Sara Reyes | Making My List...Checking it ?

Big confession time, shocker isn't it? But I don't make reading lists. Gasp! Yup, reading a book is a time of relaxation and to "get away from it all" not something associated with "work" and for me, lists are WORK. BIG CAPTIALS, WORK. What I MUST do, what I should have DONE, what I WILL DO. Get the point? Work. Yuck. Reading now is something entirely different. It's where I leave everything and go into a different world, with its own set of rules, problems, solutions, characters. It's definitely not work. So, here's the problem, I said this weekend's theme should be "reading lists or books for the summer."

All well and good, after all I can set the tone or theme for a weekend or week or month, but then it means I have to follow it too. SIGH. And I spent Friday thinking about "what am I going to read this summer?" It was dreary and depressing. It was planning it was, omg, WORK!!! So I figured it out, I'd just confess. I don't do lists.

Now, not to say I'm not 'aware' of book releases dates, oh dearie me, no! I am very aware because like airline seats they have a critical day (street date) when things MUST BE DONE, but for my personal reading, I have a general idea, Linda Howard has a book in July, (BURN), there will be blockbusters and lots of great reads right around the corner. And I can wait, so making a list is really a pain.

But I also know and admire, must admit I do admire, readers who PLAN their reading and books meticulously. One I know actually has the books in her planner and consults it as to when she'll be able to do family stuff or she'll be reading. Honest, no joke. And that's cool. She actually has all the release dates, even penciling in the 'tentative titles,' for the next two YEARS of her favorite authors. Of course, she has a devil of a time when she discovers someone new and has to "fit them in" to her schedule. And since she's joined our book club we've all taken great joy and pride in introducing to authors she never knew. But back to the point, for her this summer reading list assignment would have been a breeze. (note to self, get her to write a blog post, it would be interesting). For me it's been painful.

So question of the day, what are you? A seat of the pants reader (as in you see a book, you pick it up, you read) or are you a planner (you know when a book comes out, you acquire it, you set aside time and read) or somewhere in between or chart your own path?

Until next time...
Get out there and READ a book...

Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers Group

Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas November 13-15, 2009!

As usual we've got a great selection of books for a commenter from our stash of goodies. So be brave and comment! Besides, you're sharing the wealth so to speak with a summer reading list at the very least! Go here to comment...

Jill Marie Landis | The Tale of THE ACCIDENTAL LAWMAN or The Book with the Big Headed Hero.

Last year Steeple Hill released HOMECOMING, my first western historical with an inspirational theme. The story is set in a fictional Texas frontier town named Glory and I found myself so involved in the characters and the setting that I wrote a second book, THE ACCIDENTAL LAWMAN, set in the same town. The hero and heroine from HOMECOMING make cameo appearances, so readers who missed that book might want to order it as well when shopping for THE ACCIDENTAL LAWMAN. (Okay, enough of the shameless self promotion--for now.)

Though I'm known for the emotion and characterization in my books, there is always a touch of humor that sneaks in, too. In THE ACCIDENTAL LAWMAN, humor comes to play in the opening scene, an accident that propels an unassuming writer with the dream of publishing his own newspaper into the unlikely position of the first sheriff of Glory. Hank Larson has moved to Texas to escape his old life, one that continually reminds him of his late wife. He's spent his entire savings on a printing press to enable his dream and is all set to launch "The Glory Gazette." He'll be editor, writer, and publisher. The problem? There is no newspaper in this one horse town because there's no news--not until he arrives and heads for the bank.

Click here to read the rest of Jill's blog, comment and to enter her contest.

Maria V. Snyder | Unexpected Gifts

I’d like to first thank Fresh Fiction for inviting me to blog on their wonderful site – Thanks so much!

I’m so lucky to have such great support from the various book websites and review sites throughout the Internet. It has been one of many unexpected surprises when I became a published author. Another happy and unexpected result has been reader emails. Now some of you may be thinking, of course you’d get emails. But I had been so focused on getting my story published; that I hadn’t really considered what would happen once the book hit the shelves.


Click to read the rest of Maria's blog and to comment.

Dana Marton | Daydreaming

I love a great many things about romance, but I like the fantasy aspect the most. Daydreaming is such a wonderful pastime, isn’t it? And it’s free! I did get to indulge in a big way while writing SAVED BY THE MONARCH.

Since I’m scared to death of flying, I make a point to do it at least once a year. If there’s anything I’ve learned from my intrepid heroines, it’s that life is too short to let fear win. When I travel, I see as people wait for their loved ones at airports, or for strangers holding up signs with names. And since I’m a writer, I see book ideas everywhere…

What if someone went on vacation to Europe, to a small kingdom her parents had left behind when she’d been a very young child? And what if the surprise of a lifetime waited for her when she arrived?

Click to read the rest of Dana's blog and to leave a comment.

Pack Your Beach & Vacation Totes!

Believe it or not summer is upon us and that means VACATIONS! Okay, maybe just a mini vacation or even a short weekend away from work but it's the state of mind that's important here, so let Fresh Fiction authors and friends help you! We've got the best contests with all kinds of goodies to enable even the worst procrastinators to get ready to hit the beach or run off to a summer vacation! Most of these contests end on June 14th so don't delay and enter today!

More Vacation Planning

Do you have BIG plans for this summer? Or maybe a series of little mini-vacations? Or are you using the time to "redo" your life? Share with us and someone will win a $25 Amazon gift certificate to help ya! Tell us your favorite summer recipe, or perhaps your vacation plans, or even memories of school rattling in head what you did last summer! And help your fellow readers, tell us your reading list for the summer! We're all curious.

Beach and Vacation Totes contests
Vacation Stories and Reading Lists

Alisa Sheckley/Alisa Kwitney | Borders

Borders can be pretty dangerous places. People slip over them in the dead of night, bringing desperate travelers, contraband goods and stolen identities. I knew I was inviting in all kinds of delicious plot complications when I set my novel, The Better to Hold You, on an invisible boundary line between realities.

I tried not to think about the complications I was inviting by setting my sequel, Moonburn, on the borderline between paranormal romance and urban fantasy. At first, when I thought about writing a sequel, I thought I would concentrate on another couple, and leave my main characters to get on with the business of living happily ever after.

But the truth is, I've always had a bit of a problem believing that couples will transition straight from a passionately conflicted courtship to a stress-free marriage. In my novels, I've always ended things optimistically, but assumed that there was another book, never to be written, about what happened next.

And all of a sudden, I wanted to write the forbidden book.

In The Better to Hold You, my heroine, Abra, becomes infected with the lycanthropy virus and discovers how to listen to her instincts. But what if her condition continues to change, and her instincts, and her impulses, become harder to control?

Click to read the rest of Alisa's blog and to leave a comment.

Devon Vaughn Archer | NEIGHBORLY LOVE -- FACT OR FICTION?

When I was writing my current Harlequin romance release, KISSING THE MAN NEXT DOOR (Kimani, May 2009), I couldn’t help but wonder just how many romances in real life actually develop with the gorgeous and available woman or hot, single man next door?

A friend of mine told me after the novel had been published that she had a relationship for a couple of years with the hunk that moved in next door. Though they eventually went their separate ways, she still spoke of the romance enthusiastically and as a memory she wouldn’t be opposed to reliving. Or recreating with a new man should the opportunity come along.

In KISSING THE MAN NEXT DOOR, it starts innocently enough as my hairstylist/jazz singer protagonist, divorced with her teenage son living across the country with his father, welcomes the new next door radio deejay neighbor to town. Sparks fly instantly and soon turn into all consuming flames.

Click here to read the rest of Devon's blog or comment.

Sandi Shilhanek | Timing Says Something About You...What?

Sandi has a sweet spot
Originally uploaded by freshfiction

This last week found me once again attending a book signing with the wonderful ladies of the DFWTEA Readers. We were attending assigning Jen Lancaster who was signing copies of her latest book Pretty In Plaid.

Per my usual style I arrived with plenty of time to spare. As I wandered the bookstore I noticed it was 4:00 and that would mean plenty of browsing time before the 5:00 dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. As I browsed I saw that there were already people sitting in the chairs at the signing area and the signing didn’t start until 7:00!

Never having read Jen Lancaster before I really didn’t understand why these people would be lining up (well sitting) so early. Later I would find out, but that’s another story! So anyway back on track…with them arriving so early I wondered what kind of person some of you are. Are you like me and like to be early, and might find a corner to read in while waiting? Are you a right on time sort of person? Perhaps you are a better late than never type of person.

Until next week I wish you all happy page turning!

Sandi Shilhanek

DFW Tea Readers
Readers 'n 'ritas... celebrating literary obsessions