One of the most important parts of being an author is also being a reader.  I’ve heard that an author should read 2000 words for every 2000 words he/she writes.  Sometimes that is hard for me to do when I’m in the flow of writing a book.  I don’t want my thoughts and ideas distracted or influenced by someone else’s work.  However, in the down time that comes between ideas or bouts of editing, it’s always nice to have a well-written distraction.

If you check out the Publications tab of this site, you will see books listed as well as links for purchasing them on amazon.com.  I’ve started listing books by authors I know personally.  I think if you give them a chance, you’ll agree with me that they are wonderful additions to a library of any size.

Everlasting by Carol Johnson:  Set in northeastern Oklahoma in the mid-20th century.  The characters are well-written.  You’ll some of them.  You’ll hate some of them.  One this is sure, Carol has done a great job crafting a story that pulls at your heart strings.  If you want to know more about Carol, you can check out her blog at http://vadasmaker.wordpress.com.

Counterfeit Conspiracies by Ritter Ames:  This is a mystery set in England and France.  The main character, Laurel Beacham, is strong.  The story is fast-paced and could also qualify as a suspense thriller.

Organized for Murder by Ritter Ames:  This is a cozy mystery.  It offers great organizational tips thrown in with the dead body and clues.  Ritter never skimps on anything where her characters are concerned, and her plots are engaging and fun.  If you want to know more about Ritter and her works, you can check out her blog at http://ritterames.wordpress.com.

Thirteen, Volume 3:  This anthology contains two horror stories–Needing is Wanting and Dead Man’s Party–written by Adrean Messmer.  I’ve discussed Adrean in my first blog post.  Her characters and plots are engaging, likable, and interesting while also being scary and disturbing.

So, what are you waiting for?!  There is a lot of reading to do.  You should get started.