fbpx

What I'm Reading Wednesday

I’m Reading . . . some New Adult Romance

No Comments

This is a fine thing, indeed. It’s What I’m Reading #Wednesday, and honestly, in the last week, I’ve been unhappy with what I’ve read.

I blame Colleen Hoover, Cora Carmack and Ginger Scott. Their last books were so good, I’m getting spoiled.

I’m happy to report, however, that last night, while trolling the ‘zon and iBooks for something . . . anything . . . I found out that Sarina Bowen’s new book, The Shameless Hour (The Ivy Years Book 3) went live last week.

Booyah!

Next week, I promise I’ll have more to report. But why have the other books I’ve been reading (which I will not name; we’re all entitled to our points of view!) not been cutting the mustard? It’s been a few things.

First, the characters are not memorable. They’ve been lackluster, wishy-washy and too capricious. One girl couldn’t make up her mind about anything, and that made me nuts. Another whined. No. Just no. Second, the storylines were unbelievable, and while I’m more than ready to suspend my disbelief, you’ve got to give me something to work with. Anything. Third, and this is a big one, some of the books I read this week were poorly edited. It wasn’t typos or missed words so much as my own personal bugaboo: words misused. One series I read had so many words used in the wrong context that I wanted to scream.

“No, you didn’t withhold the sobs threatening to escape!” I raged. “You held them in. You swallowed them. You bit them back. That word doesn’t mean what you think it does.”

On the other hand, I did read all three books–partly out of desperation and partly out of a morbid curiosity to see how the author brought it all together. So maybe it’s understandable that others read them, too.

The good news is that May is bringing me all sorts of book deliciousness. If only I can hold out that long . . .

Teaser Tuesday

It’s All Part of The Plan

No Comments

10966968_10152889034349145_288608750_n

 

The Posse is a book and a story very special to me. It was my first adult book after The King Series, when I wasn’t sure I could actually handle writing for the adult market. I love Jude and Logan and the whole posse, and I love Crystal Cove.

Of course, you know The Posse was supposed to be a stand-alone, but then the rest of the posse didn’t find love in that book . . . at least Cooper didn’t. And then there was poor Emmy Carter, Jude’s weekend night manager, who was all by herself. And Abby, who came into town to run the bed and breakfast . . .

Clearly, there are more stories in the Cove.

So even though it’s not coming out for TWO more months–two!–today’s Teaser Tuesday is from The Plan. I want you to get ready to fall in love with Crystal Cove all over again.

***

I carried the fries to Cooper and hunted on the shelf under the bar for a bottle of barbecue sauce that I set down next to the plate. He cocked his head.

“You knew about the scotch. And now the barbecue sauce. How did you know that’s what I eat with my fries?”

I hoped my face wasn’t turning red. “I’m gifted at remembering customers’ preference. It’s part of the bartender code. I can’t tell you anything else, or again, I’d have to kill you.”

Cooper laughed. “Like with the pie crust recipe? You, Emmy Carter, are a woman of many secrets.”

Now I was certain I was blushing. “Yep, that’s me. Woman of mystery.”

He picked up one fry and dragged it through a puddle of barbecue sauce. “Tell me, woman of mystery, where are your kids tonight?”

My heart thudded against my ribcage, but I kept my voice cool. “They spend the weekends with my mom and dad. I dropped them off after school today, and I’ll pick them up Sunday morning when I wake up.”

Cooper nodded. “It’s great that you have your folks to help.”

“Yeah.” I couldn’t agree more. “I never would’ve made it this far without them. Well, and Jude and Daniel.”

“Bullshit, Em.” Cooper’s words were heated, but his tone was mild. “You pull your own weight. I’ve seen it. Yeah, you’ve had some people give you a hand, but you’d have made it even without that. You’re strong.”

I blinked back an unexpected rise of moisture in my eyes. I never cried. It was a weakness I couldn’t afford. “Maybe. But I’m glad I never had to test that theory yet.” I wiped the bar down, careful to keep my focus on the rag. “Why’d you want to know about the kids? Were you going to call child protective services on me if I’d left them at home to fend for themselves?”

“No.” Cooper spoke low, and I stopped moving so that I could hear him. “I wanted to know if your house was empty. And if maybe . . . you’d like some company after you finish here.”

THE PLAN

Coming June 29th

iBooks/Amazon/Nook

Uncategorized

Music in Progress

No Comments

I’m writing The Plan at the moment. It’s the second book in The Crystal Cove series, coming after The Posse, and the main story revolves around Emmy Carter and Cooper Davis, both of whom we met in The Posse.

Careful readers of The Posse will remember that Jude and Emmy differed on their musical preferences. Jude loves her 80’s tunes, and Emmy favors country. As it happens Cooper likes rock, so he and Emmy are reconciling that difference, too . . .

Their working playlist includes songs from Florida-Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Billy Joel and others. I’m excited to share their story–both musical and otherwise!–with you in June.

Stay tuned!

(Placeholder cover–reveal coming soon)

Plan Placeholder

Friday Free For All

Five From . . . You!

1 Comment

QuestMark

Today I’m turning the tables and asking YOU five questions! Leave your answers in the comments or on my Facebook page. Yes, these will be used in a future post . . . you have been warned!

–What is your favorite genre right now?
–What book has stuck in your mind over the past three months?
–What aspect of a female lead is your favorite (i.e, snarky, smart, fearless, flawed . . . ?)
–What part of a male lead makes you swoon? (I mean characteristic, not body part!)
–How many books do you read each week?

Get ready for future Five From Friends Friday guests, including K.M. Scott, Stacy Darnell, CM Doporto, Jenna Barton, Arianne Richmonde, Ruth Cardello, Juli Valenti . . . and many more!

This Author's Life Thursday

#ToTheGirls

1 Comment

strong womenSometimes life hands you exactly what you need. Sometimes. If you wait it out.

My This Author’s Life post is one of my favorite to write each week. It’s wide open, and I can talk to y’all about anything I want. But this week, inspiration was pretty scarce. I’ve been so deep in writing and in getting ready for events that I hardly had any life to write about.

And then this morning the awesome Cora Carmack posted about this fabulous #ToTheGirls campaign. And there was today’s post.

I’ve been a feminist forever. I was raised by strong women in the company of women, I have three strong daughters and I believe in the power and the uniqueness of womanhood. I don’t say we’re better, but I’ll be danged if we ain’t just as good (that was an Oklahoma! riff right there, in case you didn’t know it.)

If you haven’t read about this campaign, start here. Author Courtney Summers started this trend, saying on her blog, “Take the opportunity to tell the girls you know — and the ones you don’t — that they are seen, heard and loved. Share advice. Be encouraging. Tell us about or thank the girls in your life who have made a difference in yours.”

So what would my tweets be? Here are a few going out today.

#ToTheGirls Be fearless. You are stronger than the world says you are.

#ToTheGirls You can love and be loved without being the damsel in distress.

#ToTheGirls Never underestimate the power of your heart. The world needs it.

So go forth and tweet your best words. Tag me so I can see.

This one’s for the girls.