Stranger Things Have Happened

If you are in search of entertainment full of both uninhibited sex and heartstopping violence, Sleeping with Strangers is definitely the book for you.

Gideon is a top-notch contract killer as well as a lover that can fulfill any woman's sexual desires.

Some things Gideon has done in his past have caught up with him. The hunter has become the prey so he keeps his weapon of choice close by. He is suspicious of everyone he encounters because in the world he comes from, even your family will turn on you.

Waking with Enemies, the second half of this drama, equally satisfies your taste for lust and danger.

Another great write from this dynamic duo

Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant's sequel to Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made is a sensational, heart wrenching story. From friends, to marriage partners and live-in lovers. This story teaches that even when you feel like you are sick of trying to make things work between you and a loved one, if that relationship is worth having it's worth saving. Plus, you won't mind the hard work that goes into making amends.

Rusty Review

This is J. A. Konrath's third book in his Jack Daniels series.

Both Jack and Herb had to fight to stay in the land of the living after being subjected to fire (Jack) and stabbing (Herb) from the current bad guy, Caleb Ellison. This family is really nuts because Jack had to take on his mother and stepfather (who happens to be the father of the Gingerbread Man in Whiskey Sour).

Harry gets engaged to a woman, Holly, who seems to be too good for him and she befriends Jack. Holly saves Jack from being shot by Caleb but turned out to be the same caliber of crazy.

Even though it was under the worst of circumstances, Latham comes back into Jack's life. Will they be able to live happily ever after this time? You'll have to read it for yourself. CHEERS!

Bloody Mary-Sensational Sequel

This is J. A. Konrath's second book in his Jack Daniels series. This sequel really had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I think this may be the best book in the series so far.

Police officer, Barry Fuller, seemed to be a normal, ambicious rookie anxious to climb up in the ranks. It was a shock to everyone on the force, including Jack, when he turned out to be a mass murderer.

Even though Jack is always on top of her game when it comes to catching bad guys, she can't seem to keep a guy in her personal life. I really think that she needs someone to keep her life more balanced, centered.

Whiskey Sour-An Intoxicating Read

J. A. Konrath's first book within his series that details the career of one of Chicago's finest, Lt. Jack Daniels is an intoxicating read. Serial killer, The Gingerbread Man, becomes fixated on Jack when she starts tracking him. Despite the erroneous character profiling of the FBI, trying to keep from becoming a victim herself, and painstakingly nursing a bum leg, Lt. Daniels puts a stop to the killer.

Jack's ex-partner, limelight stealing, Harry McGlade and her current partner, the always ready for something to eat, Herb Benedict help Jack along the wild trail of the heinous murderer.

This thriller is sprinkled with giggle inducting one-liners from beginning to end.

If you want to be thoroughly entertained, check out Whiskey Sour.

My First Interview

I was interviewed in a newsletter entitled "Write On", here is the link in case you're curious http://groups.yahoo.com/group/writeonnewsletter/message/47. The writer of the newsletter, Michelle True, is also a writer of poetry, non-fiction and memoirs. She is the author of three very good poetry collections, True Reflections, True Emotions, and True Identities.

You can find out more about my new good friend at http://www.michelletrue.com .

Review-Fearless Fourteen is Fulfillingly Funning

Stephanie & Morelli are stuck playing mommy & daddy to teenage internet gamer, Zook, who could possibly be Morelli's son.

After getting bailed out of jail, Zook's mom, Loretta, is kidnapped by one of the guys that helped her brother rob a bank 10 years prior. The accomplice hopes to gain possession of the entire 9 million by killing two of the other partners.

Wedding plans are being made...
no Stephanie has not chosen Morelli or Ranger. Tank, one of Ranger's men, woke up one morning and found himself engaged to Stephanie's friend, Lula. Tank doesn't want to get married but Lula is really getting into the planning of the unexpected event. (Personally, I think it's going to very hard to turn the ex ho' into a housewife.)

Check out Janet Evanovich's current book, you'll be glad you did.

I Can't Focus!!! But I have read some good books.

I'm pretty much at a standstill on my book but I gave in to a few friends to read. Hopefully by the end of the week they will have read it and given me some much need advice on how to proceed from this point. I have some ideas in mind but I just want to see if I'm headed in the right direction.

Even though I haven't been able to write much I have been reading. I just finished Janet Evanovich's lastest, Fearless Fourteen, number 14 of her Stephanie Plum series. I'm working on a book review that I plan to post here on blogger as well as on my website (www.susiemccray.com). I just started reading Pleasure by Eric Jerome Dickey. My boy is so nasty! After that I'll begin Whiskey Sour the first in a series of books by J A Konrath. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels is the main character. I've read articles and blogs written by J A but I know I'm in for a treat when I get around to reading his fiction.

Writing is a Real Job

Day 4 of my vacation and I am currently at 35,293 of my 90,000 word goal. Moving right along nicely.

I really wish this was my full-time job but one day it will be. Just gotta keep working hard. I have a few short stories that I need to edit and re-submit to magazines.

My poetry book sales are not as good as I want them to be except when I hand sell them myself to my co-workers. They love to know other people's business any way so I've given them alot to gossip about.

Well let me get back to work. Maybe I'll get to 45,000 by Monday which will make me feel alot better because I will be halfway there. I plan to have the book completed, editing and all, by the end of this year. If I keep up the momentum I'm sure I'll make.

Trying to Finish This Book

Day two of my vacation... Man, this feels good. I wish I could take off a whole year.

I'm trying to get to at least 90,000 words on my novel, I'm at 32,918. I guess I got alot of work ahead of me.

I've read a few biographies about writers and all of them talked about how they sat at their computers everyday for 8 to 10 hours until they could put something on the blank screen, even if it was only one line.



Well I work a little differently. While I'm reading, listening to music, watching TV and sometimes sleeping, I'm thinking of things my characters could be doing Arguing about money or another woman. Screwing each other's brains out or screwing up some project they are working on. Then I'll grab paper and pen and write down my thoughts. Usually it's dialogue, which helps the story move faster than big, long paragraphs of scenery description.

Once I've written done what I figure is at least half a chapter, then I'll sit down at my computer and begin to write. I always end up adding to what I wrote when I type it out. That's probably why they stress doing so many re-writes.

I probably won't reach 90,000 before I return to work next week but I'm going to give it the old college try and get as close as possible...as close as government work.

Newbie on the Scene

I just finised J A Konrath's e-book, A Newbie's Guide to Publishing. It's a compilation of over 300 of his blog posts, and I must say, J A Konrath is a "JAK" of many writing trades. Or shall I say "Jack" since he is the author of a female detective series, the main character's name being Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels.

His Newbie e-book is really helpful because it gives new writers advice on how to have a "sticky" online presence, which basically means having a website with alot of links, contests, and free stuff. The site should be informative as well as entertaining and J A's is definitely all of the above.

I like J A because he explains how much hard work goes into being a professional writer. Yes, writing a good book is essential but if you really want your book to sale, you can't leave all of the promotion up to the publisher. It's your book, your thoughts, who better to talk about it than you?

You have to check out J A's website . I also have a link to his blog in my links.

Book Review - Sail

On the drive to and from work for the last few days, I've been listening to the reading of Sail by James Patterson and Howard Roughan. Talk about being on the edge of your seat (car seat).

The Dunne family experiences problem after devastating problem when they embark on a sailing trip on their private boat. This formerly not so closenit mother and her three kids take this trip to get closer to each other. But they didn't know that someone very close to them would be happy if they didn't come back...ever.

This story is the ultimate exampe of "what goes around comes around" because every bad guy gets his due, no matter how cunning they thought they were.

I totally recommend this book to anybody who loves to read about a great adventure with a happy ending.

Best Marketing Book I've Read

If you are an author or a publisher and you are trying to think of different ways to market your book, I suggest getting a copy of "1001 Ways to Market Your Books". This is the 6th Edition of this book, which means author, John Kremer, tries to keep his readers in the know about any changes or improvements in advertising, promoting, and gaining book reviews.

Dude, Pull Your Pants Up

What's the deal with these dudes walking around with their pants hanging of their butts. Is that suppose to be attractive? And if so, to whom? I've never heard a girl say, "I sure like how his jeans sag, girl. That is so sexy."

One guy told me that sagging is what they do best. I'm sure he was joking but GET REAL! If that is supposed to be a talent, these guys have alot more issues than I gave them credit for. When a guy approaches me, I do a quick once over just to see how he's looking. Nice hair cut or neat-looking braids-check. Nice smile, not alot of gold teeth-check. Clean t-shirt or polo shirt-check. Nice jeans, Sean Jean maybe uh oh-STEP AWAY, STEP AWAY, DRAWERS SHOWING, DRAWERS SHOWING. After that I just smile and walk away.

That is not the type of example I want for my son. And it is definitely not the type of man I want to be seen ANYWHERE with.

Can't Fix Stupid

I know many people want their significant other to look a certain way, but to me that's not the most important thing. I'm like this--as long as the guy smells good, doesn't have "butter" on his teeth, doesn't weeze when he talks, and can bend over enough to tie his own shoes; it's all good.

One thing I absolutely cannot stand though is a guy that can't carry on a descent conversation. I have no patience for dum-dums. He could take a class, read a book or two, do something to gain some knowledge every once in a while. It's cool to talk about music and sports sometimes, but I need a guy that can be a little deeper than that. If he can't handle that he has to go. I can't fix stupid but I sure can get rid of him.

That Sounds Like Heaven

I was always reluctant to get into leadership roles but my pops always taught me that if I was a floor mopper, I should strive to be the best mopper there is. And if I could, be the head floor mopper, which is what I've always tried to do. But this has been a very daunting tasks when the people below me don't do what they are supposed to do, and when my manager is breathing down my neck because something was incorrect or not done at all.

I'm at the point now where I want to be just a regular employee. I don't want to have to worry about reports, reviews, inputting timesheets, answering questions, going to dumb meetings, and teaching unproductive training classes (because the people are still gonna do the same thing they've always done). Being responsible for my inventory only sounds like heaven. I want to be able to go to work in the morning and get off at a descent time. I want to be able to go to poetry readings to perfect my spoken-word abilities so I can make the next collection twice as good. My novel will be finished by the end of the year if I stop worrying about folks on my "day job".

I am a writer, a poet, and a crafter. I should not be in a place that stifles my creativity. Independence Day was yesterday and I can't help but to think about being freed from my corporate prison. One day ... I will escape.

Why I Write

I write because I can't help but to. I've always loved to read books, magazines, even junk mail. Every time I read a billboard on the side of the road I wonder what made the writer or artist come up with his idea. When I hear certain songs on the radio they inspire me to write poems or short stories or a chapter in one of my books. When I have a conversation with someone I study them and what they say and figure out what kind of character I can base on their characteristics.

It just makes me feel good when people tell me they love my poems or stories and tell me I should sell them. I also love getting constructive criticism. Tell me if I'm screwing up. But of course I'll always be my own worse critic. When I've made a typo or some other blunder, I'm usually the one that notices it first.

I will always be a writer even if no one but a few of my co-workers and my best friends are my only fans. And that's real talk.