#amreading – Page 30 – Jean's Writing

More Websites and Links for Book worms, Bloggers and Writers

Published on May 15, 2015May 15, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Thanks to Chris The Story Reading Ape’s Blog for connecting me to a new Blogger-

I love all the Links for readers and writers alike.

Lots to dig into tonight.

I love comments, tell me what’s happening with you and if you’re not already, please follow @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

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Soon, on Tuesday 5th of May, there is to be a Writers’ resources evening at Cambridge Writers, the group that I am a member of, so with this in mind, I thought I would do a little warm up, and type up some helpful website links for Writers, Bloggers and Book Worms.

http://www.cambridgewriters.net/

I have been gathering the details of this list for some time so hope that it will be a useful resource.

So to kick it off my first discovery was Wasafari, who are they you might ask?
“Wasafiri is Britain’s premier magazine for international contemporary writing. Published quarterly, it has established a distinctive reputation for promoting work by new and established voices across the globe.”

http://www.wasafiri.org/

Book review/Bookish sites:

Netgalley https://www.netgalley.com/

Bookbridgr http://www.bookbridgr.com/

and Lovereading.co.uk http://www.lovereading.co.uk/

Read books for free: https://storycartel.com/search

Author’s resources:

Tips for authors on how to make book trailers: https://effrosinimoss.wordpress.com/2013/12/02/tips-for-authors-book-trailer-made-easy/

Tips on writing…

View original post 700 more words

Want a 5 star sizzle for your weekend?

Published on May 8, 2015May 6, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

By now I guess you’ve discovered, I will read almost any genre.

There are few books I won’t crack open and give a peak. The exception being True Crime. But that’s a post for another day.

Today’s 5 star review is by Linda Barlow, a USA Today bestselling author.

Ms. Barlow has written in various genres, including historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, New Adult romance, family sagas, and general mainstream fiction.

Looking for a steamy, intense, touching romance?

Then check out The Dangerous Hero. This New Adult Romance about love, trust and second chances introduces the reader to the world of BDSM with a just a little kinky, fantasy fun. The only blushing you’ll do is from the heat in the room.

It’s available to read for free through Kindle Unlimited. This is my first Linda Barlow book, but I’ve already downloaded a couple of others.

Put a little sizzle in your weekend and read The Dangerous Hero by Linda Barlow. You’ll be glad you did.

The Dangerous Hero [Kindle Edition] by Linda Barlow

Kindle Price:	$2.99
Kindle Unlimited:	Free

My 5 Star Friday Recommendation is Something Different

Published on May 1, 2015April 28, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

This is not my usual genre, if you’ve read some of my recommendations you understand. I’m more of an intense, thriller kinda girl. However, like pacing in good writing, on occasion I need to switch genres and slow down my pace in reading.

To be honest, I chose this particular book because of my love for quilting. Until my fingers stopped cooperating, I loved to quilt and enjoyed teaching my girls how to make a memories through the art. However, this book isn’t about quilting. It’s a heartwarming story about strong women and their successes, failures, their loves and losses living in a small Texas town.

Strong women are not exclusive to Texas.

Throughout time women everywhere have done, and still do, what needed to get the job done and protect their families. Ms. Bostwick tells the story of these women with a large dose of humor and charm.

I found this a quick and easy read. Sorta like tubing down the Guadalupe on a hot Saturday afternoon enjoying the scenery and fun with friends. Afterward arriving home a little tipsy, tired, and sunburned, but none the worse for wear. 5gold-star3

So with the satisfied feeling of someone who just got home from vacation, I give Between Heaven and Texas 5 stars.

So if you enjoy books by authors like Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs, or Sherryl Woods I think you’ll enjoy

Between Heaven and Texas (Cobbled Court Quilts Book 6) by Marie Bostwick.

Kindle Price:	$2.51
Kindle Unlimited:	Free

4 Puzzle Pieces to Hook Your Readers

Published on April 27, 2015April 27, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

W = (Who, What, Where, and When)

Right up front give your readers what they want, information.

Show your readers an image that grabs hooks them from the beginning.

1. Who

Introduce your main character and make the reader care.
Show the reader who your characters are by their actions.
Make them care not only about who your MC is, but who they will become.
Help your readers connect with your character.

2.What

What’s happening to the characters, or their surroundings? (Jump right into the action.)
What are they thinking or saying? (Don’t censor them. When people think no one hears them, in their head.)
What is plausible? At least give your story some realism and believability.
Something interesting might happen, but for the story to hook your readers, what is happening must affect the characters.

3. Where

Where are your characters? Are they coming or going? (Literally or emotionally give the reader a hint.)
Where does the story take place? (The character should be there for a reason).
Does the where make sense?
Anchor your reader without excessive exposition or narrative that bogs down the reader.
Use sights, sounds, textures, temperature, tastes, and smells, but don’t get carried away with too many purple adjectives.

4. When

When goes hand in glove with where.
Time frame is important. However, you don’t always need to say at 3pm on this date, this happened.
Let the reader know when your character is living.
Don’t leave them floating like an astronaut without a clue as to when the events are happening.
Writing a historical novel? make sure to show the readers the time matches the characters.

Hitchcock’s. Axiom: A good story is life with the dull parts taken out.

The Saga continues:

Rachel’s eyes flickered from the handgun on console to the Winchester in the rack and back to the smile behind the wheel.

“Now don’t you worry ‘bout these ole things. Ain’t a pick-up in Texas don’t have a gun or two.”

She knew he was right and it wasn’t the guns that bothered her. What bothered her was that his slick smile didn’t reach those cold blue eyes.

“No problem, got my own.” Rachel said.

The smile dimmed for a second as he took in her sidearm and the small silver badge on her belt.

“Well, glad to be of service to one of Texas’s finest. Officer?”

“Randell, Rachel Randell. Thanks, how far are we from the next town?”

“Bout forty-five minutes from Wichita Falls. That where you headed?”

Rachel nodded. “That’ll do.”

As soon as she got a cell signal, she’d call the office, get new wheels and be on her way. This guy didn’t need to know her plans.

He leaned forward and turned up the radio. Country music filled the cab and Rachel hoped that meant the end to conversation or anything else. But she didn’t plan on relaxing, not with two extra guns and a stranger next to her.