What a wonderful giveaway--Happy Holidays to everyone!!! My cats and I have been extra-good this year--really--and we would like a basket of foodie goodies. My four food groups are Coffee, Chocolate, Cheese, and Cookies. The cats would like Tuna and Temptations cat treats. Thank you! >>^,,^
Great post--enlightenment for both writers and readers. The upside about the delay in publishing is that you got feedback from readers letting you know that your work is read and appreciated. I enjoy series books as long as each entry is worthy of its own space and not just a weak extension of the original story concept. Trilogies are the perfect size for series, and four well-written books can also make a great series. Beyond that number and the creative process and quality control has to really be sharp. Trilogies can allow certain characters to develop through the first two books before they become fully-fleshed in the final book, and that can be very rewarding for the reader. I read more stand-alones than series. However, when I am hooked on a series, I will collect the entire set. Whether it’s great characters or an intriguing story line, or both, I’ll stay with it until the end. I do believe that some characters and scenarios are better suited to one intense edition that’s perfect just as it is–don’t mess with it! Some story lines work better on a larger scale, and they might just be too much for one book. They develop more slowly, with characters coming and going along the way. In the final analysis, it’s always the ability of the storyteller to spin a great tale that makes the difference.
In a very well-done historical western romance that I read years ago, the hero was definitely the strong, silent type. He showed his feeling through actions rather than words. He had suffered a horrible childhood with an abusive father. His mother had died during childbirth. He was not used to the warm, gentle and caring manner of the heroine, and he often rebuffed her compassion. However, after a particularly long day on the trail, he actually bathed her face and neck with cool water and brushed out her hair. He did this in complete silence. Only the sound of the crackling campfire, the pull of the brush through her hair, and her soft gasps of pleasure were to be heard. Wow--I so wished to be that woman!
The very success of the simplicity of Amish life gives much food for thought. They are an insular, self-sustaining society. However, without "The English" to protect that way of life and guard the American homeland, the Amish would surely fall prey to America's enemies. We need them to remind us of vanishing values, and they need us to ensure that their way of life can continue. An endlessly fascinating codependency!
"Happily Ever After" really means having a loving partnership with someone who shares your ups and downs, your tragedies and triumphs, and your laughter and your tears. It also means that 50-50 is sometimes 70-30, or even 90-10, but that's OK. What goes around comes around, and when you care more about each other than you do yourselves, all will right itself once again. It's packing a lifetime of shared memories into whatever time you have together, and then finding strength in those memories when the day comes that you are on your own. It's not the years in your life that really matter. It's the life and love in your years!
I don't know if wolves would benefit from having some human qualities. I definitely think that men could learn from wolves! Lupine, canine, devine : ) Happy Valentine's Day!
Hi, Jessica! Thanks for all the great reads! I love your casting choices. So many character actors can step up into a leading role and knock your socks off!
Wow! I always say: "A woman has to do what a woman has to do". Could I be an executioner? A very interesting question, and a most unusal quandry for a romantic heroine. Thanks for providing a unique take on a historical romance tale!
Hi,Joey! I started out with "Angel" this morning. Now, I'm watching "Bones". David B. is still quite fine! Something about those tall, dark, brooding Vampires that makes a woman have wicked thoughts...
Hi, Joey! I would love to win a copy of BELOVED VAMPIRE. I read an excerpt, and I am quite intrigued! I watch "Angel" every morning before I go to work. David Boreanaz sure is fine! Thanks for the great reads.
I just read Tempted By His Kiss by Tracy Anne Warren. I loved the hero, Cade, who wore reading glasses and admired his lady who could beat him at chess!