Lessons Learned From Bloggers’ Books
Today I’m going to tell you about my midday meal ritual. Never let it be said that excitement is in short supply at The Write Transition.
Image credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Every day, like most mortals, I take a lunch break. During that lunch break, I read. Forty-five minutes of fiction equals three-quarter hours of bliss.
The following books by blogging buddies delivered my most recent bliss. I won’t post reviews per se—you can find my formal reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Instead, to keep you glued to your seats, I will lather you in sticky nonsense and share the take-home moral I gleaned from each of these enjoyable reads.
Books By Blogging Buddies In The Order I Read Them
In A Warm Wind by Erin French, I learned that Mr. Rubin is exceedingly lucky to have a wife like me, especially since I don’t wish him dead. But even though Anthea would prefer her husband in pinewood and dirt, she is the sauciest protagonist I’ve met in a while, and her well-written journey entertains as much as it shocks.
In Never Say Spy by Diane Henders, I learned I just might be in love with a woman. Her name is Ayden Kelly. Tough, sexy, smart, and funny—and never far from a meal. But is she a spy or not? You be the judge. Except for a penis and testes, James Bond has nothing on her.
In Recipes For Revenge by G.M. Barlean, I first had to swallow my envy for its creative inception (a “four-course” novel with four tasty recipes). Then I learned Mr. Rubin better never piss me off, because from the wronged women in this novel, I discovered some interesting culinary revenge. “Septic Salad,” anyone?
In Stories About Things by Aelius Blythe, I learned that short stories with a dark twist make me neglect my children. While reading it, I failed to whip up dinner and instead engaged in a distracted phone call with Papa John’s Pizza. Thus, my boys enjoyed the book as well, without reading a single page. Oh, and Aelius? Best. Pseudonym. Ever.
In Perigee Moon by Lynn Schneider, I learned I wanted to slap clueless fictional characters upside the head almost as much as the ignoramuses of real life. But I also learned that patience is a virtue, because over time, Luke experiences the self-realization necessary to better his lot in life. If you enjoy the works of John Irving and Jonathan Franzen, you will bask in this literary delight.
In One Night in Bridgeport by Mark Paxson, I have yet to discover my life lesson, since I’m still reading this page-turning treat. But I suspect the lesson will have something to do with the avoidance of steamy one-night stands. Especially when the outcome is a charge of rape.
Yikes! That last sentence means Connie has left the building. I have a book to read dammit!
What are you reading now? Or, if you had to choose a pen name, what would it be? Or, if you’re sick of my stupid questions, ask me one of your own.
All book images from the authors’ websites
Note: I would like to extend my sincere thank you to all of you who purchased my book and for your kind, supportive words. Thanks to you, I had the most exciting Monday I’ve ever experienced. Really, I mean that. Seeing my novel climb to #39 in Amazon’s medical thriller category was beyond my wildest dreams. Sure, the numbers will plummet—I’m not delusional—but for one day you made me a winner. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Now skedaddle. You’ve made me emotional.
131 Responses to “Lessons Learned From Bloggers’ Books”
[...] In the past, I’ve posted two entries highlighting books I’ve read by fellow bloggers: Books by Blogging Buddies and Lessons Learned from Bloggers’ Books. [...]
Haven’t started yours yet but now I’ve wish listed all of these too!
Careful. All that reading and soon your vision will be as poor as mine…
I’m reading Game of Thrones. Everyone else on the planet seemed to have read it and I wanted to know what all the fuss was about. It’s good.
Congrats on the numbers. I will add mine once I get through this book.
I’ve picked that book up a couple times. But then I always put it down. It’s so long and it has so many in the series. Intimidates me a bit, I guess.
Hope you’re doing well!
Doing great thanks Carrie. Was just thinking about you and thought I would stop in. They are so large and frequent. I really loved the first one though it took me a month to read it. I’ll have a break before opening the next. I plan to read your book next
Thank you. I hope you enjoy it.
I think it’s so great that you support all of us writer bloggers! I happen to be reading Claire Cappetta’s A Broken Ring. She’s a blogger as well. When I finish her book I’m looking forward to reading yours. Talk to you later Carrie!
Thanks, Sandee! I’ve been wondering how you’ve been. Hope everything is going okay.
What am I reading now? I have decided to go back through my poetry collection and read the volumes I have collected over the years, picking one poet a week until I get through their work again. On top of that I’m reading Dickens A Tale of Two Cities and Trynka’s excellent biography on David Bowie called Starman.
Okay, now I’m just embarrassed. These are significantly more sophisticated that my usual literary fare. Must rush off for War and Peace…
Aw
Between you and me and my book list on my blog I got to the end of the Fifty Shades trilogy so I needed to read something different 
A friend of mine once said the only decent line in War and Peace was ‘An eagle flew high in the sky’ so I never did read it after that. I’ve always wondered whether this was true 
Well, I haven’t read the Fifty Shades trilogy and don’t intend to, so I feel the playing field is a bit more level now.
Ha ha indeed, perfectly level
Carrie, this is all so exciting! It’s great that you’ve been able to document the process through your blog so that you can look back one day and revisit your successful journey. Congrats!
Thank you! Of course, the possibility that I will look back in absolute embarrassment is equally likely…
Thanks for all of the recommendations! I downloaded your book and it is my next book to read – I am so excited! You, my blog friend, are Amazon royalty and I need your autograph! Woohoo!
Thanks so much for your interest in my book! But sadly, I am no longer “Amazon royalty.” As predicted, I plummeted faster than a bungy-jumping elephant. But it was fun while it lasted, and hopefully I can at least maintain a respectable status quo.
If I had to choose a pen name it might be something like “John Updike,” because that would already have some literary cachet.
I’m currently reading “Obama’s Last Stand,” and inside-baseball look at the campaign (from about a month and a half-ago, obviously it can’t be too current). The Seneca Scourge is next.
I’m listening to a book called “Fallen Glass” by Adrien McKinty and a series of lectures on Crime Scene investigation.
I think making a book part of your lunch break is an awesome idea. I usually eat with my wife in the house (in which case we talk or watch news) or in my office, in which case I’ll watch a movie or video (I don’t have a TV in the office, so I watch stuff on my computer). After lunch I like to do a little light reading–usually a magazine (Economist, National Geographic) or a comic book on my iPad.
I feel like after hearing about your reading collection, it’s a bit like that game, “one of these things is not like the other.” And that would be The Seneca Scourge. It’s a little more fluff than your other selections. Then again, I guess we all need fluff every now and then as evidenced by your comic reading.
I enjoy reading political books at times, but it’s tough to find unbiased ones. But I guess that’s the point–the author getting his or her opinion out there.
Thanks for the interest in my book and for stopping by.
Don’t sell yourself short. Although I haven’t cracked it yet, I have a pretty good idea of what TSS is like.
I’m not a book snob. Now, I am very choosy about what I read or listen to, because life is short and there are a lot of s****y books out there, but I don’t make my decision based on the type of book. The book I just finished listening to was called “Monster Hunter Legion” and it was wonderful trash.
I know what you mean about political books and their glaring biases. Not to bite the hand that feeds, but the first book I read (I think you know what I intend by that) was very one-sided. Even though I agreed on many points, I found the way he offered his evidence to be a little deceptive, and was an affront to the scrupulous discipline of history.
Even though “Obama’s Last Stand” is short, it’s taking me forever to read it. It’s very interesting because the author was able to get info from deep inside the Obama Campaign. The author is very good at hiding his biases. If I had to guess, I’d say he was probably pro-Obama (and I’m making that assumption because he’s a journalist; his biases have so far been not very apparent, as I’m pretty good at discerning those), but I could be dead wrong. It’s kind of interesting to be reading what amounts to a history book about events that happened in May and June.
Ironically, the many of the comics I read are more challenging and literary than the books I listed above. Comics get a bad rap because of their subject matter; the art form (that is, sequential art) is no less legitimate than literature or art (as it is sort of a symbiosis of the two). Comic books have largely been aimed at adolescent males (but by no means exclusively!) and as such tend to feature the homoerotic adventures of buffed-out dudes on steroids and the impossibly-endowed women who love (but will never understand) them.
Comics are slowly gaining legitimacy. Art Spiegleman’s MAUS won the Pulitzer Prize back in the 1990s, and Time (I think it was Time) Magazine considers Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons “Watchmen” to be one of the best NOVELS of (can’t remember if it’s”All Time” or) the 20th Century. I’d agree with that. It’s one of my top-ten novels.
I have a deep and abiding fondness for comics, not simply because so many happy hours were spent reading them, but because so much of my vocabulary and writing ability is due in no small part to a steady diet of comics in my youth. Love ‘em. Grateful to ‘em.
Oh, yeah, I have no fault with comics. For some kids, it’s the only thing they’ll read, and I’m in the camp that whatever gets a kid to read is good. And I know some are more sophisticated. Of course, having two boys, we have plenty of graphic novels in our home.
I may have to look into that Obama book. I think I’ll put it on hold at my library. That way, when it comes in, I’ll be forced to read it instead of saying, “Later, later.”
And thanks for making me realize that the acronym for The Seneca Scourge is the same as Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). Pehaps this is appropriate…
I hope your novel hangs on and trends higher. You’re a really special girl, Carrie Rubin. =)
Thank you, Stacie. But sadly, the plummet I predicted has occurred. I am one book in a sea of many. But that’s okay, because it was fun while it lasted!
Well, just having the wherewithal to see this project from an idea to a permanent (as permanent as anything is) testament to that notion sets you apart from the great bulk of humanity.
Well, thank you. I can now consider myself right up there with the Honey Boo Boo bunch.
Thanks for these great titles and tid-bits! Yours is next on my reading list. I’m *almost* done reading the Game of Thrones series. And by almost, I mean I’m 10% into Book Five, so I have about 900 pages to go…
Oh, wow those books are long! Well, I guarantee you mine will be less detailed. Thanks so much for your interest in it!
Hi Carrie, what a lot has happened while I’ve had my head buried in the new job! I am late buying, must dash off and purchase: congratulations on the number 39 slot – surely that must be a cracking start? I wish you virality (is that even a word?) – may your book travel on the fleet winged feet of recommendation…
Oh, yes, that word-of-mouth thing would be lovely as the #39 moment has come and gone!
Thanks for stopping by and for your interest in my book. Hope the new job is going smoothly.
Most of my day goes to reading and revising my own book, but I am sneaking in Ruta Sepetys’ Between Shades of Gray and feeling immensely grateful for the simplest things in life.
Yes, I think I remember you talking about that book on your blog. It’s hard, because we all love to read but our writing takes us away from the hours we’d like to be reading. Or at least that’s the case for me.
Great reviews! I’d love to read your book, Carrie, whenever I get through with my current book. Unfortunately, it’s War and Peace, but it’s going…
War and Peace?! Wow, you have my respect. Compared to that book, my novel is an Archie cartoon…
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
So are most books.
I’m glad it’s a good story or it’d be impossible. Your book is available in e-book format, right? I can get it for my Kindle.
Yes, it’s out as a Kindle book (and Nook on B&N) the paperback will still be about three weeks. Thanks for your interest.
I’m reading a book by a fellow aussie called Terra Nullius. Um that’s what the book is called, the author is T.D. McKinnon.:)
Well, Terra Nullius would make a good pen name, too.
lmao – yes it would!
p.s. Now that your book is out would you like to put it and your book list onto the new blog? Not much visibility yet but hopefully it will grow with each new author who joins up.
http://novelsauthorsread.wordpress.com/
Just let me know what I need to do.
Great
I need :
1. bio pic of you
2. pic of your book cover
3. short text bio of you – who you are as a person/writer
4. A list of your favourite books – it’s up to you if you want to say why you love them or not.
Easy peasy. Oh and then send the lot to
info@triptychacf.com
And I’ll do the rest.
Sounds good. I’ll put something together in the next few days. Thank you!
Welcome
Wow, Thanks for saying such nice things about Stories About Things. (And I feel bad for not seeing it before now!) Tell your children sorry about dinner – though I can’t think of any kids that mind pizza!
You’re welcome. And no, they certainly didn’t mind the pizza. It was a Saturday evening; I was reading your book; and I just didn’t feel like cooking.
Wow, I love seeing these books by fellow bloggers. I am sooo far behind on my reading. I really need to be whacked over the head sometimes with posts like this, so that I know what I need to read in order to stay relatively hip.
Congrats on #39–I know that’s not the case anymore because I read the comments–but still, #39 is amazing and really speaks to how well it was received out of the starting gate. You must be so proud of all of the hard work you’ve done. Now it’s just another leg of hard work. Marketing!
Thank you! Ahh, marketing. I’d much rather be writing. And each little marketing thing takes a lot of time, so it’s not like you can do everything at once. You want to get the word out everywhere all at once, but unless you have a big NY publisher who’s promoting your book like it’s the next big thing, you have to be patient and chip away a little each day. Sigh…
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
A nice introduction to these. I’ll be checking a few of them out.
And some bloggers will now add your book to their lists like this!
I’ve just started reading yours…
Well, that’s wonderful to hear! I hope you enjoy it. But even if you find it a ho-hum read, it’s still better than catching my flu strain.
Thank you!!
Hey! WOW! on the rating ~ fab!
A phrase that will make every loving wife reach for the novel: “Septic Salad” ~ heh-heh
Yes, “Septic Salad” was my favorite phrase from GM’s book!
Sadly, the number 39 has come and gone, but it was fun while it lasted. Now I have to figure out how to maintain a respectable momentum.
As usual, your writing gets us giggling until we poop our pants
Pink.
Oh, my. Well then, my job is done!
I have to admit that I was sort of disappointed that you didn’t tell us what you eat for lunch while you’re reading. But the books you’ve recommended sound excellent, especially the one by our very own Diane Henders. I really have to get my butt in gear and read the books of my bloggy faves.
My midday meal is as boring as my midday routine and often consists of a lovely bowl of berries, yogurt, and granola. This is accompanied by some toasted bread, followed by a treat of some sort. And while this may sound like breakfast to some, it is my Rainman meal of choice…
Reblogged this on KingMidget's Ramblings and commented:
Another blogger/writer with a few kind words for One Night in Bridgeport. Thank you, Carrie!!!
Carrie … many thanks for your comments about Bridgeport. “A page turning treat” makes me smile. Thanks again. Seneca Scourge is up next after I finish The Constant Heart.
You’re more than welcome. I’m 90% through your book–I hated to have to stop tonight, but I need to leave early tomorrow for a conference, so I had to close up that Kindle. You’ve got kind of a John Grisham thing going on that I love. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have your book slathered all over the front shelves at Barne&Noble like he has?…
“Wouldn’t it be nice …” Um … yeah.
Argh, this post reminds me I haven’t bought the PDF of your book yet. This week is just disappearing right in front of my eyes, and I don’t like it one bit. I think I’ll need to put it on my list for next week because this week is blown.
You just worry about your health and your kids and trying to adjust to your new situation. Don’t worry about The Seneca Scourge. My characters will still be sick with influenza by the time you get to it. There’s no rush! (But thank you for your interest!)
I’ll blame it on you. You got me all excited with my photo calendar project and I got behind on work and life.
It’s nice when we get a burst of passion, isn’t it? I felt that way Monday. It was surreal. Even middle-aged moms like me deserve that every once in a while.
Now take this feeling of euphoria and have yourself a pomegranate!
Something to consider…
Congratulations on so much success right out of the gate! Here’s to a bestseller for Christmas!
Thanks for pointing out other fellow blogger’s works; I have a huge list of books to read and really need to get to it.
Thank you! But as I mentioned to other commenters, the #39 has come and gone. But it was fun while it lasted. Now I just have to figure out how to continue a respectable momentum. Hmm, do you think I can get Robin Cook to stop by?…
Tweet him!
Ha ha! And while I’m at it, I’ll tweet Stephen King, James Patterson, Sue Grafton…
That’s fantastic! Congrats on your#39! Rock your literary prowess!
Thank you! But sadly, the #39 has come and gone. But it was sure fun while it lasted.
And that’s the important thing. I feel the same way about my 39th year of existence. All 39s must go.
Yes, but then come the 40s…
WooHoo! #39 ! Bravo to you. I’m almost scared to read your comments now, I’m afraid something will slip before I can read it. I read “The Hunger Games” not too long ago. (It was better than I thought it was going to be and a really fast-paced easy read) so, I just bought part two, but I haven’t had a chance to start reading it yet.
So far in the comments, there’s only been one tiny spoiler alert. But alas, the #39 has come and gone. I was clinging to a spot in the 90s earlier today, but now I don’t see my ranking which means I’ve slipped past 100. But hey, out of all medical thrillers, I can live with that.
I haven’t read “The Hunger Games,” but everyone tells me I should. So many books, too little time…
Carrie,
You are, indeed, the toot’s potatoes!
(That’s a very good thing.)
Raye
Well, if it’s a good thing, than I am more than honored to be “the toot’s potatoes.” Thank you.
And I’m also happy to now know your name!
You are so funny Carrie. Started your book today (so that’s my answer to your question) and so far I like it!
Good to hear, Wendy! There is no sex in it, but there is a little violence. But mostly just death and disease. Enjoy!
Death and disease works for me.;-)
Oh, good.
I am following you now. You’re awesome.
x, Becca
Ladyornot.com
Well, thank you! And you can pen a post about vaginas like no one else! In fact, I had to add you to my reader as well. Just to see what else you come up with…
Thanks so much for stopping by and following. I appreciate it.
LOL I can write about just about anything. I wrote a post a few days ago about nothing at all. Thanks for adding me to your reader.
x,
Becca
Loved your short takes on the books you’ve read. They sound great! I’m reading yours right now, and really loving it. It surprised me in the middle. I was telling my husband about your story, saying, “This isn’t a gushy romance that I know you hate. 2 billion people die in this book. Sounds right up your alley.” That intrigued him and I might get him to read it (he’s so darn picky–but death and the annihilation of the human race suck him in).
Ha ha–yeah, my novel is not a romance, that’s for sure. Plenty of death and annihilation. But I’m glad you’re enjoying it. And yes, I added that little sci fi “twist” to try to shake things up in the medical thriller genre. I just hope it remains a surprise for those who haven’t read it yet. Maybe hard to keep out the spoiler alerts on that one.
Dang it, I would you’d kill half the planet!
Well, not really. Char was jumping the gun a bit on that 2 billion figure.
I’m currently reading two books – vastly different from one another. One is The Seneca Scourge (of course) and the other is “Or Something Like That” by Bud Smith (a collection of short stories). I would be flying through your book if it weren’t for the homework I MUST finish for my yoga training class this weekend – If I don’t complete the homework I’m blaming it on the flu
Funny how homework persists throughout life, isn’t it?
Thanks for your support of my book, Sheila. I appreciate it, and I hope you enjoy it. Without any flu symptoms, of course…
I know you don’t do Facebook, but I posted your book there
got to spread the word…
Thank you so much! That is fantastic!
Actually, I’m going to sign up for Facebook in the next couple days. Part of my hesitation is that I have nothing more to post, but then it dawned on me that I don’t have to keep in line with the humor I use on my blog and Twitter. I think I’ll post short updates about pediatric/parenting issues. May as well put my medical side to use. Lord knows I read enough journals. I just need to figure out how best to approach it.
You can approach FB any way you choose. I have a regular Facebook Timeline where my posts are random and usually includes any blog posting links, silly stuff, pics, etc., and then I have a “Page” devoted to only writing and another “Page” devoted to only my yoga business. Once you get a feel for it, you’ll figure out how you want to do it.
Thank you. That’s helpful to know.
Carrie, great of you to endorse other talented writers. I want to wait for yours in paperback. I just like reading that way. When it that going to happen?
Probably 3-4 weeks. It’s in the works now. Unfortunately, small press POD paperbacks can be more costly. They look nicer than small trade paperbacks, but they don’t sell as cheap.
Thanks for your interest.
I’ve always thought people who can write novels are just brilliant! there is so much that goes into writing a good story with a good plot…complex characters…an exciting climax and satisfying conclusion….I’m so jealous! I’m definitely going to check out your book and the other ones that are listed here. I’m a sucker for a good, gripping thriller. Congrats!!
Thank you! That’s nice to hear.
Yes, a lot of work does go into a novel. Trying to get everything right without losing your readers is tricky. That’s why I’ve wised up and will now fully outline my next novel. I had to do some major revisions with the first.
Thanks for the comment!
Congrats on the #39 mark – now for #1
!
I’ve just finished up Ella Medler’s “Martin Little: Resurrected” – fun trip to an alternative Heaven/Hell set up. Enjoyed it.
Now I’m reading Martin Bannon’s “Senseless Confidential” – really funny stuff. Also, swear words = fucking awesome!
After that I have a certain Carrie Rubin with some “Seneca Scourge” novel…you ever heard of her?
Yeah, but I heard that Carrie woman is kind of boring…
I need to read Ella’s book. I have to download it and add it to my list. I try to alternate a mainstream thriller (still have some Nordic thrillers by Jo Nesbo waiting on my shelf–love him) with a book by a blogging buddy, but as you know, the list can become quite long.
As for the 39th spot, that’s as beautiful as it will get. I’m clinging for life in the 90s now, but once I reach 101, I’m out of the limelight. But that’s okay. It was a blast while it lasted!
If I had to choose a pen name it would be: Rachael Eden- Eden is my middle name and I always thought it would make a better last name!
I am reading CriticalThinking and Introduction to Psychology-YAWN!
Rachael Eden is a great pen name. Flows nicely off the tongue and sounds sophisticated. My middle name is Mae. Carrie Mae just sounds like a southern belle in a field of flowers, so that was a no go for a pen name for an author of thrillers.
And you get the award for the heaviest reading. Whoa! (Believe me–I’ve been there. When text books are the only thing you read…)
Great post, and thanks for the book recommendations. And congratulations on your Amazon standings–impressive. I typed out a long comment about needing to wait for your book to hit B&N because I don’t have a Kindle, then I searched with my Nook, found it, purchased it, and I cannot wait to read it!
I’m sad to say I’m not currenly reading anything that I would recommend. I need to get to the library.
Thanks, Rachelle! I hope you like it. It ain’t no Pulitzer but hopefully it will entertain.
I realized as I went to post this morning, that this entry seemed a little bit like a fishing expedition (“What book are you reading?”) but I wrote it before my book’s release (other than the note at the bottom), and it’s all I had ready to go. Such is a blogger’s life…
What a good blog buddy you are, reading and promoting your fellow bloggers books! I liked the slant you took here, a mini review of each with what lesson you have learned. I’ve just finished reading Stephen King’s ‘Cell’, and I’m just about to start reading Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s ‘One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich’.
I want to read some blogging buddies books too at some stage (including yours!).
How could I not have heard of “Cell” by Stephen King? I love his books, although I don’t read his fantasy novels. Maybe it’s one of those. Must go check it out.
I enjoy reading other bloggers’ books, because it forces me outside my preferred genre. Otherwise I’d just keep reading thrillers and miss out on this other good stuff.
Thanks for the comment!
I really enjoyed Cell, but I felt a little unsatisfied by the ending, too many unanswered questions. I won’t say more, but if you read it, let me know what you think of the ending!
Is it a fantasy novel?
No, it’s about a virus that is transmitted through cell phones.
Good god, where I have been? I’m going to add it to my (very long) list. Thanks for mentioning it.
I just posted a comment and got the dreaded “The page can not be displayed”. Gah, I hate it when that happens. So I have to redo it. Here’s what I said:
Wow, to be compared to Jonathan Franzen is doing my introverted ego a world of good. And I have “A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving on my bookshelf, and will read it as soon as I finish The Seneca Scourge, which is a real page-turner. I am halfway through, with not as much time to read right now as I would like, due to another project, but I love your novel and will leave a review as soon as I finish it. It is a really good book, and the formatting is perfect. Even though you’ve said you don’t feel it is as good as it could be, knowing what you know now, I think you have an excellent book here. The Prologue was such a good hook.
Thanks again for mentioning Perigee Moon, I’m going to be blooging about it for sure. And I’m also going to cut and paste this comment. Lousy internet connection, grrr.
Isn’t that the worse to lose a long comment?! I’ve started to copy my long ones, just in case that happens, as I’ve been burned too many times before.
Thank you so much for the kind words about my book. I’ve never felt more vulnerable than I do now (which is tough for a stoic like me), so it’s a relief to hear. But I still have so much to learn. My goal was a plot-driven read, because I felt that’s all I was capable of. I strive to get better at characterization, which I thought you mastered beautifully in Perigee Moon. I was quite envious actually. But that’s why we keep practicing. There’s always room for improvement.
Characters are all I have to offer. I don’t have background in medicine, or law, or anything else that could make a good story. My husband, Herr Schneider, who is my first beta reader says “You are a good writer, but your stories kind of suck.” He wants more action, as do many readers.
Oh, that made me laugh out loud! Yes, there’s always that battle between plot and characterization. I hope to develop both.
Blooging? What’s that?
I think it’s blogging while riding a luge…
Carrie, these books beat the Life of Jane Austen, which I am reading now. As much as I enjoy the comraderie and stimulating discussions I sometimes feel trapper into reading books in which I have no interest. What’S a gal to do?
I hear you. What’s worse is that when I’m reading a book I really don’t want to be reading, I find I can’t NOT finish it. I feel like, “Well, I’ve invested this much time, I might as well finish it and see how it ends.” I really need to get better about this.
Thanks for stopping by!
I will definitely let you know if I notice any problems. So far, nothing except a shadow image of a camera and yellow triangle with an “!” with the front matter. It might be a holdover from the formatting process? But it doesn’t cause any hangups. I just “turned” it like any other page.
Now if it causes the last chapters to disappear or my Kindle to self-destruct, I’ll let you know ASAP!
Don’t worry—no regular reader of your blog will think you’re fishing!:)
How did you guess that after reading The Seneca Scourge, one’s Kindle self-destructs?! We thought it would be a great twist to the usual “read one book and move onto another” routine. What? That’s not a good idea after all?…
Good for you for getting so much reading in! As a reader, I am embarrassed to admit I read very little of the past year, unless you count reading my WIP and blogs! I guess that counts. I am reading a delightful book (a birthday gift from my daughter) called “Lunch in Paris.” Next up? Seneca Scourge! Oh, and I am in the middle of fellow blogger Maddie Cochere’s book. A light, fun read.
I’m so glad you mentioned Maddie Cochere, because I knew there was a blogger I wanted to check back in on (she came to visit my site), but I couldn’t remember who! I just remembered it was a fun, pink blog. So thank you for helping me remember!
It took me a while to get through the above books, but I do carve out some time every day to read, even though it is far less than I’d like. Glad to see The Seneca Scourge made your list.
Maddie is darling. Up beat all the time. Rather than reading blogs while I eat lunch I will take the time to read like you do. I love to read and it is funny I don’t “allow” myself more time to read.
Wow, thanks for the mention & kind words!
And… oh no, now I have more books in my reading list.
But none of them are going to take precedence over Seneca Scourge! I got started on it yesterday and got caught up in it right away. Then I was interrupted by several crises of varying magnitude. (Nothing terrible, but all pressing). Now I’m frustrated because real life is keeping me away from your story!
Yes, real life tends to do that, doesn’t it? I get frustrated by how long it takes me to get through a book. I used to devour them, but now I only have set times when I can read. But I’m so glad you’re enjoying The Seneca Scourge! It’s certainly not light or fun, but hopefully it won’t bring you down too much.
Go, Carrie! I’m not reading Seneca Scourge yet, but I will be! That’s awesome that you’re so high up on the list! Yippee!
Thanks, Anne. But as was expected, I have drifted down–I’m barely hanging onto a spot in the 90s, but still, that was way beyond what I ever expected, and I will gladly take it. Now, keeping the momentum up will be hard. Hopefully that mysterious word-of-mouth thing will happen.
And thanks for your interest in my book. Means the world to me!
I just finished reading a novel by Kay Bratt, loaded with Chinese culture and suspense. Love reading her work. It won’t be out for it, but look for Scavenger’ Daughters.
On my queue is, OF COURSE, Seneca Scourge and I’m so excited to read it I can hardly stand it. I have a date tonight with my Kindle to be sure.
Carrie, you are a winner every single day! Your blog is so outstanding and I can’t imagine anyone deserving sales of your book, more than you do.
Bless you for reading Recipes For Revenge and for your very kind review. I love you for it. And thank you so much for the mention in your blog today! Such a great surprise!! All the books you mention sound awesome. I plan to go pick them up right now!
Thank you so much for your kind words. They warm my heart. As you probably know, the days post book-release leave one feeling vulnerable and anxious, so your comment is gratefully received.
Although I’m not always one for historical fiction, I love reading books about Chinese or Indian culture, so Kay Bratt’s novel looks appealing. As for the books on this list, I was impressed with them all. The book by Mark Paxson that I’m reading now has almost a John Grisham feel to it. I really like it.
And I STILL need to make those cookies from your book. I have the recipe sitting on my counter and the supplies in my pantry. Now I just need the time!
I’m reading the Seneca Scourge! Sharing the Kindle with my husband is slowing things down a bit, though. Yesterday I had to leave Sydney “in her car with tangerines,” so to speak. Later today I can pick up again, though, with this very entertaining read.
Thanks, JM! I realized after I posted this that asking people “what are you reading” might make it look like I’m fishing. But in my defense, I wrote this post before my book’s release except for the last note I added.
By the way, if you encounter any errors or formatting issues in the Kindle version, will you let me know? I don’t have the energy to read through the book again. It looks like it’s very well formatted–the publisher obviously isn’t going to put out a poor product–but just in case I’d love to know if you found anything.
Have a great day and watch out for anything tangerine-scented…