Books That Changed My Life

Sometimes you can read a work of fiction and completely change your whole outlook on life. At one moment, your ideologies are there. At the end of the book, they've jumped way over to the opposite side.

Not many novels have done that for me, but when they do, I rave about them. So here we go with the top five books that changed my life.

I learned that writing the regular erotic romance won't do. I have to dig deeper in my heart and explore my fears and desires like Megan Hart did when she wrote this book. 

It's an incredible read.

This is a masterpiece of mega proportions. The day I finished this novel was the day I stopped taking the rat race to riches too seriously.

Although I wasn't happy about the way this story ended, this novel is the reason why I started writing in the New Adult genre. I loved the addictive quality of the hero and heroine as well as the sort of edge of the seat anxiety in their decisions.

This was so beautifully written. Their were several themes on beauty and love. I really began thinking differently on those topics after reading this.

This book discusses the famous poet Basho who believed that the journey to writing a book was way more important than the finished product. I keep that thinking with me always each time I write a book.

So what were books that changed your life?

Top 5 Erotic Classics

There are really some great erotica out there, if you just take the time to check a few out. Some push the envelope. Others present the beginning of a sexual relationship in such a strange way that you're so intrigued to read on.

I have a top five of oddly interesting erotica that are near and dear to my heart.

1.

A sexual novel written in the form of a phone conversation between two strangers.

2.

Thirteen vignettes--a covetous French painter, a sleepless wanderer of the night, a guitar-playing gypsy, and a host of others who yearn for and dive into the turbulent depths of romantic experience.

3.

Beautiful writing and theme surrounding a married 

couple and the husband's best friend.

4.

Not just sex but a literary novel on a woman's self-discovery and liberation.

5.

A dark tale that is arousing and haunting.

So that's my top five oddly interesting erotic classics. I think these books are pioneers and can be read as fascinating historical lit as well as steamy erotica.

Check them out, if you dare.

Jackie's Top 5 Horror Movies

Artist Jackie Sheats had done illustrations for my Vampire King Series. . .

and she's done some covers for me.

She also sells pre-made covers for $30. Here's a few that she's selling now:

When we're just chatting, she's talking about some scary movie she just saw. So I thought it would be fun to have her give me a list of her Top 5 Horror Movies!

Jackie Sheats
Her Website       Her Blog

I was asked to do a Top Five list of Scary/Horror movies, and how could I refuse? Maybe once upon a time I was a romance period movie addict, but NOW I am all about the action and horror. 

This list is no way official. It is just my opinion and based on my own rating system. Basically how long it takes me to get a good nights rest after watching it and if I go back for seconds.

Alright, hold your breath Ladies, Gentlemen, and Sexy screamers!

#5. Feardotcom, I was scared of the internet for a week after seeing this movie. Despite the fear of the internet I still had a sick curiosity to visit the site. After which my level of terror increased. Its not just that this revenge seeking ghost wants to kill you. She freaking terrifies the crap out of you first with your worst fear, leading you to kill yourself in the end. Clever dead girl!

#4. Stay Alive, killer video games! For a gamer this movie is scary. The thought of losing not only your character that took hours to create, but also your own life? Scary, scary, scary. I avoided my Playstation for a day. 

I soon came to my senses and lost myself in hours of game play. The other thing that makes this so scary, is the fact it is based off of a true person. That crazy woman did this stuff for years! Her body count is said to exceed 100 young women, that is just insane! Not enough to keep me away though, this movie has a special place in my nightmares.

#3. Amityville Horror, 
the 1979 movie with the Lutz family. Not the remake with Ryan Reynolds, because there is nothing scary about that sexy body. However; the 1979 movie is another story. 

I saw it when I was a kid and it scared the crap out of me. I had nightmares about that house for days afterwards. You know with the windows that light up and are looking at you. Houses that can stare you down are scary!!!

#2. The Ring, yeah yeah everyone is kind of over the Ring now, but it still scare the crap out of me, mainly because I can't stand the jerky creepy dead walk thing. It is like nails on the chalk board for me. 

Also the fact I lived in a house with a well when I saw this movie, SCARY!! My friends didn't help any, telling me she would come out of the toilet. Who says stuff like that? I lived in the middle of nowhere people! You don't say scary crap to a person that lives in the middle of nowhere!!!

#1. Nightmare on Elm Street, stop laughing!! 

I know this movie has cheesy effects, and most people get a good laugh from the movies. Let me just say this, Freddy scares the hell out of me. Even to this day I can't watch any movie with Freddy's character in it. Not even the Simpson's Halloween Special. Why, you ask? 

Because the thought of something killing you in your dreams while you sleep, that is not right! Dreams and sleeping is suppose to be a restful and relaxing. The one place your mind can run wild in delightful fantasy. 

Not terrifying DEATH!!! For that reason this movie gets placed at the top, even though I refuse to watch it again. I did try though now that I am older and not eight. Still had the same effect. I didn't sleep for over a week! That is no way to live.

There you have it, movies that give me nightmares. Some of which I don't mind as much as others (see #1). 
Cheers!

Top 5 Classic YA Romances

Author Lisa Cresswell is here to give us her Top Five Classic YA Romances, and I must say the list is definetly filled with some of my favorites. However, before you check out her list, get a good look at her new novel.

SUMMARY:
Hush Puppy is the story of Corrine Lamb, a seventeen year old black girl, and Jamie Armstrong, a poor white boy, living in a backwater North Carolina town. Intelligent Corrine, abandoned by her mother, and artsy Jamie, forced to play football by a redneck father, both dream of leaving their podunk town and never looking back.

Their shared love of literature and a dream of a better life brings them together and a romance blossoms between them in a secret place of their own in the steamy North Carolina woods. When Jamie is involved in the accidental death of a white girl, he's terrified of his abusive father. Corrine takes the blame to protect Jaime, with dire consequences for herself and her dreams of the future. Her life in danger, Corrine's left wondering if Jamie ever cared about her at all.

The events surrounding the death of Trayvon Martin underscore how prevalent fear and hate still is in our country. Sadly, many of the themes explored in Hush Puppy are extremely relevant to today's youth. It's my hope that Hush Puppy is a story not only about poverty and race, but about hope, friendship, and the power of love.

Lisa's Top Five Classic YA Romances

I have to admit, when Kenya asked me to name my five top YA romances, I did a bit of an uh-oh.  While I love romantic elements in books, I haven’t read any true romance novels in awhile. So, here are five (not necessarily romance) novels with romances that I loved reading.


I think all of  these books appeal to me because they’re about first love and all the crazy, mixed up feelings that come with that. They aren’t muddied up with baggage; well, except for maybe The Hunger Games.  For the most part, they’re full on, head over heels, I’ll die without you-type love stories. I guess I like it complicated and messy.


1. Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

2. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

3. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

4. Anne of Green Gables series  by L.M. Montgomery

5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Author Bio

WEBSITE

Lisa T. Cresswell is a professional archaeologist who works in Idaho and dabbles frequently in young adult literature. Originally from North Carolina, her stories are often inspired by memories of growing up there. 

Top 5 African American Romances

Hello Floozies!

Author Erin Armstrong is here to give us her top five African American Romances, but first check out her new book!

SUMMARY:
Michelle Marshall is a strong independent woman with a lot of baggage. Raped right before the start of her senior year of college, Michelle grows to be a caring, single mother to her daughter. Things begin to look pretty grim when the Charity House, the women's shelter she founded, is on the brink of having to close its doors. 

That is, until Tyler Austin, a mysterious and handsome stranger comes into the picture. Helping Michelle resuscitate the Charity House, Ty also helps her learn to trust, love and feel what she hasn't in years. Not everything is quite as perfect as Michelle would like though, as occasional hints lead her to believe something is not quite right. Her suspicions are confirmed when even more frightening developments occur and start to become...deadly.



Erin's Top Five African American Romances

Friends and Lovers by Eric Jerome Dickey- This was one of my favorite books written by one of my favorite authors. This book was wonderfully written. I enjoyed the dynamics between all of the characters. This book was also a bit of a tear jerker. I actually read it twice and fell in love with the male characters both times.

Soul Mates Dissipate by Mary B Morrison- This book was not so much a romance but more of a drama book. It was so packed full of sex and scandal and the author did a great job of keeping me interested. It ended a little differently than I would have liked but I enjoyed it.

The First Lady by Carl Weber- Here is an author that knows so much about what it is to be a woman that I often question if he really is a man! This book was scandalous.It was a book about church members and all of their drama! Being a woman who grew up in a church I thought this book was tastefully done and pushed the envelope without going overboard, 

The Other Woman by Eric Jerome Dickey- This was another one of my favorites by the author. It really kept me guessing and also had me feeling for each individual in the web of mess they had formed. I loved the woman and the "other man" in the book. They were so believable.

So You Call Yourself A Man- I think I can go on and on about this book. It was insane and a masterpiece. I never thought that you could write so much about church people and pack it full of drama, secrets and lies. It was an awesome read and up there as one of my favorites. I couldn't believe the twists and turns in this book. 

AUTHOR BIO

  Website        Facebook            Twitter 

Erin Armstrong knew she wanted to be a writer at the early age of 10. Throughout her life she has written several short stories, but struggled to find her niche. Eventually she was able to sit and write all of her ideas and was finally able to make her dream a reality.

Erin graduated from Franklin High School in Somerset, New Jersey and currently works for Easter Seals in New Jersey where she assists families with children with disabilities. She has been with the company for 5 years.

Erin lives at home with her husband, Shamar, of over 5 years and her two boys Davien and Cameron.  She enjoys spending time with them and watching them grow every day.