Tag Archives: Lisa Ricard Claro

Have You Read This One Yet?

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If you’re a regular reader here then you know Lisa Ricard Claro. We met years ago at an open writer’s critique group and found that we had a lot in common.

I mean, seriously a lot. It’s kinda creepy, if you want to know the truth. But I’m used to it by now. And so when I read Lisa’s latest blog post, listing some of her favorite reads, I laughed out loud. Because on yesterday’s Cathy C. Hall To Do List was “Blog–books.”

Yep. I was too tired last night at 10:00 when I sat down to write the post, figuring I’d just check what was going on in the world. That’s when I read Lisa’s list of books; they sound like excellent reads. But first, I think you should read my list of great reads (because technically, I’ve had “Blog–books” on my To Do List for a couple of weeks now):

The Write Man by Lisa Ricard Claro

51FhOrynCpLI read Lisa’s novella back when it first came out in December or maybe early January, and it was an absolute treat to be transported to the breezy Barefoot Bay when the cold winds were blowing around here. (And truly, Lisa’s descriptive writing of this seaside setting is lyrical and lovely and downright passionate!) I loved, too, the kidlit writers and their romance, but I will happily admit that if you write about a pirate, I will follow you anywhere. (And if you haven’t been following Lisa’s romance reads, then you can start with The Write Man, but you’ll want to catch up with her Fireflies series!)

 

Blood Ties by J. T. Hardy

51M3pWDKBuLJ. T. Hardy is the writing team of Janice Hardy and her husband, Tom. And I expect they’ll be collaborating on a lot more novels to come because Blood Ties is a heckuva ride with a gritty (yet surprisingly witty) protagonist in Grace Harper, and I have to know what happens next. You can read more about the particulars, but all you really need to know is this: if you’re a fan of supernatural, fast-paced, urban fantasy thrillers that read like screenplays (and P.S., the dialogue could be a master class in itself), you’re going to want to pick up Blood Ties. But clear your calendar, ’cause you’re not going to want to put it down till you get to the very end. Which really, is just the beginning.

The Falling Between Us by Ash Parsons

9780399168482Ash Parsons writes compelling Young Adult novels and her latest release, The Falling Between Us, is…is there a word for beyond a page-turner? Because there’s so much more to this story than its mystery-suggestive tagline, “What happened to Joshua Blackbird?” Though maybe that’s meant to suggest multiple layers of meaning, now that I think about it. Because this story, with its exploration of fame, fortune, and social media, exposes all the sides of our exploitative culture. It’s a provocative and eye-opening novel and a worthy read no matter what your age.

 

Yay for An Award! And Kilts! (And Sunshine!)

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sunshine-blogger-awardGosh, it’s been a while since I’ve gotten an award! I suppose because one must do something–and generally do it pretty well– to get an award. Except this award, called the Sunshine Blogger Award!

All I had to do was be a blogger. Check! And get nominated. Check (Thanks, Lisa Ricard Claro)! And answer 11 questions.

ELEVEN QUESTIONS! Well…we’ll see how that goes…

What do you love most about blogging/writing?

I love blogging because sometimes, I just need to write about something going on in Cathy C. Hall World and the actual people in my actual world tend to not listen to me. At least with blogging, I don’t know when people aren’t listening.

Name a place you’ve never been but would love to visit and why.

So I’ve never been to the United Kingdom and I’ve wanted to go for ever so long. Mostly because I love a Brit accent and all those gorgeous pictures of Ireland and a Scot in a kilt and Abbey Road and the Tower of London and castles and Scots in kilts. And tea and scones and driving on the wrong side of the road and oh, yeah, a Scot in a kilt; did I mention that? But he better look like Duncan MacLeod from Highlander or I’m going home.

Describe your favorite snack.

This is a tough one because I’m not much of a snacker in the sense of eating between meals. I just eat my snack stuff with my meals. (They’re very long meals.) Still, I never saw a bowl of Chex Mix that I didn’t put a hurtin’ on. (Well, maybe not the pretzels. I leave them because duh. Pretzels.)

What’s the best movie you have seen lately?

LOVED The Greatest Showman. Not the story so much because it’s a stretch to call it P. T. Barnum’s life, but the songs and the dancing and Hugh Jackman? Please, Sir, I’d like some more.

What is your favorite season and why?

Easy-peasy: Summer. I hate being cold. (And yes, chilly, nip-in-the-air, brisk–they’re all cold. Also yes, I know I live in the South and have no idea what cold is. I plan to keep it that way.)

Do you believe in ghosts?

Do I believe in ghosts? Have you read my blog?

What advice do you give but don’t take yourself?

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh

If you had to choose one favorite color what would it be?

I think I would choose blue because there are so many variations and I love all of ’em. Plus, I think I might be able to sneak in indigo and lavender and I love those colors, too. I might’ve just cheated on this question. I probably should’ve added “Don’t cheat” on that last question.

When is the last time you laughed?

I just laughed when I wrote that last answer. I laugh at myself all the time. I strongly suspect that Libs laughs at me, too, even if it sounds like yippy barking.

Do you prefer a tablet or actual book while reading?

Another easy one: BOOK.

You’ve just discovered you’re a superhero—what’s your name and superpower?

Ooooh, that’s a good one. I shall call myself “Inbox Woman”! Watch as I answer an entire inbox of 1,298 emails in 32 seconds! (And adding smiley faces to each one!)

Now, let me see…there were rules somewhere.

To accept the Sunshine Blogger Award, I must do the following:

RULES:

  1. Thank the person who nominated you. (Thank you, Lisa! *waves*)
  2. Answer the questions from the person who has nominated you. (Done!)
  3. Nominate other bloggers for the award. (I’d love to see Tina Cho and Debra Mayhew’s answers!)
  4. Write the same amount of questions for the bloggers you have nominated. (Um…I feel like these are really good questions so thanks, Lisa! Just use these, Debra and Tina!)
  5. Notify the bloggers you have nominated. (Um…y’all saw your names right up there, right?)

I think that’s about it, y’all. Except to say that I needed a little sunshine today because it’s the second day of spring and I live in Georgia, for cryin’ out loud, and the wind chill is making it feel like 38 today. And no, I’m not exaggerating.