New Review Blog

I decided to move my book reviews to a new blog -- Books Reviewed There.

Stop by and say hello. If you could take the time to give me a shout out on your blog, I'd appreciate it. (hint, hint.)

Closed Until Further Notice

Life is getting very complicated and I'm just not able to keep up. Over the last week and weekend, I've been evaluating the time it takes to run this blog versus two projects I really want to work on.

The blog lost.

I'm not ready to delete it, but I am going to postpone posting anything new for quite some time. Thanks for understanding.

Manager Tools

I've been listening to a podcast called Manager Tools. I really appreciate the advice that they give out (for free!) but sometimes it really irritates me too.

For instance, the most recent cast I listened to is from September 2005 (seriously, the cast is so good that I decided to go back to the beginning and start from there) titled "Got Email?"

Four actions are identified as necessary for managing your email.

1. Check email three times a day.
2. Schedule the time on your calendar to check.
3. Don't answer email while someone is standing in front of you.
4. Use filters to automatically sort email.

My company relies heavily on email. Way too heavily. I'm a culprit too, but I've found that if I don't email it, I later don't have "proof" that I did said action. The recommendation is to have face time or utilize voice mail. If I did that, I'd seldom accomplish anything since people are much more likely to check and respond to emails.

As much as I enjoy the podcast, I wonder, as a non-manager, how can I implement some of the ideas that I do like? It is frustrating.

My other problem with face-to-face meetings is the recommendation of some "chit-chat" about family and life outside of work. I used to be in a spot where one person did this, right before unloading his request. It felt more like buttering up -- Look at me, I'm the nice guy that cares about your family! -- instead of building a relationship.

Maybe it was me. Maybe my perception is screwy from my years of emailed messages.

But it is definitely food for thought. And some day, I just might find myself in a position to make some changes.

Five on Friday

Five on Friday

1. Scott Adam's has a new invention I'd love to implement in my house -- Better Light Switches.
2. Is there a graphically representation between the books you read and your SAT/ACT score? Jason Kottke found one.
3. Grammarphobia explains the origin of "bigger than a breadbox."
4. Like free books? Me too. TG for The Great American Book Giveaway.
5. This guy's 1,000,000 truck makes my Ranger look young.

What was the best link you found this week?

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Title: Love in the Time of Cholera

Author: Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Publisher: Vintage International

ISBN 978-0-307-38973-2, $19.95, 1988, 348 pages

Genre: Literary

Summary: Six hundred and twenty-two affairs ago, Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza had a passionate love affair through letters and telegrams. Instead, Fermina married Dr. Juvenal Urbino. The death of Jeremiah de Saint-Amour, the famed photographer of children, brings Florentino and Fermina together again.

The Take-Away: I never would have read this book if it hadn't been for my book club. As I read, I continued to get lost in the poetry of the prose. I have the same problem when I read poetry. I forget that there's a story being told also. By the end, I understood what attracted people to it, but I've read better literary novels that didn't leave me so confused.

I didn't understand why Fermina married Florentino. What convinced the feisty girl to give up her love? And what's the significance of the first scene? I'm sure it was explained in there somewhere, but I lost track of the thread that carried the story.

Personally, I don't like to have to work this hard for a story.

Recommendation: Skip it, unless you like long, winding stories with obvious endings.

Technorati tag: Book review

The Writer's Strike is Over

About time. The results are mixed as to who won. All I know is, I'm going to have more episodes of House later this season. Need to know what's up with your favorite show? Hourly updates here.

Things You Learn By Having Boys

I don't often blog about my kids, on purpose. I'm a little fearful, I guess, about what might happen either now or later. But I never would have learned the following if I didn't have boys.

1. Lego guys don't need hands. In fact, it's better if they don't have hands because it gives you an excuse to dump out the whole bucket and find the hands at the very bottom.
2. Football cards aren't just for learning stats about the players. They also can be used to play football with, just like action figures.
3. It's very cool to jump from the top bunk of the bed to the floor. Never mind that your brother is standing there and you out weigh him by 15 pounds. He'll catch you.

Boys are so very different than girls. And I wasn't a girly-girl either. I love kids.

Thoughts on the Grammys

Usually, I don't watch award shows. However, I didn't have anything better to do with the arctic chill running rampant in my backyard. And I have a husband who does.

Chalk it up as quality time.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the modest dress that the stylists designed for the evening's theme. Almost every outfit was tasteful and complimentary, even with some big challenges (Aretha Franklin looked stunning in her pale yellow dress, but I did question the silver thing that Tina Turner was dressed in.)

I love the song Carrie Underwood sang, but have a hard time believing that any man in his right mind would cheat on her. She's stunning and sexy.

If I may, what is up with 50 and 60 year old women trying to look like they are in their 20s still? Everyone knows you were a star in the 70s or 80s. It's no big deal to age gracefully. I don't remember the name of the woman Kid Rock presented with, but what a feisty delight! She should be a role model for some of those fakers.

Oh, and Jason Bateman? You're not as funny as you think you are. It was gratuitous laughter. Or delight to be there. It definitely wasn't you.

What was your favorite part of the show?

Five on Friday

It's been a crazy week here in Wisconsin. Between the weather changes, the work changes and getting to back into writing, my week was a whirlwind of activity that left me looking forward to doing nothing over the weekend. Fortunately, that's what I have planned.

• Wisebread reports that UK banks are blocking their worst customers credit cards for their customers good. Is this a smart move or Big Brother? Will US banks follow suit?
• Heather Armstrong has a great picture of San Franciso up. The description she penned is just as yummy.
• Daily Dose of Excel report and excellent quote re: Excel files received "IT guys should tell end users right off the bat that if they see an unrecognizable Excel document in their inbox, they should treat it like porn — it’s not something you should be opening up at work.” I should adopt this motto for most of the things in my inbox.
• Melanie Lynne Hauser of the Super Mom fame has a great post about why women are intolerable. Frankly, I agree with her.
• Defective Yeti has a review of games that might ruin your friendships, but improve your negotiating skills.

What was your favorite link this week?

News Blues by Marianne Mancusi

Title: News Blues

Author: Marianne Mancusi

Publisher: Dorchester Publishing

ISBN 978-0-505-52749-3, $6.99, February 26, 2008, 336 pages

Genre: Chick Lit

Summary: Maddy's stumbled on the story of a lifetime only her news program is more interested in keeping advertisers happy than breaking-up a drug cartel.

The Take-Away: Mancusi's two-time Emmy award winning background really lent authenticity to the behind the scenes of the evening news. On the one hand, I knew things liked comped products and biased reporting happens. On the other hand, would a station really ignore a story as important as Maddy's?

Maddy is a very lovable character who is someone I'd like to be friends with. I loved her spunk and desire to do the right thing, even when she knows it will get her fired. The romance in this novel is low-key, but has a couple of nice twists (and if I share, it would ruin the storyline, so you'll need to read it for yourself :) )

Thank you, Marianne, for providing the ARC, and such a great story. Novels like this convince me that Chick Lit still has a place in the publishing world.

Recommendation: Want to read it? Leave a comment and I'll draw one lucky winner to pass my copy to.

Technorati tag: Book review

Why Blog

Days like today, when I have no creativity to think of a good post, make me wonder why I continue to blog. I had valid reasons for starting, but continuing? It's been going on four years now. Like most blogs, I'm in obscurity and I'm okay with it. But when something stops being fun to do, I think I should stop too. As soon as I start thinking that way, my brain wakes up the creative cell that is left and says, "Give her some ideas. We need to keep this thing going." And suddenly I'm flooded with ideas.

Maybe I need to threaten to quit more often. But I'm really excited about the book review I have for tomorrow -- News Blues by Marianne Mancusi. And today is necessary to get through if only for the fact tomorrow is better.

Isn't much of life like that?

Love in my House

Posted as part of Scribbit's February Write-Away Contest.

Love is simple, and oh so very complicated. I love my dogs. I walk in the door and man, are they excited to see me. They jump, they yip, they slather me with attention.

My kids do the same, except for the yipping.

That's the simple part. The complicated part comes later when my four year old asks me to find a toy that's been missed placed. Are you the GPS locator for every missing toy and device in your home also? When I can't immediately stop what I'm doing and assist, it's "Mom, I don't love you any more. You don't ever help me." Never mind the fact that as soon as I walk into the room, the lost toy is instantly found by one of us.

The complicated part for my other son, a seven year old that has two moms and a dad is the two moms part. He loves his birth mother and me, the stepmom. Yet I'm not mom, I'm Stacie and she's Mom. Yet I'm his brother's mom and Dad is Dad no matter who says it. See how it work in his head? See why he gets confused if he doesn't completely jive?

Love should be easy. I believe that all love should be like my dogs - glad, happy, yipping. The complications come from the rest of the world's influences on what "they" believe the relationship should be like.

For Valentine's Day, I'm going to keep it simple. No gifts, no boxes of chocolates, no flowers. Instead, I'm going to write each of my guys a letter and make it snazzy with some clipart. "Fourteen reasons I love you" should help them, and me, to keep it simple and not let the rest of the world influence our relationship.

How do you tell your loved ones what makes them special? Leave a comment and I'll post a link. If you don't blog, I'll feature you as a guest blogger.

Willow Bends

I've updated my hand-crafted items at WillowBends. One of my favorite things - a Purple Stars and Leaves bracelet - is on display there. I was really pleased with how this pattern looked with some beads other than what the pattern called for.

Bead-Patterns.com has hundreds (thousands?) of patterns with some very talented designers distributing for free. Jann M. Christiansen is one such designer. I made Jann's Flower Bud pattern as designed with tear-drop beads. As I was looking over my stash of beads, however, I decided that the stars and leaves that I had from a mix would look lovely in this pattern. Don't you agree?

Unfortunately, Bead-Patterns prevents me from linking directly to Jann's pattern. However, if you search on their site for "Flower Bud" you will find it. Of course, if you are in a rush, each style is available on my Etsy shop as well.

Do you have an Etsy shop? Let me know! I'd love to see what your creativity has spun off.

Five on Friday

My youngest has discovered PowerRangers. I detest them. To the point where I leave the room and let him watch them on his own. Anyone else for getting rid of these guys?

I picked my five favorite links for the week to share with you.

1. Finslippy had a bad parenting day and asked for our stories. She has a few selections that were laugh out loud funny. And the Award goes to...
2. Trent at Simple Dollar has a One Month Coupon Strategy that was awesome.
3. Scott Adams proposed that a hit song could be written by individuals submitting cliches. It went further.
4. According to Clive Thompson, flattery begins at four. Since I live with a four year old, I believe it.
5. Writers everywhere joined together to promote the paperback release of The Liar's Diary by Patry Francis. I love it when a good movement sweeps the web.

What was your favorite link of the week?

The Tangle Box by Terry Brooks

Title: The Tangle Box

Author: Terry Brooks

Publisher: Del Rey

034538699X, May 1994, 334 pages

Genre: Fantasy

Summary: Ben Holiday and his once-fairy wife Willow are going to have a baby. Once again, a bad guy is tring to kick Ben off the thrown. This time, however, the bad guy also takes out The Witch Nightshade and the dragon Strabo. Willow can't save him, because she has a quest of her own -- to combine the dirt of three lands and bring the baby into the magical kingdom.

The Take-Away: I love how Brooks illuminates the differences of our world with Landover. Even something as magical as giving birth is made extraordinary. Neither Ben or I expected the method that Willow would be instructed to follow.

I also really liked Horris Kew. Yes, he's the bad guy that gets Ben into trouble, but really, he was just a pawn. What I like best about him is the reformation that takes place at the end. It left me yearning for his appearance in the next title -- did he actually change or are we fooled by him?

I'll be picking up the next title in the series.

Recommendation: Starting this series at the beginning the best way to go. Fortunately, several titles are available for your reading pleasure.

Technorati tag: Book review

5 Mistakes That New Writers Make By Nathasha Brooks-Harris

Today's article is by Nathasha Brooks-Harris, the co-author of the Kimani Books (Harlequin Books) anthology, Can I Get An Amen Again, for which she developed the concept. It is the sequel to the ever-popular, Can I Get An Amen. In addition, she currently has a short story in the anthology, Erogenous Zone, and an essay in Gumbo For The Soul anthology. Her debut novel, Panache, earned her an Emma Award as Best New Author in 2002. She is the former editor of Black Romance and Bronze Thrills Magazine and the Associate Editor of True Confessions Magazine at Dorchester Media, and she edits independently under her company, NBH Literary Services. She is also a Contributing Editor at Today's Black Woman Magazine and freelances for several other publications. In her spare time, this Brooklyn-born and bred author and editor creates cloth dolls and quilts under her recently-created Studio 447.

Can I Get An Amen Again?

When Dr. Gabrielle Talbot arrives in Red Oaks, Georgia, the last thing she has on her mind is romance--that is until she meets Marcus Danforth. But will he break her heart like her ex-fiance, or will he find a way to win her trust? From Nathasha Brooks-Harris's "A Change is Gonna Come" in the anthology Can I Get An Amen Again?

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5 Mistakes That New Writers Make By Nathasha Brooks-Harris

I cannot say how many time readers have come up to when I was on tour to tell me about how they wanted to write or how they were writing a book. To that, I would politely nod, give them a few words of encouragement, and wish them well in their venture. However, I’ve yet to meet the person who has actually completed a book, sold said book, and wanted some sage advice about the mistakes they have made as a new author. Those mistakes are myriad, and they’re so easy to make. It’s not an easy process to go from writing and selling a book to becoming a new author. Surely, the road is long and arduous at best, and mistakes will be made. However, mistakes are just that—mistakes—and should be considered a learning experience. Learn from them and keep it moving. Don’t dwell on them. Simply take them for what they are and build on that which you’ve learned as a result of making them. There are many mistakes that writers will make over the course of their careers. As a result, they will become better and stronger writers because of them. They will get past them and apply the lessons learned to improving their writing. During the course of my career as a magazine editor contributing editor and author, I’ve seen a lot. Of the many mistakes new writers make, I’ve found several that they make most often. Let’s discuss them. They are:

1. New writers don’t finish the book.
   They talk a good game, perhaps write some of the book, even edit it, but they never actually finish it. They have more excuses than the law should allow, and put their work away to collect dust. Let’s face facts: we all have real-life issues: child care and elder care responsibilities, job responsibilities, and church commitments—just to name a few. Those things give us character and help us grow as people, To give it a positive spin, they give us life experience that lends itself to our writing. The bottom line is that if you are a new writer who’s sold a book, finish that second one! If you’re an aspiring writer who hasn’t finished a book, you must finish your book, submit it, and sell it in order to become a new published author. No one said the road would be easy to finish that book, but the results are well worth the effort.
2. New writers submit their books and become complacent.
   Now that they’ve sold the book, new writers take a sigh of relief and express how glad they are that writing and shopping the book for a deal is over. But guess what? That’s only the beginning of the process. It’s not over, yet. In fact, this is only the beginning. They must think about the next level—promoting the book and getting their name into the homes of readers across the world. They must also take the time to attend workshops, conferences, and seminar to keep learning the writing craft. The better their skills are, they’ll be able to shop their forthcoming books to larger publishers and get better deals.
3. New writers don’t take their writing seriously; they think of it as a hobby or just something to do.
   Newsflash folks: writing is not a hobby or something to do! It is work—hard, back-breaking, sweat-busting work! That means that new writers should consider their writing as their second or third job. They have to devote time to it in the same manner as they would their day jobs. They have to have up-to-date, working equipment, reference books, and the desire to improve their craft. They must also learn the business aspect of writing such as marketing and promotions, taxes, hiring support staff such as an agent and publicist, as well as the importance of blogging, My Space, and having a website. Writing is a business and the bottom line is that craft is fine, but it all comes back to whether or not you can sell a book. It’s all about book sales and based on that, you will get subsequent book deals and better respect from your publisher(s).
4. New writers aren’t true to themselves.
   New writers seem to love patterning themselves after other more established authors. They are afraid to let their style and writer’s voice come through. But think about it: these authors have already sold their books and publishers aren’t so eager to buy others like that. They want fresh, new, and exciting. That is where you come in. Write the book of your heart. Explore new, uncharted literary territory. There’s room for new voices. Yours might be the next six or seven-figure book deal. You never know; it can happen! Be yourself and don’t feel so compelled to write what everyone else has written. It’s okay to be a maverick; try it because you just might like it.
5. New writers are defeated by rejection.
   To this, I say toughen up and try again. Today’s bestselling and wealthiest authors can paper their offices with the rejection letters they’re received. They have suffered many rejections over the course of their writing careers—so will you. But they kept on and tried again. You should do the same. New writers have to take rejections in stride, read the letters, and if the editor gives you any hint of why your book was rejected, consider that a gift! They don’t usually share their reasons. Go on and make any appropriate changes, repackage your book, send it out again, and pray. That next time could indeed be the charm. The point is not to give up. Try again and again until you make a sale. Also, if the major publishers don’t want your book, try a reputable small publisher. They might be more open to a non-traditional book or a book with a different flavor. If you’ve submitted a book and it came back all marked up with deletions, cross-outs, and questions about something you feel is important to your plot, speak up. Don’t be timid; politely fight your case with editor and show her why (or how) it’s important.

Good luck with your writing and please realize that there will be good and bad days. Writing is not as easy as many think it is, but it a very honorable and worthwhile calling. In order to do it justice, always keep that passion that first brought you to it. Study the craft, learn the business, and keep writing those books. When you are ready for the next level, move on, and pursue it. However, never give up or let industry trends come between you and your writing. Trends come and go, but your writing will remain constant and consistent.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you via this book tour. Thanks for taking the time to read this and learn more about me and my writing. Be blessed and always remember: “To whom much is given, much is required!”

TOUR DATES

• JANUARY 28 -- http://sormagtours.blogspot.com/
• JANUARY 29 -- http://bookreviews.atwc1.com/
• JANUARY 30 -- http://raspberry-latte.blogspot.com/
• JANUARY 31 -- http://www.rawsistaz.com/
• FEBRUARY 1 -- http://sormag.blogspot.com/

Thank you, to Shades of Romance for coordinating this book tour. Contact LaShaunda C. Hoffman at SorMag if you are interested in a tour for your book.

Patry Francis Day

One of the coolest things about writing is the way the community jumps together in time of crisis. Patry Francis has some very serious health issues, so the writing community has banded together to promote her book today -- The Liar's Diary.

I read The Liar's Diary last year at the urging of a friend and loved it. There's lovely reviews at Writer Unboxed, The Refrigerator Door and The Lipstick Chronicles, among others. Pop over to one of them more information. Better yet, help Patry out and buy it.

Orphans

Michelle at Magical Musings has an excellent post about dealing with orphans -- not the parent*less child kind but the character that pops into your head and wants to play kind. I love it.

When I realized five x three chapters, while good writing practice, wasn’t actually getting me a completed manuscript, I made myself write a one to two page outline before I started writing any idea that came to me. If this idea could sustain a beginning, a middle and an end, then I gave it permission to take over my brain for 5 or so months.

So simple, yet such a "why didn't I think of that?" sort of thing.

Now I have a plan for those guys. And maybe I'll have a few less characters in my head for a change.

The Cider House Rules by John Irving

Title: The Cider House Rules

Author: John Irving

Publisher: New York William Morrow and Co.

ASIN: B000P8WU96, 1985, 576 pages

Genre: Fiction

Summary: The secret side of a Maine orphanage intertwines the lives of three residents and two visitors.

The Take-Away: I never would have picked-up this title if it hadn't been for my book club. The blurb on the inside of the front cover really didn't prepare me for what it the story was truly about - a doctor performing illegal abortions and the orphan he picks to continue his work.

The book was very frank on sex and abortion in the early 1900 (1920s to 1960s). In fact, it was so frank that I questioned if it was accurate, instead of a modern view of what life was actually life. Irving added notes to the back of the book also, with supplemental antedotes that were mostly relayed by his grandfather. Some of the story seemed overplayed, especially as I'm used to reading this from writers of the time. Were they censored? (Most likely, I realize, but were private discussion as frank as Irving leads us to believe.)

In my mind, the openness is because of the services performed, and not a realistic portrayal of the what happened in most conversations.

However, Irving has a wide variety of story lines, perspectives and character growth, that touching on all of them would make this an essay instead of a review. So I'm stopping there.

Recommendation: An interesting look at the life of two men involved deeply in the orphanage. It also is a great coming of age story for each of them.

Technorati tag: Book review

Stretching my Reading Wings

Part of my decision to read only one book a week was how do I consider the titles brought up by my book club? They are a rather literary group. Tomorrow's book review will, in fact, be the title from December (I finished it in January, so that was my first book of the year.)

They aren't the sort of books I would normally read. The first one I enjoyed and am glad that I was asked to read it. The second? Not so much. It's beautifully written, but reminds me of poetry -- I get lost in the words and imagery to the point where the plot has no meaning.

Normally, I don't give up on a book. But since I only have 49 more titles (and several of those slots reserved) do I want to continue with the current book club selection?

What do you do when you aren't enjoying a book club title?