Book Review

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a well written and complex book, involving the lives of three graduating college students, Madeline, Leonard, and Mitchell. The story begins on graduation day but flashes back and forth into each person's life, their hang-ups, aspirations, and ultimate choices. Along the way there is adventure, excitement, and heartbreak. In addition to the three main characters, around which the plot revolves, there are many, many side characters who come in and out of each of their lives and either add or detract from them. The story wraps up satisfactorily, but not in a way the reader might expect. Yet, given the ages, and dreams, of Madeline, Leonard, and Mitchell, the ending makes sense. This is not a book you can skim over. Every line is loaded with meaning. Eugenides is a terrific writer and it will be interesting to see what he comes up with next.

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My Sequel is Finished!

I've finally completed NO GOOD DEED, the sequel to my first book, NO STONE UNTURNED. I'm now doing the final editing. I say "final" but it seems every time I look at the manuscript I find something new to change, even if it's already been changed once or twice. I'm getting to the point of being satisfied with how it reads, and I've had someone else read it who has given me good, critical, feedback. I hope to see it published by June or July. A friend of mine has been "editing" her finished novel for over three years and is still at it, even though the professional editor she used has called it "spot on." Admittedly, she's fearful of the publication/promotion process that comes once the book is done. If she keeps on editing, she won't have to face it. I'm not looking forward to that process myself, but it's a necessary evil if you're a writer and want to see your work in print. Readers, how do you handle it? At what point do you say, 'my work is ready'?

Book Review

Quinn by Iris Johansen

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I did not like this book very much. A child is missing. The FBI agent assigned to assist the local police in finding her, described as a macho, independent man, hopelessly falls for the mother of the missing girl. The story jumps back and forth, introduces characters without much explanation, and ends leaving the reader hanging in mid-air. Don't waste your time.



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Writing and Balance

Although this picture from a Georgia plantation we visited last year has nothing to do with my post, I thought it would be a nice addition to the blog.

I'm writing today about  keeping balance in your life while writing for maximum effect. Do you wish there were more hours in the day? I do. I had the chance to do a guest blog for Jean Quarles on this subject. It will be posted by her on Thursday March 15. You'll see how I handle balance for myself. You'll also see that there is no one right way to do it. Whatever works for you is what works!  Visit: http://djeanquarles.blogspot.com/ As usual, any comments are appreciated.

The Authors Show

Hello Everyone, I wanted to let you know that I was interviewed for the Authors Show. I learned about this program through Linked-In and was happy to have the opportunity to participate. My interview will be broadcast all day on Tuesday March 13. Go to http://www.theauthorsshow.com/ and listen. I'll be speaking about my first novel NO STONE UNTURNED. You will also find information on how you could be interviewed as well. Thanks for listening!

I'm Not on Facebook!

For some reason I have resisted being on Facebook. I have this blog, I'm on Twitter, Goodreads, and Linked-In, but I can't bring myself to be on Facebook. Maybe it's because I hear about the thousands of friends people have that puts me off.  Friends? Really? Or all the crazy things that happen to people on there because of what someone else decides to share about them. Yet, when promoting books, I'm told that Facebook is a place where I should definitely be. What do you think? What has been your experience with Facebook? I'd love to hear comments from you. Maybe I can be persuaded to join, or maybe you'll just confirm my current status.

"Tick Tock" Review

Tick Tock by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another enjoyable James Patterson book, with an ending that made sense. The book jumps from a seashore vacation location, to police headquarters, and back, based on a series of murders that call for the protagonist to be involved in investigating. He works, then he goes to his vacation home where his ten adopted children are waiting, then back. It's a bit frenetic but then that's what makes Patterson's books so engrossing. I didn't care for it too much at first, but then got into the twisted plot and ended up liking it. Note: Inside the book cover it says that Michael Bennett will be searching for "The Werewolf of Wisteria". This never comes up in the whole book. Whoever did PR should have caught that.



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