World Building: Making It Matter

I've always been a voracious reader of many genres from thriller to historical romance. Lately, I've been doing an extensive amount of reading and writing (one blessing of having both kids away at school) and nothing frustrates me more than reading a book (or watching a movie) where an element is introduced, focused on, and then left to languish in a fictitious corner, unused.

It happens with small plot details when things slip through during the editing process (from established and new

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Female Heroines: Power To The Comic Book Characters

Don't look now, but the AVENGERS are here! Or rather, they will be as soon as the delivery truck drops off my DVDs. Yes, I pre-ordered the Avengers movie - despite the three trips I made to see it in theaters. (Once in 3-d) And I cannot wait to watch it again (and again and again...)

You get the point. Hey, it is a Joss Whedon film, which means the writing and story line are superb. And the eye candy of Hemsworth, RDJ, Evans, et al is no hardship.

But thinking about this DVD release,

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Female Heroines: Inspiration In The Mirror

My urban fantasy and paranormal romance books feature strong kick-butt, alpha female heroines and I draw inspiration for those characters from people, events, my imagination, and my fears of how the world would crumble without strong women to lean on.

Women have stepped into the gap since the dawn of time to take care of things - big and small - that needed handled. But sometimes the best inspiration is simply a matter of looking into the mirror. Sometimes the hero women need above all

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Female Heroines: The Power of Belief

Tennis is one of my all-time, favorite spectator sports. Long, long ago my grandmother sent me to a tennis academy where the pros were thrilled when I told them I was only there for the first session. Yeah, I was that bad, but I loved it!

Later in life, I discovered I had something in common with the amazing Rafa: though right handed, I was better on the court when I played left handed. Still, the sporting world is far better off when I'm watching the action on the court than trying to be

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Featured Read: Diary of a Confession Queen by Kathy Carmichael

When I heard Kathy Carmichael's humorous cozy mystery Diary of a Confession Queen was being offered free on kindle for the first time, I knew what I wanted to feature for readers today! Carmichael lends such a delightful voice to all of her characters and story lines and her sense of humor tickles me. I'm never disappointed.

This free for kindle offer (through September 15th) is a great time to pick up a fun and engaging read that will be sure to satisfy.

Here's the book blurb from the

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Featured Read: POWER by Debra Webb

Are you a fan of edge-of-your seat thrillers? Do you prefer to ride along as vivid characters unravel the crimes and intentions of terrifying villains? Do you like a little sexy tension to add to the angst?

Then I'm sure you've pre-ordered your copy of POWER, the third novel in the astounding Faces of Evil series by bestselling author Debra Webb!

If not, get over to your favorite bookseller right NOW (I've got that super cool countdown widget in the sidebar for a reason). ;-) This book

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