What Books Are You Grateful For?

     This is the month to be grateful and if you're on Facebook or Twitter it's hard to ignore.  Everyday the people I know will state something they're grateful for.  I think it's kind of sweet.  It's made me think of the books I'm grateful for.  The first one would have to be Watership Down by Richard Adams.  I was in the 4th grade when I picked it up in the library.  I still don't know why I did. It was HUGE compared to most things I'd read at the time.  But I took it home and dove in and for the first time in my life I was dragged under.  I was thrown into this new world of rabbits who had lives and loves and fears and adventures and I became one of those rabbits.  I experienced everything as if I were right there and that's when I realized how magical books were.  Words became powerful to me.  No matter what I was going through or experiencing in my real life, I could grab a book, dive in and escape.  And while I was escaping, I was learning and growing and becoming.  I would have to say Watership Down was my gateway book.  Because of that book, I was able to expand my mind and discover new worlds. That might sound cheesy, but nevertheless, the stinking truth. I also became a good judge of books. If a book can grab me and drag me under and keep me up until 3 in the morning, - that's a good book.

     Another book I'm grateful for is, The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elisabeth George Speare. This was my first introduction to historical fiction and I was hooked again.  Thank you Elisabeth. My grasp of history through the ages has less to do with my history classes and more to do with the books I read that usually had a beautiful but intelligent and adventurous young woman. I owe a lot of my knowledge to those amazing writers who painstakingly researched historical data. And that was before computers.

     The next few books I'm grateful for are mine.  I know, kind of egocentric, but I would be lying if I didn't mention it.  I'm grateful for the first book I wrote, Forever Friends.  This book didn't get published until much later in my career, but it was my first effort and it taught me that not just other people's words could pull me under, but my own could too.  I grew up living and breathing other people's words and I'd had no idea that I could create with them as well.  The knowledge that I could immerse myself into a world I created  myself was exhilarating, exciting and completely mind blowing sometimes.

     I'm grateful for my other published books too because each of them helped me through something in my life.  Whatever I was dealing with, struggling with, hurting over or suffering through ended up in my books.  My latest, Do Over, will always hold a special place in my heart for the healing it gave me. After my divorce, I had this hollow empty feeling that scared me. When I write, I pull from all of the emotions threatening to spill over.  It's like taking a bucket, and dipping it into a surging, powerful river whipping by.  But I felt more like a zombie than a life giving river.  So when I tried to write - and this book started to pour out of me, I was shocked.  I had no idea that my words could unlock the dam I'd placed on my emotions and let the river go free again.  Words are powerful.  Yours, mine, every one's.  They heal, they hurt, they create and they change people.  I'm so thankful for the good ones.

     The last book(s) I'm grateful for would have to be the scriptures.  And to me, that includes the Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine & Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.  I read them everyday, not because I'm supposed to, but because I need to.  Reading the words of the prophets and of God grounds me, strengthens me and points me in whatever direction I need to go that day.  In the midst of whatever storm is hanging around, I know that if I want to have peace, I read.  And I'm pulled under and into a world where God is there.  Who wouldn't want that every day?
     So what books are you grateful for?  I would love to hear.
   

The perfect books for Halloween

     I was about fifteen  years old and so many people were telling me to read It by Stephen King.  I have to admit that I'm a huge chicken and I hate anything scary.  Probably because between the ages of 9 and 13 I lived in a house that had a ghost.  Not even kidding.  Our family lived in a super old spooky house and yep, it had a ghost.  I could hear him walk up and down the stairs all night long.  That thing in books where they talk about the hair standing up on the back of your neck?  That actually happens. How do I know this? My neck will testify to it.  I hope it doesn't happen to you, but yes, that is one of your bodies reactions to being scared to death.  Anyways, where was I? Oh, IT. So I've experienced scary, why would I want to actually scare myself on purpose?  I was 15 though and so I gave in to peer pressure and I read that sucker and I was freaked out.  Oh my word, that man knows how to creep you out in so many ways.  I do believe my hatred for all things clowns stems from that traumatic reading as a 15 year old.  I could talk about the Shining, but I'd rather not.  Eww!

     But since it's Halloween, I can't not talk about scary books. However, I am going to switch things up.  I'm going to talk about the not so scary but still fun Halloween books.  I still hate being scared, but I LOVE paranormal romance.  I'm doing a lot of research now because I'd like to join that genre.  I've been reading a lot about witches and everything that goes with that and I've found that I enjoy the YA paranormal so much more than adult paranormal.  Say what you will about Twilight but Stephanie Meyers did something right.  She enthralled the world. There's no arguing with that or the numbers.  (I actually really like Twilight).  But what I love about YA PNR is that it's clean.  I've read Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books.  Heard of True Blood?  Yep, that's the TV show based on her books about a girl who can read minds and likes to umm, hang out with vampires.
     This is what I'll say about it.  One TV critic called the show Vampire Porn.  I haven't watched the show, but I've heard this is true from friends.  The books are R rated in my opinion.  Sure, I can skip over certain parts, but why bother when there are so many YA stories that are amazing?  There is one adult witch book I love though. Deborah Harkness' A Discovery of Witches.  LOVED IT!  Haven't read book #2 yet, but I can't wait.

But here's a list of YA paranormal romance that will give you a fun read for Halloween without making you want to scrub your mind with clorox:
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick.  It's a whole series and my teenage daughters loved it.

Freak of Nature by Katie Lee O'Guinn.  New book out on Kindle that we all really enjoyed.
Paranormalcy by Keirsten White. Another trilogy but so cute.  Super clean and fun.
Maximum Ride series by James Patterson. - Engrossing and addicting.
I'm doing so much research on Paranormal Romance and having so much fun doing it that it's hard to tear myself away to write myself.
Check them out and let me know what you think.  And give me your suggestions!  What's your favorite paranormal book, YA or adult.  I would love your suggestions.

Update on Do Over

Here's the newest update on Do Over.  I just heard back from Cedar Fort and they have decided to keep the boots that they had on the cover before. They did a search for the coolest biker chick boots  in order to get it just right and came up with . . . well, nothing.  I know, heartbreaking.  But on the bright side, we still don't have to look at a hammer.  So we're moving forward. Do Over is already up on Amazon for pre-orders.  I think that's pretty exciting.  Picture me doing a few cartwheels and not landing on my rear or my face.  That's how excited I am.  I'll be doing a Facebook Fan Page for Do Over too.  I've never done that for a book before so if you have any advice, please send it my way.  If you have fan pages for your books, tell us so we can check them out.

Sticking with a genre or jumping off a cliff

I've read some reviews of J.K. Rowlings newest book and I feel kind of bad for her.  What writer wouldn't? In my opinion, JK is one of the most gifted writers this world has ever seen.  So to see her hit home run after home run and then to fizzle in the 6th inning is just sad. Not that she couldn't come back tomorrow and write the greatest novel ever read.  But right this second as she's sitting in England, drinking her tea and reading all of the bad reviews, I wish I was sitting there with her. Because I'd probably say, 'You're acting like a loony Muggle! Grab the laptop and tell me what Harry's doing now!'.  I know, rotten, huh?  Not very supportive for sure.  But it does illustrate how we all get stuck in genres.  I'm super comfortable with romance.  If you told me I had to write a Sci-Fi thriller right this second, I'd beg you to shoot me.  However, don't we all need to stretch a little? Get out of our comfort zones just a titch?  Maybe someone should force me to write a sci-fi book.  Who knows, maybe I'd love it? (I really wouldn't)  But it's the trying that makes us better.  The sweat and tears form us into who we're supposed to become right?  So in honor of J.K., I'm going to stretch a little.  I am now writing a book that I never thought I'd touch.  It involves witches, blood and a magic. This will not be LDS fiction.  Yikes, my heart is palpitating.  Notice my cool word choice.  So I'm getting ready to jump of a cliff.  Let me know if you  know of any publishers who'd like to soften my landing.

Procrastination or something more sinister?

     I am starting my new book today! I know, I was supposed to start last month, but then pneumonia plopped itself on my doorstep. And then, yeah, I know, I was supposed to start my new book a few weeks ago, but hey -  my computer died. Really, how can you write without a computer these days?  I actually looked at a pad of paper and a pen for a few seconds but then resisted.  My inner spell check just isn't up to the challenge.  So today is a new day!  Today I will begin my next adventure.  I can't wait to use some of my new neighbors as characters.  He he he. I will keep you posted as to my progress. In the meantime, please wait impatiently for Do Over to come out this February.  Still haven't seen the newest cover for it yet.  I will post ASAP.  Let's keep our fingers crossed that there won't be any tools on the cover this time. And in the mean time, if no more natural disasters or unnatural disasters occur, I will stop blogging and commence the creative process. Prayers would be appreciated.

My Press release for Do Over

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shannon Guymon’s book, Do Over, released on February 2013.

 - Alpine, Utah – Shannon Guymon, author and single mother of six kids, announces the release of her ninth novel and tenth book, Do Over, available at select bookstores and online.

When faced with heart break or getting dumped and kicked to the curb, haven’t you ever wanted a Do Over? Forget Cinderella, that’s the fantasy everyone really wants.

Do Over is a book of second chances. What do you do when your life becomes messy and embarrassing? You tape up your broken heart, pull on your boots and start again. 

But Trey is tired of women. Who wouldn’t be after falling for the wrong woman over and over again? He’s decided to take a much needed break from the fairer sex, but his vacation from women is cut short when Iris Levine tumbles into his life like a tornado on caffeine.  Iris is on the mend from a broken heart as well, but decides a little walk on the wild side is the cure for her.  Trey decides to take his chances with Iris, but Sophie has decided she’ll do anything to save Trey from another broken heart.  Maggie and Allison do the best they can to help, but Iris’ parents are with Sophie.  This romance is either a disaster waiting to happen or the best fairytale since Sleeping Beauty.  It’s up to Trey and Iris to decide which.

Guymon’s book is out just in time for Valentine’s Day.  The perfect book for women who have crossed this holiday out with a permanent marker.  Hate Men? Hate Valentine’s? Don’t throw away your candy hearts just yet.

Visit www.shannonguymon.blogspot.com/ for more information on this and other books.

###

About Shannon Guymon

Shannon Guymon is a big believer in happy endings.  Scarlett really should have been happy with Rhett and it’s a darn shame Leo and Kate didn’t float safely into New York on the Titanic.  Since she can only control her own imagination, happy endings are found in: Never Letting Go of Hope, A Trusting Heart, Justifiable Mean, Forever Friends, Soul Searching, Makeover, Taking Chances and The Broken Road. When she’s not writing romance novels for the discerning woman, she tends to spend her time being the single mother of six kids.  Her adventures can be found at: www.singlewithsixkids.blogspot.com/ .

For further information, contact:

Shannon Guymon                                           Cedar Fort Marketing

guymonshannon@gmail.com       OR

Reviews anyone?

     So I've been out of a computer for awhile.  I know, I know. One of the worst hardships known to mankind. But I'm back with a new Dell behind me and so there's no excuse for slacking anymore.  Which reminds me . . . I do believe there's a few of you that haven't sent me your reviews yet.  Hmmm.  So strange.  Would love to get the next batch in the next couple days if possible.  I don't want to name names or anything, but you never know.  Hee hee hee.

Joyce Carol Oates on writing Characters - Interesting!

Awesome Opportunity if you want to be a writer

I got this courtesy of Lisa Mangum - yes That Lisa Mangum

OPEN CALL FOR ROMANCE NOVELS! Shadow Mountain is looking for well-written, compelling, and CLEAN romance novels suitable for a national audience (i.e., not specifically LDS) to consider as part of their "Proper Romance" line. Romances can be in any genre, including contemporary, paranormal, Regency, mystery, etc. Email your one-page synopsis to Heidi Taylor at htaylor (at) deseretbook (dot com). Put the following into the subject line: Author's Think Tank--Proper Romance Query. Heidi will accept queries until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 30, 2012. And.......GO!

I remember when I was speaking at the American Fork Writer's conference and all of the 

amazing, talented men and women there wanting so much to get published.  

This is a huge opportunity.  I put this on my Facebook page but in case you follow my blog 

and haven't been on FB.  Take a minute and think about that manuscript you have sitting 

around.  Blow off the dust, take a deep breath and DIVE IN!  Shadow Mountain is the real 

deal.  Their new Romance line is geared for the whole world, not just the LDS market.  Do 

you know what that means?  That means this opportunity is bigger than you realize.  You 

only have until tomorrow though so GO FOR IT!