with. But lots of little things build up, and add sick kids, then getting sick yourself, and well, you have one heck of a lousy week.

I didn't hardly write at all. I didn't hardly think about my book at all. Needless to say I'm a bit behind.

So, I'm feeling pretty down about myself, how I'm behind and all, and then I read an interview with Elana Johnson about her book being released this month, POSSESSION. I discover that Elana wrote her 90,000 word ms in 17 days. No, you didn't read that wrong, 17 days! Is that even possible? Obviously she spent the next SEVERAL months revising, but seriously, I don't know how that's done!

I guess I could sit around and mope about how I'm so behind and I'll never get that much work done in such a short amount of time, or I could use it to challenge myself. I'm not going to go all crazy and say I'll finish my current ms in 17 days. With two kids who need my attention that's just not possible. But I can finish it by next month. Ehem...the end of next month. We leave on vacation next month and I'd really like to have this done by then. To be able to go on vacation and not bring Nichole or Bryshen's issues with me. That means a lot of work on my part, but I think I can really do it if I try. And give up t.v.

Guess I better put watching Buffy for the eleventh time on hold...

Book signing!

Last night was my first book signing! It was pretty cool. I knew I was going to embarrass myself somehow and thankfully got that out of the way right off the bat by giving a lady the wrong change. At least she didn't laugh at me. (Not to my face anyway).

I gave a little presentation about my book and touched on e-publishing a bit. Overall I think it went well considering I don't like public speaking and

when I get nervous my jaw shakes. (seriously what's up with that? I have to clench it to keep it from shaking and then I talk funny!)

A lady approached me to say she had a friend who wants me to do a book signing in Clifton. Which is another small town (I think even smaller than Safford), but it's still cool. I'm good with the small town scene!

The people who had read my book already were very generous with the compliments. Which totally made my night! Hopefully they tell their friends the same things.

I wish someone would have told me I was covering Nichole's mouth. ;)

Once upon a time

I used to play guitar. Not well, just messing around mainly, but I really liked it. I even named my guitar Mr. Pluckey. You know, because you pluck the strings. ;) Before I wrote novels I wrote songs. They're easier since they're, you know, way shorter. Before I got married I wrote a song about the lines guys use when they break up with you. It'd make a good country song.

Back on point–When I got married I kinda stopped playing. My husband is way good and I guess I kept comparing myself to him. Lame, I know, but I did. Tonight we played guitars together for the first time in ages. There's this song I am in love with and I'd love to say it's about Bryshen and Nichole, but it isn't. I've had this other story brewing in my head for a while and this song fits it pretty well. My hubby helped me figure out the chords since the tab they have for it is totally wrong.

Take a listen if you like. Don't worry, it's not me playing. But just to warn you, the story in my head isn't a happy one.