Tag: novella

So many things to do

On By MikaelaIn Life, Writing

A couple of days ago, Shamrokon tweeted: Just 99 days to go.  I stared at the tweet for a moment, and then panicked for a moment.   Let’s just say I’ll be busy this summer.  I’m revising the Wild Hunt, which keeps on growing to Thrizah and Kari’s delight. But being told ” More is good, since it is a fascinating world”by  Kari does boost my self-esteem. 🙂  The goal is to finish the revision in June 1st, but I don’t think I’ll manage it.  But I should have it done before I get the edits back for Daughter of the Dark.

I plan to spend most of June on editing Daughter of the Dark and revising Exile.  Or maybe the other way around, since Exile has a closer release date than Daughter of the Dark.    Though both of them is coming soon!

I have found a reasonably priced copy editor that I plan to contact soon. ( She prefers to do a sample edit, and I’m not going to send her unedited pages.)

Oh. And deciding on a marketing plan.  I think it will involve a lot of teasers.  Since the only thing I got to catch the attention of readers is my novellas.  There will be longer and shorter teasers.  I really like the quotes that Shiloh Walker posts close to release date, so I’ll make something similar in Gimp. That much I can do at least.  I am also thinking about swag for Eurocon.  I want to offer a free download of either Exile or Daughter of the Dark, but I’m still thinking about how to do it. ( I know what the easy way would be, but I’m not certain if it is the best way).  Which reminds me. I need to hire a cover artist. I’m leaning towards Skyla Dawn Cameron, I really like her covers.

But right now I’m running around finishing everything on my todo list before I leave for London on Monday.  I’m going to see my brother for the first time in 6 months! I plan to hug him so much. 🙂 I mostly plan to visit British Museum and bookstores.    And take a walk in Hyde Park, if my leg doesn’t hurt too much.

 

 

 

Arc review: Scandalous by Patricia Burroughs

On By MikaelaIn Uncategorized1 Comment
The Particulars: Contemporary Romance, Book View Cafe, available as e-book
The Source:  e-ARC from the author 
The Grade: B- 
The Blurb:
Why live in the boring present when you have a century’s worth of vintage couture to live up to? Why be ordinary with centuries of Vandermeir scandals to shape your destiny?

Paisley Vandermeir was born on a hippie commune in the 60s, transplanted to high society Manhattan in the 70s and mentored by her wild Aunt Izzy, whose Roaring 20s exploits still tarnish the family name. Paisley is the very definition of “Vandermeir scandal.” It’s simply a matter of what and when. Following in the steps of her forbears, she intends to create her own scandal, then walk away from family and Society and find her own future.

Enter Christopher Quincy Maitland, the blond and gorgeous Rock of Gibraltar who carries the weight of his family’s fortune on his shoulders–safe, dependable, scandal proof. Or is he?

When irresistible force meets immovable object, what happens next is SCANDALOUS.

The Review:
When Patricia Burroughs sent me the ARC of this book, I assumed it was a novel. I have no idea why, I just did. When I sat down to read it, I discovered that it was a novella.
And it is wonderful.
The romance between Paisley and Christopher felt timeless. The story took place in the Upper Echelons of the New York Society. And maybe that is part of the reason it felt so timeless. The Society has some old fashioned traditions, that should have felt out of place during the early 90’s, yet they didn’t.
This is the story of opposites attracts. Paisley is flamboyant and outspoken, yet I loved the feeling of uncertainty that glimpsed through occassionally. Christopher is stable, and respectable. Yet, they each need each other. Christopher needs a bit stir in his life, and Paisley needs the stability.
But the path to their happily ever after wasn’t easy. I enjoyed reading, wondering if they would follow in the path of their forebears, or if they would strike out a path of their own.
Adding to the sense of uncertainty was the fact that Christopher were engaged. Paisley was certain that Christopher wouldn’t pick her. Christopher, on the other hand, struggled between duty and love. 
The main problem I had with this story was that it took awhile before I warmed up to the characters.  But, I am glad Patricia Burroughs sent me the arc, since it is a touching story.