Let's Hear it For the Girls: Musing Mondays

Another Musing Mondays prompt from Should be Reading:

If you were going to write a book, what would you write about? Would it be fiction, or nonfiction?



Love this topic. My debut novel, Depression Cookies, is about the mother-daughter bond and the importance of strong female relationships. A coming of age story, it's told from two different perspectives, teenage daughter and her mother. The best part, I co-authored it with my mom.

I have a couple of novels in the works, but there is one general theme: strong female characters and an in-depth look into women and relationships. I'm sure it's because I am a woman, the oldest of three sisters, and now mom to three daughters that I am so intrigued by the complexity of women and their bonds.

I usually read stories with women at the forefront. Nothing against men. I will mix in a male-focused book from time to time. And this definitely does not exclude male authors. One of my favorite female stories was She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb. I can't tell you how many times I turned back to the front cover while I was reading, just to convince myself yet again that a man wrote the book. He did an amazing job!

She's Come Undone Summary (Amazon): Dolores Price. She's 13, wise-mouthed but wounded, having bid her childhood goodbye. Stranded in front of her bedroom TV, she spends the next few years nourishing herself with the Mallomars, potato chips, and Pepsi her anxious mother supplies. When she finally orbits into young womanhood at 257 pounds, Dolores is no stronger and life is no kinder. But this time she's determined to rise to the occasion and give herself one more chance before she really goes under.

I so loved this book that I went on to read I Know this Much is True by Wally Lamb, a book centered on twin brothers. Male-focused, but definitely a relationship story.

At the end of the day, people intrigue me. Call me boring, but I find WHY people do things more intriguing than WHAT they do. I want to write those stories.

How about you? What type of book would you write?

Stories for Women: Musing Mondays

Another Musing Mondays prompt from Should be Reading:
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What do you think are the top 5 books every woman should read? (And for the men who might be playing today: What do you think are the top 5 books every man should read?)

Wow, that's a tall order. Let me start with the men. I need to be totally honest here. Although I read many genres, I tend to stick to stories with a strong female character or about female relationships. I simply find women more interesting and complex. No hate mail, please.

I'm occasionally surprised, and I'm always happy about it when I am. Recently, I read a great "guy" book: The Voynich Cypher. My husband loves Dan Brown, Robert Ludlum, Clive Cussler, and Tom Clancy. I've read at least one by each and give them props.

Now to women's literature. More problems (if you call these problems): I'm all over the place and have so many books I love.

My thoughts:

For Moms
Anne Lamott's Operating Instructions: A Journal of my Son's First Year. It doesn't matter if you have a son or daughter. Lamott offers us all an in-depth and raw look into honest Mom thoughts. No sugary, my-children-are-perfect stories here. I read this during my first daughter's first year, and it helped me own those moments where you feel less than worthy to be a parent.

For Moms of Girls
Judy Blume's Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Not only did this book help me in my teenage years, it has also helped my tween daughter. It's timeless.


And, in a bit of shameless self-promotion, my book, Depression Cookies. It's a coming of age story from both the mother and daughter's perspectives (which I wrote with my own mother). It's journey through body image issues, stranger anxiety, emotional drama, and finding common ground. Moms and daughters can read it together and discuss the different perspectives and timeless teen issues.

For Fans of Historical Fiction
Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross. I read this several years ago in my book club, and I was fascinated. It was the book that made me embrace historical fiction. And you can't ask for a stronger female character.

For Nonfiction Fans
James Fox's Five Sisters: The Langhornes of Virginia. The story focuses on Nancy Astor (married Waldorf Astor), Britain's first female MP, but includes all five sisters. It's female power and strength in spades. (My review)

A close second, if not a downright tie, is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. It shows the complexity of the female spirit and reads like fiction. (My review)


For Young Adult
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Yes, the subject matter is difficult, but it's an amazing book with a strong, memorable female lead. Although classified young adult, it's for teens and up.

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Only listing five doesn't seem fair (and I even snuck in two extra). I loved The Help, and all dog lovers should read The Art of Racing in the Rain. As far as classics, my all-time favorites are The Good Earth and A Separate Peace. And my go-to romance author is Nora Roberts, hands down.

What's your top book recommendation for women?

I can't wait to hop around and read others' opinions on this subject. If you are also interested, please check out the commenters here.

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CANCELLED, Elizabeth Ann West (5 stars)

From Amazon: "What the hell did you send me home with last night?"

Robotics engineer Johnathan Michaels knows all about biding his time. For three years he's worked next to his best friend and idea of a perfect woman, Alexis Rodriguez. Their friendship sparks into something more while saving the company's first multi-million dollar contract and Johnathan's life appears to be on track for perfection. A successful company, a budding romance...until a previous one-night stand appears to return Johnathan's shirt. Pregnant. And it's his.

Now Johnathan's scrambling to keep up at work, keep his love life alive, and deal with his impending fatherhood. How long can he keep it all going before his love life is CANCELLED?

CANCELLED bends the rules of contemporary romance and chick-lit with a male POV and a twist on the ending.

Girl loves boy, boy acts elusive, girl wins him over, and they sail into the sunset. Romance books have a formula. That’s not necessarily always bad. Anything well written is worth reading, but what an extraordinary surprise to find an entertaining and beguiling romance novel with a male point of view and not so standard formula.

Johnathan is unabashedly in love with his coworker. Has been for years. They’ve been playing a tango of dating the wrong people while avoiding their true feelings. They finally come together, but there’s one problem . . . Johnathan recently woke up to an unknown woman in his bed, a woman who is now pregnant with his baby.

Never have I become so attached to a male character in a romance novel. Normally the men are cardboard cutouts and barely fleshed out. In CANCELLED, you see Johnathan struggling with the right thing to do. He puts family first, thanks to an unconventional upbringing. He avoids his psycho mother like the plague, while fully embracing his stepmother, Anna, as family. Anna quickly became one of my favorite characters in the book, outside of Johnathan of course.

Johnathan is so expertly layered; the reader gets to see his conflicts at work and in love while also watching him make difficult choices. He’s not perfect, but I was rooting for him from early on. It was so refreshing and rare to be rooting for the man in a romance/chick-lit novel. Plus the ending definitely defies the romance formula, and I loved it. Not giving away anything more here.

I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy romance but are looking for something outside the standard cookie cutter story. This story is a breath of fresh air in a sometimes stale genre. And I say that as someone who enjoys a good romance every now and again. I just want them well written and interesting. This one certainly fits the bill.

Rating: A squealing 5 stars!

*****

I’m thrilled to be hosting Elizabeth on my Depression Cookies blog today as part of her CANCELLED eBook Signing Tour. She is talking about writing resolutions and giving away signed eBook copies of CANCELLED.

I met Elizabeth Ann West through A Round of Words in 80 Days. She is one of those writers you immediately bond with because she’s so giving and supportive. To now love her book brings me full circle.

Hop on over to my blog, read her post, and leave a comment. Kickstart 2012 with a great read!

Trust Your Friends for the Best Books: Musing Mondays

Another wonderful Musing Mondays prompt from Should be Reading:

How do you decide to read a book by an author you haven’t read before? What sort of recommendations count most highly in making that decision?

I've said it many times... book clubs are an amazing resource for book recommendations. I love to read different genres and authors; I'm all about the experimentation. Before book clubs, I'd search through book stores. Sometimes it was a cover that attracted me, other times I'd look at the employee recommendations highlighted.

When I started going to book clubs, one of my favorite parts was the once or twice a year meeting where everyone brought books to offer as selections for the next year's reading list. We'd pass them around and hear people tell how much they loved them or why they were excited to read a certain author. Then it was time to vote. I would scribble down authors and titles like mad. In the end, we could only pick twelve books, but I always walked away with many more to read.

My new book club has a wonderful method for selecting books. Once a year we have a potluck and bring three book suggestions each. On a piece of paper, you print the synopsis, book title, author name, length of book, and why you are recommending it. You then make enough copies for everyone to take one home. I walked home with almost 40 recommendations. Then we went online, aren't we cool!, and voted on our top twelve.

This year, I was honored that my book, Depression Cookies, was chosen. We also chose another local author, Kathryn Johnson. I really enjoyed her novel, The Gentleman Poet. See my review here.

Since I self-published, I try to incorporate a lot of indie and small press reading. I've been amazed at the wonderful stories and quality work. I've met some amazing writers, giving people who hold nothing back, who truly seem interested in others' success as well as their own. I'm thankful to have found this new treasure chest of books.

What's your favorite source for a good book?

Depression Cookies on Sale!

If you haven't had a chance to pick up the award-winning novel I co-wrote with my mom, it's on sale. For a limited time only, the paperback is $11.99 at Barnes and Noble. If you prefer Kindle, you can buy it for $3.03 for a limited time at Amazon.

Don't miss these great deals. Best prices yet!!

2011 Readers Favorite Book Awards, Silver Realistic Fiction and Finalist Chick Lit
2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Finalist Chick Lit
Two distinct voices, two stories interwoven within the walls of family and love.

Abby needs some magic in her life, along with a white knight, respectful children, and an exciting career plan. Instead she is drowning in unfulfilled expectations, disappointments, and unmet needs. What she doesn't expect is to find the true essence of magic in the strength, friendship, power, and energy of the female spirit found in her mother and her mother's zany group of friends. Krista cannot believe it's happening again. Her father waltzes in and announces another move. And what does her mother do? Nothing. Don't they realize she's almost thirteen, and this could mean the end of her life? In the midst of teenage melodrama, she is determined to survive a new school, defeat the annoyances of two scene-stealing sisters, and deal with out-of-touch parents. Yet she quickly realizes the double-edged sword of growing up.

Thank You, Stephen King: Gratitude Guest Post by Carrie Green, Author of Roses are Red

This post is running on my Depression Cookies blog today, but I wanted to share it with my Mom in Love with Fiction readers.

PLEASE NOTE: If you would like a free copy of Carrie's novel, see details at the end of this post, you must go to Thank You, Stephen King on my Depression Cookies page and comment.

Enjoy!!

*****

The WoMen's Literary Cafe is very thankful for all the support from readers, bloggers and reviewers during their recent 'Come Back To Me' Book Launch and #99centBookEvent. As a thank you, they organized this Gratitude Blog Hop.

 

I'm thrilled to be participating and welcome author, Carrie Green. She's written a wonderful post about her draw to the horror genre. We hope you enjoy it. Thanks, Carrie, for stopping by.

 

Thank You, Stephen King!

As a writer, there are many people that I'd like to thank—readers, of course, are first and foremost.  Thank you for buying my books and for taking the time to post reviews.  Next, like any good acceptance speech, I'd acknowledge family, friends, teachers, and lastly, a shout out to the super supportive community of authors & bloggers that I have discovered online. 

My deepest debt of gratitude, however, actually goes to the horror maestro, Stephen King. 

King was the author, beyond all others, who showcased the versatility of the horror genre to me, which forever shaped my path as a writer.  At an early stage in every writer's career, it becomes necessary to select a genre.  This is the decision which will define you, as an author, and your books, as a product, from that point forward, as you strive to build an audience.

Throughout my childhood, starting around third grade, I was a voracious reader and I devoured my books, en masse by genre.  I went through periods where I read every book that I could find in a specific genre and nothing else, until I grew bored with repetitive themes, characters and plots.  I would then switch to a new genre. 

In this fashion, I went from reading westerns to spy adventures, mysteries, celebrity bios, science fiction, detective, romance and horror novels.  I'd bravely walk past the main librarian's desk, so that I could enter the Adult section (there was one dour old librarian who'd bark that I should stay in the children's area, if she saw me), passionate on my crusade to explore all the different genres.

There were certainly some great books that I encountered—the hard-boiled detective novels of the 1940's were one particular stand-out, but when I finally embraced the Stephen King collection, it was like a shining beacon went on.  I had avoided King, due to reading Carrie at the tender age of eight (since it kept coming up during recess).  That novel was the bane of my adolescence. 

Whenever a prom or school dance was scheduled, some smart mouth would ask if I was intending to run for prom queen and wouldn't it be funny to toss pig's blood at me.  Ha. Ha.  I recall while reading that book my dismay at finding out that Carrie was such a total social outcast.  She had no redeeming traits—no charm, no good looks, no intellect and she hurt the very people who tried to help her. 

I couldn't appreciate, at the time, the tragedy and horror that was being depicted in this tale of bullies, victims, and the not-so-innocent bystanders who allowed this cycle of abuse to continue.  My main take-away was that it would be fool-hardy for me to ever run for prom queen.  I knew that it would be too tempting for my peers.  After reading Carrie, I hated Stephen King.

Only when I was in college, during a writing workshop where other people kept comparing my writing to King's, did I become curious enough to try his books, again.  It was a revelation.  Once I was no longer reading about characters named Carrie, I found him vastly entertaining! 

King showcased for me the endless possibilities, flexibility, and originality of the horror genre.  A villain can be a serial killer (Firestarter), a loving father and husband (The Shining and Pet Sematary), a classic car (Christine) or a clown (It).  Heroes can be just as unexpected—children, an average joe, or even a prisoner on death row as in The Green Mile series. 

One of my favorites from his more recent works has to be the untrustworthy narrator of Blaze, a petty criminal who kidnaps a baby, who is both the hero and the villain in the novel.  It's an elegant exercise on the duality of human nature.  I also adore Misery.  It is both a great horror novel and a wonderful stand-alone romance (in the chapters that resurrect the character of Misery).  I could not imagine a more unlikely genre coupling, but King appeared to pull it off with ease.

I must sincerely thank King for teaching me, through his published works, that the horror genre, above all others, can be any genre.  It offers the greatest flexibility, since horror can be found in any situation and seen through the eyes of any character.  It offers infinite freedom.  I am only limited by my own imagination!

For more information about Carrie and her books, please visit her Amazon Author page.

Today, Wednesday, November 16th only, leave a comment below and receive a FREE copy of Carrie's collection of horror short stories, 'Roses are Red.' Please provide your email address in order to be sent a PDF link as well as a Smashwords code to download your FREE book.  Thanks!

Please visit these other stops on the Gratitude Blog Hop so that you can win additional FREE books:

Listening to Your Favorite Novel

Welcome to Musing Mondays. On Mondays I contemplate subjects offered up by Should Be Reading. Today's prompt:

Do you listen to audio books? Why, or Why not?

I've listened to very few audio books. I'm rarely in the car for extended periods, and I get distracted when I'm working out. I've tried listening to books then, but it hurts my workout routine, and we can't be having that! The more engrossed I get in the storyline, the more I slow down. Can't explain it.

My sister, an avid runner, loves audio books and rarely reads a book. She did a guest post recently on my Depression Cookies blog: Books on the Run. She just finished first in her age group in her latest half marathon and has completed several marathons. Clearly listening to audio books does NOT slow her down.

Listening to audio books is akin to watching the movie adaption of a book for me. I'm particular and love conjuring up images of characters and setting, having someone else interpret the book takes some of the pleasure out of it. I rarely like a movie version if I loved the book. Although I must admit, I tend to like the movie versions when I didn't like the book.

Still, there are some books I wish I had listened to. I ended up loving Kathryn Stockett's The Help, but initially I struggled with reading the dialogue. I tend to read at night, and my eyes started crossing and sleep beckoned. Everyone in my book club who listened to it did not have that problem.

One of these days, I might try listening to books again. But, for now, you'll find me snuggled in bed with a book or my Kindle.

Do you listen to audio books? If so, is it in addition to reading the book or in lieu of?

Friday Finds

Another great blog topic from Should be Reading.

What great books did you hear about/discover this past week?

Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS!

Two books I came across this week from authors on SheWrites (I'm a member with my Depression Cookies blog). Both are indie or small published, and Shawn Lamb is a former traditionally published author turned indie.

Check them out:

The Huguenot Sword, Shawn Lamb

Summary from Amazon: For Faith. For Friendship. For Freedom. In the time of Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu, when being a Protestant could mean death, The Huguenot Sword roamed the streets of Paris by night, defending those faithful to the young heretical religion. The nobility scorned them as ruffians, to the oppressed Protestants they were saviors, but to the Cardinal Guards they were a pestilence needing to be terminated. The situation becomes desperate when those in power launch a bold plan to destroy the group. One wrong move can be fatal. But the ordeal of Paris pales in comparison to the possible annihilation of their faith and people at the battle of La Rochelle.

A Summer in Oakville, Lisa J. Lickel and Shellie Neumeier

Summary from Amazon: One Magical Summer in Oakville, Wisconsin, Love Finds its Way through Four Entwined Lives. Tessa Hasmer Murphy has a secret. Estranged from her husband, will she let a past love and a fight to save the family farm destroy her marriage and daughter Lindsay's happiness? Lindsay Murphy plans to live on her grandparents' farm until she can find a job, but developer Brandon Calloway has other plans for the property. As she wages war against him, will she lose her heart and the farm both? Widower Arthur Hasmer's life and that of his son, Andy, spiral out of control. Then old friend, Dana London, reenters the picture with the power to help them all back to love, joy and faith. Andy Hasmer has the ultimate bummer life. No mom, not much of a dad, no future. When he's sent to the farm and wrecks the truck, nothing could be worse than the lousy job he takes to pay Grampa back-except maybe putting up with the pastor's daughter, Ella.

Happy Reading.

Please pass along any books you discovered this week.

Review of the Movie: Bridesmaids

I don't often review movies, simply because I don't normally have time to watch movies either at home or in the theater. I made an exception this past date night and twisted my hubby's arm to go see Bridesmaids with me. Plus, I haven't had a whole lot of extra reading/movie-watching time since I started participating in Wordcount's Blogathon on our Depression Cookies blog.


But on to the funny. Bridesmaids does what most comedies cannot manage, it actually has scenes far funnier than the previews. I hate to see hilarous previews only to find out every SINGLE funny scene in the movie was in the preview. Not so with this one. Producer Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin) does not disappoint.

Just to give a brief overview for the few people who haven't heard about the movie, Bridesmaids is about Annie (Kristen Wiig), a woman down on her luck who finds out her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) is getting married. Maid of Honor duties begin as does a rivalry with one of Lillian's other bridesmaids. As you can imagine, things go from bad to worse.

The funniest scene involves a luncheon at a suspect Brazilian restaurant followed by the ladies trying on gowns. Truly, I've never laughed so hard. Megan, as played by Melissa McCarthy, steals the show most of the movie, but all the main ladies get to chew on a scene of two.

What I loved most . . . it wasn't JUST a comedy. Your heart broke for Annie, and I was smitten with the Irish cop who tries to get her back on even footing. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you might even feel an intense desire to run to the restroom. Sure, there were a few moments I wanted more, but they were few and far between.

Warning: Those easily offended by crude humor should avoid. If you can't handle The Hangover, you can't handle this! (This from a woman who has yet to see The Hangover, so I'm basing this off my husband's review.)

Enjoy!