On Vacation

I'll be back next week with my review of a  vaca read as well as a writing tip.

Have a great week!

Tasty Summer Reads Blog Hop

My dear friend Ruth J. Hartman invited me to participate in this hop. I have to admit. I'm still new to hopping!

But here is how it goes.

Then give a short description of your WIP/Release including the date of release. Then answer these five questions:

My Brother’s Wedding, August 2013

Contemporary Romance, Sweet

Next Door Category line

Allison Daughtry is catapulted into a past life when she returns to her childhood home to attend 4 her brother’s wedding. Bombarded with memories of a night she’d shared with Ryan Johnson, 5 her reason for leaving and forever crush, she attempts to navigate her feelings while maintaining 6 a fake romantic relationship with her best friend. Complicated emotions surface and Allison 7 struggles to remember what’s real.

For all release information, you can check out the bookstore at TMP (http://www.turquoisemorningpressbookstore.com/collections/latest-releases) or visit my website at jenandersonauthor.com (http://jenandersonauthor.com/books.php). I blog about releases and do reviews at musingsfromthepeanutgallery.blogspot.com (http://musingsfromthepeanutgallery.blogspot.com/).

1)When writing are you a snacker?  Let’s put it this way, even as I’m writing this, I’m snacking on Nut-Thins.  If so, sweet or salty? I’m an equal opportunity snacker. My favorite, trail mix has both.

2) Are you an outliner or someone who flies by the seat of their pants? When I first started out, I was all about writing and the story would come to me. Well, as I’ve matured and developed better writing habits, I find that I plan more. Not really an outline but bullet points and form some sort of structure. I have a friend that will write a 10 page outline. Cripes! That’s a lot of words! Are they real pants or jammies? Neither. I kid! Usually real pants but I’m more creative with no pants.

3)When cooking or baking, do you follow the recipe exactly or wing it? It depends. Baking, I follow the recipe. I’m not the best when it comes to baking, even cookies. But when I’m cooking something new, I’ll scan the recipe to get the idea and then head out on my own. I LOVE to cook and watch countless hours of Food Network and can memorize a recipe just by watching a show.

4) What is next for you after this book? For the first time in a long time, I don’t have a deadline to meet or a release to prepare. Besides working my part-time day job, I’m currently working on a New Adult. I love reading the genre and since I normally write Young Adult, except for My Brother’s Wedding, I thought I’d give the genre a try since it isn’t too far of a stretch from my norm.

5) Last Question...on a level of one being slightly naughty to ten being whoo whoo steamy, where does your book land? I haven’t made that jump into steamy romance or YA. Not that I oppose of it at all. In fact, some of my favorite books are pretty dirty (wink, wink). My Brother’s Wedding would fall around a 1. More than hand holding but the kisses don’t lead to the bedroom.

And then your summer recipe!

In the summer, I’m all about making homemade salsa and the summer time lends itself some great vegetables.

Throw into either a food processor or an electric chopper, 1 jalapeño (seeds will make it hotter so you need to decide if you want mild or spicy), 1 clove of garlic, ½ of an onion, 4-5 medium size tomatoes cut into chunks (remember to remove the core), a handful of cilantro, a generous sprinkle of sea salt (I like course salt), and the juice of a fresh lime. Serve and enjoy!

I’ve also made this trying out different types of peppers. It’s all about finding what tastes you like. Also, make sure the tomatoes are ripe. If you can’t find good beefsteaks, try roma or even cherry (obviously increase the amount). I also make a batch without cilantro because my family isn’t a fan.

To check out my friend Ruth, visit her blog.   To read about this hop, visit Avon.

If you're a blogger and writer and would like to participate, please let me know and I'll add a link to your post.

Giveaways! Free Books!

Did I get your attention?

If you haven't joined GoodReads, then what are you waiting for? Go, now! I'll wait.

Okay, now, find me and let's be friends. I'm always looking for something good to read!

On GoodReads, I'm giving away a signed copy of Spider along with a signed copy of the first three books in my Honey Creek Royalty series.

Enter today!

4 Nuts for Scarlet

Blurb from GoodReads: 

The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

First off, why in the heck did I wait so long to read this sequel? In fact, I think I might have enjoyed it more than Cinder. The introduction of Scarlet, her grandmother and Wolf were very clever. I love a good play off a fairy tale. But what is great about this series is your not just hearing someone else's idea of how the tale should be told but how relatable the beloved stories are.

And does anybody else picture Levana like the Witch from the Narnia movies? 

If you haven't started this series, you still have time to catch up. The next book, Cress, doesn't come out until 2014 and I just noticed there are two novella's (.5 and 1.5) that I haven't read yet. There is plenty from Marissa Meyer to keep yourself busy.

And if you, like me, enjoy a flare of nursery rhyme or fairytale in your stories, check out my book, Spider. 

Writing Tip

I recently finished a self-pub book I received for free via BookBub. I know, that should have been my first hint, but I've read some good stuff offered through them. If you don't get their emails, I suggest signing up or let me know (jenandersonauthor@gmail.com) and I'll send you the info. There's always a diamond in the rough.

Anyway, I loved the concept behind the book and once I was done, I enjoyed the story. But the editing and typos were enough to keep me from wanting to give a rave review.

I'm not perfect. No one is and I understand mistakes happen. And I usually don't focus on the fact if there are mistakes, but this was the second book in so many months with mistakes that I can't let it go. The first time, I didn't leave a review and figured no review was better than a bad one because no one knows I read the book, but this time, I'm not going to remain quiet.

Well, not on here, anyway. I won't tell you the name of the book, (I know but I don't want to be mean) but it does cause me to offer as much advice on editing as I can.

First off, you are human, you will make a mistake. You will overlook things. That's what a beta reader or editor is for.
Second, they are human and they will make a mistake.

I know, it's a vicious cycle, but one you have to jump into in order to put out the best book possible. I'm constantly re-reading my own manuscripts even after I pass it along to a beta and an editor.

Keep writing, even when you're not working on something new. Write a short story. Write a blog post. Write a letter about onr of your main characters might have sent to a love interest.

Beta read yourself. It's a two way street. They scratch your back, scratch there's. I learn so much when I beta read and in turn, she's said to me a few time, "OMG, I'm so glad you pointed that out. I completely forgot about that." It's not about the grammar rules (which sometimes it is) but the small typos that can really kill a book. If I'm constantly seeing the same misspelled word, I'll stop reading.

Beta reading can also allow for a set of new eyes to find the story inconsistencies. This recent book stated "her top fit tight" when it should have been "his top fit tight" because, duh, the author was discussing the wet shirt displaying all the edges of his rippled stomach.

What about plot changes? A beta can help if you've made a change and haven't carried it throughout. Have you switched character names? All are common mistake we make when we're writing.

Can't find a beta reader? Hit the social media sites first. I've met some great people simply by answering a tweet asking for help. From there, if you're a member of writing group, stick your neck out and offer to read for someone. When it's your turn, ask them to return the favor.

Writing can be frustrating and a ridiculously long process, but in the end, if you have a polished manuscript ready for print, you can relax and enjoy the idea of your book being available to the masses.

Good Luck.

Also, if you're a beta reader looking for someone to hook-up with, leave a comment below. I'm all about the book match-making business!

5 Nuts for Pushing The Limits

Blurb from Pushing The Limits from GoodReads:
No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

First off, I saw this book everywhere and people were talking about it but I didn't have time so I added it to my TBR list. Then I attended the Reader Author Get Together in Cincy back the second weekend in June and Katie was slotted to attend as a special guest.

Okay, I'm totally going to geek out on you.

When I arrive with my donated gift baskets, I was standing in line behind her. I didn't know it was "her" until I saw her gift. Then, Saturday morning, I sit down to breakfast with some co-workers and a few ladies I didn't know and BOOM Katie is sitting with us. I kept it cool and we talked about our kids, our love of donuts (because the hotel kept running out of them at the buffet) and where we were from. Which turns out, the other ladies I didn't know where also from Missouri! They live like 20 minutes from me.

Anywho, I had to buy her book and have her sign it. And I did. And I started reading it that night and couldn't put it down. BTW, I stayed up until 2:30 and needed to be up by 5ish to drive 5.5 hours back home. And even on the drive home, I couldn't let the story rest. I kept replaying scenes and I honestly think that's how I arrive back home so fast.

I had to finish that book!

I loved it! I absorbed every word until I moved onto the next. Love, love, love it!

5 Nuts for Hopeless

GoodReads blurb:

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

WOW! Not to sound crass or make fun, because no pun intended but Hoover sucked me in from the start. Sky and Holder are beautiful together and their journey of how they met, again, and watching their relation grow kept me glued to it. I couldn't put this book down and when I finally had to, I wanted to pick it right back up.

The story itself, even though it might happen once every million years, was connectable. And for Holder to carry the burden of what happened to his childhood friend was heartbreaking. You were right there with him when he explains how he realized who Sky really was and how he struggled with the information.

Well done!

But be warned, there are some tough situations in this book and if you are sensitive to sexual abuse, this book isn't for you. But trust, the scenes are not graphic, just moving in their realization.

If you're a fan, here's an extra scene from Hopeless from Holder's POV. Loosing Hope is out July 2013.