Joyce DiPastena's Blog, page 55

What Am I Reading Now?

I finished reading Counting the Cost a few days ago. I wouldn't quite call it a romance, at least not if by romance you are looking for that nice, neat, happily-ever-after ending. It is, however, an excellently written historical novel, set in Depression-era New Mexico. If you'd like to read a window on the history of that era, you will want to check it out.


Next up on my reading list is Lydia , debut novel of Regency romance author Wanda Luce. As I've mentioned before, I love Regency romances, so as soon as I heard that my publisher had published one, I volunteered to be part of Wanda's blog tour. That probably won't take place until August, but I'm getting a jump on the book. Here's the back cover blurb:


At six and twenty, the impoverished Lydia Hathaway has endured bleak years of heartbreak, longing for a love that never came. Her deceased father's foolhardiness has left her family bankrupt, and Lydia is eventually left no alternative but to take a position as the companion and governess to Susan Ashcroft of Danbury Park in Surrey. During the first days at her post, Lydia pines bitterly for a life she believes forever lost. Anxious for peace, she rambles one morning across the muddy wilds of the Ashcroft estate where she has a most unimaginable encounter with the notorious Lord Connor Denton. As their paths continue to cross, Lydia falls ever deeper in love with the charming rogue while battling against his growing assault on her heart. In spite of his forward attentions, she considers his behavior toward her as nothing less than idle flirtation. And why should she think otherwise? As the wealthy son of an earl, Lord Denton may choose from among the most beautiful women of England's first circles--none to which Lydia claims inclusion. In spite of her indignation over Lord Denton's rakish maneuvering, she anguishes beneath the reality that he is forever beyond her reach. Tormented in a relentless battle to suppress a love she cannot overcome, Lydia resolves to leave the Ashcrofts and Danbury Park forever. After all, she is nothing to Denton--isn't she?


I'll be interviewing Wanda soon on this blog. (Because I love interviewing historical authors!) And as always, stop  by on Tuesday to read a Tuesday Teaser from Lydia.

Tuesday Teaser

Tuesday Teaser is a weekly bookish meme (rhymes with "cream"), hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. (I've borrowed it from LDS Women's Book Review.) Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current readOpen to a random pageShare at least two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!
I'm adapting the rules slightly. I'll be quoting some random lines from the last chapter I read before I post a teaser. I'm a slow reader, so you may get multiple teasers per book. Here's my second teaser from  Counting the Cost :
Heck was up and gone Saturday morning before Ruth awoke. He left coffee made and sitting on the pilot light as he did every morning, but it earned him no gratitude from his wife. Not only had he neglected to even mention her birthday, but he had slept while she tossed and turned and wept and seethed.
From  Counting the Cost , by Liz Adair, page 298
If you'd like to share a teaser from a book you're currently reading, I'd love you to do so in the comment section. And you don't even have to share it on a Tuesday! Be sure to include the title, author, and page number in case others would like to check out the book you're reading.

Get to Know the Reviewer: Martha Eskuchen

It's been awhile since I've interviewed a reviewer. So I'm very excited today to share a Get to Know You Interview with Martha Eskuchen, of Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf! By the way, Martha is celebrating her 2nd Blogoversary over on Martha's Bookshelf, so hop over there to catch some great giveaways!
JDP: Welcome, Martha. Did your mother read to you as a child?
Martha: I don't recall that she did. But I was a pretty happy reader from early years... at least by age five or six.
JDP: Do you remember a favorite book from your childhood?
Martha: Yes - Smoky, a Cowhorse, by Will James, and Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell - I was horse crazy. As a pre/early teen I loved Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boy Mysteries and The Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling.
JDP: Black Beauty, the Hardy Boys, and The Just So Stories were favorites at our house, too! Name a favorite author as an adult.
Martha: I have so many favorites it is hard to pick only one! I'm not even sure I could settle on ONE per genre. So I will name as 'a' favorite one out of the dozen or so authors whose books I collect and who writes historical romance, romantic suspense and paranormal: Christina Dodd.
JDP: Share a book you've read multiple times (not the scriptures).
Martha: Oh - The scriptures would have been the easiest answer.
JDP: I know, that's why I added the qualification. Almost everyone would answer "the scriptures" if I gave them a chance! LOL! But I want to go a bit beyond that. 
Martha: I rarely read a book multiple times although I have some in mind that I listened to on Audible and want to buy the book - the Study trilogy by Maria V. Snyder.  There are soooo many good books and I have been keeping a reading list since 2001 so that I wouldn't inadvertently re-read a book.  Sometimes a blurb sounded good and I would get started on a book only to realize I had read it before.  I will say I have re-read several Mary Stewart books because I first read them in my teens and remembered loving them: Airs Above the Ground, My Brother Michael and The Crystal Cave are three I know I read more than once.
JDP: LOVE The Crystal Cave! That's a repeat read of mine, too. Now, very important question: Kindle, Nook, or good old hard copy?
Martha: As much as I love a paperback, these days I actually read a lot on my Kindle because they move quicker... I can listen while I put on make up or fold laundry. I also listen to one or two Audio books (tapes, CDs or Audible) a week.
JDP: What's your favorite place to read?
Martha: Anywhere, everywhere. I always have a book with me: one on Kindle, one on Audible, maybe one in the car, one paperback I move from room to room and one I keep in my private "resting room."
JDP: What are your three favorite reading genres?
Martha: This is hard too because I read such a variety. It used to be easy: 1) Historical Romance and 2) Romantic Suspense.  Those are still favorites but it is hard to pin down the third favorite from among: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Sci Fi Romance, Sweet Romance.  Right now I am on a Dystopia and Steampunk kick... not a binge because of all the other genres are mixed in my reading time.
JDP: What's the last book you read?
Martha: Just finished on Audio Cassette: A Morning for Flamingos by James Lee BurkePrint: Mary of Carisbrooke by Margaret Campbell BarnesKindle: Illuminations of the Heart by Joyce DiPastena (JDP: THANKS, MARTHA! J )Audible: The Devil Who Tamed Her by Johanna Lindsey
JDP: What are you reading now?

(Martha's actual bookshelf! And I'll bet this is only one of them!)
Martha: At this moment I am reading: Print: The Soldier by Grace BurrowesKindle: Taming Rowan by Suzanne BartlettAudible: Soulless by Gail Carriger
JDP: What's next on your reading list?
Martha: I have a full review list for June and the next three books I plan to read are:Print: Virgin by Cheryl BrooksPrint: From Mason to Minister: Through the Lattice by Neil Cullan McKinlayKindle: Beg For Mercy by Jami Alden
JDP: Wow! No wonder you run a review site to share your reading passion! What you would like to read more of? (author, genre, etc)
Martha: Authors: Pauline Baird Jones (Sci Fi Romance) and Maria V. Snyder (Fantasy/YA);and, if only I had the time, my large TBR collections for Mary Balogh, Catherine Coulter, Christina Dodd, Julie Garwood, Johanna Lindsey, Merline Lovelace, and Mary Jo Putney to name only a few.Genres: Sci Fi Romance, Dystopia, Steampunk
JDP: Share a favorite book that you've read in the last 12 months.
Martha: I have really enjoyed Pauline Baird Jones Sci Fi Romances: The Key and Girl Gone Nova. I am planning to post reviews soon with a spotlight with Pauline in early July.
More about Martha! : I love to read and review books. I am married, my DH is retired and we live with two great dogs and a sweet cat. Now I own eTreasures Publishing so I get to read more.
Places to find out more about Martha! :
Reviews by Martha's BookshelfTwitter: @MSEREADSFacebook: Martha Eskuchen http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002237724341
Networked Blogs: http://networkedblogs.com/blog/reviews_by_marthas_bookshelf/My Publisher website: eTreasures Publishing Bookstore http://www.etreasurespublishing.com/
and Blog: eTreasures Publishing Blog http://etreasurespublishing.blogspot.com/

Tuesday Teaser

Tuesday Teaser is a weekly bookish meme (rhymes with "cream"), hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. (I've borrowed it from LDS Women's Book Review.) Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current readOpen to a random pageShare at least two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!
I'm adapting the rules slightly. I'll be quoting some random lines from the last chapter I read before I post a teaser. I'm a slow reader, so you may get multiple teasers per book. Here's a teaser from Counting the Cost :
"All right." He stared out the windshield. "I love you. I love rodoeing, but I love you more. If you ask it of me, I promise."
From  Counting the Cost , by Liz Adair, page 153
If you'd like to share a teaser from a book you're currently reading, I'd love you to do so in the comment section. And you don't even have to share it on a Tuesday! Be sure to include the title, author, and page number in case others would like to check out the book you're reading.

Win a copy of "Loyalty's Web" and "Illuminations of the Heart"

Happy Blogoversary to Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf! As part of her celebration, Martha posted a very kind review of Illuminations of the Heart , spotlighted me with an interview, and is offering a giveaway of both Loyalty's Web and Illuminations of the Hear t. (Kindle versions available for international entries.)

Click on the titles below to read her reviews:

Loyalty's Web
Illuminations of the Heat

Click on the link below to find out how to enter the giveaways.

Spotlight Author Joyce DiPastena

And while you're on her blog, check around for many, many more wonderful giveaways being offered over there!

Congratulations, Martha, on your Blogoversary!

(Note: One person has had trouble accessing the link to the giveaway. If you are unable to make the link work, email Martha directly at mesreads@gmail.com.)

Winner! Freedom Giveaway Hop

So sorry for the delay in announcing the winner of the Freedom Giveaway Hop on JDP NEWS. But better late than never.


The winner of the Freedom Giveaway Hop on JDP NEWS is Erin Slattery, who's favorite thing to eat on the 4th of July is corn on the cob off the BBQ grill. Yum! Congratulations Erin! She has won an autographed copy of my medieval romance, Loyalty's Web .


Thank you to all who entered. I hope you all had a great 4th of July! 

What Am I Reading Now?

I'm a few years late to this book, even though I have an autographed copy from the author's book release party. Counting the Cost , by Liz Adair, won the Whitney Award for Romance in 2009. Better late than never, though, right? All I can say is, so far, so good. :-)


Here's the back cover blurb:


For handsome, hard-riding cowhand, Heck Benham, life is as solid as the New Mexico countryside he loves, as predictable as the annual spring roundup. Yet, all that changes when Mrs. Ruth Reynolds moves from back east into his homeland and his heart. 

The stark contrast in their lives is played out in a territory that is, itself, coming into its own. As Ruth and Heck face a trail of pivitol, life-changing decisions, their love is challenged at ever turn. What will it cost them before they find what is most important in life? 


Stop by on Tuesday to read a Tuesday Teaser from Counting the Cost.

Freedom Giveaway Hop

Whoa! One blog hop down, and it's time for another already? I obviously wasn't looking at the calendar when I signed up for two in a row. But hey, that's good news for those of you who entered the Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop for a copy of my book and didn't win, 'cause now you all get a second chance. Yes, once again, I will be giving away an autographed copy of my sweet medieval romance, Loyalty's Web , this time for the Freedom Giveaway Hop, co-sponsored by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Simply Stacy.


How can you enter to win? Just leave me a comment telling me your favorite thing to eat on the 4th of July. AND don't forget to include your email address so I can contact you if you win! To earn extra entries, you may do any or all of the following:
+1 Become a follower of JDP NEWS (Google Friend Connect), then leave me a comment letting me know.+1 Subscribe to JDP NEWS via the Feedburner subscription box in the left hand sidebar. You must confirm your subscription. Then leave a comment letting me know.+1 Like my "Joyce DiPastena" page on Facebook, then  leave a comment letting me know.+1 Follow me on Twitter, then leave a comment letting me know.
AND INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WITH EACH OR ALL OF THE ABOVE. (Thanks!)
Deadline for entries is 11:59 PM EST/7:59 PM PST on July 7th.
(If for any reason you are unable to leave a comment on my blog, send it to jdipastena@yahoo.com with "JDP NEWS: Freedom Giveaway Hop" in the subject line and I'll count it.)
All entered? Great! Now hop along to the next link posted below.

Writing Pet Peeve #2

I haven't shared a writing pet peeve with you for a very long time. That's a good thing. It means I don't actually run into very many of them.
But I've recently come across a new one that's bugging me. That's because it's been popping up so frequently in a string of novels I've been reading, all written by different authors, so I'm somewhat at a loss to account for it. Last time, my peeve was an overabundance of characters rolling their eyes.
The characters in these books have hardly rolled their eyes at all. But they cross their arms. A lot. Mostly women, but not always. In the most recent book, after the woman crossed her arms every few pages, one of the men suddenly crossed his arms. Now, if he had been mocking (gently or otherwise) the woman by this action, it would have glided by me without a glitch. In fact, it would have considerably lessened my annoyance factor with the woman in this book, because then it would have come across as a character trait in the woman that the other people around her noticed (and that possibly she noticed in herself), and it would have become part of the narrative of characterization. But this wasn't the case. The man was both miles and pages away from the woman and appeared to do the arm cross quite independently of the woman's earlier actions.
I don't often give writing advice here, because I read so many "this is the correct way to write" advice given on the internet, then pick up successfully published books that break those "rules" left and right. But this is one piece of writing advice that I feel VERY STRONGLY ABOUT! (You can tell, because I'm actually posting about it.) Using repetitive phrases OF ANY KIND is a BIG MISTAKE FOR A WRITER. Unless, as I said, it's part of a character's characterization. In which case, you MUST make that clear to the reader, either by the character recognizing the repetitive action in herself or himself, or by having another character point it out at some point. Otherwise, some readers (like me!) are going to begin to think the writing is just plain lazy. And just trust me on this, you do NOT want readers to think your writing is lazy.
So, if other authors, no matter how famous, are having their characters roll their eyes every few pages, you be creative and think of something else for your characters to do. If another author, no matter how many awards she's won, has her character constantly crossing her arms, have your character do something else. Anything else! Just don't have her copy what the award winning author's character is doing, because then you look like a copycat, and yes, you also look like you were too lazy to think up something on your own.
Let me be clear. I'm not saying your character can't ever roll her eyes or cross her arms. But limit her to once, maybe twice in the book, and then I promise it won't jump out at anyone and annoy them. I promise! Remember: Moderation is a virtue. Exercise it in your writing!
(NOTE: I'm deliberately posting this after a considerable time gap between when I read the books referred to and this post, so there's no use looking at my "What am I reading now?" posts and trying to guess which specific books fell into this trap. I don't want to embarrass anyone, just encourage authors to be a little more careful.)

So, do you have a writing pet peeve? Share it here in the comment section! (I'd better be careful. I'm sure I do something that annoys some readers as much as other authors write things that annoy me!)

Tuesday Teaser

Tuesday Teaser is a weekly bookish meme (rhymes with "cream"), hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. (I've borrowed it from LDS Women's Book Review.) Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current readOpen to a random pageShare at least two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!
I'm adapting the rules slightly. I'll be quoting some random lines from the last chapter I read before I post a teaser. I'm a slow reader, so you may get multiple teasers per book. Here's a teaser from  Loving Lydia :
Her uncle smiled sadly at Alex, then returned his attention to his niece. "It is not the end of the world, Lydia. I have every faith that Lord Alexander will make a fine husband. Be happy that your life has been set."
From Loving Lydia , by Amy De Trempe, page 120
If you'd like to share a teaser from a book you're currently reading, I'd love you to do so in the comment section. And you don't even have to share it on a Tuesday! Be sure to include the title, author, and page number in case others would like to check out the book you're reading.