Hello everyone!

As the subject heading indicates, today’s post is all about gift ideas for writers, readers, and everyone in between. Before I continue, let me thank Heather and Jean for commenting on my post regarding ebook readers. It meant a lot to hear from you. I also received messages on MySpace and Facebook. Thank you so much! It is my hope that the links and information provided will help when it comes to chosing the best ebook reader for you.

Since it’s the Holiday Season, one of my favorite gifts to give and receive are books or giftcards for Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Borders. My family members have all been big readers, especially my dad. He loves to go to Barnes and Noble, find a few books and have coffee while he’s waiting for my mom. So I started to think, what would make a great reading list or gift list for both writers and readers. Below are gift suggestions for both. The first few are geared for writers but readers may enjoy them, too! Now, keep in mind that everyone is different. I’m hoping that writers and readers will comment, leaving their own gift suggestions. Leave a comment, and you could win a digital copy of Sea Captain’s Ghost!

Gift Ideas for Writers and Readers:

1. Research Books: Depending upon the genre, there are a variety of helpful research books for writers. Now do be advised to check the publication date and availability, but here’s an example. A few years ago, I tried my hand at writing Western Romances. I haven’t abandoned them, just kind of waiting to see how that market pans out. But I did some research and found an excellent book geared for writers, titled, The Writer’s Guide To Everyday Life in the Wild West, by Candy Moulton. I also found Everyday Life in the 1800s, A Guide for Writers, Students & Historians by Marc McCutcheon. By finding these, I found other similar Everyday Life books, including an excellent (and a favorite) book by Sherrilyn Kenyon regarding life in the Middle Ages.  Another idea are the DK Publishing books geared for children. There are books on the Renaissance, Middle Ages, Greek and Roman Mythology, the Civil War, Revolution, and just about everything in between. These books are excellent because they are visual. The show tools, dresses, gowns, suits of armor (which changed significantly depending upon the year/time frame during the Middle Ages), food, weapons, games, and castles. There’s an excellent book by See-Through called Pirates by Kelly Davis, which has detailed descriptions of pirate ships, a pirate attack, and even a pirate crew.

Now, if it seems as though I’m mentioning a lot of history books, I am, as I have a true love of history. As a former Social Studies teacher with a degree in History/Secondary Education, I love reading books like this just for the background. There are a number of research books geared for contemporaries, crime scene investigating (check out the Howdunit series, which deserves a special nod to my friend and author Jessica Andersen, who told me about them).  A trip to the reference section at Barnes and Noble, the local library, or a bookstore near you will produce a variety of research books.

2. Travel Guides: Again, another excellent resource for writers. Guides that are visual, descriptive and well labeled are an excellent addition to a gift list. My first three books in the Panthera series are predominately set in England, with Sea Captain’s Ghost starting in the Atlantic Ocean. Travel guides were a major help in learning about an area. The frequently give historical references and information. For example, if a book was set in Bath, England, travel guides should highlight the Roman history of the baths, as well as the Royal Crescent and various other landmarks of Georgian England.

3. Books, Books and More Books: Stuff stockings or wrap a variety of romance books in a genre that your loved ones like or make a list of books you’d like to receive. I love, love, love to read Paranormal Romances, Romantic Suspense and Historicals. Many of you know that I’m hoping for a Kindle for Christmas. Being able to roam through the books offered by Amazon, Cerridwen Press or Ellora’s Cave, would be something I’d truly enjoy over the holiday. But I still love the feel of a book in my hand and will read ebooks and mass market with equal enjoyment.

4. Relaxation Gifts: Such as, bubble bath, shower gels, scented soaps and oils, candles, incense, aromatherapy gifts. Whether you’re a writer, reader or both, these are wonderful ideas. When stuck on a plot twist or after a long day at work, soaking in a tub or lighting candles can help soothe and relax the soul.

5. Music: Whether someone prefers an iPod, CDs or listening to music on their cell phones, music can inspire, relax or set a tone or mood.

I hope this list helps to inspire you as you shop this Holiday Season. I will be checking back throughout the day and hope that many will leave comments, gift ideas for readers, writers and everyone in between! As mentioned at the start of this post, anyone who leaves a comment will be eligible to win a digital copy of Sea Captain’s Ghost.

Until the next time,

Frances Stockton

Hello and Happy Holidays!

Considering that it’s the Holiday Season, and there are tons of Holiday specials, commercials and ads trying to earn consumer attention, I thought I’d post about one of the most popular gift requests this season, ebook readers. These small, electronic devices help reduce eye strain, are portable, according to information from the makers, easy to use, and can give you access to hundreds of books.

Now, please, if you do ask for an ebook reader for the Holidays, do your research. I was at Costco the other day picking up some last minute gifts, when I heard someone ask whether they sold the Kindle. The Kindle is available through Amazon. When the costumer was told, it came as a surprise. The employee suggested the Sony Reader, which was nice, but would that be the right gift for him? There’s also the upcoming Nook from Barnes and Noble. Currently, this device is available for pre-orders only and doesn’t seem to be available until late January for delivery. If you choose the Nook, you might want to wrap up an IOU or a pamphlet from B&N that represents one. I was in Barnes and Noble recently, inquiring about the Nook, and was advised to order now if I wanted it by January 30th. They had replica devices that I was able to look at, but not an actual reader. Children curious about the information booth for the Nook loved it!

Considering there are still tons of other reading devices, I thought I’d do some research and post a link featuring objective reviews of all the devices. From my research, it looks to me like the Kindle has the edge, but that doesn’t mean you should add it to your list until you’ve investigated the options. Here’s a link: http://www.best-ereaders.com/

Now, again, be advised that this is one link. With the popularity of the little electronic hamster (Zhu Zhu pets), my daughter asked for one. You can bet that I checked all the stores, investigated to see if this would be right for her. Earlier in the week, there was a news report that this toy might be hazardous for children. I followed the reports. The next day the claims were only one of the hamsters might be dangerous due to a chemical they’d found on it’s nose and fur. Okay, I thought, I’ll look closer. By the end of the day, the consumer group who’d been testing this product admitted that the hamsters were all safe, that they’d looked at the wrong thing. I’m still trying to figure that out. My point is, read up on any gift or product you are considering, including toys and ebook readers. The more you know before you shop, the better you’ll enjoy your gift.

I admit, I placed the Kindle on my Christmas wish list after doing my research. I sure hope that I get one but if I get one of the other devices, I will be just as happy! Again, here’s a link for reviews of all electronic book readers: http://www.best-ereaders.com/

I didn’t even know until I started to research that there are so many devices out there! It’s true, as an author with EC/Cerridwen Press, my books are first available in digital ebook format. I’d known about the Kindle, Sony, Nook and Modipocket, eBookwise, and a few others. I found 15 different devices. Be sure that in your research, you take into account the type of digital books work on that device. With the Kindle, you may have to convert a book, which you can do for a very small cost with Amazon, or, if you do a little research, there’s an easy way to convert the files yourself on Mac and PC. If you’d like to know, email me at romance@francesstockton.com or visit CP author J L Wilson’s website, where she gives detailed instructions on how to do this. http://www.jayellwilson.com/Technology/kindle_faq.htm 

I hope everyone has an excellent and safe Holiday Season. Do remember to take time out for yourselves, read a book, take a long bubble bath or hot shower, make a small batch of cookies (or, if you’re like me, I ordered a tin of my favorite Baltimore inspired Berger Cookies) and will enjoy sharing them with my daughter while watching Rudolph and Frosty and The Grinch. It’s a busy time of year, stay safe, be well, read and have a Happy Holiday Season.  I’ll be back in a few days to post a list of my favorite books in 2009 and hope you will share yours as well.

Happy Holidays,

Frances Stockton

Sea Captain’s Ghost, Available Now from Cerridwen Press

Also Available: Seductive Persuasion and Rhiannon’s Pride

http://www.francesstockton.com for links, reviews, excerpts and more.

Hello!

In honor of my upcoming release from Cerridwen Press, Book 3 in the Panthera series, Sea Captain’s Ghost, I’m excited to announce a celebration. Since Thanksgiving is nearing, I’m particularly grateful to be published with Ellora’s Cave Publishing and very proud of the three books I have out with Cerridwen Press.

Sea Captain’s Ghost releases Thursday November 19, 2009! There are links to the excerpt, blurb, and buy information right on the home page of my website. As a matter of fact, Books 1, 2, and 3, are there. In addition, my site  has recently been updated and features an excerpt page for each book and reviews! Check them out.

 Now, in honor of the release, and yes, I admit to help promote myself as an author, I’ve created a Yahoo! Group. Intended for readers and authors of Romantic Fiction of ANY genre, Paranormal, Sensual/Erotic, Romantic Suspense, Historicals, Contemporary, Category, Steampunk (admittedly fascinated by this sub-genre and learning more), SciFi, Fantasy or Futuristic, this is the place to join.  Share your thoughts, post a favorite book, create a discussion. 

 Authors are encouraged to promote their books, be they ebook or print, on Promotion Wednesdays. The rule here is anyone wishing to post that day MUST add it to the calendar. If a Wednesday is already taken, please do not post unless that author has given their permission before hand. If you’d like to promote a group of authors within a particular publishing house, that is welcome, but the event needs to be added to the calendar. Also no ‘drive by’ promotions. If you’d like to share about your book or books, awesome, please do so after you’ve joined the Yahoo!Group. I know that there are a lot of blogs, Yahoo!Groups and various social networks. I’m hoping to make Frances Stockton Romance and More a place where many feel welcome without overwhelming inboxes of the membership.

Are you a reader? Do you love romances? Well, you are more than welcome and encouraged to join the group too! Every Monday, I’ll post a simple topic, ‘What Are You Reading/Writing This Week’ and anyone can answer. If you’d like to ask a question, post a topic of your own that’s related to romances, feel free! That’s what this group is for, to celebrate romance!

So without further delay, let me give everyone a link:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FrancesStocktonRomance/

Don’t be shy. Remember with Yahoo!Groups, you can select the method of interaction. There’s Web Only, where you read messages only on the web. Digest, a particular favorite, as it condenses 25 posts in one short message and you can chose which you read and which you’d rather pass on. Or all the bells and whistles of a fully featured group. These messages appear to you as a series of emails. You can even chose Special Notices. If there’s something important to announce, such as a book release, a review, or a newsletter of sort (I assure you these would go out once a month, no more), you’ll be able to read them.

Okay, here you go one more time: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FrancesStocktonRomance/

To help get the word out about Sea Captain’s Ghost and the Yahoo!Group, I’m hosting a contest. Anyone who joins the group by Saturday November 21, 2009 will have the chance to win a digital copy of Sea Captain’s Ghost.

Hope to see you all there and thanks for reading my post here today!

Frances Stockton

Hello everyone!

Wow, summer is going by so fast, I can’t believe it. It’s well into August, I had my 44th birthday, vacation, and edits for book 3 of the Panthera series with Cerridwen Press. I’m happy to say that edits are going well for Sea Captain’s Ghost, and I wanted to share the cover with everyone.  Please note, that Sea Captain’s Ghost was previously titled First Mate, and there’s a blurb in the paranormal books section of my website to give you a taste of the story. I can’t wait for you all to read about Captain Don Adriano de Montoya and his mate, Jocelyn.

I also wanted to let you all know that if you’re in the New Hampshire/New England area this coming Saturday, I’m going to be part of a booksigning with several Ellora’s Cave Publishing authors. The signing is from 2:00pm till 4:00pm, Saturday August 22, 2009, and I’ll be signing copies of Seductive Persuasion, book 1 in the Panthera series.  Here are more specifics from EC’s website: http://www.ellorascave.com/ecbooktour.asp 

Now, as promised, I wanted to reveal the cover for Sea Captain’s Ghost. I hope you like it, as it is awesome and what I wanted.  And, let you know of the booksigning. I hope to see many readers there.

Until next time,

Frances Stockton

Hello everyone!

I’ve recently been on vacation, and apologize for not posting, but since my return, I’m happy to say that Rhiannon’s Pride has been reviewed by two of my favorite sites. Night Owl Romance and The Romance Studio. On the home page of my website, there’s a link and icon for NOR, featuring a 4.5/5 Reviewer Top Pick. I hope you’ll take a moment to read the review. It’s awesome and well written and made my day.

I’ll add a link to the second review from The Romance Studio very soon, however, I couldn’t wait to share the second. Rhiannon’s Pride received a fantastic review from Adrien Blyss, 4 Hearts, and a Very Sensual rating. Here’s a direct link to the review! http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/rhiannonspridestockton.htm

And here’s the description:

Rhiannon’s Pride

Frances Stockton
Paranormal romance
Available from Cerridwen Press
ISBN: 9781419920103
May 2009

Rhiannon has suffered for years in a foggy haze of painful headaches and uncertainty. With no memory of who she is, or who her family is, she has been under the care of Baron Linwood unknowingly being groomed to become the wife of an earl. The same day that Rhiannon learns of the future planned for her, she sees a stolen painting in her guardian’s home that she is inexplicably drawn to. Believing that she may be somehow related to the subject of the painting, she and her lady maid flee to Florence in search of the artist and hopefully some answers. She finds both in the form of Dante, an Abcynian Elder and also her destined mate. As she heals and begins to build her life with Dante, the shadow of a threat hangs over her head for she knows the Baron and Earl will go to any lengths to reacquire her.Rhiannon’s Pride was a wonderful read! Exceptional, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The storyline was well developed and laid out in a way that flowed so smoothly that I could not put it down until I was finished with it. The background was carefully laid and the interwoven suspense was exciting. I enjoyed reading about the budding growth of love and trust between the two, especially despite the obstacles that were overcame. The characters themselves were very well developed. I admired the strength and vitality in Rhiannon even after what she went through and Dante’s compassion and gentility was just wonderful. The supporting characters were also nicely developed and well worked into the storyline. Though they were not main characters, the way their roles played out left them very integral to the story. I highly recommend this book, it was one that I enjoyed very much. I know that I will be looking for more out of Frances Stockton! Overall rating: Sensuality rating: Very sensual Reviewer: Adrien Blyss July 23, 2009

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Copyright © 2009 theromancestudio.com I hope you’ll all take a moment to check out both reviews, this one and from NOR on the home page. I’ll be blogging and posting the cover of book 3 in the Panthera series very soon. The cover is phenomenal!

Until then,

Frances Stockton

Hello one and all!

I’m stopping by today to announce an exciting contest that’s going on right now at Coffee Time Romance! Check out the following link, answer the questions provided, and you could win, yes, an autographed copy of Seductive Persuasion, an EC tee shirt, and a Barnes and Noble giftcard! Here’s the link: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/ContestPage.html

It works great! And I’d like to thank CTR for helping with this contest. BTW, Seductive Persuasion is the first book in my Panthera series, Rhiannon’s Pride, Book 2, is also available, and I’m currently working on edits for Book 3, titled Sea Captain’s Ghost! Soon, I should have more news about that story, which is set during the Golden Age of Piracy!

Stay tuned for details, and please, check out the contest! Again, here’s the link: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/ContestPage.html

Until next time, write well and read often,

Frances Stockton

Hello and greetings everyone!

I wanted to remind you all about two exciting events coming up with the lovely ladies at Coffee Time Romance.  Tomorrow evening, starting at 9pm, there will be a live chat featuring Heartfelt’s Divine Writers Summer Splash. As one of their author’s, I’ll be chatting live about my books, writing, inspiration, and hosting a contest, of course. Stop by Tuesday 23, 2009 starting at 9pm EST, and have your name entered into a drawing for a download of either Seductive Persuasion or Rhiannon’s Pride, winner’s choice!

Tuesday’s Chat with Coffee Time Romance can be found by following this link: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Chat.html

On Wednesday, June 24, 2009 I’m scheduled for an all day blog event with Coffee Time Romance, in Coffee, Books and a Blog.  Here are a few links to follow to get you there:  http://coffeetimeromance.com/CoffeeThoughts/  or  follow this link for Coffee, Books and  a Blog http://coffeetimeromance.com/CoffeeThoughts/?cat=75

This even is casual, laid back, featuring introductions, blurbs, excerpts, two contests, and I’ll be dropping in throughout the day to post comments and responses. The big contest will feature an autographed copy of Seductive Persuasion and I’ll post a question during the blog day, so stay tuned and check back often for your chance to win!  Also, anyone who leaves a comment on the blog Wednesday June 24, 2009 will have their name entered into a drawing for an EC deck of playing cards and an Ellora’s Cave Publishing tee shirt.

I hope to hear from you all and I’m looking forward to Tuesday and Wednesday with Coffee Time Romance!

Keep reading and writing,

Frances Stockton