Author: tamaramorning

When Homework Looks Like Writing

When you’re tired and super busy and barely have time to think, much less write, it’s nice when God gives you a little nudge to get you motivated again. One of my classes this session is British Lit. Our final essay is due in about 2 1/2 weeks. One of the sample topics was to re-write a scene from Le Morte Darthur from Guinevere’s point of view.

Now, I’ve always wondered just what she was thinking, messing around with her husband’s best friend, when she knew her husband was renowned for his chivalrous ideas and principles, and she was surrounded by a bunch of men with animosity issues. So, naturally, the Muse really liked that idea. I checked with the prof to make sure it was okay to use one of the sample topics, and when she okayed it, I was thrilled. A final paper I’m actually excited about writing.

I got the first words down today. Only 100, but I have almost 3 weeks to write 1,000-1,500 words, so I think 100 words every couple of days will pretty much get me there without any forced writing sessions. And TBH…I still have no idea what she was thinking.

But it should be fun to find out.

A Bride’s Agreement

(I do not own this image. Image Courtesy of Barbour Books.)
(I do not own this image. Image Courtesy of Barbour Books.)

A Bride’s Agreement is a collection of five stories by authors by Elaine Bonner, Ramona K. Cecil, Nancy J. Farrier, JoAnn A. Grote, and DiAnn Mills. The stories all feature the theme of two people who agree to marry virtual strangers, and romance blossoms between them.

One woman marries a man for the sake of his children. One woman’s family arranges a marriage with a man from another country. One woman is bartered in marriage to pay off her father’s debts. One woman agrees to help a man run his family farm and care for his siblings. One woman must marry a trail scout for propriety’s sake.

These stories are just the right length to get to know the characters, without adding unnecessary drama. They are all set in the 1800s, and are sweet Christian romances about couples overcoming great odds to find happiness. This book is perfect for a relaxing, inspirational read.

(Galley courtesy of Barbour Books via NetGalley.)

Just a Little Bit of (Potential) Magic

Just a few pics I found that might provide some writing inspiration.

(I do not own this image. Image belongs to photophilde.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to
photophilde.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Hartwig HKD.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Hartwig HKD.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to David Yu.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to David Yu.)

Beautiful. There, feeling inspired?

Death Before Daylight, by Shannon A. Thompson

(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Shannon. A. Thompson and Clean Teen Publishing.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Shannon. A. Thompson and Clean Teen Publishing.)

Shannon A. Thompson is a young adult author, a poet, and a blogger. Her newest book, Death Before Daylight, is the third book in The Timely Death trilogy, and hits shelves tomorrow. Shannon is currently with Clean Teen publishing. She loves cats and coffee, and both keep her going while she works.

The time for the showdown between the Light and the Dark has finally arrived. Someone must die. All Eric wants is Jessica by his side for the battle to come, but as soon as they are reunited, fate intervenes and they’re torn apart again. With a new breed of shade in play, the three descendants finally meet, but Jessica and Eric aren’t expecting to hear the truth from Darthon, who reveals his identity to Eric, who cannot divulge the secret. Jessica must find out the truth for herself—and make a decision that will decide the fate of the shade worlds forever.

Death Before Daylight is the last book in The Timely Death trilogy. The characters are believable and realistic, and the relationship between Eric and Jessica grows on every page. This world is a unique creation, with the Dark being good, and the Light bad, and the dual identities of all the shades is a great twist. This series is a fascinating, fast-pace read that will appeal to readers who love paranormal, fantasy, young adult, and romance.

***

My apologies to Ms. Thompson for the delay. I was about to post my review when you announced you would be leaving your prior publisher, so I decided to wait until that situation was resolved, and the book was available again. (Also posted to Examiner.com).

(Galley provided by Shannon A. Thompson.)

Reasons I’m Not Writing (Today)

In no particular order:

  1.  I’m tired.
  2. I have too many other things that have to be done.
  3. I have homework.
  4. I have a 4-day weekend, so I still have 2 writing days available.
  5. I have two essays to write (So, some writing).
  6. I can’t concentrate for longer than 5 minutes at a time.
  7. I’m a horrible procrastinator.
  8. I’m also an optimist (As in “I totally have plenty of time to get everything done.”  I don’t, actually.)
  9. I’d rather take a nap. (Done.)
  10. I need an outline and some worldbuilding done before I write anything else.

Winell Road: Beneath the Surface, by Kate Foster

(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Jet Black Publishing.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Jet Black Publishing.)

Kate Foster is an English author who lives in Australia. She has three sons who keep her very busy, and she has loved to read and write for as long as she can remember. Her newest book, Winell Road: Beneath the Surface, is the first book in a middle-grade series reminiscent of Men in Black.

When you’re 12 years old, living in a boring neighborhood with weird neighbors is the worst thing that can happen. Welcome to Jack Mills’ life. His mom likes to spy on the neighbors and create odd recipes. His dad is the inventor of such things as the Camera Belt and the Self-Closing Window. His best friend is away on one of his clandestine vacations and can’t be reached. So when Jack sees a spaceship one afternoon that no one else has seen, he’s on his own.

Until a new neighbor moves in, extremely tall Roxy Fox. With Roxy’s help, Jack is soon on a mission to find an item that could save the galaxy from horrible aliens intent on destroying the world. But Winell Road has secrets that Jack never suspected, and these secrets could be enough to thwart Jack’s mission. For good.

Winell Road:  Beneath the Surface is a fast-paced middle-grade adventure story with the feel of Men in Black. Jack is a smart, resourceful boy with more abilities than he’s ever dreamed off, and he finds out that the world is a far stranger place than he imagined. The action is non-stop and will keep readers riveted.

(Galley provided by Jet Black Publishing via NetGalley.)

Chivalrous, by Dina L. Sleiman

(I do not own this image. Image courtesy of Bethany House Publishers.)
(I do not own this image. Image courtesy of Bethany House Publishers.)

Dina L. Sleiman is a resident of Virginia Beach where she spends a lot of her time outdoors, when she isn’t writing or editing. She is a graduate of Regent University, and she writes inspirational fiction. Her new novel, Chivalrous, is the second book in the Valiant Hearts series.

Gwendolyn Barnes wishes she were a man. Then she could become a knight and compete in tournaments: her secret dream. Instead, Gwendolyn is at the mercy of her domineering, brutal father and her submissive mother. Her father intends only to see her married to a man just as controlling as he is so she will further the family’s fortunes. So Gwendolyn keeps her knightly training a secret, not wishing to raise the ire of her father.

In disguise, she competes in a tournament, where she meets the handsome Allen of Ellsworth. Allen is determined to prove his worth as a knight, but he sacrifices his chance to win the tourney to save a child. His sacrifice results in Allen’s whirlwind rise through the ranks, and soon he’s living a live he never imagined. Gwendolyn could see herself by his side, but fate conspires to keep them apart as murder, mayhem, and marriage stand in their way.

Chivalrous is a tale of days gone by, a story straight from the world of Arthur. There is action a plenty: knights, battles, courtly intrigue, and betrayal. Gwendolyn must learn her own worth, and how God values her, while Allen must place his faith wholly in God, instead of man. Chivalrous is an entrancing read that will keep readers glued to every page.

(Galley Provided by Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley.)

Weekly Ramblings: Editing and a Hospital Visit

Real Life Update:  I started my new job last week. This week, I was in Dallas for training. Wednesday morning, I had a brief visual disturbance (double vision) that scared the crap out of me. My doc wanted me to get checked out, so I had a brief eval from paramedics, then spent several hours in the E.R. at Baylor Dallas. CT and everything was clear, so they released me. My new boss came to check on me. I was horrified, but that was awesome of him. I’m off until Monday to rest (so I missed almost all of Wednesday, and all of Thursday, but that’s it). I feel fine. No issues since, and they’re pretty sure it was stress-related, but I see my neuro next Friday to get his take on it. (In case anyone is wondering, I had a stroke two years ago without warning. Haven’t had any of these issues in about 15 months.) I took it easy yesterday–pedicure and a nap–and I’m taking it easy today as well. I feel fine, but I think a nap is next on the agenda.

Writing Update: Got my words in on Siren Song last week. I’ll get a few more today/this weekend, as well as some editing.  My Personal and Professional Editing class should be interesting. This week, we learned about Style Sheets (which I’d never heard of), so I’ll be grabbing that idea and running with it. If you’re interested in how editing has changed, our textbook is Editors on Editing (ed. by Gerald Gross), and the essays are pretty fascinating to me.

Change is Good

I started the new job Wednesday.  So far just basic stuff like safety videos, which is normal for the healthcare field, but I did go see my new clinic very briefly on Thursday.  “Wow” is all I can say.  It’s beautiful!

I’ve gotten a bit of writing on Siren Song done this morning, with more on the agenda for the day.  I think I can play in this world for a good long time, with loosely-related stories set in the Mystic World.  (At least, that’s what the Muse told me this morning.)  I’ve already revised two chapters of Witches today.  Mainly just a POV switch, with some thoughts for a deeper revision to come. I’ve started doing some reading for my editing class as well, and learned about style sheets:  the formal name for the set of notes I’ve been keeping on this story for years. Good to know.

Okay.  I’m off to get back to work on both stories again.