Strokes

Seems hardly fair that 23,000 keystrokes only equate to 4,300 words. But hey, just the way it is, I guess.

And better yet, those 4,300 words are GOOD ones. Man, I forgot what a rush this is, watching it come to life on the page and knowing I did that.

Hee!

Talk about TMI...

Okay, so I'm blog-hopping today, which I haven't done in a really, really long time, but since I'm forcing myself to write a minimal number of pages a day, I figured I'd see what all was going on in rest of the writing world (it's amazing how left out you feel if you miss Nationals, I tell ya.)

So I stumble across The Lipstick Chronicles and thought, "Cute name" and clicked on it. Then I got to reading.

Let's note the time: 4am Central. So I'm already in that kind of slap-happy state as it is, and this post had me DYING. Read it, but don't say I didn't warn you!

SAY GOODBYE

Yeah, I know, another book review. Yeehaw, right? Sorry! Deal with it!

Lisa Gardner holds a special place in my heart. She was one of the keynote speakers at my very first conference back in 2004, right here in a good ol' Dallas. Although we get a crapload of free books at Nationals (this year blew for me, since I had to miss San Fran), we get the recent books for the keynotes on our chairs at the meal. Lisa was funny and SWEET. Keyword there: SWEET! Because afterward, I read the novel that had been on my chair: THE PERFECT HUSBAND. And as she addressed in her keynote that day, I then knew why she always got asked, "How does a sweet girl like you write such dark novels?" And I was hooked.

And don't tell her, but I happen to know she has issues with Freecell.

SAY GOODBYE is by far her one of her darker novels, and although her notes in the book say she thinks it the darkest, I don't think it is. I don't know why... but (shrug)...I digress. I do believe it's one of her best and that says a lot. It IS dark, it IS gory, it IS suspenseful.

I think a lot of times, guys get suckered into thinking only other guys, like King or Koontz or Patterson, can write something that would thrill them in print. I always recommend Lisa, because she's right up there with them. So, embrace the new age, boys, and pick up and let me know what you think, k?

SAY GOODBYE by Lisa Gardner

Come into my parlor...
For Kimberly Quincy, FBI Special Agent, it all starts with a pregnant hooker. The story Delilah Rose tells Kimberly about her johns is too horrifying to be true -- but prostitutes are disappearing, one by one, with no explanation, and no one but Kimberly seems to care.

Said the Spider to the Fly...
... she's close -- too close -- to a psychopath who makes women's nightmares come alive, and if he has his twisted way, it won't be long before it's time for Kimberly to
SAY GOODBYE

I left out part of the jacket cover teaser. It's up to you to find it and read it.

It's 7am and I have yet to sleep. Forgive any typos, as I'm sure I'll find tons after a decent nap. Due to my conditions, sleep is exceedingly difficult but on nights I can't take my medication, it's worse. I lay there in the dark, and my brain can't turn off. The constant shifting for my body issues, the constant sighing for my life issues. So I got up and I finished reading this book. Lisa has stayed up with me many nights. This night was no exception. And the mind wonders:
What if you knew it was time to say goodbye?

What would you do?
What would you fix?
What would you ignore?
Who would you cling to?

I have a feeling Life's Priorities suddenly slam into order, exceedingly quick and with blaring clarity. Sometimes I long for that moment, just to see how it all would lay out for me.

Damn curiousity anyway.