December Reads

Night Lost, Evermore and Twilight Fall by Lynn Viehl -- the Darkyn series continues through these books with more intrigue and the series long plot lines getting ready to tie up in the final book that comes out in 2009. Well done. Very well done!

P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern -- I haven't seen the movie and I'm not sure I loved this book but it was a great freshman effort and I'll read more of CA's work.

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh -- This was a reread and is the first book in Nalini's Psy/Changling series. It was great to revisit because I remember why I loved it all over again.

Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton -- A nice escapist read.

What Angels Fear by C. S. Harris -- Sebastian St. Cyr. S'all I'm saying!

Heating Up The Holidays anthology with Jill Shalvis as contributing author-- Good holiday fun with hot and spicy firemen. Mmm, mmm.

Bound by Shadow by Anna Windsor -- The first book of her Dark Crescent Sisterhood series. I'll read the next books, for sure.

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay -- The book that sparked the Showtime series.

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James -- Lawyers, Hollywood and sexual tension, oh my!

Merry Christmas Eve

Just got back from Christmas Eve service at church and am finally feeling the yuletide spirit. Nothing like some candles, carols and that awe that comes from being in a holy place does for one's attitude.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas. May you experience peace and joy and love.

The Weather Outside is Frightful

And I don't have a fire to warm up with so the weather inside is merely better than the cold wind and snow that is outside. If you haven't guessed, it's freezing here! Which is normal for winter. Except the past winters have been anything but normal so I've been lulled into believing that winter doesn't dip below zero and the winds don't blow you into the next county.

The job search continues. I have some leads and an almost dream job that I'm applying for. Almost because it's not really my dream job but has elements of that job and wouldn't be so taxing that I have no energy to write and coach once the work day is finished. Please pray/send good thoughts regarding this position. I just feel...right about it.

On the writing front, I'm doing a lot of brainstorming right now. I've started back at the beginning of the materials in Holly Lisle's How To Think Sideways: Career Survival for Writers course and that has really helped. I powered through many lessons this summer and then after the layoff just stopped looking at it. I have all the lessons (22 weeks worth) so decided to start over. Best decision I have made regarding my writing. I feel organized, I feel confident and I feel like I have someone who's been there, done that looking over my shoulder whispering words of advise and encouragement. I love this course! LOL. If you haven't checked it out, please do.

The home office is starting to feel complete. Nothing like being forced to spend time in four walls to make a girl want to organize. I still want more bookshelves and may convince The Man to help me organize the shelves that are attached to the wall to give me more space. He's much more spatially oriented than I am. Me, I just pile stuff on. He actually maximizes the space. Good thing I'm married to him.

Okay, it's back to work for me. Yes, work. Job hunting is a lot of work and I must find a job so I must work. Wish me luck!

Fear

I lost my job recently and the one job I really hoped to obtain fell through. I thought I was dealing rather well with this set back and with being unemployed. Sure, it's not fun and the money is going to run thin and I worry about our finances at the best of times. But I had time to find that good fit instead of looking for just another job.

And then the stark reality hit. The job market isn't strong and lay-offs are becoming the norm. And it could happen to my husband. And wouldn't that really really bite the big one if we were both out of work at the same time?

So what's a girl to do? Find a job doing what she doesn't love so the family can be sure of survival? Or hold out for that perfect fit? All the coaching I've received lately focuses on fit. But our personal fear is that we need to ensure we are paying the bills. Life marches on and the mortgage needs to be paid.

Today I am shrouded in fear. But I'm working through it. Because there is no reason life should be driven by fear. Fear lies to us. Fear holds us back. Fear keeps things the same. Caution is healthy - it makes us thing, evaluate, analyze. But fear? It does nothing but hold us back. And as much as I would love to curl up into a little ball and forget the world around me exists, that's fear talking and I cannot, will not let it win.

How do you combat fear? I don't have the answers...yet. But I do know that a lot of fear is in our heads. So I'm going to start to combat the fear. And move forward with purpose toward that new job. Praying the entire time that things don't get worse for us before they get better.

November Good Reads

If Angels Burn, Private Demon and Dark Need by Lynn Viehl -- This is a new-to-me series about vampires. It's another fresh take on an age old mythology told by an amazing storyteller. If I could spend a day in her head, I would gladly do so to learn everything I can about this business and writing.

A Perfect Groom by Samantha James -- This is the final book in her Sterling family trilogy.

Wild and Hexy by Vicki Lewis Thompson -- Book two of her sexy new series set in Big Knob, Ohio. Witches, wizards, dragons and true love...oh my!

The Speed of Trust by Stephen M. Covey -- A great book on the value of trust in business and life by the son of 7 Habits icon, Stephen R. Covey. A must read!

Salvation in Death by J. D. Robb -- the latest book in the Eve & Roarke saga. Loved it! But then I love all these books. Now, if I could just figure out how many more she was going to write so I could ensure shelf space for them all...

Suite 606 Anthology featuring J. D. Robb -- A great short story.

Enchanted, Inc, Once Upon Stilettos, Damsel Under Stress and Don't Hex with Texas by Shanna Swendson -- Harry Potter meets Bridget Jones is the tag line, but these are way more than fantasy light chick lit. The world building and word economy to tell fantastic stories blew me away. I've had these books since the 2007 RWA conference (all but the last one, which was released in 2008), so this was a reread, but these books are staying on my shelf and I'll reread them again. Here's hoping the movie option actually becomes a movie and that Shanna will be able to write more wonderful books in this series. Seriously, I want to know more about Owen!

The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts -- The long anticipated book 3 in her Sign of Seven trilogy was a great book. I wanted more at the end - like a picture of the protagonists in the not-too-distant future, but I was satisfied with the culmination of story arcs, the characters themselves and the world building. Nora can always spin a great tale. I seriously need to study the books to see what I can learn from this master. *sigh*

Merrick's Eleventh Hour by Wendy Rosnau -- The wonderfully poignant and action packed close to Wendy's Spy Games series. If you haven't read this series, you are missing some well crafted books about lies, spies and redemption. Yeah, these stories are not to be missed. Check Wendy's site for details. And please, don't let the fact the books are published by Silhoutte put you off! Good writing is good writing, no matter who the publisher is.

[Edited to add books I forgot I read]

The Trouble With Witches. Witch Hunt and The Witch Is Dead by Shirley Damsgaard -- With each Abby & Ophelia book, Shirley gets better and better. I'm looking forward to The Witch's Grave, which is book 6 and out now. Book 7 has just been written so will likely be out sometime in 2009. *sigh* I hate when I have to wait. *g*

October Reads

To Tempt A Scotsman by Victoria Dahl -- a lovely debut novel of the historical romance variety! Looking forward to reading additional books by her

Rogue Angel: Swordsman's Legacy by Alex Archer -- Michele Hauf contributed to this adventure series, writing as Alex Archer. Wonderful history, rich venues and lots of twists and turns!

Rogue Angel: Destiny by Alex Archer -- Where the series all started. A solid novel to set up this bi-monthly series.

Intimate Enemy by Marilyn Pappano -- MP does a great job spinning a tale in a short word count. Her Silhouette Romantic Suspense novels are wonderful!

Rises the Night, The Bleeding Dusk and When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason -- This rounds out the four current novels in CG's Gardella Vampire Chronicles series. Totally sucked me in! And while I want to see how the series ends in March, I don't want to leave these beloved characters behind.

Witch Way to Murder and Charmed to Death by Shirley Damsgaard -- Great mysteries set in small town Iowa. Yes, there are paranormal elements, but don't let that stop you from reading them!

Over Hexed by Vicki Lewis Thompson -- There's a theme here...a witch, a wizard, a dragon, and a couple who don't know it yet, but they were made for each other. Fun times!

Acheron by Sherrilyn Kennyon -- Long awaited and amazing. There are just no words to describe the story. If you are a Dark Hunter fan, you must read this book.

Faefever by Karen Marie Moning -- okay, the story didn't end on a high not, but it's the middle book of a five book series, so I'm hanging on for the ride. A wonderful installment of the Fever series!

More Life Themes - Gratitude

I found this today over on the Zen Habits blog (great blog! Check it out!). It fits with my current situation and some of the themes I'm finding from writers I admire and have been reading lately.
I hope you enjoy reading this article. It gave me pause. And feel free to share your reaction!

8 Temendously Important Ways That Gratitude Can Change Your Life

“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice.” - Meister Eckhart

It’s amazing how one simple, easy, positive action can change so much in a person’s life.

One of the things that has had the biggest effect on my life is the realization of the power of gratitude. Simply giving thanks.

It has affected everything. It has made me a more positive person. A more productive person. A better achiever. A better husband and father and son and brother (at least, I like to think so). A happier person. I’m not perfect, but gratitude has made me better.

Can it change your life as well? I can guarantee it. You might not get the exact same benefits as I have, but there’s no doubt in my mind that the simple act of gratitude on a regular basis will change anyone’s life, positively and immediately. How many other changes can claim to be that quick, that easy, and that profound?

Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can incorporate gratitude into your life, and how it will change your life. These are just some examples, based on my experience and the experiences of others I’ve talked with, and not all will apply to your life. But pick and choose the ones you think will work for you.

1. Have a morning gratitude session. Take one minute in the morning (make it a daily ritual) to think of the people who have done something nice for you, to think of all the things in your life you’re grateful for. You won’t get to everything in one minute, but it’s enough. And it will instantly make your day better, and help you start your day off right. Can you think of a better use of one minute?

2. When you’re having a hard day … make a gratitude list. We all have those bad days sometimes. We are stressed out from work. We get yelled at by someone. We lose a loved one. We hurt a loved one. We lose a contract or do poorly on a project. One of the things that can make a bad day much better is making a list of all the things you’re thankful for. There are always things to be thankful for — loved ones, health, having a job, having a roof over your head and clothes on your back, life itself.

3. Instead of getting mad at someone, show gratitude. That’s a major switching of attitudes — actually a complete flip. And so this isn’t always easy to do. But I can promise you that it’s a great thing to do. If you get mad at your co-worker, for example, because of something he or she did … bite your tongue and don’t react in anger. Instead, take some deep breaths, calm down, and try to think of reasons you’re grateful for that person. Has that person done anything nice for you? Has that person ever done a good job? Find something, anything, even if it’s difficult. Focus on those things that make you grateful. It will slowly change your mood. And if you get in a good enough mood, show your gratitude to that person. It will improve your mood, your relationship, and help make things better. After showing gratitude, you can ask for a favor — can he please refrain from shredding your important documents in the future? And in the context of your gratitude, such a favor isn’t such a hard thing for the co-worker to grant.

4. Instead of criticising your significant other, show gratitude. This is basically the same as the above tactic, but I wanted to point out how gratitude can transform a marriage or relationship. If you constantly criticize your spouse, your marriage will slowly deteriorate — I promise you. It’s important to be able to talk out problems, but no one likes to be criticized all the time. Instead, when you find yourself feeling the urge to criticize, stop and take a deep breath. Calm down, and think about all the reasons you’re grateful for your spouse. Then share that gratitude, as soon as possible. Your relationship will become stronger. Your spouse will learn from your example — especially if you do this all the time. Your love will grow, and all will be right in the world.

5. Instead of complaining about your kids, be grateful for them. Many parents (myself included) get frustrated with their children. They are too slow to do things, they have a bad attitude, they can’t clean up after themselves, and they pick their nose too much. Unfortunately, sometimes parents will communicate that frustration to their children too often, and the kids will begin to feel bad about themselves. Many parents have done this, and while it’s not perfect, it’s a part of parenthood. But there’s a better way: follow the method above of calming down when you’re frustrated, and thinking of reasons you’re grateful to your child. Share these reasons with your child. And then take the opportunity to teach them, instead of criticizing them.

6. When you face a major challenge, be grateful for it. Many people will see something difficult as a bad thing. If something goes wrong, it’s a reason to complain, it’s a time of self-pity. That won’t get you anywhere. Instead, learn to be grateful for the challenge — it’s an opportunity to grow, to learn, to get better at something. This will transform you from a complainer into a positive person who only continues to improve. People will like you better and you’ll improve your career. Not too shabby.

7. When you suffer a tragedy, be grateful for the life you still have. I’ve recently lost an aunt, and my children recently lost a grandmother. These tragedies can be crippling if you let them overcome you. And while I’m not saying you shouldn’t grieve — of course you should — you can also take away something even greater from these tragedies: gratitude for the life you still have. Appreciation for the fleeting beauty of life itself. Love for the people who are still in your life. Take this opportunity to show appreciation to these people, and to enjoy life while you can.

8. Instead of looking at what you don’t have, look at what you do have. Have you ever looked around you and bemoaned how little you have? How the place you live isn’t your dream house, or the car you drive isn’t as nice as you’d like, or your peers have cooler gadgets or better jobs? If so, that’s an opportunity to be grateful for what you already have. It’s easy to forget that there are billions of people worse off than you — who don’t have much in the way of shelter or clothes, who don’t own a car and never will, who don’t own a gadget or even know what one is, who don’t have a job at all or only have very menial, miserable jobs in sweatshop conditions. Compare your life to these people’s lives, and be grateful for the life you have. And realize that it’s already more than enough, that happiness is not a destination — it’s already here.

“Everyday, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” - Dalai Lama