It's official, I've hung up my stethoscope!

Stethoscope
Originally uploaded by happysnappr

Last night, I formally quit my job. It was really tough on many levels. The family I was working with are the best a nurse or friend could eve ask for, and my patient was the best little miracle baby I have ever seen. But, at the end of the day, she has a loving family, who will always take great care of her. I however have to take care of me and my family. Working nights was holding me back. So I stared today working for myself.
My web design teacher took me after calls on Monday to meet with a contact he has that needed some freelance writing done. We met, and I offered to do a couple of articles to see how he liked my work, so today, I cranked them out. I was nervous, but the reviews were great, and the money offer more than expected!
On other news, my website template is done, at least for now. I am sure i will be tweaking it more in the future, and now I am adding pages. Actually I am starting with the book pages, cause that is the part that interests me most right now. Then I will go back and add some of the other less fun pages, like user agreements.
This is the participation part of the blog. I am begging for input form you readers to suggest what books, or authors to add first. There are thousands, so I need a starting point. Any suggestions, or best loved, most favorite? I was going to start with my favorites, Katie Mac Alister, Kim Harrison, Janet Evanovich, Patricia Cornwell, of the top of my head. I would love more direction, or suggestions. This site is for the book lover, so now it is time to show the love!!!!

Holidays Are Hell By Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu, and Vicki Pettersson

In the spirit of the season, albeit paranormal holidays, I thought I'd rush out and buy this book. I got sucked in and read it in two days. It is a compilation of four short paranormal stories.

I already follow the Rachel Morgan series that Kim Harrison writes. That series has a huge following, and rightly so, it is well written, and fun. Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel is a prequel to the series, and is set before Rachel starts her career. This younger Rachel story gives insight into characters previously only minimally introduced in the series, and lets you see a clearer image of Rachel's background. Some of the aspects that shape her adult self, and motivations. That part of the story was very satisfying for me, since I am committed to the series. The overall story however was a little rushed. I hate to nit pick, since the Hollowsverse (as the world Ms Harrison writes is known), is so amazing. The thing is, after reading a Rachel book, I always come away wanting more. Having unanswered questions, and this story just wrapped up too neatly for my expectations. But, as a stand alone, it is great. I give it 4 out of 5, I'm committed to the series, stars!

Run, Run, Rudolph is by Lyndsay Sands. This is a continuation of another short story she wrote in a different anthology, Dates from Hell. As she does with some of her other writing she profiles characters that had supporting roles in the previous story. That makes it fun, but stand alone as well. Ms. Sands style is light, and more romantic than the other three stories, but fun nonetheless. It was an entertaining, quick read. Satisfying in a, funny episode of a sitcom way. 3 out of 5 light funny stars.

Marjorie M Liu, wow! I have never read anything by her, but have considered her on my "I should check her out" list. Her story Six, placed her in the "next new author I read" pile. This story, and I think generally her theme, is based in the east, China and the like. Her paranormal world looks and feels much different than the mainstream ones of this genre. Much more exotic, and foreign. I admit the short story was difficult to understand until it was underway, but it was interesting, and complex. It made me want to go out and buy all her stuff, so watch for more ML Liu, soon. 5 out of 5 very interested stars.

And, finally, The Harvest by Vicki Pettersson. This, I gathered after I read the story, is a part of a series, as well. That ironically, is my only real complaint. I haven't read this series, and was lost for the first half of the story. The writing is good, and the world is clever (all in Las Vegas), with original concepts I hadn't yet encountered. It is, as best I can figure, a prequel to the series. I will read her Zodiac series, but still wish I had read the first one at least, so that I had a better understanding of the world she has written. I found the main character difficult to relate to, but interesting. I think I will enjoy the series more, that main character is the daughter who is only mentioned in The Harvest. I give it 3 out of 5 tentative stars, but might have been more if I was familiar with the books.

Please, tell me what you thought.

Next Up... Holy Smokes by Katie Macalister.