Swoon Reads

If you follow me on Twitter and FaceBook, you should be familiar with my posts about Swoon Reads. Its a new company, an off-shoot of MacMillan Publishing, that is trying something new in the world of publishing. They've opened their doors to all swoon-worthy YA/NA submissions and are letting the readers help decide. They've already selected their first book for publication this year.

I uploaded Need to Know on their site in December with plans to leave it there until June, when they will be selecting another round of books.

This concept is very interesting. Basically, they are letting readers share what they want in a new release. But here's the kicker. They don't want "Oh my god, so good" comments. While those are wonderful to receive, they want truthful, explanatory reviews of the submissions.

This is where you come in. They need your input. I need your input. Create an account ( I promise it doesn't hurt) and start reading. I want to know what you think. Be honest. If it doesn't work, tell me why. If you couldn't put it down, tell me what worked. I can only improve my craft with feedback.

Here's my submission, Need to Know. Who knows, you might have a hand in selecting the next run of books published!

Need to Know description:

Nineteen-year old Jessica Crispin’s long lost grandfather died, leaving a large inheritance. The catch? She has to find her mother and bring her home.
She turns to her father, who’s in jail for murder, for help. He directs her to a stack of unread letters sent to Jessica by her mother. With the letters in hand, she and best friend Violet set out on a string of road trips where she meets Jackson King. Dark hair, blue eyes and a knack for clever shirts, Jackson helps Jessica learn the truth that eventually leads to her mother.
Has too much time passed? Can anybody ever get over a parent leaving them behind? And when her journey ends, does she return to life as usual or begin a new one with Jackson?

Night Circus Review

In my attempt to NOT purchase new books to read, I grabbed an already bought copy of Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern from my bookshelf. After reading Divergent, I read somewhere that fans of the series enjoyed this book as well.

First off, how can pass this book by? Look at that cover! Love it. My copy had an additional page with the silhouette of a gentleman and lady on the front.

I'll admit, it took me awhile to really get into this book. I enjoy a little more angst or romance driven strife in my reading and the two main characters don't interact much in the beginning sections of the book.

Here's the blurb from GoodReads:
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night. 

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.

My heart ached for Celia and the torment her father put her through, while I felt bad for Marco, he seemed to manage well under the circumstances until he discovers the truth behind the game. The secondary characters added more than meager lines. They will eventually be the backbone to the solution. 

I recommend this book but warn that you might feel lost, if this isn't your normal type of read. But keep with it. If anything, enjoy the pageantry of the game, the scenery of the circus and eventual emotional attachment you'll have for Celia and Marco. 

Get Connected

No matter if you're an aspiring writer, a published writer or a lover of crafts, the best way to stay motivated, is to get connected. Whether on-line or in-person, staying in touch with those that love what you love keeps you on the write track.

I have a deadline of August for a current WIP that I'm jazzed about but I have a 17 month old, a house to take care of, 2 school aged children and a husband. My plate is full and finding the time to write is proving difficult. Until I did what I used to do. I connected with my writer friends on Twitter and have now participate in 2 #1k1h and both times, the baby played and I wrote. The feeling of getting words down has not only proved cathartic but gets me closer to my end game goal.

But even for non-writers, the same is true. On a whim, I search #crochet and found tweets about patterns and tips.

So my advice this month is get out there and connect!