What's In a Name?

This is a little off-topic, but I'll see if I can swing it around.

There's a singer by the name of Meat Loaf. You've heard of him, I'm pretty sure. So had I.

But did I ever bother to listen to him? Meat Loaf? I mean . . . seriously. You've got to be kidding. How bad could his real name be if he has to call himself Meat Loaf? What? He couldn't go for Prime Rib? And what in the world would his music mean to me? How in the world could it touch me—a middle-aged woman who quit counting her gray hairs a while ago? Give me Peter, Paul and Mary just about any old time . . .

Somehow I clicked on a video he made of a song titled Objects in the Rear View Mirror. I've saved it and listen to it fairly often. It makes me cry every time. Every. Single. Time.

Meat Loaf?

I only wish I could download it to my iPod. But then, I'd puddle into sogginess way more often than I have time for, so I guess it's for the best.

Now, to try and bring it around to writing, which is why we're all here in the first place (aside from those of you who are here only because you love me, and really don't care what I have to say).

One of my favorite books for 2009 is by Jack Kilborn. Also known as J.A. Konrath. Before you climb all over me, there is nowhere near the emotional connection between this book and the Meat Loaf song. But I really like this story. It gripped me and held me. I read through violence that was a little strong, but I kept reading. The story was that compelling.

The title of the book is Afraid. It's a mass market paperback (what I wouldn't give) and the cover is a little over the top (still, what I wouldn't give). But . . . AFRAID?

Kind of like Meat Loaf.

Can you think of any books or songs (or artists) you've loved whose title might be the supreme turnoff?

How important is a title?

CR: Green by Ted Dekker. (You guys all know I'm a slow reader, right?)

It's all better with friends.

Tossed Salad

A few This and That's for today.

First a question/rant. I thought Kindle prices were supposed to be lower than traditional book prices. I'm seeing more and more books in the $14+ range and although it's a bit of a "deflator", there are still plenty available at $9.99 and under.

But here's what caught my eye (ire):

What's Race Got to Do with It? by Larry Elder. I can get the paperback edition for $10.17 or, wait . . . pay more ($14.82) and get the Kindle edition. What's with that? Is it the publisher or Amazon poking me in the pocket book? Someone needs to take a Reality Pill.

A magazine for suspense writers and readers. And, it's going to offer print editions! Check out Suspense Magazine. There are interviews, stories and contests. A great blend of established authors and the new kids on the block. What a leg-up for someone ready for exposure. Like, um . . . me, for instance. Hmmm. . . .

Need a kick in the derriere? I couldn't help but think of Pavlov's dogs when I first saw this. This isn't my cuppa (my love language is affirmations) but it must work for some people. Or could be, it's just a diversion. Take a look at Dr. Wicked. Enter a word goal, a time goal, click on Write . . . then do it. If you stop writing, you will get a form of "encouragement." Mine involved a car horn.

Two good books in a row. I thoroughly enjoyed Afraid by Jack Kilborn. It's on the violent side, but extremely well written and engrossing. It comes out March 31st. It has a definite military twist, but I don't want to spoil the story by telling you more.

The second book has been out for a while. The first half of Lazarus Waking by T.L. Hines was mildly interesting. I mean, a guy who dies three times and comes back to life is bound to be intriguing, right? But Hines ratchets up the second half and I ended up staying up until 1 o'clock in the morning to finish it.

The novelist daily at his task eats ashes, and if occasionally he encounters a diamond he is likely to break a tooth on it.

~JOHN BANVILLE

CR: Daniel's Den by Brandt Dodson.

It's all better with friends.

Book Review: AFRAID by Jack Kilborn

This is a seriously good book. It is on my favorite list for 2009. Before I even get to the review, I want to let you know that I read a bit of this on the author's website several months ago. Now, I'm not one to remember things past, well, past anything. But the opening parts of Afraid stuck. For months. When Joe Konrath (a/k/a Jack Kilborn) was looking for a few reviewers, I knew I had to be one of them.

Afraid is a thriller with some gore (and some language). So if you have a weak stomach, take a pass. But if you want something that will make you want to skip television shows you love, people you enjoy, or even an intimate dinner with your husband . . . no, not that . . . but anything else . . . get your hands on this book. You can pre-order it now through Amazon (it hits the stands March 31st) and it looks like there's a Kindle edition (I love my Kindle) coming soon.

If you like Stephen King or Dean Koontz, you gotta get this Kilborn.

Now, on to the review:

Safe Haven, Wisconsin, is a small town with less than a thousand inhabitants. And that number is about to get seriously slashed.

Late on an October night, with a dark orange hunter's moon as a backdrop, a helicopter crashes just outside of town, and Safe Haven will never be the same. Insidious, unstoppable evil knifed out of the wreckage, and worked its way through townspeople who, up until the crash, had led quite ordinary lives.

The only hope Safe Haven has lies in the hands of an aging county sheriff, a firefighter dogged by ideals, and a single mom.

Jack Kilborn delivers a dish best served with all the lights on. In daylight. Anywhere except in a small town in northern Wisconsin. Afraid will harness you for a thriller-ride where the words supplied by the author slither into your own imagination where you supply the rest. I put the book down a few times to ground myself, but ended up reading the entire story in slightly over a day.

If you're looking for a solid rush of adrenalin, with a plausible (if fantastic) premise, Afraid fits the bill.

Highly recommended.

About to start: Waking Lazarus by T.L. Hines.

It's all better with friends.