Guest Author Series - Author Gail Delaney talks about B&N Nook Ereader

STEPH: Welcome to to my ebook reader series, Gail. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

GAIL: Gail R. Delaney has been actively writing 'for publication' since 1996. The first novel she ever wrote is still sitting on her computer, waiting for the major rewrite that will make it acceptable. She says she has learned a great deal since writing that book, and it shows when she looks back at that rough draft.

Gail has had several novels published in the genres of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and futuristic romance. Her novels have received several nominations and awards since she was first published in 2005.

Gail and her family recently moved from the cold and blustry east coast to Southern California, and is loving every moment of sunshine she can soak in.


STEPH: What ebook reader to you have? How long have you had it?

GAIL: I have the first generation Nook from Barnes & Noble. It was a pre-order, and I received it as soon as they were ready to ship! ☺ So, I've had it about a year now.

STEPH: What do you like the most about it?

GAIL: I love that I have 67 books in my purse. ☺ I love that I can finish a book at work, and start another one. I love that I can read sitting in the sun wearing sunglasses. I love I can download samples of books before I purchase them. I love the selections I have. I love I can change my font -- make it larger or smaller -- or completely different. I love... okay, maybe that's enough.

STEPH: What do you like the least about it?


GAIL: Hmmmm... I suppose the only 'Kindle Envy' I have is the text-to-voice option that a Nook doesn't have. My Nook can work as an mp3 player if I buy an audiobook, but I love hearing how Kindle users can choose to either read or listen to a book.

STEPH: What features are unique to your Nook?

GAIL: Well, until recently, the whole 'sharing' option was unique, but now you can do that with Kindles. However, to the best of my knowledge, the Nook is the only reader with a fully expandable memory so you can hold a gagillion books rather than just a gazillion. ☺

Also, the Nook has a color/lcd touchpad for navigation, and I can turn the page with a slide of my thumb. ☺

STEPH: Is loading books onto the Nook easy?

GAIL: Exceptionally easy, whether I buy from BN.com or not. If I buy at BN.com, the next time I turn on my Nook... there they are. ☺ And I can also easily load epub files to my library, and read them as easily and efficiently as if they were bought from BN.com. I use Calibre, a free ebook library software program, and love it.

STEPH: What are some of the pros to your book reader?

GAIL: I think I rambled on about that in answer #3. LOL

STEPH: Was price a factor when you bought it?

GAIL: For me? In truth... no. It was given to me as a gift. I was asked "So, what do you want... a Kindle or a Nook." I loved the idea of the color touch screen, so I said Nook.

STEPH: Anything else you'd like to tell us about the Nook?

GAIL: Only that I love it, and if you're a 'reader', you deserve one of these.

Book Review Friday - Gaining Ground

Written by: Gail Delaney
Desert Breeze Publishing
ISBN: 1-936000-88-1
Ebook Format
5 Stars

Reviewed by: S. Burkhart

"Gaining Ground" is a pulse-pounding installment of The Phoenix Rebellion filled with excitement, heartbreak, and love. Set in the near future, 2053, the Areth are an alien race who have come to Earth to share their medical technology, but they soon reveal more sinister motives.

The novel opens with LT Jason (Jace) Quinn as a prisoner of the Areth. Phoenix field agent, Jackie Anderson, finds him and frees him. Jason is weak, dehydrated, and malnourished. He also has no memory of his recent life including his time with Phoenix, or his wife, Lilly.

Lilly is a doctor for the Phoenix base in Tennessee. Jace is taken there to recover. Lilly hopes her presence during his covalence will help jar his memory. After pushing herself too hard, she collapses in front of him. It brings a rush of memories forward in Jace and he finally remembers her. Unfortunately, the Areth prison has done its job and left his heart a cold shell of its former self. Can Lilly bring him to remember the passion of their marriage?

Beverly Surrimoto, the second in charge of the base, continues her passionate affair with Victor, the Areth traitor who now lives with Phoenix. The demon in Victor's mind makes him aware of a chilling secret that Victor withholds from Beverly. When the secret is revealed, can Beverly bring herself to forgive him?

Col. Nick Tanner finds the Eumanei home world. The Eumanei are a humanoid race who appear willing to help him, but Nick has second thoughts when he discovers that the Eumanei and the Areth are allies.

Before the end of the novel, new alliances are forged, some old alliances are shattered, and the Rebellion learns that moving forward to regain their world won't be easy.

"Gaining Ground" is smartly written, keeping the reader turning the page. Delaney hooks the reader from page one. The story flows well, and Delany weaves the threads of the plot together effortlessly. Delaney uses a good economy of words to paint her futuristic world without lingering.

Delaney has assembled an all-star cast which shines in this installment. Nick is a battle tested soldier whose determination to complete his task is a trait to be admired. His son, Michael, is a steadfast and loyal member of the Rebellion. Lilly's quiet strength and inner courage inspire Jace to find himself. Beverly's love helps Victor tame the monster within.

The love scenes in the novel are sensual and tasteful for romance readers. "Gaining Ground" has it all – love, betrayal, heartbreak, and hope.

What I'm Reading Tuesday

Hi all, I thought I'd share with you what I was reading today. :)

I have to admit I really enjoyed Gail Delaney's "The Phoenix Rebellion, Book 1: Revolution," so much so I wanted to read Book 2, "Outcasts." It's a hard book to put down and I growl every time I have to.

In book 2, Outcasts, Victor is an Areth scientist who is in the Rebellion, having been taken there after the Rebellion broke into his NM compound. (Book 1) Victor was in a coma for several months and after emerging from the coma, he is presenting with two very distinct personalities. One he calls "a demon," the other is more sane and rational. He only finds peace, when Beverly, an empath, is near.

Obviously, the challenge is to figure out what's bothering Victor. It has Dr. Quinn and Dr. Montgomery stumped. I'm to the point where they have given him a neural "neutralizer" to help him suppress "the demon."

One of the features that I've enjoy is my text to speech on my Kindle. I've been listening to the book as I drive to work. I must admit it's a treat! I've always enjoyed a good audio book (however I'm very picky about my audio books) this one is a pleasure to listen to.

Outcasts is a sci-fi/speculative romance and there are my characters that the reader comes to care about. This book appears to focus on the story between Victor and Beverly.

I love the writing. It's easy to picture Delaney's futurtisic world and it moves at a good clip. I'm not done yet, but it is a pleasure to read.

Smiles
Steph

Outcasts is available at Amazon for Kindle, The Sony ebookstore, All Romance Books, Books on Board, and at the Desert Breeze Website.

Here's a link for Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Rebellion-Book-Two-ebook/dp/B0036FU0ZQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1274803524&sr=1-1

The Friday Review - "The Phoenix Rebellion, Book 1, Revolution"

I just finished this awesome book by Gail Delaney. If you enjoy a good science fiction story, you'll love this. *smiles* Steph

***

Book Review for: "The Phoenix Rebellion, Book 1: Revolution"
Written by: Gail Delaney
Desert Breeze Publishing
ISBN: 1-936000-08-3
Released: Oct 1, 2009
Ebook Format
$5.99
5 Stars

Delaney scores with Book One of the Phoenix Rebellion, "Revolution." Set in the near future, Delaney puts together an ensemble cast of characters and pits them against the Areth for the survival of the human race.

The Areth come from outer space and appear human. They've come to Earth and shared medical technology with us, but little else. A group of humans, "The Phoenix Rebellion," believe the Areth do not have peaceful intentions toward the human race. Covertly, a member of the Rebellion, Dr. Caitlin Montgomery, infiltrates the Areth's medical complex in New Mexico. Caitlin learns that an Areth scientist, Kathleen, gave birth to a half-human, half-Areth child, Michael. Michael's father is a human, Col. Nick Tanner. Caitlin finds Nick in Maine and shares the information with him. He's stunned. He thought his wife and son had died in childbirth. Without a second thought, Tanner joins the Rebellion, despite the fact that his feelings for Caitlin are complicated due to their previous affair which ended badly.

Nick finds General Castleton in Colorado and meets other members of the Rebellion – a married couple, Lilly, who is a doctor and her pilot husband, Jace. There's also an empath, Dr. Beverly Surimoto. After a carefully coordinated plan, the Rebellion attack the Areth's complex in New Mexico, hoping to free the Areth's subjects – including Michael. An Areth scientist, Victor, has befriended Michael and helps the Rebellion. All is not well with Victor though, as he begins having a mental breakdown. The escape from the Areth's complex in New Mexico is a thrill ride, but one of the Rebellion loses his life and the fate of the human race hangs precariously in the balance.

Delaney's writing is sharp. After a quick introduction to the Areth, Delaney jumps into the story. The plot flows well, never lingering. Delaney uses a good economy of words to paint descriptions. It's easy for the reader to visualize her futuristic world.

Delaney's characters are what makes this science fiction story shine. Col. Nick Tanner is a passionate man who has been hurt deeply in the past. Learning to trust Caitlin again is a struggle. Caitlin, for her part, realizes the folly of her youth, and tries to make up for it. The couple's chemistry is on a slow, smoldering burn that threatens to consume both when ignited. Victor's plight is heartbreaking, especially since he's an alien who shows Michael compassion. Michael's condition is intriguing. It's never fully explored in this book, leaving the reader wanting to discover more about him.

The story is "sophisticated" for romance readers. Delaney's love scenes are intense, yet tasteful. Book One: Revolution is a story packed with adventure, excitement, and love, making it a thrilling start to "The Phoenix Rebellion" series.

Reading Tuesday - What I'm reading

Sadly, I can't read at the house unless I have the day off and the boys are in bed. That's rare. Usually this opportunity strikes on my days. That said, I have to read at work during down time. But that can be a challenge if a I have trainee. I love my trainees, but I need my "me" time and work, if you can believe it, is my "me" time.

That said, the heaves have aligned and I have had time to read lately. I just started J Morgan's "Were Love Blooms." He's got great voice, and "Were Love Blooms" is a paranormal romance about werewolves. I'm picky about my wolves now, but J has me hooked. It's a lighthearted, fun read and I'm curious just how Madison became a wolf.

My next book I'm reading is Gail Delaney's Outcasts. It's a sci-fi speculative futurisic tale and I'm hooked. It takes place in the future on Earth where humans and an alien race called the Aerth live in peaceful coexistance. Col Nick Tanner has just found out that his son is alive after being told he died in childbirth. Guess what - something is afoot. His wife was really Aerth and didn't die in childbirth. And he just found out. I've adored Sci-Fi all my life so this is a great read for me.




Also on the Kindle - Knight of Glory by Nicole Zoltack and One Snowny Knight a medival Scottish romance.

What? You're reading books on a KINDLE? Yep. And I have to admit I LOVE my Kindle. Really love it. I think I'm going to be picky about what books I get in print now and reserve that for the books I really adore.

What are you reading?
Smiles,
Steph

Feature Friday - Interview with Gail Delaney

I'm tickled pink to feature an interview with author and editor, Gail Delaney. Gail is the Editor-in-Chief at Desert Breeze Publishing. And now, here's Gail

***

When I was little, whenever I said something to the effect of "I'll never--", my mother would say "Never say never, kitten."

When her first husband died, she said she'd never get married again. Two years later, she met my father - 18 years her junior and her son's best friend, mind you, but that's a story for another day -- and married him after knowing him 19 days. (I'm telling you... great story!). She said she'd never live in Maine. When I was 2 ½, they moved to Maine. Two 'never evers' that came true, in the happiest of ways for her.

As a writer, I had a mental list of things I would 'never' write, either ever or again. I'd never actually categorized them until one day -- oh, about a year and a half ago -- I realized I was writing a book that completely defied my 'never' list. And I could almost hear my mom... "Never say never, kitten".

My list is as follows:

1. I will not write another contemporary romance. 'They aren't challenging enough'.
2. I will never write a romance set in Hollywood (Said as I make a distasteful face from my freezing cold desk in freezing cold New Hampshire).
3. I will never write a romance with someone famous as a character. Not someone 'real', just a famous profession. No musicians, athletes, actors, etc. It's so cliché.
4. I will never write a novelist as a heroine. How very Mary Sue!
5. I will never have my characters kiss in the first chapter! (This coming after I read a book where the two were kissing before they exchanged names)

I think the beginning of the end happened when I left said 'freezing cold desk in freezing cold New Hampshire' and moved to... yeah... Hollywood. Okay, so not Hollywood, but Southern California just north of Los Angeles... not far from Hollywood. And heck, I think as much movie making happens right here in Santa Clarita as in Hollywood itself. I realized that Hollywood -- geographically -- might be a nice place to set a story.

Then I had a dream. Now I won't go into the details of the dream (blushing cheeks), but the next day I wrote the dream down to share with Jenifer - my BFF and business partner. As it often goes with dreams -- as many writers will attest -- I kept rolling around concepts and ideas in my head, and I kept writing down notes. Next thing I knew, I'd written down Chapter One, and then Chapter Two... and next thing you know... I'm writing the book I said I'd never write. In every way possible.

Point One - No Contemporary Romances

Yep, this book is a contemporary romance. No evil bad guy, unless you count the dastardly, bastardly ex-husband who rears his horned head. No car chases, no murderers to catch. Just a romantic story of love. Oh, and one fist fight. Never gonna do that again... yeah, right.

Point Two - No books set in Hollywood.

I think I've pretty much covered that, but if you need confirmation... yeah, the book is set in Hollywood and near by Santa Clarita - which, ironically enough, is where I now live. * wry grin *

Point Three - No books with famous-type characters

David Bishop is the hero of this romantic tale, and were he a real man, he'd be the romantic hero in many a woman's dreams. In my little world, he is the hottest, sexiest, most sought after bachelor and celebrity in Hollywood. Okay, maybe not THE most... but he's right up there. And if you must ask... I know you're wondering... yes, he's 'modeled' after an actor whom I find sinfully delicious.

Maybe I'll tell you who... if you ask nicely. 

Point Four - Never write a novelist as a heroine.

Andrea Parker is not only a novelist, but she's a bestselling novelist. Her science fiction romances are so loved by the general population that they've been opted for film. And you guessed it... David Bishop will play her leading man.

Point Five - Never let them kiss in chapter one!

Yeah, well... I find there are ways around this little 'never'.

For about half the writing of this book, I referred to it as 'The book I'm not writing'. Finally, I gave in and admitted that yes... I'm writing this book... yes, it's got all the things I said I'd never do... and yes, I absolutely love it. I honestly believe that Something Better is easily the most 'romantic' of romances I've written. Fluttering hearts and deep sighs will abound as you read... and yet, it won't be easy for these two. It wouldn't be an interesting novel if things were easy.

I hope you might be intrigued enough to check it out and read Something Better.

Here's a link to the book trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uHKKi7hmzE

***
Thanks for popping in, Gail! I'm definately intrigued to read it!