Darlene's Digest

I participate in a program called Reading Pals where we tutor youngsters in reading. It's a Florida initiative funded by a couple who want to ensure that children are at their proper reading level by third grade, and volunteers give one hour a week working with a youngster identified as being at-risk. The young lady who is my Reading Pal is a delightful child, and quite bright. Each session reminds me of how much I loved introducing my boys to books, and now I get to do it all over again. Yesterday we were reading about dogs and it was her turn to read the book to me. All was going swimmingly until we reached a  page on Guide Dogs. "I can't read that," she said flatly, "that's a bad word." I looked at the word in question and understood her dilemma. "Try sounding it out. It's not what you think it is." "Uh uh, I'm not reading that. It's a bad word and I'm not supposed to say it." I really couldn't argu...

They ate in silence, and after a few minutes Daphne said, “This fish tastes wonderful, Doctor. In fact, I do not recall fish ever tasting this good.” “Now I will wax philosophical, Miss Farnham. Your hard work today gave you an appetite, and that is the finest seasoning. This fish is very fresh, and the onions helped give it extra flavor. I imagine you eat fish in London covered in preparations from some French chef who feels compelled to demonstrate his skill and imagination with the saucepan. Sometimes, though, simple is best.” -- Castaway Dreams I'm pausing in the midst of my Thanksgiving feast preparations to reflect on what truly makes me thankful: Having shelter and running water and electricity, knowing my sons in NYC weren't battered by Hurricane Sandy, having my husband sitting across from me at the Thanksgiving table, being joined by new friends on the holiday and finishing the weekend with old friends. As we enter the season of "Buy! Buy! Buy!...

The WIP, [working title] The Hot Pirate's Secret Baby (though I think it'll end up titled The Pirate's Governess) is now at 66,000 words. Not far enough along, but it's getting there. Today I dashed off an email to the math teacher who assisted me with the notorious geometry scene in Castaway Dreams . It's been so long since I've dealt with eight-year-olds learning the basics of mathematics that I've forgotten in what order certain skills are taught.  While I enjoy almost all the research I do for my novels, I must say that having my math skills refreshed has been an embarrassment and a positive experience. It's amazing what you forget when you don't use it, and having to re-examine the basics of arithmetic has done me a world of good.

Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold My rating: 4 of 5 stars I really enjoyed reading Ivan's story, even though I half expected the book to be titled, "Ivan, You Idiot!" That's a good illustration of why newcomers to Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan books shouldn't come to this one cold--it's a reward for people who've watched Ivan's development since he first appeared in The Warrior's Apprentice . Ivan's most definitely a beta hero, often being the straight man for his frenetic cousin Miles Naismith Vorkosigan. Here Ivan gets to be the hero of his own story, and because we're so often in his POV we understand him much better. The love story between Ivan and Tej is also a beta story--two nice people who are surrounded by overachievers, and find what they want is a more restful relationship than Wuthering Heights style passion. What kept me from giving it five stars is I enjoyed the first part of the book more t...

It was that simple. Men who two days earlier would have run each other through or blown each other to pieces, now were up on deck toasting each other’s countries with carefully rationed grog. -- Sea Change When the wars are over, and the veterans return home, they want to pick up the pieces of their lives or begin new ones building on the training and experience they received from their time in the armed forces. Today's the day I say thank you to my brothers, my father, and all the veterans I know who've served, past and present. I want to give a shout-out also to those who serve now, especially Jessica Scott , career US Army officer, chief hamster wrangler, and a damn fine romance author. If you're not reading her novels, you're missing out.

“I am not sure I should have to always do what you tell me to do, or not to do, Dr. Murray. I know you are a natural philosopher and learned, but in America they let men vote equally, the stupid ones as well as the clever. Not that I am stupid, I am just not as learned as you are. While we are here on this island, just the two of us, we should be voting as equals, don't you think?” He looked at her in astonishment, setting down the gourd. “I am amazed, Miss Farnham, that a properly brought-up Englishwoman would take the riff-raff in America as her model for appropriate behavior. No, this is not a situation calling for some anarchic form of democracy. Your vote is not equal to mine." --Castaway Dreams Don't listen to Alexander! If you're one of those riff-raffish Americans, exercise your rights and vote today! Your vote counts as much as a natural philosopher's or a fashionable lady's vote. Be a part of the democratic process--it's your ri...

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman My rating: 4 of 5 stars A beautiful story, and a difficult one, of good people who sometimes make bad choices, and the consequences of their actions. It's not an easy read and pulls at the reader's emotions. The metaphor of the lighthouse illuminating the dark and offering safety at a cost of loneliness and isolation is well used, and the details are fittingly relevant. View all my reviews

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell My rating: 4 of 5 stars I liked Cloud Atlas very much. The layering and intertwined tales left me awash with admiration for the author, and I'm sure this novel will be discussed for years to come. In the end, I couldn't give it five stars because I felt the resolution was too nebulous. Bringing it back to the beginning made a point about corruption and consequences, but I've been a science fiction reader for too long not to expect more. Nonetheless, it's an excellent and engrossing novel and well deserving of the praise it's received. View all my reviews

I was at the farmers market yesterday, and it was overflowing with ripe, orange persimmons. Persimmons played a role in Smuggler's Bride , as kidnapped heiress Julia Delarue cooked her way into the good graces of smuggler Rand Washburn:  “I have to hunt and fish to keep food on the table,” Rand said. “I can’t be spendin’ all day doin’ women’s work!” “If it is women’s work, it is not work this woman ever did. At the estate where I lived there were laundresses who did the cleaning for the entire household. I can cook better than you can, but it seems to me that if you have experience doing laundry, then you can continue to do a better job than I would. Not to mention that if I am spending all my time doing laundry I won’t have time to make the pork pie I was planning for dinner. With persimmon cake for dessert.” There was something wrong with this logic, Rand knew it, but he couldn’t come up with a good argument. It became even harder to th...

Mr. and Mrs. Madison's War: America's First Couple and the Second War of Independence by Hugh Howard My rating: 4 of 5 stars Excellent portrait of Washington's first "power couple", the Madisons. Dolly gets her due as a woman who helped shape Washington society, and a model for what First Ladies became in later years--partners who helped their husbands navigate the rocky politics of the nation's capitol and made a positive impression on the American people, and foreign dignitaries and world leaders as well. It's especially relevant during this anniversary of the War of 1812, and the description of the British invasion and burning of the capitol was extremely detailed and informative. View all my reviews

Lady Susan by Jane Austen My rating: 3 of 5 stars I enjoyed it very much right up until the end, where it looks like Miss Austen lost steam and ran out of ink.  Far be it from me to criticize Jane Austen, but I can see why Lady Susan is not one of her more popular or oft-read offerings. Also, the titular protagonist is so very unlike other Austen women who feature in their own books: Lady Susan is an adulteress, manipulative, a terrible mother and snarky and sneaky. On the other hand, her letters (the novel is told in an epistolary fashion) to her BFF Amelia are funny and reveal a woman quite capable of leaving great upheaval wherever she goes. I believe this book will best be enjoyed by Regency and Austen fans who want to get a contemporary look at what was involved with matchmaking and daily life amongst the gentry. View all my reviews

            “This is what we will work on now, Mattie.  I want you to practice with your slate, and be sure to write your numbers with a clear hand.”             “That’s right, sprat,” said Turnbull.  “If you’re dividing up the booty and your shipmates think you’re cheating or holding back you could find yourself on the wrong end of a blade.”             Mattie’s eyes widened at the hidden dangers of multiplication, and Lydia hoped the twinge behind her own eye would not develop into a full blown headache.  When she’d contemplated being a governess she’d never considered pirates and their economic systems as part of her teaching methodology.                Turnbull and Nash were looking at her expectantly.          ...

Kitty Steals the Show by Carrie Vaughn My rating: 3 of 5 stars Fans of the Kitty the Werewolf series will want to read this latest installment as Vaughn moves the story overseas to London, and continues exploring the growth of Kitty as a leader, not just among wolves, but in the entire paranormal community. I'm looking forward to the next installment as the arc appears to be moving toward a rousing conclusion. View all my reviews

The World Science Fiction Convention (Chicon 7, Chicago, IL) is winding down for another year. I've been tapped for a couple of jobs next year at LoneStarCon 3 , and I'm really looking forward to attending since I missed the last San Antonio Worldcon. I had a good time at Chicon7, seeing old friends, making some new ones, and attending panels and program items. My own panel, "Beyond the First Two Pages" gave me some new ideas on how to stay on-task for my next novel, and how to make it better.  The other panelists were great about sharing their expertise and helping folks realize that finishing your book is far more vital than making sure you've got the best first two pages in publishing. The Hugo Awards ceremony was standing-room only, and Toastmaster John Scalzi was an excellent choice. Entertaining, witty, capable--I suspect Mr. Scalzi will be asked to serve as Toastmaster again at future Worldcons. We didn't see much of Chicago, though my husband did...

It's here, it's on sale, it's 15% off.  Can't beat that with a stick! Head over to Fictionwise  to get a copy of Castaway Dreams at a great price.

I'm off this week to attend Chicon 7 , the World Science Fiction Convention in Chicago. I'm moderating a panel on Friday at noon: Beyond the First Two Pages We’ve all heard how important it is to hook a reader’s attention quickly. But let’s say you’ve already done that. Your story’s opening dramatic, ingenious, and free of typos. Your first two pages have been polished to near oblivion. Now what? Darlene Marshall (M), Pat Rothfuss, John Berlyne, Nick Mamatas, Carol Berg There will also be signed copies of Castaway Dreams available in the Dealers Room, at Old Earth Books. Beyond that, I'm looking forward to attending program items, checking out the Art Show, meeting with friends and, of course, watching the Hugo Awards. If you spot me at Chicon 7, be sure to say hi!

The next afternoon Captain Fletcher told Mr. Bryant to muster the crew and Charley joined them, standing apart from the ranks of seamen. When they were all assembled, he looked out over the assortment of Yankee privateers and their British doctor and said, "Men, I have news from home." He waited for the murmurs to die down. "I received correspondence on St. Martin that I wish to share with you. Last August, while we were at sea fighting for the rights of sailors and free Americans, the British burned our nation's capitol, Washington City." Now the mutters from the men were angry as they shifted their feet and looked at one another. The Americans had burned York in Canada, and Great Britain might be justified in saying it's tit for tat to burn the Americans' capitol, but Charley just scratched her ear and wisely refrained from pointing that out. Plus, Captain Fletcher was still speaking. "But take heart, men, just as your countrymen did! Ameri...

A simple plan, but one that worked all too well given the poor state of the Revenue Marine. The revenue cutters couldn’t begin to cover all of the coast, not when the ships were spread thin with surveying, rescue operations, and winter cruising between Charleston and Key West. Underfunded, understaffed, looked down on by the regular navy, despised by the merchants who paid the tariffs, the Revenue Marine was no one’s darling. Well, except maybe Alexander Hamilton, he’d loved his revenue cutters that brought money into the Treasury, but look what happened to him, Washburn thought. Irritate the wrong people and there you are, worm food. -- Smuggler's Bride When writing histories of the United States, including histories of the War of 1812, one of the most overlooked branches of the US armed forces is the USCG. Here reenactors from the Coast Guard demonstrate their vital role, and what life aboard a Revenue Cutter was like during the war.

...I know I give you a hard time, especially when you screw-up. I mean, really, did you have to forget the name of my second cousin by marriage's daughter when I saw her at the department store?  What is it with you and remembering names, anyway? But today you came through like a champ. There I was, taking my daily walk, and you handed me the plot twist I needed because unlike real life, fiction has to make sense.  I thank you and my WIP thanks you. As a special treat, I'm going to turn off the TV tonight, brew a cup of green tea to give you some extra antioxidants and pick up that copy of A Tale of Two Cities . You deserve a reward.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman My rating: 4 of 5 stars So many of the best books I've read this year are YA novels, and I'm pleased to add Seraphina to the list. The dragons are fascinating, the world building is intense, and the characters come alive on the page. I'm looking forward to the next in this series. View all my reviews