L.E. DeLano's Blog, page 3

A To Z Book Review: The Dragon Squisher By Scott McCormick

My letter “D” pick for this year’s A to Z Reading Challenge was THE DRAGON SQUISHER, a delightful Middle Grade fantasy by Scott McCormick.

Where do I begin? It hooked me from the opening sentence: “Dragons smell like farts.”

Then it proceeded to reel me in further with: “Before I can begin my tale, you need to know about the king’s panties.” Those were magical panties to be specific, and they (and the king) were controlled by a powerful wizard wearing the cuff links of doom who eventually gets his arms chopped off and banished to a dark realm, setting up an epic Lord of the Rings-ish spoof about the war with the Gorks, who want to bring back the evil Lord S’moron. And there begins the tale of fourteen-year-old Nigel, an unrepentant troublemaker who gets banished to military school after a prank gone wrong along with his village nemesis, an annoyingly perfect guy named Lance.

From there, Nigel continues to get in trouble – usually dragging Lance with him – to the point that they do nothing but dig latrines when not stuffed in a dark dungeon cell. The two form a bond and become true friends. Eventually, the military academy gets tired of their shenanigans and banishes the boys from the kingdom with orders to find a powerful magic relic to redeem themselves. There are three problems with this. (A) no one knows what the relic is, (B) or where it is, and (C) the boys are penniless and can only support themselves by shoveling various forms of animal dung. The adventure gets rolling not long after that, and I won’t drop any spoilers on the rest of this genius, hilarious, and heartfelt plot.

This book had me laughing to the point of tears pretty much all the way through and was an absolute joy to read. Any middle-schooler (or any person older than that, for that matter) will LOVE this colorful, lighthearted fantasy, and I’m giving bonus points for the warm supportive LGBTQA inclusion. This is book one of a series, and I cannot wait to start book two. If you have an Audible membership, the audiobook is free right now and features a masterful performance by voice actor Adam Fuller that elevates the story even further. This is a solid, blazing five star read.

Paint A Picture For Your Readers With An Objective Correlative

Have you heard of the objective correlative? Those are two big words, I know, but they can be critical in terms of fleshing out your writing. In short, an objective correlative is certain information given to the reader in terms of setting, plot, and mood can more readily elicit a desired emotional response than direct statement. In other words:

The objective correlative creates an emotional connection between the character and the surrounding environmentIt allows readers to experience the same emotions as the characterIt helps writers show emotions instead of telling readers how a character feels

Some examples of this would be:

An overcast sky and an entirely too silent forest to build a sense of forebodingYour main character is feeling restricted by her parents, so you mention that her parents are like her least favorite coat that’s too small and restricts her arm movement.A significant scar on the protagonist that reminds them of an important plot point or significant life event (“She clenched her fist around the scar in her palm.”)A withered rose in a vase next to the bed of someone critically ill to give a picture of pending death

An objective correlative can help you paint a scene or layer an important message over the action or dialogue. When you begin the drafting process, be sure to look for places in your manuscript where you can subtly add in these touches versus spelling the message or feeling out in backstory or narrative. Be selective about this – the key is being subtle. You want it to register with your reader but not seem too obviously planted for effect.

Give the objective correlative a shot on your next pass through your novel – it may lead you into all sorts of interesting places.

A To Z Book Review: The Call Of The Wild By Jack London

My letter “C” pick for this year’s A to Z Book Challenge was THE CALL OF WILD by Jack London. I try to add in at least a couple of classics to the yearly reading challenge, and since it’s been solid winter weather in Pennsylvania, I figured this was a good pick.

Jack London spent some time in the gold fields of the Klondike and Alaska during the gold rush of 1897. He had stake in several successful gold mines and liked to say he “found himself” during his time in Alaska. Eventually, he rafted 2000 miles down the Yukon River to California, where he settled in to write this book in 1903. I give you this background because there is no way London could have captured the grit, the cold, the bone-deep weariness of a miner’s life (and a sled dog’s life) in the Klondike without having lived it himself.

The story is told from the POV of Buck, a St. Bernard and Shepherd mix who was once a pampered member of a family household, only to be stolen, sold, and shipped off to Alaska to be a sled dog for various parties. While up north he’s caged, beaten, overworked, starved, and despite all that, he – like the author – feels a stirring in his soul while in the wilds of the Klondike. Eventually, he’s rescued by a much kinder man named John Thornton, whom he bonds with. Together, they, a couple of partners, and a pack of sled dogs find a successful claim and from that point, Buck has a lot of free time, which he uses by running with a local wolf. When John Thornton and the others are murdered by the indigenous Yeehat tribe, Buck challenges the alpha of the wolf pack and wins, taking on the role of leader for the pack. Buck eventually becomes known as the “Ghost Dog” by the Yeehats, as he returns to John’s cabin every year and wreaks havoc on the Yeehat tribe.

Telling the story from the dog’s point of view is an instant gut-punch to the reader. Sure, the miners suffered hardship, but it really brings it home to see the harsh conditions – and the deeply moving beauty of the land – through Buck’s eyes. I have a serious urge to travel to Alaska (but in the summertime!). This book is more than a hundred years old and stands the test of time. I’m going four stars as it rambles a bit but still a book I’d read again and again.

A To Z Book Review: Bookish And The Beast

My letter “B” pick for this year’s A To Z Challenge was BOOKISH AND THE BEAST by Ashley Poston.

Continuing her Once Upon A Con series, Ashley Poston once again creates a charming, heartfelt, and often hilarious fairy tale knock-off set in the realm of fandom for the Starfield universe of TV shows, movies, and this time – books.

Rosie Thorne is still reeling after the loss of her beloved mother – who once had a spectacular collection of books based on the Starfield TV show, and her favorite of them all featured the villain of the Starfield universe, Ambrose Sond, (currently portrayed in the Starfield movies by seventeen year-old Hollywood bad boy, Vance Reigns). Due to some bad behavior – a pattern for Vance – he’s been exiled to a castle of a house owned by his publicist in a small town in North Carolina under the watchful eye of a family friend.

Due to a mishap, local girl Rosie ends up being drafted to catalog the enormous collection of classic Starfield books in the library of the castle house. Rosie recognizes the books immediately as her late mother’s collection, which was sold to pay off medical debt after her death (ain’t America grand, folks?). Vance ends up being forced into helping her in an effort to rehabilitate him. He starts out churlish, disheveled, and annoying, but over time, Rosie and her love of the library begin to thaw his beastly exterior, and the two begin to connect. Special mention goes to Rosie’s BFF’s, Quinn and Annie, who provide unwavering support and lots of comic relief throughout the book. Vance is a self-loathing hottie who learns to love himself as he falls for Rosie, and Rosie is plucky, and adorable. Just as in GEEKARELLA, which I read last year, this story was pure nerdy snuggles and charm. Four and a half stars for this one, plus a smile and a contented sigh.

A To Z Book Review: A Swim In A Pond In The Rain by George Saunders

I began this year’s A To Z Challenge with a highly recommended book on writing, A SWIM IN A POND IN THE RAIN by George Saunders.

George is a professor at Syracuse University who teaches a course on fiction writing that studies Russian short stories by the greats: Chekhov, Tolstoy, Turgenev, and Gogol. Each of the seven essays in the book breaks down the narrative, structure, and the art of the short story.

This really does read like a class, but it’s a damn good class. I don’t do much in the way of short stories, but it was fascinating to unravel the layers of a well-laid shorter work of fiction. This book also includes worksheets (in PDF bundled with the audiobook if you buy it on audio), and is every bit as in-depth as it would be sitting in the classroom. I also have to say the audiobook is an exceptional treat as the stories are narrated by an all-star cast featuring Phylicia Rashad, Nick Offerman, Glenn Close, Keith David, Rainn Wilson, BD Wong, and Renée Elise Goldsberry.

Chekhov once said, “Art doesn’t have to solve problems, it only has to formulate them correctly.” George Saunders digs deep into the crafting of that formula involving reader expectations, flipping the narrative, embracing descriptive prose, and the breathless wonder of letting a story share its secrets first with you, and then the reader. The only reason I’m going with 4 1/2 stars is because I bought this on audio, and I really wish George had set it so we could hear the entire story, then go back and pick it apart. Instead, it’s a start-and-stop reading that really takes away from the magic of the story he wants us to experience.

Writers, read this. Then read it again.

My 2025 Plans (So Far)

2025 is shaping up to be a busy year! I’m in final edits on my November release, nearly through a project I’ll be querying soon and in my exploratory (i.e. complete random mess) draft of part three of the TRAVELER series. And on top of that, my appearance calendar is filling up. Here’s what it looks like so far – but I always have things pop up throughout the year. My website will always have the full list of appearances and events.

It’s gonna be a crazy year, but I’m ready. Let’s do this thing!

2024: A Year In Review

I cannot believe this year is coming to a close. Here’s an overview of some of the highlights:

1 New Release: IN THE DARK OF A DREAM

2 Writing Conferences: Writer’s Conference of Northern Appalachia (WCoNA) & Pennwriters, where I was a workshop presenter

7 Book Shows: Love Is In The Air, The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books, IABX, Book Fair at Bel Air, Books Books Books, Chocolate Town Book Fest, Carlisle Comic Con

2 Bookstore Events: Towne Book Center and Cupboard Maker Books

1 Library Event at Lititz Public Library

2 Big Announcements: My upcoming 2025 YArelease, and my draft of a new installment in the TRAVELER series

2024 was one hell of a year. Here’s to a fabulous 2025!

A To Z Book Review: Zero Tolerance By Claudia Mills

My letter “Z” pick for the A To Z Reading Challenge was ZERO TOLERANCE by Claudia Mills. I realized a few months ago that I had no Middle Grade books on my list, so I figured I’d end the year with a quick and easy read. Wow, was I ever in for a treat!

Sierra is a seventh grade honor roll student, reasonably popular, and has never set a toe out of line in her entire school career. One day, in a rush to get to school, she mistakenly grabs her mother’s identical lunch box instead of her own. The problem is, Mom packed an apple – and a small paring knife to slice it. Sierra, being a student who always follows the rules, immediately turns it in to the lunch lady, who then reports it to the principal. Due to the school’s “zero tolerance” weapons policy, Sierra is thrown into in-school suspension to await the trial that will decide whether or not she gets expelled.

Sharing in-school suspension with Sierra is the school’s resident bad boy, Luke, who’s doing time for fighting and for swearing at his teacher. Even though she’s heard all about him, Sierra soon realizes Luke is a bad boy with a good heart, and a story nobody’s really bothered to listen to. His rebellious ways rub off a little, and he and Sierra get in some minor trouble and hilarious hijinx. There’s a lot of scrutiny of “right” and “wrong” and the ways we define people through that lens. There’s even an interesting bit of subplot when Sierra’s lawyer father considers going to the media to spill the dirt he has on the principal if it will keep Sierra from being expelled. She then gets to ponder whether or not it’s okay to do a bad thing for a good reason.

This was a very good read, but predictable. Then again, if I were the target age for the book, I doubt it would read that way without the decades of hindsight that I have now. This was a funny and thought-provoking story. Four stars.

A To Z Book Review: Youngblood By Sasha Laurens

My letter “Y” pick for the A to Z Book Challenge was YOUNGBLOOD By Sasha Laurens. I expected to like this one a whole lot more than I did. Vampire boarding school? One vamp girl from a lower class family and one from a prominent and wealthy vampire family? Sapphic romance? I was so ready to rip into this one. And while the plot had a lot of intrigue involving long-concealed secrets in the boarding school archives, a vampire community forced to rely on synthetic blood for food, and past drama between the two main characters, Kat and Taylor’s relationship just didn’t evolve in a satisfactory way for me.

The story relied way too much on the old miscommunication trope for friction in the building of the love story and all it did was drag the story down for me. Kat and Taylor had enough going on in the school and the cleverly built vampire world that could have impacted their relationship in deeper and more interesting ways rather than relying on a series of misunderstandings between them for the two to fight through. Laurens weaves an intricate plot and builds a dark, mysterious world that I loved to explore – I honestly wish this had been a series of books instead of a stand-alone. Still, it wasn’t enough for me to love it. Good book, not a great book. Three stars.

A To Z Book Review: Xtreme Behavior by Em Petrov

My letter “X” pick for the A to Z Reading Challenge was XTREME BEHAVIOR by Em Petrov. My first thought when I started this book was “Ooops – looks like it’s book three of a twelve book series.” My second thought was “Hallelujah! I have letter “X” books to review for the next decade!” You have no idea how hard it is to find titles that begin with X.

Anyway – yes, it’s book three of the XTREME OPS series, but it easily reads as a stand-alone. Who doesn’t love an alpha-male hero special ops guy? Alix fits the trope perfectly. He’s trying to track down a serial bomber before they kill again, and enlists the help of a gorgeous pain-in-the-ass K-9 handler named Vivian and her furry partner, Zack. Alix and Vivian have worked together before, and she has the unique ability to get on his last nerve, under his skin, and affects other body parts that leave him grinding his teeth. Vivian handles him like a pro, and when sparks start flying the spice starts building and whoa! So very steamy, hot, and surprisingly heartfelt. Petrov also throws in plenty of awkward “almost” encounters and humorous nuggets here and there to build and relieve tension. The story had a very thrilling and satisfying conclusion all around.

My only beef with the story is that it took a bit too long to get to the “I love you” admissions, and when Alix finally gets there, Vivian freaks even though it’s clear she’s crazy about him. It felt a little forced just to extend the love arc. Other than that, this was a great story and now I have to keep myself from reading the rest of the series and wrecking my future reading lists! Four and one-half stars for this one.