P.C. Zick's Blog, page 40

Give the Gift of Reading

This morning as I prepared the Author Wednesday post for the week, I thought about my own life as a writer. What have I accomplished this year? I often times think I didn’t do much as I faced harsh treatments for seven months. But I gathered all the books I’ve put out in eBook format and in paperback. I placed them under my Christmas tree and sat back amazed. I published five books this year (Live from the Road went live in 2012). Two of the books (A Lethal Legacy and Tortoise Stew) were re-issues, but I still did the formatting for all versions.

Books still make wonderful presents in this world of eBooks. I hope you’ll consider giving gifts from Indie Authors such as myself. I feature authors each week on Author Wednesday and review when I can on Book Review Friday. Take a look at some of the offerings because I’m continually amazed and pleased to read some great books from Indie Authors. The only way this form of publishing can succeed is from excellence in production of works and from sales from readers. The genres are varied as are the writing styles and plot twists and turns.

A few promotional things I have going on this month:

Civil War Journal of a Union Soldier – The Kindle version is available at a discounted price for the next week on Amazon. Check out the book trailer for this – it’s my first one. Rob Hess at Elite Book Design created this stirring video. He was a dream to work with, and I love what he did with the story of my great grandfather.

Rafflecopter contest going on for autographed copies of Trails in the Sand and Live from the Road over at Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews.

Most of all, I wish for you a safe and relaxing holiday season. So many times, we get caught up in the bustle and pressure that we forget to enjoy this time of family and love and celebration.

Book Review Friday – Unexpected Gifts

Unexpected Gifts by S.R. Mallery lives up to its name. And the wrapping on that gift peels off layer after layer until the final beautiful gift reveals itself.

The book takes the reader on a journey through one young woman’s legacy left by her ancestors. Sonia feels adrift in her life as she continues her relationship with an up and coming rock star and pursues her degree in psychology.

Starting with her parents’ lives in the 1960s, she goes back through the years of the twentieth century as she “unwraps” the gifts left her. It’s not always a glittering and shiny gift, but there’s always a secret revealed as Sonia applies the lessons from her parents, grandparents, and great grandparents to her own life.

The book revisits some of the most significant events of the 1900s going back to its earliest years. Immigrants and Ellis Island; Detroit and the assembly line; the Great Depression and the climb out of it; women’s suffrage; the rumblings of race relations prior to the Civil Rights Movement; Woodstock and Vietnam—it’s all in this gem of a book.

Ms. Mallery shows the connection to our family ties and the lessons that should be learned from the painful experiences of those who went before.

I felt the scenes with Sonia’s great aunt Adriana were the strongest ones—or at least the ones that held an important meaning for me. Adriana is caught up unwittingly—or so it seems—in so many important causes in the first half of the century. Yet, Adriana’s sensibilities are all there in the movements, but not finely tuned until she experiences firsthand what it meant to be black in the United States. She relates through the prejudice she witnesses and through her own experiences as a woman as she fights for the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment.

The most compelling part of Unexpected Gifts comes from the perspectives presented. We are shown the worst side of the characters through the eyes of another. Then a short while later the perspective switches as the author changes point of view. Then we begin to understand, if not wholly condone, the behaviors and thoughts behind some of the worst characters. Sam, Tony, and Andrei, the fathers in each of the decades portrayed, are human, fallible, and often times cruel. But when the telescope delves into their minds, the reader is shown that judging others without living their lives, does a great disservice to us all as humans. Ms. Mallery shows us that the ones to suffer the most are the ones inflicting the most harm on others.

If you love history, particularly of the twentieth century in the United States, and if you love family sagas that connect the generations, then Unexpected Gifts is the perfect read, and the perfect gift to give someone unexpectedly.

Author Wednesday – Sarah Mallery

Welcome to Author Wednesday. Today I welcome Sarah Mallery, author of historical fiction and contemporary literature. I’m currently reading her novel Unexpected Gifts, which asks the question, Can we learn from our ancestors? Not only does the book explore the history of twentieth century United States, it also considers the present day as the main character searches for answers.

She’s getting ready to publish a book of short stories, Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads. Each of the stories are filled with suspense, mystery, action, and historical elements.

Welcome, Sarah. I’m so happy you could join us today. It’s been a pleasure to meet you and read your work. I’m always curious about “voice” and how a writer knows when they have it. When did you first discover your voice as a writer?

I started late in life-never thought I could do it, frankly.  But when I tried my hand at my first short story, wow!  Those juices just kept on rolling. I had already published how to articles as a quilt designer, but my first published fiction work was a flash fiction piece that takes place in a battered women’s shelter (published by descant 2008)

 Do you have any special writing rituals?

I’ve been known to write entire scenes at a Carl’s Junior, but in general, I do write at home, either on the computer or at my desk, scribbling away next to a chirpy-purring cat named June.  Her brother Rocco is usually nestled at my feet.  But then, as I’m doing now, I can sit waiting in a car, a restaurant, a school and write away, to be typed up and edited later.

You sound a bit like me. When the muse hits, I can do it anywhere on anything. What is your vision of yourself as a writer?

I see myself as an author who keeps learning, growing, experimenting; exploring new time periods, working on style, descriptions, and all the rest.

I think the best writers do that. I don’t ever want to stop learning or remain stagnant in what I write. Who has most influenced your writing?

I have loved various writers, but the ones that really got to me were authors such as Harper Lee, Betty Smith, Mark Twain, O.Henry, Flannery O’Connor, Margaret Mitchell, and William Styron.  I loved their great story telling, their clarity of prose, and great descriptions without being too overly verbose.

Excellent ones to emulate. What are you working on these days?

I am finishing up the last edits of my collection of stories, Sewing Can Be Dangerous And Other Small Threads, due out very soon.  I am also trying to keep my hand in writing by working on more stories, flash and longer for another collection.  I have also been doing some research for a Civil War novel, for the future.

What knowledge have you acquired recently that might assist other writers?

First of all, I’ve learned so much from my publisher—the back and forth editing process, the collaboration on the book cover and trailer, the learning process of Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

But I have also learned that the process of writing and research is very, very different from marketing.  I can get into the latter, but when the balance is off, and I’m not really doing much writing or researching, I feel somewhat disjointed, out of whack.  So, although I am still discovering different ways of promotion, I really try to keep my mantra going:  balance-balance-balance…..

You explained my dilemma exactly these days. Let me know when you figure out the best way to keep balance in our lives. Why have you chosen to write historical fiction?

I have always appreciated looking at photographs from both my grandmothers’ photo albums.  As I studied my individual relatives, I wouldn’t just think, “Oh, that’s my Aunt So-and-So!”  I would scrutinize their outfits, their faces, their postures.  Were they sad? Happy? Bored? Annoyed at suddenly being put on display?  That strong ancestral interested dovetailed nicely with my love of U. S. history, so when I decided to write this novel, putting those two themes together just kind of clicked.

How does setting play a role in your books?

It means everything, frankly.  Writing historical fiction, if you don’t have decent settings, then what’s the point in trying to introduce readers to other places, other times?

Very true. Are you planning to continue writing in the same genre?

Yes, even if I end up writing murder mysteries. As long as it takes to do research, I realize that’s what turns me on—reading about different eras and then putting them into living, breathing stories.

How did you choose the title Unexpected Gifts and was it the title from the very beginning?

The ‘Gifts’ part was suggested by a friend, the ‘Unexpected,’ by me.  It kind of sums up the essence of the book, I feel.

How long do you estimate it took you to take the book from an idea to a finished, published work?

I would say it took a good three to four years…..yikes!

 That’s fairly typical. Is the book traditionally or self-published?

It is traditionally published, through Mockingbird Lane Press.

What is the message conveyed in Unexpected Gifts?

To never take our ancestors for granted––they are as much a part of us as our current, immediate families around us.

What is the best thing someone could say about this book?

That it’s a book that you can really sink your teeth into.  Readable, of course, but something that you walk away from, still thinking about scenes, characters, and lessons days, weeks, even months later.

What type of research did you do in the writing of this book?

All kinds, actually!!   I studied books/articles/documentaries about each time frame, looked at many photos, read about the language from not only those different places, but also separate periods.  For example, I looked up how people in Ireland talked during the early 1900’s, how African Americans talked up in Harlem during the ’20s; how in Bulgaria, they would shake their heads when they meant yes, and visa versa when they meant no; what the foods were like for each period and country, the clothes, the politics, you name it!  It took quite a while, but the journey was wonderful and I learned so much.

What else do you want readers to know about Unexpected Gifts?

Although there is a lot  of American history of the twentieth century, it is basically about a modern woman and her indecision, her problems, and her beginning to come to terms with her inner self by studying those people from the past.

Do you listen to music while you’re writing?

Not while I’m writing, but a lot of other times.  I use it as total inspiration––when I’m driving in my car, listening to Pandora. In Unexpected Gifts, I went from a tape during the late ’90s for my main character; ’60s tape, ’50s tape, ’30s tape, an Irish music tape (for one of my characters) and even an early nineteenthcentury music tape.  They all helped me think of plots, motivations, scenes, etc.

How does your immediate family feel about your writing life?

They are completely supportive, and if my housekeeping is not tip-top (it’s never been!), my husband doesn’t say a word.

He’s a keeper! What do you do during your down time?

I watch movies, garden, talk to family, friends, pet the kitties, cook, and try to C  H   I     L      L…

Thanks so much for stopping by today Sarah. I hope you’ll come back when your collection of short stories are published.

About Sarah Mallery from Sarah: I have worn various hats in my life. I started out as a classical/pop singer/composer, then moved on to the professional world of production art and calligraphy. Next came a long career as an award winning quilt artist/teacher and an ESL/Reading instructor.

My short stories have been published in descant 2008, Snowy Egret, Transcendent Visions, The Storyteller, and Down In the Dirt. “Unexpected Gifts,” my debut novel, is currently available on Amazon. “Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads,” my collection of short stories is due very soon. Both books are published by Mockingbird Lane Press.

Links to books and social media sites

Unexpected Gifts:

Website:  www.srmallery.com

Amazon: http://amzn.to/13ar2pa

Trailer: http://bit.ly/18cSWUG

Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads:

Website:  www.srmallery.com

Amazon:

Trailer: http://youtu.be/a3mPHYj6N80

Social Media Sites:

Twitter: @SarahMallery1

Facebook Fan page: S.R.Mallery (Sarah Mallery): http://on.fb.me/13fFI4T

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/13NBxA2

Book Review Friday – Knowing Vera by Rachelle Ayala

Knowing Vera by Rachelle Ayala takes the reader on a wild and suspenseful journey from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge to Australia’s wine country. The plot turns and twists made my neck hurt and my brain foggy, but the challenge of following all the conflict made for an interesting and exciting journey. Star-crossed lovers missing clues and questions of paternity abound in this romantic thriller. The reader only sees the plot unfolding through Vera’s eyes. The first person point of view allows the suspense to build because all we know is what Vera feels, sees, and unravels one layer at a time.

Ms. Ayala is a talented writer who creates a wide range of fiction. I’m amazed that the author of Knowing Vera also write Michal’s Window and Hidden Under Her Heart. Both of those earlier works are superb examples of her range in writing fiction that compels the reader to love the main characters, flaws and all. That takes knowledge of craft and an innate ability to gauge the correct amount of tension to keep the reader eager to start the next chapter.

The book is filled with scenes of graphic sexual encounters but never does it tumble into the realm of “sex for sex’s sake.” The scenes are crafted to help the reader understand the love between two of the characters and the horror of sexual feelings that arise at inappropriate times with a despicable character.

Knowing Vera is also filled with detailed descriptions of the setting. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco in general because it’s one of my favorite cities, and I’ve walked across the bridge twice and always thought about the emergency phones and the warnings against committing suicide from the bridge. Ms. Ayala’s details are accurate and concise.

If you enjoy romance, tension, suspense, and thrilling and surprising plot twists and outcomes, then I suggest you get your copy of Knowing Vera for your some great reading snuggled up in front of the fireplace with the paperback or your Kindle. You won’t be disappointed.

 

Author Wednesday – Rachelle Ayala

Welcome to Author Wednesday. I am so very excited to welcome back Rachelle Ayala, the very first author to participate in Author Wednesday in March 2013. Rachelle has just published her new novel, Knowing Vera.  Rachelle is never afraid to tackle the big issues in her writing such as her novel released earlier this year, Hidden Under Her Heart. She  writes dramatic fiction that crosses genres and boundaries, while featuring strong but flawed characters. Even though she writes emotionally challenging stories, she’s never afraid to address controversial topics. However, she is an optimist and laces her stories with romance and hope.

Welcome back, Rachelle. I’m pleased you dropped by for another visit. You are such a prolific author, I wondered when  you first discovered your voice as a writer.

My voice comes from my passions. I’ve been told that my voice changes for each book I’ve written. If you take my first novel, Michal’s Window, and compare it to my latest novel, Knowing Vera, you might wonder if the same author wrote both books. I don’t intentionally seek a particular voice. Rather, the voice comes from the character I’m portraying. Michal, the first wife of King David, is a very different woman from Vera, a Filipina-American nurse. I’m not sure if I’ve discovered my voice or if I ever will, but I trust that each book I write will be uniquely mine.

I’ve read both Michal’s Window and Hidden Under Her Heart, and I would have to agree with your assessment of your voice within those novels. I look forward to discovering where your voice goes to in Knowing Vera. You have such a strong presence as an author.What is your vision of yourself as a writer?

My foremost goal is to take the reader on a shared emotional journey with me as my characters grow and become more true to themselves. I hope this character emotional development resonates with my readers and causes them to examine their lives and live up to their fullest potential. I believe stories are the means for people to connect with others and experience lives they have not lived. As a writer, I’m privileged to share my private dreams and visions with my readers. Reading and writing brings people together and fosters community in a way that gives us understanding of others and hopefully makes the world a better place.

You’ve stated that very eloquently. It’s the best thing we can do as writers. Describe your current projects.

My current project is a character-driven romance without any elements of suspense: no kidnappings, murders, fighting, car chases, and nefarious plots to take over the world. I set out to write this story to stretch my abilities as a writer. Can I keep the reader interested when no one is in danger? Can I move the plot without a villain pushing the buttons? Will two ordinary people fall in love without life threatening excitement? Of course, every story involves conflict and tension, and this story is about two people with opposing goals in life, an investment banking intern and a guitarist for a bluesy rock band. The story is set in Berkeley and provides the backdrop for both character transformations.

You always seem to be stretching yourself as a writer. What knowledge have you acquired recently that might assist other writers?

Someone asked me to describe my writing process, the steps I take to write a novel. When I actually sat down to draft it out, I discovered that each of my stories had their own independent set of events. I did not have a step-by-step process. One story came from filling out a character interview for an online class I was taking. Another one stalled about a third of the way through and had to be rewritten from scratch. My first one consisted of several different branches where I wrote each branch to completion and then selected the final version. Finally, there was the one I wrote straight through from page one to the end without looking back. The takeaway to all this is to stop worrying about process and engineering a story and just write. Storytelling is an art and having someone look over your shoulder with a stopwatch or word-count tracking stifles creativity. Write more and worry less. We’re all unique and our methods are unique, even between stories.

So very true, and it can be applied to all of life as well. Even though you experiment with technique, is there a common thread or theme in all your books?

All my books involve a heroine who is not living up to her potential. She is weighed down by self-doubt, negative emotions, or dissatisfaction with where she is in life. Sometimes she doesn’t really understand herself and what she wants or needs from life. She could be running from her problems or denying she needs to change, but the events of the story force her to face her flaws and she changes to embrace her own potential and believe in her dreams. The hero undergoes similar changes. He also has flaws and real issues and he’s not just a background prop. Even though they are initially attracted to each other, neither is able to truly love in a healthy manner until they’ve solved their problems. Love, acceptance, forgiveness, and being true to yourself are the common themes in each of my novels.

What’s the best thing said about one of your books by a reviewer?

The absolute best thing for me is when a reader is so immersed in my story world that they feel as if they were one of the characters. I’ve had many reviewers say that about each of my books. One said she had book hangover where she didn’t want to leave the story and was sad that it ended. Another said she was the character, living, eating, breathing, dreaming the story as if she were there. That is the state I’m in while writing my story and to think that readers can share that experience makes me very fulfilled as a writer.

Rachelle, it’s been a pleasure to host you once again on Author Wednesday. I hope you’ll drop back around when your next work is published.

About Rachelle Ayala: Rachelle has written four romantic novels. Michal’s Window is a powerful, emotional journey as lived through the eyes of Princess Michal, King David’s first wife. Broken Build is a story of healing where a man learns to love and trust the woman who destroyed his life. Hidden Under Her Heart is a heartfelt love story combined with controversy over difficult decisions, and Knowing Vera is a suspenseful, cross-cultural romance mixing an unsolved murder, adventure, and hot, steamy love scenes.

Links:

Website: http://rachelleayala.me

Blog: http://www.rachelleayala.com

Follow @AyalaRachelle on Twitter

Subscribe to mailing list for upcoming books and giveaways. http://eepurl.com/lR5kv

Book Review Friday – Split Second Lifetime

@PCZick

Book Review Friday – Split Second Lifetime by Denise Kahn

Music plays in the background of my life. Right now, I’m listening to Dixie Chicks because it’s just that kind of morning. Usually I prefer Mozart while I’m writing, but today it’s my Indigo Girls Pandora station where like-tuned musicians play.

I don’t know much about music except that I love it in all its forms. I dabbled with the flute in high school and college—still have an old silver plated instrument high on a closet shelf somewhere. I sang in choirs all my life until I reached the ripe age of eighteen and flew out of the safety net of my home. I love music, and I like to sing to it in the car, shower, and at my desk while I work. I love to dance to good music, which I do at my dance class and occasionally in the aisles of the grocery store. Yes, music lifts my mood, inspires me, and allows me the freedom to soar above the mundane.

That’s only one of the reasons I loved Denise Kahn’s Split Second Lifetime. The story revolves around music, which sits at the core of the novel. Kahn’s writing is lyrical and magical. Her main character Jebby is a music ethnomusicologist, and she takes the reader on a journey of discovery of the music of Uzbekistan in Central Asia. Jebby and her team are producing a series of CDs on native music from around the world. She meets Dodi on the plane to Paris before she embarks on her journey. The meeting is powerful, but the visions Jebby begins to see while on this journey are at once disturbing and intriguing. Those visions—set in the southwestern United States—haunt her as she attempts to figure out the connection. In Uzbekistan, it all comes together as she travels through the country with Dodi, her team, and escort.

Music creates the setting and influences the characters. Kahn’s descriptions of her surroundings are always at the forefront, whether in real time or in her visions of past lives.

The novel is rich in description, symbolism, and synchronicity. The two story lines—present day and past life exploration—eventually meld together as Jebby continues her journey in search of talented musicians and soul-lifting music.

I recommend reading this book if you are willing to transport yourself into an adventure beyond what can be seen right in front of you. Kahn knows her music and her setting, and she combines it all with a creative touch in her writing. I loved the story and the lyrical prose. I’ve already downloaded her latest release, Obsession of the Heart.

Author Wednesday – Denise Kahn

Welcome to Author Wednesday. Today I’m very pleased to introduce Denise Kahn, an amazing woman and author. She was raised in a home filled with music; she’s traveled the world; and she’s a polyglot as she speaks five languages fluently. She’s held jobs with airlines and in the music industry. She incorporates all these loves and experiences into her novels. She’s written three novels so far: Split Second Lifetime, Peace of Music, and Obsession of the Heart. Peace of Music and Obsession of the Heart are part of a trilogy. They can be read as stand alones.  She is currently working on the third book of this series. Welcome, Denise. I have so many questions for you, it’s hard to know where to start. So I’ll start with a very basic question about your writing, and we’ll go from there. What messages or themes do you try to convey to your readers? 

Spreading the power of music through words, as well as writing a good story that is both entertaining and informative.

Does this mean you incorporate this message/theme into all of your novels?

It seems that in everything I write music always finds its way into the pages.  I have always been in awe of this beautiful gift that is music, and have continuously tried to portray its magnificence and its incomparable power.  Music is probably the only thing nations have not gone to war over.  As in politics, nations might not agree with one another, but people of all countries still respect that other nation’s music.  How wonderful would it be to solve the world’s problems with music!  In all of my novels music is the ‘glue’ that keeps everything together.

That’s a very astute observation and so true. Music is a commonality we share with people of all races, religions, and cultures. With this in mind, how much of a role does setting play in your novels?

I lived overseas half of my life, in several countries in Europe, and traveled extensively.  Then I worked for the airline industry and did even more traveling.  I am sure that is why my settings are mainly in other countries, and from there characters of different nationalities unfold.

If you could invite two other authors over to your house for dinner, who would you choose?

Jules Verne and James Michener. I grew up reading their books, and we share a passion for travel and adventure.  Can you picture how much fun we would have between the poulet au champagne and the coconut ice cream!  But, as they are both deceased we would have to have this dinner in the ‘next life’.  However, contemporary authors would be P.C. Zick and Roz Morris, as I believe we have the same writing interests.  Of course, I would cook something amazing (love to cook), having thoroughly researched their favorite foods.

I like just about every type of food, Denise, and would be honored to sit at your table since I so admire your sense of description in your work. So since you write about music, do you listen to music while writing?

I like all music, well maybe Rap not so much, especially since you have to listen to the words so carefully.  It defeats the purpose of ‘zoning out’ which is what happens when I’m writing.  I get so focused that fireworks could be going off, and I wouldn’t hear them.  But my favorite kind of music is Spanish/South American (classical guitar/contemporary), but again, I love all music, from opera to traditional folk songs from different nations.  Something is always playing in the background.  I couldn’t imagine a world without music.  Something would definitely be missing.

I agree on all counts. I’m listening to New Age instrumental right now. I do love Latin rhythms, too, but when I’m writing I try not to listen to music with lyrics. If a movie was made about your success as a writer, who would play you? 

Meryl Streep because of her flawless accents (and who wouldn’t want to be played by the Great Meryl!?)  I am a linguist by trade and speak several languages, five of which are fluent, and all of them are with native accents.  By the time I was four I spoke four languages fluently, thanks to my dad, brilliant man that he was.  He knew the secret:  Expose your children to foreign languages at the earliest age possible.  They are like sponges and completely void of inhibitions.  I continue his legacy.  I always tell parents to speak their mother tongue to their child, especially if they are not from the same country.  If both parents are then I suggest the children watch cartoons, films and listen to songs from Spain or France, or whichever language they decide.

Good advice. Thanks for stopping by today, Denise. You’ve given me a thrill today because I can officially slip the word polyglot into this post.

About Denise Kahn: My very first memory of life was the sound of my mother’s glorious voice singing to me, most likely a Brahms lullaby, and I’m convinced that is why music always has a delicious way of creeping into my writing and becomes one of the most important elements.

I spent twenty years in Europe because of my father, who was with the U.S. Diplomatic Corps, and my mother who was an opera singer. I worked mainly as a simultaneous interpreter and translator as I am a linguist and speak several languages.  I also worked in the airline and music industries.

I am a proud mother of a gallant Marine who served in Iraq, and among the members of our household you will find Louie the cat, so named because of his clawing love of Louis XV and XVI furniture, and surely thinks he must have been a fearless Marine in one of his former lives.

Links:

Split-Second Lifetime

Peace of Music

Obsession of the Heart

Website/Blog: www.4AGAPI.com

Email: Denise@4agapi.com

Twitter: @DKpolyglot

The Flowers of Acapulco

Take break from your busy day and relax with my very first attempt at making a video or rather slide show with music.

Book Review Friday – Elly Hays by Lori Crane

@PCZick

Two families, opposing purposes, and common ground grace the plot of Elly Hays by Lori Crane. However, in the best tradition of star-crossed purposes, much tragedy occurs before the discovery of universal emotion between two factions.

Ms. Crane takes the reader on a journey back to 1812-1818 in what the U.S. government dubbed the Mississippi Territory, but the Creek Indians deemed theirs. The setting of the novel is in present-day Alabama. I was transported into the lives of the Muscogee Creek village, with the warrior Tavf Hokkolen at the center of the story’s conflict. I understood both Tavf’s grief and the tribe’s resentment and hatred of the white men who they saw as stealing land, felling trees, and desecrating their sacred ground.

Their story parallels and collides with the Rodgers family who’ve come to the territory for land they received from the U.S. government. Their fear of the “savage” Creeks seems justified, and their story is filled with tension as they make every effort to stay on despite the continuing harassment from the Creeks.

Crane’s creative descriptions and plot movement never takes sides and allows the reader to see the conflicts from all angles. Both sides are villains; both sides are heroes.

The juxtaposition of the parallel, yet opposite, lives gives Elly Hays a unique perspective. I love that Crane took the life of one her ancestors–Elly Hays Rodgers–and imagined what life must have been for Elly, her husband, and their eleven children when they moved onto a beautiful piece of land right in the middle of what the Creek’s declared as theirs, but what the U.S. government determined as belonging to the new country. To the Creeks, the Rodgers’ family is just one more white family invading their land. To the Rodgers, the Creeks are the ones acting improperly.

Whenever I read good historical fiction, I realize that our struggles today are nothing compared to those who went before us. That’s what Elly Hays is—good historical fiction that allows me to appreciate the present while sending bouquets of admiration to women such as Elly.

I thank Lori Crane for bringing her to light and showing us once more that perhaps our similarities are much larger than any differences we might have with our fellow humans on this Earth.

Why I’ll Never (probably) Endorse Free Ebooks

Reblogged from Terri Herman-Ponce:

There's a whole subculture surrounding free ebooks and I think many readers love them and many writers don't.

I realize this is a generalization and it may not be entirely accurate, but I’ve got strong feelings about free ebooks. In particular, offering them and/or endorsing them.

See. Here’s the deal. I’m an author and I work hard (sweat, blood, and tears hard) to craft my stories.

Read more… 619 more words