News, Books, and the Latest

While I haven't been around blogger lately, I have been keeping busy. After a long and thorough set of edits, GD, my YA Paranormal (one I'm so in love with), is finally off to the world's most amazing crit partners. YAY! And now instead of twiddling my thumbs I just have to decide what to work on while I wait for more revisions to roll in. So I haven't exactly decided yet, but I have several options. I'm leaning toward firing up my mostly-plotted YA sci-fi (codename: W) and writing until my fingers bleed.

Also, I've finally finished my A-Z reading challenge. What a whirlwind. And now that I've read all my required reading, I'm enjoying some great reads I've been looking forward to. Shift (Shade #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready. I'm almost halfway through it. This is how you write an emotional read, people. Uh-mazing! And, by the way, The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade was also a great read. Fun and surprisingly deep. Now all I need is the sequel, Queen of the Dead.

Now I'm sure I don't have to tell you so many great books have come out over the summer and release soon. While my book addiction is...uh, let's call it problematic, there are so many books on my wishlist right now. Seriously. In case you're interested, I've got a wishlist tab on my goodreads.

An amazing bit of news that I almost forgot to mention, my critique partner just signed a contract with Entangled Publishing for her Sci-Fi Romance, Queen of Swords. I'm beyond thrilled for her. And trust me, you will want to get your hands on this one when it releases.

Great news all around! And I'll be seeing you all around a lot more lately.

A-Z Reading Challenge March Update

As you may (or may not) know I'm participating in an alphabet reading challenge hosted by Steph @ Thoughts of a Book Junkie.


A - Assassin Study by Maria V. Snyder
B - Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey
C - Chime by Franny Billingsley
D - The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
E - The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller
F - Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
G - Going All In by Jess Dee
H - Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey 
I - The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
J - Jonas (Beautiful Dead #1) by Eden Maguire
K - Kiss Me Deadly by Michele Hauf
L - Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
M - Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
N - Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
O - Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison
P - Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Q - Queen of Shadows by Dianne Sylvan
R - A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix
S - Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready
T - This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
U - Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane
V - Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
W - Wither by Lauren DeStefano
X - XVI by Julia Karr
Y - (Still searching)
Z - Zombie Nights by Tom Lichtenberg

Read in March:
T - This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
M - Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
J - Jonas (Beautiful Dead #1) by Eden Maguire
D - The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
and
Z - Zombie Nights by Tom Lichtenberg

14 down, 12 to go. My favorite this month? It was a big surprise, but Jonas (Beautiful Dead #1). The idea, the fast-paced writing style, and the characters really got to me.


So, my question for you guys is, what are you reading? Or what have you read recently that's blown you away? And I'm still searching for a Y pick. Any ideas?

Friday Five

1. I hate April Fool's Day. I know nothing about how it started or when, but I am not a fan of being more gullible than usual. So, I vote to outlaw it. Maybe we can make it April Jokes Day instead? I like jokes. See, I'm not a huge grump...just a little one :)


2. I swore I wouldn't do this, (no, an April Fool's joke is not on its way) but I am currently reading a book that is not part of my A-Z Reading Challenge. I couldn't help myself. What was I so desperate to read that I just couldn't wait until I got through the entire alphabet? White Cat by Holly Black. I'm about 60% through it...and Wow. Just. Wow. Seriously. It took me a while to get into the book (it was good, but I wasn't connecting) until things really started going wrong for the MC. And so far, Holly Black is doing three things amazingly well. Writing, worldbuilding, and backstory. If you've read it, you know what I mean. If you haven't, why not? This one is definitely worth a go.



3. Working, working, working! Day job, exercise (which I'm actually starting to enjoy doing), and writerly stuff. I have been bu-sy! Woo. What have I been working on? Right now I'm trying to finish up a short story that I'm hoping to submit. After that I'm hoping to pick my my YA Dystopian again.


4. Yesterday a bus remodeled my car. And let me tell you, this calls for a sad face. So... :(


And 5. Happy April! I'm so glad March is over and my super-big-half-paid-off-mega-vacation is that much closer. 6 weeks and 1 day. *happy dance* And...I've already paid for the airfare. More info to come soon.

A-Z Reading Challenge February Update

As you may (or may not) know I'm participating in an alphabet reading challenge hosted by Steph @ Thoughts of a Book Junkie. And I wanted to share my progress.

This is my first reading challenge, and even though I'm not a book blogger, I am a writer. And as a writer, I read. In fact, I've always loved to read. So this challenge seemed right for me. And so much fun!

A - Assassin Study by Maria V. Snyder
B - (Either: The Body Finder by Kimberly Dertling, Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris, or Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey)
C - City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
D - (Either: Devoured by Amanda Marrone and The Dead Girl's Dance by Rachel Caine, or Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning)
E - The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller
F - Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
G - Going All In by Jess Dee
H - Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey 
I - The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
J - Jonas (Beautiful Dead #1) by Eden Maguire
K - Kiss Me Deadly by Michele Hauf
L - Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
M - Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
N - Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
O - Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison
P - Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Q - Queen of Shadows by Dianne Sylvan
R - A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix
S - Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready
T - This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
U - Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane
V - Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
W - Wither by Lauren DeStefano
X - XVI by Julia Karr
Y - (Still searching)
Z - (Still searching)

Read in February:
K - Kiss Me Deadly by Michele Hauf
H - Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey
I - The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
and
R - A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix

9 down, 17 to go. My favorite this month? It was a tie between Hearts at Stake and A Rush of Wings. Can't wait to see what both series will offer in the future.

Currently Reading:
M - Magic Study
and
T - This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

So, my question for you guys is, what are you reading? Or what have you read recently that's blown you away?