Book Pimp Giveaway #4 – UPDATED

Last week was a bit of a wash as far as accomplishments go, since I spent a good percentage of it laid up and feeling crappy. So I really have to get my butt in gear this week. I’ve got a lot of goals to hit. I’ve been mostly “refilling the well” — reading, critiquing other people’s work, and etc. This week, it’s back to the grind. I’m in a bit of an “in between” stage at the moment. All my work has been turned in and I’m waiting for the next step. (Can you say ARCs?)

Sailor Boy and I went with some friends to see Scythian this weekend. They’re a Celtic folk-pop band, and they put on an amazing show. Ton of fun. Extremely high energy. Lots of dancing involved. My calves are still sore! I’m not a big concert goer, but it was interesting to watch a very talented local band. I got the same sort of feeling from them that I get when I read an up-and-coming author. I know our business models have no comparison, but I feel like in both cases, we’re entertainers looking for the magical nexus of talent, timing, and opportunity.

Except, as far as I know, my books have never hurt anyone’s calves.

I’ve been thinking a lot about structure recently, but I’m still in the dark room period with any new theories on it. I think it’s been a while since I’ve done a full on craft post on the blog. This is partly because I think I’ve talked about most of the stuff I’m really into and also, some people get the idea that when I say I do something, I’m saying that they hafta, too. Which is just silly. (Alternately, they can get so mixed up that they think that me suggesting to do something is actually some sort of secret plot to guarantee that no one else will ever get published, which is a conspiracy theory so imaginative and outlandish that even Amy would look upon it with awe. And she took that whole “giant lizards from outer space” thing in stride.)

Maybe I’ll steal a page from Justine’s blog and do requests. What do you want me to talk about? Leave suggestions in the comments section.

Also, though it appears from my “books read in 2007” list on the sidebar that I’ve been a total slacker, I have in fact just been reading secret books, which is, of course, in keeping with all those other secret things going on right now. Bwahahahaha!

All right. Let’s give away some books. I’m not quite sure what the protocol will be when I don’t hear from last week’s winner. Perhaps they’ll have one week, so if they don’t contact me by this week’s drawing, their prize is forfeit?

Once again, this week, we have Surviving Demon Island, by Jaci Burton. Dear Reader, this book is an Angelina Jolie action thriller come to life. I read it two weeks ago and I can’t wait for the next installment. Don’t miss out!
Oops! Sorry guys. SDI is unavailable. But if you’re looking for a romance fix, we’ve got Delicious, a debut erotic romance by Jami Alden. I’m a total sucker (no pun intended) for chef stories. There’s something so perfect about the combination of food and love, don’t you think? This book is about a celebrity chef and her ultra-hot ex lover and bodyguard.

We’ve also got The Rest Falls Away, a debut paranormal by Colleen Gleason. This book has been winning fans wherever it pops up. It’s gritty, it’s angsty, it’s actiony, and there are reticules and balls. If you don’t believe me, check out the review at All About Romance, who says: “…this novel has enough dark, angsty touches to it that I was utterly wrung out by the end. It is also so good that I couldn’t wait to get online to see when the next in the series will come out (June 2007 for the curious).”

Book number three this week is one of my favorite new books: VALIANT by Holly Black. I have recommended this book to everyone I know in person, so I may as well start doing it on the blog. It’s incredibly dark, incredibly romantic, and incredibly well written, and anyone who starts whining about what they are and are not “allowed” to do in YA can just go read this and then we’ll talk. Anyone who says YAs are just for children can also read this before they think they’re making any kind of valid argument.

I know a lot of writers read this blog, and I think every writer should read, if not own, a copy of ON WRITING, by Stephen King. Part memoir, part writing class, part philosophy of craft, this book galvanized my own dedication to my chosen career like little else. (It also turned me from occasional reader of King to slavering fangirl, but that’s another story.) It’s funny, it’s shocking, and it’s true.