New Clothes for my Blog!

I got bored with my old look, so I went underwater!  I might not be able to get a new wardrobe, but who says my blog can't get a makeover?

Marketing is Hilarious! Who Knew?

I just had to pass this on -- laughing like a maniac and scaring my neighbors from this!

The Bloggess

OK, that's just her general link, and now I can't find the particular post that had me in stitches, so here's another link that has tears rolling down my face because I'm laughing so hard!

There’s probably a typo in here. Possibly several.

 I found it!

Marketing done right.

Review: A Stranger's Touch

I stuck this in my post about my son, but the preview looked kind of odd.  Here I am talking about my son visiting and this sexy cover art pops up in the post, titled "A Stranger's Touch."  Yeah.  Too weird.

So here's the link to my Goodreads review, and to Amazon.



A Stranger's Touch by Roxy Boroughs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars






View all my reviews

Review: Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt

This book was recommended by a friend who is starting a local book club with me.  I read it in hardback, unlike most of the books I read lately, on my Kindle.

My impression of it was definitely thrown off by the cover and the name.  My edition is the old cover, and I thought it might be a story about a Puritan-like community.  I was far from the mark.

It does have a somewhat slow start as it builds the weight of this world, the poverty and despair of the people who so desperately need a flicker of hope.  I never would have guessed that hope would come in the form it did.  The plot builds slowly like a steady drumbeat until the actions of the main character are inexorably set by her character and heart for the people, a quiet, unconditional love that sacrifices without recognition or return. 

The author’s voice is strong and memorable.  One phrase sticks out in my memory, so concise yet holding so much, describing Burl. “He was nineteen, and his heart, which broke for Rose, seemed to be healing. Burl could never have spoken for Rose.”  Just that simple, “his heart, which broke for Rose,” spoke volumes that other writers might struggle for pages to say as well.

In spite of this captivating start in her description of Burl, he seemed to fade into the background.  That was appropriate for his quiet, strong character, I suppose.  Still, I would have thought that the main character, Gwyn, would have been a little more aware of him.  I caught the one clue, the standard that she set for herself that she apparently missed, but because she missed it, I actually dropped that line of thought as an option.  I was not aware that I was reading a young adult’s novel, and I made some assumptions about her from that point that probably would not occur in this imprint.  I can’t be more specific without dropping spoilers.  The ending was a definite surprise.

I caught a couple of typos, “too” for “to,” a dropped letter or two, disappointing in a hardback from an imprint of Simon & Schuster, but too minor to distract from the story.

I really enjoyed this story, though my own writing leans to a faster style and break-from-the-gate beginnings.  Well written and engaging, once you get past that slow start.  And I definitely recommend you get past that!

Offering a link here, but this is not the same cover I have with my older version.

Kindle Lover!

Some of my friends are die-hard book lovers, but others have fallen in love with e-book readers, as I have.  There's nothing like having an entire library at my fingertips at the push of a button.  I have the old style Kindle, not the Kindle Fire, which is backlit. I have to read with a light on and I fall asleep that way sometimes, so really I think I'd love to get a Kindle Fire someday.

This is what I have:



And this is what I have on my Wish List!



So, yes, I am actively trying to convert my paper book addicted friends to Kindle.  Hey, I grew up downwind from a paper mill -- not a pleasant experience!  I'd say "let's save trees," but I'm aware that's not really what happens. Reducing the need for virgin timber just means tree farm owners go out of business and sell their land to developers, unless you allow the government to step in and usher the sale over to a conservatory group.

But, I digress ...

 In spite of the fact that it doesn't really save trees the way things are now, I still think cutting down the need for stinky paper mills is a winner, don't you?

Some of my friends are waiting for me to print out my manuscript before they will read it, or go into print with CreateSpace.  I'm planning to go with the second plan, as it is actually much cheaper to print a book on CreateSpace than it is to go to Staples and print out my manuscript in loose leaf, but I'd still like to see my friends get Kindles.  I've been an e-book reader fan since the Bookman had its inglorious debut and death. So, c'mon!  Get with it!  Light a fire under your ... um... well, I mean, get a Kindle!

Kindle Lights a Creative Fire for Fan Fiction!

Wow!  I just got an e-mail from Amazon about Kindle Worlds -- they are now licensing and promoting fan fiction!

I don't see anything for Everquest 2, yet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed!  See, I knew all that fan fiction writing I did would pay off someday!  In the meantime, it was a fun way to keep my pen sharp and offer free sample work.  As I often say, you're only wasting your time if you aren't having fun!

Kindle Worlds

Now I'm going to run over and talk to my friends on Everquest 2 and The Raven, Mythic.  It's time to celebrate!

Raunchy Romp Review

I just posted this review on Amazon for



Love this Raunchy Romp with the Big Black Cat!

This was a lot of fun to read from start to finish! There were a couple of minor errors that distracted from the story that should have been caught by an editor, which is why I couldn't give it a 5 star, but I really enjoyed it otherwise.

I love an author that can make me laugh out loud! She did. From the first mention of boyfriends who broke up with the witch and then moved, leaving no forwarding address, I was hooked. Still chuckling about that!

Ryker is as hot as they come. Shapeshifter panther meets wicked witch and plays familiar? How cool is that?

It is erotica and a little raunchy at times, but primal and passionate, too. Great story! Just one more once over with a proofreader and I'd definitely give it a 5 star rating.

This is one story I wish I'd written. (Just playing around with the product link here -- this IS mine, for contrast:) Sorcerer's Vendetta (The Secret of Zanalon)

Hey, it worked! If you like this, I think you'll like mine -- but probably more after I put in the explicit sex scene.