• Jennifer Estep, the author …

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    Something funny happened the other day when I was in my local office supply store. When I was checking out, the clerk looked at my ID and did a double-take. I was starting to wonder if something was wrong — or if she was just that horrified by the flyaway hair in my driver’s license picture — when she looked up at me.

    “Jennifer Estep, the author?” she asked.

    “Uh, yeah.”

    She smiled. “Oh! I used to work at a bookstore. I’ve read your books.”

    And the best part was that she had enjoyed my books. 😉

    This was the first time that someone’s recognized me like that (other than at a book conference), and I’ve got to admit that it totally made my day. So much so, that I was still smiling when I walked outside and got into the car.

    “You’re beaming,” said Wheezley, my significant other.

    I smiled a little bigger. “I just got recognized.”

    I actually had to go back to the store later that day. Sadly, the clerk who had recognized me was gone, but I left some bookmarks for her with another clerk. I hope she got got them.

    Authors — it takes so little to make us so happy …

  • Give the gift of books …

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    I love to read just as much as I love to write. Even more than that, I love to give the gift of books to others, especially at Christmas. Need a book for someone on your list? Check out some of my suggestions, which are a mix of books that I’ve read and liked, those that I want to read, or those that I’ve given as gifts in the past:

    ROMANCE:

    I absolutely adore Lisa Kleypas’ contemporary romances, and she has a new one out with a holiday theme, Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor. It’s a little short for the hardcover price, but the story is sweet, and it would make a great pre-holiday gift, especially if you’re planning a holiday visit before Christmas day.

    For the western romance fan, check out Marry Me by Jo Goodman. This historical romance is set in Colorado and focuses on a doctor and the mountain girl that he loves. For those who like contemporary westerns, Linda Lael Miller is a good bet. Her latest trilogy, which focuses on three brothers, starts with McKettricks of Texas: Tate.

    Romantic suspense author Roxanne St. Claire has launched her new Guardian Angelinos series with Edge of Sight. For a mix of historial romance and action, check out the Blades of the Rose series by Zoe Archer, starting with Warrior.

    FANTASY: 

    If you like epic fantasy, consider The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, which focuses on a group of clever thieves. Lynch has two more books coming out in 2011, so now would be a great time to start reading him.

    For a mix of fantasy and noir, try The Sword-Edged Blonde by Alex Bledsoe, which is about a private investigator who gets caught up in a royal scandal. And don’t forget Lisa Shearin’s Magic Lost, Trouble Found, which features a great heroine.

    For a mix of authors and stories, check out Songs of Love and Death, which features tales by Neil Gaiman and Jim Butcher, among others.

    MYSTERIES AND THRILLERS:

    When it comes to thrillers, you can’t go wrong with Lee Child. Check out his latest Jack Reacher novel, Worth Dying For. John Sandford is another solid choice, especially his Prey series, which includes Storm Prey.

    A good bet when it comes to mysteries is the late Robert B. Parker and his Spenser series about a tough guy, wise-cracking Boston private investigator. The latest title in that series is Painted Ladies.

    YOUNG ADULT:

    One of the best books that I read this year was Beastly by Alex Flinn. It’s a modern-day retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale from the Beast’s point of view.

    If you haven’t read Suzanne Collins yet, start with The Hunger Games, which is about kids who are forced to fight to the death on national television. It’s just flat-out excellent. For another YA book with a strong heroine, check out Graceling by Kristin Cashore.

    If you’re searching for some new YA authors to try, the Kiss Me Deadly anthology is a good place to start.

    AND ONE MORE THING:

    Okay, okay, so they aren’t exactly books, but these sparkly Swarovski pens would make a great gift for the author in your life or anyone who still loves to pen handwritten notes.

    What about you guys? Which books are you giving or hoping to receive this Christmas? Share in the comments.

  • Happy Turkey Day …

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    I just wanted to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Most of us have a lot to be grateful for, so take a moment today to celebrate that.

    Then, move on to the food, football, and family, and enjoy the rest of your day. 😉

  • Bookmarks, bookmarks, bookmarks …

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    I’ve finally gotten my bookmarks made for Tangled Threads, Elemental Assassin #4, which will be out on April 26 (five months and counting down). Huzzah!

    As always, these are nice, thick, 2-by-8-inch bookmarks. To get the bookmarks, I ask that folks send me a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) with two U.S. first-class stamps on it — 88 cents’ worth of postage in other words. Also, make sure your SASE is big enough to hold the bookmarks. If you’re overseas, you need to send me a SASE with $2 in U.S. postage on it. I also have bookmarks left for Spider’s Bite, Web of Lies, and Venom, which you also get with your SASE.

    However, if your envelope does not have enough U.S. postage on it or is not big enough to hold the bookmarks, I will not send your SASE or any bookmarks back to you. I know this is a little harsh, but I’m getting so many requests these days that I simply can’t afford to make up the difference in postage anymore. (Believe me, I spend enough on postage every year already.)

    Anyway, to get the address to send your SASE to, send me an e-mail.

    Also, in other news, Tangled Threads is now up for pre-order at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. So go forth and pre-order, if you wish. 😉