Avalanche of books...

A few weeks ago I blogged over at What Women Write about my December cache of books. One of the perks of being a writer is that reading is in my job description. So even though the books are a mile high, I decided to add a few more...

The Lost Wife, by Alyson Richman (thanks Kim for this killer review) Lately I can't get enough of WWII era stories.

Unto the Daughters, by Karen Tintori I read an excerpt of this online and ordered it immediately. Oh wow! From her website:
Unto the Daughters is the story of a secret guarded so fiercely for nine decades that members of Tintori’s family died without ever learning of it. Unto the Daughters began with an obliterated entry on a passport - discovered during a genealogical quest - and a reluctant revelation of an ancestor who was so systematically eradicated from her family tree that many relatives born since her murder still have no inkling that she ever existed.

The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons
Check out this blurb: "The House at Tyneford is a wonderful, old-fashioned novel that takes you back in time to the manor homes, aristocracy and domestic servants of England. In this setting, Natasha Solomons gives us a courageous heroine whose incredible love story will keep you in suspense until the final page." — Kathleen Grissom, author of The Kitchen House

A Secret Kept, by Tatiana de Rosnay (of Sarah's Key fame) I'm in!

The Translation of the Bones, by Francesca Kay A church in Battersea, statues and secrets... Need I say more?

Incendiary by Chris Cleave. Little Bee was amazing and Susan says this one is, too.

Waiting for shipment of The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy.
Listen to this blurb from Tatiana de Rosnay:
“A beautiful, heart-breaking gem of a novel written just the way I like them, with the past coming back to haunt the present, endearing heroines and a sunny, hopeful ending. You’ll wolf it up in one delicious gulp.”

Seriously, the stacks on my desk and nightstand will soon form an avalanche. But I cannot think of a better way to go.

Another Great Retreat

Yes, we What Women Write ladies know how to....















Write, edit, revise
Drink wine
Eat chocolate covered pomegranate seeds and salad and venison lasagna
Edit, write, read
Keep warm and dry, cheese it up for a photo, critique
Laugh, cry
And wrap up a scene without leaving Travis in the ball pit...

Wrapping up

Is anyone still out there?

I've been MIA for a bit, wrapping up my latest manuscript. Working on a new title, the query letter and fine-tuning my agent list. The good news? I've got a great list of go-to agents, more than a few who have read my work in the past and who I believe will like my new tome. Exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

So, if you're still out there--thanks for sticking with me! I plan on posting more regularly.

What have you been up to?

What Would Satan Do?

Looking for something outrageously funny to read? I was lucky enough to read this at Lesser North Texas Writers' critique group and here it is! Check out Anthony Miller's What Would Satan Do?

Agent Interview at What Women Write

Pamela interviews agent Kristin Nelson over at What Women Write. Check out all the inside scoop!

Part I here

Part II here

A Long Short Story at What Women Write

Want to hear how one of my critique partners found her agent?! Julie tells it all here.

Erika Robuck on What Women Write

Erika Robuck is guest posting over at What Women Write. She's a new online friend and author of the upcoming Hemingway's Girl. Go say hello if you have a chance!