Did you know that your ereader is spying on you?  To put it more delicately, reading you?  Were you aware that it can report back to its base of operations how often you open a book, finish a book, where you lose interest, what passages you highlight, which ones you read again and again? From an author’s point of view it presents an interesting prospect.  Do readers rush through romances? Do they read sex scenes over and over?  Are they skimming through detail and which detail–heavy back story, monotonous dialogue? Do they continually check back with the prologue for story reference, proving it crucial to the story?  Is it true that you lose readers in the middle, bogged down by mundane scenes, a loss in direction? Technology is amazing. I know I’ve said it a hundred times if I’ve said it once, but it’s true.  Technology is incredible in its capability and I shudder and tremble to think where it will be in another generation.  (Shudder and tremble in a good way, like I’m “all a twitter,” titillated and energized!) :) And talk about incredible, have you heard about the Kindle Fire chat feature? Huh?  The chat feature.  You know, the one where you can chat with a community of readers–even the author–as you work through a book? Really? Yep.  Tap your screen and head for the bubble icon.  You can comment, follow a thread of comments, and from what I understand, even have it post to your Twitter and Facebook accounts! I first saw this implemented on CutterWelderMaestro blog and Wow.  While I appreciate the brainiacs and their contribution to my ability to communicate globally in the blink of an eye, the phenomenal digital quality to my photos, the ease of editing and publishing, I’m not sure I want them peering over my shoulder when I read a book.  Or search the web, for that matter.  My husband likes that feature, the mysterious “they” who target him with relevant ads based on his search history.  But he’s a no-nonsense kinda guy and appreciates anything that can be streamlined, tailored to his needs.  Me? Not so much.  While I enjoy the benefits of said technology, the influx of Gap ads, the clearance sales, the suggested reading list to fill my library, the libertarian in me balks.  I value my freedom and granted its dwindled over the last century, I still feel as though I’m in control.  I decide where I go on the internet, I decide where to vacation, which clothes to buy.  As much as I value marketing groups and appreciate their help in the business field, I don’t want to feel like a mouse in a maze. How about you? Do you welcome the advances in technology, even if they feel somewhat intrusive?  Or do you shy away from anything that invades your privacy, in fact, you just so happen to have the ACLU on speed dial… Technology vs. Privacy.  That is the question.  Inquiring minds want to know!

Okay, I’ve heard of some stranger-looking creatures in my time, but upside down jellyfish?  I mean, talk about going against the flow—these guys have it locked! But is there a point to their existence I’m missing?

Life can be hard enough as it is.  I couldn’t imagine mine spent stuck at the bottom of the ocean—or an aquarium in Chattanooga, TN—trapped in a sea of confusion.  Odd.  Beautiful, but odd.  And speaking of odd, check out this narrow passageway we traipsed through on our visit to Rock City.  Couldn’t have been more than a foot or so wide in some spots.  Is it any wonder it’s known as the “Fat Man’s Squeeze?” 

It’s no wonder my friend’s father snagged himself in between these gems of nature and remained stuck for a good hour.  And he wasn’t hefty by any stretch of the word but this passage isn’t wide by any stretch of definition, either.  Talk about vacation killer, I think that one takes the prize!  

Speaking of prizes, in the very same neighborhood of Chattanooga, deep within the caverns of limestone we found a gorgeous waterfall.  It’s one of the premier attractions called Ruby Falls and for good reason. 

Located hundreds of feet below the surface and half an hour walk into the core of Lookout Mountain, it’s a wonder anyone found it in the first place.  But adventurous souls like Leo Lambert longed for such thrill and while excavating for an elevator shaft, discovered a swift gush of air.  Lo and behold, they found it.

As our guide was explaining to us why we shouldn’t attempt to drink the water from the falls, I chuckled and thought.  Now there’s a logo for some boxers:   “Don’t drink the water at Ruby Falls.”  High content of magnesium.  Trust them when they say you won’t make it to the top in time.

This photo was captured when the lighting from above showered the falls in shades of rich lavender.  My kids were amazed by this extravaganza and threatened to drink said water to which I kindly replied, “Go ahead, pumpkin.  I too would like to see if our tour guide means what she says.”

Children live in a constant state of temptation when it comes to challenging authority, don’t they?  This time it would have served them right, albeit a stinky lesson to be sure.

Ugh.  All in all the kids enjoyed their trek up to the mountains.  Not only fun, it was educational.  I mean, we listened to Gone With The Wind on CD the entire drive north and south.  Is there anything one need know about the Civil War that Margaret Mitchell didn’t capture in that book?

Though I did find myself longing to see Scarlet stop torturing herself so.  “Oh, Scah-let dah-ling…  How do you suh-vive?”

The kids enjoyed hearing Stone Mountain referenced in the story, as well as a few other towns we drove through along the way.  Brought it all to life for them, knowing that the Civil War was carried on in this very part of the country.  From the memorials at Chattanooga to the last standing Atlanta, our journey crisscrossed that of Scarlet O’Hara’s.

Now that’s drama come to life.  As were the high wires and tight ropes they walked at the park, the laser show that danced across the stone carving.  All in all it was a great week.  How about you?  Any summer plans you’d like to share?

IndieReader.com announced winners today for their first annual Indie Reader Discovery Awards contest. 

The judges on the IRDA panel included top people in all areas of the publishing industry, in concert with IndieReader’s trusty reviewers.  Judging was based on the quality of writing and the originality of the story. There was a first, second and third place winner in each of the fiction and non-fiction categories, in addition to winners in various sub-categories, indicating that each book has received at least a 4-5 star review (out of 5 stars).

I’m thrilled to announce that my debut novel JENNIFER’S GARDEN won Best in Category for Romance!  It received 5 out of 5 stars and was previously featured on USA Today HEA books.

A big thank you goes out to all the readers and reviewers for this one.  I couldn’t have done it without you! 

Writers write the books of their heart, but without readers they’re flying solo.  Its’ connecting with each of you that gives me deep satisfaction.

Haven’t read it yet?  Read an excerpt here.