Lois Lenz, Lesbian Secretary - REVIEW

​Book review: Lois Lenz, Lesbian Secretary

     As my first traditionally published lesbian book this story will always hold a special place in my heart. That being said, I can't say that it's a book for everyone. 
     The book is about Lois Lenz, a girl who decides to leave her hometown and her first crush for the big city and her chance at a career job. While she's at her all girls boarding house she struggles to not just learn big city life, but that the boarding house has a secret. So does her Boss, Mrs. Pierson. 

     Published in 2007, but it takes place in 1959. That matters because it deals with a lot of cliche topics. It talks about communists in America and women in the work place. I personally believe these tropes are an important part of our history as women and as lesbians. I did also enjoy the retro feel of it overall. 
     It was a quick read for me, and it had a great flow that just took you through the story of Lois coming out and really finding her place in the world. The ending had a little dangerous twist that I seen coming but was still enjoyable.

Final thoughts: 4/5 stars. I wish that it didn't feel so outdated for being such a "newer" book.  

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Reading List

Okay, we all know that I have a problem when it comes to books and how I have a ton that I haven’t read, and I still keep buying them. My goal earlier this year was to read more. I believe I aimed for 5 books read this year. I have one down and I have been working on reading another 3. Yes at once.

Normally I try to keep at least two books out at a time. Normally one is fiction, one nonfiction. This time, I’m not sure how it happened, but I have 3 fiction books in progress right now. One doesn’t really count because it’s a collection of Grim Brother’s tales. So it’s a compilation of a bunch of shorts. Still, I really don’t know how I do this to myself.

The other downside is that it’s getting nice outside and I don’t like walking with books in the city, however, my transit ride to work is very long, so I’ll more than likely break down and just start taking a book with me to work. Especially now that I have all of mine at home.  

5 Simple Ways to Read More

     We all know that reading itself is pretty important, but with how busy some days can be, it's hard to get even a few pages read. It's even more annoying when you've been sucked into a book that you don't want to put down. So here's just a few little things that could help you get that book finished a week sooner.

     1. Transit.  While not everyone has public transit in their area, but it doesn't mean that you can't use that time to your advantage. While it's fairly easy to read while you're on a bus or train, you can't drive a car and read. (At least not in a safe way.) However, with audio books being fairly easy to get a hold of, use those to your advantage.

     2. Cooking. Well, with how busy we are, we normally try to make meals as simple as we can. Even something as simple as a microwave dinner. Even in those 5 minutes of cooking and cooling time, can get you in a few more pages over a week.

     3. T.V. time. How often do you find yourself flipping through channels? At least once a week, for those 20 minutes, shut it off and get a chapter in. On the next hour or half past (when most shows start) go find something to watch. If nothing is on, go back to your book.

     4. Eating. Again sometimes this isn't as easy as it could be for others, but even with a family. Get a book and while you are eating dinner have everyone read a page. It's a great way to slow down the meal (that's great for digestion!) and a way to get everyone involved and at least talking.

     5. Bedtime. Take those extra few moments before you go to bed and get some reading in. When you're last TV show goes off, go read for a bit until you feel tired, then do your normal bed time ritual.


     There you go, it's short and sweet and maybe you can get an extra little bit of reading done.

A Game of Thrones

      I finally finished it! It has taken way too long for me, but I finally found it in myself to get through those last few chapters. Even though I knew what was going to happen I still loved every moment of it.

     Go watch the series, go read the books. Enjoy the world that George R.R. Martin creates for you. It's well worth your time. Please don't forget however, this series is fairly graphic, blood, death, rape, and consented sex. It's not done in poor taste, so don't worry on that, but I do feel the warning should be there.

I Have a Problem Finishing a Good Book.

     I don't know about you but I have a problem. As the title says, I always chew through a book really fast, then drag out the last big chunk. When a story is good, it's hard to put down but as I see it coming to a close (or that I need to go buy another book!) something inside me gets all sad and I just have a hard time finishing it. I always do, but it always takes a bit longer.

Writers and Ice Cream Shops

     I was reading a ebook today on my train ride home and ran across something that got my brain working. Up until this moment I had been thoroughly enjoying the book. It’s called “52 Ways to Sell More Books” by Penny C. Sansevieri. Here is the exert from the book, it was in a chapter about knowing your industry.

“What would you think of a store owner who opened a yogurt shop in downtown San Diego only to find that fave other stores were opening within months of his, one of them a very successful franchise with a huge following? Wouldn’t this make you sort of wonder why on earth this store owner would do that, I mean open a store without doing the proper research?”

Now when I first ready this I had to pause a few moments and reread it just to be sure I got this right. Because that wasn’t actually the first thing I thought about. I didn’t in fact wonder why he would do that, because while in the end game it might not have been the smartest choice, we don’t know his full plans. I thought a man here has a goal and a dream, and he’s doing whatever it is that he set his mind to. That part was inspiring.

Let’s face it, Most big chain ice cream/ yogurt shops have all the same stuff, are priced a tad too high and have a high percentage of High Schooler employees. If this man does things well, and proper, and brings something new that those big name places can’t. He right there would have a hand up on the market. Maybe he will make all of his product in house and fresh, instead of from some bag mix shipped from a warehouse.

It hurt me a bit when I read this and I took some time to reflect on how it was said, because yes I can understand her point, and the need to know what your industry is doing, but with how she words it, none of us should be writing. Taking the same example that she gave us. “Why do something when someone bigger than you is already doing it?” If that was the case, we should all give up now because I’m fairly sure most of the basic ideas have been used.

I personally believe that no two minds work the same or think alike. How you write something, let’s say a dragon setting a city on fire, and how I write it, can come across very different to a number of readers. Some will like yours others will like mine. So back to the ice cream shop. If you write, and you specialize in something. You write it. Take those big ideas and open your mind and heart up and let it loose next to those “big chains” (or authors in this case.) and show the world how you do it differently. We need stories, books, ideas. We need them to be new and fresh because what works for you, doesn’t always work for me.

What are your feelings on this topic?  

Current Reading Exert - A Game of Thrones

            "The Other said something in a language that Will did not know; his voice was like the cracking of ice on a winter lake, and the words were mocking."

     I just want to talk a bit about this line. It is from A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. To sum up the book for those of you who haven't seen the T.V. series or read the book; it's a massive collection of seven books total that follows a few different characters through the worst winter many of the lands residents have ever seen. There are supernatural forces waiting outside the kingdom's protective walls. So the main conflict lies with the Stark family of Winterfell. They seem to have a lot on their hands. 

     So far I really am still early in the book, only a few chapters in out of a 800+ page novel. However this little piece stood out to me. There was so much in that single line. There was feeling. Emotional and physical. It drew in all of my senses and really made my heart race a bit at the thought. That my friends, is good story telling. Those are some goals that I hope to reach in my lifetime.

     What have you been reading recently? What's a line or two that really stand out to you?

Want more Werewolves? Beta reader offer.

     As some of you know I have recently been posting parts to this web series that I am working on. It's an adventure/romance about werewolves and I have a lot planned for this little project. I hope to spread it out over a few months and at one point release the entire collection with some bonus content. That's for later. For now, I hope you are asking, "how do I get more now?"

     That is a very simple answer. I am looking to build a group of beta readers. Not only for this project but for some future ones as well. As a special reward, you will get the Sunday release, emailed directly to you on Friday. You will also get a few other bonuses from this, like updates on my future work, as well as discounts and even free books to read! 

     Now if this sounds like something your interested in please finish reading and click the link at the bottom. All you have to do is subscribe with just a simple email (the one I'll be sending things to!). I also will promise you this, I'll never sell your email or give it away, it is only as a way for me to send you things, and gives you a way to reply, that's fairly simple on everyone. 

     I am going to ask from you is a few things. Out of this group I am looking for real feedback on these projects. I want to hear from you and get your feelings on how things are going and even hear your ideas. If you are not up to keep in contact, that is okay. Do feel free to sign up, however you might get limited emails instead. 

Still interested? Click Here! And subscribe. It's right on the home page. 

Procrastinating

     Procrastinating, it's just about my favorite thing to do. When it comes to editing, I do it more than ever. It makes me mad while I do it, but it's almost like an addiction. Like right now! I'm halfway through editing a chapter, but decided to tell you all about it instead. I'm also going to tell you I made bread today! The chapter is still not finished.

     I have noticed today (day 3 or 4 of editing), it's getting easier to run through it. I'm far from enjoying it, but today I don't feel like I'm just staring at the screen. Then again, I know I'm not because I'm over here, rambling and wasting my time. I'm also checking facebook and my amazon sales sheet, because the lack of numbers slightly drives me? Some days? No idea, all I know is I need to get back to editing. So while you continue to waste time on the internet, check out my books! Give me a reason to look at my amazon sales sheet!

.99c read here. Short sweet and to the point! 
If longer is more your thing, check out a mini series I did.

Now for your tidbit today. My favorite part from my reading today.

     "I don't think I have, Bob."
     "That's not my name," he said, and he finally took his eyes off me long enough to flick them towards the parking lot. 
     Shit. He was calculating how fast he'd have to run to get rid of me.
~Black Dog, Caitlin Kitteredge

Book Review - Winterwood

     I just finished reading Winterwood (Rowankind book one) by Jacey Bedford. It is a book that follows a female pirate through an adventure. Jacey Bedford is a new author to me, and one that I will happily be looking out for in the future. This is the first in a series so it's a great place to start. My review here is all based on my own personal opinions and likes. I personally like fantasy novels that feature main female leads. It was one thing that really drew me into this book. It's filled with magic, romance, and adventure.

     "It's 1800 - Mad King George is on the British throne, and Bonaparte is hammering at the door. Magic is strictly controlled by the Mysterium, but despite sever penalties, not all magic users have registered. Integral to many genteel households is an uncomplaining army of rowankind bondservants, so common-place that no one recalls where they came from."


     Some things that I really liked about this book, the writing. Very few errors and if there where the story sucked me in to the point where I missed it. The twists and turns were not normal for books like this and Jacey built a world on magic on top of our own that blended the two almost seamlessly.

     The main Characters are full of life and faults. Ross Tremayne, the main character of our story and lead pirate, is a widowed cross-dressing privateer captain. Her dark secret is that she's a witch. Magic is what lead her out to the sea, but it's also what brings her back ashore. Lot's of twists and turns with this character and another main character, David. But if you want all of that, you'll have to read the book.

     I personally could not relate to many of the characters, however they each enthralled me with their own magic. As a pagan I was happy to see the "Lord and Lady of the Forrest" in there. It brought a smile to my face.

     Overall I was happy with the book as a whole. Normally I want to rewrite things, but that wasn't the case with this one. I'm just excited to read the next one.


     I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a bit of magic.