What can you do in a half an hour?

Sometimes you see something and slap your forehead wishing that it had been your idea. On the blog scene, I have made it clear that I really like Catie Rhodes' "Celebrity Author Playlist" feature. However, I met Catie through a series of "What's Up Doc" events where our lives eventually crossed. (See the movie with Ryan O'Neal and Barbra Streisand if you don't get the reference.)

The thing that set the wheels in motion was when +Gregory Carrico  made one of my books a subject of his "30 Minute Reader" feature. For those of you unfamiliar with that...you are missing out. But the general idea is that you read a book for a half hour (timer set...check) and share observations. Now, since I just wrote a bit of a whimpering post about reviews (where I admit that I have fallen behind as well), I thought that I would borrow Mr. Carrico's idea. And since it is his idea that I am pirating (after making sure he would not send any hired muscle after me), then it only seems right to make his book the first that I feature. 

That being said, yes, it will take me some time to get through it, but consider this a weekly commercial. And if you are a writer who would like to be featured EVERY Wednesday, then I invite you to tune in as I read Children of the Plague by Gregory Carrico. If you want to really make this interactive, then I invite you to grab a copy so that you can comment along. Not that it is actually blackmail, but if you want your book to receive the same treatment I am about to dish out on Greg, participation would move you up on the list of "Who is next" to be featured.

So, let us begin with just talking about the cover...I like it and would have been drawn to it without even knowing the author.

So, we meet Lanni as the book opens and already there is chaos swirling. You don't know exactly what is going on, but the pace sucks you in right away. Also, you are led to believe that her mother is somewhere in the house giving birth. Also, Lanni has a twin brother named Alex.

Some of the other early tidbits laced in the opening pages include bits about mothers dying during childbirth, a rise in stillborn and miscarriages...and then the bomb drops...the mother of the twins goes silent. It is either something really good...or...the other thing.

So, I will say that, so far, the book makes me want to learn how to read faster. It has an underlying tone that is so pervasive, it creates a spooky soundtrack in the back of your mind as you read.

See you next week for more "30 Minute reader". Also, tune in Friday for some more surprises.