Second Time Around

Do you reread books? My “keeper” shelf is for just that reason and it is so loaded. There are books that I have to keep. A story will grab me the first time and I’m so reluctant to let it go that sometimes I’ll reread the book right away. I can get so engrossed in the action, so impatient to find out what happens that I tend to miss things. Or the ending (usually in mysteries and suspense) is such a surprise that I have to start over to find the clues.

Why do we read a book we’ve already read when we have hundreds of books on our To Be Read pile? (I don’t know about you, but my TBR pile is so high it's toppling over.) I mean, we know the ending. So what is it that makes a book so compelling? 

Is it the story itself? A fascinating take on an old theme. A twist to a plot we’ve seen hundreds of times. A unique point of view. Or is it the characters? Characters so well written that they become “real”. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons sequels do well. We don’t want to let go of those characters and must find out what happens next in their lives.

Or is the reason we reread books something illusive? A combination of so many things—plot, characters, setting, atmosphere, humor, pathos, whatever—it’s hard to distinguish the elements that make that book too good to leave alone.

Now for a twist. Have you ever reread a story years later and wondered what you ever saw in it?

Next week, I will be blogging early to celebrate the launch of my latest book The Pilot. Come on back here next Sunday, December 2nd to read an excerpt from The Pilot and check out the stops along the “The Pilot Launch Tour” route.

Black Friday Blog Hop

Congratulations to Sue S. who won the $10 Amazon Gift Card.

Winners of the Grand Prizes can be found at: http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/

 

Welcome to the second annual Black Friday Blog Hop.

Today is the busiest shopping day of the year. The day when brick-and-mortar retailers make most of their money. So, am I out shopping? Hah. I hate shopping. Even worse than shopping, I hate crowds. And today there aren’t just crowds. The Mongol Horde isn’t half as scary as the shoppers descending on retailers today. Those bargain hunters could give Attila the Hun himself lessons in pillaging.

My hat's off to those brave enough to venture out at midnight last night or to those who camped out for a week at Best Buy. I just hope you didn’t get trampled by the marauders who left the concepts of fair play and waiting one’s turn at home.

As for me, I’ll sit here in my tryptothan stupor induced by yesterday’s delicious turkey, dressing (especially, the dressing) and gravy dinner. I have to admit the best part was I didn’t even have to cook. Thanks, Sis. Now, I’m going to indulge myself in my favorite occupation--reading a good book.

How are you spending today?

Looking for something to read? Here’s a little taste of Switched, Too.

It’s Scott Cherella’s first day pretending to be his twin as commander of a starship. In this scene, he depends on an alien, who is enamored with American entertainment, to help him through the complexities of his first meal.

“I will eat here.” Scott selected a corner table, away from those that were occupied. Once they were seated, he nodded to his companion. “You may order for us.”

Drakus looked flabbergasted. “But, sir, I do not know what you wish to eat.”

“Surprise me.”

Drakus shook his head then pressed a small square pad flush with the tabletop. “Two hot selerias and Mid-Day Repast for the captain.”

Scott settled back in his chair. “Playing it safe, Drakus?”

Moments later, a robot server rolled between the tables, a tray clutched in its metal appendages. The robot set cups of steaming liquid in front of them then departed.

Scott picked up the mug and sniffed the dark green depths. Fragrant, gingery maybe. He took a sip.

“Captain,” Drakus began hesitantly. “I have noticed your speech is peppered with American slang. I mean no disrespect, but you didn’t act or look this different before you went to Earth. May I ask why you decided to come out of the closet?”

Switched, Too available digitally and in print at Amazon and Barnes & Noble For other digital formats go to Smashwords

The Black Friday Hop is ONE DAY only. Today, November 23rd. There are over 200 giveaways on each blog hosted by that Author or Blogger.

I’m giving away a $10 Amazon e-Gift Card to a lucky commenter who leaves an email address. For more chances to win, enter in the Rafflecopter giveaway. 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

To continue on the Hop go to http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/ for more links and to qualify for the THREE grand prizes. There are over 200 participants in the Black Friday Blog Hop. You can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times! So, be sure to leave a comment! And don't forget to leave your email address.

Now what are those Grand Prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $75 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more! (Sorry this prize is only open to U.S. addresses)

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to leave a comment with your email address.

Thanks

Do you remember learning the magic words? How about when you were given something, being asked “what do you say?” Since they could talk, my little grandchildren have been learning to say the words that ease social relations. How much nicer it is to deal with polite people—when they say the magic words. Of course, I’m talking about . . .

Like many people, I try to send thank you notes whenever I receive a gift. Note the word “try”. My intentions are always the best. But we all know where good intentions lead. With the ease of email, written thank you notes seem to be going the way of the dodo bird. Some givers bemoan this departure from "proper" etiquette, but as either a giver or recipient, I welcome it. A phone call, an email, a Facebook message or even a tweet works.

It’s fairly easy to remember to say (write) thanks for gifts. What about everyday situations? We say thanks for the kindnesses of strangers—the lady who held the door for us, the guy who noticed we only had two items and let us go ahead of him in the checkout line. But what about our families? Do we remember to say “Thanks for picking up your toys” Or “Thank you for bringing in the newspaper”? I don’t know about you, but the little expressions of politeness mean a lot to me. Since we’ve both been retired, Hubs and I (sort of) take turns preparing dinner. One of the nicest things he does when I cook is to say thanks for making dinner. No wonder I still like the guy.

On the fourth Thursday of November in the U.S. (the second Monday of October in Canada), we are reminded to give thanks. While it’s good to set aside a holiday, good to remind ourselves to be grateful for what we have—and more importantly who/what we are—maybe we should remember to use the magic words more often. So, I'm taking this moment to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you readers. Your comments have meant a lot to me. I so appreciate your support and encouragement.

As regular readers of my blog know, this Thursday I will be giving thanks for and to someone very special. Oh, heck, why wait? Thanks, sweetie, for the past forty years. Here’s to forty more.

How about you? What are your thoughts about giving thanks?

Meet Patricia Kiyono

 Please welcome Michigan author Patricia Kiyono. I met her through the Mid-Michigan chapter of Romance Writers of America. Patricia is a retired elementary teacher, a wife, mom, and grandma. But she's not quite ready for shuffleboard and canasta - there's too much to see and do! She loves to travel and likes to infuse some of those experiences in her stories.

 
Besides being creative with words, she likes to create things - spending a lot of time sewing, crocheting, and scrapbooking. I can attest to the beauty of her work, which she often posts on her blog Creative Hodgepodge.  According to Patty, organization is not her strong suit and her family wishes she would spend less time creating, and more time cleaning. Readers (like yours truly) like it just fine the way it is.

Patricia is here to talk about strong heroines. Welcome, Patricia.

I love a strong heroine. I've never sympathized with the female characters who sat back and let someone else take care of them. Why would anyone want someone else to make all the decisions? Rags to riches stories are great, but a person who works for it earns my respect far more than the woman who becomes princess simply because she's beautiful. I'm also turned off by the "too stupid to live" women who stumble into their happily ever after despite all the obvious mistakes they make. Give me a woman who knows her own mind and does her part to make her dreams happen, and a man who sees how he can help (not do it for her), and you've got a story for me. 


While writing The Samurai's Garden I knew I had to learn more about fighting techniques with swords. Thankfully, I found an online course offered by a martial arts expert. The course was called "Kick-ass Heroines" taught by Rob Preece, who writes romances as Amy Eastlake. The course took place during the summer, so I had the time to devote to reading and completing the assignments. Rob was a wonderful online teacher, offering very usable advice, and answering our myriad questions.


I got a bonus from this class. While writing fight scenes for my hero, it occurred to me that putting the weapons in the heroine's hands provided a whole new dimension to her personality. Research into the samurai history showed that the women in the samurai's lives were every bit as ferocious as they were. Why not let my heroine fight alongside her samurai soldier to help defend her lands?


And so I found my heroine. Hanako is a struggling young subsistence farmer. She's lost her husband and her crops in a raid by a traveling band of outlaws the previous fall. She's down, but she's not out. When we first meet her, she's in the marketplace, looking for livestock, determined to make a success of her farm. Even when the hero steps in to help her, she's upset about his meddling. Later on, of course, she's grateful for his help.


I had to balance this strong woman with a strong man who understands her strength and encourages it. He's fierce and protective of her, but he fights alongside her, rather than for her.

To me, that's a true hero. 

The Samurai's Garden can be found at Astraea Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

Patricia Kiyono's virtual hangouts are her website, blog, facebook and twitter (@PatriciaKiyono)

I love the qualities of a strong woman Patricia describes. What do you think makes a good heroine?