2.16.16 - What you should really be afraid of

2.14.16 - Sunday Smatterings

Hi, guys! Amy here, trying my best to fill J.T.'s big shoes (metaphorical, of course) while she's on her annual Social Media Sabbatical for Lent. You may know me as the other half of The Wine Vixen, where I review mostly white wines (I'm a sucker for Riesling and Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc) and beg J.T. to come with me to review Nashville restaurants. It's a really tough sell, let me tell you. I also love Mexican food, NPR, and greyhounds.

I mean, come on, how could you not?!

They are also 45 mph couch potatoes that love to sleep.

ANYWAY. You came here for links, and links are what you're going to get. J.T. is still reading things while she's on sabbatical, so some of these links are hers and some are mine. We'll be dividing things up like this until after Easter. There will be lots about food, books, and dogs, just so you know.

And without further ado . . . 

Here's what happened around the Internets this week:

 

Here's something to stick in your back pocket: 9 Dates for Book-Loving Couples. (Boyfriend, take note: literary road trip!!!!)

You know what would be a great companion for your literary road trip? This literary road map, OF COURSE.

If you're in the Knoxville area and want a cheap, low-key Valentine's meal, head to Sweet P's BBQ. The original location is on the river, just off the Maryville Pike, but there's a downtown location, too. 3 courses (including wine pairings for each course!) are only $25. Just sayin', folks. And the regular menu is open, too, perfect for a Lady & the Tramp moment over a rack of ribs!

This is the book I'm obsessing over right now: Ariel Lawhon's FLIGHT OF DREAMS, which is coming out in a couple of weeks. An expertly-paced plot, intricate historical details, and a lovely romance against the backdrop of tragedy. This ain't your mama's historical fiction. 

If you've been hiding under a rock, you might not have heard that J.K. Rowling is giving us an 8th Harry Potter book . . . sort of.

Writers, take note: Steven Pressfield is discussing theme, and it will change your writing in the best possible way.

Fascinating article from the Nashville Scene: KFC Has Created the Luke Bryan of Hot Chicken.

Also, I'm a TV junkie who's a frequent binge-watcher. My latest binge-watch was Showtime's Nurse Jackie, which just came on Netflix. Oh my. It's dark, for sure, but has some spit-things-out-of-your-mouth funny moments (that, um, happened to "a friend"), courtesy of Merritt Wever's character, Zoey Barkow. Edie Falco is excellent in this, and while there are some plot points that raise my eyebrow, I thought it was an overall well-done series. I watched 7 seasons in . . . well, a shamefully short amount of time.

And speaking of TV, I know J.T. nearly shrieked with excitement when she found out that Deborah Harkness's All Soul Trilogy is being adapted for television!

Even MORE TV news: Outlander Season 2 will debut April 9, and here's a trailer (!). Even if you haven't read the books, the show is worth a watch. J.T. would call blasphemy on this statement, but I think the show may be just as good as the books (sorry, boss, just being honest . . . ).

And closer to home:

On The Wine Vixen, J.T. and I compiled some of our favorite wines for you and your honey to enjoy tonight, and I wrote about tasting the (supposedly) most cancer-fighting wine in the world.

Are you a fan of the book (or movie) THE MOSQUITO COAST? Then you need to catch J.T.'s newest A Word on Words interview with the unforgettable Paul Theroux! If you missed J.T.'s A Word on Words interview with Greg Iles (author of NATCEZ BURNING and THE BONE TREE), you can watch it here. 

If you're in the mood for creepy love stories, Two Tales Press has the MAD LOVE bundle on sale for $0.99!

And PS: J.T. still has a couple of Goodreads giveaways that are still live! You could win one of 30 ARCs of NO ONE KNOWS or one of 20 ARCs of FIELD OF GRAVES. Good luck!

Well, that's all I've got for you. Happy Valentine's Day, have fun with your loved ones, and I'll see you next week!

–Amy

2.11.16 - On A Social Media Sabbatical

Lent is upon us, and as I do every year, I am taking a social media sabbatical.

As I write this, it hasn’t begun quite yet, and I’ve been cruising through Facebook and Twitter, having wee panic attacks at the thought of 6 weeks without either. Plus, of course, I have a book launching toward the end of Lent (which is from February 10 to March 24 this year.). This is an accurate portrayal of my inner struggles. 

Thankfully, I have the Divine Amy, who will be running the show while I’m away. 

In this day and age, it really is hard to simply disappear, especially when, like on my Facebook page, we have a community going. The cool thing is, said community can function without me. These people know each other. They talk, they share book recommendations, they tell each other jokes and lift each other up. It’s just that I’ll miss stopping by, chatting, being a part of everyone’s lives. 

So if this Lenten fast causes me concern, why am I doing it?

That’s a good question. 2016 is my Year of Lent. I’m working so hard loosen my hold on things that aren’t in my control. For someone who keeps about 6 calendars for fear of screwing up and forgetting something important, you can imagine how difficult this is for me. 

Lent is about giving up things that are precious to you. My online community is VERY precious to me. And, as happens, I’m spending too much time on social media and not enough time on writing. 

But that’s the cop out answer, too. The truth is, I need to find some quiet space. There have been a lot of changes this year, a lot of cacophony at home, with construction and sick cats and leaks and family issues, and I need to slow down, turn inward, find some space for my creativity to flourish. I’ve been running away from a few stories that are begging to get out. I have new deadlines on everything, a massive shift in content creation, and I need to make excellent use of my time to get ahead of the game, so to speak.

I am a natural multi-tasker, which isn’t a good thing. Proof positive right here. I’ve been feeling the strain of trying to juggle too many things, so I am looking forward to mono-tasking, and really accomplishing a ton.  

Because normally during Lent, I get a LOT of work done. One year I wrote 60,000 words in 6 weeks. Another I drafted two short stories and revised a full manuscript. I have great hopes for getting the new Nicholas Drummond book done, then getting a big jump start on the new Sam novel. And I have a short story that wants to come out and play. The blog needs tending. Amy and I are working on a secret project.

Plenty to do.

Lent, for me, is a time of great creativity, of quiet reflection, of focusing on what’s in front of me. There will be some travel, a lot of reading, and, I hope, a bit of peace for me to fill my well with.

 I will be blogging, and Amy will be running all the usual exciting staples. You might not even miss me. But if you do, feel free to shout anytime through email, or through Amy.

Have a blessed Lent, chickens! See you on the other side!

2.8.16 - Win an ARC of NO ONE KNOWS on Goodreads!

Hi, y'all, happy Monday! Just wanted to let you know about a new Goodreads giveaway I have. Thanks to my publisher, Gallery Books, you can enter to win one of 30 advanced reader copies of NO ONE KNOWS! 

FYI: the giveaway ends February 22. Good luck!!!

2.7.16 - Sunday Smatterings

Hi, lovelies! Who are you cheering for tonight? I'll be decked out in my Broncos regalia, cheering on Peyton and the boys. I do hope they win for Peyton's sake, especially if it's his last game. Talk about going out on a high note, right?

Get ready: this is an extra-long Smatterings this week. But I know you can handle it!

Here's what happened around the Internets this week:

Okay, first things first: you need to read this book. I'm serious. Ariel Lawhon has written a captivating, immersive story full of intricate historical details, intrigue and romance—all aboard the Hindenburg's final journey. It's not a book you're not soon to forget. 

Scientists may onto a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. So cool!

Also, LOOK at this pen! (What? I'm a sucker for cool writing instruments.)

I must say, this is an excellent theory: Harry Potter fan theory links Dursleys to the Deathly Hallows.

Aside from the first line of this interview (um, who hasn't heard of Nora Roberts, even in England?), this is an interesting read: Nora Roberts: The woman who rewrote the rules of romantic fiction.

Self-love is important. The end. Here's how to be nicer to yourself.

I love this Booksgiving experiment The Bloggess is running. (Also, if you haven't already, pick up a copy of her book FURIOUSLY HAPPY. I mean, I was crying with laughter!)

The history of the ampersand is more interesting than you'd think.

A fabulous rant on how we writers can get lazy with our craft: Why I'm Taking a Break From Contemporary Romance. (heads up: this is pretty NSFW)

For creatives, sometimes it's a bit too easy to compare your success with someone else, studying why they may have more than you do. Here's how you can combat that feeling.

This is how to ease yourself into great writing.

I'm pretty pumped for my pal, YA author Victoria Schwab, whose crazy-successful A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC is getting adapted for TV by Gerard Butler!

Ever wish you had a road map for your literary adventures?

One of my favorite bookstores, Seattle Mystery Bookshop, is turning 25! And they're celebrating with a giveaway!

PSA: have you added my new standalone, NO ONE KNOWS, to your Goodreads "Want to Read" list?

And closer to home:

If you're itching for some free books, I have TWO Goodreads giveaways going on right now: one for a copy of THE FINAL CUT, and one for an ARC of my Taylor Jackson prequel, FIELD OF GRAVES (coming your way this June!).

And I had a fabulous time with InD'Tale Magazine, and you can read our interview here! We covered the gamut: Jaws, the White House, true love, and more. 

So I got to interview the brilliant Greg Iles about his latest book, NATCHEZ BURNING, for A Word on Words. The show aired this morning and will be on again Thursday night. He's just as cool as he is brilliant, which is saying something. I really enjoyed our conversation!

Don't forget: I've got three unconventional love stories on sale for $0.99 at Two Tales Press!

On The Wine Vixen, I dished about this Pinot Noir, which you should take to your next big social gathering (i.e. like a Super Bowl party tonight!), and Amy raved about this Pinot Grigio. We also liked this article that divulges where you can find the best value wines in the world.

That's all from me! I've got some news coming your way tomorrow, so pay attention to the social media feeds—you don't want to miss it!

Xoxo,
J.T.