Why Penny Reid Just Gets Better and Better

It must be nice to be author Penny Reid.  Is there anything she can't do?

For goodness sake, by day, she's a biomedical researcher.  I have no idea what that means, except that she's really, REALLY smart.

She knows how to knit.  Which means she can MAKE things.  Like gifts and clothes and stuff. Do you know how much money you could save by making gifts and clothes and stuff??

And she can write really good stories.  Not just your average, everyday, run of the mill romance novels.  No.  Penny Reid writes really SMART stories about everyday people.  And she wins bets when she does it!!  (Refer to my preview post here for more on that story)

So it should come as no surprise that, once again, Ms. Reid wrote a clever, smart, funny, amazing story with "Beauty and the Mustache."

Here is the synopsis as written on Amazon:

"There are three things you need to know about Ashley Winston:  1) She has six brothers and they all have beards, 2) She is a reader, and 3) She knows how to knit.

Former beauty queen, Ashley Winston's preferred coping strategy is escapism.  She escaped her Tennessee small town, loathsome father, and six brothers eight years ago.  Now she escapes life daily via her Amazon kindle one-click addiction.  However, when a family tragedy forces her to return home, Ashley can't escape the notice of Drew Runous--local Game Warden, bear wrestler, philosopher, and everyone's favorite guy.  Drew's irksome philosophizing in particular makes Ashley want to run for the skyscrapers, especially since he can't seem to keep his exasperating opinions--or his soulful poetry, steadfast support, and delightful hands--to himself.  Pretty soon the girl who wanted nothing more than the escape of the big city finds she's lost her heart in small town Tennessee."

See what I mean?

Even the synopsis is smart and amazing.

Penny Reid has been one of my Diamonds for a couple of months now.  So it isn't a huge surprise to me that "Beauty and the Mustache" blew my socks off.  It had me crying in one chapter and laughing out loud the next.  It has heart and humor and even a touch of heat. And don't get me started on the bearded brothers.

Oh, the bearded brothers.  What the character Ashley calls her "hillbilly" brothers, I call blue-collar MEN.  *sigh*  (Side note:  I seriously hope the "Knitting in the City" series transitions into the "Bearded Brothers" series.  A girl can dream, right?)

One of the best parts about Ms. Reid's books is that, while they are part of a series, they can be read as stand alone novels.  There are no cliffhangers.  However, be forewarned...if you decide to start with Book 1, you will go clamoring for Book 2 immediately upon reading "The End".  They are that good.

In fact, I honestly believe "Beauty and the Mustache" is Ms. Reid's best work to date.  If you don't pick up any of her other books, pick this one up by clicking here.  You won't be disappointed.

In closing, when I grow up, I hope to be like Penny Reid.  Right now, I'd say she and Wonder Woman are tied for most likely to save the world.

Super Penny and her clever, witty and emotional newest release get a very smart

Why Every Die-Hard Reader Should Have an Online Community

You see all those smiling faces?  Those are my girls.  Let me introduce you.  (From left to right) That's Stacy Grice, Shelly Collins, Murphy Rae, Kristin Delcambre, Kaci Buckley and me. 

This past weekend, we drove in from Texas, Alabama, Florida and met in Georgia to attend a Phillip Phillips concert together.  Just for the fun of it.  Because that's what college friends do, right?

But wait.  These aren't my college friends.  

Nope. 

This are my book friends.  People I have met online through a particular book club and have gotten close to.

I know, I know.  You can't always trust people on the internet and you need to make sure you aren't substituting a local community of friends by being online all day every day.  I'm not arguing with any of that.  But Stacy said something this weekend that I have said a thousand times before.  She said, "I just like being with you guys because I feel like I'm with my people!"

Amen.

It's the same reason I like to going to author events.  I'm surrounded by people who get me. People who can talk plot lines and character development for hours without being bored out of their minds.  People who get how crazy it feels to be head over heels in love with sixteen different men....none of whom are real.  People who understand the love of drama. (not creating it.  Just the stories behind it)

Check out the example in this picture:

Do you see the wires coming out of our shirts?  That would be evidence of the fact that both Murphy and I finished our current audio books during the 30 hours of driving we did.  Were our feelings hurt that we spent a few hours not talking, but immersed in a fictional story even though we were side by side?  Nope.  Because we both get it.  I guarantee that wouldn't have happened if I was road tripping with someone who wasn't one my "people".

When I first started meeting up with this group of ladies, my husband didn't quite understand my excitement.  He couldn't figure out why I was more excited to see people I had met over the internet versus some of my own family members!  

But a funny thing happens when you allow yourself to spend some times with other people who share the same passion as you...I became a better mom.  And a better wife.  I smiled more.  A part of me that wasn't getting fulfilled in  my "real" world was started to be fulfilled by my online world.  

You see, while my husband was able to sign up for a local soccer league and spend eight to twelve weeks getting to know people, there was no long term, organized group in my area for book junkies.  Sure, I looked for a book club in my area.  But the ones I have found don't exactly enjoy the same books I do.  Or are full of 70 year old women.  Not that I don't have 70 year old friends.  But even my 70 year old friends can only take so much.

Finding my online community not only gave me some more fulfilling friendships, it gave me people to hang out with at places like Book Bash.  Because author events are SO much more fun when you have dinner plans afterwards to discuss all the authors you met.  It gave me people to talk to when a book really moved me and made me emotional.  It gave me my "go-to" people when it was time to book a hotel room for NOLA.  It gave me people to visit when I have a layover in many unfamiliar cities around the country and world.

So if you are a die-hard reader, find an online community you connect with.  It's as simple as "liking" a favorite author's page on Facebook and interacting with people.  Find the people you enjoy talking to and connect with them.  You will be surprised how something as simple as a fun comment on Facebook can lead to something even more fun like this:

It's a 5 Diamond Freebie

You know that old phrase "The grass is always greener on the other side"?  Have you ever thought about what that actual means?

For instance, take someone who is poor.  I bet many people who don't have a lot of money look at the rich and think, "Man.  It must be nice to not worry about bills, to have the money to be pampered, to go on fancy trips and drive the best car."

On the flip side, I bet many rich people look at people who don't have a lot of money and think, "Man.  It must be nice to have a father/mother/husband who spends time at home and isn't at the office all the time and to be loved for who you are, not because of what you can do for someone."

But what happens when these two worlds cross paths?  Can a solid relationship be had when people are so different?

My newest Diamond, Charles Sheehan-Miles explores this issue in his book "A Song for Julia".  But he also explores so much more.

Before I go on, here is the synopsis as it is written on Amazon:

"Everyone should have something to rebel against.

Crank Wilson left his South Boston home at sixteen to start a punk bank and burn out his rage at the world.  Six years later, he's still at odds with his father, a Boston cop, and doesn't ever speak to his mother.  The only relationship that really matters is with his younger brother, but watching out for Sean can be a full-time job.

The one thing Crank wants in life is to be left the hell alone to write his music and drive his band to success.

Julia Thompson left a secret behind in Beijing that exploded into scandal in Washington, DC, threatening her father's career and dominating her family's life. Now, in her senior year at Harvard, she's haunted by a voice from her past and refuses to ever lost control of her emotions again, especially when it comes to a guy.

When Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest in Washington in the fall of 2002, the connection between them is so powerful it threatens to tear everything apart."

This book isn't just about a love story.  It's about forgiveness, letting go of the past and figuring who you are and what you stand for.  It is written beautifully and never once lost my interest.

This is one of those books that you download and think, "I'll put it on my TBR."  

But don't do it.

Download it here and start reading it immediately.  It is truly a beautiful story and I can't wait to read more from this author.  Did I mention it is free? 

Yeah.  It doesn't get any better than a beautiful freebie.

I am proud to say, Charles Sheehan-Miles and his beautifully crafted song get

Looks Like I'm Shipping Internationally.....

Because the winner of a signed copy of "Finding Cinderella" by Colleen Hoover, the "Maybe Someday" soundtrack by Griffin Peterson and signed bookmarks by Amelie Fisher...

As chosen by Random.org is....

Shai Villanueva

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Don't forget to email me your mailing information at chelleauthorstalker@gmail.com.

DAE In Pictures AND a Giveaway!

I love going to author events.  REALLY love it.  There is nothing like walking around between booths just absorbing the energy and excitement.  

While giant events like Book Bash and RT are exciting, there is something to be said for the smaller events.  There are certain perks that you get from attending an event with hundreds of readers, not thousands.

I went to the Denton Author Event with 27 loved authors this past weekend and had one of the best times ever.  And I've gone to a LOT of events.  

So what makes an event like DAE different, and arguably better than others?  The accessibility of the authors, of course!

For instance, it's probably not a surprise to those that know me that I roomed with Kathryn Perez.  She and I have become great friends.  But I also got to room with Sarah Dosher!  

Fun fact about Sarah...she is an essential oil FREAK.  Consequently, she smells like peppermint.  And therefore, I couldn't stop smelling her.  Just ask her.  (Now why don't I have a picture of all the madness???  Blogger fail!)

I drove into Denton on Friday afternoon and shortly after got to hang out with author Emily Hemmer (and others).  We discussed how she got started writing and how to find a good beta reader.  You know, all those topics that make that your husband and everyday friends stare blankly at you when you talk about it.  Not only was it so interesting to me, but during the event, she remembered me enough to teach me how to take a guaranteed great selfie.

Apparently the trick is to take a gazillion shots so you can pick your favorite.  I think we succeeded!

Friday night, I got to go to Leslie Fear's house for a bit, where I chatted up Leslie, her writing partner C.D. Hussey and Paige Weaver.  

Wow.  What an unexpected surprise!  And everyone was so kind and welcoming to a virtual stranger (and non author).

Later that night, I spent a couple hours sitting around chatting up MJ Fields.  Talk about random conversations!  But she was one of my favorite people to meet.  It helps that she brought a male model with her who a) likes to take selfies with people and b) is a triplet. TRIPLET!  

Can't wait to get to know MJ better!

My friend Tami told me I just HAD to meet Fisher Amelie.  So I made it a point to go to her table and chat for a while.  

Not only was she super nice to me, but I was privileged to watch as a boy with autism, who is arguably her biggest fan, met her for the first time.  It was one of the most precious things I have ever seen.  Fisher was kind and engaging with him.  Gave him a t-shirt and a copy of her books.  And just spent time giving him her undivided attention.  

You can't get THAT with thousands upon thousands of other readers around.

The entire weekend was such a fun time, that I just have to give some stuff away.  

Did you catch that?  Let me say it again...

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

One lucky winner will get a package that includes a signed copy of "Finding Cinderella" by Colleen Hoover, a copy of the "Maybe Someday" soundtrack by Griffin Peterson (not signed) and some bookmarks signed by Fisher Amelie.  

Just pick two of the authors that you haven't followed below and "like" their Facebook page. The links are as follows:

Sarah Dosher - https://www.facebook.com/authorsarahdosher
Kathryn Perez - https://www.facebook.com/KathrynVancePerez
Emily Hemmer - https://www.facebook.com/emilyhemmerauthor
Leslie Fear - https://www.facebook.com/author.leslie.fear
C.D. Hussey - https://www.facebook.com/pages/CD-Hussey/229054990442307
Paige Weaver - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPaigeWeaver
MJ Fields - https://www.facebook.com/mj.fields.31?fref=ts
Fisher Amelie - https://www.facebook.com/fisheramelie

Then come back here and comment on which pages you "liked" and which off these authors you have read.  The winner will be chosen by Random.org on Wednesday.

So thank you to everyone who attended the Denton Author Event and especially to the Indie Bookshelf for putting it together.  Beth Rustenhaven did an AMAZING JOB organizing everything.  Just look at all these happy faces!

I can't wait until next year!

Your Post "Ugly Love" Ugly Cry

Every once in a while, a book comes along that tears your heart out at the very beginning.  It makes you sit up and take notice and wonder how in the hell people can actually survive nightmares like these.  It makes you cry big, ugly tears you didn't even know you had in you.  
"Kismet", by my newest Diamond, A.E. Woodward, is that book.

Here's the synopsis as posted on Amazon:

"Katie's world came crashing down in an instant.

Her husband, daughter, and unborn baby...all gone in a flash.  The life that she'd come to know, gone before she ever really got to live it.

With a broken heart, she deals the only way she knows how, by shutting it all off.  No communicating, no feelings, just pure nothingness.

Alone with nothing but her own thoughts and a well meaning family, she moves back to her childhood home, a horse farm.  It's there that she finds herself healing along with the horses her family rehabilitates.  But when Parker McKenzie comes back into her life she's reminded of all that went wrong, and all that she lost.

Will Katie ever begin to heal?  Or will her secrets and loss be too much for her to overcome?

Perhaps, this is her kismet."

I went blind into this book.  Didn't read any reviews.  Didn't read the synopsis.  So it should be no surprise that I shed some tears in the beginning.  But oh boy.  If I had only known....  

"Kismet" is so well written, that as a wife and mom, I can really feel myself in Katie's shoes.  I can feel the heartache.  It's the same heartache all mothers fear the most.  And let me just say, there is a reason we all fear it so much.  It is not fun.  Not at all.  But in this case, I'm so glad I experienced it. 

I did have a couple small problems with the book:  I felt like some of the emotions from the accident could have been dealt with on a deeper level.  And there were some time frame issues that threw me off.

But by the end, I didn't care.  In fact, even as I write this I'm trying hard to remember what irked me because I'm so shell shocked that none of the negatives matter any more.  And if you find yourself feeling irritated while reading this, keep going!!  It's about to smack you in the face like a baseball bat.

"Kismet" is the first book to surprise me in a long time.  And I really think it will surprise you, too.  I highly recommend you get it by clicking here.  

A.E. Woodward and her book "Kismet" get a tear-jerking

The Queen of One Liners Has Arrived on Your Kindle

I love a book with some angst.  Rip my heart out, throw it on the ground, stomp on it and walk away.  I have no idea why.  I'm a little morbid that way.

But I also love some humor.  Not those sweet, sappy, corny jokes that just come across as sweet and sappy.  That just makes me wanna barf.

Humor that makes me laugh out loud.  Humor that breaks up the drama of the moment. Humor that is so unexpected, it comes out of nowhere and yet completely makes a scene what it should be.

That's where my newest Diamond, Beth Ehemann really shines.  She can write some sweet and sappy.  But her one-liners are classic.  And they are what makes her "Cranberry Inn" series, the perfect mix.  

I mean, come on.....who wouldn't laugh out loud at something like this:

"Tommy would never look at me like that, except maybe if I were walking toward him butt naked carrying a heaping plate of bacon."

Yes, I almost blew my drink through my nose at that one.  I had to stop reading for a full minute just to pull myself together.

Before I continue, read the synopsis for the newest release, "Room For Just a Little Bit More" as it is posted on Amazon.  It'll give you some insight into the whole series.

"Five years ago, my dreams were shattered in an instant.

One year ago, a horrible rainstorm flooded a bridge in town, leaving us with an Inn full of stranded travelers.  Turns out one of those travelers would give me a whole new set of dreams, ones I never thought possible.  Brody Murphy spent the last year teaching me what it was like to live, and more importantly love, again.

Two days ago, he asked me to marry him, and if I'd said yes any faster, I would have interrupted the most romantic proposal ever offered.  I can't wait to marry him and spend the rest of our lives spoiling our Twinkies.

One year from now I'll be Mrs. Kacie Murphy, assuming everything goes nice and smooth."

"Room For Just a Little Bit More" is a novella, so it's shorter than the average book.  But what it lacks in pages, it more than makes up for in humor and heart.  To me, this was Ms. Ehemann's best work to date.  It is 100% the perfect ending to a truly endearing and heart-warming series.  

Did I say the ending to the series??  

Well, kind of.  A spin-off book is in the works about Viper, one of the supporting characters. And personally I can't wait for it.  If Ms. Ehemann can help me to have this much fun with some "normal" characters, I can only imagine what kind of zingers she'll be able to come up with when she introduces us to a character that is already pretty out there.  

If you haven't read the "Cranberry Inn" series, I highly recommend it.  Both books are on sale right now for $.99.  You can get them by clicking here.  If you have, you must, must, MUST read this latest installment.  You can get it for just 99 pennies by clicking here.  

So while I deem my Diamond Beth Ehemann the "Queen of One Liners", I award "Room For Just a Little Bit More"

Know Someone With Autism? Then This May Be Your New Favorite Read

One of my best friends, we'll call her Allison to protect her identity....no.  Forget that.  Her name really is Allison and I don't care to protect her identity.  

Anyway, Allison likes to recommend books to me.  Usually, I read them and think, "Eh.  It was fine."  So when she told me about this book, "How We Deal With Gravity" by Ginger Scott, I was less than enthusiastic to read it.

Let me say right now, publicly, that I was wrong to think so little of Allison's opinion (this time).  Because she nailed it.  And I give all credit to her for finding my newest Diamond, Ginger Scott.

As a mother of a child with Asperger's Syndrome, the very first chapter grabbed me and held my attention.  All I could think was "Been there.  Done that.  Why won't anyone help her PICK UP THE APPLES?!?!"  (You'll understand it when you read it)  In fact, before I go on, read the synopsis for yourself as it is posted on Amazon:

"When her son Max was diagnosed with autism, Avery Abbot's life changed forever. Her husband left, and her own dreams became a distant fantasy -- always second to fighting never - ending battles to make sure Max was given opportunity, love and respect.  Finding someone to fight along her side wasn't even on her list, and she'd come to terms with the fact that she could never be her own priority again.

But a familiar face walking into her life in the form of 25-year-old Mason Street had Avery's heart waging a war within.  Mason was a failure.  When he left his hometown five years ago, he was never coming back -- it was only a matter of time before his records hit the billboard charts.  Women, booze and rock-n-roll -- that was it for him.  But it seemed fate had a different plan in mind, and with a dropped record contract, little money and nowhere to go, Mason turned to the only family that ever made him feel home -- the Abbots.

Avery loved Mason silently for years -- until he broke her heart...completely.  But time and life have a funny way of changing people, and sometimes second chances are there for a reason.  Could this one save them both?"

I am fully aware that autism and Asperger's are not the same thing.  But the meltdowns are so similar, that in some parts of the story, it was like looking into my own life.  As a mother I so, so appreciated that.  

But I also loved the writing and the character development and the twists and turns.  It was just a beautiful, beautiful book.

My only complaint is that Mason, the main hero, has almost no knowledge of autism at all.  I wanted to climb in the book and say, "Really?  Have you been living under a rock?"  But I couldn't.  And frankly, I understand why it was written that way.  But it still bugged me that in this day and age, with autism being diagnosed in epic proportions, that our main hero wouldn't really know anything about it.  

Honestly though, that was a minor issue compared to the overall feel of this book.

All in all, I have to give props to Ms. Scott for her story telling skills.  She weaves a beautiful story and presents the hardships that come for any parent of a child with a disability in such a realistic way.   

So read it.  
Love it.  
Share it.  

You can get it by clicking here.

Ginger Scott and "How We Deal With Gravity" are dealt a very real and beautiful 

My #1 Favorite Book....Ever

Oh, the river of tears that will be flowing through the streets this week....

Why, you ask?

Only because the best book in the history of the WORLD is being released tomorrow!!

In case you haven't heard already, you need to prepare yourself.  Because "Ugly Love" by Colleen Hoover is coming to a Kindle, Nook and book store near you.  And unless you have no soul, you will ugly cry.

Colleen Hoover isn't one of my Diamonds.  She is THE Diamond.  

The Top Dog

The Big Kahuna

The Queen

And for good reason.  Ms. Hoover can write a grocery list that leave you clamoring for more.  

But "Ugly Love"...oh, "Ugly Love" will rip your heart out, stomp on it, leave it for dead; then it will come back, put it all back together and make things right with the world once again.

Think I'm exaggerating?  

Not even close.  

I happened to read this book while I was at my job.  Thank goodness I was by myself.  At one point, I had to push my reader away, lay my head down on the desk and weep.  

Not tear up.  

Not cry.  

Weep big ugly sobs coming from deep within my soul.  

That was a while ago.  To this day, hearing my favorite quote has me waving my hands in front of my eyes to stop the tears.  (You'll know it's my favorite quote when you find yourself weeping, too.)  

Ms. Hoover's work is usually pretty mild on intimacy.  In "Ugly Love", however, she branches out a little bit with her sexy writing and gets racier than you may be used to from her.  It shouldn't be that shocking.  I mean, the entire book is based on a "friends with benefits" relationship.  

And yet, her writing is so brilliant that although I know there are sex scenes in the book, I don't even really remember them.  I know they are there and they were good.  But by no means are they the crux of the story.  

So to sum it up...buy this book.  Buy THIS book.  BUY THIS BOOK!!!   If you only buy one book this year, this is it.  It is, 100%, without a doubt, my favorite book ever.  So get it by clicking here.  

And while you're at it, get the song Griffin Peterson wrote for it by clicking here.  After you read the book, the song will make you cry, too.

I guess there is no real question about my rating.  If I could give it more, I would.  But I can't.  So Colleen Hoover, as always has blown my mind.  "Ugly Love" more than deserves

We Have a Winner!

And the winning entry, as chosen by Random.org is.....

Janis Wenzel!

Email me at chelleauthorstalker@gmail.com and let me know which book you want, and what email address to gift it to.  There are so many great authors to chose from!  Good luck picking!

Thanks again to all of you for your kind words and emails.  You guys rock!

FLASH GIVEAWAY!

I started this blog because my friend Katy said I was too opinionated and needed to start doing reviews.  I always did them on Amazon but a blog seemed a little daunting to me. Who really cares what I have to say about a book?

Apparently 300+ people care.  I know 300 people doesn't sound like a lot, especially in the world of blogging.  But it just makes me feel good to know I have a voice in this huge industry that I love.

So I wanna give away a book.  Not any book in particular.  Just a book by one of the fabulous authors I have already written about.  The winner can chose one title by any one of these authors:

Mara Jacobs

Sherri Hayes

Colleen Hoover

Stacey Grice

Kathryn Perez

Juliet Madison

HJ Harley

Brandy Jeffus Corona

Addison Westlake

Penny Reid

Kristie Cook

Robyn Peterman

Nina Lane

Jamie Carie

JB Salsbury

Amalie Silver

Brenda Rothert

Michelle Pace/LG Pace III

To make this the easiest contest in the history of the world, like my Facebook page here. Already did that?  Then move ahead to step two...comment below or on the Facebook post that you did it.(If you are posting as "anonymous", make sure to comment with your name.) Feel free to share with your friends.  Or don't.  This is about thanking for you giving me a chance and letting me shout my enjoyment from the mountain top that is Facebook.

Winner will be chose TOMORROW, Sunday, August 3 at roughly 2:30pm/est by Random.org.

Good luck everyone.  And thanks again for your support!