Category: Discussion Post

Congratulation to the 2019 RITA Award Winners!

Posted July 27, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

The 2019 RITA Award recipients will make July 26, 2019, a day to remember in Romance writing acknowledgment history. This year Authors of Color, Authors of Diversity were acknowledged with top honors – and it’s a long, long overdue celebration.

As a reader and a blogger, this is one ceremony that I wish I could attend in person, but I’m content to watch the live streams and read the Twitter updates as the conference moves through the days leading up to award night.

Many of the authors who took home awards are long-time favorite authors or authors that I’ve read a few of their books. So many more are new-to-me, and I’ll be frank and tell you that I headed over to Amazon to pick up titles by the winners. When a book receives a RITA, then I should be reading it. It’s just that simple. And I will be going over the finalists and the mentions as well to pick up even more titles.

So, my congratulations to every single winner whether it’s the first statue received or the latest – all are amazing talents yet it’s their hard work, perseverance, stubbornness, blood, sweat, tears, and love of the written word – and belief in themselves – that brought every single person on that stage to where they stand today as an RWA RITA Award winner.

I don’t know any of these talented people personally — but I am so happy for every author there.

Here are the RITA Award winners for 2019. Each book title is linked back to GoodReads should you like to check them out a bit more.

Some Merging, A Bit of Rearranging

Posted July 11, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 2 Comments

Over the next three months, I will be merging the best (if not all) of three smaller blogs, and some posts (that I can recreate) from blogs that I had to delete for various reasons.

(and that’s my Harley over there – she’s sad, too, at the extra work that has to be done now – but toss her a ball and she’s over it much faster than I am 🙂 )

If you’re on my mailing lists you might see an increase in the notifications – and if you follow me on Twitter you will definitely see an increase there. Yet, sometimes you just have to take care of stuff and that’s what I’ll be doing for a while.

My overall plan is a slow feed of posts over to Keeper Bookshelf from today until the beginning of November when those other blogs will go away as well. It won’t be overpowering, and you’ll probably not notice anything different. But I’m a person who explains why something different is happening with my websites — and this is most definitely different.

Thanks for your patience. Hopefully, the end result will be well worth the time and work involved. 🙂

Can’t Wait Wednesday 7-10-19

Posted July 10, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 5 Comments

The Can’t Wait Wednesday weekly anxiously waiting for this book meme is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings. If you’re waiting for a great book to be released then this is the place to show and tell – and maybe find some other books to await as well. (I know I always do)

I have followed Christine Feehan’s “The Dark Carpathians” for years now, actually since I got hooked on the very first story of an ancient vampire and the woman who became his world. Since then this world has expanded and is now up to #33 in titles published. Considering her other long going series that’s an impressive number to keep a world still fresh and intriguing with every new additional story.

So this week I’m waiting for the September 3, 2019 release of DARK ILLUSION (A Dark Carpathian Novel).

Stacking the Shelves (#9)

Posted July 6, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 2 Comments

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality. If you’d like to take part simply click on those links or the graphic to discover what this fun event is all about.

My Crazy Life This Week

Gah! I can’t believe it’s been this long since I did a “Stacking the Shelves” – how did that even happen?!? Aw well, time to catch up then. 🙂

2019 has been a crazy year. Some fantastic, some the deepest pit of Hell. But, that’s life, right? When the bad stuff happens all I can do is stay positive, find something good that came out of it and move on. “No regrets, over and done.” is my new mantra when life gets hard or the memories of the bad try to take over.

The one constant is reading, my books are my escape, my chance to trade in my world for another even if it’s only for a little while. Maybe “escape” is the wrong word, gives off a negative vibe – perhaps my chance to travel to new destinations, meet new people and have some exciting adventures along the way sounds a lot better. 🙂

Books Added to My Shelves This Week

I may have gone a bit crazy on Amazon this past week. For some reason, I’m on a Harlequin style reading kick – and absolutely nothing wrong with that! I just didn’t realize that so many of what I bought were actually Harlequin titles. I seem to be in the mood for their Intrigue™, Romantic Suspense™, and Heartwarming™ stories right now.

Let’s move the rest of this post to the “Read More” tab so it’s not too long on the front page.

Beyond Anger, Now Simply Sadness

Posted July 5, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 2 Comments

I’m going to write a post that some may think should be kept to myself. Perhaps. Yet the way I get out my emotions is to write – whether I should or not is up to each individual’s interpretation of anger, grief, and sadness. I can only do what is right for me… not for you.

No, I haven’t lost a loved one or a precious pet.

But I have had to purposefully delete (well, someone else did the work I just said yes) six of my smaller blogs last night – and I am slowly going beyond the intense anger at why I had to do that to that quieter place of grieving and sadness. Grief, sad all because of a blog you might say! And, YES, for the simple reason that I put six years worth of time, research, composing my thoughts and exposing my heart in many ways on those blogs. So, I am indeed sad and grieving for that loss.

Greed is a vicious thing, living and breathing it makes faceless people do things without care to the consequences to others. I lost thousands of hours of my work, my thoughts, my reactions, my emotions to someone out for a quick buck by taking what is not theirs to touch.

I’ve learned lessons, painful one, but learned nonetheless. If you own a blog or website that is important to you, a place where you love to spend hours at a time then protect them in every way possible. Research plugins, don’t mindlessly trust by adding any ole link to your site. Google is your best friend in finding out what works best for what you do. Protect what you’ve worked so hard at for so long. For me, it’s too late for what I once had – but I learned that lesson well. I won’t make the same mistakes again.

If you love what you do – protect it. Keep an eye on it every day. There are nasty people out there who don’t give a rat’s ass about you personally they just want what you’ve created.

** I can put a positive spin on the experience though – now I’ve protected myself as best I can for the moment (that’s ever-changing), I will be able to redirect my content to another website that will benefit from the additional reviews, and I spit in the eye of the bully. Not a bad day’s work, really **

Can’t Wait Wednesday 6-26-19

Posted June 26, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 4 Comments

I love just about any genre of Romance (okay, there are a few I’m iffy on but I’ll read a good one of those on occasion, too) – but I do have my favorite authors and Nora Roberts (aka J.D. Robb) is always at the top of that list. So right now I’m waiting for her newest release UNDER CURRENTS to hit my Kindle in July 2019.

Sunday Post #3

Posted June 9, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 7 Comments

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

I have loved visiting the blogs that follow The Sunday Post and decided that it’s time to join up myself. Hey, you can never have enough book-friends, right?

Sunday Post #2

Posted June 3, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

I have loved visiting the blogs that follow The Sunday Post and decided that it’s time to join up myself. Hey, you can never have enough book-friends, right?

Away From The Keyboard News

It’s been a quiet week on the homefront. With so much rain the grass is about to take over our back yard. I’m seriously keeping an eye out for triffids at this point, so much rain that nothing has dried out enough to cut. I’m sure the young man who cuts our grass will be thrilled to see that “hay field” out back, right? 🙂

Last Week On The Blog(s)

I’ve been doing some consolidating this week, some clean-up in many cases. It always amazes me to look back and see how my style of blogging has changed – hopefully for the better. I have all but two reviews from May done, those last ones will be up today. Sometimes life just gets in the way in spite of scheduled posts and good intentions. Ah well, June is a brand new start.

Added To The Reading Piles

Went a bit crazy on NetGalley last week. Why do all the interesting, “Oh, I need to read that one.” books come out at the same time? Thankfully, they are all spaced about a month apart so it shouldn’t be too bad – I just shake my head at myself when I look at that list and wonder how it got so long. 🙂

I actually behaved myself on Amazon for a change. I didn’t pick up anything at all, although I do have my eye on a few releases for June.

Re-reading this post it seems that last week around here was a bit boring – oh, and Sunday Post somehow became Monday Post (how did I lose a day?) not sure how that happened. Oh, well – I hope your reading week to come is full of adventures and fun tales.

Sunday Post #1 – Memorial Day Weekend

Posted May 26, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 23 Comments

I have loved visiting the blogs that follow The Sunday Post and decided that it’s time to join up myself. Hey, you can never have enough book-friends, right?

Away from the Keyboard News –

For the last month, I’ve been sorta quiet and there have been a few reasons for that. One reason is simply amazing – the other sucked sour pickle juice. My amazing news is that I finally got brave and had cataracts removed from both eyes, about 2 weeks or so apart. I cannot even begin to describe how beautiful the world truly is when you can actually see it. My final appt. is this coming week for the last checkup and glasses for distance. Now here is something I never knew, you actually have a choice to be near-sighted or far-sighted after this surgery because the lens is removed (that’s what the cataract is growing on) and basically, a grounded pair of glasses in the form of the new lens is the replacement. Really, I had no clue, and of course, I said let me see up close again without glasses! *huge grin* I’ll need glasses to see distance and that is part of what this week’s appointment is about.

Blog Ahead – Spring 2019

Posted March 6, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

I have always look forward to Anna’s Blog Ahead events. It’s such a great way to get some reviews or just posts up and ready to run for those times when life happens and I simply cannot get things done.

I had a very strong reminder two weeks ago when I got hit with both Strain A & B of Influenza and pneumonia on top of that and spent almost a week in the hospital. Life happens, and to be prepared for those moments when the crap hits the fan through no fault of my own simply makes sense. I did have some scheduled posts during that time, but not nearly enough. So it’s back to work and getting my act together so the blogs don’t go dark for so long again. Sometimes you just have to learn lessons the hard way.

The Spring 2019 Blog Ahead event runs from March 1, 2019, through March 31, 2019 — but this year is a little different as we can choose how many weeks we want to take part.

I would have picked the 4-week challenge — but in reality, I was stuck in bed for the first week of March, so I’m going to officially pick the 3-week challenge but will add another week on my own to get ahead as much as I can. This is a great way to make a habit of blogging ahead with scheduled posts all year long. I’ve done it on three of my smaller blogs, but I really need to do it across the board on everything. I was busy getting well – but I was also aware that my blogs had gone dark which is not a good thing, so my goal is to not let that happen again ultimately.

I sincerely hope you’ll jump on this blogging ahead event and discover the joy of not being rushed and panicked on those due dates. 🙂 Here’s the link: Spring 2019 Blog Ahead from Anna’s Herding Cats & Burning Soup. (you could also click on the graphic at the top of the page)

Good luck!

(Release day for) Kissed by the Country Doc by Melinda Curtis

Posted February 1, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

It’s release day! Just got my copy of Melinda Curtis’ first story in the new Montana Monroes series entitled KISSED BY THE COUNTRY DOC.

I cannot wait to dive into this one, and I love series so I’m definitely in my happy place at the moment. Here’s the cover blurb:

She came to sell a town…

But she found a home

Never in her wildest dreams could single mom Ella Monroe imagine co-inheriting the small town of Second Chance, Idaho—or falling for its curmudgeonly doctor, Noah Bishop. Despite his rough edges and protests for isolation, Noah has her believing in love at first sight again. But when she’s pressured to sell her stake, Ella is torn between family loyalty and following her heart.

Look for the review sometime over the weekend. If you love series, and really good Romances then you need to check this one out.

January 2019 “24 in 48” Readathon is this Coming Weekend!

Posted January 23, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 2 Comments

I often do Readathons, unofficially, mainly because as the caregiver of a disabled child I cannot always block out time where I’m going to be able to dedicate myself to nothing but reading. Yet with the “24 in 48 Readathon” coming up this weekend, the rules are a bit more flexible and may fit my needs better than some other Readathons.

Out of the 48 house in one weekend, find 24 hours (wherever they may fall) to read. It really is that simple… and do-able for many readers. So this time I’m tossing in my reading nook officially and we’ll see how well I actually clocked the hours by Sunday at 11:59. I’m hoping to make the 24 hours, but if I don’t it was still a fun experience.

You can find the official sign-up page and information here.

Lately, I’ve been using the weekends as a time to do some binge-reading, catch up on series, do a few scheduled posts for the blogs so that I can keep on track better… the “24 in 48 Readathon” fits well into what I’m already doing.

As to what books — I have a Contemporary Romance series and a Western Historical Romance series that I want to get caught up on and do some postings. I’m not sure yet which it will be… but I’ll list the titles here in an update as I finish them. That seems easiest for me.

If this sounds like something you’d like to do, then check out the information and the sign-up page through the graphic or word links above. Good luck, and happy readathon!

Pondering Thoughts #1

Posted January 19, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

A friendship has died through lies or betrayal.

Is that person an ass because they’ve hurt you?

… or were they always an ass and you’re just now seeing clearly.

I don’t know the answer – but it is a thought for today.

Is There A Certain “Voice” You Follow In The Books You Love?

Posted January 14, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 4 Comments

I read a lot in 2018, more than usual and definitely more than I should have because it brought me so close to book burnout that it’s not even a joke. Part of that was immersing myself in a few new genres that caught my attention, part was simply being unable to say “no thanks” to more review offers than I could realistically fill without serious lack of sleep. So 2019 will bring about a few changes to my reading schedule.

The upside to that overabundance of reading is that I’ve been able to better define what authors’ “voice” I want to follow in the future, and what “voices” no longer work for me.

The “voice” of a book is an elusive thing to define. I believe that every single reader has a different, specific “voice” that appeals to them alone. It’s the way a book is worded, the conversation between author and reader that flows easily over your mind and transports you into another world without effort. It’s a feeling of comfortableness, of being at ease with how the story is delivered, how it unfolds to you. It’s also a matter of trusting that the “voice” you’re listening to is going to be true to the genre, and not spin you off so far away from what you thought you were reading that you become lost.

It’s coming to the words, “The End” and sitting still for a moment thinking, “Yeah. That was good.” It’s not always fireworks — it’s also a quiet feeling of satisfaction.

I’ve come to better understand what “voice” appeals to me after this past year’s heavy reading schedule. I know the authors that simply do not speak to me. Perhaps once they did, but their “voice” has changed over time and what once comforted now jars. It happens, it’s sad when it does, but it does happen.

I’m more willing to walk away from a book that just isn’t working for me. Once I would stick until the ending just in case something changed along the way… now I’ll not be wasting precious time. I’ll be polite, I won’t trash anything, what works for you may not work for me… and that’s okay, it’s not personal.

Every reader has a different word or phrase for what I call the “voice” of a book. It’s simply what appeals to you, what brings you back to an author time after time, what you love about a genre, what makes you want to sit down and wander off into another world… it’s what you enjoy and that is unique to us all.

Preorder Gems: Secret Millionaire for the Surrogate by Donna Alward

Posted January 1, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

Preorder Gems is a feature at Keeper Bookshelf to showcase those titles I wanted enough to preorder them instead of waiting to see if there is a special price during publication week. 🙂

The first day of 2019 saw Donna Alward’s Secret Millionaire for the Surrogate delivered to my Kindle. This one will be read in the next week, and cross-posted over to my Romance Is Ageless blog in about two weeks.

It’s wedding photographer Harper’s job to capture other people’s happy ever afters, but she doesn’t believe in one for herself. Until she meets ruggedly gorgeous best man Drew. Having offered to be a surrogate for her best friend, Harper tries to fight their instant chemistry, until Drew sneaks past her defenses. But she’s about to learn this extraordinary man has an extraordinary secret!

This is the second part of the duet, Marrying A Millionaire. I don’t know if there will be more but I’ve learned to never say never. I’m ready to dive into this one since I enjoyed Best Man for the Wedding Planner so much. (and yes, the cover is an affiliate link to Amazon)