C.J. Redwine

1. I must confess that nothing in the following post will have anything to do with the picture I used. 2. I just couldn't resist the awesomeness. 3. I'll start today's list with a comment on the strange philosophy boys have toward personal hygiene and clothing. 4. My teenager is exempt from the following commentary because he's recently been awakened to the fact that GIRLS like cleanliness and clothing that hasn't been worn for a month. 5. My other two boys could care less. 6. I force them to shower, I insist they use soap, and I check their teeth daily because if I don't, I fear the CDC will show up at my home and quarantine us all. 7. I also watch their clothing for signs they've worn it too many days in a row. They act like it's the end of the world when I hand them a fresh pair of jeans and insist the pair they're wearing deserves a decent burial in our back yard, but they change their pants. 8. I've recently realized, however

Thank you to all who entered the drawing for a signed copy of SO CLOSE THE HAND OF DEATH. I hope those of you who didn't win will check out J.T.'s thrilling books (Just make sure your doors are locked and all the lights are on...). As always, I used random.org to pick the winner. And the winner is: Marley Delarose Congratulations, Marley! Please email me your mailing address, and I'll forward it on to J.T. Thanks again for entering and happy reading!

I discovered J.T. Ellison when I was browsing for a new book in Kroger last year and saw JUDAS KISS on the stand. The cover instantly drew me, and when I learned it was set in Nashville, I was sold. I soon learned J.T. has mastered the art of edge-of-your-seat, spine-tingling suspense, intelligent, gritty writing, and characters you desperately hope don't get killed. I later had the pleasure of sitting on a panel with J.T., and she is lovely, gracious, and FUN. So much fun, I decided I had to have her on the blog. I was thrilled when she agreed to make an appearance to mark the release of her latest book, SO CLOSE THE HAND OF DEATH. Which I will be reading. Most likely all night. Because I will NEED to know what happens! Want proof? Here's a look at SO CLOSE THE HAND OF DEATH: It's a hideous echo of a violent past. Across America, murders are being committed with all the twisted hallmarks of the Boston Strangler, the Zodiac Killer and Son of Sam. The media frenzy explo

But only if you bring back lemon bars. 1. My brain is exhausted right now. 2. I have good reasons. 3. For one, Princess J was sick Saturday night and together I think the two of us had maybe four hours of sleep. 4. And instead of napping on Sunday, I went to the bookstore and wrote 5k. 5. Because I'm turning this book in on March 27th, and I have 2/3 left to write. 6. I'm one of those people who works very well with a deadline. It lights a fire under me--like someone tossing a gauntlet down and daring me not to finish.  I HAVE to prove I can do it. 7. And I have to tell you, I love what I'm writing. It has a depth and authenticity to it that I've never achieved before. I hope to get to share it with you soon! 8. Anyway, I told you all of that to explain why my brain is exhausted because it's very ... See? I can't even think of the word I want! Hang on ... Oh, yes. It's very probable I'll write a few items on this list that a) make no s

Thank you to all who entered the contest for a signed, personalized copy of Maria V. Snyder's excellent OutsideIN. As always, I used random.org to choose the winner. And the winner is ... Sarah McClung  Congratulations, Sarah! I know you're going to love these books. Those of you who didn't win this time, I hope you'll pick up Maria's books next time you're in the book store. They are well worth it!

I discovered Maria Snyder when a friend loaned me her copy of InsideOUT (which made my list of best reads from 2010 ). Maria's world-building is seamless. Even though she introduces an entirely new culture--with its own set of customs, rules, and complexities--I was instantly immersed in the story. In fact, the strangeness of the new world I found myself in was part of what made the book so fascinating. Plus, there was a mystery to solve, a potential romance to cheer on, and a plot twist I never saw coming. Yay! The sequel to InsideOUT hits the shelves March 1st, and I can't wait to get my hands on it! Here's a peek at OustideIN. (Spoiler Alert! If you haven't already read InsideOUT, this will give some details away.) Me?? A Leader?? Okay, I did prove that there's more to Inside than we knew. That a whole world exists beyond this cube we live in. And finding that led to a major rebellion-between worker scrubs like me and the snobby uppers who rule our world.

1. I come in contact with a lot of people at my day job. 2. Many people are genuinely nice and often interesting. 3. A select few are idiots. 4. Like the ones who somehow feel that personal hygiene is a good idea for the rest of the world but doesn't actually apply to them . 5. I love those conversations where I have to gently explain to someone that bathing WITH SOAP would be in their best interest. 6. I had to do that twice last week. 7. There's no way that conversation isn't going to turn awkward at some point. Especially when the other half of the conversation looks at me as I tactfully suggest that perhaps waking up early enough to get some shower time would be best and asks "Why?" 8. It's hard to come up with creative, tactful ways to say "Because you smell like you live in a dumpster." 9. Speaking of awkward, this past week a man sitting in our restaurant decided he had on too much clothing. 10. First, he took off his shoes.

Thank you to all who entered Jonathan Maberry's giveaway of a signed, personalized copy of ROT & RUIN! If you didn't win, I hope you'll pick up this compelling book the next time you're in a book store. You won't be disappointed. As always, I used random.org to choose the winner. And the winner is ... Gretchen Stull  Congratulations! Please email me with your shipping address. (Email is on my "About" page) Thanks again for entering, and happy reading! 

I enjoyed reading everyone's recommendations and have now added several titles to my To Be Read pile! I can't wait to share one of my faves with the winner of the drawing. As always, I used random.org to select the winner. And the winner is Angela Blount Congratulations! Please choose one of the books from my list of favorites and email me with both your choice and your mailing address. Happy reading!

I discovered Jonathan Maberry as I was browsing my local bookstore with a friend. My book shopping method includes hurrying to the YA section and then slowly perusing the shelves for covers that catch my eye. This cover really grabbed my attention, so I read the description and decided to give it a try. (For a thorough explanation of how AWESOME this book really is, check out my review on my Best Reads of 2010 post . It's another chance to win a copy!) Because this is a satisfyingly long book, I decided to bring it with me on my trip to China. Every afternoon, while Johanna slept, I would sit on the hotel bed and devour this book. The story is compelling, as much for the fact that it's told from the perspective of a fifteen year old boy who SOUNDS like a fifteen year old boy, as for the fact that it's truly a fresh perspective on zombies. I appreciated the humor, the tension, and the complex relationships and found the story lingered with me long after I closed the cover

1. I know, I know... list day is usually Monday. But last week got away from me, so the list is a Tuesday thing this week. 2. If you missed yesterday's post, I listed my favorite books from 2010, why I loved them, and introduced a contest where you could win your choice of one of those books . You have until Thursday night to enter. 3. I don't sew. 4. I don't even mend things. Not. At. All. 5. This has just as much to do with my complete lack of aptitude as it does with the fact that really I'm not the best girl to be wandering around with a needle in my hands. 6. It's all fun and games until someone gets a needle in the eye, after all. 7. My mother, on the other hand, is a master seamstress. She used to make our dresses--the fancy ones with ribbons, lace, and little silk roses on them--and has yet to meet a pattern she couldn't beat into submission. 8. My sister is also very handy with a sewing machine and can crochet blankets and other fabulous

I promised my blog readers a list of the top books I read in 2010, along with a fun contest to win your very own copy of one of these books, and here it is! It's highly possible with my busy schedule, I missed reading some very awesome books, and I can't wait to see your recommendations. But if you missed one of THESE awesome books, you really should hie thyself to thy nearest purveyor of books and rectify the situation because these books ROCK. Here, in no particular order, are the books I enjoyed the most in 2010:   Jonathan Maberry is an accomplished author with a list of best-sellers, but this was the first book I tried of his. The cover grabbed my attention, along with the title, and when I read the description, I was hooked and decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did! Here's a quick look at ROT & RUIN: In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get