Carina Press’ The Wolf at Bay, by Charlie Adhara, sucked me in so hard I nearly forgot to pee. Actually, I think I did. I vaguely remember thinking somewhere around the middle that my bladder was angry, but I didn’t pry my butt outta bed until I hit “The End” several hours later. Reading can be a cruel mistress.
Read MoreWe’ve all been there. That nerve-wracking, nauseating moment where feedback from a beta, CP, contest judge, editor, or agent pops up in your inbox. You want to know what they have to say. You sent your book baby to them for the sole purpose of getting their opinions and advice. You know there’s going to be criticism involved, because you’re a smart cookie and you’ve gathered you can’t please everyone. Still, terror grips you by the throat as you click the email and open what is sure to be at least a minor bruise to your writerly ego.
Read MoreIt’s been a hot minute since I last read a “fake boyfriend/fiancé/husband” book, but The James Dean Vintage by Jess Whitecroft scratched an itch for just such a tale I hadn’t even realized was there. This was a fun, well-written read that relied heavily on the backbone of its trope yet still managed to find unique ways to shine as a story all its own.
Read MoreWriting a griping page-turner—a novel the readers just can’t put down—requires quite a few elements to fall perfectly into place. One of those happens to be the tightness and effectiveness of your scenes. That means each scene has to serve a purpose, and all “fluff” scenes gotta go.
Read MoreOkay, hot dayum, folks, this week’s read was killer. Counterpoint, by Anna Zabo, is book two in the Twisted Wishes miniseries from Carina Press. I haven’t read book one, but you can bet your booty that bad boy is already purchased and sitting in my Kindle to start reading as soon as I’m finished with this review. Because, holy smokes, I fell so flippin’ hard for these characters. I cannot wait to see Ray and Zavier’s story, because I just know it’s gonna be crazy hot and delicious and just… Okay, sorry, I’m totally getting off topic here.
Read MoreEveryone writes for different reasons. Most of us write because, quite frankly, it’s a compulsion. We’d cease to feel alive if we didn’t. A lot of people, including me, also write as a form of self expression and to satisfy an inner need to experience things outside our little bubble.
For many, this need to venture outside their own lives leads to the creation of characters who possess everything the writer wishes they had. This includes everything from rockin’, gym bunny bodies to high-paying dream careers and billionaire-esque lifestyles.
Read MoreI’m a big fan of May-December romance, especially when it’s done well, which meant I was positively chomping at the bit to get my readerly hands on this week’s book. I’m happy to say, Shift’s End by A. R. Barley didn’t disappoint. Not only did it provide a delicious set of main characters I could easily fall for, but they were also firemen. Both of ‘em.
Read MoreI’ve already touted the importance of beta readers—and I truly hope each and every one of you utilize these invaluable resources—but the purpose of this blog is to discuss a very specific beta reader niche: sensitivity readers.
Read MoreThis week, I read Saddle Up by A.M. Arthur. It’s part of the Clean Slate Ranch miniseries from Carina Press. Ms. Arthur is a well-established and successful author, with books from Carina, Dreamspinner Press, SMP Swerve, and Briggs-King Books.
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