Sunday, October 17, 2010

Hello!

So, my break went on much longer than I intended. I didn't finish my current revision of Killing Kessler, but I did make some good progress. And I missed you all too much to stay away any longer, so here I am! I can't wait to catch up on your blogs and find out what's been going on while I've been away.

Here's what I've been up to:

First of all, I loved Mockingjay! I know this is old news, so I won't say too much, but I had high expectations and was not disappointed.

I won a Big Box of Paranormal on Medeia Sharif's blog and received this awesome box of books. Thanks so much, Medeia!



My family and I spent a week in Destin, Florida. We had a week of perfect weather and fun in the sun. Here's the view from our window:




My good friend Amy Allgeyer Cook's novel The Iron Bodkin was released! It's a wonderful novel and I'm so excited to see it in print. Here's my review from Amazon.com:

When eleven-year-old Lux St. Clare accidentally turns his little sister invisible, his problems are only just beginning. As he works to reverse the spell, he learns the truth of his father’s disappearance, deals with problems at school, challenges government Inquisitors, and uncovers family secrets, perhaps even his own destiny. Told with the perfect balance of humor and suspense, The Iron Bodkin features an irresistible cast of characters, edge-of-your-seat adventure, and a whole lot of fun.

You can visit Amy and learn more about The Iron Bodkin on her blog, The Iron Bodkin. I hope you'll stop by and say "hi'!

Happy Monday, Everyone!

43 comments:

Al said...

What a gorgeous spot.

Glad you had a good time away!

Old Kitty said...

Congratulations with your big box of books!! Wonderful!!!!! And what a lovely view from your window - so glad you had a fabulous break!!!

And well done with progress on Killing Kessler - good luck with it!!

Thanks for the info about Iron Bodkin too - what a really exciting story!!!

Take care
x

Joanne said...

Sounds like you had lots of rest, writing and reading going on, the perfect break ... Welcome back :)

Bish Denham said...

Welcome back! And what an AWEsome view!

Unknown said...

Hi!!! I missed you around the blog!!! It's good to have you back though! I've been distant on the comments lately, it seems with school, work and writing it's hard to get ANYTHING done... multi-tasking is getting harder!!

What a gorgeous view! Yay for Mockingjay (I still need to read the series)! Amy is fabulous, I think her book sounds amazing and I'm planning to order it!

Stina said...

Congrats on the great prizes. I also won Fallen, but haven't read it yet. Soon. :)

Anne Gallagher said...

I was just thinking about you the other day, wondering where you'd gotten off to. Glad to see you back.

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Welcome back, Susan! So glad all went well during the hiatus. What a beautiful view from your room! Congratulations on your big box of winning awesomeness!

Brian's Home Blog said...

Wow, that is quite the window view you had, looks like a post card picture. Welcome back!!!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Nothing like a box of books!

Laura S. said...

Welcome back! "The Iron Bodkin" sounds like a fun novel! Thanks for the review. I added it to my to-read list!

lotusgirl said...

Congrats on winning those books. Looks like some fun reading ahead. I like the premise of The Iron Bodkin. I'll have to check it out.

Amy Allgeyer Cook said...

YAY! Susan's back! And thanks for the shout-out for my book. :) I'm so glad you guys had a great vacation. Looking forward to hearing from you more. I've missed you!!

Candyland said...

Sounds like a great break. Take me with you next time:/

Talli Roland said...

Looks like a great vacation spot! Good to see you here again, Susan!

Hema Penmetsa said...

Welcome back, Susan! Missed your sunny posts! I hope you came back all rejuvenated from your vacation -- looks like a beautiful location!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That looks like a nice place to visit!

Anonymous said...

Golly what a thrill getting a big box of books like that. :o))

Welcome back. Your holiday pic looks gorgeous.

Lola Sharp said...

Welcome back!
What a lovely view from your room. :)
I'm glad you made good progress on KK.
(I'm STILL revising. I'm SLOW at revisions.)
CONGRATS on your box of goodies!!

You were missed.
Love,
Lola

Kimberly Franklin said...

Nothing better than a big box of paranormal and a beach vacation!

Jai Joshi said...

Great to have you back, Susan! That vacation pic looks gorgeous.

Jai

Margo Berendsen said...

Nice to have you back (just in time for large portions of us to disappear from blogging during NaNoWriMo, I suspect :( I like the blog's new look! I love maps so the map detail is neat.

Southpaw said...

Ah the needed breaks...
The Iron Bodkin sounds good.

Julie Musil said...

I want that view. Right now!

How cool that you won that box of books. I'll bet you can't wait to dig in! Welcome back.

Amy Allgeyer Cook said...

Susan! I'm so glad you're back! We missed you and I'm looking forward to hearing more about your trip!! :)

ps...thanks for the shout!

Jemi Fraser said...

I've received a box of books from Medeia as well - she's SO generous!!!

That view is incredible!!! :)

Lenny Lee said...

hi miss susan! hooooray youre back! im real happy you got lots done and even had a neat holiday at a nice beach. wow you got a zillion book out of that box you gotta read. yikes! dont go away again! that bodkin book sounds pretty neat. im gonna put it on my wanna read list.
...big welcome back hugs from lenny

Jo Schaffer said...

(= Beautiful place! (=
I need to get some paranormal reading in...especially since my WIP is YA urban fantasy...paranormal, supernatural...whatever you wanna call it! (=

Lydia Kang said...

Gorgeous pict! And what a box full of wonderful you got there.

Myrna Foster said...

I'm glad you're back, and The Iron Bodkin sounds good. Thank for the recommendation!

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Suuusssaann! I'm so glad you're back...(Hence all the punctuation...) Congratulations on winning all of those lovely books! WTG on the progress with Kessler.

Those dunes look great!

Great job reviewing Amy's book!

:) We're all so glad you're back...

Bossy Betty said...

Welcome back!

Melissa said...

What an AMAZING box of paranormal! Definitely awesome. I'm also loving that view!

Fickle Cattle said...

I think I'm going to pick "The Hunger Games". I've heard nothing but good things about it.

http://ficklecattle.blogspot.com

TerryLynnJohnson said...

that's a nice long break. Good for you! Lots going on! Congrats on your big bag of wonderful there! Happy reading.

Jackee said...

Hooray!!! Welcome back! :o) You know, you'd be through with Kessler if you didn't have such pathetic crit buddies who would realize critiquing means fixing it themselves! (Ha, ha.)

I love Amy and I've sooooo got to read Bodkin. Thanks for sharing your great review!

Cheers,
Jackee

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Welcome back!!
Wow, what a great prize...you'll need another break to read all those books ;)

Anonymous said...

How surreal to see the big box of books in someone else's possession. That was sitting on my desk for the longest when I was planning and waiting for the contest to be over. Enjoy them.

I purchased The Iron Bodkin today. The Kindle sample lured me in.

Theresa Milstein said...

Welcome back!

I was disappointed by the end of Mockingjay. But I know many were blown away instead of disappointed.

Congratulations on that awesome paranormal box.

The vacation photo is nice. Looks like a good break!

Good luck as you continue with your WIP.

Unknown said...

Congrats on your win (I'm jealous :D) and on your vacation. The view you had was fantastic. I love Destin! Hope all continues to go well for you. Write on!

Clara said...

What a great post!
I loved Mockingjay too, but I was heart broken by the death of that nice, loveable character. damn!
And what a great vacation spot aaand books to win! Ass kicking!
Amy's book seems very interesting, will check it!

Anonymous said...

Nice to see you here Susan. That is quite the winning box you have! Very nice! I keep hearing about Mockingjay, and do plan to start with Hunger Games soon.

Velva said...

Yeah! You are back. I smiled when I saw your blog comment.