The Book Pusher: October 2018

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BEAUTY LIKE THE NIGHT Joanna Bourne: Historical Romance

With another fabulous romance, Joanna Bourne finds Severine de Cabrillac an interesting romantic option--a jewel thief and wine maker. But can they find who killed his wife and is after Severine in time? You'll turn the pages as fast as you can read because Bourne has created a wonderful plot--a always.

THE HOUSE GIRL Tara Conklin Historical/dual timeline

Conklin creates a fabulous tale that will fascinate and horrify you, but hope will win in the end. Be sure to read this one now!

INTO THE WILDERNESS Sara Donati: Historical Romance

Donati takes a page from J. F. Cooper and stirs in a few Easter eggs from D. Gabaldon to create a vivid story of upstate New York. You'll enjoy Nathanial and Elizabeth's story. But I dare you to stop at just one. This is the first in a series. ;-)

THE ROYAL NANNY  Karen Harper: Historical

The story of Charlotte Bill will charm you. Late Victorian, Edwardian, and early 1900's England comes to life in this novel. You'll laugh and cry, but you will never forget Lala.

HEAVEN ADJACENT Catherine Ryan Hyde: Contemporary

With deep insight and true love, Hyde creates a gem of a story about the truth of life, love, and happiness. This one will make you smile--and hug your loved ones. Read it now!

ONCE BELOVED Amara Royce: Historical Romance

Another member of the Needlework for the Needy has found a chance for love--but only if she faces her anxieties and returns to her hometown.

Next Post: IWSG!

The Book Pusher's February Mini Book Revew, Part 1: J. Bourne, V. Denman, L. McNeal, A. Mulligan, B. Rogan,

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The Return of the Book Pusher 

Yes, I'll admit it. I can't stop pushing! And I don't want to. ;-) 

THE BLACK HAWK Joanna Bourne: Historical Romance

Wonderful book! Jo Bourne's unconventional romance plot is amazing. You'll keep turning the pages and eat this one up. 

JADED Varina Denman: Christian Romance with elements of Women's Fiction

Along with Denman's JUSTIFIED, the Mended Heart Series offers a welcome, much more complex plot than usual. The commentary on Christians and their self-righteous behavior is spot on. 

 DOLLBABY Laura Lane McNeal: Historical Women's Fiction

Amazing debut! This is a beautiful story of resilience in Civil Rights era New Orleans--everyone has a story.

 CHAPEL SPRINGS SURVIVAL Ane Mulligan: Christian Women's Fiction

Another delightful, mishap after another continues in Mulligan's Chapel Springs. As always Claire Bennett is at the center of them all. Sweet read.

 ROWING IN EDEN Barbara Rogan: Literary

Must Read for how a professional weaves plot, 3-D characters, internals, and dialog into a wonderful story. 


You know I'll be back with more books for you to drool over later in the month. If none of these is your cup of tea, just wait. 

Next Week: More books...of course! ;-) 

A Continuation of the Bumper Crop of Mini Book Reviews: J. Bourne, L. Bujold, J. Clavell, A. Royce

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I told you I read a ton of books over my blogging holiday. So, dive in and find a good read. ;-)

MY LORD AND SPYMASTER Joanna Bourne: Historical Romance

This is another wonderful Joanna Bourne romance! Her historical details are lovely and the characters are enticing. This is what all historical romances should be like. 

ETHAN OF ATHOS Lois McMaster Bujold: SF-Space Opera

An ingenious and twisty tale of gender roles and espionage as only Lois McMaster Bujold could create.  

NOBLE HOUSE James Clavell: Historical Suspense

This is another of Clavell's excellent historical fictions about Asia. This time it's Hong Kong in 1963. As always there are a lot of characters, but they are skillfully woven into the tapestry of a riveting story. The backstory of the Straun's and their company is wonderful. As always, Clavell gives a good read.

ONCE BELOVED Amara Royce: Historical Romance

Another of the Needlework for the Needy has found a chance for love--but only if she faces her anxieties and returns to her hometown. 


Next Week: A bit of humor to tide us over...
 

5 October Mini Book Reviews: J. Bourne, K. Contino, M. Dilloway, K. Katchur, L. Thompson

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Just when you thought I'd given up reading...I have another boat-load of books to tempt you with. ;-)

 THE SPYMASTER'S LADY Joanna Bourne: Historical Romance

Great read!!!! Joanna Bourne's intricate plots are amazing and THE SPYMASTER'S LADY is a great example of what historical romances should strive for. Read this book! 

THE LEGACY OF US Kristin Contino: Women's Fiction

The Legacy of Us is a sweet family saga about four generations of women as they learn about love and life.  

THE CARE AND HANDLING OF ROSES WITH THORNS Margaret Dilloway: Women's Fiction

Galilee (Gal) Garner is as prickly as her roses, and just as surprising as a hybrid what produces an amazing bloom. This is a must read. Sit back and enjoy a story that will grip your heart.

THE SECRETS OF LAKE ROAD Karen Katchur: Family Saga

Caroline's family is good at keeping secrets. Only the secrets keep coming back to light at their annual summer at the lake. Coming to terms with the secrets will challenge their love.  

A MEASURE OF HAPPINESS Lorrie Thompson: Women's Fiction

The sweet and sour of life comes full circle in the family we have and the family we choose. A Measure of Happiness is a brilliant example of the home true love of family can be. The story of Katherine and Barry, and Celeste and Zach who the beauty of the trip.

Enjoy! 
Next post: IWSG November 4. 

Want A Little Romance?

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I take it the answer is "Yes!" ;-) I'll admit that I don't read Romance as a genre much, but I do read romances by authors I know. When someone so kindly shared the NPR's Happily Ever After: 100 Swoon-Worthy Romances, I was thrilled to find two of my favorites on it--Joanna Bourne and Diana Gabaldon. Without further ado, I'll introduce you to those two worthy writers and three others whose books are more than worth a look. Enjoy!

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Joanna Bourne: Joanna's Spymaster's Series is fabulous and full of well-researched historical details. Be sure to check them all out.

This is another great Joanna Bourne historical romance! You can't go wrong with Jo as the author. Her spymasters series is the best! 

Diana Gabaldon: How many times can I tell you to read these books! Though technically none of Diana's books are romances by the genre definition, that hasn't stopped people from classing them as such. I'll just say they're oh, so much more! 

 WRITTEN IN MY HEART'S OWN BLOOD Diana Gabaldon is a historical, adventure, military, SF/fantasy, and indescribably good

Diana Gabaldon has again crafted an amazing story, a masterpiece that ties up the threads from its predecessor, AN ECHO IN THE BONE, with a roller coaster of a ride. She writes every single one of her POV characters' hearts, minds, and souls with humanity. WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART'S BLOOD is my second favorite of all the Gabaldon books. But be forewarned: There's more coming in this story. If you haven't read Diana Gabaldon's books before, start at the beginning with OUTLANDER. You won't be sorry. 

Darlene Marshall: I'll just say: Pirates, Oh My! ;-)

 Darlene Marshall has another smasher for you! I loved it. I figured out Robert's secret, but Lydia's caught me by surprise. All of the clues were there. Well done!

Elle Druskin: Elle's books are for those of you who like their romances contemporary and on the comedic side. Maybe, make that screwball. ;-) 

The fourth installment in Elle Druskin's Liberty Heights series lives up to the zany humor and romance of the first three. This time there's fire involved. Be sure and check out Druskin's books for a fun, light read. 

 

 

 

 

Kristin Callihan: Warning: Kristin Callihan's historical, paranormal, steampunk, romances are on the Hot! side. ;-) 

  Callihan's Darkest London series continues with her usual genre bending. The romance is on the side of steamy and the plot is as baroque as her readers have come to expect. Evernight takes two unlikely lovers and builds a tale of love, torment, sacrifice, and resilience. 

 

Happy Reading!

Next Week: September's Mini Book Reviews!

17 Ways to Answer: What Can You Say About "Said"?

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 I love it when one of my favorite authors and Forum friends puts on her writing teacher hats at her blog. Joanna Bourne not only writes the very best Historical Romances, but she can write anything and teach anyone how to do it. Her latest technical topic is "On Beyond Said" and with her permission I'm going to share her expertise and use a few examples from of my own to illustrate the point. It's only fair to tell you up front that I hate using said in my writing. I love using some of these other ways and it's not by using asked, screamed, yelled, whined, etc. in place of it. ;-) (Joanna's words will be Italicized.

Elsewhere someone was wondering whether to use 'said'.
Or not.
 I keep talking about tagging, actually.
So I will do it some more.

Here are a couple of simple, basic guidelines in the tagging of dialog:

1) Make certain the reader knows who said every line of dialog. No confusion.

2) Don't forget there are lots of ways to tag dialog. Be adventurous.

3) You can almost always tag with 'he said' and you will be invisible

4) You can tag with the equivalent of 'he said' and you will be less invisible.
.....   'he muttered', 'he whispered', he 'remarked', 'he answered', 'he objected'.

5) In the choice between 'he said' and one of the saidisms,
you are about all the time better going with 'he said'

6) You can tag with an action
.....   'he began to put the fire out', 'he stabbed Guido', 'he activated the bomb', 'he put oil on the salad', 'he reconsidered'
Action tags are good.
Action that occurs close to the dialog tags it. The action has to be performed by the one speaking. It has to be in the same paragraph.

7) Tagging actions are separated from dialog by a period.
..... I piled my cookies closer to the edge of the tray so the little ones could reach them. “Glad they’re a hit."
..... Her hand tightened and my bones ground together. “Why didn’t you come back for me when you got out?”
 
8) Unless the action occurs inside the sentence.
..... “You’re old enough for the truth, Samantha,” his face tightened, “the whole truth."
..... “I was there and I'll not sit here,” I glared at him, “and have you murmur murder in my ears all night.”
(You can write this sort of sentence with em dashes instead of commas, but why would you want to?)

9) 'Said' and its brother saidisms are always separated from dialog by commas.
.....  Raising my voice over the chatter, I said, “Well, of course kids love sweets, but since I taught teens, I don’t have a clue what to do with little kids except ply them with cookies.”
.....  “Samantha,” she whispered.
If you do not know whether something is a 'saidism' or an action, go sit and think about it for a while. Over there.

10) Do not double-tag. If an action or other method tags the dialog, don't add 'he said'. You will eliminate many 'he saids' from the manuscript by following this simple rule. Over a lifetime you will eliminate a small mountain of them.
..... NOT “Cause people call me Sam and that’s a boy’s name,” she said and rolled her eyes.
..... BUT “Cause people call me Sam and that’s a boy’s name.” She rolled her eyes.

11) Do not mistake actions performed by the mouth, tongue, lips and throat for saidism. One does not grin, laugh, mime, simper, chortle, frown, or sneer words.
Go ahead. Smile me a couple words.
The  readers won't care about this but grammar purists all over the English-speaking world are grinding their teeth. Can't you hear them?
Can one 'grind out' words? Spit them out? Cough them out?
I'm still thinking about this.

Also, one does not hiss dialog containing no 's' or 'z'.
It's not, "Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum," he hissed.

12) Many lines of dialog are tagged by responsion. We know who spoke because they are taking turns. (Middlemarch does this for pages.)
Tweedledee said, "Your fault!"
"Not," Tweedledum snapped.
"Is."
"Is not."
"You're the one who put Cicero in the pudding."
"Didn't."

13) Many lines are tagged by 'voice'. The reader knows the speaker because no one else sounds like that.

14) Many lines are tagged by special knowledge, by location in the scene, by what the speaker perceives.

15) You can tag with Internal Monologue. This assigns the dialog to the POV character.
.....  “I’m older than the kids here, too.” My gray hair was a dead give away.

16) You can tag with Internals, which also assigns the dialog to the POV character.
.....  “Shows does it?” My bitterness shocked even me. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t—”

17) You can tag with Direct Address in a two-man conversation or where it tags the next line of dialog or responsion or where the Direct Address identifies the speaker. 'Not now, Papa' tags the daughter as the speaker.

Careful not to over use this. Real speak contains very little Direct Address.

In short, tagging dialog gives the writer a lotta freedom of choice. We only start out with 'said'.
We don't have to stay there.
There's a whole big universe of clever things to do with words when we jump off and let go.

I hope Joanna's masterclass in dialogue tags helps your writing and your understanding of what writers do as they construct scenes and dialogue.

Update: I'm polishing the first 35 pages of Mother's Day like crazy and struggling with creating synopses of varying length that still carry a flavor of my writing. That's hard work, let me tell you.
 ;-)

Next Week: February Mini Book Reviews!

December Mini Book Reviews: J. Bourne, D. Gabaldon, M. Gable, K. Lynne

Yes, this is the first week of December, so I thought you might still need some excellent gift suggestions.

ROGUE SPY Joanna Bourne: Historical Romance

As is fitting for a multiple RITA winner, Joanna Bourne adds another wonderful book to the Spymaster Series. Pax and Cami are two the most well drawn characters you'll every meet. Add the intrigue of spying during the French Revolution, Napoleonic Era and Regency England and you have a setting that showcases them in all their glory.

THE FIERY CROSS Diana Gabaldon: Historical Fiction

In Diana Gabaldon's fifth Outlander Series book, she continues to weave history with fiction with her amazing skill. Her spellbinding story of Jamie, Claire and their family will keep you reading late into the night.

A PARIS APARTMENT Michelle Gable: Literary Women's Fiction

A Paris Apartment is compulsive page-turner that blends fiction with history. I promise the history was new to me. This is a wonderful read and the Goodreads Women's Fiction Book Club selection for December.

 NOR GOLD Kerry Lynne: Historical Fiction

Kerry Lynne as served up another rousing tale in her Pirate Captain: Chronicles of a Legend with Nor Gold. Once again Nathan Blackthorne, Cate McKenzie, and their pirate ship sails into trouble and revenge...and good, old fashioned love. Enjoy! Check out my interview with Kerry Lynne on March 12, 2013.

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Also check out Normandie Fischer's Sailing Out of Darkness, the November selection for the Women's Fiction Book Club at Goodreads.

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December is a busy, busy month and I've got book suggestions and a few different types of posts on tap for you. Be sure and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season In the Shade of the Cherry Tree. ;-)

November Author Interview: RITA Winner Joanna Bourne

I met Joanna Bourne at the Books and Writers Forum when I joined in 2008. Immediately, I was drawn to her as an author, teacher, and friend. Over the years she has written some of the best historical romances ever published and I’m thrilled to get to interview her. Her latest Rogue Spy came out on November 4 and I expect it will be in contention for a RITA just like her award-winning The Black Hawk and My Lord and Spymaster. Be sure to check out her blog (there will be a link here) that’s full of info on writing and various research topics she’s uncovered while working on her wonderful books.

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For years he’d lived a lie. It was time to tell the truth . . . even if it cost him the woman he loved.

Ten years ago he was a boy, given the name Thomas Paxton and sent by Revolutionary France to infiltrate the British Intelligence Service. Now his sense of honor brings him back to London, alone and unarmed, to confess. But instead of facing the gallows, he’s given one last impossible assignment to prove his loyalty.

Lovely, lying, former French spy Camille Leyland is dragged from her safe rural obscurity by threats and blackmail. Dusting off her spy skills, she sets out to track down a ruthless French fanatic and rescue the innocent victim he’s holding—only to find an old colleague already on the case. Pax.

Old friendship turns to new love, and as Pax and Camille’s dark secrets loom up from the past, Pax is left with a choice—go rogue from the Service or lose Camille forever…

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ZM: I’m so excited to get the chance to interview you for In the Shade of the Cherry Tree! Your historical romances are so much more than just romances. The historical accuracy speaks to my historian’s heart and your characters’ intelligence speaks to my mind. How did you come up with the idea of spies in the French Revolution and Napoleonic era as a setting?

Jo: In this era --  from a bit before the American Revolution to the Battlefield of Waterloo -- most of what we take for granted about how we run governments and how we think about personal freedom was decided.  This was a time of Big Ideas clashing. People were fighting over the right to vote. Freedom of religion. Equality under the law. Fair taxation.

Folks on both sides were passionate. People of Good Will disagreed. What better time and place to spy?

ZM: What draws you to the romance genre? Have you ever written any other genre?

 Jo: I’m Historical Romance all the way, though I wrote nonfiction for years before I started writing fiction.

 I want happy endings. I want heroes and heroines. I want brave, clever, principled characters who behave well under difficult circumstances. So I write Romance. Romance is, by definition, generally optimistic and with an upbeat ending.

 ZM: As I said earlier, your characters are full and three-dimensional. Do you have any certain techniques for discovering them?

 Jo: I think the answer to creating rich characters is to give yourself time.  Sit and think about them. Go for long walks and imagine them. When you’re falling asleep, dream about the scenes of the book.

 And then write the story. When you’re writing the characters will reveal themselves by their actions.

 ZM: Many craft books stress that writers must read and read a lot. Who is your favorite author, or what is your favorite genre? What draws you to a book you read for enjoyment?

 Jo: I don’t actually read much Romance genre. I have no idea why this should be the case. Maybe I’m scared that I’ll find myself picking up ideas from other writers. Maybe when a story is similar to my own it comes to jostle in my head too much.

 So what do I read?  I read strong stylists in any field. They have lots to teach me if I can only be sharp enough to pick it up. Dunnett, Sayers, Peter S. Beagle, Bujold, Douglas Adams ...many others.

 But mostly what I read for fun is nonfiction. A good bit of that is the diaries and journals of people in my era of interest. I also read just off-the-wall stuff about the weird, unusual corners of reality.  I’m re-reading Plagues and People right now, with its somewhat off-beat version of history. And I recently finished Travels With Charley.   I’m a sucker for road books.

 ZM: Are you already working on the next book, or is it time for a break? What do you do after the final rush of publication is over?

 Jo: What do I do to celebrate the completion of a manuscript?

A nice meal at a good restaurant. Out for coffee with my betas and my friends and I buy everybody chocolates. And maybe I raise a glass of wine.

No time for a long break though.

As to the next work ...   I’m frantically plugging away on the next manuscript. This will be the Severine story.

I’m at the stage when it seems impossible to write and nothing is fitting together and I am totally certain I will never be able to get it right. This stage starts when I realize I have another manuscript due and I don’t know what it is.  It continues until I get the galleys of the book and know it is now  Too Late To Change Anything. 

ZM: Finally, what questions do wish interviewers would ask, but they never do?

 Jo: I want interviewers to ask -- Do you have a Writer’s Cat?

And I will say that I have a Writer’s Cat who contributes bushels of fur to my efforts and lies across my keyboard when I am particularly brilliant and filled with ideas.

Everyone should have a Writer’s Cat.

ZM: ;-) My toy poodles are filling that function at the moment. Thank you for a lovely conversation and for such wonderful reads!

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Joanna Bourne is the award-winning author of historical romances set in England and France during the Napoleonic Wars, including My Lord and Spymaster and The Spymaster's Lady. Joanna lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge with her family, a medium-sized mutt and a faux Himalayan cat. She writes Historical Romances set in England and France during the Napoleonic Wars. She's fascinated by that time and place - such passionate conviction and burning idealism ... and really sexy clothes.

What It Takes to be Published and Some Links You Might Like

 

Congratulations, Patty! You won a copy of BURNING SKY. Lori will be in touch with how to get it. ;-)

 



Nearly every time I say I'm a writer and that I'm nearing the end of a complete rough draft of my first novel, someone says, "Oh, that means we'll get to read it next year, won't we?"

Er...no. But I also know that when we read books like eating popcorn, we don't have an appreciation of what it takes behind the scenes to get the story into our hands. I know I didn't, but I do now. Here's the best explanation of what it takes that I've ever read. The author is Joanna Bourne, a RITA-winning historical romance writer who knows how to write well and has the ability to teach and explain the craft behind the words. Check out her recent post at her blog post, What to do when you've done what you do. [BTW, if you like historical romance, be sure to check out Jo's Spymaster Series. I promise you'll like them.]

So in answer to my friends' questions on when they can read FRIENDLY FIRE, it will be a while. ;-)

Here's another great post for writers who are having trouble taking the oft-said advice to "Write everyday."  This is from SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) at Red Room--There Are Only Two Things to do Every Day. Susan's excellent advice is for all writers, but especially for those who have gotten themselves tied into knots with unrealistic expectations. [Thanks, Cody, for that lovely link.]

And now for the last bit of wisdom I have to share today...In the last couple of years there has been a concerted effort by bloggers to steer away from the copyrighted images that flood the internet. This is from Lara Lancombe [whose debut book, DEADLY CONTACT comes out on November 1] who suggests:

After you run a search on Google images, click the wheel icon on the right of the page.  Then click 'Advanced Search.'  Scroll down to the bottom of the page, and you will find 'usage rights' as the last option under 'Narrow your results by.'

Click on 'usage rights' and you can tell Google to only show you images that are 'free to use, share or modify, even commercially.'

And that's what I did to get the great image for today's blogpost. ;-) [Thanks, Lara!]

And two for the road... The Writing Tools of 20 Famous Authors and Handy Advice. Enjoy! ;-)