eBooks

I know I’ve had a discussion before on eBooks and readers but I’m very happy to say that someone pointed out to me that my Palm Z22 does support reading eBooks. Lo and behold, on my installation disk was an eReader file to download (who knew?) So, I’m delving into the realms of eBooks very happily. My only problem being that my screen is virtually unreadable in strong sunlight (and yes, I’ve checked my brightness and contrast settings.) Anyway, I digress, but suffice to say I’m very happy dabbling in this new world. While I’ll still buy my keepers in print, there’s something very special about seeing them on the bookcase and running your hand across the spines, I can also see a whole new world out there in eBooks that makes me very excited as a reader.

So, it was fortuitous when I received an email from Diesel eBooks requesting a link back from my website AND an offer of a 20% off coupon for readers wanting to buy my books in eBook format from them for the next 45 days. So, if you would like to see my Diesel eBooks and take advantage of the 20% off coupon remember to put in this code–LIND67aab–at the checkout!

Happy eBook reading!

Stranger things just keep on happening…

The road of true love is never smooth. Seeking distraction today, from a poor page count of my own, I surfed others love stories and happened across this one.

 

To be totally honest with you, I love what he came up with, but what a crying shame that he couldn’t hold onto the string just that little bit longer!

What would you do in his loved one’s place? The same as she has done or would you forgive and forget and say “yes” anyway?

I’m inclined to think that perhaps the bride-to-be is not as harsh as has been depicted in this item, however, if she really is then perhaps the groom-to-be should be rethinking who he wants to spend the rest of his life with!

6 Things I Love About Writing Romance!

I’m blogging on the Diamonds Down Under Blog this week about the 6 Things I Love About Writing Romance. Post a comment and be in the draw to win a copy of my most recent release, another Waldenbooks Best Seller, Tycoon’s Valentine Vendetta!

Something for nothing?

I’ve had some interesting comment on my book piracy blog and yes, there will always be conflicting views over what is perceived to be right (or acceptable because hey, it’s not murder), and what isn’t.

This guy sums it up for me. Sure, it’s not exactly the same thing, but it’s not so far removed either. 

If you want to bash out a romance novel over Easter weekend…

Ever wanted to try your hand at writing a romance novel, after all, how hard could it be? Right? Go on…admit it! You have? Great!

Here’s some excellent advice:

 

Albeit rather tongue in cheek

Have a happy Easter everyone!

What I’m watching: JOHN Q

Tagline: Give a father no options and you leave him no choice.

I saw this movie a few years ago, and since it came out in 2002 it was quite a few years ago, but it’s the kind of theme that never dates. Intense, powerful, emotional–John Q delivers it all as far as I’m concerned. And Denzel Washington is ‘the man’ when it comes to bringing tortured John Q Archibald’s father’s love, and just how far he’s prepared to go for his son, to the screen. Mind you, DW is pretty much ‘the man’ in every performance he does, don’ t you think? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in a movie that I haven’t liked. As one reviewer on imdb pointed out, “Denzel usually played well-educated, intelligent lawyers and/or businessmen (with the obvious exception of TRAINING DAY), but here Denzel is playing an average Joe…a working stiff, struggling to pay bills and keep food on the table and a roof over his family’s head who is driven to extreme measures to protect the family he cherishes so dearly.”

Here’s the short plot synopsis from imdb:

John Quincy Archibald’s son Michael collapses while playing baseball as a result of heart failure. John rushes Michael to a hospital emergency room where he is informed that Michael’s only hope is a transplant. Unfortunately, John’s insurance won’t cover his son’s transplant. Out of options, John Q. takes the emergency room staff and patients hostage until hospital doctors agree to do the transplant.

For me, as a parent, this movie hits on so many fears. You have adversity in a difficult financial situation but you’re making ends meet, then wham! Out of the blue something threatens your child and you will do anything, ANYTHING, to make things right in your child’s world again. Of course the financial situation worsens, your child’s health worsens, your desperation increases. How far would you be prepared to go?

Great story, great performances and terrific ending. If you haven’t seen this yet, and you love a good drama, then, in my opinion, this is your thing.

Which are you? Early bird? or Night Owl? or Something In Between?

I’ve never been an early bird person. My eyes and my thought processes just don’t want to take it. The earliest I’ve ever willingly dragged myself out of bed to start the day was 4:00 am and then only to catch an international flight (the jetlag starts from the minute I wake up, I swear!) This week I had the questionable delight of getting up at 5:40 am as youngest progeny is trialling for an Open A netball squad at her high school. This wouldn’t be a problem if eldest progeny didn’t have an early class at Uni and had to take the kids car into Uni for the day, or if eldest progeny had her full licence and could take her sister up to school in time for 7:00 am training. And, since the man of the house came in early from night shift and was already in the depths of sleep (lucky fellow!), it fell to me to get my youngest up to school on time.

Now, you’d think that an hour and twenty minutes would be sufficient time for a sixteen year old to get ready and get up to training on time, wouldn’t you? Especially when she’d packed her bag with uniform, books, towel, bathroom gear, sandals, etc. last night. Well, wouldn’t you?

Suffice to say, my darling youngest child is not an early bird either. We made it at 6:59 am and as I drove back home, in the dark, listening to the news bulletin that I usually lie in bed and listen to before I get up in the morning I realised she must really really want a place in this squad to get up this early.

Of course there are benefits to getting up early. By rights, I should be able to get more writing done, and since both progeny finish school and Uni later, on this wretched early start day, I get a bit more time in the afternoon as well. But I’m so tired! Maybe I should nap instead

On the ‘bright’ side–I got to watch the most beautiful sunrise through my office window. There’s a bit of a cloud base and I could see golden/pale apricot rays in broad strokes breaking through the cloud here and there. If only the digital camera wasn’t in the bedroom with the sleeping man of the house I could have shared it with you all too. Maybe next week…yawn. But that will be my last shot because (yay) after next week eldest progeny will have her full licence and guess who’ll be chivvying youngest along to training in the morning! Ha! If that doesn’t get her ready in time, nothing will :D

I used to be a night owl, and there are times I still make it (usually deadline times) but now I think I’m very definitely something in between. So which are you, early bird, night owl, or something in between?

Reminder–Diamonds Down Under!

Just a reminder to everyone that the Diamonds Down Under blog is offering great prizes for people who comment, i.e.:

1. On the Q&A with Melissa Jeglinski (Senior Editor for Silhouette Desire) there’s a critique to be drawn 15 June. If you haven’t commented yet on this board, and you’re keen to get some editorial feedback on your work, do so you can enter the draw!

2. There will be a Q&A coming up with Diana Ventimiglia (Associate Editor for Silhouette Desire) on 20 April, with a critique to be drawn 27 April; and

3. This week we are featuring a blog with Robyn Grady, one of Silhouette Desire’s newest authors who also writes for Mills & Boon Modern Extra (soon to be called Modern Heat). Anyone who comments on her blogpost will go into the draw for an agent critique with Jennifer Schober of the Spencerhill Agency (if you’re an aspiring writer) or a copy of one of Robbie’s recent titles (if you’re a reader.)

You’ve got to be in to win! And don’t forget that each month clues are posted for our treasure hunt prize. The beautiful diamond puff heart pendant bearing a total carat weight of diamonds in all their sparkling glory! The clues are up for January, February and March.

Bits and Pieces

Saw this news item in an online newspaper today. Lesson to be learned, don’t leave your partner sleeping at the movies! 

UPDATE TO THE ABOVE NEWS ITEM: Check out this link. Seems the course of true love doesn’t run smooth…

Best thing that happened to me this week? Getting my author copies for the Australia/New Zealand edition of Tycoon’s Valentine Vendetta. To see the down under cover treatment, or to order from eharlequin australia click here.

Best book I’ve read recently? Odd Mom Out by Jane Porter. Great story!

Best movie I’ve seen recently? Assault on Precinct 13. Seen it before and I’ll see it again. Excellent character portrayals. Sometimes I like to watch a movie with the sound off just to observe the body language. Did this with Monster-In-Law a couple of years ago and it was amazing how many cues you got just from the body language.

What’s up in your world?

Collage time again!

Well, I’m into my latest book and the writing has been coming very slow in the past two weeks. So slow I’ve even considered catching up on the ironing! But, never fear, the ironing still remains in disordered piles downstairs because this week I decided to collage my story–ever hopeful that perhaps it wasn’t coming together because I didn’t have the visual cues that I’ve come to rely on for my books.

So, here it is:

 

What cues do you get from the collage?