Here I am again, participating in the A to Z challenge throughout the month of April. One thing I’ve learned about this challenge is that I need to keep my posts short. Short and pithy is even better.
I’m going to try my best.
So for A, I chose author Mario Acevedo, Antler Dust by Mark Stevens, and the word “ask” (just because I’m nosy). Yes, these posts will be heavy on Colorado authors.
But onward to books and the wonderful folks who write them.
Featured Author: Mario Acevedo
I have ulterior motives for choosing Mario. He will be our guest on the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Blog Tuesday (April 2nd).
Besides that, he’s a very interesting guy. His first novel, The Nymphos of Rocky Flats, introduced Felix Gomez who went to Iraq a soldier and came back a vampire.
Mario flew attack helicopters in the army. He’s an accomplished artist. And he writes vampire novels.
He and another well-known Colorado author (who also writes about vampires), Jeanne Stein, blog at The Biting Edge.
Featured Novel: Antler Dust
Mysteries are going to show up here more than most other genres, but that’s just because I read a lot of them and I write them too.
Antler Dust is the first novel in the Mark Stevens series featuring hunting guide Allison Coil. The series is set in Colorado.
The second novel, Buried by the Roan, deals with fracking. The third novel in the series is scheduled for release in November 2014.
Mark is a regular monthly contributor to the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Blog. You can check out his most recent post today.
And My Word of the Day: Ask
My questions for you: What are you reading? Are you a reader and/or a writer? Do you stick to one genre or hop around to sample (or try to write) a little bit of everything?
Now it’s your turn. Ask me something about books, authors, or writing.
No, if you ask something personal, I don’t promise to answer honestly. That would be just too silly. This is April Fool’s Day.
Hi Pat,
I’m reading Bitter Greens by Aussie author Kate Forsyth. Fantasy is currently my favourite genre to read and write, but I’m going to be venturing into Steampunk mystery soon 😉
Elle
I’m interested in the book which deals with fracking. It’s certainly a subject which can provide a source of conflict for the characters!
Hi Rich. It’s true, there are a lot of Coloradoans who contemplate murder, at least on the written page. Maybe it’s those downslope winds….
Welcome, Jemima! That sounds like a book I would like. My one visit to Quebec (so far) was so much fun. I’ll definitely be checking out your book review site.
I’m not from Colorado or anywhere near there, but I’ve enjoyed the parts of the state I’ve visited.
I’m currently reading a crime story featuring a detective from the Surete of Quebec, and if you know my theme and the fact I do book reviews on Saturdays you’ll work out why!!
Looking forward to more of your posts, Patricia – happy April.
Jemima
#TeamDamyanti
Blogging from Alpha to Zulu in April!
It’s interesting how many Colorado authors write mysteries. I wonder if it has to do with the rugged and wooden terrain where many bodies can be hidden. Um, not like I’ve thought about that.
Follow my A to Z challenge at http://www.richardskeller.com/richie-on-writing.html
Hi Margot! I hope you’ll find some new good reads right here this month. The Stashower book sounds like a good one. I haven’t read a good historical for a while. I think the last one was “The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris” by David McCullough.
Pat – I have got to try the Mark Stevens series – thanks!
And now….to your question. I am both a reader and a writer. I stick to crime fiction in my writing, although not all the time in my reading. In fact, I recently finished an interesting historical account of how close Abraham Lincoln came to not getting to his 1861 inauguration alive. Thank Allan Pinkerton that he did, more or less: Daniel Stashower’s Hour of Peril.
Excellent idea for ‘A,’ and looking forward to what you have in store for us next.
Welcome, Madeline! About the only thing I don’t read is very long and very complicated adult level fantasy. I can get into a sci fi world with no trouble, but I flounder at all the detail in fantasy.
Hi Rebecca. A little secret. I don’t read novels about vampires, werewolves, or zombies….unless it was written by one of my Colorado author friends. Even had to critique one about a ghoul because that’s what the guy in our group chose to write about. I get nightmares about this stuff.
Hi Yolanda. I figured if I break my posts into sections, readers will chose the short/pithy section they care about and move on. Hopefully I can tighten these posts up as I go along. Short and pithy comments help too. 😀
I read any and all, but love mysteries, biographies, romance and so on and so on!
Short and pithy!
http://murderousimaginings.blogspot.com/
This looks great–the book and the theme for the month. I’m a sort of almost adopted Coloradan, so I always like books about and from there!
I write children’s stuff and adult (mysteries, so far), but it’s all humor, because I can’t stop myself from cracking wise. I read all over the place, but no horror, and no vampires (sorry!).
Rebecca at The Ninja Librarian
I read pretty much across the board – if the story sounds good, I read it. Right now I have an ARC of THE QUICK by Laura Owen.
Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Minion, Capt. Alex’s Ninja Minion Army
The 2014 Blogging from A-Z Challenge
Mary, I like to read YA novels too. Recently finished “Divergent” and now I want to see the movie. I didn’t even know about Stowe’s book. Sounds like one I should read.
Well, Dean, here we are. If the A to Z doesn’t keep us out of trouble this month, nothing will. I suspect I’ll have to give up a few naps to keep up with the return blog visits. As for the reading, I’m also branching out into more genres because I like to read books by my Colorado friends.
And the A to Z begins with a bang. So many of my friends are joining in for the first time. I love it.
Hi Alex, I knew you’d be here as soon as I posted. I guess you’ll be extra busy this month.
Welcome, Doreen. I like historicals too, both romance and mystery. One of my favorite (Colorado) historical mystery series will get profiled later in the month.
Hi Hilary. Mark always does a lot of research with his mysteries, so the info on fracking shoud be very accurate. Looking forward to chatting more with you as well. I’ll have to remember to post pictures of my veggies. 😀
Yay, Jan. We always seem to reconnect during the A to Z. Balancing all the parts of my life? The biggest challenge is not enough hours in the day because I have so many varied interests. I guess that’s why writing often falls to the bottom of my To Do List.
As Always, Another Awesome blog.
Ahem…Anyway…Answers:
Currently reading an ARC titled Betting on the Billionaire. Just started it, so far it’s okay. Also have Vonnegut’s The Sirens of Titans started on the Kindle/Ipad.
But am interested in Mr. Acevedo’s novel. The premise of going to war and coming back a Vampire intrigues me…though I’m not much of a vampire fan…this one could pull me in.
I hop around genres more as I read fellow NCW/Colorado author’s work more and more.
Enjoy the month, I’m in A To Z for the first time…and already fretting hourly about keeping up!
Sounds mysterious. I enjoy mysteries, too, but I read many genres. Currently, I have two books going, Harriet Beecher Stowe – A Spiritual Life, and Keeping Safe the Stars, a middle grade novel by a MN author. Love it!
Play off the Page
Hi Patricia! Yeppur, I too learned short is good. I’m at my son’s with my newest grandchild so everything is much shorter. I’m writing about balancing writing and other passions this month. Hmmm… question? My question for you is what is the most difficult challenge you face to balancing the different aspects of your life?
Hi Patricia .. great you’re highlighting Colorado authors – Mario’s book sounds interesting …
Mark’s mysteries do sound interesting .. I am particularly tempted by the Fracking One . something I know little about ..
Asking questions? well not for now .. but I’d love to spend time with you sometime to discuss how you approach writing et al .. and to see your veggies!
Cheers Hilary
I messed up my time too. Moving on:)
Reading is a love and I read all genres but especially historic romance. I write non-fiction for now. Looking forward to writing fiction.
Good luck with the rest of the challenge.
doreenmcgettigan. com
Mario is the guest blogger at the RMFW Blog tomorrow, so everyone can come meet him (virtually).
No worries, Patricia!
That’s cool you will hear him speak tomorrow night.
I have a few genres I like to read. My blogger buddies write such a variety, so I’m hopping around often.
Geesh! This should have published at 6:00AM but I forgot to change the time which was sitting at 4:06PM. I’ll do better from now on.