R.J. Abell's Blog
January 29, 2017
"Kept" Cover Reveal
I'd like to take this time to send a special thanks to the very lovely and incredibly talented Jessica Allain!
I'm so thankful for her hard work and dedication. Words will never be enough to express my gratitude.
Special thanks to the lovely model: "Miranda Hedman" --the cover wouldn't work without you!
I'm so excited about this cover, I just had to share it with all of you.
Questions, comments, or concerns? Feel free to post them below or send them in a message. I'd love to know what you think!
December 15, 2016
The Beautiful Ones Series by Lori Brighton
The Beautiful Ones Series by Lori Brighton
I was totally obsessed over this series...so obsessed I devoured it in one gulp...and now I'm forced to suffer through the heartburn. I just don't understand why I'm just now discovering this author? I love, love, love her!
It was so good, so good I'm in dire need of some more Thane! I'm not sure if the series is over or not...I hope it's not. I really hope it's not. The Forsaken Ones ended on an odd note...one that could work for the final in a series, but could leave room for the story to continue.
I lost nights of sleep because of this series, I couldn't put it down. Late at night past my bedtime, I would throw the covers over my head and shamelessly read it in the dark while my husband was fast asleep. I would tell myself just one more page and then I'll go to bed. Well....one more page turned into one more chapter and one more chapter turned in to...the end. I was a zombie at work, useless at home because I didn't want to be bothered until I finished every last book! To say I enjoyed the book was an understatement... I haven't read anything else by Brighton, but plan to.
My only thoughts are...Man I hope there's at least one more book to this series...The Forsaken Ones did end on an in-between note: It's okay, but mildly disappointing if that is the finale, but left room for the series to continue.
Perfect read for those of you who like to mix a little danger to your romance with a dash of paranormal.
And on a random--not--so random note: I love Thanatos!
I was totally obsessed over this series...so obsessed I devoured it in one gulp...and now I'm forced to suffer through the heartburn. I just don't understand why I'm just now discovering this author? I love, love, love her!
It was so good, so good I'm in dire need of some more Thane! I'm not sure if the series is over or not...I hope it's not. I really hope it's not. The Forsaken Ones ended on an odd note...one that could work for the final in a series, but could leave room for the story to continue.
I lost nights of sleep because of this series, I couldn't put it down. Late at night past my bedtime, I would throw the covers over my head and shamelessly read it in the dark while my husband was fast asleep. I would tell myself just one more page and then I'll go to bed. Well....one more page turned into one more chapter and one more chapter turned in to...the end. I was a zombie at work, useless at home because I didn't want to be bothered until I finished every last book! To say I enjoyed the book was an understatement... I haven't read anything else by Brighton, but plan to.
My only thoughts are...Man I hope there's at least one more book to this series...The Forsaken Ones did end on an in-between note: It's okay, but mildly disappointing if that is the finale, but left room for the series to continue.
Perfect read for those of you who like to mix a little danger to your romance with a dash of paranormal.
And on a random--not--so random note: I love Thanatos!
December 3, 2016
crack is wack
Nothing's sweeter, nothing's better
than to be trapped between the pages of a damn good book.
I'm addicted to the literary rush, give me some more of that literary crack! said no one ever...about one of my books.
While I long to write literary crack, I'm doomed to write literary fluff.
Alas, I should stop while I'm ahead, but my God it feels so good; so chilling to keep letting the worlds of words flow from my fingertips and onto the page.
I should probably stop while I'm ahead, but I know I won't. I won't because I love to write and I want to eventually love what I write.
I want others to fall in love, get lost, get trapped in a world of my words.
I keep telling myself until then... until then... trudge on.
Seriously though, as maddening as I sound every damn bit of it is true. I ramble. My words are a slurred string of mumbles, heard and then forgotten, as quickly as they were spoken.
And now that we're past that awful voice, there's several more to follow. The struggle of the indie author is not for the faint of heart, it's lonely and discouraging.
The voices inside you are wicked, they care little for your dreams, they're viscous and desire to keep you paralyzed by your fear of failure.
It's difficult to find readers to give a little no-name nobody a chance, even at the very low price of free, so why the hell do it? Why go on? You worlds of words are dull and lacking, you're obviously not an entertainer.
All these damning thoughts swirl around and keep me captive, I'm one indie author among many so I can't speak for everyone else, only myself. Sure I've thought all the above, and a lot of other harsh things I won't be sharing about myself as a writer. The world's a critic and I find I'm the biggest one. That's neither here nor there.
I stumbled on an article by one of my favorite authors, urging other authors to support one and another. First and foremost I'm an avid reader, there's nothing I love more than to blab to anyone who will listen about a crazy good book I've read.
I've been a hypocrite, a great big one, I'm afraid. I've been begging (blush*) for reviews/readers, but haven't been doing my fair share. Sure, I've reviewed a few here and there, but I don't typically like doing reviews. To me, they feel awkward and I'm nervous I'll be judged, or in other cases I love the book so much I'm afraid I can't do it justice.
Back to those nasty little voices, that are loud and terrifying. I'm an indie author among many, I can't speak for everyone, only myself. If I feel broken and beaten by that voice of doubt, then there's a chance others are out there feeling the same way.
I'm big on teamwork and helping others, so I'm going to work harder at spreading word about other indie authors out there, and non-indie authors.
Also, I need to start doing a better job at reviewing the books I've read. I'll have to re-read them so I can recapture the feels of the book.
If you're an indie author in need of some love, feel free to leave a comment or pm me. I make no promises that I will agree to read/review your book, but I'll consider it, as time allows. After all, I could be working on my own little thing.
I'm an avid reader with a partially open mind, while I try to test different waters, I stay clear of erotica or anything that hurts children. I'm a hardass, I'm a softy.
I think maybe I'll even rant or rave a featured indie book in my blog. I've not decided. I'm teetering towards I will, because I do enjoy blabbing about a book I've enjoyed.
than to be trapped between the pages of a damn good book.
I'm addicted to the literary rush, give me some more of that literary crack! said no one ever...about one of my books.
While I long to write literary crack, I'm doomed to write literary fluff.
Alas, I should stop while I'm ahead, but my God it feels so good; so chilling to keep letting the worlds of words flow from my fingertips and onto the page.
I should probably stop while I'm ahead, but I know I won't. I won't because I love to write and I want to eventually love what I write.
I want others to fall in love, get lost, get trapped in a world of my words.
I keep telling myself until then... until then... trudge on.
Seriously though, as maddening as I sound every damn bit of it is true. I ramble. My words are a slurred string of mumbles, heard and then forgotten, as quickly as they were spoken.
And now that we're past that awful voice, there's several more to follow. The struggle of the indie author is not for the faint of heart, it's lonely and discouraging.
The voices inside you are wicked, they care little for your dreams, they're viscous and desire to keep you paralyzed by your fear of failure.
It's difficult to find readers to give a little no-name nobody a chance, even at the very low price of free, so why the hell do it? Why go on? You worlds of words are dull and lacking, you're obviously not an entertainer.
All these damning thoughts swirl around and keep me captive, I'm one indie author among many so I can't speak for everyone else, only myself. Sure I've thought all the above, and a lot of other harsh things I won't be sharing about myself as a writer. The world's a critic and I find I'm the biggest one. That's neither here nor there.
I stumbled on an article by one of my favorite authors, urging other authors to support one and another. First and foremost I'm an avid reader, there's nothing I love more than to blab to anyone who will listen about a crazy good book I've read.
I've been a hypocrite, a great big one, I'm afraid. I've been begging (blush*) for reviews/readers, but haven't been doing my fair share. Sure, I've reviewed a few here and there, but I don't typically like doing reviews. To me, they feel awkward and I'm nervous I'll be judged, or in other cases I love the book so much I'm afraid I can't do it justice.
Back to those nasty little voices, that are loud and terrifying. I'm an indie author among many, I can't speak for everyone, only myself. If I feel broken and beaten by that voice of doubt, then there's a chance others are out there feeling the same way.
I'm big on teamwork and helping others, so I'm going to work harder at spreading word about other indie authors out there, and non-indie authors.
Also, I need to start doing a better job at reviewing the books I've read. I'll have to re-read them so I can recapture the feels of the book.
If you're an indie author in need of some love, feel free to leave a comment or pm me. I make no promises that I will agree to read/review your book, but I'll consider it, as time allows. After all, I could be working on my own little thing.
I'm an avid reader with a partially open mind, while I try to test different waters, I stay clear of erotica or anything that hurts children. I'm a hardass, I'm a softy.
I think maybe I'll even rant or rave a featured indie book in my blog. I've not decided. I'm teetering towards I will, because I do enjoy blabbing about a book I've enjoyed.
September 10, 2016
Good books with Great Characters
So in an earlier post, I talked about an necessity a book must have in order to make me fall in love with it. I needed to be drawn in by velvety-rich, larger than life characters. So I've decided to spout out some of the books I've came across that have made me fall in love with them based on the characters alone. Of course I loved the story as well, but I just wanted to give you all an idea on what I'm talking about when I say 'bone-deep' connections.
I think I've said this in an interview, one of my favorite series is 'Beautiful Creatures' by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. First of all they write so beautifully I can't stand it. I fell head over heels in love with the characters, they were so real. The aunts, were especially near and dear to my heart. Maybe it's because I've got great aunts that are just as wild and rowdy, or maybe it's because Garcia and Stohl just know how to make a character come to life and dwell in your head. I think it's a mixture of both, but I wouldn't be able to make a connection with the aunts if the authors didn't do such an amazing job with their characterizations.
I don't know if you've ever read anything by April Genevieve Toulke, but she's amazing. Her characters are so well-developed, and her writing is out of this world.
I could go on and on about amazing authors and their wonderful skill of characterization, but I wouldn't have enough space.
I didn't just fall in love with the 'Beautiful Creatures' by Stohl and Garcia, or 'Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea' by Toulke because of their characters alone, I also fell in love with their stories and their world building. They truly are talented authors, and they know how to write a story that draws you in and spits you out.
I'm curious to hear your thoughts, don't hesitate to post a comment, or tell me a book that you've read that has amazing three dimensional characters.
I think I've said this in an interview, one of my favorite series is 'Beautiful Creatures' by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. First of all they write so beautifully I can't stand it. I fell head over heels in love with the characters, they were so real. The aunts, were especially near and dear to my heart. Maybe it's because I've got great aunts that are just as wild and rowdy, or maybe it's because Garcia and Stohl just know how to make a character come to life and dwell in your head. I think it's a mixture of both, but I wouldn't be able to make a connection with the aunts if the authors didn't do such an amazing job with their characterizations.
I don't know if you've ever read anything by April Genevieve Toulke, but she's amazing. Her characters are so well-developed, and her writing is out of this world.
I could go on and on about amazing authors and their wonderful skill of characterization, but I wouldn't have enough space.
I didn't just fall in love with the 'Beautiful Creatures' by Stohl and Garcia, or 'Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea' by Toulke because of their characters alone, I also fell in love with their stories and their world building. They truly are talented authors, and they know how to write a story that draws you in and spits you out.
I'm curious to hear your thoughts, don't hesitate to post a comment, or tell me a book that you've read that has amazing three dimensional characters.
Characters...
Characters, it doesn't matter if I'm reading them or writing them, I want them to be multi-faceted and three dimensional.
If you've talked to me at all, or paid attention to the books I've fallen in love with, then you'll see that they're very different, but they all have one thing in common: the characters.
No the characters aren't the same, they're just everything that I crave . Multi-faceted, three dimensional, and so real they just pop off the page.
And I believe one of the things that is essential for a character to be real is the connection the main character has with the other characters.
I'm a sucker for deep bonds, whether it be friendship, family or love. I just crave a bone-deep bond that's larger than life.
Do I like characters that are loyal? Yes! Do I like characters that are flawed? Yes! There is beauty in ugliness. Do I like betrayal? Yes! It makes the character more life-like, the story more real. Sometimes the ones we love do betray us, sometimes they make it up to us and sometimes they don't.
I mentioned that I crave a deep-bone connection between all of the characters, to me that's essential for me to fall in love with a book. It's essential because if the characters aren't so deeply rooted and invested in one and another, how do you expect me as the reader, to be invested in a story where none of the characters come to life, or care about each other?
I'm curious to hear your thoughts and encourage everyone to interact, post comments...let me know what you think.
If you've talked to me at all, or paid attention to the books I've fallen in love with, then you'll see that they're very different, but they all have one thing in common: the characters.
No the characters aren't the same, they're just everything that I crave . Multi-faceted, three dimensional, and so real they just pop off the page.
And I believe one of the things that is essential for a character to be real is the connection the main character has with the other characters.
I'm a sucker for deep bonds, whether it be friendship, family or love. I just crave a bone-deep bond that's larger than life.
Do I like characters that are loyal? Yes! Do I like characters that are flawed? Yes! There is beauty in ugliness. Do I like betrayal? Yes! It makes the character more life-like, the story more real. Sometimes the ones we love do betray us, sometimes they make it up to us and sometimes they don't.
I mentioned that I crave a deep-bone connection between all of the characters, to me that's essential for me to fall in love with a book. It's essential because if the characters aren't so deeply rooted and invested in one and another, how do you expect me as the reader, to be invested in a story where none of the characters come to life, or care about each other?
I'm curious to hear your thoughts and encourage everyone to interact, post comments...let me know what you think.
