Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop!

Q. Keeping with the dystopian and apocalypse theme that seems to be running rampant on parajunkee.com, I have one very hard question for you: If you were stocking your bomb shelter, what books would you HAVE to include if you only had space for ten?

Only ten?  WOW that's a tough one but here's my list

* Bible

* The Fever Series (5 Books)

* Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

* The Stand by Stephen King

* Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

*Obsidian Butterfly by Laurell K. Hamilton (I think this was the last Anita Blake book that I actually liked!)

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://startingthenextchapterbooks.blogspot.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

 

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read!  So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog,

"Summer is coming quickly - what 2011 summer release are you are most looking forward to?"

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

A Discovery of Witches: A Novel by Deborah Harkness

Buried Prey - John Sandford

Review: The Advice Girl by L.A. Shaw

Title: The Advice Girl

Author - L.A. Shaw

Format: E-Book

Review:

As a first offering, The Advice Girl by L.A. Shaw really delivers.  The story focuses on the friendship of Kira and Sophia.  Having been friends since childhood, Sophia has always been the one everyone has gone to for advice in love and in life. The story opens with the friends living the postgraduate life: their own apartment at the beach, dating and work.  Everything seems normal but lately Sophia, the eternal optimist, has been have a strong sense of foreboding.

The author presents the friendship realistically.  Nothing seems forced and you really get the sense of the deep bond between the girls. After the mysterious death of Sophia, you really go through the emotions and depression with Kira.  The sense of loss on the pages cut so deep!  However, after getting a cryptic note, Kira begins to wonder if she knew Sophia at all.

But WAIT!  This book offers so much more!  There is a love story and a dark and sinister group out to destroy those who would do good and so much more!  The author deftly ties the parallel stories together into a seamless, wonderful read.  You can’t help but wonder what is going to happen next and keep turning pages.  The suspense is great and as more things are revealed, there are moments of absolute surprise.

Now, there were a few things that took away some of my joy.  The ending was rather abrupt but at the same time, it made me eager for the sequel (coming soon I hope!).  In addition, the romance portions of the story happened rather quickly and while I am saying it couldn’t happen, it still was rather quick.

I hope in the sequel, we can find out more about the various characters.  I would love to know some background on some of them (especially Markus!) and I’m eagerly waiting to see what happens to everyone! 

Grab this one up!  You will not regret it!

Feature Author AND Giveaway!!

Writing today's blog post is author Kathryn Lively, the author of "Little Flowers" and "Pithed".  I am so thrilled to feature Kathryn AND to offer a copy of her latest mystery "Dead Barchetta" as a free gift to a lucky blog reader!  Check out the post and giveaway details follow!  ENJOY! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Men in My Writing Life - Kathryn Lively

Every time I agree to guest post on a blog about my latest mystery novel, DEAD BARCHETTA, I feel I should insert an apology somewhere. This work represents about six years of my life. I began outlining the story sometime in 2005, and while attending a RushCon - the largest annual gathering of Rush fans in the world - I offered up for their charity auction the opportunity to become a "guest character" in the book. The winning bidder, thankfully, was very patient with me, considering I had told him I expected to have a draft for him within the year. Six years later...

The draft I had promised him, too, was to have been markedly different from the book that is available now. In the early stages of planning DEAD BARCHETTA, I had a different title in mind...and a different character. Since my last mystery, PITHED featured a male protagonist/sleuth, I wanted a female character for my next work - specifically a female musician. Around this time I'd read so many kick-ass, tight-pants wearing heroines that left me awed, and I wanted to create a persona readers would enjoy along with the likes of Stephanie Plum. I'd cross Joan Jett with Anita Blake and really turn the mystery genre on its back!

Problem was, I'd get a chapter or two into the first draft and...nothing. I'd hit walls and blockades, I'd fine something on television, then the baby would need my attention and I set Kick-Ass aside to pursue other ventures. Yet for years, the book remained in the back of my mind and I'd occasionally jot down a line of possible dialogue in my work notebook, and keep sticky notes that reminded me to steer the plot in this direction and that.

After a few years of this procrastination (and thankfully that winning bidder never checked up on me), I came to accept that the reason I could not get the book off the ground was because the main character didn't suit the story. More than that, the character's gender didn't suit. Now, this is not to say that I have trouble writing female characters, but I find perhaps I have an unconscious tendency to take on challenges. I am not male, therefore I find more comfort writing male leads because I enjoy learning from readers whether or not I did it correctly.

After my first novel, LITTLE FLOWERS was published, an interviewer remarked to me how well I had personified a supporting player, a detective investigating the crime that happens in the first chapter. I thought at first he had complimented me on getting all the procedural activity correct, but he implied that the character seemed real to him, and he was surprised that a woman had written him so well!

Same with PITHED. Granted, the sleuth Andy Farmer is based upon my father, so I had 30 years of knowledge base to work with there, but again people let me know how much they loved Andy.

As for DEAD BARCHETTA's Lerxst? He is probably the son I never had. He emerged slowly from my writing subconscious and came into character as I began working with younger men in my day job. Having the environment to inspire me helped shaped Lerxst as a man, while conversations with my closest friend (a sometime musician, who is also male) took care of the nuances. Once Lerxst came to life, the story followed rather quickly.

Does this mean I should only write male sleuths? I don't know. I do find, however, it is getting easier to do, and that means the next challenge in my writing career is to write a lead female. I'll let you know how that turns out.

Kathryn Lively is an author of mystery. Please visit her online at http://www.kathrynlively.com or view her author page at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-Lively/e/B004FW06U8/) and friend her at Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/kathrynlively).

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Contest!! Rules & Details: Dead Barchetta by Kathryn Lively! 

1. Post a Comment below with your Email Address for entry to win a copy of Dead Barchetta

2. One entry per person.

3. Contest is open worldwide; you just need computer access to receive the e-book.

4. Each winner will receive an electronic copy of Dead Barchetta. This is an e-format from Amazon Kindle. You do NOT need to own or use a Kindle ereader; simply download the Kindle Application on your phone, computer, iPod or other compatible device.

5. Contest will be open through Sunday, May 1, 2011.

6. Winners will be chosen randomly through Random.org.

7. Must include email address in comment so that I can contact you should you win. (I will NOT use your email for any other purpose.)

To read my review of "Dead Barchetta", just click HERE. 

Follow Friday and Book Blog Hop

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://thecaitfiles.blogspot.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

 Today's Question:

Q. What is on your current playlist right now?

My choices are all over the board!  I like so many different artists

Pretty Girl Rock - Keri Hilson

Moment for Life - Nikki Minaj

Love The Way You Lie - Eminem and Rihanna

Like A G6 - Far*East Movement Featuring Cataracs & Dev

 

 In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! 

RULES:
Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

1.  Enter your book blog link in the Linky List below, including the genre that you review!

In your link, please state the main genre that you review:  eclectic, contemp. fiction, ya, paranormal, mystery, non-fiction, etc.

Example:  Crazy-for-Books (contemp. adult fiction) 

2. Post about the Hop on your blog.  Spread the word about the book party!  The more the merrier!  In your blog post, answer the following question (new question each week!).  

This week's question comes from Christina who blogs at The Paperback Princesses.  She asks:

 "If you find a book you love, do you hunt down other books by the same author?"

OMG YES!  I like to finish out a series if possible but I'll admit to being disappointed sometimes because other books by some authors didn't live up to the book I fell in love with.   Reading is always a gamble! :)

Blog Tour De Force Cage Match!

What is a "Cage Match", you ask?

Two authors - two books - waiting for you to decided who is the best!  The Cage Match Starts today

Visit Blog Tour De Force Cage Match website to see who is up for the daily rounds.  Visit the authors' blogs for free books (yes, free!!!), give them a read and hit the authors blogs to let them know who you think was the best!  There are prizes from the authors and each comment is an entry to win a Kindle loaded with all the books in the Cage Match!

Here's a chance to show Indie Authors some love and grab some really good books while your at it!


Round One starts Monday (April 18).  That's today, folks!

Books up tomorrow are:

Plain Jane: Brunettes Beware by Cristyn West 

VS

Fierce Dawn by Amber Scott

Check out the reviews for both books on my site then hop over to the Cage Match and weight in!!

Review for Plain Jane:Brunettes Beware

Review for Fierce Dawn

Review: Plain Jane:Brunettes Beware by Cristyn West

Title: Plain Jane:Brunettes Beware

Author: Cristyn West

Format: Paperback and Ebook

Found at: Amazon and Smashwords

This book keep me captivated from beginning to end!  The story was wonderful and repulsive at the same time.  The hunt for this serial killer took so many twists and turns yet left you wondering who was more insane, the killer or the profiler on their trail!



I loved the main female character in Nicole.  She was a strong and smart woman yet vulnerable in affairs of the heart.  Her job is first and foremost in her mind except when it comes to dealing with her ex, Kent.  He brilliant, deranged and obsessive, all the hallmarks of a top profiler.  He was an ass to her and their co-workers and I cheered at the times she found her moxie and let him know how she felt.  Their relationship is as intriguing as the mystery of the serial killer and I was totally satisfied with the way it played out in the end. 


The serial killer was spooky and the reveal was a total surprise  There were several viable suspects and the author really kept you guessing until the end.  The suspense lasted the entire novel and I came away from the novel with a  sense of "WOW". There is definitely a gross factor with the more visits and the "prize" that the serial killer took from it's victims.  This story may bother you a little if you are a touch squeamish.



A few things I would have like to have seen was more of the back story of the characters.  There was discussion in the book about previous cases and previous relationships but since this was the first book, I only know what was mentioned.  It would be nice to see a prequel book showing how Nicole and Kent wound up together in the first place.  I hope there will be more with these two!  They work together well and it'll be interesting to see another case with them! 


Check out this book at the Blog Tour De Force Cage Match!!

Follow Friday

Today's Question:

Q. Do you have anyone that you can discuss books with IRL? Tell us about him/her.


As a teacher, I have several people to discuss book with but I must say my favorite is the librarian.  She is a paranormal junkie and she has bought so many interesting books into the library.  She is the reason I have even read some of the YA titles out there.  She points books that she thinks I'll like (and I do!) and she always keeps up with new releases and helps to build series of books for everyone to read.  How can you go wrong with a Kresley Cole fan? :)

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:


(Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list

(Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://romance-around-the-corner.blogspot.com/

Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.

Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments

Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"

If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers

If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!