December 2009 Blog Posts (152)

New Blog Post!

http://brotherkangrants.blogspot.com/2009/12/four-free-tools-for-writers-part-one.html

Four Free Tools for Writers, Part One

Enjoy!

Added by KevinRegier@BrotherKangsRants on December 27, 2009 at 1:43pm — No Comments

I am happy to be here surrounded by other writers and readers who are interested in the same things I am. I am working on an off site blog and would like to invite everyone to read and comment on it.

Brother Kang's Rants

Will post here more soon! Check out the blog.

Anyone interested in Guest Posting?

Added by KevinRegier@BrotherKangsRants on December 27, 2009 at 9:20am — No Comments

Dead of Knight is a Recommended Read

Dead of Knight is a Jack Staal mystery. Jack is a detective in a fictitious town located in British Columbia, Canada. While Jack is carrying some baggage and having nightmares, he is on the trail of a murderer nicknamed “The Birthday Boy.” A special group (IHIT) established for major crimes denies that Jack could possibly be able of solving the crime.

Jack not one to give up, begins a… Continue

Added by William R. Potter on December 27, 2009 at 8:30am — No Comments

And On Christmas Day . . .

. . . I find a fan letter from a soldier in Afghanistan. He says he found one of my books there and ordered the rest, because they help get him through his days there. I cannot tell you how humbling some fan mail can be. And what a gift!

Added by I. J. Parker on December 26, 2009 at 5:18am — 2 Comments

My FIVE BEST READS of 2009 (in alphabetical order)

AMERICAN RUST - Philipp Meyer, AWAIT YOUR REPLY - Dan Chaon, PARIAH - Dave Zeltserman, RAVENS - George Dawes Green, ROAD DOGS - Elmore Leonard.

rogersmithbooks.com

Added by roger smith on December 26, 2009 at 2:02am — No Comments

Five Gold Rings: You Win

The last one is easy: relax and enjoy the day!

If you've followed instructions, you looked at your future, your past, your present, and your personality. (BTW:The 20 "I am" statements tend to start with stuff that anyone could have revealed about you, move to deeper stuff, and end with stuff you're afraid is true.) Now you should be ready to look forward with a realistic image of what you are and what you want.

Added by Peg Herring on December 25, 2009 at 9:40pm — No Comments

My part in saving the environment

I like to do my bit to help the effort to save our planet. Last week in Rome my wife and I confronted a brand new recycling program which, mainly, seemed to consist of workmen loading enormous amounts of bottles into their tiny dump truck outside our window at 5 a.m. We cheered them on and put our bottles in the right bin. Unbeknownst to me, my Palestinian crime novels… Continue

Added by Matt Rees on December 25, 2009 at 7:59pm — No Comments

Setting up an author blog

Because I’m such a hip and happening author, I’m redoing my blog. Actually, I’m not redoing it. My friend Harry’s doing it. He’s hip and happening (check out his photo and wish for his cool, Daddy-O). The point of the blog is to make me LOOK that way.

Until now I’ve mused about the writing of my books, my book tours and research, about the world of… Continue

Added by Matt Rees on December 24, 2009 at 11:02pm — No Comments

Gold Ring Assignments: Getting Harder

Today's challenge isn't a question; it's a job.
List twenty statements about yourself that begin with "I am..."
Do it all in one sitting and don't let yourself stop until you've got twenty. (These probably should not be shared.)

Added by Peg Herring on December 24, 2009 at 10:33pm — No Comments

Okay, just to prove that authors DO read rotten Amazon reviews, here are my three favorites for MIXED BLOOD in 2009:

rogersmithbooks.com

J. STORM: “It was like sitting through jury duty, waiting for your name to be called, all the while pretending to glance through the subpar magazine selections in the waiting room. (Not a lot of love in that waiting room . . .)

SALLY ATMAN: “I barely made it through this book; I dreaded what I was going to find on the page every time I picked it up.” (Bits of yesterday’s breakfast… Continue

Added by roger smith on December 24, 2009 at 7:33pm — 4 Comments

Review: THE BRUTAL TELLING by Louise Penny

THE BRUTAL TELLING, Louise Penny

Minotaur Books, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-312-37703-8

Hardcover, $24.95

372 pages

Reviewed by Larry W. Chavis

One way for a great reading experience to occur is when a reader approaches a book skeptically, then is completely won over by the end. This was one such book for me. I had always heard good things about Louise Penny's Three Pines novels, but assumed they weren't my cup of tea.… Continue

Added by Larry W. Chavis on December 24, 2009 at 4:20am — No Comments

Does Size Matter?

Is publishing with a small press a big step forward or selling yourself short? Read my view on my main blog - http://ascamacho.blogspot.com/

Added by Austin S. Camacho on December 23, 2009 at 11:50pm — No Comments

MIXED BLOOD: A THRILLER by ROGER SMITH released in paperback by PICADOR USA

http://www.rogersmithbooks.com/

AMAZON B&N INDIEBOUND

A corrupt cop, a… Continue

Added by roger smith on December 23, 2009 at 11:46pm — No Comments

Meet Me in MD

The day after Christmas I’ll look for you during my last book signing of the year, at the Borders Express in White Marsh Mall. From noon until 4pm I’ll be greeting all the folks returning unwanted gifts and taking advantage of the bargains after the shopping season. Please stop by the store at 8200 Perry Hall Boulevard, Baltimore, MD for an autographed novel.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on December 23, 2009 at 9:54pm — No Comments

Question 3 for Gold Ring

What one thing could you do today to make yourself a better person?

This one reminds me of the prayer somebody told me about: "Lord, you know I've been really good today. I haven't slandered anyone with gossip or been grumpy or hard to get along with. I haven't even given anyone a dirty look. My thoughts have been kind and my attitude toward my fellow human beings is positive and forgiving.

But it's almost 6:00 a.m. and I have to get out of bed now, so I'll need your help… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on December 23, 2009 at 9:13pm — 2 Comments

Happy Holidays

HOLIDAY WREATH JELLO MOLD

1 pkg. lime Jello

1 lg. can crushed pineapple

1/2 c. water

1 1/2 c. pineapple juice

1/2 c. chopped nuts

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

Red cherries

Mix Jello, water and pineapple juice. Make sure Jello dissolves. Set aside 1/2 hour in refrigerator. Mix cream cheese, nuts, pineapple until mushy. Mix in with Jello mixture. Place cherries on bottom of round wreath shaped… Continue

Added by Tory Richards on December 23, 2009 at 10:22am — No Comments

CROSSROADS REVIWED BY JEN KNOX

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-Paced, Tight Prose, December 22, 2009

By J. L. Knox "JLK" (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews

(REAL NAME)

OK. This is not the genre of choice for me, but I've come to know Steven Nedelton and I had to admit, his book (CROSSROADS) sounded interesting, so why limit myself, I thought. So here's my take: This is a plot-driven, fast-paced, spy thriller that seems to incorporate a lot of research and keen literary skill. I'm very glad I picked up… Continue

Added by STEVEN NEDELTON on December 23, 2009 at 9:54am — No Comments

Pre-orders for 'Ffolkes' Medicine.'

Ffolkes' Medicine the first novel in a historical-detective series I'm writing featuring an oversized ego of a man by the name of Geoffery Armitage Ffolkes, goes on sale in January, for $15.95.

If you're looking for a different kind of historical-detective . . . and I do mean different . . . you'll like this one. Ffolkes is a swordsman, poet, assassin, and bon vivant. He preens around like a struting cock rooster and is decidedly narcistic. Although a pirate, he secretly works… Continue

Added by B.R.Stateham on December 23, 2009 at 1:13am — No Comments

Christmas Greetings

As 2009 draws to a close I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to my success as a crime writer, not least the wonderful people who have bought my crime novels, or borrowed them from the libraries, and those who have been kind enough to tell me how much they have enjoyed reading or listening to them. Thank you so much.

I would… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on December 22, 2009 at 10:56pm — No Comments

Second Gold Ring Question

Who in your life had the most influence on you as a reader/writer? I'm not talking about writers here, so don't say Shakespeare or John Irving. I mean who interested you in the printed word.

Aside from my teacher/reader/mother, I'd have to say our elementary school librarian, an elderly lady with the construction of a stork and a penchant for rococo jewelry. She read to us, and I couldn't wait to be able to devour those stories myself and not have to wait until next week to know the… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on December 22, 2009 at 9:53pm — 3 Comments