Read Any Good Books Lately?

Read any good books lately?  This may be a cliched  conversation starter, but I thought it might be fun to start that very conversation right here. Now that I’ve moved to a new community and I’m meeting new people, I’m usually asked what kind of books I write. I find myself stumbling over an answer.…

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The Write Way: Writing The Novella

While I’m waiting for my real life to resume and house-sitting for friends, I’ve been working on a novella.  A hundred pages is the perfect project for this interlude in my life.  Short, like my stay here, and easier to interrupt if I don’t finish the book before I move again. The novella, tentatively titled…

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Pepper Martin Solves Mysteries. . . for the Dead

Since I’ve interviewed author Casey Daniels/Kylie Logan here at Southern Exposure, I thought you might enjoy a visit with one of Casey’s close allies, Pepper Martin, of the Pepper Martin Mysteries. Supernatural Born Killers has just arrived at your favorite bookstore, so make sure to grab a copy fast.  Pepper’s a busy lady–as you’ll see–so let’s…

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Book Reviews, the Subject We Cannot Discuss

Book reviews.  Seems like a simple subject, right?  You read a book, you tell friends you liked it or didn’t, and in this day of social media, you do it online so lots of people can read your opinion. If you’re the author of the book in question you read the review and you. .…

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The Conversation Concludes: Diane and Emilie

Diane Chamberlain and I have been chatting back and forth for the past two weeks, covering subjects like how to present “unsympathetic” characters sympathetically, character growth and change, whether characters become real to us, and more. If you missed the previous posts, you can scroll down here for my portions, and visit Diane’s blog, as…

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A Match Made in Heaven: Joanna Slan and Charlotte Bronte

Welcome to my good friend and guest blogger, Joanna Slan, who’s just begun an exciting new series, the Jane Eyre Chronicles. To celebrate, she’s promised to give one autographed copy of Death of a Schoolgirl to a Southern Exposure reader.  To enter leave a comment here for Joanna  before midnight Friday. Take it away, Joanna. “Friendship however is a plant which cannot…

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Happy Endings? Yours or Mine?

I’m going to make a confession.  I like to smile at the end of a novel.  I like to think that problems have been resolved, that the characters I grew to care about will start the next phase of their lives with fewer burdens and a healthy dose of optimism.  I like, dare I admit…

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Keepers and Giveaways: What’s On YOUR Bookshelf?

As my husband delivered yet another bag of books to the Arlington Library, the librarian came forward to thank him personally.  After all, even if nobody else gives the library gently read books for the next book sale, it will still be a success.  Singlehandedly we have donated hundreds of volumes, about nine out of…

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Contests and Giveaways: Bonuses for Readers

I’m back from two weeks of searching for a new place to live.  We “think” we may have found the right spot, but so far, no house, so no announcement. Having the freedom to move anywhere we can afford is daunting and exhilarating at the same time. All those options! Meantime, my wonderful friends are…

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Cast of Characters–a Novelist’s Inc. Anthology

It’s always such a pleasure to tell you about good books.  Today’s is no exception.  Cast of Characters, an anthology of stories written by twenty-eight of my esteemed colleagues, is now available.  Cast of Characters is the quintessential satisfying read because no matter how limited your reading time, you can pick it up, enjoy a…

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