She’s funny and smart, and she always brings something extra to the discussion, relating discrete events or characters in a novel to some overarching life principle or smaller, homely slice-of-life observation.

My goal as a writer is to get a rave review from Misty Baker. Not for the stars. Not for the glory. But because then I’ll know I’ve accomplished what I set out to with a novel. You see, I trust Misty Baker not to skim, but to read what I wrote, to think about it, and then to tell the truth about her experience of the story.

For instance, more than a few people don’t like Sara, the protagonist in Kiss Me Hello , because she’s weak when it comes to her relationship with her husband. Misty gets it that this is the core of Sara’s story:  

Luckily, I was so intrigued by the “hot ghost” and flying vine spikes that I could look past my irritability and read the story for what it was. A weak woman’s road to thriving independence (and self-confidence.)

I fault myself as a writer that this aspect of Sara isn’t better explained or justified. I don’t want the reader put off by the off-putting character flaw. I want the reader hoping the protagonist is going to overcome the flaw.

I consider things like this about my writing every time I read a Kindle Obsessed review. Misty makes authors better writers. I suspect she makes me a better (and more satisfied) reader too.

So begins Elle Casey’s invitation to YOU – she’s giving away 190 books in the next few days. All you have to do is choose the ones you want. There’s also a place to say why you picked the books you did – fill that out, and give the authors a thrill!

I’ve just skimmed the list so far (Firebird and Spiderwork are included) and it looks like a lot of great books are there, including at least one New York Times bestseller.

Have fun!

How about a $10 gift card to spend at Amazon on a great new book for spring?

And … Congratulations, Kat! You won with this entry!

Kat Riley  says:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For your enjoyment, from Susan Voss:

C, E-flat, and G go into a bar.

The bartender says, “Sorry, but we don’t serve minors.” So E-flat leaves, and C & G have an open fifth between them.

After a few drinks the fifth is quite diminished and G is out flat.

F comes in and tries to augment the situation but is not sharp enough.  No one likes a dissident either so he retreats to a table.

Since G is taking a rest C thinks about a second and asks D to join him.

Then A comes in but the bartender suspects this relative of C may be a minor so he is sent away from the bar.

Another minor incident occurs when D can’t agree with C on anything so decides to join F and A at their table where they all order cokes so they won’t get kicked out.

In a major development E-flat returns with proper I.D. and takes a half step up to the bar to join G, who has also returned to his natural state and is hanging out with C.

A seventh customer, fondly called Major B, enters.  A true leader, he jazzes up the tonic drinkers at the bar.

This goes well until F decides he’s tired of being a minor player, approaches the bar and insults everyone with an off-key remark.  G manages to dominate F but in the meantime D & A quickly down a fifth, stagger to the bar and knock Major B down half a step.  He is caught by C, E & G, which is applauded by F, A & C and followed immediately by D who shouts, “OK FINE!”, which stunned everyone into silence.

I don’t like Select’s exclusivity. I would much rather have all my books available everywhere at all times.

But since I released Kiss Me Hello , I’ve had two sales at B&N. Putting it in Select was a business decision I was forced to make due to lack of sales at B&N.

I wish I knew how to sell Nook books, I really do!

Kiss Me Hello will be out of Select on June 12 and once again available at B&N, iTunes, and Kobo. As a “make-up” to the Nookies and Koboites and Itunies who have to wait, I will lower Kiss Me’s price to 99 cents on June 12 – so sign up for my new release newsletter for a reminder on the day it’s available!

Someday more people will know about L.K. Rigel books and I won’t have to use Select to get the word out. I hope it’s soon!

Firewall (book 2 No Uncertain Logic Series) by C.G. Powell

Besides being hilarious and a truly nice person, C. G. Powell is a woman of many talents. She’s a great storyteller, a marvelous visual artist (as you can see by this wonderful cover), and she designs awesome author swag .

Below is an excerpt from Firewall,  the next book in the No Uncertain Logic series after Spell Checked , coming this summer.

-oOo-

Excerpt: “I hate to cut things short, but the sooner we get down to business the better.  I’ve made arrangements for a transport to take us to the Atlantis which is sitting in the Meranna Sea.”

Before Sarik could finish, Jael interrupted, “When did you move the ship?”

“Shortly after you left for Ibis Prime.  Orion felt he needed to keep an eye on me once Aphrodite arrived, so he sent a team to assist the move closer to the capital city.”  He looked to Neria and Aphrodite.  “Ladies, if you will follow me.  I will take you to the transport.”

They walked to a smaller docking area where a transporter ship was awaiting them.  Neria’s bags were already on board, as was Captain Ross.

Sarik raised one brow.  “How did you get here so quick?”

Captain Ross cleared his throat and rolled his eyes towards the cockpit where Tal sat.

“I thought you didn’t trust mist traveling?”  Sarik laughed.

“It took a while to get used to, but it has its benefits if you can get past the nausea and the whole cellular disintegration reassembly thing.”

Sarik nudged the captain with his elbow.  “Are you sure it has nothing to do with quantum entanglement with a certain Jinn?”

Speechless, Captain Ross’ reddened face spoke volumes.  He excused himself and joined Tal in the cockpit.

Looping her arm in Sarik’s, Jael frowned and continued towards the passenger area of the transport.  “Why do you tease the poor Captain?  I think it quaint that he has taken a liking to Tal even if she doesn’t return his affections.”

“What kind of friend would I be, if I didn’t acknowledge his obvious fondness?”

“Do you really want me entertain your question with an answer?”

“No, not really.”

Over the intercom the captain’s voice boomed, “Good morning, this is your captain.  Today’s flight should be a clear shot to the Meranna Sea area.  We have favorable atmospheric conditions and low level winds upon approach.  Our estimated arrival is 14:80 standard atomic time, that’s half-past lunch for those of you who still struggle with the local atomic conversion.”

Jael, Salima, and Aphrodite all turned and looked at Sarik.

Pursed lipped, Sarik stood and yelled toward the cockpit.  “Okay, you win.  Now get us the hell out of here.”

Coming Summer 2013

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If the SAT question was:

Wyrd is to Fae as:

1. science is to religion

2. technology is to magic

3. cowboys are to aliens

4. dogs are to cats

#3 would be the least fitting response.

The overarching tension in War of the Wyrd  is sourced in the fundamental natures of the wyrd and the fae. On the surface, wyrd and fae seem the same – magical beings, right?

Wrong. I’m finding that the wyrd, while spiritual to their very core, are far more logical, their power enhanced by magic but dependent on scientific method, training, predictability. The fae, on the other hand, are purely magical. Intuitive. Impetuous. Serendipitous.

Assumptions, misunderstandings, the sense of betrayal when differences matter. Both parties armed with the power to bend even the elements to their will.

Are we surprised to hear rumors of war?

Kindle   ….   Nook

I think this is a good one. There’s only one small problem … my brain is already conjuring a sequel. Gah!

Now – away from Pelican Chase, the sleepy but ghost-infested village on the northern California coast and …

… on to War of the Wyrd .

Oh – in the details department: Kiss Me Hello is priced at $2.99 for the release. Its permanent price will be $4.99.  I’m going to try and nudge my standard price to $4.99 for most books. I could get more written faster if I could actually make a living at this – and if my book doesn’t entertain someone enough that they begrudge me the cost of a crappletini in return, then I’m not doing it right anyway!

Yes! We’re almost there …

an excerpt:

Sara turned her car onto Bird Row to look for parking. She was going to find Spot and ask how to de-ghostify Turtledove Hill. Bram’s truck was parked crooked next to the hitching rail in front of The Book Beak, taking up two spaces.

“What a jerk.” Joss materialized in the passenger seat.

“Go away,” Sara said automatically. “You’re hardly one to complain about taking more than your share of space.”

“True. As you know, I am a rather large guy.”

“Oh, ick. If that’s supposed to be sexual innuendo, don’t forget you were using another man’s…largeness.” She turned at the next corner to go around the block.

“The ignominy of it all!” Joss put his hand to his forehead in mock shame. “Wait. Is it IG-nominy or ig-NOM-iny? That’s one of those words you only read but never actually hear anyone say.”

“IG-nuh-minnie,” Sara said. “I’m an English teacher. Or I was one, anyway.”

“Oh, really.” He had a gleam in his eye. “Can I be teacher’s pet?”

“Why are you here?”

“I don’t know. It feels like I’m stuck to you. Psychically or something.”

“That’s just what I need in my life. Jakey Twilighty imprinting creepiness.”

“Imprinting? You mean like a duckling?” His face screwed up like he didn’t know what she was talking about. But of course he wouldn’t. He’d missed decades’ worth of changes in the zeitgeist. “I think it’s worse than that. Seriously, Sara. Our…lovemaking was pretty intense. I believe I’m stuck to you spiritually.

“Because the earth moved, you mean.”

“Well, yeah. For me. God, is sex like that normal with you?”

No, it wasn’t. But that was none of Joss’s business. “You have to leave me alone.”

“I don’t have control over it. I’ll keep showing up. In your life. In your car—”

“In my bed?”

He smiled. “Who knows?”

“Go away, Joss.” She pointed to her ring. “I’m married.”

“You called me Joss.” Smiling, he dissipated to nothing.  .

I’m so excited about this story. It’s a ghost story, a love story, a story of resentments, desire, greed, guilt, forgiveness — of letting go of pain so joy can find its place.

When Sara Blakemore inherits a haunted mansion, a ghost forces her to confront problems in her marriage she’s long tried to ignore.  She must reconsider what she wants and what she deserves. Sara fights to save her marriage — and discovers the real threat may be to her life!

I’ll be sending out the newsletter on the day it goes live. Subscribe here!