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Going behind Alisa is going to be tough :-)

With that my name is Dawn and I am another mod for the Who’s Your Author Group.

I am a colossal reader and I cannot ever remember a time in my life where I did not have a book around. In my teens and early twenties I read a lot of fiction the specific genre really did not matter; suspense, mystery, fantasy, horror then in my mid-twenties I discovered nonfiction and I had quite the run with biographies, true crime and other expository books. I had quite given up on fiction I think until my son picked up a book called Harry Potter and I think I enjoyed the story more than he did but it brought me back to the joy of fantasy.

When I am not reading I am a mom, doctoral student and a program director for various research projects or government sponsored programs. Junior is 18 and he is in his second year of college, I think he is burnt out so I am encouraging him to take a year off and crew a sailboat or go volunteer somewhere out of the US. While I love my work recently I find myself pining after journalism so I am in the process of writing a few articles for submission to magazines, who knows perhaps I will be a freelance writer before I know it! My hobbies are reading, running, yoga and sustainable agriculture. I am training for another marathon in the spring …recently I have been thinking I want to run the double marathon, I know who does that?? I have been practicing yoga for almost twenty years so for me it is like life some days I am on my mat for maybe ten minutes other days it will be like three hours. As for the sustainable agriculture I used to be a vegan for years so I got into what I ate but then around 2004 I started having a lot of physical issues nothing that would come up on a lab report but I felt wrong. After about three years of experimentation turns out grains were not friends so I added meat back to my diet and now I eat meat, fish and vegetables I guess you would say I am a paleo now. In the process I really got into nutrition and where food comes from which lead me into the world of agriculture. Does anyone here work with a CSA?

Originally I came to goodreads with this idea I would catalog all of the books I read ha well that would never work way to many books so instead I decided to start keeping track of what I am reading. Along the way I discover there are groups where people talk about books that I think was the best thing because a lot of my friends do not read what I do. Being able to actually talk about a character or talk to an author about the character was just mind blowing. I am not sure which authors I am going to spot light each day, I think that will be a surprise for both you and I.

Author of the Day: Jennifer Ashley

Today I will spotlight Ms. Jennifer Ashley. Fun fact she writes under three pen names: Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner

As Allyson James, she currently has four series out.

The Mortal series


The Dragon series


The Stormwalker series


In case you did not know the publisher cancelled this series but she is going to continue it and self publish!

The Tales of the Shareem


As Jennifer Ashley, she currently has four series

The Highland Pleasures series


The Shifters Unbound Series


The Nvengaria series


The Regency Pirates series


As Ashley Gardner she has a mystery series

Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries


I first read Allyson James and the Stormwalker series a few years ago and I was totally blown away. I picked up Pride Mates on a whim needless to say I loved that one too. Imagine my surprise when I found out they were the same person. This is kind of funny the way I found out was going through goodreads author pages trying to figure out the next in series so I could order them, anyway I noticed her picture was the same I was like wait LOL anyway I then proceeded to tell my friends on goodreads and well they already know lol. Moving on while I like some of her books more than others I can honestly say that I like them all. I have never read a book by her and thought geez that freaking sucked.

I hadn't heard of a lot of these so my TBR list just got longer. I'm pretty sure I want a Shareem of my own!......lol

Dawn I am right there with you with yoga. I took 2 semesters just for a PE requirement when in college and now, I don't think I'd know what to do with myself without it. As for the CSA, I've used different farms here. More recently one that delivers to the hospital I work at. We have ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agricultural Project) here, which is a great resource. But sustainable agricultural is a huge here where I live. A good amount of the restaurants here will only use local produce.

As for the books, the only series that I've even heard of that you've mentioned is the Stormwalker one. Are they all romance?

Alisa wrote: "I hadn't heard of a lot of these so my TBR list just got longer. I'm pretty sure I want a Shareem of my own!......lol"

who doesn't lol

Gin are you in NC??

As to your question I think everything she writes as Allyson James is PNR and with the exception of the Shifters Unbound series when she writes as Jennifer Ashley they are historical romance.

I have never read her mysteries, I want to read that and the dragon series.

Yes, I live in Asheville, NC. A city you would probably love based on your interests.

That's probably why I haven't heard of many of her books as I am not the hugest fan of PNR

Gin wrote: "Yes, I live in Asheville, NC. A city you would probably love based on your interests.

That's probably why I haven't heard of many of her books as I am not the hugest fan of PNR"

I love NC my family is from that way and I had a cousin who went to Appalachian State.

I am with you on the PNR it gets to be to much and it sometimes feels like I am reading the same book over and over again. I will say I think her books are different I would suggest trying out the Shifters Unbound series.

Dawn wrote: "Author of the Day: Jennifer Ashley

Today I will spotlight Ms. Jennifer Ashley. Fun fact she writes under three pen names: Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner

As Allyson James, she ..."

Dawn wrote: "Author of the Day: Jennifer Ashley

Today I will spotlight Ms. Jennifer Ashley. Fun fact she writes under three pen names: Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner

As Allyson James, she ..."

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Thanks. I've never read any of her series. How could I manage that? There are LOTS of them. I can't imagine how she writes that many. It's awesome!

The author of the day is Diana Rowland

She writes two series

Kara Gilligan



White Trash Zombie



Diana Rowland is a great writer, I think her books feel very authentic and her books ride the edge between urban fantasy and sci-fi. I adore sci-fi but sometimes authors have to explain so much that I get this bogged down feeling so personally I find her books to be a good blend of the two genres. I also love how her stories are crime thrillers. Honestly the Kara Gilligan and White Trash Zombie series are totally police suspense books with characters that are not human instead we get a mix with either demons (arcane) or a zombie. Honestly who does not like a zombie??

The other thing that attracts me to her stories are the heroines, sometimes writing women for me can be tricky they can be too mouthy or to whinny or too much like men. I think Mrs. Rowland has done a great job striking a balance. I heard her once say in an interview that the difference between Kara and Angel is that Kara has always known her powers but she never understood the why of it Angel on the other hand is just discovering who she is and accepting that she has more potential than she thought. Through this process these ladies are still who they are and they still fight their internal demons, but they are changed and changed for the better.

If you like these books than you can look forward to three more books in the White Trash Zombie series and four more in the Kara Gillian series. If you like audio books I would highly recommend the White Trash Zombie series on audio the reader is amazing!

Author of the Day: Rhiannon Frater

She has three series at present and they are:

As The World Dies Trilogy

Pretty When She Dies Trilogy


The Vampire Bride


The Living Dead Boy


Stand Alone


If you have not heard of Rhiannon Frater then you should know that her books are considered urban fantasy but they definitely have a post-apocalyptic and/or horror feel to them. Which is what attracted me to her, I have this thing sometimes like why are vampires always nice? I mean shouldn’t they sometimes screw up and eat people? I mean sometimes you think ok I will have one cookie but then you end up eating the bag…well wouldn’t vamps be the same. Imagine my surprise when I found out hers actually do. Her books are not all gore though there is quite a bit about relationships and acceptance. Her writing style is very smooth, typically when I read her stuff I feel like there is a movie going on in my head.

Another cool thing about her is that she is a hybrid author which means that some of her books are self-published and other are under a publishing company, TOR I think. Anyway this makes many of her books really affordable. I think Pretty As She Dies is like $2.99 and The Vampire Bride is like $3.99 and they are lending enabled which I think is awesome.

If you have never read her I would suggest you give her a go.

Which of her series would you recommend trying first Dawn?

I would start with Pretty When She Dies let me know what you think

I'm very excited about this new author. I've never heard of her and her books look great. I just recently discovered The Walking Dead tv show & I'm in a zombie phase. I was just wondering where I should start in my quest for zombie books. Added almost all of the them to my tbr list. I'm going to start with the As the World Dies series.

I totally forgot about this thread!!!

*kneels and begs Dawn for forgiveness*

Dawn wrote: "I would start with Pretty When She Dies let me know what you think"

will do

You're right Dawn, it is cheap and on audible too.

Today I have the worst case of ADD, I am sure it is because I skipped my run but anyway since I cannot focus on anything I decided to list my top five one hit wonders.

Some of these books are part of a trilogy or a series and some are stand alone's. The one thing I will say about all of them is the author told the story in away that I was fully engrossed.

So here we go:

I love King Arthur and this book tells the Arthurian legend through the eyes of the women around him (Morgain-sister, Igraine-mother and Guenivere-wife).


I never know how to describe this book, in short it is the journey of a man who becomes a burn victim in a terrible accident but in his journey to heal. It is an odd little book that moves slowly but full of symbolism and contrast.


This one is a mystery and a love story full of ghosts and cemetery dogs


Another one I am not sure how to describe... it is a vampire story about friendship and change but it is not the type of story that fast paced and exciting. It is a story that kind of transforms and engages you.


I think this is actually a children's book maybe YA anyway it is a dark romantic fairy tale with vampires. The vampire is collecting souls for his 13th bride and the slave girl who goes headlong into the lions den.

Sonia wrote: "I totally forgot about this thread!!!

*kneels and begs Dawn for forgiveness*"

No problem it will be here for awhile :-)

Alisa wrote: "I'm very excited about this new author. I've never heard of her and her books look great. I just recently discovered The Walking Dead tv show & I'm in a zombie phase. I was just wondering where ..."

You know when I first saw that book it was free on her website then I guess it got picked up so I am waiting to get it used so I can see if it is the same story.

Author of the Day: Jennifer Lyon

Mrs. Lyon writes two series one under Jennifer Lyon and the other under Jennifer Apodaca. I am not certain that she is a well known writer but her books really are enjoyable.

The Wing Slayers



Writing as: Jennifer Apodaca

Samantha Shaw Mystery Series



Stand Alone



Honestly I have never read anything else but her Wing Slayer series. The series is definitely PNR, wing slayers are guardians who used to protect earth witches but then one day there is a curse or something and the witches go into hiding and the wing slayers try to keep themselves going rogue.

When I picked up he first book I was in the mood for something super cheesy imagine my surprise when it was actually quite good.

For whatever reason her books never quite caught on and the last I heard she did not have a contract for the final three books. I think she is going to continue the series and self-publish which personally I think is great.

I really enjoyed also!

must not add new series to read. must not add new series to read.

You guys are KILLING ME here. I had 20 series to check out BEFORE the met your mods thread.

*shakes head*

I only read an average of 80 books a year... I'm going to drown with books to read - not a bad kind of drowning, but still...

LOL Sonia.....you still have two mods to go. We'll get your TBR list to 200 in no time.

Thank the heavens for internet and ebooks and online shopping. Otherwise how on earth would I get may hands on all those precious books is something I prefer not to know :D

Sorry guys in all of my Saturday madness I totally forgot to post my author of the day for yesterday so today I will have two posts back to back.

Author of the Day Gena Showalter

Honestly in my opinion Ms Showalter is just awesome I mean she writes a ton of series and even her meh books are still good!

I think her blog was the very first blog I followed as an author, which honestly I am not sure she writes anymore and who can blame her. Anyway I truly miss her beefcake Mondays, in case you have never seen these guys here is a sample of what you missed.









Hello I think most ladies can see why she is a fav lol

Moving on here are her series. Let’s start with my favorite

Lords of the Underworld


Angels of the Dark


Alien Huntress


Atlantis


Intertwined Series


Tales of an Extraordinary Girl


Otherworld Assassins

White Rabbit Chronicles


Stand Alone Books

Author of the Day Ilona Andrews

Ilona Andrews is defiantly one of my favorite authors. It is amazing to me how open they are with their fans which I both am in awe of (because people can be so cruel) but it is really cool because I think she is both grateful and open to her fans which you do not always see. I love how you can ask her a question and she will answer you! If you have not seen it she has an awesome blog and forum: . She is forever changing the face of it so it is always a surprise when I drop in...I just love that!

Kate Daniels


In case you did not know Gordon (the Andrew in the dream team) also writes snippets from Currans POV which is fantastic. These are all free by the way or you can download and buy it from amazon and B&N
Curran POV I
Curran POV II
Curran POV III
Curran POV IV

Kat Daniels World


The Edge


Kinsmen

I hope you like some of the authors I shared with you and I hope that you have found a new book or two. It has been a great week and I will see you on the boards :-)
Cheers

Oh oh I didn't know of kinsmen series. I discovered Ilona Andrews last year and she quickly become one of my favs. One more for my TBR.

*happy dance*

I suggest we start our own beefcake monday....yoowza! lol

Alisa wrote: "I suggest we start our own beefcake monday....yoowza! lol"

LOL

Katie MacAlister had something like this on her LiveJournal page, but she called it "dishy guy mondays"

She stopped doing it because of the author rights issues... model pictures and stuff... a sad sad day

Dawn wrote: "Author of the Day Gena Showalter

Honestly in my opinion Ms Showalter is just awesome I mean she writes a ton of series and even her meh books are still good!

I think her blog was the very first b..."
How did I miss this post? lol I have to make sure to never look at Gena's site when the kiddies are home. I don't know if it still does, but her men used to pop up on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ when you brought up her author profile.