#FridayReads - 10 books from the TBR

As mentioned previously, I've got a great big To Be Read list of books. Now that I'm not so under the gun with TSK, I'm excited to delve into some new books. Since the list is less than manageable, today I'm sharing ten #FridayReads.

1. Currently, I'm reading Lock & Key by my lovely fellow Indie Author Cat Porter.  I'm so hooked, as soon as I finish it...

2. Random & Rare by Cat Porter. Loving this series!

3. The Gathering by Anne Enright. This is a bookclub pick for October, and Enright is an Irish writer. I love my dreary, literary Irish novels, so I'm really looking forward to it.

4. The Wheel of Fortune by Susan Howatch. Recommendation from a bookclub friend and I can't say no to decades-spanning high English drama.

5. The Caged trilogy from Shay Savage: Takedown Teague, Trapped, Released. 

6. Until The End by London Miller

7. Kulti by Mariana Zapata

8. The Shadows by J.R. Ward. I've held off on this one because I know there's a tragic ending, but when The Beast came up for preorder, I realized I'd have to suffer through the sadness. You have to read each book in her series to get the full details of each character's story, and I personally love that intricacy. 

9. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. I didn't read Gone Girl, and at this point, I've been spoiled about the twist, so I don't know that I want to. But I perused a sample and loved her prose, so I decided to read her debut.   

10. Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, because I want to read his entire library of work, and because the Classics keep my writing mind sharp.

So that's just 10! There's lots more to get to, and even a few I want to revisit, old friends who need rereading at Christmas. I'm always on the lookout for awesome new books, so recommendations are welcome.

Happy Friday

Workshop Wednesday - The Importance of Stories

I've been thinking a lot lately about that insatiable need for stories. I don't have time for all the stories I want to read, to write. Sometimes, it seems that the crazier the world gets, the more necessary the escape of fiction becomes. I've had non-readers (I'm talking people who don't read anything, which I really can't fathom; how do you NOT read??) tell me they think fiction is harmful, because it isn't real, and because it's all just made up.

After I swallow down my choking anger, I tell them this:

None of us would read fiction if it wasn't completely, painfully real. If it didn't suckerpunch us, make us cry; fill us with warmth, make us laugh. We are reading about people who don't technically exist - and sometimes they possess powers and embark on adventures impossible - but we see ourselves in them. In the world of a fiction novel, we see our best friends, our mothers, fathers, siblings; we see that mysterious loner we always wondered about; the boss who didn't cut us enough slack when we were trying to work and go to school. We see the people who populate our daily lives, and people we know from the World Stage. And through our fictional friends, we wrestle with every sort of horror life can dish out...and every sort of joy.

And here's where fiction is magical: the happy ending. The satisfaction of resolution. We wake up in the mornings, and our TVs, and news feeds are full of horrific tragedies and terrible occurrences. Life is hectic, and sometimes it squeezes the breath out of us. At the end of a long day, when we're tired and sour, those few minutes of reading before bed, that total escapism, can be so important and heartwarming. Because in fiction, we aren't denying reality, merely tweaking it a little, for our emotional benefit. We can cheer for the good guys, we can swoon over the love stories. We can fall asleep a little easier. Any book that makes a reader feel happiness - that's an important book.

 

It's such a simple thing, an essential one, I think. To fall into a story. Let it enfold and comfort us.  

 

That's what I think, anyway. And I'm a shameless bookworm.

Smoke Break

I missed Music Monday yesterday - I've been doing that a lot lately! So, better late than never - I love Carrie Underwood's new single, and it's a great fit for TSK. Also, the title makes me smile, thinking about the next book - y'all will know why in a few weeks when Skeleton comes out.

Raining on Sunday

I woke to thunder this morning. Not an angry, storm, but a lazy one, heavy rain falling straight down, sky murmuring overhead. Sleeping weather. Reading weather. Novel weather. I slipped out of a vivid dream that went hazy immediately, but one whose echoes lingered.

 

It's funny - I always tell myself I'm going to take a break after I finish a book. But by the time the finish comes, I'm filled again with that hollow sense that I can never do enough, and that I'm losing time, and that maybe this time, readers won't wait for the next tale. So maybe that's why I was struck by the urge to write this morning. It's easy, in the weeks before a book releases, to lose touch with the part of yourself that thrives on the art of it all. I miss it. I want to be creative again.

 

I'm going to take a little breather, though, even if I already feel the narcotic pull of writing. I need to read. I need to calm my thoughts. I need to catch up on things I've missed during this mad deadline dash. I want to blog more; I want to be back in the loop - and keep you guys in the loop better! I've got my launch party and a speaking engagement coming up, and I want to be more mentally present, not so stuck in bookland.

 

You know...before I get stuck there again.

Skeleton Rambling

 

I feel a little like rambling today, so perhaps you'll indulge me. You probably saw on FB that my initial proofs of Skeleton arrived yesterday. *Happy dance* I'm thrilled with how it turned out, because you never really know. Sometimes an image looks a certain way on your computer, and then you get the hard copy, and it doesn't have the "wow" factor. I always think it will stop feeling like Christmas, the arrival of a first proof, but it never does. To touch it, flip through it, smell the fresh ink - magic, always.

 

I'm reading it carefully now, doing line edits, and as per usual, the first time I read it in its bound book format, the story comes at me from a different angle, feeling less like something I've slaved over and more like something I'm experiencing as a reader. It's a fun book - that's what I'm going to call it. It has its own unique feel because Emmie is neither born of the club, nor seeking its assistance. And Walsh is quiet and thoughtful, but in a way so unlike Michael. I'm enjoying watching their story unfold from the outside this time around; theirs is a smart, punchy story, with some major Aidan and Tango teasers weaved throughout.

 

That's what I really wanted to touch on, with this rambling. The road ahead.

 

There have been some dissatisfied rumblings, readers wishing this book wasn't Walsh's, that I had gone straight to Aidan or Tango's book instead. The word "ugh" has been used. I understand the frustration, I do. They've been teased for a while, and there are deep histories and high emotions there that will make for wonderful drama. But for one, I've learned not to mess with the muse. Things don't go so well when I do that. The story has to come at an authentic pace, and the muse must be kept happy, or he clams up and won't talk to me. For two, Skeleton HAD to happen first. I promise you, on every level, Aidan's book could NOT happen without this book coming first. Not merely from a plot standpoint, but from an emotional standpoint. That leads us to point three - Aidan has had lots of growing up to do.

 

Confession time - I'm not attracted to young men, largely because they're not fascinating. To tell me that a man is young, hot, all muscled-up, and dirty-talking - that does nothing for me. I want to want to be inside his head. I want to feel for him. So the older, more mature characters with history are much more enjoyable to write. I wanted Aidan to get to a place where deep reflection, self-actualization, and a dawning maturity could lend some fascination to his story. I wanted his novel to be about him becoming a man in a serious way; I wanted it to be full of history and gravity, and so he's had to wait. But we're getting there, and it's going to be good, I promise you.

 

The next two books are going to be BIG. They're going to be dark, and heavy, and harken back to some of that Fearless epic-ness that I can't wait to dive back into. So it is my sincerest hope that you'll enjoy Walsh and Emmie, and that you'll hold on with me, because the wait will be so worthwhile.

 

Monday, Mocha, Meeting, Maple, Madding

I started my day with such an awesome Starbucks meeting; I can't wait to share what that was about when it gets closer to time. I'm currently experiencing a Frappuccino hangover (this is how people get hooked on coffee, seriously) and doing office-y things at my desk.

In my book rush the last couple of months, I've lost track of the passage of time. I noticed this this weekend: changing leaves! Just the very tops of the maples, but I see you up there, orange edges. And falling leaves! It's still hot and muggy, but it doesn't really feel like summer anymore.

I've got a great big TBR list I'm hoping to get into in a few weeks, because I miss my dedicated reading. Last week, my book club discussed August's pick, Far From The Madding Crowd, and I wish I'd had more time to really savor this sumptuous, gorgeous book.

Thomas Hardy is a favorite of mine - he represents the pinnacle of English literature (when you're talking novels), and his cleverness shimmers off the page. The way he balances characters of varying social strata, and the way he uses prose as an artist would oil paints - divine. A novel like Madding Crowd, with its blend of artistry and human realism makes me feel both useless as a writer, and completely inspired. Though I didn't have much time to read, it came along at the right moment, and I'm glad I could squeeze it in.

Happy Monday, y'all. Is it nap time yet?

Excerpt Reveal - The Skeleton King

Official excerpt reveal today! I'll admit I took a little bit of evil delight in choosing the scene I wanted to share with you. Please enjoy this first look at The Skeleton King.

Excerpt from:

The Skeleton King (Dartmoor Book III)

Copyright © 2015 by Lauren Gilley

Available September 15th

 

Early To Rise

 

At this time last year, I was getting ready to publish the first installment in what was then a serial story, but was truly one massive novel all along. I knew that I wanted Fearless to be the launching point of a new series, but I wasn't sure I'd get the chance to bring that hope to fruition. So on an early trip to the barn about seven this morning, I reflected on the blessing of being so busy right now. I have you, my wonderful, kind, and encouraging readers to thank, and I can't express my gratitude often enough.

 

Yesterday, I headed up to my alma mater to do some in-person marketing at my old university. Dartmoor launch party bookmarks - cluttering up a corkboard near you soon.

 

 

 

A couple of quick things, before I rush off:

* The Excerpt Reveal for The Skeleton King is this coming Saturday, Aug. 15th.

* Full summary available Sep. 1st.

TSK Visuals - Pretty Barns

One of the most fun aspects of writing The Skeleton King has been leaning on my real world equine experience to build Emmie's background. She works on a horse farm, and I had a blast designing the place in my mind. So many gorgeous barns to drool over.

 

 

 

Wash Rack for tacking and bathing

 

Tack Room

 

Sand Riding Arena

 

 

 

 

Little Things

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to School

It's back to school time for the kiddos here in the ATL today. I may not have children, and I may not have been keeping close track, but it seems like they had the shortest summer break on record. I feel their pain. I always loved learning, loved individual classes and teachers, but that school grind? Nuh-uh. I worked all summer, teaching, riding, mucking, spending almost every waking second at the barn. That was my scene, those were my people, and the job never slacked off when school started back up; it just became trickier to fit it all into the schedule. Homework was conducted half-asleep at nine p.m. while I watched whatever vampire/cop/legal drama I was addicted to at the moment.

So I always say a quiet, "oh, bummer" for the kids this time of year.

Meanwhile, some kids don't go to school.

I will say this for August - it begins a season of low-level excitement. Something about school starting, and those first cool, dry nights when the humidity begins to fade...autumn is coming. And every year I fall in love all over again with that season. Even though I'm done with my school days, the start of the new academic year inspires me to set new personal goals.

- I'm exercising again. Slowly but surely, I'm building back to a workout routine that I lost during last winter's awful neck pain. For months, any sort of exercise inspired shooting pain down my neck and shoulders, but I've reached a point in my therapy that getting fit is really helping! So I'm excited about that. And brisk evening walks help get the creative thoughts flowing, so that's an added bonus.

- I have so many books to read! New books by favorite authors and books by new-to-me authors I can't wait to dive into. When I get done prepping TSK, I'm tackling the TBR pile and getting re-energized to work on my next project (Aidan's book, BTW)

- I'm striving to be more organized every day. Between a day planner, a lot of lists, and daily agenda, I feel like I'm back in school, and it feels great to be so professionally busy.

Cheers to a productive fall season.

Cover Reveal - #TheSkeletonKing

Drumroll please...

 

 

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Here it is!

I'm so glad to share the cover for the new Dartmoor novel, The Skeleton King. Partly because now I can start marketing my launch party in earnest. But mostly because I'm pumped to be able to share more about this book with my wonderful readers.

Short Blurb:

His club brothers call him the Money Man. Vice President Kingston Walsh is one of the most trusted members of the Lean Dogs MC. He’s thoughtful, quiet, and he’s all business. Who better to serve as guardian of the club’s skeletons?

He never counted on the girl, but he’s not letting her go. She has skeletons too…

 

**The Skeleton King releases September 15th. Available for preorder Sep. 1st.**