and Falling, Fly

If you haven't heard of Skyler White--you will.

Here's the cover art from her 2010 debut novel and Falling, Fly -- and yes, there will be more where that came from.

Check out the book trailer to see what I mean:

Stupid Alpha Male

And here is where being a pantser is no fun.

I need to connect with, Connor, one of my characters. Unfortunately, he is too alpha by half. The problem with these strong, silent types is that they tend to be. . . well. . . silent. We've been having a little battle of wills lately that goes something like this:

Me: Gee, Connor, how do you really feel about what just happened?

Connor shrugs and pretends an interest in something out the window. Oh-KAY. He's not really a touchie, feelie kind of dude. Maybe I can approach this another way.

Me: So, Connor, tell me about your family. Where did you grow up?

Connor: Isn't this in my character worksheet?

Me: You know I never fill those things out. Anyway, how can I finish it if you won't talk to me?

Connor: I talk.

Me: Sure you do. So, do you have any brothers or sisters?

(Connor doesn't move a muscle, but I think an eyelid might have twitched)

Me: Well?

Connor: Is this relevant?

Me: I don't know, you tell me. Is it relevant.

Connor: No.

Me: Then what is relevant?

Connor: It's your story, how should I know?

Me (shuffling papers): Actually, I have a character worksheet right here. It says you work for the royal family. Can we talk about that?

Connor: Of course. What do you want to know?

Me: What's it like, working for Darragh?

Connor: Good. It's a good job.

Me: That's it? Good?

Connor (impatient): Yeah, it's a good job. See? You ask; I tell.

Me (frustratated): You've got to have more to say than "good".

Connor: Like what?

Me: Well, you've known him a long time. What's the Prince like?

Connor: Great, Darragh is great. He's got, you know, lots of integrity, moral convictions, shit like that. He's a good ruler. And smart. He's really smart.

Me: Wow. More than two words strung together. What a testimonial. You've been with him a long time?

Connor: His whole life.

Me (consulting notes): And Darragh is. . .let's see. . . how old. . . . Huh, obviously a typo. But you grew up together?

Connor: No. I'm older. I've taken care of him all his life.

Me: You don't look that old. How old are you?

Connor: Isn't it on your worksheet?

Me: You know damn well it isn't. You've been deliberately vague about it.

Connor: Have I?

Me: Fine. Be that way. Let's do some of the easy ones. What color are your eyes?

Connor: Brown.

Me: Light brown? Dark brown?

Connor: Just brown.

Me: Sit still and let me look.

Me: Wow, Connor. You have beautiful eyes. Not really brown, more of a rich amber. . . .Wait, tilt your head. Is that the sun reflecting in them? In this light, they look almost like they're glowing. . . .


Connor: I should get back to work now.

Me (weakly) : Yeah, maybe you should. I think I'll work on this at my desk. Maybe I can just email you any other questions I think of. . . .

Sherry Thomas - If I were ESL, could I write like that?

Anyone who follows me on Twitter has probably noticed my obsession with Charlaine Harris lately. (ie, I finally decided to stop 'punishing' all the non-Sookie books and discovered Charlaine rocks no matter what she writes.)

I recently interrupted the Harris glom for Sherry Thomas' latest novel, Not Quite a Husband.

NYT best-selling author Lisa Kleypas calls Sherry Thomas ‘the most powerfully original historical romance author writing today.’ I have to admit, I am just as much a fan. After an unabashed love affair with both Private Arrangements and Delicious, I sprinted to my local bookseller almost the minute I heard Not Quite a Husband was out. I then let it languish on my desk for days.

I follow Sherry on Twitter, where she had bemoaned some revisions and agonized over word usage. I hadn’t had a good week. I needed an indulgent treat – what if #NQAH didn’t live up to my expectations? On the third day, I gathered my courage and eased open the cover.

Silly me, of little faith. I finally surfaced to the realization that it was hours past my bedtime.
If there is one thing that sets Sherry Thomas apart from the crowd, it is her prose. I think I would read anything she wrote just to wallow in the richness of her language. Fortunately, she uses that wonderful voice to create unique unforgettable characters, toss them into a fully-developed historical backdrop, and then poke and prod at their strengths, weaknesses, dreams, and insecurities until they emerge into a strong, balanced relationship. Did I mention the inviting historical tidbits? Did I mention Sherry does her research?

Finally, the one thing I can’t do is categorize “what to expect” from a Sherry Thomas novel (except the prose thing; I think I covered that). Private Arrangements drew me in with it’s unexpected plot and character twists. Delicious was food porn. (Sorry Sherry, I know there were people, but I was salivating too much to pay attention to them.) Not Quite a Husband locked me in a vice grip of emotional intensity that sweeps back over me every time I glance at the cover. The besieged fort in the middle of India’s Swat valley went almost unnoticed next to the emotional battles Bryony and Leo are waging.

What’s next, Ms. Thomas? I’ll be reading!

--Nitpicky postscript - This cover wasn't nearly as wonderful as the original cover for PA. Who decides these things? Something that at least hinted at Victorian dress (which I find sexy) would have been nice.