Deborah Macgillivray's Blog, page 61

10 books that touched my heart and mind in some way

In no particular order, I thought quickly of 10 books that affected me, possibly shaped my view of writing in some manner.  There are a lot of others that I love for many reason, but off the cuff these came to mind, which means they touched me deeply in some lingering way, which stayed with me for years, sometimes decades.
   
1. Moonrise by Anne Stuart 
Anne Stuart is one of my all-time favourite authors - and for a good reason.  The resident genius of romance, I love her style.  No one is like her.  She is brilliant, an author that takes me through an emotional hell of loving anti-heroes, pure Gamma rogues that are bad boys to the core.  She is simply one of the best writers in romance and suspense - no matter what genre or period she is writing in.
2. Wildest Hearts by Jayne Ann Krentz
Jayne Anne and her host of pen-names have really been a comfort read for me.  Her books are quirky, fresh and always funny.  The hero Oliver simply made me fall for him, along with his Man Friday  Bolt.  I read this book years ago, but I have reread it many times since.  It's just perfection.
3.  The Terrible Swift Sword by Bruce Catton
Non-fiction historical writer Bruce Catton was not only an amazing historian, but an author he goes one step beyond all historical writers by making the history come alive.  I don't read Catton -- I experience his prose.  I am THERE.  He taught me that it's more than historical facts, it was the people that mattered.  A lesson learned and applied to my historical books.  Though I write fiction, I always keep the people the focus.  The history is merely the stage for the story.
   
4. The Deed by Lynsay Sands
Lynsay Sands burst on the romance scene with this book and has held it captive ever since.  She was a breath of fresh air to the "bodice ripper" historicals of that era.  She brought a wicked wit and a sense that historical romance could be laugh aloud funny.  A personal friend, I cannot thank her enough for the direction she pushed me to in my own writing.
5.  Angel Knight by Susan King
Likely the best Scottish Historical writer.  She breathes out the history, and spins it into Highland magic.  Much in the manner of Catton, she gives you history but arrays it as the stage for her mesmerizing historicals.  Angel Knight is her working her magic at her very best.
6.   The Judas Pair by Jonathan Gash (Lovejoy series first book)
I am big mystery fan and devoured them by the box load, loving John D. McDonald and his colourful Travis McGee, Ellery Queen, the lads of the 87th Precinct.  One of my top reads is Jonathan Gash.  He created the Divvy antique dealer Lovejoy.  Gash's books served for the launch of Ian McShane's long running series, but McShane's Lovejoy is not the same grungy, slightly shady art forger of the books.  Still has lovable.  May his escapades never end!
   

7.  The Crystal Heart by Katherine Deauxville aka Maggie Davis
Maggie Davis is a powerful author, steeped in strong craft.  Now matter the period, she is amazing in her research and details pertinent to her story.  One of those authors that should be on the best sellers list constantly, but through the vagarious of the publishing business it likely one of the most overlooked authors.  Another friend and mentor, she really helped me focus on the craft of writing.
8.  Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
Shaara's soul bled the prose for the story about Gettysburg.  Picking up the mantle of Catton, he gives you history, but conjures life in the battle that changed a nation.
9.  Tell Me No Lies by Elizabeth Lowell
Wow wow wow - this is an amazing story.  Lowell opened the door on this book and dragged you into it.  Powerful writing that sizzles, that is alive.  This book, along with The Crystal Heart, made me want to write.  

10.  The Doorbell Rang by Rex Stout (Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe)
I first read Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin in a novella.  I was so blown away by thesecharacters that I went out and immediately bought everything Stout had written.  Periodically, I will go back and revisit the brownstone, with the greenhouse full of orchids on top.  It just doesn't get any better than this.  I also tip by hat to Tim Hutton's series for A&E (and blow raspberries at the network for cancelling it!).  
Well that is my ten books that altered how I viewed writing.  What are yours?

Happy St. Andrew's Day

St. Andrew is that Patron Saint of Scotland.  The festival is thought to go back to the reign of Malcolm the Third (1034-1093).  In recent times, Scotland gave the holiday the status of national holiday, celebrating on November 30th.~~~ Là Naomh Aindrea - St. Andrew's Day ~~~

Amazon editors pick two of Dawn's books to showcase

Amazon.com editors picked two of Dawn's books - her MacTavish historical.


These two books were special to Dawn's story.   Prisoner of the Flames was the first book she penned after she nearly died in a car accident.  She would wheel the wheelchair that would be her "legs" for the rest of her life to the Patchogue library, and they would find her the research books she needed.  She used to laugh that the book would never be published because the hero's face was scarred, and the heroine was a blind flowergirl.  I can still recall how excited she was when Chris Keeslar bought it on her second MacTavish contract.  She saw the cover, but never had a chance to hold the book in print.  I had to help her sister, Candy, go over the galley and edits to see it to print.
Renegade Riders is a book, Candy and I both think, that Dawn never anticipated putting into print.  It was a Western - not a period Dawn usually wrote in, and this was her first full finished book.  Her father loved Zane Grey Westerns, and I feel she wrote the book as a tribute to the man she loved.  She confided that she knew her father loved her, but he was a direct man and not often given to lavish praise and affection.  I can envision her writing the book just for him.  Dawn made me promise not to forget her, and I wrote to see she isn't forgotten, thus Candy and I went ahead and - with the help of Chris Keeslar - saw the book through production, to allow her fans one more of her wonderful stories.

Again, Candy and I cannot thank Montlake/ Amazon Publishing for keeping books available in Kindle and working to get them into library quality tradesize books.  So this Cyber Monday showcase, allows her many readers the chance to pick up these two titles at 85% off list price.
Cyber Monday Showcase - 100 books for $1.99 or less

A Christmas Romance by Maggie Davis available on DVD

http://smile.amazon.com/A-Christmas-R...  My dear friend, Maggie Davis aka Katherine Deauxvillle penned this romance that was made into a film with Olivia Newton John and Gregory Harrison
you can find it for only $5 at Amazon.com

Help Blind Cats Rescue and Sanctuary - and it doesn't cost you a thing!!

I love kitties...not hard to suss out about me.  I have raised, adopted and loved many cats in my time.  Currently, I have three foundlings that someone dropped in my yard.  All three were half-starved when they found their way to me.  I am blessed by their presence in my life.  So blessed!

There are too many strays, worse, some are horribly treated.  There pitiful darlings have an even harder chance of having a good life or finding a forever home.  There are many shelters doing special needs and helping, but Blind Cats Rescue and Sanctuary in North Carolina touched my heart.

This holiday season while you are shopping on Amazon, there is a way to help Blind Cats Rescue and Sanctuary, and it doesn't cost a thing....

AMAZON SMILES - just name your charity, shop and 5% of your shopping total can be donated by Amazon to your charity.

You can select your character in your accounts settings

Just type in Blind Cats Rescue and Sanctuary and it will come up.  Select that and shop.

or just click on this link

http://lnkd.in/dZzTR8V 
What a great thing for Amazon.com to do!!!

Finding the true holiday spirit

Dawning the line in the sand

1) NO SHOPPING on Thanksgiving. I wish all families would stay home, so others would not be forced to work

2) Boycotting Black Friday - no discounts are worth that madness. I want to LOVE Christmas this year (whatever version you practice), and I think when people say Christmas has lost meaning, or isn't as special as it used to be, it's because of this "Black Friday" greedy grab has undermined the true feeling and spirit of the holidays.

3) Doing Small Shop Saturday. I am spending my shopping money at the small mom and pop owner stores in town. They need help. Wal-mart and Target can get by without my dollars. I want money to go where it matters. You get more special gifts, and you help create jobs locally. Money spent in your town stays in your town. Instead of malls or superstores, I am going to wander the street and shop in our village, see the pretty lights, talk with people and find once more what has been missing from the Holiday Season.

Mouse sleeping on my legs while I write

Miss Mouse sitting on my knees while I sit in the recliner writing.  She loves the afternoon sunshine.

Serendipity all decked out for Christmas

Holiday Wonderland at Serendipity Cafe and Gifts
Seriously, this is the neatest place - come have lunch or dinner - excellent food, great service by happy staff (buy ten meals and you will get one free - just have them stamp your card each time).  They have Jim Shore Collectibles, Snoopy, Disney and more.  Handmade items, the best candles, and ice cream parlor.  They also do catering and parties.  So drop in and visit Lillian and Becky -- it's a magical place!


 

 


Serendipity Cafe and Gifts
Phone(502) 222-4216 Emailserendipitycafe@insightbb.com

Candy gets to play Elf...

This summer past, Candy was sitting and watching a mascot for the Woffery - a big spotted dog.  She confessed she had always wanted to be a mascot.   Never had she wanted to be a cheerleader, rather she wanted to be in suit outfit running around having fun.  Candy nearly did in January of 2011.  Since then she's undergone a big turnaround in heath.  Instead of spending her days mostly confined to a wheelchair, she is taking daily walks -4-7 miles.  She's lost a tremendous amount of weight and is just enjoying life so much.  So I ask her, "What is stopping you from being a mascot?"  If that is what she's always wanted to do then - like the Nike ad - just do it.

 The wonderful ladies at Serendipity Cafe and Gifts  - Lillian and Becky (owner and daughter) were thrilled with Candy asking.  So far, she's been a witch handing out candy for the village's Halloween and Zombie Walk.

This Friday she was the Serendipity Elf for the Holiday Walkout.  She made her costume, all hand sewn, even the shoe covers.  She got to hand out candy canes and Serendipity card (they stamp the back when you have lunch - 10 lunches and you get a free one).  We soon found out she was giving out more cards than candy!
So, I wish to thank lovely Lillian and Becky for allowing Candy to live out here dearest wish.

The Serendipity Elf will put in more appearances this season - Light Up La Grange (December 6th and 7th)and Shop Small Saturday (November 30th)

 



Official Elf Wrangler

Finally, an author says what needs saying!!!

Hats off to Harlan Ellison for stepping up to speak out about a problems plaguing authors!!