Sandi Shilhanek | Is It Just About The Decorations?

Wednesday night the DFWTea Readers met at my house for our annual Halloween dinner. I know that I’ve blogged about the group and the fun we’ve had before, but I thought it was time to do it again.

The dish (and I just don’t mean the edible kind) is almost always delicious, and I use that qualifier because as my friends know I’m far from a cook, so I question when I host the dinner whether or not the food is good, but I think that this was the third year of my hosting and cooking and I’ve yet to kill anyone.

While I’ve yet to scare any one off with my culinary skills my husband does his best to scare people with his decorations. This year he had to scale back, because as hard and fast as he was decorating our puppy, Travis decided things needed to be undecorated. Unfortunately, a few items were lost, but fortunately nothing of a real monetary value.

To read more about Sandi's thoughts on the Halloween dinner and to comment for a chance to win please click here.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Sara Reyes | What's a book club?

Book club dynamics. Hmm, interesting topic. This past Wednesday I realized we've been meeting at my house for four years. A long time but something has evolved. As people come and go we have a core group of women who monthly come and spend three to five hours every third Wednesday at my house. First putting together a meal, followed by eating, followed by a talk with an author on a speaker phone then followed by lots more time "visiting."

I also watched as the dinner was put together. We've been meeting so long it's like a family: everyone assumes a role, chore and position. And you don't mess with the status too much. We've had new people come every month, so we have a "hostess" who makes them feel at home and puts a drink in their hand. Also gets them out of the temperamental chefs way. (I say this with GREAT affection, so if you're one of those temperamental chefs you will NOT kill me in the near or far future! okay?) I've learned my place is to sit at the breakfast table aka my office desk and observe. I no longer make any comments about the cooking, as I value my life and enjoy the food too much!

After the food is assembled we sit down. We have to be eating by 7:15 because the author will call at 7:30 and it's so impolite to talk with your mouth full or to try to converse over clicking flatware and plates. Those phones pick up everything! We have the author talk down to a science as well: introduction, summary of book, prepared questions, general conversation, and closing. Then we finish eating, have the dessert and coffee, a refill of the glasses and settle in to talk or what my mother and grandmother would call 'visiting."

We talk about the author and their books. What we liked, didn't like. What the author said that may change our perceptions and whether we agree or not. Did I mention some of us are contrarians. We always have copies of the author's books on the table, so they'll get passed around and more comments pursue. Then eventually we get to our lives! That's always interesting. Then a bit more coffee, talk about future and it's 10pm and time to go home...or in my case, to clean up.

Buy Your Copy today

All this became relevant because our author guest this week, Laura Griffin asked about our club. What we do at meetings, how we're organized, pick books and generally curious about our set-up. As I said, we're different than most in we never require the members to read the book. I know enough will to have a lively discussion, besides it's certain that the members who suggested this author and are required to prepare questions will have read the book. Plus we ask for author suggestions a couple of time a year so it's not as if we're coming into an author cold. And if the author is interesting (and who isn't talking about their "baby"), we'll go out of the dinner with converts who have been known to stop by a Barnes & Noble or Wal-Mart on the way home and buy her current book, they'll hunt down her last books and be sure to buy all her future ones. I've seen it happen over and over. And the author got to do her presentation in her jammies (possible) and with a glass of wine (we encourage it)! What a deal for both of us!

So, if you attend a book club, tell me what it's like, after all, we like to share stories, no? And as a special prize from our book club...I'll give away a brand-new copy of something in our treasure trove of new arrivals! Just enter here or better yet, leave a comment!

Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers Group
Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas in 2009!

Pre-Order WHISPER OF WARNING today, Laura's next book in the series and from what she told us about it, it's going to be a HIT!!!

Sara Reyes | Book Signings and Elvis

The new year is here and book signings are starting to happen...I spent a whole day entering the local signings at our Book Club's web site. We have a few (ha!) good ones coming up in 2009. Steve Berry was our first one for 2009. I managed to write down the right bookstore but insisted on driving to the wrong one. All was well since fortunately the bookstores are close together so we only missed the introduction. Whew. He was a great speaker and told the 50 or so of us there about the way he does research, how he picks the places and objects he weaves stories around and then what's coming down the pike. He also enthused about the ThrillerFest organization and the annual meeting they have in NYC. It was a fun way to start an evening, which we had to top off with a late dinner.

Buy today

Dinner, that was a real challenge. Since I was "confused" on the location my favorite spot, Cheesecake Factory wasn't close. So a new place had to be negotiated. Isn't that the way it happens with other families and friends, the restaurant negotiation. Who's on what diet, who's hungry for what, who will EAT what....I could go on. Fortunately being a "mom" holds some sway so being hungry and tired I threw out the ultimate tease...Chuy's. A new one opened in our town and what a better time to try it?

Hold on...obviously I'm not in the know. Thursday was also Elvis's birthday. Elvis is the pinup for Chuy's. Chuy's celebrates Elvis. Do you get the drift? First sign was the parking lot was crowded. Second sign was the Elvis fans on the windows and doors. Third sign was the huddle in the front area. Yes, they had the Elvis impressionist in the bar area, singing loudly (he wasn't that bad). But the place was also packed with a 20 minute wait. ON A THURSDAY NIGHT at 8:30pm? Seriously! But the wait was worth it. The food was HOT and great! And we had the entertainment of Elvis fans ... some dressed in costume, okay, T-shirts and Elvis pompadours, to admire.

All in all, it was a great way to start off 2009 signing trips. Next up is today's tea with 19 friends and Rachel Caine. First a signing with her at Legacy Books, then a high tea this afternoon. It will be fun!

Sara Reyes

DFW Tea Readers Group

Readers 'n 'ritas ...
celebrate literary obsessions

Sara Reyes | Search for the Best Books in 2008

Our book club assignment is to list the best book we've read in 2008 -- so far -- because one of our members is trying to put together a list to share at our annual Holiday tea next week. So everyone has put on their thinking caps. In some cases, those with tidy and ordered minds, they've pulled out reading journals to consult, who knew about such things? While others of us are just trying to remember what we read last week. It was almost amusing if not painful to watch reactions of members when assigned at the last book club. There was even a follow-up on-line note which is unfortunate because I missed the pained reactions of others. Ah well.

This week, I asked M how the list was going and she sighed...heavily...and told me she wasn't very successful, not too many books were being forwarded to her. She reminded me that I hadn't listed any either. So, I got to sigh in return. It got a little sad for a few moments. Then I confessed. I was one of those who "read so much I couldn't remember anything except what I read in the past few weeks." And I blamed my age as well. You know I was grasping there! It's embarrassing to be part of a book club and not be able to name books off the top of one's head.

Seriously, I've read some good books this year and some "other" books as in "not-so-good" but outstanding? Maybe my measurement is too high? A book to be outstanding has to be one I finish in one seating, no matter how long it takes, it has to be fast-paced, make me cry AND make me laugh. I have to be so enthused by it I annoy everyone for the next month about this "fabulous book I just read!" And yes, I have annoyed people in the past. I can tell from the glazed eyes. So, obviously, I know good books I just can't remember one that got me in 2008. Sigh. I'm a failure and it's sad to have to admit that to M. She has high expectations.

So, I thought I might cheat and ask readers to suggest books that were outstanding reads in 2008. Here are the rules (M did them so don't blame me):

1. has to have been bought and read in 2008, so the copyright can be anywhere after September 2007. An arbitrary number, but as I said, M has rules. Mentioning that I did re-read LORD OF SCOUNDRELS by Loretta Chase one of my all-time favorite historicals since it was re-issued did not fly. Just warning you. I still think that rule is arbitrary since I can't include my annual re-reads. Sigh. But I loved reading A SIMPLE GIFT by Karyn Witmer and MEMORY by Lois McMaster Bujold!

2. has to be available for sale by "ordinary" people. Another rule which limits me as I do get advanced copies of books and some of the ones in 2009 are going to be really terrific. And of course, when I have to make a list next December, I'll have slept and forgotten the great books I read in 2008 which were really 2009 and, well, you see where I'm going...(Note to self, THE RED-HEADED STEP-CHILD by Jaye Wells is a keeper.)

3. has to be fiction. Sigh. So I read outside the genre and our book club is limited to just fiction books.

So if you have any books that follow the rules mentioned and you'd like to help me out, I'd be EVER SO GRATEFUL! Honest!

Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers

Sandi Shilhanek | Trying a New Author

This last Wednesday our book dinner group got together. As always is there any better way to forget the horrors of the day job than by getting together with some of your closest friends to discuss not only the book or author of the night, but also what made the day so horrific.

This time our author of the hour was Linda Howard. Of course who can resist Linda Howard and the chance to visit with her even if it’s over the phone, so we had new members to join our group for dinner. Overall the group tried really hard to be on their best behavior so that the newbies wouldn’t be scared off. I would say that for the most part we were very well behaved, though I can only behave for so long before I just have to blurt something!

O.K. I digress Linda Howard was awesome. How could she not have been? I think it’s really hard to find an author who really appeals to a group as diverse as ours, and if I remember correctly everyone in the group had something they wanted to ask or just tell Linda.

Every time I leave the book dinner I go home inspired to dig through my TBR and see if there’s an unread book by the author who we chatted with. If there is nothing by the author then I have to hit the store and buy the book we discussed.

What inspires you to try a new author or a book by an author you might have read in the past and not been particularly impressed by?

--
Sandi

Sara Reyes | Do You GLOM?

The decorations at our back!
Originally uploaded by freshfiction

Yikes, it's Saturday and I'm supposed to blog if I can't find a fill-in. So, okay, an eventful week to recap!

First we had our annual Scary Spaghetti Book Club at the Shilhanek house in Garland. LET ME TELL YOU, you needed to be brave to sit and EAT in this decorated to the gills house! Mike S. took his passion for scary stuff and over the years has a collection that is UNBELIEVABLE. Plus it moves, moans, walks, talks and is generally extremely frightening. Even going to the bathroom takes courage! TMI I'm sure, you'll have to meet us in person to get all the "gory" bathroom details!

THE ACCIDENTAL DEMON SLAYER by Angie Fox
Originally uploaded by freshfiction

So, if you don't believe me, check out our photos on Flickr...even my son was impressed! And you know it takes allot to impress guys when talking spooky stuff! BTW, the food was as always amazing and very fattening! The wine helped too *grin*

Well, we had the scary atmosphere and our call-in guest was Angie Fox author of THE ACCIDENTAL DEMON SLAYER

But the best for the week is my glomming of Jodi Thomas. I've only recently discovered her books, say since 2006, so I've got a HUGE back list to pick up and read.

TALL, DARK AND TEXAN, not to be confused in any way with the Diana Palmer romances.

Pat Cat has been helping me find all the books and it's so much fun to sit down with a collection from an author and just dive into that particular author's world. Especially when you'll get glimpses of characters from one book in another and start to wonder "how are they doing?" Yes, I might be strange but I believe well drawn characters continue outside the confines of their pages. Really, they do!!

So I've glommed all the Whispering Mountain books including the final one in the series, TALL, DARK AND TEXAN coming out November 4th (thank YOU, Jodi) which you better not miss! Pre-order it now either online or call your store! I'm serious, this one is SO good!!! Yeah, and the cover doesn't hurt!

Next up was the "Lottery Brides." We found all but the third one and re-reading the excerpt in the back of number 2 was NOT helpful for my mental state. I hope Pat finds A TEXAN'S LUCK really really soon! Then I have the McLain series. I know I own some of those, just where in my collection, I'm not sure. So like I said, I've got some glomming to do!

So, if you've got a minute tell us, do you glom? Even familiar with the term?

See ya on line!

Sara Reyes
FreshFiction.com ... for today's reader
DFW Tea Readers Group...friends, books, chat & high tea
Readers 'n 'ritas ... celebrate passionate literary obsessions November 13-15, 2009

Sandi Shilhanek | Series

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been reading the Bakery Sisters Trilogy by Susan Mallery. People who know me best know that I love connected stories. I tend to horde the first and second book until the third becomes available, and then read them back to back to back.

While for a short series that will release quickly this is a great plan, but for a longer series such as the In Death books this does not work. When Naked In Death by J. D. Robb first came out I bought the book even though I didn’t think it was truly my thing. I saved it knowing there would be more to follow.

What happened? I’m sure you know. I kept collecting expecting an end to this series so I could finally begin to read, but that end is still nowhere in my line of vision. Finally I saw a website that was beginning a book of the month read, and offered people several choices to choose from, and amongst the choices Naked In Death.

A few friends and I decided to all vote for Naked In Death and get one book or perhaps more should our choice win out of our TBR mountains. Luckily for us it worked! Now three years later the three of us are current and awaiting the next release.

However, I truly digressed, I’m reading The Bakery Sister books, and saved them once again until I could attain all the books. Thank you to the publishing person who decided to release the books in quick succession. I’m learning a bit about the bakery business and a lot about family dynamics. Would I be getting these lessons if I had had to wait for the books and read them spaced apart? That’s a question that will never be answered.

What about you? Do you save a book until you have all the books in the series or do you read them as they release? If books are spaced apart like the In Death books or the Black Dagger Brotherhood books by J. R. Ward do you have to reread them before you read the new release?

Sara Reyes | Author Stalking

AJ Jacobs and Gwen Reyes
Originally uploaded by freshfiction

There are a few authors every reader follows as avidly as the film buff follows an actor or director, or the fan buys tickets for no matter the cost to see their band in concert. You know what I mean, it's the book that comes out on a certain Tuesday and you're there at the book store, money in hand as soon as possible to pick up it up. If you're lucky you've got the book set aside waiting impatiently for you, with your name on a yellow sticky. You'll even bribe someone to get there if possible in case the store runs out. I know I have a history of not even making it out of the parking lot before I've got most of it read much to my daughter's dismay and her constant source of tattle tailing over the years. But on Tuesday I had the opportunity to watch her meet one of her writing idols. So the cheek was turned!

A.J.Jacobs is a writer for Esquire and has written two books about his experiences trying out "new" things: the first was his year reading the Encyclopaedia Britannica from beginning to end, The Know-It-All; the second was last year's bestseller The Year Of Living Biblically. After getting a preview of YEAR at Book Expo, and reading the Advanced Copy, Gwen was hooked. Stalking A.J. she tracked the book release as well as the possible signings in the area. Little did I know the "area" included a trip to Austin for the Texas Book Festival. When Gwen couldn't go because of a commitment she dare not miss, she deputized her parents to go. We were even briefed on what to say, how to get the book signed and more importantly what NOT to say! Seriously, would I embarrass her with an author?

Fortunately, after a single mishap when I lost her father for over an hour as he was so taken with A.J.'s talk at the Dell Jewish Community Center he had to get his own set of books and forgot to tell me where he was going, we managed to get Gwen her own specially inscribed copy of Year. But on Tuesday night, the stars aligned and Gwen and A.J. met in person. It was a nice moon out as well. And we got pictures. And I did a little wave at A.J. who swore he remembered me (I doubt it, but what the hey!). And the audience loved his story of writing the Year and what he learned and where he's going in the next adventure, uh, book.

So now I can tell the tale of the fanatic reader and what she'll go through to see her "man." Although to be honest, I've seen it before. And I'm not ashamed to admit I'm proud of my kids who love reading so much they'll stand in line for an author and I don't mind being the one who rushes to the book store at opening to pick up their must-have book. It might begin to make up for the years I made them do it for me *grin*

And maybe it helps my book club forgive me when I get an author confused...as the signing on Monday night with the wrong author of the comics "Maxine." And that is another story to be told...

Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers Group

Sara Reyes | Waiting for Ike..

Saturday is my day to blog to tell you all about my week's adventures...well, unfortunately, living in North Texas for the past few days we've been consumed by the approach of Ike. So, my attention has been scattered to say the very least. At least we are now very well stocked with lots of gallons of water, ice in the freezer and sandwich meats. If the electricity and gas go out, we'll be using the grill for cooking. Fortunately, I guess, although I've always considered it not a blessing in the past, we don't live in a low-lying area. No creeks or gulches or ditches near by and our trees are stumpy little things, so the only bad thing is loss of electricity and the possibility of the roof flying off. And no Internet. But I digress...

Terry Brooks
Originally uploaded by freshfiction

This week in books...we went to see Terry Brooks at the Star-Telegram Evening with an Author event at Casa Manana in Fort Worth. Getting from Dallas to Fort Worth on a week day evening is always an adventure through at least three bad bad traffic areas...and fifty miles. But some authors are worth the trek and our companions have to drive another 30 miles to their home east of Dallas, so you know it had to be a really serious event. And it was! Terry Brooks was funny, irreverent and a great interviewee. Jeff Guinn, long time book reviewer for the Star-Telegram, knows how to make authors feel at ease and then grills them nicely so the audience feels like they really get to know the author and how they tick. And the audience came up with some great questions during the Q&A. I really like the one where you could feel the fan's fear of sleeping after reading one of Brooks' books! Mr. Brooks was so compelling and the signing line SO long (an additional 90 minutes) that I ended up buying the complete Genisis trilogy!

Sarah Bird and Meagan Kirk
Originally uploaded by freshfiction

The next author was Sarah Bird who drove from Fort Worth to Plano for her signing. Unfortunately for her, she also had torrential downpours! And had to deal with our infamous toll roads. Not a pleasant combination ever!

But Sarah was up for the challenge and entertained us in a very informal setting at the Creek Walk Barnes and Noble. We talked about her character, Blythe Young, in HOW PERFECT IS THAT. A truly poisonous and irredeemable heroine. Sarah Bird knows how to create a comedic truly Austenish piece-of-work! Seriously, after reading a Sarah Bird book I frequently say, "only in Austen." But perhaps that is my snobbish North Texas pretense? LOL. Seriously, HOW PERFECT IS THAT is a fast, funny, hysterical read! I highly recommend it for readers who want like to laugh out loud and don't mind an ending that doesn't "end well!" A perfect book club read because there will be TONS of discussion at this one!

So, I'm back to waiting on Ike...think it will be a bust but I'm prepared. I've got a flash light and a stack of books too! Just in case!

Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers Groups

Don't miss our Readers Gathering -- Readers 'n ritas. If you've always wanted to join the fun we have, this is the NOT-TO-MISS event of the year! I promise we'll shut down at least one establishment! LOL

Sandi Shilhanek | Friday Nights are For Book Friends!

Sara of Fresh Fiction fame thinks I can write a column while I on the other hand am not as certain, but decided that if she was going to be encouraging then I should give it my best shot by helping with the Fresh Fiction blog.

Christine Son
Originally uploaded by freshfiction

Friday, August 15, 2008 I met a couple of friends for a lovely and lively dinner, and then on to a book signing for a debut author [Christine Son] who also happens to be local to our area. Is there really anything better than meeting friends for a dinner and books without the husband, significant other, and or children?

I for one think not. Yes, the main purpose is to discuss books, but if the group of friends is close doesn’t the discussion naturally go from the romance found in books to the romance found in your real life?

Does that not then have you wondering are you married to a hero worthy of a romance novel? I know that physically I may not be married to a typical hero, but he’s there for me emotionally and financially. He’s a great dad, but more importantly he doesn’t mind my obsession with novels of any sort, but romance books in particular.

So I’ve shared a bit about my hero and now I want to know what makes the hero in your life worthy of the title of hero. Did you know the moment you met that he was a hero worthy of your love, or did he have to prove himself worthy?

If you have trouble sharing just pretend that we are sitting around the table enjoying a nice meal, and sharing thoughts.

Sandi Shilhanek
DFW Tea Readers Group and FreshFiction.com Reviewer

Janet Evanovich ... the FEARLESS FOURTEEN Signing

Janet Evanovich and Sandi
Originally uploaded by freshfiction

DFW Tea does group activities ... such as dinner together and a signing excursion. Last night we did dinner at Macaroni Grill followed by the Fearless Fourteen signing in Plano at the Barnes and Noble.

Early Friday I commissioned my husband to pick up enough tickets for eight books during his morning run as the Janet Evanovich signing was a ticketed event and gas is expensive -- don't you love the comment (NOT!!!). He wasn't sure what to expect when he told me the bookstore people informed him to be there by 8pm to get in line! Standing in line for a book is not something he's fond of doing and will only perform under duress. I'd say stress as well, but that is what I'll suffer if I make him "do his part." I reassured him it was for the book club and he was welcome to come along, it would be fun. He declined politely.

Having a timed ticket meant we could enjoy a leisurely dinner at the Mac Grill next to the B&N as long as we started at 6pm. Which worked out perfectly. Enjoying dinner with dessert then off to find the correct line at the B&N. And we could park in the middle and get in a little exercise as well!

Greeted by two of our favorite CRMs, Ellen and Cody, we found the right line for our salmon colored tickets and waited...and moved up fairly quickly. Janet was doing a quick chat with each group but no personalizations meant the line moved along. Alex wielded her way up and down the line handing out balloons and stickers. No car fresheners, those go on sale July 1st from the web site and apparently she'll be glad to be rid of them as they are smelling up the neighborhood.

We managed to get our books signed, pictures taken and out the door by 9pm. Pretty good! So it was farewell until next week's signings, including MaryJanice Davidson and our next book club meeting.

FYI, we put up the pictures of our adventures on the Flickr site. Feel free to check them out and comment!

The Reader and the Book Club...

Book clubs are HOT HOT HOT now and I know why! If you find a good one, it's more than just a time to discuss books and find reading "soul mates." It can be a time just for "me" when I can rattle on about a loved book, rant about the waste of paper for another, or marvel over the world created by a talented author's imagination and skill. Being part of a "club" gives me companions to go to a book signing or just the reassurance a series will continue. The power of group thought outweighs all those other publishing business strategies.

My favorite part about being a member of a book club is when we can all get together--over a great cocktail--and talk about what our favorite books of the past month have been. We do our book club a little bit differently than your usual Oprah book club. Instead of everyone being assigned a mandatory book, we each read what we like and "swap" books over tea or dinner. Doing it this way allows everyone to learn about a hot new author, or even rediscover an old friend. Either way, everyone always leaves our meetings with arms over flowing with new adventures. A few of us have even been known to sit in a cushy chair outside of the restaurant and read a recently traded book after a particularly serendipitous meeting! Everyone reads something different, and everyone always leaves satisfied!

I always invite anyone I meet at a signing, PTA meeting, or at doggie daycare to join us for a book club meeting. Of course, many of them respond with a polite "I don't read very often." And my response is always the same: "you don't have to read now, but after a few meeting with us, you will start!" Being a part of a book club makes even the most apprehensive reader embrace something new, or find out that she had never been reading what she liked to begin with! It's so amazing when someone sees reading for pleasure as pleasurable!

As the summer sun pushes us into the shade, remember that good friends and good books make a fantastic couple!

My Book Club.

Book Club Rewind - Susan Wiggs

Susan Wiggs was the Plano (Texas) book club's author for our April get together. I was really looking forward to this month's call because I had just read and enjoyed Susan's latest book, Snowfall at Willow Lake. This is the fourth book in The Lakeshore Chronicles series, but don't fear. Those of us who had read Snowfall at Willow Lake and not the other Lakeshore Chronicles did NOT feel like we had just landed in the middle of the series. We didn't feel like we were missing any information nor were we trapped in a series summary for the first few chapters. The book truly stands alone...That's not to say I don't want more!

But back to book club.

Susan was super excited to be part of our book club. She had recently been to visit her publisher and been treated to the full Queen for day routine in Toronto and had not had a chance to rave about it to anyone. By Queen for a day routine, we're talking about large flower bouquets, limo ride, 1st class seat during flight, 5 star meal out with publisher, etc. Of interest to Susan's fans, the publisher expressed interest in a Lakeshore Chronicles Christmas story as well as a cookbook. They also talked about wanting hardcovers, but worry not readers, Susan said there were no plans at this time to have future Lakeshore Chronicles' books come out as hardcover. Her next book, however, called Just Breathe is planned to be released this September as a hardcover. While not part of the Lakeshore Chronicles, the main characters apparently did come and stay at the inn in Dockside (which she also mentioned was the book that she got the least amount of reader feedback on).

Regarding Just Breathe, Susan is asking that when the reprint of her historical The Charm School (complete with new cover art) is released, that you send Susan an email telling her what you think about the excerpt for Just Breathe included at the end of The Charm School.

Speaking of historicals, Susan is planning to do another historical, but it likely will not be one of the hardcovers that I mentioned earlier.

Susan is currently writing Fireside, the next in The Lakeshore Chronicles and featuring Noah's friend Bo from Snowfall at Willow Lake. We also heard that there will be at least another story after Fireside BEFORE Susan writes Daisy's story. She gets a lot of reader comments about Daisy what with her being an unwed teenage mother, but what can I say she was one of my favorite characters in the book!

Odd trivia:
The names of Sophie & Noah's adopted children came from names in SPAM emails. You know those banking or money transfer scams I'm talking about. She just "...can't let those go to waste."

A new year in books...What's your reading resolve?

New Year's is a day of reflection and recovery in some cases and most certainly resolutions. Here are a few I've heard from family, friends, book club members and other readers for 2008.

Read more...
As a book club member I vow to read at least ONE book of each author chosen within the month of their appearance.

I'm planning on reading more books outside my comfort reads, maybe I'll even try a vampire book

To read other books in 2008 including mysteries, maybe even a cozy

To make more time for reading by not forcing myself to finish a book that isn't working

Go to book signings and not feel too shy

finish the Jane Austen books before watching the miniseries on PBS Masterpiece Theatre

and so on...

As for me, I plan to keep on reading and not ever feel guilty for "skipping the filler" when it bogs down. I am also, gulp, get rid of a few books. Yeah, right!

What's your resolution for 2008? Is there a genre or author you've avoided? Do you plan on pruning your library? Tell us!

Book Club Rewind - Jerrilyn Farmer

Our book club author for September was Jerrilyn Farmer and with a book entitled The Flaming Luau of Death how could tropical not be the them for dinner?! Jerrilyn writes the Madeline Bean culinary mysteries, but her talents do not stop at writing. She actually started out, and continues to be, an accomplished comedy (some of Dana Carvey's "Church Lady" sketches) and game show (Jeopardy! and Supermarket Sweep) writer.

After college, Jerrilyn moved from Chicago to LA and got involved in comedy writing and game show writing. She wrote for several Saturday Night Live comedians and took writing courses through UCLA and was inspired to write a book. Problem? Living in the LA area and working in the television industry, naturally her first impulse was to show her book to some of the people she knew from the TV industry. Unfortunately, they kept looking at the book from the perspective of turning it into a movie. Jerrilyn then sent out copies of her book to several agents, as most aspiring authors do, and was successful in finding an agent.

When it comes to promotion for her Madeline Bean books, Jerrilyn does not go the same route as other authors of culinary mysteries and provide multiple recipes from, or inspired by, the latest book to readers. Her Editor has never even suggested writing recipes. That is not say that recipes are never given. Jerrilyn generally posts one recipe on her website per book release. It is also worth mentioning that in each book she generally lists the ingredients and preparation for at least one dish but does not provide the exact measurements. Anyone who read The Flaming Luau of Death can appreciate how good those chicken lollipops at the luau must have tasted!

During her book tour for The Flaming Luau of Death, Jerrilyn's publicist was able to line up several TV interviews with local morning shows by pitching the fact that she cooks and writes culinary mysteries. When Dim Sum Dead was released, she held several dim sum parties.

Back to The Flaming Luau of Death. Her publisher thought the title was too long but our book club totally loved it. When asked how much say her Editor has with her plot, Jerrilyn said her Editor is very hands off. Jerrilyn usually just gives her a one paragraph synopsis initially for her OK.

The Madeline Bean mysteries usually have one big event, but this one was a whole weekend. Given the title, it definitely takes place in Hawaii. Can we say research trip for the author? Oh yes. Jerrilyn knew she wanted to partly set a book in Hawaii, but her Editor said they would not mind having the whole book set there. She got to experience some of what is discussed in the book including the spa treatments and swimming with the dolphins.

The Flaming Luau of Death was released in 2005, but talks about the idea of bamboo becoming a mainstream building and flooring product. It is definitely becoming that way today but it certainly was not the case when Jerrilyn was writing this book so I have to give a lot of credit to her for even fathoming such an idea at that time. Jerrilyn says she actually did find a bamboo society that put their minutes online at the time she was researching for this book.


The next Madeline Bean mystery, Desperately Seeking Sushi, is currently scheduled to be released March 2008. Jerrilyn is also planning a new series that should be very funny & over the top.

Book Club Rewind - Robyn Carr

Well once again, I forgot to bring my notepad and pen with me to the book club dinner table. I did have it with me....just not at the table when we first started chatting with Robyn Carr (this month's Plano book club author). Luckily one of the other ladies was able to run to the other room to get it for me. Thank goodness especially since I am getting to this so late. My evil day job is keeping me from everything lately. My apologies.

As I said, Robyn Carr was the Plano book club's author for our August get together. Anyone who has read her Virgin River series will be pleased to know she did spill the beans about characters in upcoming Virgin River books. The series could go on and on with the current area residents and Jack's five unmarried marine buddies.

Book 4, likely to be released in late 2008/early 2009, will center around Paul & Vanessa. Book 5 will center around a retired Army blackhawk helicopter pilot who owns several cabins in the area and a young caregiver named Shelby who was briefly mentioned one of the existing Virgin River books. Book 6 is Ricky's book and the mysterious pot grower will also have a storyline in this book. Books 4, 5 and 6 are already written and will likely be released close together similar to how books 1 - 3 were released. She also has a 7th Virgin River book in outline, but no word on if the publisher has bought a 7th book.


Robyn says she tries to balance both the romance and women's issues instead of having an either or situation. She likes watching women get through their daily lives with the natural drama and humor that occurs. When she was writing Virgin River, she to demonstrate that Mel would not recognize herself at the end of the book because of Mel's experiences in the book from start to finish.

Robyn thinks adjustment subjects are not covered as much because there is no big drama like that associated with say a character having an affair. In Robyn's Grace Valley series, the series was complete and she did not want to just create a melodrama in it for it to continue.

Who does Robyn Carr like to read when she is not writing:
- JR Ward. She read the whole series twice.
- Susan Elizabeth Phillips
- Jennifer Crusie

Some of Robyn's notable quotes from the evening with our book club:
- "...somebody got me hooked on these damn vampires."
- "They have their spouses to dump their own emotional crisises on."

Robyn Carr | Plano Book Club August 2007 Guest

Meeting with reader groups and bookclubs has been my favorite thing for a long time, and when I had more time I belonged to two bookclubs of my own. From the author's perspective, at least this author's perspective, these are readers who are so focused on the story and characters, I learn more from them than they learn from me.

It's always great fun to hear what readers like about your work, that goes without saying, but the value to me as I continue to write is learning from them where the story didn't jive for them, where they wanted more and they are never shy about telling you what they want to see next. A favorite bookclub selection of mine has been The House On Olive Street – and one reader group took issue with the beginning, which several agreed was hard to get into. My immediate response was, "Oh yeah? Well you should've tried writing it!"

There have been some fun surprises. I was asked to join a church bookclub as they discussed my book, Runaway Mistress. Runaway Mistress for the church ladies? Oh man, I thought, they’re going to chew me up and spit me out. While certainly a far cry from an erotic novel, that particular book wasn’t exactly chaste. And then I faced twenty five women, the youngest of whom was perhaps forty, and thought, I'm toast. But they were all about plot and characterization, focusing on those scenes that added emotion and drama, what made them laugh, where they cried. There was a pet's death in that story and one woman who’d lost her beloved pet rather recently wept as she talked about how that made her feel. The love scenes never even came up. Unable to let sleeping dogs lie, I had to ask how they felt about those scenes. Was it too much? Where there too many? Too graphic? Did it ever seem gratuitous? They looked amongst themselves, shrugging, head shaking, like they hadn't thought about it much. Then one woman in her late sixties or early seventies said, "My dear, where do you think we get little Christians."

Since the release of the first Virgin River novel to the present, after all three have been available, I've had hundreds of letters. These readers don't hesitate to tell me exactly what they want. They're very clear about who their favorite characters are and who they’d like to see have a Virgin River novel focused on. I'm not just another pretty face, man – I listened. I have changed direction a couple of times to give my readers exactly what they want.

It's my pleasure to announce that the publisher wants at least three more Virgin River novels, a task I'm more than up to. I got a piece of news just a couple of days ago that has me walking on air – Virgin River will be listed as one of the ten best romances of the year by the American Library Association's Booklist Magazine. It doesn't get any better than that.

Robyn Carr
Whispering Rock, June 2007
Shelter Mountain, May 2007
Virgin River, April 2007
http://www.robyncarr.com/

Book Club Rewind - Linda Conrad

Linda Conrad, proud mama of a new Bichon Frise puppy, joined us over the phone last night for our book club chat. She is currently living in the Florida Keys, but spent most of her adult life in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and was first published in 2002.

The inspiration for creating the Night Guardians series (readers often call it the Shadow series because of the titles) was from research Linda did for Between Strangers (Silhouette Desire). She does not have any Navajo ancestry. The hero in Between Strangers, Lance White Eagle Steele, is half Navajo. During her research, she visited the four corners Navajo reservation and learned about the Skinwalker legend. The four corners area is very rural, but she said it has some of the most fabulous natural wonders.

The Night Guardians books can each standalone, but there is a thread running through all of them. Her heroes, the Brotherhood, learn a little bit more about the Skinwalkers in each book. The upcoming sixth book, Shadow Whispers, will end the series. We also asked about the possibility of a future standalone title for this series, but she says there are no real plans for one.

On to cover art...because, well, Shadow Warrior has a memorable cover! Last night's dinner theme was New York deli and we had Cosmo-tinis to go with it. Let's just say that after Cosmo-tinis everyone around the table was trying to strike the cover pose. Linda is allowed minor input on the cover art. She is sent a survey asking various questions about the book and asked to provide three scenes she would like to see depicted on the cover. That said, none of her scene selections have made the covers.

Beyond the Night Guardians, Linda just sold a three book set to Silhouette Romantic Suspense that she is calling the Safe Keepers series and should be out some time in 2008. Safe Keepers will tell the stories of two brothers and their sister who are all magical. The siblings go into business together opening a bodyguard agency focusing on children.

Some of Linda's notable quotes from the evening with our book club:
- "I've got a twisted brain."
- "No ladies. I make this stuff up."

Plano Book Club - Note from this month's author, Linda Conrad

Man, how I love reading good books! And geez, how I hate finishing one! If it’s a really good book that hooks me into the characters’ lives, then I want to know more! What happens next? I want to know whether the best friend finds her own true love. I want to know if the brother will ever change his ways and find a woman who can tame him. I just want to know more!

I guess that’s why I almost always write linked books and make up my own mini-series. Some readers tell me they feel the same way I do, that they love books in series. Others seem to feel somehow cheated that they must find and buy more books to satisfy their curiosity. I make sure each book tells its own story, but I guess I can’t help hinting that there might be more to it. And I suppose therein lies the problem. Sigh.

Which brings me around to my newest series of books, the Night Guardians, and the reason I'm so looking forward to talking with the bookclub!

The Night Guardians is a series of six books I've written for Silhouette Intimate Moments (now called Silhouette Romantic Suspense) The series tells the story of a new cult of shapeshifters spreading evil and terror on the big Navajo reservation in New Mexico and Arizona . These shapeshifters, known as ‘Skinwalkers,’ are familiar to the Navajo from their ancient stories and legends. The heroes of the Night Guardians are Navajo medicine men, calling themselves the Brotherhood, who have banded together to fight the evil.

My latest book is book number five in the series. Called SHADOW WARRIOR, it’s the story of Michael Ayze, a professor of Anthropology at Dine College . He knows the most about the ancient legends and feels the answer to conquering the Skinwalkers lies there instead of fighting them openly. As if he doesn't have enough troubles, his younger brother’s widow and son have now appeared in the midst of the danger. One look at her reignites deep emotions in Michael that he’s denied for years.

It seems unseen universal forces are trying to bring Michael to his knees. Respect for tradition, natural disasters, even his own mother are pushing him closer to the woman he only wants to protect from the deadly dangers waiting in the night.

I had such fun researching and writing this series. I'd love to talk to the bookclub about it! Depending on the quantity of food and drink consumed, we can chat about just nearly anything! Any of the Silhouette Desires I have written in the past or any of my plans for the future. Everything is fair game except the surprise ending to the Night Guardian series! I can’t wait!

Thanks for you help!

Linda Conrad
http://www.lindaconrad.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/lindaconrad
2007 RT Reviewers Choice Award winner for SHADOW FORCE!
WisRWA '07 Write Touch Readers Award second place for SHADOW WATCH!
2007 Desert Rose - Golden Quill Award nominee for SHADOW WATCH!
Don't miss the final book in the Night Guardian series:
SHADOW WHISPERS - Silhouette Romantic Suspense - coming September 07