Darlene's Digest

Like most readers I worry obsessively about my vision, so I had to run to the ophthalmologist this morning to have an issue examined that doesn't appear to be severe, yet bears watching (heh).  However, the dilation and poking around at my eyes meant I couldn't put in my contacts, which meant I couldn't see the computer comfortably enough in my glasses to get any work done.  Instead, I used the down-time to finish reading a fantasy novel: Passion Play by Beth Bernobich My rating: 4 of 5 stars Lovely novel with an out-of-the-ordinary love story at the heart. The characters and world building made the story flow, and the heroine's journey was told in a realistic and intelligent fashion. I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series! View all my reviews My dilation's nearly worn off, the contacts are back in, and life's more or less normal again.  Whew!

Born to Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann My rating: 3 of 5 stars I liked Ms. Brockmann's entry into the universe of dystopian paranormals, featuring kick-ass heroines and superpowered individuals reminiscent of the "X-Men". She's starting a new series with these books, naturally there's a Navy SEAL on-board, and it should appeal to her current fans. One caveat--there are scenes of children being tortured which will be difficult for some readers to handle. View all my reviews

The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins My rating: 4 of 5 stars Excellent series, and I can see why it's become so popular. I would certainly recommend it, especially to teen girls who deserve to see a YA heroine whose goals are not about getting a sparkly vampire boyfriend, but rather about saving her family, herself, her friends, her community, and ultimately, her world. View all my reviews

I get asked this a lot.  While I try to write my books as stand-alone novels, I can recommend reading them in a particular order. The good news is, it's usually just a two-book link, so you don't miss anything by not reading all of them (though of course, I hope you will). With the upcoming release of Castaway Dreams , I thought I'd update the list: Sea Change -> Castaway Dreams (summer, 2012) The Bride and the Buccaneer -> Captain Sinister's Lady Pirate's Price -> Smuggler's Bride All of them are available from the usual suspects, including BN.Com, Fictionwise, Amazon and directly from the publisher, Amber Quill Press . Stay tuned, because Amber Quill will soon be rolling out a new website that will make purchases easier and more fun for their readers!

My website ( www.darlenemarshall.com ) do-over turned out to be more of a "nip-and-tuck" than a full facelift, but I'm happy with it.  When I re-examined what I liked and didn't like about my website, and compared it others, it prompted me to make some changes (fresher fonts, bigger buttons at top, Goodreads link, wider page) but leave some other things alone (I like the turquoise and parrots!).  Kudos to my webmaster Jerry at jgtechpro.com for working with me beyond my "I don't like pink and it better not make noise" helpful suggestions. What I'm really excited about is the upcoming roll-out of Amber Quill Press 's new website.  It'll make it easier than ever for customers to buy books, and that's good news for readers and AQP authors.  The website should be live late spring, and I'll post a note when that happens.  In the meantime, the current site is very much live, and you can get some great deals on Sea Change and my other no...

April is National Poetry Month.  In honor of the vernal festival celebrating words, I offer some of my favorite poetry (in public domain).  This is particularly apt, because my upcoming summer release, Castaway Dreams , has much of its action set on an island that may be in Bermuda.  I hope your month is also filled with poetry, and good reading: Bermudas Where the remote Bermudas ride In th' Oceans bosome unespy'd, From a small Boat, that row'd along, The listning Winds receiv'd this Song. What should we do but sing his Praise That led us through the watry Maze, Unto an Isle so long unknown, And yet far kinder than our own? Where he the huge Sea-Monsters wracks, That lift the Deep upon their Backs. He lands us on a grassy stage; Safe from the Storms, and Prelat's rage. He gave us this eternal Spring, Which here enamells every thing; And sends the Fowl's to us in care, On daily Visits through the Air, He hangs in shades the Orange bright, L...