Monday, July 19, 2010

At Your Leisure

Monday, July 19, 2010


I've been working hard on my paranormal lately. It's getting to the part where I have to really move the story forward, start to wrap things up and ultimately get to the Happily Ever After. My goal is still the end of this month and while I'm not 100% positive that I'll make it, I'm going to try my best to get there.

It's interesting though. I found out this weekend that if I take the time to read amidst the writing, I write more and what I write is better. So get this! This weekend I wrote a ton of pages AND read three books. THREE! These were all written by the same author and while I devoured them for inspiration and research (how to become a better writer) I enjoyed them immensely.

This amazing author is none other than the fabulous Heather Graham. As many of you know, she is my all time favorite. Many of her books feature a cast of ghosts that can rival any corporeal being out there. They're haunted, tortured and many times hilarious. I'm left sad when some of them find closure and move on. They make me want my own ghost to hang out with. Um, maybe not...but then again, do I get to pick my ghost? Could be interesting.

Anyway, here are my recommendations: Ghost Shadow~~The Bone Island Trilogy.  This is the first in the trilogy. It's a good one, folks. It takes place in the Keys and Ms. Graham did a great job of setting the scene. I felt as if I had been to the Florida Keys many times, when in fact, I've never been.  It also has the perfect mix of romance and mystery. Book 2 comes out later this month and Book 3 is then released in August.

Nightwalker takes place in Las Vegas and this town I have been to. But I've never been to Indigo. It's a ghost town and a heck of a lot took place there many, many years ago. But what happened there is about to repeat itself...

And last but not least is Suspicious. Genetically altered alligators in the Florida Everglades? Murder? Greed? Sizzling romance? Oh yeah! There's that and much more in this 2005 release from Heather Graham.

What are you reading? Is it purely for pleasure or do you have an alterior motive?

SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi

22 comments:

braukes said...

I haven't read Heather Graham yet, but I guarantee the next book I buy will be hers.
I just finished reading an urban fantasy - Pray for Dawn by Jocelynn Drake, and I love the series (although I always try to add in some HEA).
I read mostly for pleasure but as an aspiring author, I know always read deeper into the writing for best practices and ideas.
Is Monday here already?

Edie Ramer said...

I was revising whenever I had a moment, so wasn't reading. I finished on Thursday and then had visitors. But I was able to read The Darkly Luminous Fight for Miss Persephone Parker. It' was amazing! Great characterization and world building and story. Loved it!

I've also been sneaking snatches of a book on my Kindle, I'll Be Slaying You by Cynthia Eden. An excellent book. I'll probably finish today or tonight.

~Sia McKye~ said...

I have to say I haven't read any of those by Heather. I HAVE read her books just not recently. I just finished Christina Dodd's Chains of Ice and Sherrilyn Kenyon's Bad moon Rising. Loved them both.

Krys said...

Elle,

I'm not actively reading anything at the moment but I'm looking forward to reading something new, a couple of chapters at a time, very soon. Hopefully I will enjoy it, although that depends on the writing prowess of the author. And I might just come up with an ulterior motive or two at some point!

Mary Jo said...

I just finished The Homecoming by JoAnn Ross. I've read Heather Graham often and have enjoyed every book I've read by her. I have a hankering to reread Pillars of the Earth, but I don't know if I can carve out the time. So much to do--not enough hours in the day. :-)

I learn something from every book and every author I read.

Elle J Rossi said...

Berinn,

Monday is definitely here and what a busy day it has been. I've not read Jocelynn Drake so I thank you for the recommendation. I'm always looking for new to me authors and especially a good series.

Elle J Rossi said...

Edie,

I love the title, "I'll Be Slaying You". Sounds like dark fun! Congrats on finishing the revisions!!

Elle J Rossi said...

Sia,

I also recently read Bad Moon Rising. For me, Sherilynn can do NO wrong. I love her and her characters. Just turned a friend of mine on to her as well. They are in for such a treat!

Elle J Rossi said...

Krys,

I feel bad for that author. I hope she has thick skin. However, I heard blackmail and slander went out a long time ago...

Elle J Rossi said...

Mary Jo,

Pillars of the Earth is on the top of my stack of to be read books. I actually read The World Without End and LOVED it. I know, I'm reading in the wrong order. "The World" Or "A World" (can't remember which) took up at least a month of my life and I just don't have that kind of time to commit to "Pillar" yet. But as soon as I type THE END, I'll be tackling it!

Tori Lennox said...

I'm reading Murder on Bank Street by Victoria Thompson. It's part of a great series set in Victorian NYC.

Beth Ciotta said...

Well, you know how I feel about Heather. LOVE HER! Haven't read Ghost Shadow yet. Must order on my Kindle ASAP!

I recently read a sexy contemp by Lori Foster, A Hint of Clint. Couldn't put it down. Currently re-reading Dark Fever by Karen Marie Moning.

Congrats on your awesome writing streak, Barb/Elle. Go, go, go!

Elle J Rossi said...

Ooo, Tori, that sounds like a good one too!

Elle J Rossi said...

Beth,

I think you'll enjoy Ghost Shadow. I'm really looking forward to the next installment.

I haven't read Lori Foster but hear she's fabulous. I'll have to check that out too!

mary mckinney said...

I just finished Dog the Bounty hunters book...I know its laughable but was really good. Mom even read it. Next on my list is the new one from Mary Higgins Clark and Janet Evonavich.

Mary Stella said...

I'm looking forward to getting Heather's latest! I recently finished the new Evanovich -- great fun! I'm also going to d/l Ruthless by Anne Stuart which is the first in a trilogy for her, too. So many books!

Sisters-in-Sync said...

I haven't read anything lately, but hoping to find the time soon. I miss reading...really must get back to it.

Congrats on being close to the end of your paranormal. I'm sure you'll meet your dead line. Happy writing!

SIS Bren

heather graham said...

Hey, you, how very nice and kind of you! I am so looking forward to the day that we do get to meet, and I can say THANK YOU for such support. I know that you will take a wonderful journey--yeah, yeah, well, they're all strewn with a few pebbles and boulders--but wind up where you want to be. You are all spectacular and talented ladies!

Elle J Rossi said...

Mary,

I didn't know Dog had books out. What fun! I always thought it would be a blast to be a bounty hunter, but perhaps that's because I love the Stephanie Plum books.

Elle J Rossi said...

You're right, Mary Stella! So many books, so little time. I love Evanovich!

Elle J Rossi said...

Thanks, Bren!

I have to remind myself to read now that I'm writing. It really does help me. I'd love to read some more of your WIP.

Elle J Rossi said...

Heather,

Thank you so much and I also look forward to meeting you. You'll recognize me instantly. I'll be the one that just fainted in front of you. Nah, not really. I am so much cooler than that. Just ask my SISters!

Thank you for creating such wonderful stories. You are truly an inspiration.

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