Why do people who would NEVER steal merchandize like clothing or food, steal other people's words and don't consider it a crime? Stealing is stealing, right? Do we need some fines and/or jail time for plagiarism before people will start taking it seriously??
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews
July 29, 2014
There are a few authors I will buy anytime, anywhere. I don't wait for the price to drop; I don't care what it costs. I WANT THAT BOOK!
Top of the list is Ilona Andrews and their latest book, Magic Breaks, was released early this morning.
First thing I noticed was Barabas' Journal. I've always liked Barabas; he's a weremongoose and I don't even laugh when I say that anymore. This is a neat way to bring newbies up to date on the series, at least the very first entry is. I don't know yet what, if any, other entries there might be. Barabas is a funny guy who feels these historic times he's living through should be documented for posterity. Assuming there's any posterity left when the big fight is over.
Okay, I've screwed up the lines again, the paragraph order. One reason I don't write so much on this blog. Cause I can't fix it!! I break it and I can't fix it! So just pretend that paragraph up there is a poem, cleverly formated, as poems often are.
July 30, 2014
Stayed up until 1:00 finishing this book and all I can say is WOW! This is one heck of a twisty book.
This is not the book you think it is/should be. So many twists and turns. There is closure of a sort at the end but not the one people probably thought was coming. In such a wacked out fantasy world, this closure made sense, was logical.
Okay, the blurb (as if you haven't already read it all over the internet, lol):
No matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it…
As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.
As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…
Not being quite honest, that blurb. Oh, A Master of the Dead is murdered at the beginning of the book, but not at the Conclave and the way the corpse is delivered ... well, let's just say I HATE Hugh. The bassard! I really, really hate villains that think they're witty and undefeatable (spell check says this isn't a word, but I'm using it anyway because it meets my needs) as Hugh does, but as Kate says later in the book, all his powers come from Roland. He's a big nothing without Roland and the stuff Roland's given him. I think anyone who liked/loved Hugh in the last book, Magic Rises (and there were many) will have their minds changed in this book.
Roland's power is off the scales, too much power for one person and he's completely different from what I was expecting.
One thing I've always loved about these books is Kate and Curran's relationship. By this book, book 7, they are pretty much settled into each other and have no hesitation saying "I love you". But Curran is absent for much of the book and that's when all hell breaks loose, thanks to Hugh D'Ambray and Kate has to fight him alone except for certain pack members who were strictly volunteers.
And this is a first for these books, I had tears in my eyes at one point. Very poignant writing. Kate was in extreme danger, on the verge of death, in fact, and her inner thoughts of Curran ... oh my God! She had complete faith in him, never for a minute thought he'd abandon her and of course he didn't.
We finally meet Roland, definitely NOT a pleasure. He puts Hugh in the shade. Hell, he puts everyone in the shade. But Kate doesn't fear him. She doesn't fear dying at his hand. Her only fear is failing to protect the people she loves and even the ones she doesn't. She wants to hold Atlanta in her arms and make the bogyman go away. To see if she succeeds, you'll have to read the book, if only for the twisty ending.
But no matter how this ending looks to you, the reader, let me assure you that there are 3 more books to come. So the ending with the twist is just that, an ending for this particular book. I can't wait for the next one; I'm so greedy.
I'm going to end this rambling wreck of a post/review by saying there is also a short story in this book, called Magic Tests, a story about Julie, Kate's ward. Also to say, this is the best book of this seven book series (so far). The series isn't getting stale - far from it. It just keeps growing and getting better.
There's a lot of untold stories in this world. I hope there's room for them in the Andrews' schedule, even non-Kate stories. Because it's the writing.
It's always the writing.
I'll read anything they write, and have. They're going at full blast, but I still want more. I'm such a bitch that way.
PS: forgot the big CONCLUSION. Please forgive me. It's early here, or was when I started this and what you see is what you get. ;-)
There are a few authors I will buy anytime, anywhere. I don't wait for the price to drop; I don't care what it costs. I WANT THAT BOOK!
Top of the list is Ilona Andrews and their latest book, Magic Breaks, was released early this morning.
It will take me a couple of days to write this review because, given my memory, I'm doing it as I read. And then there'll be a BIG CONCLUSION that will blow everyone's socks off and hopefully cause them to run right out (or to your local online bookstore) and get this book.
'Cause I can tell you, without having read yet, that it's damn good.
Okay, I've screwed up the lines again, the paragraph order. One reason I don't write so much on this blog. Cause I can't fix it!! I break it and I can't fix it! So just pretend that paragraph up there is a poem, cleverly formated, as poems often are.
July 30, 2014
Stayed up until 1:00 finishing this book and all I can say is WOW! This is one heck of a twisty book.
This is not the book you think it is/should be. So many twists and turns. There is closure of a sort at the end but not the one people probably thought was coming. In such a wacked out fantasy world, this closure made sense, was logical.
Okay, the blurb (as if you haven't already read it all over the internet, lol):
No matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it…
As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.
As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…
Not being quite honest, that blurb. Oh, A Master of the Dead is murdered at the beginning of the book, but not at the Conclave and the way the corpse is delivered ... well, let's just say I HATE Hugh. The bassard! I really, really hate villains that think they're witty and undefeatable (spell check says this isn't a word, but I'm using it anyway because it meets my needs) as Hugh does, but as Kate says later in the book, all his powers come from Roland. He's a big nothing without Roland and the stuff Roland's given him. I think anyone who liked/loved Hugh in the last book, Magic Rises (and there were many) will have their minds changed in this book.
Roland's power is off the scales, too much power for one person and he's completely different from what I was expecting.
One thing I've always loved about these books is Kate and Curran's relationship. By this book, book 7, they are pretty much settled into each other and have no hesitation saying "I love you". But Curran is absent for much of the book and that's when all hell breaks loose, thanks to Hugh D'Ambray and Kate has to fight him alone except for certain pack members who were strictly volunteers.
And this is a first for these books, I had tears in my eyes at one point. Very poignant writing. Kate was in extreme danger, on the verge of death, in fact, and her inner thoughts of Curran ... oh my God! She had complete faith in him, never for a minute thought he'd abandon her and of course he didn't.
We finally meet Roland, definitely NOT a pleasure. He puts Hugh in the shade. Hell, he puts everyone in the shade. But Kate doesn't fear him. She doesn't fear dying at his hand. Her only fear is failing to protect the people she loves and even the ones she doesn't. She wants to hold Atlanta in her arms and make the bogyman go away. To see if she succeeds, you'll have to read the book, if only for the twisty ending.
But no matter how this ending looks to you, the reader, let me assure you that there are 3 more books to come. So the ending with the twist is just that, an ending for this particular book. I can't wait for the next one; I'm so greedy.
I'm going to end this rambling wreck of a post/review by saying there is also a short story in this book, called Magic Tests, a story about Julie, Kate's ward. Also to say, this is the best book of this seven book series (so far). The series isn't getting stale - far from it. It just keeps growing and getting better.
There's a lot of untold stories in this world. I hope there's room for them in the Andrews' schedule, even non-Kate stories. Because it's the writing.
It's always the writing.
I'll read anything they write, and have. They're going at full blast, but I still want more. I'm such a bitch that way.
PS: forgot the big CONCLUSION. Please forgive me. It's early here, or was when I started this and what you see is what you get. ;-)
Hey!
Nalini Singh has announced an UNEXPECTED new book coming out in September. Ah, the wonders of Facebook....
A contemporary, y'all! About a rock god with PIERCINGS! o.O
Proof of Piercings
Someone please remind me when September gets here; I can't pre-order because I believe it's self published and pre-ordering is a self publishing no-no. Plus, my memory is shot and I'd appreciate the help.
A contemporary. My, my, my. Hey, maybe she'll write an unexpected MC book next! Now, thats a Oh Myyy!
A contemporary, y'all! About a rock god with PIERCINGS! o.O
Proof of Piercings
Someone please remind me when September gets here; I can't pre-order because I believe it's self published and pre-ordering is a self publishing no-no. Plus, my memory is shot and I'd appreciate the help.
A contemporary. My, my, my. Hey, maybe she'll write an unexpected MC book next! Now, thats a Oh Myyy!
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Sales. Or Say What?
So we all hear about the self-pubbed or e-pubbed sensation who writes a book and it sells a million copies and then gets made into a movies and well, shit. You know the story.
That's not most of us.
I don't know the sales numbers for most authors but I'm willing to bet my experiences are closer to the norm that not. And let me tell you, I don't sell a lot. And by that I mean, if I sell more than 5 copies of anything in a month it's cause for celebration.
Imagine the surprise to see Letters From Greece selling this month. Not in the hundreds but about 15 copies so far. (Well, exactly 15 copies as of this moment.) I don't know why it's selling or how anyone knows about it but it's an awesome feeling to see the sales.
It isn't the money since the money isn't that much. But altogether this month about 25 of my titles have sold and that means 25 people are choosing to read what I wrote. 25 strangers choosing to give my words a try.
It's a rush.
We probably all fantasize about writing a 50 Shades but that's the fantasy. The reality is that even our own friends don't read us and I can tell you that my sister has never even bothered to buy a copy of anything I've written (my brother has and he even reads it, bless him).
Having people buy your books... it's amazing. I hope they like them. I really do.
They make me feel like my time writing is worth it.
That's not most of us.
I don't know the sales numbers for most authors but I'm willing to bet my experiences are closer to the norm that not. And let me tell you, I don't sell a lot. And by that I mean, if I sell more than 5 copies of anything in a month it's cause for celebration.
Imagine the surprise to see Letters From Greece selling this month. Not in the hundreds but about 15 copies so far. (Well, exactly 15 copies as of this moment.) I don't know why it's selling or how anyone knows about it but it's an awesome feeling to see the sales.
It isn't the money since the money isn't that much. But altogether this month about 25 of my titles have sold and that means 25 people are choosing to read what I wrote. 25 strangers choosing to give my words a try.
It's a rush.
We probably all fantasize about writing a 50 Shades but that's the fantasy. The reality is that even our own friends don't read us and I can tell you that my sister has never even bothered to buy a copy of anything I've written (my brother has and he even reads it, bless him).
Having people buy your books... it's amazing. I hope they like them. I really do.
They make me feel like my time writing is worth it.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Just sayin'
I don't want to overwhelm this blog with moving stuff so I'm going to keep a moving blog elsewhere.
Lori and Mollie
We had lunch today with Mollie's old 4th grade teacher. She's amazing. I loved being in their class because she has the class sing when they're doing class chores and she keeps them in a constant case of creating. It was Mollie's best year in school.
I'm about 2 boxes short of being completely packed. Go me!
Second book in the Hope series is coming along. Hard to write erotica but I'm slogging with it. I do ask Mollie for help. Just kidding.
Lori and Mollie
We had lunch today with Mollie's old 4th grade teacher. She's amazing. I loved being in their class because she has the class sing when they're doing class chores and she keeps them in a constant case of creating. It was Mollie's best year in school.
I'm about 2 boxes short of being completely packed. Go me!
Second book in the Hope series is coming along. Hard to write erotica but I'm slogging with it. I do ask Mollie for help. Just kidding.
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Keeping Score
Moving sucks!
I was sitting on the couch this morning and feeling like I had a million things to do and no time to do it. (We move in a month.) So I made a calendar. Made a note of every single day and put down at least one thing to accomplish that day.
I had only about two weeks of entries. And some of those were pretty small.
Guess this is one time that moving isn't really sucking. The biggest obstacle is going to be getting all the boxes out and mailed. It's freaking expensive. And I'm choosing to bring more than I originally intended. My SIL Myrna and I have been talking and we're similar in our love of kitchen-ware so I'll be bringing everything I love. And I love a lot in my kitchen.
Finished Book One of my Hope series and its being Beta'd. Working on Book 2 now. It's Erotic Romance and I'm writing the first erotic scene (well, full out sex scene) and it's hard. But the story is so clear to me that I'm willing to suffer through the sex writing.
Not reading much. Nothing can hold my interest right now. Understandably.
Getting really good responses on my resume so I'm feeling upbeat about the Hawaiian job market.
And I just trashed the First Page over at Dear Author. My apologies author, but I've said before on this blog that Hollywood is just something I know something about. I hate when people write Hollywood based stories and they get it all wrong.
Do your research.
Don't piss off the menopausal bitches ;-)
Anyone want a cat?
I was sitting on the couch this morning and feeling like I had a million things to do and no time to do it. (We move in a month.) So I made a calendar. Made a note of every single day and put down at least one thing to accomplish that day.
I had only about two weeks of entries. And some of those were pretty small.
Guess this is one time that moving isn't really sucking. The biggest obstacle is going to be getting all the boxes out and mailed. It's freaking expensive. And I'm choosing to bring more than I originally intended. My SIL Myrna and I have been talking and we're similar in our love of kitchen-ware so I'll be bringing everything I love. And I love a lot in my kitchen.
Finished Book One of my Hope series and its being Beta'd. Working on Book 2 now. It's Erotic Romance and I'm writing the first erotic scene (well, full out sex scene) and it's hard. But the story is so clear to me that I'm willing to suffer through the sex writing.
Not reading much. Nothing can hold my interest right now. Understandably.
Getting really good responses on my resume so I'm feeling upbeat about the Hawaiian job market.
And I just trashed the First Page over at Dear Author. My apologies author, but I've said before on this blog that Hollywood is just something I know something about. I hate when people write Hollywood based stories and they get it all wrong.
Do your research.
Don't piss off the menopausal bitches ;-)
Anyone want a cat?
Friday, July 18, 2014
Book Covers
So you're trying to sell a book. You're self-publishing. Are you paying for a cover or doing it yourself? Do you know how awful it is when you're trying to sell a book whose cover looks bad?
I've been seeing this a lot on Facebook recently. Really bad covers for self pubbed titles. And I don't know what to do because I want to tell the author how completely rubbish the cover is. You want to sell? It has to look good.
No offense Ms Woods but your cover is crap.
Lea made me this cover.
Which book is going to get you to click first?
I've been seeing this a lot on Facebook recently. Really bad covers for self pubbed titles. And I don't know what to do because I want to tell the author how completely rubbish the cover is. You want to sell? It has to look good.
No offense Ms Woods but your cover is crap.
Lea made me this cover.
Which book is going to get you to click first?
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