GOOD Reading

Books are delightful society. If you go into a room and find it full of books - even without taking them from the shelves they seem to speak to you, to bid you welcome. ~William Ewart Gladstone

After the post yesterday, and its comments, I need to clarify a few things. Many small press stories are quite good (Samhain Publishing, especially, has quality stories -- though they're leaning toward releasing almost all erotica anymore, which is disappointing). My complaint is that it's really hit or miss, and I'm certain that's due to two things: the age of the press (the newer they are, the more likely they are to accept things other, more established presses won't) and editor quality (since it's up to each individual editor what they contract, some may have less experience than others and aren't as well trained).

So, in the interest of being fair, here are some great small press books and stories I've read:

Ashley Drake, Zombie Hunter: A Plague on All Houses by Dana Fredsti -- from Ravenous Romance -- I haven't jumped on the zombie bandwagon, and have to admit that mostly they gross me out (as they should, really) but this book was not only well written and edited, but had a unique story and a fabulous main character. The romance was secondary to the rest of the plot, but was still sweet (and hot) and I absolutely adored the hero. I can't wait for the author to write more in this series (though, be assured that this book ended and doesn't really leave you hanging).

Verifiable Intelligence by Kaitlin Maitland -- Red Rose Publishing -- This is a romantic suspense with two anti-hero protagonists. It's a heart pounding, edge of your seat adventure with some steamy romance tossed in. I admit that the ending left me a little confused... not dissatisfied, mind you, I'm just not certain I completely understood the punishment exacted on the bad guys. Still, I love characters a little outside the norm and an exciting story, and this book had both.

The entire Sullivan Brothers series by K. M. Daughters -- The Wild Rose Press -- I've read them all and enjoyed each one, mostly for the amazing and large, realistic secondary cast of characters in the books. More romance than suspense, these are just plain good books.

Don’t Look Back by M.J. Fredrick -- The Wild Rose Press -- a romantic suspense novel that's a little dark, very hot and amazingly good. Truthfully, I like everything I've read by this author and she's published by several small presses.

Out of Time by Pauline Baird Jones -- L&L Dreamspell -- a unique time travel romance that takes place in WWII (one of my favorite eras). Lots of emotion, lots of fun, lots of excitement.

There are plenty more winners, but I don't want to bore you. I just wanted to say that while there are some piles of poo from small presses, there are also the diamonds. Which is why I keep giving them a try.

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You Are Tag

You are high energy and high strung. You need to move - quickly if possible. You are into thrills, and there's something exciting about being a little scared. You are assertive and even a bit competitive. You like to give it all you've got. No matter whether you lose or win, you're always a good sport. You're just having fun playing the game!

What Childhood Game Are You?

Not so into thrills, but the rest is pretty close.

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A Really Good Book

A man ought to read just as inclination leads him, for what he reads as a task will do him little good. ~ Samuel Johnson

Thanks to all for your comments on books yesterday -- I'm actually reading one of the best books I've picked up lately. Mary mentioned it in her comments, and I'd just picked it up from Carina Press a few days back because it sounded like a hoot. It's "Exclusively Yours" by Shannon Stacey, and the author has an absolutely fabulous voice (especially if you're a fan of romantic comedy -- this book isn't "comedy" per se, but it doesn't exactly take itself seriously, either). I'm only about 60 pages in, but I read until I couldn't keep my eyes open last night and then laid there and thought about the thing, and can't wait to open it up and read some more. Provided something awful doesn't happen, this will end up being one of my favorite books of the year so far.

Thank heavens. It was such a breath of fresh air after the last two that I read.

So, THANK YOU Shannon Stacey. I owe you, big time.

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Hey ... if you didn't notice, I've been responding to your comments IN the comments section. I'm trying to be better about doing that, and am getting over twice a day to do so. Because, yanno, I appreciate you all swinging by and saying "howdy". I'm also almost caught up with visiting the folks I was behind on (I missed you!). I wish I had hours a day to blog hop. I really do enjoy it.

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So, yesterday I went to the dollar store for pantyhose to wrap the stems of my squash plants. They didn't have any, so I bought these incredibly chincy trouser socks in a gawd-awful shade of puce that are pretty much the same texture. This morning, I'm going to spray the pogees out of each stem with my poison -- in case there are already eggs there (so when they hatch, when they start eating they should die) and then wrap the stems in the socks. I'll have the best dressed squash on the street. With any luck, I won't lose my squash plants this year. :::fingers crossed:::

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In Pillar Place: Monarch, I found two more butterbabies yesterday while harvesting food for the OTHER twenty-five. Cuz, yanno, I needed more to tend to. One of them did a Kamikaze leap from his leaf (monarch pillars do this for protection -- but they attach a web first). I saw him dangling there, in mid-air, so nabbed him. Another was on the back of a leaf ... he's not looking too healthy, so I'm not sure he's going to survive.

We also have HUGE numbers of Tussock Moth caterpillars. They hang out together for the first few days and utterly decimate milkweed leaves. Once they're a bit bigger, they move out on their own, and are just the prettiest looking things. I know I've posted pictures of them before, but I can't stand it... don't you just want to pet them? (And, yes, I actually DO pet them when I find them. They don't seem to mind).



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You Are Shampoo

When a problem comes your way, you jump at the opportunity to solve it. You're especially good at "cleaning house" and making sure a tight ship is being run. You find it easy to let go of the past and move on with your life. You're a big believer in fresh starts. You don't leave a lot of room for junk in your life. If something doesn't suit you, you're eager to toss it to the curb.

Are You Shampoo or Conditioner?

Um... yeah. That's about 85% right. I'm not so good at letting go of the past, but the rest? Right on! LOL...

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Thursday Thirteen: Books!!

See more Thursday Thirteen participants here

THIRTEEN BOOKS CURRENTLY IN MY HOUSE
(Some are "keepers", some are on my TBR list)

1. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

This YA book has been getting raves, including from people I know whose opinions I trust. So, I'm giving it a go. It's a TBR.

2. Photoshop for Dummies

My biz partner at Goddess Fish Promotions currently does 99.9% of the Photoshopping because she knows how. I don't like anyone being irreplaceable, though, so I'm trying to learn at least some of it so I can take up the slack when necessary. It's both a TBR and a Keeper.

3. Remember Me by Laura Moore

This is a keeper on my Nook. A reviewer whose opinion I greatly respect (she's tough and smart and very, very picky about what she likes) gave it a "Best Book" rating and then proceeded to email me and rave about it (the review is here, if you're interested). I was sold... and so was the book. I hopped on to the Nook and nabbed a copy. Now, if I could only find the time to read it!

4. Right Where I Need to Be by Wendi Zwaduk

Wendi is a friend of mine whose first book recently came out and I got me an autographed copy of it. It's on my TBR and my Keeper shelf (I have a special row just for signed books).

5. How To Sew a Button : and Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew by Erin Bried

This author has a video on YouTube that actually managed to FINALLY show me how to fold a fitted sheet. I know, I know, not earthshattering, but I've been trying to learn for YEARS. So, yeah, this book is SO on my TBR shelf.

6. Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day

This was recommended to me by my SIL and it's a great concept -- making bread dough that's slightly wet and keeping it in your fridge for a couple of week, making it easy to grab some and cook it every day as needed. They have some pretty incredible tips for baking bread, a list of tools, additions to make your whole grain bread more palatable and so much more. It's a great book. I've read it once, but plan to do so again and again, because I know I missed stuff AND I want to absorb their wisdom. Because, who doesn't like fresh-baked bread?

7. WordPress for Dummies

I've been hearing things about Blogger... and while I've never had any trouble with them, I figured it couldn't hurt to be prepared. So, I'm going to learn WordPress, because it confused the pogees out of me.

8. Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson

I love this author. She's SO funny and talented and has never disappointed me and I can't WAIT to read this.

9. The Third Rose by Jean Hart Stewart

Goddess Fish Promotions recently did a tour for Jean, and her book sounds so good I had to get myself a copy! It's on my Nook and I can't wait to dive in.

10. The Burning Lamp by Amanda Quick

The next book in her Arcane Society series. I have it... it's calling... I just need to find the time.

11. Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

The latest in her "The Bride Quartet" series. I've really enjoyed these books, and while this one wasn't my favorite, it was still good and sits firmly on my keeper shelf.

12. Getting Rid of Bradley by Jennifer Crusie

Any list that includes keepers for me wouldn't be complete without this book. IMHO, this is the best book Jenny Crusie wrote ("Bet Me" is a close second) and I read it over and over whenever I need a giggle.

13. Be #1 on Google by Jon Smith

As part of my job as webmistress for The Long and the Short of It and Goddess Fish Promotions, I have to learn how to publicize us -- this book is a no-brainer for that, and I'm enjoying reading it!

What are some books that are keepers for YOU? And what's sitting on your TBR list?

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Still Crazy After All These Days... of power

"You don't drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there." — Edwin Louis Cole

How is it that I was without power for two days, and I'm more than a week behind on my work? Is there some kind of odd warp in the space time continuum? I spent nearly every waking hour on the computer yesterday (and I only played ONE game of Bejeweled on Facebook *G*) and still have pages and pages of stuff in my in box. We won't talk about my Google reader -- though I did manage to stop by at least a few blogs yesterday and catch up. I still have miles to go. If I haven't made it to your blog, I will!

I did have plenty of time to read while the power was out, and I've been gorging myself on Julia Quinn's historical romances. As I've said before, I'm not a huge fan of historicals, but I had snagged one of hers on a whim at the library ("What Happens in London") and could tell it was part of a series (the heroine mentions at the very beginning that her best friend just married her brother...). I enjoyed the book tremendously (they're terribly funny and so very romantic), so went on a hunt for others. My library doesn't carry them all, so out came the Nook -- yes, I really did like them enough to buy them. It's been a long, LONG time since I've found a series of books I so thoroughly enjoyed.

I did decide last night that, starting tomorrow (because my schedule today is absolutely nuts and I'm not going to be home a whole lot), I'm taking at least an hour to write every day. One. Whole. Hour. Not ten minutes, an hour. I'm going to set the timer, tell DD to hole up somewhere, take the phone off the hook and write. No matter how busy the rest of life gets, I really need to write... when I don't, I get cranky (well, crankier than usual) and resentful of other demands on my time. I may even use "Write or Die", just to give me the "oomph" to really get the words down.

What do you have to do on a regular basis to keep your sanity?

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You Are Thoughtful and Happy

You have an optimistic outlook. When troubles come your way, you try to see how you will grow and learn from them. You feel like you can't depend on anyone but yourself in this world. You feel quite alone sometimes. You feel relieved about your past and those you have loved. You are happy to be moving on with the future. You succeed by tapping into your reserves. You have an extraordinary amount of energy and endurance.

The Desert Test

Mostly right....

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