Amazon.com items (Sold by Amazon.com, LLC) :
1 The Wise Man’s Fear (Kingk…
Oh frabjous day! It’s shipping to me as you read. Heck, by the time you read this I may already have it. I will probably buy more copies of this book.
Archive for the ‘Reading’ Category
What Fiction do you Like to Read? Poll
Saturday, January 29th, 2011It’s been awhile since I’ve done a poll, so here’s one! I’m sure I’ve forgotten some genres and, if so also pick “other” and leave a comment about that genre. For categories that have sub-categories vote for the main category and leave a comment about any subcategory you particularly enjoy, if you feel so moved. Go!
Loading ...At last! My Immortals Short Story!
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
Hot Demon - Telos
There’s a picture!
The artwork is available in the online version, but you can also download a pdf which does not include the artwork. As soon as I carve out the time I’ll get an epub version, too. The story (but not the artwork) is released under a creative commons license. Download away. Post it on your own site, whatever, as long as you credit me as the author.
About The Story
Lys is an attorney for a San Francisco law firm where she litigates high stakes computer hacking and corporate espionage cases. Her go-to expert witness for these cases is Telos Kunbish who may not always operate on the right side of the law. He’s a big, dangerous looking guy and after she leaves her abusive boyfriend, she needs someone just like him to escort her while she gets the rest of her things from the house.
Only Lys isn’t quite a normal human, her ex-boyfriend is a mage who wants her dead and Telos is a demon. Uh oh. You’ll also encounter a couple of the characters from the My Immortals series.
The story, by the way, is about 50 pages, so it’s not exactly short, but maybe just shy of a novella.
You can read the story:
- online at my website
- download the pdf from my website
- or from my publisher’s website (where you can also find out 5 facts about me!)
Happy New Year Thoughts
Friday, December 31st, 2010Weekend Report
Sunday, December 5th, 2010The Whining is over
I think I can finally say that I’m over my cold, though I did take meds today, but at last I feel, why, almost normal. I am a wimp about being sick. Abu the kitty is settled in and a very happy, charming cat. He’s disconcerted with me for putting Advantage on him (flea killing crap) and has kept a low profile, though at the moment he’s chewing on the buttons of my sweater.
I’ve been working on The Next Historical, which I am thinking of titling Infamous. We’ll see if that sticks. Now that I’ve figured out my hero, I’ve still got to redo the initial chapters to reflect that and it’s giving me fits, but then the early stages always do. Anyway, should be an awesome story. I deleted all my chapters with the hero since they were based on my (airquotes)synopsis(airquotes) and that never happens. On the other hand, I had to write them in order to find out who he was.
Recent Reading
I made the mistake of starting Brent Weeks’s The Black Prism on Friday which I can report to you was quite good. It’s a 620 page behemoth that made me wish I’d bought it as an eBook because there was really no way to get comfy in bed with this book. I finished it about 2:00 AM Saturday. It’s a great follow up to his Assassin series. The one thing that bugged me was that the direct thoughts of the POV characters were not italicized and 1) there were a lot of these direct thoughts and 2) it made it easy to miss the transition to narrative or another POV. It tripped me up a lot. Really a lot. I wish his editor had spoken to him sternly about how confusing that was.
The female roles and characters were far more traditional than in his previous series. The main female character was very strong and not girly, but the world was more traditionally male oriented, too. I’m not convinced she was a sufficient counterbalance for all the other familiar female roles. I think it might be because the young mage role was so familiar — young hero of secret royal/magical parentage, not thought to be magical but, of course, he is, and wildly so. That role was inhabited by a fat character, which was interesting, and I really, really enjoyed the way he interacted with women — well done and not cliched at all. This is primarily because traditional roles or not, Weeks fully realizes his female characters, and this always makes for interesting goings on when the characters are interacting. The main male character has a nice twist that was easy enough to anticipate, but there’s a really nice switch up going on there that should play out in interesting ways.
Hardback vs. Paperback
The fact that the Weeks book was HUGE made me wonder about buying the 2nd one in hardback. I probably will because the series is good and I’m looking forward to the next installment. But jeez. I also recently read another hardback (a romance) that was just meh that had been in my TBR for months, and I have to say I’m not buying this author in hardback anymore. The last three have not been worth the money or the size inconvenience and though I enjoy the books, they’re just not meaty enough anymore. The depths of the earlier books just isn’t there. If I’m going to lug around a hardback and shell out extra money, the story had better be darn good. Yes to Weeks, No to the other.
Giving up?
That thought made me think about when I stop reading an author or series. There are a couple I’m on the fence about and some I’m rabid about. My recent meh experience makes me wonder if I’ll even bother reading the series anymore. I’ve always liked this author’s stories more her writing — in that the emotional intensity of the relationships made up for the weak craft. Now I’m not feeling the emotional intensity anymore and the weak writing just doesn’t carry the story. We’ll see. On the other hand, if Berkley brought out MelJean Brook in hardback, I’d buy without a blink and I buy Lee Child in hardback. When do you give up on an author or series and why?
My SQUEEE moment
John Scalzi posted a picture of his ARC of Patrick Rothfuss’s sequel to Name of the Wind. I kind of couldn’t breathe when I saw it. OMG!!!!!!!!!
And now I have to get some sleep which I didn’t last night thanks to Brent Weeks and his Black Prism.
Rant Alert On Account of I’m Crabby
Saturday, November 27th, 2010Huh. I thought I lost this ranty, crabby post. But there it was in drafts, and now here it is for you to read. Note: I was feverish when I wrote this.
A couple of days before Thanksgiving, my son mentioned that he wasn’t feeling well. The day before Thanksgiving, he definitely wasn’t feeling well. Poor kid. I was extremely tired Wednesday which should have been a tip off. Then Thursday, I was even more tired. Yes, the bug hit me, too. So I’m not feeling too well. And that makes me crabby. Here’s some things that get me peeved.
1. Just because YOU don’t like modern technology doesn’t make the technology bad. When you write an email in which you admit you know nothing about a technology related subject and then proceed to defend your know-nothing position, you aren’t actually making a case against the technology. You’re proving that you are ignorant and there is no reason anyone should listen to your opinion.
2. If you are a writer, for crying out loud, don’t you think you might spend some time learning how to write? You know, with sentences that make sense and words that are used correctly and spelled correctly?
3. I am officially sick (besides literally) of male writers who build worlds in which the female characters are there to die, divorce, or for their protagonist to have sex with and then dump. Have I mentioned that before? Well, I mean it.
That’s just the stuff from today when I wasn’t falling asleep from feeling crappy and ill.
Random Stuff that Frosts me.
1. Meljean Brook is ALWAYS funnier than I am. And I am starting to hate that. Like this post about Thanksgiving pies. Well, you know what? Wednesday night, I made two pumpkin pies AND a coconut cream pie FROM SCRATCH. I even used fresh pumpkin that I baked myself. Do you know how long it takes to cook and puree a pumpkin? Do you know how hard it is to make a good pie crust — which I also made myself, by the way. I also made fresh ORGANIC whipped cream to which I added a touch of vanilla, I’ll have you know. Coconut cream pie requires a custard and the making of custard is fraught with pitfalls and difficulties and everything could have gone completely wrong. Only it didn’t. It also requires a meringue and eggs whites are notoriously prone to failure. But my meringue came out fantastic and the coconut I sprinkled on top toasted up just right. The coconut cream pie was really, really good.
There is nothing even remotely funny about making pies from scratch that come out delicious. And I read Meljean’s post and thought, wow, so easy, and I bet it came out good, too. And funny. My pies are not funny.
No Rest for the Weary!
Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010I just emailed revisions for My Dangerous Pleasure. Woot!!!!
Now I have to get cracking on The Next Historical. Blogging may be intermittent while I try to NaNoWriMo the book. If you’re participating, buddy me! I’m cjewel and I’m already behind. Except yesterday I wrote 1900 words in the revisions so I may just claim that.
Anyhow, how’s everyone? Whatcha working on, doing that’s interesting etc?
My son and I are going to NYC for a week on Friday. Should be interesting to make word count and do fun stuff, but then I won’t have to be at the day job.
I’m reading a mystery/thriller that I’m not sure I can finish. It’s getting harder and harder to suspend disbelief in re the characters. There’s a female character who is made of so many stereotypes and cliches that I think my brain might explode. I’m fascinated, though, by the number of cliche things she can say, do and think. It’s bad when you can predict action, dialogue and thought for any character. Alas.
The Iron Duke
Saturday, October 2nd, 2010Today, I read Meljean Brook’s The Iron Duke.
It’s one of the best books I’ve read this year. Actually, I haven’t read a book this good in a really long time. The very best authors sweep you away into the story. It’s a rare talent. There are a lot of good authors out there but only a few great ones. I can’t think of any reason Meljean Brook shouldn’t be called one of the great ones.
If you don’t have your hands on this book yet, go make it happen.
Meljean’s website has a page with buy links at the bottom.
Carolyn Reads
Saturday, September 25th, 2010I’ve been sneaking in a lot of reading lately. Here, in no particular order is a list:
- Scoundrel by Zoe Archer: Loved this book! The cover is great and the hero and heroine were lovely. Lots of action!
- Rebel by Zoe Archer Also loved this book, but I didn’t like the cover as much and for some strange reason whenever I looked at the cover, I kept thinking, that’s no Scoundrel cover. And that’s even though I think Nathan might actually be hotter than Bennett Day from Scoundrel.
- Stranger by Zoe Archer Ah, Catullus Graves! The brilliant inventor falls in love! I have seen the cover for this book and liked the cover lots. This book is more magic-y than the others.
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Yeah, I know, I’m late to the party on this one. I read it in two days, I think. Put me firmly on team Peeta, thank you. Present tense which I HATE but she pulls it off. I’m now clear on where I stand on the violence issues that have been discussed in re this book. I am in support of this book and its political and social message. The violence is not gratuitous, it serves a purpose. And we get a female character who is the most skilled, the most fit and the most clever about surviving. Thank you.
- The Duff by Kody Keplinger I heard about the sale of this book some time ago which was notable because the author was I believe 17 at the time. I remember thinking that the editorial excitement over the book seemed at odds with such a young writer. Well, I can now tell you that the excitement was justified. I LOVED The Duff. It’s a fun story that has some pretty adult themes in it. The writing is first rate.
- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson This book has been in the news because of Prof. Wes Scroggin’s claim that the book is soft core porn in the scenes in which the heroine is finally telling us about her rape. Before I go on about that, which I will, let me just say that Speak is a powerful book on every level. Here’s what Prof Scroggin’s says is soft core porn: The heroine relates to us how powerless she was unable to stop the boy who raped her and how emotionally devastated she was during and afterward. Apparently, Prof Scroggins is turned on by reading about a boy having sex with a girl who does not consent. How else could anyone for a moment think something like that was porn? His claims say more about his sexual fantasies and his massive lack of understanding about violence against women and the damage it does.
- Tinkers by Paul Harding This book won the Pulitzer prize, and I admit I picked it up with some trepidation because, well, there are a lot of acclaimed books by men that leave me cold. But so far (not done yet) this book is just lovely.
And now, back to work. What have you been reading?
An interview, some explanations and a contest
Friday, September 17th, 2010Today, I have author Zoe Archer here and I am grilling talking to her about WARRIOR, the first in her four book Blades of The Rose series. As it happens, I have read the first three in the series and at this point would kill to get my hands on the fourth.
Catullus Graves, a recurring character is the first three and the hero of book four goes on my list of Romance Heroes I Would Marry.
This is just an AMAZING series. It’s fun and swashbuckling and if you haven’t bought these books yet, you should. Go do that, then come back. Buy page for Warrior
Here is a paragraph stolen from the middle of Zoe’s complete bio: Although she was born in New York and lived there until she was six months old, Zoe had no recollection of living anywhere but in California. So everyone was surprised, including her, when she moved to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Much long underwear was worn. Two years and several snowstorms later, she was the proud owner of a shiny new MFA from the Writers’ Workshop. As soon as the degree was in her hot little hand, she promptly moved back to Los Angeles, her home town.
Before I start the interview, you should know there is a contest involved. Further info at the bottom of the post.
About Warrior
Tell us about your book! It’s the first of a 4 book series so can you also tell us a little about the world it’s set in?
Gabriel Huntley, Smoking Hot Hero
WARRIOR is the first book in my four book BLADES OF THE ROSE paranormal historical adventure romance series. (There are a lot of modifiers there–but I’m kind of creating a new sub-genre, so modifiers are definitely necessary.) The Blades of the Rose are a secret organization of men and women that protect the world’s magic from ruthless exploitation. Each of the BLADES books features a new hero and heroine in an exotic location, with plenty of adventure, action, magic…and hot, hot sensuality. Here’s the back cover blurb for WARRIOR:
To most people, the realm of magic is the stuff of nursery rhymes and dusty libraries. But for the Blades of the Rose, it’s quite real, and in danger of being misused by a powerful enemy.
IN HOT PURSUIT
The vicious attack Capt. Gabriel Huntley witnesses in a dark alley sparks a chain of events that will take him to the ends of the Earth and beyond – where what is real and what is imagined become terribly confused. And frankly, Huntley couldn’t be more pleased. Intrigue, danger, and a beautiful woman in distress – just what he needs.IN HOTTER WATER…
Raised thousands of miles from England, Thalia Burgess is no typical Victorian lady. A good thing, because a proper lady would have no hope of recovering the priceless magical artifact Thalia is after. Huntley’s assistance might come in handy, though she has to keep him in the dark. But this distractingly handsome soldier isn’t easy to deceive…
The Interview
Q: I loved loved loved the hero of Warrior, Gabriel. Is there some characteristic of his that is your favorite? I’d tell you mine, but I don’t want you to copy me. Also, can you surprise and delight us with something about him that didn’t make it into the book? Feel free to make something up.
My favorite thing about Gabriel (aside from his rock-hard abs) is his sense of humor. He may be a tough soldier, but he can be very funny–dry and self-deprecating. I love a man who can make me laugh. Hmm…something about him that didn’t make it into the book? He rescues spiders when they’re trapped inside.
CJ: I totally believe that about Gabriel saving spiders. FYI, I too, appreciated his rock hard abs, but also how he knows his way around an oasis.
Q: Same as above only for your heroine, Thalia.
I really like Thalia’s confidence. She knows she isn’t the model of delicate English femininity, and she’s fine with that. She is, in fact, happy with herself. And I think it’s that confidence that is one of the reasons why Gabriel is so attracted to her. A little known fact about her is that, in the winter, she boils treacle and then drizzles it on fresh snow. When the treacle cools, she chews on it. She has strong teeth.
CJ: You do NOT mess with Thalia. Ever.
Q: You hear that Carolyn Jewel is in town and shopping for a new outfit to wear to a televised gala affair where she is presenting you with a prestigious writing award. Last you heard she was muttering something about harem pants and strapless pants suits. You are locked in a room with nothing but a fork, a bar of your favorite chocolate and a cardboard box that says DO NOT OPEN!!! what would you do and why?
I’d eat the chocolate immediately. I would shake the box to determine its contents. If it groaned in pain, I would then open the box. If it kept silent, I might prod it with the fork. Then I would stand on the box to reach the air vent, crawl out the air vent, get outside and run to Carolyn Jewel’s hotel room with some lovely, dressy separates for her. I’m thinking maybe a tailored, feminine take on the tuxedo with a sparkly, cleavage-enhancing top underneath. If she balked at wearing the cleavage-enhancing top, I would remind her that there is a high degree of likelihood that Alexander Skarsgard will be watching the televised gala affair.
CJ: One cleavage enhancing top coming up. . .
Q: What were you like as a kid?
Let’s just say I was…awkward. I was skinny, short and had a panda painted in the corner of my pink-tinted glasses. I think that says it all.
CJ: Pandas rock.
Q: As you know, the other day, Warrior was out and about in Northern California and even visited the Apple Store in Santa Rosa CA. Please explain.
Everyone knows that warriors need to stay mobile and current with technology. Blades of the Rose, especially, need to use technology since a central tenet of the Blades is to not use any magic that isn’t theirs by gift or right. So, when it comes time to fight the bad guys like the Heirs of Albion, they need all the technological help they can get. Does Apple make an iRifle?
CJ: Actually, there’s an app for that: Here and here. And also here.
Q: Anything else you want to add?
There’s a new BLADES OF THE ROSE book out every month through December! This means that WARRIOR is available now, SCOUNDREL comes out October 5, REBEL is on shelves November 2, and STRANGER is available on December 7. A complete set of BLADES books makes an awesome Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa gift. Treat yourself, while you’re at it.
The Trailer
The Contest
Zoe is giving away a signed copy of Warrior. To get yourself in the running, answer the following question in the comments. You have until midnight Pacific Wednesday, September 22. Void where prohibited.
Kilts, in or out, and why?
Go.