"In Death....."

I'm a huge fan of the JD Robb "In Death" series.  Most of you may already know that it's Nora Roberts' alter ego.  Funny, I'm not very fond of her books under that name, as they tend to be romance novels, which aren't my cup of tea.

I'm usually not fond of the futuristic genre either, but the "In Death" series is absolutely engaging!  It's set in a not-so-distant future, where cars can float about in the air, and regular coffee is a rarity.  However, the core of each book is the same - following a tough, no-nonsense cop in New York City.  She's married to a billionaire, but the money doesn't impress her.  She doesn't wear fancy clothes or even fancies socializing.  She's amusingly awkward in social situations, but one heck of a cop!

Because each story mostly centers around her and her quirky friends and co-workers, along with a good, old-fashioned murder mystery, I was sold after the first book.  I've followed it ever since, all through the 35 books that have followed, and continue to do so.  They're full of rich characters that quickly become comfortable.

I suggest starting with the first one, "Naked in Death."  You'll thank me, because you'll be hooked as happily as I am.

You can find the entire series at the link below.  I use this site religiously, as you can search for any author and see their books in order.  Enjoy!  :)

JD ROBB SERIES

Ariana Franklin...Mistress of the Art of Death....

One of my next favorite series is by the author, Ariana Franklin.  As you'll see, my tastes differ from mystery, suspense, biography, and historical fiction...this last one being the genre that Franklin is in. 

Her main character in this series is Adelia.  The title of her first book is "Mistress of the Art of Death," which I recommend to start your adventures into her world.  She's a feisty forensics examiner who's ahead of her time.  She's independent, unlike her contemporaries of the middle ages.  She is summoned by King Henry II of England, to solve the  gruesome murders of several children.  Since women were basically second-class citizens back then, she always travels with a companion that masquerades as the 'real doctor,' while she pretends to be his assistant.

Along her travels, she encounters obstacles and individuals that try to cover up their dastardly deeds & stop her from completing her missions.  Her personality lends humor to the stories, as each adventure spells disaster.  The King always promises her that she only has to solve one case, and then he'll let her return to her homeland in Italy...however, he always manages to force her to stay for yet another mystery.  The King also provides humor, as he's a kind King in some ways, but also selfish in wanting her to remain in England.  

Check out the series, in its order, right here.......

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/f/ariana-franklin/

Author Interview with Paul Levine!

So, my first author interview...Paul Levine...Thanks for taking the time to talking to us....

Q-You were a successful lawyer, so what made you want to be a writer?  Are you still practicing?   Or do you write full time now?

A-I practiced law 17 years in Miami and experienced mid-career burnout.  I’ve written full-time for the last 21 years.

Q-How long did it take you to write your first book?

A-It took a little more than a year to write “To Speak for the Dead” which I wrote while still practicing law.  After then it was 9 months to a year, whether I was doing anything else or not.

Q-How difficult was it to get your first book published?  What challenges did you face?

A-The first challenge was to get an agent.  As it turned out, it only took him 48 hours to get a two-book hardcover/paperback offer from Bantam.

Q-Where do you get your character inspirations from?

A-I wish I knew!  Some just come to me, without warning.  Jake Lassiter, the protagonist of “ToSpeak for the Dead” and seven other novels, is a night-school lawyer who was a second-string linebacker for the Miami Dolphins.  He voices my opinions but he does a lot of stuff I would never do…like punch out a witness in court.

Q-Do you work with an outline or just write?

A-I use a detailed, chapter-by-chapter outline so that I know where I’m going.

Q-Do you ever experience writer’s block?  If so, what cure works for you?

A-Basically, when I feel “blocked” (or lazy),  I remind myself that the mortgage is due.

Q-What things do you love & hate about writing?

A-There’s always the question: Do you enjoy writing or having written?  When I was younger, I enjoyed the process perhaps more than I do now.  These days, I enjoy the finished product more than the work to get there.

Q-Do you have any advice and suggestions for aspiring writers?

A-Put your ass in the chair.

Q-How do you market your work?  What avenues have you found work best for your genre?

A-For many years, I just let the publishers do their thing.  Earlier this year, I bought back a bunch of my books that were still in print and now I’m my own publisher on Amazon Kindle with both the “JakeLassiter” series and the “Solomonvs. Lord” series.  I do a lot of promotion on Facebook and various blogs and book sites.

Q-What is your take on the recent upswing of e-books?  Do you think they are the future?

A-The future is now!  Yes.

Q-You wrote many episodes of the television series JAG.  How did you segue into TV?

A-I free-lanced two episodes, which JAG bought, shot and aired back in 1997 and 1998.  In 1999, they offered me a full-time gig on the show, and I took it.  I think writing dialogue for television actually improved the dialogue in my books.

Q-Can you tell us about your latest book?

A-That would be “Lassiter.”  Allow me to quote the flap copy:
Eighteen years ago, Jake Lassiter crossed paths with a teenage runaway who disappeared into South Florida’s sex trade. Now he traces her steps and runs head-on into a conspiracy of Miami’s rich and powerful who would do anything to keep the past as silent as the grave. In this tale of redemption and revenge, Edgar-nominated author Paul Levine delivers his most powerful thriller yet.

Jake Lassiter, second-string linebacker turned low-rent lawyer, is cynical about the law, but if you hire him, he’ll take a punch for you . . . and maybe a swing at the prosecutor, too.

Amy Larkin—beautiful, angry, and mysterious—accuses Lassiter of involvement in the disappearance of her sister eighteen years earlier. What does Lassiter know about Krista Larkin, the runaway teen turned porn actress? More than he’s saying.

Seeking to atone for his own past, Lassiter follows the cold trail of the missing Krista and butts head with the powerful men who also knew her: a former porn king turned philanthropist, a slick Cuban-born prosecutor, and an aging mobster.

The evidence leads to a long-ago night of kinky sex, designer drugs—and possible murder. But before Lassiter can nail the truth, a gun goes off, a suspect falls dead, and Lassiter has a murder trial to defend. Will the verdict disclose what happened to Krista? The answer, buried under years of deceit and corruption, is revealed in an explosive courtroom finale, proving that rough justice is better than no justice at all.

Q-What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
A-Hike, swim, bike, walk my emotionally challenged dog in the Santa Monica mountains.


THANKS AGAIN, PAUL!!   I can personally recommend the Solomon vs. Lord series...I absolutely LOVE them!!

More info about Paul Levine at http://www.paul-levine.com

Are YOU a Cheater?

I love reading.  I've loved it since I was a young child, always reading ahead of my fellow classmates.  Over the last eight years or more, when audiobooks started becoming more popular, I became a convert.  I haven't looked back since.

There seems to be a debate as to whether this is considered 'cheating.'  They say it's the lazy and inauthentic way to read.  Some look down their noses at us cheaters, but I think it's a great thing.  Just think of the time it saves - you can now drive, clean the house, exercise - all while reading!  It also widens an author's audience...those that may not have considered reading before are now listening.

I've noticed since I'm used to it now, that if I do actually 'read' the occasional book, I'm a 'skimmer.'  I skim past those very same descriptive passages I find so enjoyable while listening.  It's an odd phenomenon to me.

I've gotten a friend to start listening now.  She was never a reader before but now finds herself addicted as well.  After all, who doesn't like a good story told to them?

The narrating is very important - it can seriously make or break a novel.  There's a real art to it.  I have my favorites, and it's got an element of acting to a certain degree.  There are plenty of famous actors that narrate now.

So....are YOU a cheater?  I proudly admit YES!

Let's face it ... whether you're reading words or listening to them, it's a positive thing.  You're expanding your mind and imagination while actively stimulating your soul.

Let's Hear from YOU...

So, what is YOUR favorite genre of book to read?  Mystery, romance, science fiction?  Let me know...