Books To Read

by Katy Lewis

I don’t know what to say, except it’s Christmas and we’re all in misery.

~ Ellen Griswold, Christmas Vacation

I don’t know about you, but for me, the holidays create their unique brand of crazy—not that I’d trade it for anything.

Aside from making me pull out my hair, the season gets me thinking about Christmases past, and that lends itself to thinking about the past in general, and then I get melancholy about the good old days ... with none of that is caused by over-imbibing in alcohol. It’s just the season.

This year’s melancholia got me thinking about the tomes that molded my youth and then moved me on into the horrible ‘tween years and eventually into early adulthood. It took some big-time cutting, but here’s my top five list, in age order:

·   Green Eggs And Ham - This book has three big pluses. It was the first book I read by myself, it’s by Dr. Seuss—a certifiable genius, and my nickname was Sam. We’re not sure where the nickname came from. My dad gave it to me, and it stuck like spaghetti on the ceiling. I am Sam!

·   Little Bear - I remember my mom giving me my first Little Bear hardback. Written by Elsa Holmelund Minarik, it was the first-ever I can read book—no doubt the offshoot of the 1950’s “Why Johnny Can’t Read” scare that terrified parents into believing their kids would be stuck in third grade for six years. I really got into Little Bear and his buddies Owl, Cat, Hen, Duck, and Emily. Weird that only Emily got a real name, but whatever. Of special note—Maurice Sendak illustrated the Little Bear series.

·   The Cricket In Times Square - Apparently, I liked stories about animals because they dominated my bookshelves. This one also has the token child hanging out with the critters. In this one, a cricket named Chester leaves his Connecticut home and ends up in New York City. He discovers he has a hidden talent; at some point in life, don’t we all?

·   A Wrinkle In Time - I was totally sucked in by Meg Murray, her odd little brother Charles Wallace, and her friend Calvin O’Keefe. With the book’s time travel and the amazing IT, this was my first venture into the sci-fi world. The book is not only a standout story for me, it helped me through a hideous bout of the chickenpox. A late bloomer—I got them in junior high and was so sick I missed two weeks of school. What would I have done without Meg and her clan?

·   To Kill A Mockingbird - If you’re a reader...and you probably are if you’re reading this...there’s one book out there that whopped you right between the eyes and changed you forever. For me, that book is To Kill A Mockingbird. Hands down, the best book written, ever.

Of course, none of us is the same. I’m sure you’ve got a few defining favorites buzzing around your brain, too. Don’t be stingy—please share! 

Random Moon Holiday Sale!

You deserve a reward for all that Christmas shopping, baking and decorating you've been doing!  Here it is:  three Random Moon books on sale for your Kindle or Nook for 99 cents each!  Come on, you know you need a break.  Take it now!

Merry Christmas from Random Moon Books!

Introducing author Katy Lewis!

It’s been an exciting time at Random Moon Books. Since our debut in early September, we’ve had releases from three of our authors:

Laurie Larsen’s Keeper by Surprise is a heartwarming tale of love and responsibility—and how to balance the two in the most trying of circumstances! Laurie’s books always leave readers feeling good and wanting more.

 The Ghost and the Graveyard by Genevieve Jack has made it to the Top 10 list on iTunes and is gaining new readers everyday! In her cleverly crafted paranormal, the young heroine has to choose between a suitor who is dead, and a handsome hunk with an even bigger secret!

 My own book, A Good Draw, if you’re a fan of professional bull-riding you won’t want to miss this romantic mystery starring two handsome cowboys and a strong and capable heroine that can best them both!

It is now my pleasure to introduce Katy Lewis’ debut novel, A Fool and Her Honey. In this very funny mystery, Wannabe musician Pagan Johansson slathers honey on herself for her lover to lick off. When it turns out the honey is poisoned, Pagan faces quality time in the slammer so she goes on the lam to find the killer and uncovers surprises about her lover, her family, and herself.

 

 

The characters in Katy’s story are unique and quirky; the plotting is face-paced and suspenseful. I laughed out loud at Pagan’s mishaps, and those of her new best friend, Velveeta Marconi!  Katy included delicious recipes at the end of each chapter, earning her tagline—Murder with Munchies. Her drink recipes sound divine!

 Pick up Katy Lewis’ funny, cozy mystery--you won’t be disappointed. In fact it’s our promise to deliver high quality fiction to our readers. We also keep price points low so you can buy with confidence and Random Moon authors at very reasonable prices.

That’s it for this moon-cycle. Be sure to stop back often for more Random Moon news and book releases!

Laurie Bradach was an admitted adrenaline junkie until age, wisdom--and a rather nasty scare in a cave--shook it out of her. Now she writes action-packed romantic suspense from the comfort of her desk chair—if having a sixty-pound dog in the chair alongside her can be called “comfort.” Laurie has an Amateur Radio license (W9CAV) and is active in Ground Search and Rescue and Emergency Management.

Visit Laurie at DoubleDareBooks.com



Ghost hits Top 10!

Just a quick post to announce some huge news!  Genevieve Jack's The Ghost and the Graveyard has hit the Top 10 list in its category on iTunes!  Congratulations Genevieve!

Great things happen once in a blue moon

It’s been two weeks since Random Moon Books made its inaugural launch in a take-off to remember!  We announced the purpose of RMB:  to provide you, our readers, high quality fiction at consistently low prices.  We like to think of the Random Moon brand sort of like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.  When Random Moon promotes a book, you can be guaranteed that the book is a well-written, well-edited read that will keep you turning the pages.

In our first two weeks, our first two Random Moon Books were released.  The Ghost and the Graveyard, by Genevieve Jack is available for sale in all online sales channels now.  Genevieve is also sponsoring a giveaway contest for the paperback, so if you’re interested, get your entry in!

I released Keeper by Surprise as my first Random Moon Book and it is now available for sale for your Kindle, your Nook, on Smashwords and in paperback.  It’ll make you laugh, it’ll make you cry, and hopefully fall in love with our hero Keith as he realizes that guardianship does not come with an owner's manual.

So that was our first two weeks.  Not too bad!  But anyone who studies lunar phases knows that the moon is always busy, and it doesn’t stay the same for long; it’s constantly evolving.  In the spirit of evolution, I have the pleasure to announce:

Our next Random Moon Book release!

A Good Draw, by Laurie Bradach

I encourage all of you to secure your copy of this fast-paced action adventure.  You won’t be sorry.  It’s a gritty, action-packed story set in the fascinating world of professional rodeo and bull riding.  Laurie impresses me so much with her complete mastery of this unique community. I knew nothing about bull riding and bull fighting before reading this, but now I feel like I’ve spent a month walking in their dusty boots.  I sit in my chair reading, and find myself jolting and flinching as the characters practice their sport, so realistic are Laurie’s descriptions of those dangerous 8-second rides.

A secondary plot involving treachery and deceit in the lucrative meat-packing business brings some shivers down my spine. But at the center of it all is a satisfying love story featuring a strong heroine, and not one, but TWO sexy cowboys wanting to earn her love.  I fell head over heels for one of them – I won’t tell you which.  You’ll just have to experience this once in a lifetime story yourself.

Until the next time the moon changes …

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Laurie Larsen is the EPIC Award-winning author of Preacher Man, Best Spiritual Romance of 2010. To date, she has published seven books in the romance and women’s fiction genres, including one Young Adult romance. Keeper by Surprise is her latest release. She lives in the Midwest with a strenuous day job, a husband of more than two decades, two amazing sons and Gracie the Wonder Dog.

Visit Laurie at www.authorlaurielarsen.com , on Twitter, Facebook or Goodreads.

 

 

Welcome to Random Moon Books!

Once in a blue moon, you find yourself in a situation where the stars have aligned and you feel lucky. Very lucky.  Today is such a day for me.  I have the privilege of introducing to you, a new partnership. Five talented authors, all with various experience in writing and/or publishing, have banded together to give you Random Moon Books.

Random Moon isn't a publishing company. In fact, some if our authors are publishers themselves.  What we are is a group of writing professionals who've decided to put the reader first.  We provide:

1. Quality fiction: These authors know how to tell a story.  They've been published before or worked in a writing profession--some with best-selling and award winning books. A Random Moon Book has been edited and vetted with multiple readers before it's released.
2. Affordable prices: Our business model allows us to provide the reader with eBooks at a fraction of the cost of traditionally published books.  All of our eBooks are $4.99 or less, so you can feed your fiction fancy without breaking the bank.
3. Entertaining reads: We write genre fiction for adults with strong romantic elements. These are the types of books you'll whiz through, unable to turn the pages fast enough. They're fun, witty, fast-paced, easy reads that will capture your imagination from word one.

Our first releases are coming out this weekend.  Including:

 Keeper by Surprise:

Can you imagine being called home from college to learn your parents have been killed in a car accident and named you caregiver of your three siblings?  That's what happens to Keith Hanson. But it's just the beginning of this warm, witty, and surprisingly real contemporary romance by Laurie Larsen.  You won't want to miss this one.  Her work reminds me of Nora Roberts and shoots straight for the heart.




Also available this weekend is my book, The Ghost and The Graveyard:

Life is full of difficult decisions.  Choosing to be responsible about the heap of debt your snake-belly of an ex-boyfriend leaves you in is one of them. Moving into your father's unsellable house is another. But when Grateful Knight discovers her new home borders a graveyard and that she is mystically attracted to the cemetery caretaker, her choices become...complicated.  Especially when the sexy ghost who lives in her attic warns her the caretaker might be more than she bargained for.

Get swept away in this steamy paranormal fantasy. Readers of Charlaine Harris or Darynda Jones will enjoy this book.

And this is just the beginning!  Random Moon has more in store for you.  Get to know us.  You won't be disappointed.

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Genevieve Jack grew up in a suburb of Chicago and attended a high school rumored to be haunted.  She loves old cemeteries and enjoys a good ghost tour. Genevieve specializes in original, cross-genre stories with surprising twists and writes a best-selling young adult series under a different name(G.P. Ching). She lives in central Illinois with her husband, two children, and a brittany named Riptide who holds down her feet while she writes. Visit me: www.GenevieveJack.com, Twitter

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