Monday, October 18, 2010

Book Prizes and Treasures

Because I read two novels this weekend that took my breath away, and it's a Monday (nuff said), and it's October (the perfect month), and my birthday ( I've decided gratitude is the key to gracious aging), and I needed two blankets on my bed last night (snuggling weather!). . .Let's give some books away!

Now for the breathtaking books....

 Inara Scott took the classic brilliant young woman-bad boy-good boy triangle and turned it into a "oh, shoot, I've missed my dental appointment and burned the roast" triumph. Turning each page was a supreme effort, because I knew the sequel wasn't sitting on my bookshelf...or the bookstore's bookshelf...and I really want to know what happens next. I passed out bookmarks to my local librarians and suggested they jump on the bandwagon early. Delcroix Academy: The Candidates is YA perfection.

 

Insatiable sat on my shelf for two months because I am a rather busy woman, and knew the laundry and dear parents and children needed attention and the garden was one weed away from being declared a wildlife preserve....and I'm an idiot. It is a good thing I waited a bit to read this treasure, however, because after I read it....I couldn't write. Not right away. I knew I had read perfection, perfection for me, and I had to analyze why those words, that theme, that voice, made it so. Nope, I couldn't just enjoy the story. I had to rest, gather my thoughts, breath fresh air and then go back and figure out why this book was so utterly captivating.

I'm still working on it.

So--what is/are your Ah-Ha! book(s)?  What epiphanies have they wrought? Share your treasures, and I'll share mine. Because treasures are personal, I'll be asking the winners what genre (inspirational, suspense, contemporary, etc) trips their trigger, and then I'll chose the prizes accordingly.  I'll announce two book winners here next Monday.


8 comments:

Kylie Griffin said...

Happy Birthday, Gillian!

I've just finished rereading RAPTURE by Jacqueline Frank. What appeals to me about this book is the depth in both main characters and the emotional journeys they go through.

I haven't actually read this treasure but I know any in this series I'm going to enjoy. I have "Styx's Storm" by Lora Leigh (part of her paranormal romance Breed series) waiting for me next time I have an hour or two spare.

What I love about Lora Leigh's books are the action scenes and hot love scenes - I read them for pleasure then go back and analyse how she made them seem so effortless.

Unknown said...

Nice to meet you, Gillian!
Thanks for commenting on my blog.www.bcpmylife.com. Now I have found your wonderful blog!

Clarissa Southwick said...

Oh, no! You caught me in one of my non-fiction phases and my mind is totally blank.

I would have to say each of Michelle Moran's books-Nefertiti, Heretic Queen, and Cleopatra's Daughter--taught me a lot about writing historical fiction. I'm also a big fan of the Hunger Games.

The epiphany? All these books are in first person. Maybe I need to give writing it a try. :)

Gillian Layne said...

Thanks, Kylie! You've got me very interested in Lora Leigh. :)

Inara, you're so welcome. :)

I enjoyed your darling blog so much. Thanks for stopping by!

Clarissa, I've often wondered about writing in first person. It would be a strange new journey for me.

Savannah Granny said...

I feel really bad that I am not a ravenous reader of late.
I do love reading and I like suspense: Patterson, and Grisham's work. One of the most memorable books was "Two Old Women" by an Inuit writer in the northwest. Can't remember her name but it was very intriguing.
Loved "The Rapture of Canaan" by Sheri Reynolds.
I would love to win two books.
We have French contacts who say the president will be cracking down on the hoodlums very shortly. France is known for their strikes but they are not normally violent. I will let you know how it goes. The group your daughter is traveling with would cut out portions of tour that might dangerous. Don't worry.
Hugs, Ginger

Lisbeth Eng said...

First of all, happy birthday, Gillian! (I'm an October birthday girl, too.) I'm dropping by to thank you for commenting on my guest post "Find the Hero; Find the Villain" on the Lady Scribes blog. But I must say that I am very jealous that you had time to read two books in one weekend! Between my more-than-full-time job in the finance industry and trying to promote my newly released debut novel (plus sleeping, eating and attempting to have a social life) I barely have the time to actually read a book, just for pleasure. But I'm looking forward to doing that when I take a week and a half of vacation time next month. I've a huge selection in my "to-be-read" pile and can't tell you what it will be. I'll probably take at least one fiction and one non-fiction along. It will be a treat to just sit and read!
Congrats on being a Golden Heart finalist. I look forward to reading your book one of these days!
Best regards,
Lisbeth

Donnell Ann Bell said...

Thanks for the tips on some brilliant reads, Gillian. I have workshops this weekend, but can't wait to get started! Wonderful covers too, huh!

Gillian Layne said...

Ginger, thanks for the words of reassurance! I hope you have a magnificent time. :)

Thanks for stopping by, Lisbeth. Hope you have time to make a dent in the TBR pile soon. :)

Have fun at those workshops, Donnell! :)