Goodreads has issued a challenge for readers. How many books will you read in 2011? It’s up to you. Decide on the goal, input it into goodreads and then each book you enter as “read” on goodreads will count toward your goal. Sound fun? Join me!

My challenge goal for 2011 is 52 books. I’d better get busy!

Are you a member of goodreads? Like most social media, it’s another place to hang out and (if you’re like me) procrastinate. But I think Goodreads offers a nice sort of procrastination. Books.

Thousands of books. Books, books, and more books. Authors. Readers. All in one place talking about their common passion. It’s hard not to love a site like that. Even if it does suck me in faster than a bookstore with a 50% off sign in the window.

Are you on Goodreads yet? I still feel like I’m learning my way around. Look me up: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1505346.Madison_Chase

I’d love to talk books with you!

Hi darlings,

What do you do when a book blurb draws you in but then you read a so-so review that makes you rethink your purchasing decision? I was tooling around Naughty Edition Reviews earlier today (a new-to-me site) and came across a book that sounds pretty fun. A dance show? Sign me up. I love to dance! (Am not claiming to be good at it.) Unfortunately, the review was a little lack luster. All points that I’ve read about (reviewers rolling their eyes) before. And heck, I’ve even rolled my own eyes at a book or two.

So what to do…

Take a chance and risk disappointment?

Check out more reviews?

Bite the bullet and hope for the best?

Well, I know what I hope readers would do for me. Take a chance. Bite the bullet. Buy the book and write a review of my own. So Dance Like Nobody’s Watching is on my list.

I’m talking about date nights over at Sensual. Come tell me about your ideal date night.

This post from Raelene over on Redlines and Deadlines really cracked me up. I know several epublished authors who fit into the “I write ebooks but I don’t have an ebook reader” camp. It’s probably more common than I’d imagine.

And after years of complaints about the lack of a descent e-book reader we now find ourselves with several options.

The Kindle. The Sony. Iphone. And a slew of other “smart phones.”

And with Barnes and Noble buying Fictionwise, I’d say this is definitely an exciting time for E.

Excerpted from my post at Cobblestone Press: Your Expectations

Romance is incredible isn’t it?

Both the genre, and romance in general. Being in love. Being romanced. Both are incredible in my opinion.

I’m always impressed by the depth and range of stories you can find within our genre and all the subgenres. There’s always something for me to read, no matter my mood. I appreciate that. I can find smart suspense, thrillers, romance that tickles my funny bone, feel good romance, hot steamy romance. Whatever I want. It’s there.

You know all this.

I’m also amazed with the wonderful, diverse population of folks who write romance. Lawyers, doctors, former military personnel, business professionals, teachers, professors, moms, and even dads.

Second Guessing Yourself

But every so often I come across a person who somehow makes me feel bad about my choice in reading and writing.

Finish reading at: http://www.cobblestone-mainstreet.com/blog/?p=517

At Your Command by Julie Miller

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Great story, hot hero, cool heroine, and steamy lovin’… what’s not to love?

View all my reviews.

Look me up. See what I’m reading. Share what you’re reading. Gimme recommendations.

http://www.goodreads.com/profile/MadisonChase

I blogged today at CataNetwork Readers’ Lounge blog. Come see!

To my friend Yolanda Sfetsos who was named Cobblestone Press’s Author of the Year. Congrats sweetie.

The Cobblestone Press authors are going on tour! An internet tour that is.  There are plenty of sites to see and we hope you’ll come along for the ride.

Join me and my fellow Cobblestone Authors at the Story Board on Tuesday June 5 for a Cocktail Party.  We’ll be talking about our books, our favorites, and sharing some cocktail recipes.  Don’t miss it.  There will be prizes!

Be there: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Story_Board_/

Be prepared to tell us what your favorite cocktail is!

For more information on Cobblestone Press and the authors visit: http://www.cobblestone-press.com

Love,
Madison

http://www.madison-chase.com

Portrait of Seduction – available now
Slow Burn – available now

Madison Chttp://MadisonChase.bebo.com/

That’s right. I’m on Bebo. Thanks to Ally, who as usual, got me on there and made things look pretty!  Come be my friend if you’re on there too. This looks a lot simpler than myspace.  Don’t laugh about that when I start asking questions.

I don’t want specifics, just in general where in the world are you.

{Visit my Map} 

They’re such diverse people. I love gardening. Other authors I know love birds. These authors… they love yarn. Yes, it’s true. These yarn fantatics have teamed up for form a blog about Romancing the Yarn.

I wonder if I could start a blog about authors who love coffee.

Or maybe authors and their cats…

Whatya think?

I love wandering around the web and finding links to myself… i know… isn’t that terrible of me? But it makes me feel just a little like Sally Fields…. “they like me, they really like me.” So I was checking out technorati and look what I found: http://www.crocodesigns.com/?p=34 A blurb about my book, complete with cover on the book cover designers site. How neat is that?

I also got an email from joyfully reviewed about my book being spotlighted on their review archive loop. Not sure if it’s still up there, but here’s a link anyway: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/joyfullyreviewedarchives/

http://www.heartstringsreviews.com/new.htm I’ve never visited this site before, but thought it was cool that cobblestone is in the spotlight on their publisher page. Check it out. Cute site. Love the pink!

I can’t believe tomorrow is Halloween.  Honestly.  Time has been flying by and I’m just not ready for tricks or treats.  I’m going to have to go to the store… soon.

As you know, my book Portrait of Seduction came out last Friday.  So far, feedback is positive.   I’m hoping to get some reviews and reader comments in soon.

I keep going back to this one blog b/c they’ve got the yummiest goodies going on.  Needless to say they’re making me hungry!  I’ve got a fabulous Halloween inspired recipe that I’m going to post in my next newsletter… note to self: send newsletter ASAP.

BTW, I’m looking for a good scary romance… something that will have chills racing down my spine.  I’m not often in the mood for thrills and chills… but… I am today, so recommendations?

I saw an interesting factoid the other day… Iceland has the most readers, worldwide.  I guess if I lived up there where it was so cold I’d read a lot too.  So if you’re reading this and you’re in Iceland, give me a shout out, okay?   And if you’re not in Iceland and you want to give me a shout out, hey, I love comments. LOL

More coming soon.

I just read this post over on the Brava Authors blog. How much is too much information about authors? Why do you visit one authors website/blog and not another authors? Do you prefer daily updates? Or well thought out weekly essays?

As a new author, this topic is on my mind contantly! Am I doing enough? Too much? *insert fingernails being chewed* Too little? *more nail biting* Is my personality coming through? Do I have enough controversy to attract readers? Writers? Will editors visit and if so, is everything grammatically correct? *picture me starting to sweat… I mean, glisten*

So tell me, dear readers, do I have anything to worry about? Am I anxious for nothing?

I didn’t really have much to say about Banned Books Week, but I’ve seen some interesting posts around the blogosphere on the subject.  Here’s the first one I read. Sherrill Quinn has a few interesting things to say here and here.

Here’s a comment that I posted about the subject:

There’s a push at a local elementary school to remove Harry Potter from the libraries.  A preachers wife thinks they’d be bad for her kids because of the magical aspects.  Now, get this… she’s NEVER read the books and she freely admits to that. She’s basing her complaint on what other people have told her.

I agree.  This book wasn’t even required reading. But it was the most checked out book in the library! 

What do you think? Are there certain books that should be banned? I dare to guess that 99% of you will say no, simply because I think the people who do think some books should be banned aren’t the type who’d visit my blog.  But that’s just a guess.

I recently came across an interesting post from author Shanna Swendson and her views on Chick Lit. There are lots of opinions on chick lit right now. It seems some literary authors feel chick lit (and I’d dare to guess, fiction in general) isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. Obviously as a fiction author, I don’t agree. But there’s a view out there right now that Chick Lit is destroying American culture.

While I don’t really like getting into political issues and name calling etc, I’ve been reading various posts on the subject with some interest. I’m truly interested in others opinions on the matter.

And one thing that I picked up on in Shanna’s post was this: “If anything is hurting America, it’s the fact that people aren’t reading much.”

I couldn’t agree more. I think part of it is that people don’t know how to read (a literacy issue), some don’t have time to read (scheduling issues), some people don’t have an interest in reading (they have yet to find something they like to read), etc. There are dozens of reasons for it. I’m not sure I want to get into all that.

I might revisit this topic, but for now, what do you think? Don’t hold back I want your honest opinion. Why do you or don’t you like fiction? Would you rather read a literary work about heartbreak and suffering? Do you enjoy reading the newspaper? Would you rather just read a cereal box? All opinions welcome. Call me curious Madison today.
on n

From time to time I like to cruise around my fellow authors’ blogs and see what’s new with them. So here’s a shout out to my fellow CP author, Jennah Sharpe, who got an awesome five star review from Ecataromance.

Another fellow CP author, Charlene Sands, just got some great news. A new contact for two (yes, count them) westerns.

I love seeing where authors have been. So check out Kate Bridges’ trip to the Yukon.

I also love when authors share favorite recipes. Like this Mushroom Tart that Kate Willoughby made.

Until next time, have fun!

M

Labor Day is upon is.  And even though cooking out and BBQ can be a lot of fun, we’re going to have even more fun next week at the Cata Network Message Boards. That’s right, we’re going back.  Now that all the confetti has been cleaned up after the Reviewers’ Choice Awards… we’re ready to toss more confetti in your hair.  So… here’s the official scoop.

Join the Cobblestone Press authors as they take over the Hot Seat for Cobblestone Press week at the Cata Network Message Boards. It’s going to be hot, steamy and loads of fun. You’ll miss it if you don’t stop by. So, get out a pen or go to your calendar and mark down these dates. September 3 – 9

Be at this address: http://mb.catanetwork.com/upload/index.php?showtopic=132

And meet these wonderful authors:
Jodie Becker
Madison Chase
A.L. Debran
Karen Erickson
Susan Greene
Loribelle Hunt
Lyric James
Emma Petersen
Charlene Sands
L. Shannon
Jennah Sharpe
Shelli Stevens

See you there!

So, I was bad and didn’t post my promised journal entry yesterday. But I had a very good reason. I was writing up a storm and my characters were talking up a storm.  Lots of stormy weather here in Georgia. Not.

So anyhow, this isn’t exactly writing related, or story related, but… as an author, I want to know.  I’ve been visiting all these wonderful sites around the web, dropping by blogs, hopping around myspace. And I keep clicking on images and such…

And then I go to this site called photobucket.  What in the world is that?  Someone help a girl out and explain.

In Other News 

You saw my awesome review for SLOW BURN right? From Ecataromance.com?  And you know that SLOW BURN is on sale now.  Yeah, I’m shameless, I know.  And you saw that my journal has a real name now (Madison’s Musings, in case you missed that post.)

So… what else is new? Well, for this last book I did a bit of research for Halloween.  And lots of looking up of quotes and words and definitions.  So I thought I’d share my favorites with you in the coming weeks.

As a side hint, if you haven’t entered my Myspace contest yet, be sure to do so soon. Time is running out.

And if you’re not signed up to my newsletter, you might want to do that.  You never know when I’ll start giving stuff away.  Or when you’ll get a neat message in your inbox from yours truly.  The sign up is to your right.

Have a Peachy Day!

Madison

So in between writing today I’ve been blog hopping.  And let’s just say I’ve been to some interesting places.  There is a pajama party at M.E Ellis’ blog.  I have to say that pair number 8 was my pick for the ugliest PJs on the list. Sorry to the designer.  Men just shouldn’t wear footy pajamas.

From there I headed to Jerry Race’s blog, but since it hasn’t been updated in well over a year I kept moving.

I’m having an absolute ball on Kim Holt-Whitlock’s blog.  She’s such a funny lady. I’d definitely recommend stopping by and you’re guaranteed to find me hanging out there.  And can I just say I love the design?!

I also stopped by fellow CP author Ann Cory’s blog.  She’s giving away some awesome stuff!  Jewelry and other…. assorted prizes.  My question is, am I allowed to enter, because if so, I’m there!

From there it was off to Sasha White’s blog. I’m such a Sasha fan.  And she needs help naming a book and as I’ve discussed before (though I think it was at my author day) I’m a nam-o-holic.  So I think I’ll hang out there this evening and try to help her name said book.

 In Other News

This should probably have it’s own post but…

I’ve gotten the first review of Slow Burn!

4 stars from Ecataromance

Yippee!  Read the whole thing here. 

First top on the Grand Online Book Tour….

Cobblestone’s Message boards – I just have to give them kudos for creating such a warm and homey environment there. The board is called the Tavern and each “board” is divided into a room.  The Bathroom being for rants. Center Stage is for highlighting authors.  Open Mic is for announcements and that’s where you’ll find me… among other places.   This is definitely the most unique message board around, so if you’re into message boards, and even if you aren’t, it’s worth your time to drop by to play.

Next stop on my tour is the Cobblestone Press blog.  This is a big ‘ol blog full of Cobblestone Authors talking about their releases and what’s going on in their lives.  We guarantee we’ll be talking about our books.  And I’ll be there occasionally to talk about my new release (Slow Burn) and what’s going on with me.

While I’m doing some blog hopping, let me mention another place I stopped this morning. Now keep in mind I haven’t had my coffee yet, but… I decided to visit a brand new blog, brand new to me anyway.  WriteMinded.  Gorgeous design. Easy to navigate. I’m hooked. Why is it that everyone seems to have a book deadline August first?  Well I do, so I’m going to have to limit my play time.

Well, I’m off to have some coffee, pull hubby out of bed, let the dog out, and then get back to this paranormal world I’ve created.  It isn’t contracted yet, but, when it is, I just KNOW you all are going to love Celeste… she’s as southern as they come.  She’s also a witch! ;-)