Calling all Austen fans!

On-line friend Alyssa Goodnight has a new book out, Austentatious.

About the book:
While browsing in an Austin shop, Nicola James finds a blank vintage journal hidden among a set of Jane Austen novels. Even though Nic is a straight-laced engineer, she’s still a sucker for anything Austen-esque. But her enthusiasm turns to disbelief once she starts writing in the journal – because somehow, it’s writing her back…Itching for a bit of excitement, Nic decides to follow her “Fairy Jane’s” advice. The result: a red-hot romance with a sexy Scottish musician who charms his way into Nic’s heart in about five seconds flat. But a guy like Sean doesn’t exactly fit into her Life Plan. With no one but Fairy Jane to guide her, Nic must choose between the life she thought she wanted – and the kind of happy ending she never saw coming…

She even took the time to answer some questions:
1) Tell us something fun about your new book, it can be a character detail, something that inspired the story, or a behind the scenes story from the writing process.

The premise of AUSTENTATIOUS centers around the existence of a magical journal that can channel the spirit of Jane Austen. I’d finished the entire first draft of the book when I discovered a dedication Jane had written in a journal to her niece Anna that was a *perfect* fit for the book. That historical journal, with that dedication, became the journal in AUSTENTATIOUS. Kinda sorta.

2) What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

Naturally, I love to read, but I also like to visit home decor blogs, vicariously imagining how I’d redecorate each room in my house if I had the time and the money to play with. Then there are the cooking blogs…I confess to drooling over food styling. Pinterest is getting its fair share of time too.
3) If you weren’t an author- what job would you choose?

Before I was an author, I was a product engineer in the semiconductor field, testing microcontrollers designed for automotive applications, and I LOVED it. I may have traded 1′s and 0′s for words, but I could definitely go back.

4) Rapid fire round!
Currently Reading: I just started India Black by Carol K. Carr. I loved the opening.
Sweet or Salty: Used to be sweet, all the way, but I think I’m morphing into a fan of salty.
Morning or Night person: Can I go halfsies? I don’t like to get up too early or stay up too late. I’m a midday sort of person.
Coffee or Tea: Tea, preferably chai, preferably a Starbucks chai latte, but that’s a rare treat.
Favorite Holiday: Christmas. I love the lights, the music, the pageantry, the spirit…I love it all!
Favorite TV Show: Castle. This show edges out all my USA Network favorites. I love that he’s a writer (and has a police vest with ‘WRITER” on it!!)
Favorite Indulgence: Dr. Pepper. Cannot resist it! I drink it almost everyday while writing. (And it’s even better with lime…)

February 2nd, 2012 | One Comment

Random Monday – The Do or Di Edition

What is Do or Di about, and did you mean to misspell die?

What was the inspiration for the book?

I love romantic comedies. Especially those with lots of snarky banter between the two characters. Secondly, I was always fascinated by Princess Diana. I remember getting up at dawn to watch her wedding and thinking it was the most ROMANTIC THING EVER. Keep in mind I was quite young at the time and many things were THE BEST THING EVER. Being that age is fraught with thinking of life in all capitals. I was an intense little kid. This does not come as a shock to anyone who knows me. I liked the idea of a character getting romantic advice from Princess Di, who, more than many, had exposure to the whole idea of a Prince Charming, love, and heartbreak. This book was my chance to combine those interests and hopefully have a lot of fun.

I read your YA books, would I like this one? And does this mean you won’t write YA anymore?

Why is this book so cheap?

Let’s not call it cheap, let’s call it a bargain. The book is only available as an e-book which means you’ll need to read it on you Kindle, iPad, Nook, Kobo, computer or phone. There are no plans to make this a print book which does save on costs. I wanted this book to be offered at a low price to encourage people who haven’t read my books before to give me a try. (Heck, it’s less than a latte! It’s less than a cupcake! Where else are you going to get that kind of fun for less than $3?) I also liked the idea that people who know and enjoy my books could get another for a lower price.

I love the cover, did you do it yourself?

I can’t paint my own fingernails without covering myself in random splotches of colour. Alas, my artistic talents leave a lot to be desired. I had someone design the cover for me, but I’m very happy with how it turned out.

I read this book and loved it with a white hot passion. How can I ever thank you?

3) Don’t steal copies. Copies offered for free on file share websites hurt authors. You wouldn’t want to hurt an author would you? (Picture a group of authors looking at you now with sad SPCA type eyes.)

January 30th, 2012 | 3 Comments

Welcome PJ Sharon

I was a figure skater when I was younger. Not a good one, but I did have big dreams. PJ Sharon has a new YA out, On Thin Ice. She came by to answer some questions.

1) Tell us something fun about your new book, it can be a character detail, something that inspired the story, or a behind the scenes story from the writing process.

ON THIN ICE is loosely based on some of my own teen experiences. I was a figure skater, my mother did die of cancer when I was sixteen, and I was pregnant and a mom at seventeen. Other than that, it’s all fiction, LOL.

2) Why do you like writing YA?

I like writing YA for many reasons—mainly because it’s where my voice comes through the strongest. I have tons of “Extraordinary stories of an average teenage life” to tell. I enjoy creating characters that have tough lessons to learn and teens are notorious for learning everything the hard way. There is never a shortage of conflict or drama, and I get to re-write my own history in some ways. I like revisiting all the first times that teens experience. Everything is so intense. I also enjoy the freedom of YA. They are much less formulaic than adult romances, and readers of YA include teens from ages 12 to 70 and beyond. I love that!

3) What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

I am happiest when I’m outside and active. I love kayaking, hiking, and gardening in the summer and snow shoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. All of these activities are only made better when I can share them with my wonderful husband.

4) If you weren’t an author- what job would you choose?
I already have a full time job outside of writing. I own a private practice Massage Therapy business, I do personal training, and I teach yoga. I love what I do, and improving the health and well-being of individuals on a daily basis is a wonderful vocation. I’m very blessed.

5) Rapid fire round!
Currently Reading: Freaks of Greenfield High by Maree Anderson

Sweet or Salty: Hmmm…I’ve got a major sweet tooth, but I’m a fan of both. Peanut butter filled pretzels are a wonderful combo snack.

Morning or Night person: These days, both! I’m up at 7 a.m. and don’t hit the pillow until midnight or later. Must do something about that.

Coffee or Tea: Definitely tea. I don’t drink coffee at all. I’ve never cared for the taste.

Favorite Holiday: The past few years, I’ve taken to celebrating the solstice and equinox dates, and am enjoying the return to nature rather than the commercialism of all the standard holidays. I’m not pagan or anything, but I love mother nature and I find peace in celebrating and acknowledging the passing of the seasons.

Favorite TV Show: I’m a TV junkie, but if I had to pick, I’d say my favs are Castle and Hawaii Five-O. I’m a big fan of Nathan Fillion and Alex O’Laughlin…yep…total fan girl!

Favorite Indulgence: Something about the combination of Red Bull and Mounds candy bars is completely satisfying.

Read more »

January 26th, 2012 | 14 Comments

January 24th, 2012 | No Comments

Random Monday- The Canadian Edition

So if you follow me on Twitter (and if not, you really should, you never know what I might say) then you heard the news that on Friday I swore in as a Canadian citizen. I am an official maple syrup swilling, Tim Horton eating, hockey loving Canadian. I’m now a dual citizen with my home country, USA. There were people from twenty three different countries represented at the citizenship ceremony, including several who had fled persecution and lived in various refuge camps before making their way here. There was a family in front of me with small children. The parents cried through most of the event. At the end of the ceremony the father said: “My children will always know what it is to be free.” Sniff.

Big thanks to everyone who came out on a snowy cold night for my library reading last week. When I saw the weather was going to be bad, I was certain the only people who would be there would me, the librarian who invited me and homeless people who wanted free cookies and heat. It was nice to see so many of you there.

Under the heading, things that made me happy were these two videos, the Bark Side (yes, dogs doing the Star Wars theme) and the happiest dog on the internet.

The internet wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without cute dog videos. For this reason (among others) I am happy that Congress is backing away from SOPA/PIPA legislation. However, I would like to see people as upset about piracy as they are about the loss of Wikipedia. Free downloading of books, songs and movies is illegal. It hurts artists and businesses. It’s no different than stuffing a book in your jacket and running out the door. Cut it out.

January 23rd, 2012 | One Comment

GCC “Win a Kindle” edition

Lucienne Diver has come by today to talk about her new book, Fangtastic, and she’s giving away a Kindle! Click here to find out how to win.

Lucienne took the time to answer some questions:

1) Tell us something fun about your new book, it can be a character detail, something that inspired the story, or a behind the scenes story from the writing process.

I love Facebook; it lets you rediscover so many people from your past. The interesting thing here is that it reconnected with an old friend from the haunted mansion where my husband and I met (which makes a cameo in the second book in the Vamped series, Revamped). Our friend is an important part of the New England vampire community, and I needed some firsthand insight into things…thinking, philosophy, court structure…because in Fangtastic the real vampires clash with the lifestylers when the latter go on a Manson-family-esque killing spree.

2) What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

My husband and son are huge rollercoaster fiends, so recently we’ve been doing a lot of parks: Busch Gardens, Disney, Universal. I =love= concerts, so we’ve been timing some of those visits to coincide with concert dates. I’ve seen in the past year or so: Pat Benatar, Maroon 5, Train, Mannheim Steamroller, Straight No Chaser, Matt Nathanson, Jason Mraz, Jimmy Buffett and many others.

3) If you weren’t an author what job would you choose?

I’ll already a literary agent, working with more than forty authors of commercial fiction, including young adult, so I’ve got a full plate doing two things I love: agenting =and= authoring. If I couldn’t do either one, I’d either be acting or I’d be Bones from the series. (I applied to graduate schools for forensic anthropology at the same time I applied for jobs in publishing; publishing got back to me first, and I’ve never looked back.)

4) Rapid fire round!

Currently Reading: anything and everything
Sweet or Salty: salty!
Morning or Night person: morning
Coffee or Tea: coffee…the stronger the better
Favorite Holiday: Christmas…no, Halloween…no, wait, Christmas
Favorite TV Show: Anything with dead people (Castle, Criminal Minds, On the Case with Paula Zahn, Psych, Rizolli & Isles…)
Favorite Indulgence: chocolate caramels with sea salt…sweet = and= salty!

Read more »

January 19th, 2012 | One Comment

I had no idea this was an option

While I am reasonably clever at coming up with ideas for books, I lack the creativity to come up with whiz bang business ideas. When I come across certain things I have that head smacking moment where I wonder why I didn’t come up with that idea.

Have you seen this? This woman will pretend to be your girlfriend on Facebook for 10 days for $5. She’ll post something on your wall and a photo.

Why didn’t I think of this? Want to pretend to best friends with a real live writer? I’ll do it for $1. Special one time price.

January 18th, 2012 | One Comment

Random Monday – the snowy edition

We’ve had snow the past few days here in Vancouver. Given that we’re in Canada you wouldn’t think that would be a big deal. You would be wrong. Our weather here on the wet coast is much more rain focused. Sure, there is snow in the mountains, but here in the city it doesn’t snow often. As a result we respond by freaking out. Don’t tell my warm weather loving devoted husband, but I secretly like the snow. As long as I don’t have anywhere that I have to go, I like to snuggle in with the fire and with a good book or my knitting. This past weekend I even made bread. Here’s the recipe, which is dead easy.

In sad news, Milo the sea otter has passed away. Milo was very well loved here in Vancouver. You may have already seen the video of him holding paws with one of his otter friends, but it’s always worth another look.

Do you live in Vancouver? Anywhere near? I’ll be doing a reading at the North Vancouver library this coming Wednesday. The library has gone all out for the event with free snacks. Books! Snacks! What more could you want? Extra bonus points to the Arts Office which described me as reading from my “sensational new novel.” You sweet talkers.

Under the heading things you may not need, but are kind of funky: Have you seen these VHS tape notebooks? While I find them funky, my heart beats fast for this laptop cover that is designed to look like an old book. Isn’t that awesome. I love it with a white hot passion.

January 16th, 2012 | 2 Comments

Good Advice- never eat furry sushi

January 12th, 2012 | No Comments

Random Monday – The Winner Edition

Thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate the release of Unraveling Isobel by participating in Book-a-palooza! Winners include:

Cryer’s Cross: Jess Jay Wong
Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse: Eric Devine
The Right and the Real: Jaskirit
The Education of Hailey Kendrick: Vera Soroka

The three SIGNED copies of Unraveling Isobel go to:
Heidi Clsneros
Dizzy Lizzy
Beth Watson

** If you name is here, and you haven’t already, email me your address so I can get the books out to you **

If you want to keep the book party going things you can do include asking your local library to carry the book, leaving a review on book selling sites and most importantly, telling your friends.

Book release week is always odd. A book that you have lived with for years is now suddenly out in the world. Some people love it. Some people don’t. It feels as if there should be some type of big deal made, but in general life pretty much goes on the same. You still have to de-dog-poop the backyard, traffic is still bad in the morning, and there is still someone in line in front of you at the post office who seems completely befuddled by the process of sending something by mail and requires hours of support from the clerk.

If I were in charge of the world, book release week would be filled with parades, confetti dropping from the ceiling when you enter a bookstore and being assigned a handsome cabana boy who would now do all the mundane chores for you. I would also impose a stupid tax. This means if you are holding up an entire line at the bank, grocery store or post office due to your own stupidity a buzzer would ring and you would be forced to go to the back of the line. Alas, I am not in charge of the world.

What would you do if you were in charge of the world?

January 9th, 2012 | 4 Comments