It’s almost that time of year! I have participated in National November Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) several times. And I have never been…successful. Last year was my best year yet as I finished at 40,000 words (you’re supposed to finish at 50,000 words). Nevertheless, I keep trying every year. I have my new project ready: Through the Fire (book three in the Tate Family series).

There are a boatload of tips out there for being successful with NaNoWriMo. I think one of the best ones is having an outline. The only problem with that is that I never write with an outline. I always know the beginning and the end and maybe the middle. That’s it. So, no outline for me. That said, if my book is in a certain time period dealing with certain historical factors, I do try to do a ton of research beforehand (except I haven’t really started yet this year. Talk about winging it.)

But. My tip for you, the one that made me more successful last year, is keep writing. I guarantee you that you will face writer’s block at some point or reread what you’ve written and feel like an idiot. Keep writing. Maybe instead of writing in Abcdefg order you write in abdefh order. Remember that your first audience is you. It doesn’t matter what other readers think. Right now, at this moment, it only matters what you think. So…write for yourself, forget your audience, don’t think about critics and know that you can only edit what’s on the written page. Writing is fun. It’s like playing with play-dough and creating something out of a mess.

P.S. I have been writing historical romance for eleven years. This year I took a break and started something totally different: fantasy. Is it good? Meh

But you know what? I found myself excited about writing in a way I hadn’t been in years. Sometimes you just need a break from the usual. Maybe use this month to do something different!

What are some tips that have helped you with NaNoWriMo or with writing in general?

 

In the midst of training for the outdoor survival trip to Alaska, Spencer is distracted by a mysterious young woman—Nick’s new girlfriend. He’s not just wondering how someone that gorgeous would waste her time on a jerk like Nick, he recognizes this girl from her bit part in one of the cultish Jolt movies he’s been investigating. She’s up to something, and Spencer is determined to find out what. As he gets closer to the truth, it becomes harder to know who to trust. Things are getting dangerous. Can Spencer figure out what’s going on, or will this mystery leave him M.I.A?

Review

Oh how I have missed Spencer Garmond! Williamson writes the absolute best teenage male povs. My thoughts:

What I liked:

Spencer. I love reading from his point of view. In this volume of Spencer’s life, he’s dealing with his torn ACL, he’s just got saved, and Grace is back. While I will readily admit that Grace is not my favorite person, the way Spencer is when he’s with Grace is so typical teen male that all of his reactions to her fit.

The friends. Spencer’s friends are such a dynamic group of people. Spencer has a strong personality and engages with a lot of people. However, none of these secondary characters come across as cookie-cutter. I felt like I knew each person and how they would react to different situations.

The humor. The book manages to deal with serious topics and still have loads of humor.

The mission. One of Spencer’s missions is to survive in the Alaskan woods. The classes he takes and his preparation is so realistic, I felt like I learned a thing or two about surviving.

What I didn’t like:

I wanted more! I have so many questions and most of them were not answered in this book.

Romantic scale: 5 (this is not really a romance)

Overall, so enjoyed this book! I wasn’t ready for it to be over and I kind of want a grown-up Spencer Garmond book one day!

*I received a copy from the author. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

I just recently posted a….negative review of a book on amazon. I titled it “Not For Me.” And that got me thinking, what exactly, is a book supposed to do?

Obviously, this is a subjective question. I’m sure I read books for reasons that might be different from yours.  That said, I do think authors should shoot for a couple of things like:

 

Escapism

A five star book for me, is one that makes me forget where I am and what I’m supposed to be doing. I should be so involved in the story, the characters are so real I want to pray for them.

Plausibility

Readers read because they like escapism…but we’re not…stupid. The plot should make some sense-even if it’s a fantasy novel.

And of course,

Entertainment

Reading should be an enjoyable process. I’ll never forget reading a secular mystery series and I was so hesitant to read the next book because I was tired of people dying. It took a minute for me to realize that I was no longer being entertained. I was being punished. I had to take a break from that series. Reading should be fun! Not depressing. Not punishing. Not boring.

For me personally, that means there should always be some romance:

and bonus points if there’s humor:

What are some things you think a book is supposed to do?

Blacklisted in the photography business over a controversial shot, Avery Tate answered an ad for a crime scene photographer. She expected to be laughed at, but crime scene analyst Parker Mitchell hired her outright–and changed her life. But six months ago, when her feelings for Parker became too strong, she left his employ to sort out her heart.

Now, for the first time, Avery is facing the world that rejected her to attend the gallery opening of a photography exhibit and support her best friend, who modeled for the show. But the only image of her friend is a chilling photo of her posing as if dead–and the photographer insists he didn’t take the shot. Worse, her friend can’t be found. She immediately calls Parker for help. As Avery, Parker, and his friends in law enforcement dig into the mystery, they find themselves face-to-face with a relentless and deadly threat.

Alanna has been plagued by tragedy. So it should come as no surprise that in the beauty that surrounds Charleston, all is not as it seems.

When her husband is killed by a car bomb while their band is on tour in Charleston, Alanna doesn’t know where to turn. Her father-in-law is threatening to take custody of the baby she carries, but the one thing she knows for sure is that she can’t lose the last piece of Liam she has left.

Their manager offers her a marriage of convenience to gain her U.S. citizenship and allow her to escape her father-in-law’s control. It seems like the perfect solution . . . but her doubts begin almost as soon as she arrives at Barry’s family home, a decaying mansion surrounded by swamp.

To make matters worse, Liam’s best friend survived the car bomb. She’s never really liked Jesse and now she can’t seem to get away from him. When he takes Liam’s place in their band, it’s almost more than she can bear.

But then things start happening. Things that could easily cost Alanna her life—or the life of her unborn child. Are they merely coincidences? Or is there something much more sinister at work?

The Boden clan thought their problems had ended with the death of a dangerous enemy, but have they truly uncovered the real plot to take their New Mexico ranch? Rancher Justin Boden is now in charge. He is normally an unshakable and rugged man, but with his brother, Cole, shot and in mortal danger, even a tough man faces doubts. And it doesn’t help that Angie DuPree, the assistant to the doctor trying to save Cole, is as distracting a woman as Justin ever laid eyes on.

With her and the doc’s timely skills, Cole looks to be on the mend, and Justin and the rest of the Bodens can turn their attention back to the dangers facing them. It’s clear now that everything that’s occurred is part of a much bigger plot that could date back to a decades-old secret. Can they uncover all the pieces before danger closes in on them, or is the threat to the ranch even bigger than any of the Bodens could imagine?

As elegant as the Sacramento residence she operates, Isabelle Labrie keeps her past concealed, like the treasure she hides under the Golden Hotel. It’s 1853, the heyday of the California Gold Rush. Isabelle is full of hope, staking her claim on the city’s refined clientele and her future on a sweetheart’s promise to marry her when he returns from the gold fields. Then, unexpected guests—fugitive slaves seeking safe passage to the North—force her to confront her past and reconsider her path.

While Isabelle learns to trust God’s provisions, a law student in Virginia must confront his father’s cruelty and rescue a young slave from his family’s tobacco plantation. As the two escape to freedom, and Isabelle risks everything to harbor runaway slaves, the past and present are set on an inevitable collision course—one that reveals hidden treasures of the heart.

So much to look forward to! Aren’t you glad? I mean what with the state of our country and politics it seems like I’m dreading time moving on…Lord, please send someone else! (laughing, but serious).

Lady Ella Myerston can always find a reason to smile–even if it’s just in hope that tomorrow will be better than today. All her life everyone has tried to protect her from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well the danger that has haunted her brother and their friend, and she won’t wait for it to strike again. She intends to take action . . . and if that happens to involve an adventurous trip to the Cotswolds, then so much the better.

Lord Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could convince himself to love her. Now he’s determined to live a better life. But that proves complicated when old friends arrive on the scene and try to threaten him into a life of crime. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won’t budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her–and his daughter–from those dangerous people who seem ready to destroy them all?

Review

Roseanna M. White always writes books that are absolute treats to read. My thoughts:

What I liked:

Lady Ella Myerston and Lord Cayton. Ella was a joy to read about. She is effervescent and almost always happy and fun to be around. She knows her mind, and isn’t afraid to share it. Yet, she manages to not come across as annoying. Lord Cayton is moody and broody and really has every right to be, however, whenever they were together, all the pieces of their personalities fit together perfectly. They balanced each other out.

Secondary characters. Just about everyone from book one and two are here. It’s like seeing family again.

Secrets and miscommunication. Two things that are not what drives this book! I’m so glad that Ms. White doesn’t rest the plot of her books on secrets and miscommunication. Whenever there was a secret or a chance for miscommunication, the characters would eventually share their information and work together when needed.

Spiritually, I love the way the characters just walk out their faith. They come across a variety of problems, but approach them with prayer, faith , and friendship.

What I didn’t like:

I actually thought the suspense/mystery was a bit drawn out. I felt like everything could have been resolved a bit sooner. To clarify, I didn’t want the book to end sooner, but I felt like the mystery could have been cleared up.

Romantic scale: 8

Overall, a lovely conclusion to a series I wish wasn’t over.

** I received a copy from BethanyHouse. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

 

I’m reading:

and 

and 

How about you?

Proper English governess Eleanor Morgan flees to the colonies to escape the wrath of a brute of an employer. When the Charles Town family she’s to work for never arrives to collect her from the dock, she is forced to settle for the only reputable choice remaining to her—marriage to a man she’s never met. Trapper and tracker Samuel Heath is a hardened survivor used to getting his own way by brain or by brawn, and he’s determined to find a mother for his young daughter. But finding a wife proves to be impossible. No upstanding woman wants to marry a murderer.

Review

Ms. Griep is a bit of a hit or miss author for me. This was a hit.

What I liked:

The time period. There’s a lot of historical fiction out there, but not a whole lot that takes place prior to the American Revolution. I enjoyed the set up of Native Americans, endentured servants, and that push and pull between being British and being American.

The premise. It was the marriage of convenience storyline that made me want this book. They can be done really poorly, but I was a fan of the way this one was done. Mostly.

Culturally diversity. I am always a fan of cultural diversity and there is plenty of that here.

Eleanor and Samuel. I liked both of them. I will admit that I could see why Eleanor fell for Samuel, but not so much why Samuel fell for Eleanor. That said, I did enjoy the fact that when certain secrets were revealed, they chose to work together as a team as opposed to accusing each other. I liked experiencing this world through the eyes of proper Eleanor and experiencing the world through the eyes of a man of that world.

Spiritually, both characters have a relationship with Christ and learn to walk out their faith in difficult circumstances.

What I didn’t like:

99% of the ‘problems’ that the main characters faced was due to lack of communication. I realize it wouldn’t be common in those days for husbands to share everything with their wives, but still, so many things could have been avoided.

Romantic scale: 8

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t perfect, but it was still really good.

**I received a copy of this novel from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

 

It’s that time of year where old and new shows alike return to TV. I realize that there are TV programs on in the summer, but the only thing I watch in the summer is food shows…so….yeah. Here’s a quick rundown of what I’m watching this season:

I randomly stumbled across this series on Amazon because I was having Downton Abbey withdrawals. So.Good. And also: Aiden Turner.

My ‘guilty’ pleasure would be DWTS:

Go ahead. Judge me. I never miss an episode.

Next up:

I started it because I was hearing good things and…superhero. I stayed because of the romance. Watch it! I’m not going to say anything else.

What’s new?

Maybe. I liked the pilot and Kiefer Sutherland. The jury is still out….

What show have I been watching faithfully, but might give up?

The ending of last season? Just annoying.

So, what are you watching?

Former bad girl Katie Stone can feel the weight of her reputation settle over her as she drives home for the first time in years. Feeling deeply guilty about her past mistakes, Katie wants to do the right thing for once. But the small town where she grew up is not nearly as forgiving as she’d hoped. Despite it all, she’s determined to help her parents cope with her mother’s recent illness, and Katie finds a surprise ally in the man next door.

Asher Powell never minded being the son of a small-town pastor until a recent breakup leaves him wounded by lifelong members of his church. He remembers his new neighbor as a mean-spirited high school troublemaker, but he senses that her newfound faith and desire for forgiveness are sincere.

Through an unexpected friendship, two people from different worlds find peace, hope, and a second chance they never dreamed was possible.

Review

Tammy L. Gray is hands down one of my absolute favorite contemporary romance novelists because she manages to deal with the times and write solid storylines.

What I liked about this book:

Um….Everything.

I loved the premise of Katie coming back home, learning how to walk out her faith, and still being forced to confront the past. She is placed in some tight positions, but she managed to make me like her more each time.There were secrets in this book (which I usually really can’t stand), except they were handled so well.

I also loved that Asher Powell, who is essentially the guy who has been saved since he was little, was going through a crisis of his own. It worked in the sense that he wasn’t too perfect for Katie. He was flawed, but those flaws only served to make him a stronger hero. I liked that he’s a nerdy, has a great relationship with his parents…and kind. Kate and Asher still have their problems, but they work through them. Together.

Spiritually, the book deals with several topics, but forgiveness is the main issue. It’s interwoven so nicely, it doesn’t feel like it’s done with a heavy-hand. There was also this sub-theme of no one can fix you but Jesus. So often secular romance novels act like one person can make another person whole and “fix’ them. Two broken people do not make a whole person.

Romantic scale: 9

Overall, I loved this book. The main characters faced problems, but nothing was drawn out. At no times did I feel like the author was creating drama for the sake of drama.

So

Lady Sabine is harboring a skin blemish, one, that if revealed, could cause her to be branded as a witch, put her life in danger, and damage her chances of making a good marriage. After all, what nobleman would want to marry a woman so flawed?

 

Sir Bennet is returning home to protect his family from an imminent attack by neighboring lords who seek repayment of debts. Without fortune or means to pay those debts, Sir Bennet realizes his only option is to make a marriage match with a wealthy noblewoman. As a man of honor, he loathes the idea of courting a woman for her money, but with time running out for his family’s safety, what other choice does he have?

 

As Lady Sabine and Sir Bennet are thrust together under dangerous circumstances, will they both be able to learn to trust each other enough to share their deepest secrets? Or will those secrets ultimately lead to their demise?

As elegant as the Sacramento residence she operates, Isabelle Labrie keeps her past concealed, like the treasure she hides under the Golden Hotel. It’s 1853, the heyday of the California Gold Rush. Isabelle is full of hope, staking her claim on the city’s refined clientele and her future on a sweetheart’s promise to marry her when he returns from the gold fields. Then, unexpected guests—fugitive slaves seeking safe passage to the North—force her to confront her past and reconsider her path.

While Isabelle learns to trust God’s provisions, a law student in Virginia must confront his father’s cruelty and rescue a young slave from his family’s tobacco plantation. As the two escape to freedom, and Isabelle risks everything to harbor runaway slaves, the past and present are set on an inevitable collision course—one that reveals hidden treasures of the heart.

A beautiful woman stands by the side of the road, barefoot and bleeding, a child in her arms. Someone just tried to kill her, but she wouldn’t recognize him if she saw his face. She doesn’t even remember her own name.

A suburban cop surveys a kitchen in disarray—a woman and child missing, a chilling note. This crime scene is unlike any he has ever seen.

The man who calls himself Gideon waits and plans. He sees himself as a destroyer of evil, one who rids the world of abominations. He has already killed five. He will kill again.

And somewhere in the wilderness, in a secret geocache near where the wild swans gather, lies the unspeakable clue that links them all together.

Michigan’s rugged and beautiful Upper Peninsula is the setting for this absorbing tale of love and loss, beauty and terror, grievous sins and second chances. A deftly woven thriller from the bestselling author of the Rock Harbor novels.

Everyone has a plan, until life crashes in

Raleigh Harmon earned a brazen reputation during her years with the FBI. Now, having parted ways with the Bureau, she hopes to rebuild some of those broken relationships—including a new romance with alpha-male agent Jack Stephanson.

That’s the plan …

But when a dead body literally crosses her path in the mountains of Washington state, Raleigh’s forced to choose between her personal life and her forensic skills to track a killer–a killer unlike any she’s ever encountered, and a murder with clues that don’t add up.

When she realizes the killer will strike again, Raleigh knows the only way to stop another murder is to put herself at the top of the killer’s list.

With innocent lives on the line, and the FBI watching her every move, can Raleigh save another innocent girl from a gruesome end–or will she only wind up with more regrets, and literal dead ends?

Lots to look forward to!