I have a confession to make. A few of my favorite shows have broadcast their season finales, and I’m not too sure how I feel about them. I understand drama and conflict–throw the hero/heroine into a hornet’s nest and watch them react. Got it. Make their life miserable just when they thought they had it all figured out. Wonderful. Perfect.

Only this season on Revenge, they killed off one of my favorite characters, the guy Emily was dating and should have been able to spend the rest of her life with once she exacted her revenge on the Grayson family. She achieved her victory but lost her man in the process. OUCH. I’m not happy. Yes, it’s the perfect circle of revenge–Victoria loses her man, Emily loses hers–but I don’t like it. I’m a happy-ever-after kinda gal. Granted, I probably shouldn’t be watching this show for HEA gratification, but I can’t help it. I enjoy watching the drama for tips on my own writing. But killing my good guy? What’s the matter with writers? Have they no heart?

My daughter has expressed similar outrage over Veronica Roth’s (I think it was her) killing of a main/popular character in one of her books. The author explained she did so for the express purpose of making readers FEEL the pain of death so as not to desensitize them (as so many are in today’s society), but still. I love her thinking, but don’t we read books for escape? For fantasy and fun and drama?

The Good Wife is another show that left me dangling with unease. Alicia and her law partner, Cary, are at odds over his betrayal according to CutterWelderMaestro. Their old senior partner, Diane, wants on board, and the Governor’s office wants Alicia as their new prosecutor. Great to have Diane on board–right after she turned down the same prosecutor job offer–but how is this going to work with Alicia and Cary at odds? I’m not having warm fuzzies. The betrayal is great for drama, but where’s the pleasure in having Diane on board with the new firm?

Sheesh. Maybe prime time dramas aren’t for me. Maybe I’m a Lifetime specials kinda gal. I don’t know. I just find myself caught between a writer’s brain and a reader’s seek for escape. UGH.

Just received word that Ladd Springs received 5 stars from the Indie Reader Discovery Awards!

LADD SPRINGS

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

Dianne Venetta

5 Stars

Delaney Wilkins lives in the eastern mountains of Tennessee. Its beautiful, untouched country has been in her family for generations. Current owner, Ernie Ladd, Delaney’s uncle, refuses to sign over the title to Delaney’s daughter, Felicity, like he promised his sister, Susannah, on her deathbed. Complicating the acrimonious relationship between Delaney and Ernie is the arrival of Nick Harris, a hotel developer who wants to buy the land and build another in a line of eco-hotels amid the pristine wilderness, Clem Sweeney who has discovered a secret about the land and wants it for himself, and Annie Owens, who claims the land is rightfully hers, but hasn’t yet proved the paternity of her daughter, Casey. Family legacy battles greed in a race for the coveted property.

Author Dianne Venetta has written a winner with LADD SPRINGS, the first in the Ladd Springs series. Her descriptions of the eastern Tennessee landscape are beautifully detailed, enough so that it’s a character in and of itself, but not so much that it becomes unwieldy. The family feud between Delaney and Ernie is believable, as is the inclusion of Annie who claims to be family by way of the paternity of her daughter, Casey. In many ways, the battle could be between any family anywhere, and that’s part of what makes it intriguing. Outside of the family, there’s Nick, the handsome hotel developer, who serves as both foe and love interest for Delaney, and Clem, as the resident, idler bad guy. In general, all of the characters are well fleshed out, and play their intended parts well. Venetta takes her time with the story, keeping it well-paced and never rushing things just to move it along.

LADD SPRINGS isn’t a hardcore mystery, but appealing nonetheless for those who enjoy a good, solid story.

Reviewed by K.J. Pierce for IndieReader

****This month you can get ALL five ebooks for only $7.99…just in time to add to your summer reading list. Each book in the series has received 4 stars or better!

Available for your kindle and kindle apps. Ladd Springs Boxed Set

Welcome to the 3rd Annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop where you’ll learn a ton of new gardening tips and recipes over the next 10 days, PLUS the chance to win a number of great prizes! This year we have 80 authors and bloggers hosting giveaways which makes for AWESOME odds, not to mention the grand prize ereader and gift card. That’s right–you have the chance to win an ereader of your choice (kindle or nook, $200 value) and coinciding $25 gift card. This year we’ve added a second prize of $25 gift card redeemable with the bookseller of your choice.

What do you have to do to win? Simply leave a comment on each participating author/blogger website. That’s it. Be sure to include your contact email info so we can inform you of your winnings. :) Check event page for complete rules/details.

New this year—Join me as I host an Authors in Bloom Facebook Party! Garden trivia, growing tips, kid crafts, delicious recipes and more giveaways! Do stop by and share YOUR best tip or favorite recipe. We’d love to hear!

For me, this year’s gardening tip is all about weeds–or the lack of them. No one wants to spend their time weeding when they visit the beautiful beds of their garden and one way to eliminate/reduce this job is corn gluten. Non-toxic and safe for animals and kids, sprinkling this around the base of your plants will significantly reduce the amount of weeds by preventing germination. CAUTION: Be sure to apply once your veggies have had a chance to sprout and grow several inches in height. Upon application, water in and allow to dry.

However, after heavy rains, you’ll want to reapply as your weeds might be able to “recover.” Don’t give them the chance! You can find corn gluten at many garden centers, but if your neighborhood seed & feed doesn’t carry it, you can always ask them to order it special. Online organic retailers also carry it.

For my personal giveaway, I’m offering an autographed complete print set of The Gables Trilogy, including award-winning Jennifer’s Garden, Lust on the Rocks & Whisper Privileges. Today’s tip centered on vegetables but Jennifer’s Garden creates a luscious tropical garden for your enjoyment, complete with delectable hero. “Every woman needs a Jackson Montgomery in their garden!”

Samantha Rawlings takes over in book two and gives Victor Marin a run for his life–and his heart! Book three features Sydney Flores & Clay Rutledge in a fight for love and the gold as Miami hosts the Special Olympics.

a Rafflecopter giveawayAs a special bonus to readers, I’m offering the complete paperback set of Ladd Springs for sale for the special price of $34.99 for 10 days only. You can’t get this incredible deal anywhere else and you can only get it for the 10 days of this blog hop. All five books and shipping included, taking you clear through the adventure that awaits in the eastern Tennessee mountains.

Book #1 in the Ladd Springs series

“I could not put the book down. I could not wait to get done with work or get on my treadmill so I could have time to read. The story keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. The characters are well developed, the story line is interesting, and the result is a captivating story. Loved the entire series and I hope there more to come.” ~ Amazon review

Simply order via the PayPal button and the entire collection will be in the mail and on its way to you—in plenty of time for summer beach reading!