Friday, 31 January 2014

Cephalopod Coffeehouse & Do Ya Got Goals? [Jan.]

It's the end of the month, and so time to post for the Do You Have Goals? hop (hosted by Misha Gericke & Beth Fred) as well as the Cephalopod Coffeehouse Book Club (hosted by the Armchair Squid).


Fave book of Jan.

This month it's an easier decision than I've faced in some past months. I read four books in January and my favourite was by my blogger buddy and all-round-groovy chicka, Mina Lobo. Her book is called THAT FATAL KISS.

Here's a modified version of my GoodReads review:

First off, I love Greek mythology (I even studied it at uni), so THAT FATAL KISS, a re-telling of the Hades & Persephone myth, was a blast from the past. I thought it was interesting how Lobo treated Artemis, who has always been my favourite goddess. Artemis was basically a petulant, whiny little sister at times, which was cute, even if I do love the mighty huntress Artemis of myth.
Lobo portrays Hades as a delectable kind of sexy, brooding dude, but of course the brooding guys are always much better in fiction than in reality. ;) Still, I tend to leap right on that type in the fictional worlds I immerse myself in - and I'm perfectly happy doing so.
THAT FATAL KISS was humorous as well as sweet and romantic and, now and then, just a little bit steamy. I also just loved Lobo's writing, and having read a lot of 'meh' books, including some really frustrating self-pubbed titles, I was seriously glad to read a highly polished self-pubbed work. In short, I found pretty much every word pleasing.



Now for my DYHG? goals!

It's been a pretty lazy start to 2014, even though I did strike one goal off my list already - finishing the rewrite of my novella. But in terms of the goal I set myself for DYHG?



... I guess I can't say I made any progress at all this month. Except to clear my work desk, so to speak, by getting that pesky novella out of the way!

During March I will be participating in NaNoEdMo, and I will complete at least 50 hours of editing on one of my two chosen novels. Because that's not till March, I really don't know what I'm going to do in Feb! I do know that I can't just sit around doing nothing, 'cause that's a habit I am trying to break out of. Still, at least I have March to look forward to. I'm not sure which novel I'll be revising then, but it'll be either SMALL TOWN or DAPHNE II.

Wish me luck with both making a decision and sticking with it! And on having a productive February! ;)

27 comments:

  1. Mina will be happy with that review.
    If I can finish my manuscript in time, I might join you in NaNoEdMo.

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  2. NaNoEdMo sounds like a great idea to me too. I've never done it before. But I've got a stack on unrevised novels nearly as tall as I am. I really need to buckle down and do something with them.

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  3. I haven't taken any steps towards my goal in the last month either. Looks like we both need to knuckle down in February!

    Angeline

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  4. Best of luck with your choice! I'd say, pick the one you're not editing in Feb. *hint hint, nudge nudge* ;-)

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  5. Yay for Mina's book!

    I haven't done much on my goals lately either. But I'll get back to them. Eventually.

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  6. I think it's awesome you read bloggy friend's books. An yay for Mina. My goal is to one day read all the books friends produce. I may not live that long, but it's a goal. I guess I do have goals!

    Best luck with the edits. When I have two, I will often do them both at once, which is probably why I am so slow!

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  7. It seems like a lot of folks didn't get much done on their goals this past month. It's hard enough just surviving the weather! I hope you have the best of success next month.

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  8. Thanks for the great review. The book sounds right in my stream.
    And, best of luck with your goals!
    Veronica
    http://vsreads.com

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  9. This looks like the kind of novel for a cold snowy day...just like today :D.
    Thanks. Looking forward to That Fatal Kiss.
    Author of Wilder Mage at Spirit Called
    Facebook Wilder Mage

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  10. Mina's book sounds awesome. I need to add it to my list. Congrats on finishing your rewrite! I didn't really accomplish anything this month.

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  11. Best of luck with March. Glad you enjoyed some good reading.

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  12. I loved Mina's book - she is an awesome woman and a great writer! She'll love this. Oops, I forgot to reset my goals!

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  13. Wow. I didn't even know there was a NaNoEdMo!! I should look into it. Good luck with all your goals this year!

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  14. Hi, Trisha! I love that people are using the Coffeehouse to promote other bloggers' work. I like Greek mythology, too. The Fatal Kiss sounds like fun.

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  15. i like books with a touch of humor - makes them more real! i also have a hard time wading through some not so great self-pubbed books to find the gems... it makes it harder for people to buy books, too - they don't want to risk betting their money on the odds!

    great goal! i hope you achieve!

    nanoedmo sounds a lot like something i did a while back with some friends instead of nanowrimo - we did nanorevmo and even had a FB page. how does nanoedmo work?

    have a terrific weekend!

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  16. Love this review! It's great to promote self-pubbed books, and to hear about an awesome, well-written one - that's just lucky, because now I know what to buy next! :)
    I hope you have a very productive February!

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  17. yay for Mina! I love retellings.

    Good luck with your goals! And editing fast the first time around is the best way of editing IMO.

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  18. Ooh, that does sounds steamy! Good luck with your goals!

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  19. I was about to post that my wife said "Fatal Kiss" sounded like steamy fun...and there she is right above me!

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  20. Agree- the dark broody bad boy reality isn't anywhere near as much fun! Good to hear of high quality self published work :-)

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  21. A retelling of the Hades myth: how fun! What a great idea. Glad it worked in practice. I think of Labyrinth (the David Bowie movie) as a bit of a Persephone story as well.

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  22. What a great review for The Fatal Kiss. And good luck with your goals. I've got so many, I can't bring myself to list them online, lol. Have a great day :)

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  23. I don't know many people who love a lot of Greek mythology, but I think it's cool you do! I hear you on the self-pubbed end when you come across some that just needed a little extra help before getting published. I'm glad this one didn't disappoint!

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  24. I think NaNoEdMo is a great idea and hopefully will help you make progress with your 5 year goal.

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  25. Good luck! NaNoEdMo? Can we just relabel that as "Crystal's life?" ;) One pesky novella down, it's time to get moving, woman! Set some solid goals and GO, eh? =) I rooting for you.

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  26. This is a really great review! Thanks for sharing.

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

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  27. Well this does sound like a fun read. A good one to sandwich between the heavy books I have lying around.

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Thanks for your words, me hearties! and don't forget to leave a link to your blog somewhere I can find it!