Of Road Trips and Reading

With my family clustered around the Mason-Dixon, and the soon to be in-laws in Georgia, holidays are always spent traveling. I’ve grown accustomed to long hours spent in cars. At this point, even the dog and cat are tolerant, well versed travelers.

Brady occasionally uses Simon as a travel pillow

For me, the best thing about long car trips is the hours of unscheduled time when I’m allowed to indulge in one of my favorite hobbies without guilt. Of course I mean reading. What writer wasn’t first a reader? But, more often than not, I feel guilty when reading, like the time I spend reading should be put to outlining/writing/editing/revising my current writing project. Reading has become something of an elusive pleasure since I started writing professionally, one that I save for rewards and trips. This trip, I rewarded myself twice with a pair of books I thoroughly enjoyed.

First up is paranormal romance A Safe Harbor: Building Sanctuary Book #1 by Moira Rogers.

Synopsis:

During the bite of the Great Depression, sole female dominant Joan Fuller struggles against the rise of cruelty among her alpha counterparts. The men tolerate her interference--until she breaks from the pack and allies with a witch and a vampire. Now the Boston alpha intends to bring them all forcibly back into the fold--and teach her a lesson she may not survive.

Seamus Whelan and his werewolf bootleggers intend to retire from smuggling and savor their fortune, but first they must do a favor for an old friend: escort some female wolves to safety. An easy job, if their leader wasn't a prim ex-debutante with enough power to challenge Seamus himself. Chance makes them allies; powerful need makes them lovers.

Together, they have the opportunity to build a sanctuary for their kind, but first they must free themselves from Joan's past, and the powerful man who would see her destroyed.

**~*~**

The second is a time travel romance set primarily in the old west, Desperado’s Gold by Linda Winstead Jones.

Synopsis:
When her Mustang Convertible's blown gasket leaves Catalina Lane stranded in the Arizona desert, all she hopes for is a tow truck to carry her to the nearest gas station. After being left alone at the altar, Catalina certainly doesn't expect to be swept off her feet any time soon. But when Desperado Jackson Cady whisks her away into the sunset and leads her back in time to the Old West, Catalina joins him for the ride. After all, this infamous gunslinger better known as "Kid Creede" never dreamed of a lovely 20th century lady falling into his hands. But the longer they're together the more she finds herself paralyzed by his dangerous touches, and he hungering for much more than what they have.

**~*~**

Both were fantastic, quick reads I highly recommend. Now back to the grindstone, until my next road trip when I can lower the TBR pile just a bit more.

Rebog: Kristin Tubb at The Last Word

Nashville author Kristin Tubb is at CJ Redwine's The Last Word today, unveiling the cover for her upcoming release Selling Hope. Fearless woman that she is, she's decided to be interviewed by the Spork of Doom. Go and partake of her bravery!

Check out the cover and blurb for Selling Hope:

It’s May 1910, and Halley’s Comet is due to pass through the Earth’s atmosphere. And thirteen-year-old Hope McDaniels and her father are due to pass through their hometown of Chicago with their ragtag vaudeville troupe. Hope wants out of vaudeville, and longs for a “normal” life—or as normal as life can be without her mother, who died five years before. Hope sees an opportunity: She invents “anti-comet” pills to sell to the working-class customers desperate for protection. Soon, she’s joined by a fellow troupe member, young Buster Keaton, and the two of them start to make good money. And just when Hope thinks she has all the answers, she has to decide: What is family? Where is home?

Did I mention she's giving away not one, not two, but THREE different prizes to lucky commenters? Well, what are you still doing here? Get over to The Last Word now!

Of Sad Moments and American Icons

Some photos are iconic, capturing a particular mood, event, or time period. For example, who isn't familiar with this photo?

 

Photo credit to Alfred Esenstadtfor 

(Life Magazine, 1945)

This photo was taken by Alfred Esenstadtfor for Life Magazine on Aug 15, 1945, capturing the Times Square celebrations that marked the end of World War II.

I've adored this picture for years. I had a poster of it hanging in my apartment all through grad school. Not having lived during the time period, it communicates to me the sense of jubilation, pride, and relief that must have accompanied the end of WWII. There is something romantic about it. Not necessarily in the sense of romance between man and woman, but the romanticism of a time period that seems somehow nobler than the one in which we currently live.

So, why post about it now?

Today, Edith Shain passed away at age 91. For years, Ms Shain has claimed to be the nurse in this famed photo.

To read more about Ms Shain and the photo that has come to represent the end of WWII for so many, click here.

Rest in Peace, Edith Shain. Thank you for your contributions to our country.

Reblog: Another Classic Just Got Punked

I'm blogging at The Otherworld Diner today about literary mash-ups and the new release Android Karenina. Stop by and check it out!

Of Woods, Writing, and Weekend Escapes

Last weekend, I was lucky enough to run away for a writer's weekend to Fall Creek Falls with three friends from MCRW.

Trish posted a more in depth review of the weekend at her Healthy Writer's blog. Since I need to be working on revisions, I'm just going to direct you to Trish's post for more details (and pictures!) of our fun weekend away.

Gret, Trish, Lara, and Kim