The Loyal Reader

As a writer and insatiable reader I surround myself with awe-inspiring, delicious fiction. I favor female authors and every once in awhile I'll read a book, so impressive it becomes a textbook. When such a gem beckons me to re-read a book, once finished, something wonderful happens; I become a loyal reader. I'm not so daft to think  repetitive consumption of someones talent will rub off by osmosis, I become a loyal reader to get my hands on MORE.

I love when the author has a page of "other books by..." so I can immediately run to the computer and order every other book they've written. Just recently, following a pleasurable first-time read, I ordered the remaining twenty-four books by the author off the library website. Now into the sixth book, my loyalty is starting to fade. Not only is the author re-telling the same story poorly and just changing the geography, dare I say...she stopped caring all together!

I'm always on the hunt for a new author that can keep me craving more. Always hopeful, I pick up each new book and hope...hope I'll want to stay loyal.

Deep down I think there's a part of all of us that want to be a loyal reader, I just hope there's a surplus of authors out there willing to do the same.

Special Guest Author Cyber-Bistro

Dear blog readers, I have the GREAT Honor today to be featured on the Cyber-Bistro.
Please enjoy the story by clicking this link. I promise it is safe!

http://cavemanreflections.blogspot.com/2012/02/saving-savannah-series-author-stacey.html

Stacey Rudge

There Must Be Some Mistake OFFICER...

I left a couple of minutes early for work this morning to return some library books that were due today.
If you know me at all, I tend to be an EXTREME DO-GOODER. The LAST thing I want is a soiled reputation at our beautiful NEW Library.
The brand spankin new parking lot has cute little spaces designated for "Carpool" or "Fuel Efficient"
vehicles. Being that I didn't see any "HUGE 1987 Bronco" spaces available, I stopped right up front and left the engine running while I ran up to the fancy book return. Not your every-day book drop, the new one scans items on a conveyor belt similar to a bank depository. Nuthin' country about that!
Afterwards, I ran back to my truck and as soon as I'm about to put it in DRIVE...
A REAL POLICEMAN (not a library cop) smacks my windshield and tells me to STOP!! He begins to question me:
"What are you doing? Who are you with? Did you just come out of the library? Where did you return the books? Did you see anyone else? Is this vehicle registered to you? Would you mind turning off the car and waiting right here ma'am?"
I'm like.... great, here we go; coincidentally I AM on probation, so I'm a wee bit nervous, gulp. (nothing related to books)
While I'm DETAINED the building is searched and secured and I slowly slide my hand over to retrieve my phone and text my husband. HEY! I watch Investigate Discovery, people go missing every day!
I am so scared that I text something like
"Cips have mu librate" which I hope will be a clue when I disappear! Yikes!
The cop comes back and somehow the BURGLAR ALARM was set off and guess who happens to be
running away from the library??? He asked my name and my answer sounded like a Porky Pig Cartoon...
"bede bedee beddee" because who knows which name the library has! (ok long story)
So I was "free to go" and I went to work and sat at my desk for two hours shaking like a leaf.
ME??? Jack the Library? I wouldn't even consider bending a page.
I really hope this little "incident" doesn't appear on my permanent Extreme Do-Gooder Record.

How I Remember Grandma

My grandma is so amazing; I love to just look at her. I can practically memorize her features; each time I close my eyes I take in a little bit more of her. The color of her skin is as creamy and pale as the coconut sherbet at Baskin Robbins. Her dark, graying full head of hair is happiest fresh from the salon, rolled and teased to perfection. Her pick and a tall can of Aqua-Net hairspray is always close by. She smells of Este Lauder perfume and often has a fresh dusting of powder a little too visible on her chin. Most evenings she sports a dress covering similar to an apron, but this one goes over her head, ties on both sides and has a deep pocket in the front. At some point in time it was bright turquoise. Her shoes are typically chosen for comfort and resemble matronly, hospital-issue Easy Spirit loafers.

The quality I love most about my grandma is her busy spirit. Convincing that woman to sit down would quite possibly be the Eighth Wonder of the World. She jets and darts from chore to task never missing a beat.

Although my Granny (praying angel in the Saving Savannah Series) remains in hospice out of state, she continues to be my light and my inspiration. Her deep devotion to the Lord continues to shine through each memory as I continue to put pen to paper . . . in her honor.

I love you always~