Jennifer Anderson's Blog, page 12

4 Nuts for Scarlet

Blurb from GoodReads: The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.
First off, why in the heck did I wait so long to read this sequel? In fact, I think I might have enjoyed it more than Cinder. The introduction of Scarlet, her grandmother and Wolf were very clever. I love a good play off a fairy tale. But what is great about this series is your not just hearing someone else's idea of how the tale should be told but how relatable the beloved stories are.
And does anybody else picture Levana like the Witch from the Narnia movies? 
If you haven't started this series, you still have time to catch up. The next book, Cress, doesn't come out until 2014 and I just noticed there are two novella's (.5 and 1.5) that I haven't read yet. There is plenty from Marissa Meyer to keep yourself busy.
And if you, like me, enjoy a flare of nursery rhyme or fairytale in your stories, check out my book, Spider . 

Writing Tip

I recently finished a self-pub book I received for free via BookBub. I know, that should have been my first hint, but I've read some good stuff offered through them. If you don't get their emails, I suggest signing up or let me know (jenandersonauthor@gmail.com) and I'll send you the info. There's always a diamond in the rough.

Anyway, I loved the concept behind the book and once I was done, I enjoyed the story. But the editing and typos were enough to keep me from wanting to give a rave review.

I'm not perfect. No one is and I understand mistakes happen. And I usually don't focus on the fact if there are mistakes, but this was the second book in so many months with mistakes that I can't let it go. The first time, I didn't leave a review and figured no review was better than a bad one because no one knows I read the book, but this time, I'm not going to remain quiet.

Well, not on here, anyway. I won't tell you the name of the book, (I know but I don't want to be mean) but it does cause me to offer as much advice on editing as I can.

First off, you are human, you will make a mistake. You will overlook things. That's what a beta reader or editor is for.
Second, they are human and they will make a mistake.

I know, it's a vicious cycle, but one you have to jump into in order to put out the best book possible. I'm constantly re-reading my own manuscripts even after I pass it along to a beta and an editor.

Keep writing, even when you're not working on something new. Write a short story. Write a blog post. Write a letter about onr of your main characters might have sent to a love interest.

Beta read yourself. It's a two way street. They scratch your back, scratch there's. I learn so much when I beta read and in turn, she's said to me a few time, "OMG, I'm so glad you pointed that out. I completely forgot about that." It's not about the grammar rules (which sometimes it is) but the small typos that can really kill a book. If I'm constantly seeing the same misspelled word, I'll stop reading.

Beta reading can also allow for a set of new eyes to find the story inconsistencies. This recent book stated "her top fit tight" when it should have been "his top fit tight" because, duh, the author was discussing the wet shirt displaying all the edges of his rippled stomach.

What about plot changes? A beta can help if you've made a change and haven't carried it throughout. Have you switched character names? All are common mistake we make when we're writing.

Can't find a beta reader? Hit the social media sites first. I've met some great people simply by answering a tweet asking for help. From there, if you're a member of writing group, stick your neck out and offer to read for someone. When it's your turn, ask them to return the favor.

Writing can be frustrating and a ridiculously long process, but in the end, if you have a polished manuscript ready for print, you can relax and enjoy the idea of your book being available to the masses.

Good Luck.

Also, if you're a beta reader looking for someone to hook-up with, leave a comment below. I'm all about the book match-making business!

5 Nuts for Pushing The Limits

Blurb from Pushing The Limits from GoodReads:
No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

First off, I saw this book everywhere and people were talking about it but I didn't have time so I added it to my TBR list. Then I attended the Reader Author Get Together in Cincy back the second weekend in June and Katie was slotted to attend as a special guest.

Okay, I'm totally going to geek out on you.

When I arrive with my donated gift baskets, I was standing in line behind her. I didn't know it was "her" until I saw her gift. Then, Saturday morning, I sit down to breakfast with some co-workers and a few ladies I didn't know and BOOM Katie is sitting with us. I kept it cool and we talked about our kids, our love of donuts (because the hotel kept running out of them at the buffet) and where we were from. Which turns out, the other ladies I didn't know where also from Missouri! They live like 20 minutes from me.

Anywho, I had to buy her book and have her sign it. And I did. And I started reading it that night and couldn't put it down. BTW, I stayed up until 2:30 and needed to be up by 5ish to drive 5.5 hours back home. And even on the drive home, I couldn't let the story rest. I kept replaying scenes and I honestly think that's how I arrive back home so fast.

I had to finish that book!

I loved it! I absorbed every word until I moved onto the next. Love, love, love it!

5 Nuts for Hopeless

GoodReads blurb:Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.
WOW! Not to sound crass or make fun, because no pun intended but Hoover sucked me in from the start. Sky and Holder are beautiful together and their journey of how they met, again, and watching their relation grow kept me glued to it. I couldn't put this book down and when I finally had to, I wanted to pick it right back up.

The story itself, even though it might happen once every million years, was connectable. And for Holder to carry the burden of what happened to his childhood friend was heartbreaking. You were right there with him when he explains how he realized who Sky really was and how he struggled with the information.

Well done!

But be warned, there are some tough situations in this book and if you are sensitive to sexual abuse, this book isn't for you. But trust, the scenes are not graphic, just moving in their realization.

If you're a fan, here's an extra scene from Hopeless from Holder's POV. Loosing Hope is out July 2013.

5 Nuts for The Reese Malcolm List

I might be a little biased since the author is a dear friend but I can honestly say I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!

And look at that great cover! Well done, Ames!

Here's the blurb from GoodReads:
Things I know about Reece Malcolm:

1. She graduated from New York University.
2. She lives in or near Los Angeles.
3. Since her first novel was released, she’s been on the New York Times bestseller list every week.
4. She likes strong coffee and bourbon.
5. She’s my mother.

Devan knows very little about Reece Malcolm, until the day her father dies and she’s shipped off to live with the mother she’s never met. All she has is a list of notebook entries that doesn’t add up to much.

L.A. offers a whole new world to Devan—a performing arts school allows her to pursue her passion for show choir and musicals, a new circle of friends helps to draw her out of her shell, and an intriguing boy opens up possibilities for her first love.

But then the Reece Malcolm list gets a surprising new entry. Now that Devan is so close to having it all, can she handle the possibility of losing everything?


Ms. Spalding has done a fantastic job of making you love Devan. Even if you weren't a show choir/drama geek like some of us, you will instantly want to sign up for the next community theater production of Grease but you will also root for her and the relationship with her mother. I love her tough attitude when dealing with being the new kid in school. Heck, I've been there and I only wish I had half the guts to not care what people thought. 

Yet, there's this vulnerable side to her that she doesn't share with anybody. She's still a girl who's lost her dad and now is forced to live with a mother she thought didn't want her. Man, tough stuff and Amy sucked me in and I couldn't help but love Devan. 

I have a special place in my heart for Devan and thank you Amy for bringing these characters to life and a big thank you for the kissing. Who doesn't love kissing?

To keep up on all things Amy Spalding and her next release, Ink is Thicker than Water, visit here at theamyspalding.com.

Four Nuts for The Crescent Chronicles

Blurb from GoodRead for Flight:
Sometimes you just have to take flight.A summer in New Orleans is exactly what Allie needs before starting college. Accepting her dad’s invitation to work at his hotel offers an escape from her ex-boyfriend and the chance to spend the summer with her best friend. Meeting a guy is the last thing on her mind—until she sees Levi.
Unable to resist the infuriating yet alluring Levi, Allie finds herself at the center of a supernatural society and forced to decide between following the path she has always trusted or saving a city that might just save her.


I won't include the blurb from Focus just so I don't give away too much about Flight.

I found this book through BookBub, I think and the blurb attracted me. So did the fact it was more of New Adult, which I'm totally loving.

The Crescent Chronicles is a different, casual, take on the supernatural. They're out there and living among us but it's no big deal, or so Levi tries to get Allie to believe. She's instantly attracted to him and vise versa and watching her try to stay away is interesting because she's sworn off guys.

Both books sucked me and I couldn't put them down. I'm eager for Book 3, Found that releases this year.

With this series, I was introduced to a new author. Most of Alyssa Rose Ivy's books are NA and in fact, over the course of 4 days, I read 5 of her books. They are quick and about 170 pages long. I'll add a review about her Clayton Falls series soon.

I recommend this book if you are looking for something new and enjoy the NA series as much as me!

I'm hooked but I don't get it.

Have you ever liked something but not sure why?

Yesterday, I was channel surfing  because with the summer months, all my shows are on break, leaving my recorder empty. And with the kids home, I have to find something sort of wholesome.

I started with the Hallmark channel (my almost 12 year old daughter loves their movies) and some silly talk show with a has been singer was on and I'm not really into that. I arrowed up a bit and saw a marathon for The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

I shrugged and thought why not. The show has been on for a few years and the commercials seemed interesting. And I'm not gonna lie. There is a pull when it comes to teen drama shows. I'm a sucker.

How'd it go? My first few minutes of this show? Let's just say that I'm glad my kids were out of the room during because I think the word sex like echoed from the tiny TV speakers 50 times. I'm serious.

Seventh Heaven (which I never watched) was what I imagined or something along those try to be wholesome lines while we still touch on the serious issues. And sure, I'm not dumb to think teens don't talk about, think about, heck write about sex. It sells and the more scandalous the better but I guess with the show airing on ABC Family, I expected something different.

And what is with all the marriage talk. Really? Times might have changed since I was in high school but I don't think that much. With the high rates of divorce, what's the rush! I mean, they were 15! And the parents were all like sure, as long as you love each other and are pregnant. Um, that's not a reason to get married. Ask all the children of divorce out there.

Needless to say, I set up my recorder for future shows only to discover the series is over (not surprised; that's my luck). I am currently watching the series finale where all the lose ends will be tied up into a nice, sex designed, bow. And as I witness all the crying and I assume shockers, I can't help but compare this show with 90210, a very tame version. And I can relate or place the characters from both shows in my own high school: the quiet band geek with a dirty side; the bible thumper who is saving herself; the bad boy (you know who I'm talking about); the guy friend who will always have a major crush on you and while you know, you don't do much about it; and the easy one.

What are my overall thoughts? After watching the series finale, I can say for certain that I do not like Amy, the pregnant girl. I understand that teenage pregnancy is tough. Trust, I've had three while in my 20's and 30's and it wasn't always a picnic. And some of the shows let us witness the couple making it work which didn't seem at all real but I'm sure there are some teen parents who have a ton of help and can manage but they made it all seem doable, which I think is the wrong message. But what annoyed me the most was Amy leaving her son and boyfriend/baby daddy while she attends college in New York. I think it was selfish and as a mother hard to relate.

Will I keep the reruns recording? Maybe. I'm not sure. Like I said I'm a sucker and its the summer.

Five Nuts for She's Come Undone

This is not a YA title but our book club selection. Not suitable for younger audiences. (adult situations and language)

A friend gave me this book and said "It's great. You have to read it." And then it sat on my shelf for a year.

The beginning of the book dragged for me a bit. I realize Wally was laying the groundwork for the drama to follow but some of the references were over my head. I'm only 35 and the character is older than me so some of the shows he mentions I'm not familiar with.

But once Dolores' world literally falls apart and she goes mental, I was hooked. I wanted to cry and yell right along with her. The emotions were real and all I wanted was for Dolores to win. To catch a break.

As a writer, I'm always amazed by the talent out there and this book fell under that same category. I don't usually read male authors (nothing personal, just haven't read much by them) but Wally nailed a female's emotions. Bravo.

If you're looking for a gut wrenching novel where the MC doesn't seem to catch a break, this is the book for you.

5 Peanut review for Clockwork Princess

I know I said I'd post peanuts, but honestly, they were too flipping big. I'll find more.
Like most, I started reading The Mortal Instruments series before I started The Infernal Devices and that's okay. Some characters are the same but you don't need one before the other. 
I'm sad to see this series end. I loved it from Book 1 to Book 3. Clare, like in her other series, does a wonderful job of creating this world and describing every piece making you feel like you are right there along for the ride. Every tender touch, every kiss. I felt them. 
Before starting the final book, I heard rumblings of a death and sadness and to be honest, I was hesitant to start the book. I know it sounds silly, but I was content to go on thinking the three characters were stuck in a never ending triangle and Mortmain was off hiding, never to be seen again. 
But I put my big girl panties on and read the book, never wanting to put it down even though I knew I was getting closer to the end and not wanting it to be over.
All story lines were neatly tied up, giving everyone the ending they deserved. 
Now, all I want is some sort of family tree encompassing all the Shadowhunter family lines along with secondary characters and how long they've lived. 
Could we dare hope she'll add another leg to this series? Book is available everywhere.

Review rating system.

In my attempt at providing helpful information, such as book reviews, I thought I better create a rating system. And since this is the peanut gallery....

I give you the peanut rating system. (It might take me a bit of time to figure out how to make these nuts smaller (said no guy ever)).
1 Nut: Thanks for putting yourself out there. Now take that effort and make peanut butter. 2 Nuts: While I might pass next time I see you sitting alone in a bowl at a bar, someone out there might like you. 3 Nuts: The story held onto me until the end and I'll try another sampling from this author in the future.Might need a little jelly.
4 Nuts: Engaging story. I recommend this book.




5 Nuts: Fantastic read! No jelly required! Eat these as is! 
There ya go. I hope I didn't make you nuts!