Larry Brooks' Manuscript Coaching

Larry Brooks' Manuscript Coaching: Your Story on Steroids

One hundred dollar coaching session with author Larry Brooks, just one of many amazing prizes in my Fab 500 Followers, prize give~a~way. 

Larry Brooks is the author of several critically-acclaimed thrillers and a manuscript coach. In addition, Brooks has authored several fiction craft books, including his bestseller, Story Engineering: Mastering the Six Core Competencies of Successful Writing. His next writing craft book, Story Physics: Harnessing the Underlying Forces of Storytelling, is scheduled for release next month.

This post is not a review of either book. So why am I writing it? Well, if you've entered my blog prize give a way, you've undoubtedly noticed that the prizes include a $100 coaching session with Larry Brooks, "your story of steroids," and a copy of his newest book, Story Physics.

Just in case any of you are unfamiliar with Larry Brooks, I want you to check out his writing-skills website.  He does an amazing job of explaining the six core competencies on his Story fix website and he also deconstructs popular novels & films, to give his readers a step by step guide to effectively utilizing his six core competencies and story engineering.  

Before reading Brooks, I had a story, a damn good story, I had it on paper and I had my well developed characters. My protagonist had a clear and defined goal motivated by an inner goal and she was moving along -working toward that goal, all the while being thwarted by the antagonists and antagonistic forces. That's right baby, I had conflict...lots of it. I had tension, raised stakes, suspense, I had it all (or so I thought), but something was clearly wrong with my story. What the hell was it?

My story structure was off.

 I was what we often call a "pantster", or better said, I wrote by the seat of my pants. Why? Because, ever since high school, I've have loathed outlines. In my mind, writing a story according to a "formula", was a formula for creative disaster. Brooks opened my eyes and changed my mind.

 I now realize that every author (every successful author) follows proper story structure, whether they realize it or not. A writer may not outline, or plot plan before they begin their first draft, but that just means that their draft becomes their planning or plotting tool. I've come to realize (the long & hard way) that every successful author, eventually follows story structure. There is no getting around it. If you write a book where the first plot point does not occur until midway through your book...it will not sell. 

Eventually all successful writers align their story with the principles of the six core competencies. 

I said this was not a review and it's not. I'm not going into that much detail. I will tell you that if you read Larry Brooks or if you follow his blog or retain his manuscript coaching services, you will be ahead of the pack because you will understand the six core competencies.

1. Concept

2. Character

3. Theme

4. Structure

5. Scene Execution

6. Writing Voice

Of course, each of the above core competencies breaks down into other sub-categories. 

You'd be amazed at how many writers have a difficult time relaying to another the "concept" of their story. Notice I said, "concept", I did not say premise or idea. You get the idea. Well, you will get the idea and more than that, if you follow Larry Brooks.

The area I benefited most from is the simple way that Brooks breaks down the plot points & pinch points in a four part story. With his help, you will not only know what to write, but you will know when to write it, and exactly where, in your novel, it goes. You will no longer wonder where a certain scene fits into your novel. You will grasp where it goes, what comes before it and what to write next. This helped me immensely. 

I love his beat sheets. They allowed me to break my story into four parts, aligned with the six core competencies. By knowing where my first and second plot points, mid point, and pinch points needed to be, I was better able to foreshadow suspenseful scenes, plan my set ups and pay offs and it saved me from the countless number of drafts I was accustomed to writing during my revision stage.

Paranormal Author, Jamie Gold, has an excellent blog post, "How to Revise for Structure Part Two," where she explains Story Structure, according to Larry Brooks in a short, easy to read article. 

As a bonus she includes a link for you to download her story structure spreadsheet, adapted from Larry Brooks' Story Engineering. Jami admits, that like me, math is not her favorite subject. She borrowed her spreadsheet from Liz Brooks.

Listen to Larry Brooks explain his beat sheet. Here is his guest post on Stephanie Shackelford's Routines for Writers. Want more? Who didn't love The Hunger Games? 

That's what I thought. So head over and read Larry's Hunger Games Beat Sheet. I promise, you will be impressed.

If you have some time, watch Joanna Penn's you tube interview with Larry Brooks.

So, while I know that an iPad mini is an awesome prize...thank you very much. The other prizes are pretty damn good. 

Don't forget to comment on this post or any post here or on my second, just launched blog, Karma Carbs for an additional contest entry. You can also earn multiple-daily entries for giving this contest a social media shout-out.

Just tweet or shout- out,  anywhere a link to this contest,  I love my Followers,  for extra entries to win a "Your story on steroids," $100 Larry Brooks Coaching Session, or a copy of Larry Brook's newest writing craft book Story Physics. 

It will be released in June and I can't wait to get my hands on it.  

Don't forget you can also win a copy of Jessica Bell's Adverbs and Cliches in a nutshell.

Fab 500 Follower -Prize Give a Way (Update)

Update:  I've added an easy way to earn 10 entries.

Just add the I love my followers, Prize give-a-way photo, below, to your blog. Put it anywhere on your blog, in a blog post, on a page, or preferably on your sidebar. It would be most helpful if you added the pink photo, below to your sidebar via the "add a photo" add a gadget in the layout section. In the area where it ask you where you want the link to direct readers, type in the link to this contest. That's it. Earn 10 entries toward winning one of the awesome prizes, including an iPad mini 4G.

I've also added a few copies of the amazing author, Jessica Bell's new book, Adverbs and Cliches in a Nutshell as one of the many prizes.

Fab 500 Followers Prize Give~a~Way

I mentioned this give a way a few days ago and I'm now announcing that the contest is officially open. As you can see there a numerous ways to gain multiple entries. Some of the options, such as leaving a comment, following this blog or following me on Twitter, are simple & easy ways to earn more entires. You can earn entries each day, for the next month, by leaving comments on this blog; tweeting about the contest or giving it a shout out on any social media platform.

 I've been on FaceBook for a while now and have tons of friends, but I never launched any of my pages, so I figured this would be as good of a time as any. Since the pages are new (they are bland and rather naked) and desperately in need of your likes. So come on and like my page on FaceBook as I attempt to join the wonderful world of branding & social media platforms in conjunction with my 

author platform.

This give away is my way of honoring and thanking of all of you wonderful people, for your continued and loyal following of my blog (even when I didn't deserve your loyalty). I am also using this opportunity to plug my new blog, and I'm hoping you'll spend a minute or two and visit, leave a comment and follow, (additional entries for each). Visit Karma Carbs

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit My 2nd Blog

Invitation To Visit My New Blog:

No, I'm not moving. I will continue to blog, here about the craft of writing and my journey toward publication.

I have given this a considerable amount of thought & have concluded that the only way I can share some of the other interesting topics I am interested in, is for me to launch a second blog. I dread the start up phase...you know, you all remember that lonely time frame where you have no followers...then one day you have one...then three...maybe five and then woo hoo, ten! It's a lonely feeling, remember?

My new blog is a lifestyle blog which focuses on parenting issues. I will blog about marriage; divorce; remarriage with kids; step-families or blended families; updates on family law, including divorce, custody, visitation & child support and some fun stuff too. I will also be reviewing tons of products, software and services and hosting many blogfest and prize give~a~ways. 

I am currently dealing with some serious issues involving parenting teens in a techno world; cyber-bullying; cyber stalking; and parenting a child with a disability. While many of you are parents or grandparents and might enjoy some of these topics, it wouldn't be fair to inundate this blog with topics that others find irrelevant and I wouldn't be giving these topics the awareness they need if I only sprinkle this blog with these topics, now & then.

Don't worry, I promise I will still be here & will continue to follow all of your blogs, as often as I can.

Not long ago, I mentioned a big prize give~a~way, on this blog, for reaching the 400 follower milestone. Well, thanks to Arlee Bird's amazing A to Z blogging challenge, 2013, I am far closer to 500 followers, than I am to 400. I now have about 475.

This is perfect timing because I get to combine my good fortune of gaining followers from the A to Z challenge with my previously planned give~a~way, and hopefully help launch my new blog in the process.

 I will be using Rafflecopter, this time, for my contest, (live & learn) isn't that what this whole blogging process is about?

The contests (not really an appropriate word because you don't really have to do anything to win) will officially open on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 and will end on Thursday June 13, 2013. That gives you an entire month to put your name into the hopper. I said you didn't have to do anything, didn't I? I didn't lie. You don't have to really do much of anything.

You've all seen the rafflecopter entry form and you know how it works. Your name will be entered a certain number of times for doing little things like, following this blog, leaving a comment on a blog post, following me on Twitter, FaceBook, Google Plus, Tweeting about the contest, posting about it on FaceBook or other social media sites, writing a blog post on your own blog and promoting the give~a~way,...and yes...for following me on my new blog. I had to get find a way to throw the new blog in there. 

Of course some of the options are only available to you one time, e.g. following this blog, following on Twitter, etc. However, some of the options allow you to earn entries every single day, e.g. tweeting about the contest, giving it a shout out or mention on Google Plus, or other social media sites. Some options will give you more entries than others. Obviously you will have your name entered many more times for an actual blog post on your own blog, promoting the contest, but you've done this before, you get the idea.

Now, for the best part. What will the prize or prizes be? 

Is that what you want to know?

 I had a feeling.

There will be a more than one prize...more than two. This is all I will share with you today; if you want to know more, you'll have to come back on Tuesday. One prize is an Amazon gift card, but the grand prize...is...wait for it....

 

The Grand Prize is an Ipad Mini 4G.

 So why don't you head over to my new blog right now. I only have one post, but hey...it's a start. Go on, I'll wait for you here, while you check out, Karma Carbs.

Okay, now that you're back, I have something else I need for you to share with the blogosphere. You may or may not know (probably have figured it out by now), I am sort of computer illiterate, and have no design ability or talent. I am seeking one of you cool graphic designer type gurus to create something that you will probably consider simple.

I would like a custom deigned button announcing my 500th follower give~a~way and alerting readers that they can win an iPad mini. Of course, I will compensate you for your services. I just don't know where to look. If you or anyone you know is interested in this job (for pay), please email me with your ideas and your fee.

Please spread the word about the launch of my new blog and this contest. The url for the new blog is only temporary while I wait for my custom domain to redirect the traffic. I think "Go Daddy", said it will take a day or so. See-total computer idiot here.

I hope you are all having a wonderful Sunday and a wonderful Mother's day. See you on Tuesday.

BTW, if you do happen to stop by my new blog, before the contest officially opens, you will receive bonus entries for following me on GFC, more bonus entries for leaving a comment and a boat load of entries if you offer to post as a guest author, so check out my blog topics & see if anything interest you.

The design is not the best, but after a makeover from The Cutest Blog on the Block, it will be rocking!

After you take a look @ my topics, I will tell you about a second contest, I am hosting. My "Name this blog" Contest. So put the creative side of your brain to work. I figure that with the multitude of  authors. writers, poets, musicians & other creative types hanging out in this awesome community, someone will have a kick ass name to share.

Best Mother's Day Gifts: Mom's of all Kind

Top Mother's Day Gifts: Variety of Choices for Every Mom

Mother's Day is the day after tomorrow. Have you picked out the perfect gift? Are you scrambling for last minute gift ideas, like me?

This is an in depth list that includes a variety of gifts for mom's of all ages. You can find something here for the hostess mom; gardening mom, trendy mom; hipster mom; grandmotherly mom; professional mom and every other mom.

We only have one mom, so let's make this Sunday a special occasion for her. Let your mom know how much she means to you.

Here is my list of favorite gifts, in no particular order. Prices vary from under five bucks to over two hundred.

1.  I love this one and wouldn't mind (at all) hint...hint...hmm...hmm, if my hubbie helped my little darlings pick out a Zip up Smart phone wallet or clutch for mommy dearest. They are reasonably priced at under $50 and come in a variety of colors. 

2. The Ipad Pouch, also under $50

3.  How about these adorable mini sticky notes. They are perfect for tabbing your manuscript (I mean for your mom to tab her reading), and they are less than 5 bucks.

4.  If your mom is un-like me, and thrives on her organizational skills, check out these daily schedulers & planners, for under 20 bucks.

5.  More for the organized mom. The custom name chalkboard wall sticker, for about 30 bucks.

6.  Does your mom enjoy gardening? I do (I mean my mom does). Pick up a set of these nifty dipped plant markers for only twelve ($12) dollars.

How about some gifts for the mom who enjoys entertaining guest:

7.  I stumbled upon quite a few conversation sparkers. What guest wouldn't eat their greens, when the salad is served in this row boat salad bowl? For just $6, it also comes with a set of wood serving utensils.

If your mom is anything like my mom, she has picky eaters to cook for. "I don't want vegetables in my lasagna," or "I want extra cheese." And it never fails, my sister always has her healthy request...something like whole wheat pasta only. 

Problem solved, with the trio lasagna pan. Another bargain for under twenty bucks.

Don't you just love lacquer? My mom adores anything lacquered and I found these bright, cheery & colorful Square Lacquer Trays for under $25 dollars.

If you have kids then your mom is also a grandmother & we all know how much granny loves to entertain our children. Kids can be messy & we wouldn't want to discourage their creativity. Now you don't have to. Just toss this doodle tablecloth on the table and the kids will entertain themselves throughout dinner and grandma will have an artwork masterpiece to show her friends, all for around sixty bucks.

Have trouble keeping up with the number of guest you have? Me neither, (at least not until after a few cocktails), but just in case, why not use the trendy Ella James, Numerology Napkin Rings, What a bargain at under seventy dollars.

Wine...Vino...Didn't I just say something about drinking wine? I must have, because now it's on my mind.  What dinner would be complete without a glass of vino? You want to give mom a real conversation starter? Give her these funky wine glasses. Now you can tell who guzzles their wine too quickly and who nurses just one glass.

Try the fun, "sands of wine," WIne Hourglasses. Just flip the glass to start its timer ~ and the table conversation. A set of four will set you back $75 dollars.

But, these funky hourglasses aren't just for wine. If mom prefers her cocktail shaken not stirred, then opt for the time honored Martini Hourglasses.

Not so fast. I'm not quite finished sharing my wine related choices for mother's day. Now, I'm not a snob, so I'm not about to knock the wine in a box thing, but hey...if mom's gonna drink wine out of a box, I say let's jazz it up for her.

 Just like you, me or our mom, like to put on our fancy clothes when we go out on the town...well, we can dress up that box wine, too.

This next item was something new to me. I saw it for the first time today, but fell in love with the creativity and sassiness of it.

Next time mom wants to bring her box of wine to the family barbecue, both mom & wine can arrive in style. 

Give mom's box of wine a fashion makeover, dress her up in a baggy wine coat for $60-75 bucks and take her out to play.

More gifts to help mom around the house.

Every mom knows what its like to lose a sock in the dryer. Make it easy for mom to pair them up with her very own Sock Exchange, for about thirty bucks.

Don't you love hooks? I do. I'm like addicted to wall hooks...anything vertical, that gets the crap, kids junk, off the damn floor. Check out these cotton reel wall hangers, stunning hangers for coats, scarves, hats etc., in the shape of a spool.

 Does mom ever get stressed out & wish she had a punching bag? If not she can still use this gift to turn her laundry chores into a workout, for only forty dollars.

Does your mom enjoy reading books? That was a stupid question. Of course she does...she's your mom. Does she need some awesome book ends to hold all of your published novels? These are seventy dollars.

Don't you wish you could buy your mom a book every week or two? Me too, but it would be very expensive. What if mom could borrow two or more e-books per month, from Amazon or Barnes and Noble for her Kindle or Nook. Now she can for only $29. Let's hope she already has an e-reader...or a birthday coming up.

 What to get the health conscious mom: I have a few ideas

Why not start with a Fitbit Zip Wireless Activity Tracker. What a nifty & resourceful gadget for under fifty bucks.

And she'll need some cute & comfy yoga pants, to look her best while power walking through the neighborhood. Victoria Secret has several colors and patterns, all for under thirty dollars.

Or maybe mom would rather get fit, in her own home with a complete Zumba Kit, for around $75.

 So you want some ideas for the fashion savvy mom, you say. Well, you come to the right place.

I bet your mom would love sporting her new Marc Jacobs, leather ID bracelet. She'll never know you bought it for less than a hundred dollars.

Or maybe your mom is more into personalized and sentimental jewelry. Then a personalized storyteller bracelet or necklace, is what you're looking for. You can get either one for a little over a hundred dollars.

Does mom need an overnight bag? Maybe she lives out of town and you want her to visit, soon. Why not pack her in style. This one is a little pricey, but the two hundred dollar, day and night cow fur satchel is a knockout.

Do you love the comfort of Toms shoes? Then you'll, (I mean your mom) will fall in love with Toms Strappy Canvas Wedges For around seventy dollars, mom will be styling.

 And, last, but not least...

Why not pamper mom? 

Our moms are the reason we are here and most of us owe our mother so much. What a way to show mom your gratitude, pamper her in style. For under a hundred bucks you can treat mom to the luxury of unwinding at home with a wine/spa basket.

 Cloud 9 Living is available in most major cites and offers a host of packages and experiences including a special offer on the "treat mom to a day at the spa" package. Check out their site for other amazing adventures.

I had a few more gift experiences to share, but if I keep typing, Mother's day will be here and I will have not shopped.

Happy Mother's day to all of you who are mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, god-mothers, step-mothers and to all women who have someone in their lives who make them feel special. You don't have to be a biological mother to enjoy recognition on Mother's day.

I am so grateful for my own mom and for my children who made me a mommy.

A to Z Blogging Challenge Reflection Post

Reflections From the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge:

In case You were kidnapped by aliens and were on a different planet last month, I am referring to Arlee Bird's spectacular, imaginative, innovative, annual A to Z blogging challenge, which takes place every year, during the month of April.

Melissa Sugar's Reflection:

I want to share my experience with you in hopes of encouraging bloggers who have never participated, to join the maddening fun, next April.

My theme this year, a Guide to crimes & courtroom procedures for crime fiction authors, was pretty much the same as last year, with a different spin.

 I had a more difficult time, with the challenge this year, but that was my own fault. Last year, I wrote all twenty-six (26) post, a month or so in advance of the challenge. This year, I did not have an opportunity to pre-write my post, so I was scrambling from day to day to get them written. This of course, took away precious time that could have been used visiting other blogs.

Life gets in the way. That's a fact of life that we all live with. The month of April, 2013, demanded much more of my time than anticipated. Work, kids, school events, family illnesses and getting my manuscript out to the agents who requested it, all took away from the time I'd set aside for visiting blogs. That just reinforces my advice for future A to Zr's, and advice that I will follow:

 Preparation is the key. Preparation is the key to doing well as a lawyer, in trial and preparation is the key to doing well in any task that requires time and effort.

Pros:
1.  I met new bloggers and discovered some really cool blogs, that otherwise, I probably never have discovered.

2.  I reconnected with bloggers from last years challenge

3.  I gained new followers and readers

4.  I learned a lot from many of the blogs I visited. I learned about the craft of writing, which I am always hungry for, but in addition I learned about comic book heroes, poetry, photography, traveling all over the world, delicious and simple, family friendly recipes. I played mystery games and deciphered puzzles and codes (well I tried- others deciphered), I played word games, I offered words beginning with certain letters and I discovered links to awesome writing and agent blogs.

5.  If you, like me and and one third of the rest of the entire world, followed Alex Cavanaugh's A to Z post, then you were introduced to at least one new (maybe not new to you) blogger, each day. Alex recognized a blogger each day for their outstanding attributes and he also shared vital news with us about authors, book debuts, and every thing else you missed because you didn't have any extra time during the month of April to read every single blog in the blogosphere. No need. Just pop over to Alex's blog and catch up on the latest. I've said it a million times, Alex is the awesomist. (Okay so not a word, but neither was ginormous, at one time.)

6.   My biggest accomplishment this year during the A to Z challenge is that I finally attempted to join in the Twitter fun (yes I know I am twitter illiterate- I am a Twit). But, with the help and encouragement of J. A Bennett, at A Writer's Journey, I jumped in. Of course, I remained lost in the massive tweets coming at me from every direction, but unlike in the past, I did not dodge the flying tweets and close the Twitter screen as fast as I could. Check out her Letter "T" is for Twitter Post, if you, like me, have a Twitter phobia.

Then when you finally decide to stick around for a while and give this Twitter thing a chance, you will definitely want to become friends (if you aren't already) with Melissa Bradley. Melissa Rocks! Melissa is the first friend you'll want to find as you navigate the choppy waters of Twitter-if you're a Twitter newbie or like me, a Twitter Twit. Melissa is amazing and she will give you loads of advice and she will help promote you on Twitter and show you the ropes. She will even introduce you to her other Twitter Friends. Like I said, Melissa Bradley and J.A. Bennett, not only rock, they rock Twitter, as if it were a Van Halen concert in the 80"s.

Find them on Twitter J.A. Bennett and Melissa Bradley.

Careful: Warning- Once you get the learning curve, Twitter can be quite addictive


Cons: Do I even have any?

1.  I wish I would have been more prepared so that I could have visited more blogs

2.  I missed having the random blog generator widget that was offered in 2012. I loved it. You could click, "next" for the next blog or "random" and you would be directed to a random blog from the challenge. The best part was that the widget kept track of how many blogs you visited. Hopefully they can bring it back for 2014.

3.  I know that Arlee and all of his minions went above and beyond and out of their way to explain to bloggers, just how inconvenient the word verification requirement is and they explained in detail how to remove it from your blog. Despite all this, I still came across far too many blogs in this year's challenge with the word verification requirement & it drove me insane. But not as insane as...

4.  Blogs that blared music from the second I landed on their page until I ran away as fast as I could.

Overall the challenge was awesome and with better prep work on my part it would have been fantastic. Thank you Arlee Bird and thanks you to all of the wonderful folks who helped Arlee pull off such an amazing challenge. I loved it and I will most definitely participate next year. I will, however, write all twenty-six post, in advance.

                                     Looking forward to A to Z blogging challenge 2014

Murder Mystery & Mayhem: Monday

Pain Has A Flavor

My Monday Murder/Mystery Book Review:

Now that I finally have a blogging schedule, Monday of each will will feature a Murder, Mystery or Mayhem Post:

I was going to review a different book today, but I decided to wait until I have finished each of the Edgar Award nominees, before reviewing any of them. I am currently reading Potboiler by Jesse Kellerman, the last of the nominated books. I'm sure you are all aware, Live by Night, by Dennis Lehane, won best novel. I will reserve comment on my choice about the award, until my next post. 

Warning: Spoiler Alert~~ If you haven't read Touch & Go, you may want to skip my review.

Today's Monday Mystery Review: Touch and Go by Lisa Gardner

Touch & Go, by Lisa Gardner; Dutton, 400 pages, $26.95.

What does pain taste like?

Let me begin by saying that Lisa Gardner is one of my favorite authors. The woman is an incredibly talented writer who is a master at putting ordinary families through emotional and physical torture. She has a gift for writing psychological thrillers about families. When I purchased the book, I couldn't help but notice that readers either loved this particular book or found it disappointing. I am in the first group. I loved it. Touch and Go is a taut thriller, jammed packed with action and full of compelling, believable, flawed, multi dimensional characters.

One of Gardner's best qualities is her dedication to research. I read an article, about the amount of research she puts into each novel and it is astounding and admirable. She definitely knows her police procedure and forensics.

"Pain has a flavor..."

This is how Gardner begins her story and it hooked me from the beginning, just as her writing always does. The speaker is Libby Denbe and she is having dinner with her multi-millionare, handsomely rugged husband, owner of Denbe Construction. Libby recently learned that her husband Justin has been having an affair. The dinner, date night, is the couple's attempt to get past their problems and work on moving forward in their marriage. The night does not end well.

Upon returning home from dinner, Libby, Justin and their teenage daughter, Ashlyn, are terrorized (Justin & Ashlyn are tazed), kidnapped, drugged and taken to a remote hiding place, which just happens to be a state of the art prison, designed and built by none other than Denbe Construction. For funding or other reasons, the isolated prison never officially opened and it now becomes home for the captured family.

An entire family vanishes, without a trace. There is no ransom and no apparent motive. The police respond quickly and readers are treated to characters from previous novels, making their appearance. Sgt. Dee Dee Warren play a minor cameo role, but private investigator, Tessa Leoni, plays a major role in Touch and Go.

While being held captive in Denbe's state of the art- modernized prison, the family struggles to act civilly toward one another, and one by one each of their secrets rise to the surface. Libby, the beautiful, wealthy socialite is suffering withdraw symptoms. She turned to Vicodan as an escape from the pain of her husband's affair and soon became addicted. Ashlyn, their fifteen year old princess, the one thing they both still view as the best part of their marriage, isn't such a good little girl after all. Ashyln miscarries during their captivation. The father of her child is none other than daddy's right hand man.

Gardner is known for her fast paced, page turning thrillers and Touch and Go is no exception. The story's tempo is right on, the pacing is perfect and she is a master at raising the stakes at just the right time. Her plot twist (plot points & pinch points) are perfectly timed, as she is gifted in the art of story structure.

Touch and Go takes us inside the lives of a seemingly perfect family and viscerally shows us how they react to the pressure of their captivity. The characters are fleshed out, multi dimensional and above all, they are realistic and believable.  I enjoyed the vivid description of the villains (kidnappers), there are many villains in this psychological thriller.

The dialogue is emotionally gripping and often subtle. I love Gardner's style and voice and especially her dialogue. Her sentence structure is nothing short of genius, using fragmented sentences to stress points and increase tension. I like how she alternates POV characters between the third person accounts of the law enforcement investigators, the kidnappers and the first person deep point of view of Libby Denbe. It allowed me to easily connect with Libby. She was real.

Gardner does an excellent job of providing many potential suspects, each with their own motive and agenda. It keeps you guessing until the end. Speaking of that, I have to admit, I did guess Justin's involvement in the caper, but not until close to the end, when his body was taken from the crime scene. However, I was still guessing up to the very end and did not figure out the final plot twist. I've read the reviews of the readers who complained that they had it figured out (Justin's involvement), but you know what: 

That's okay, folks. It's okay to figure out who the culprit is, in a thriller. A mystery is a "who dun it." That's one of the biggest differences between a mystery and a thriller. In a thriller, we often know who the bad guy is...the question that keeps us on the edge of our seats, is not who dun it...but, will the bad guy get away with it?

 Gardner manages to keep us guessing about the identity of the bad guy(s) & whether or not they will get away with it

I have only two minor complaints about this awesome book:

1. It is quite a stretch to believe that none of the multiple law enforcement agencies, investigating the kidnapping, would have searched the properties built by Denbe Construction.

2. Libby is suffering from withdraw from pain killers and while the methadone given to her by one of her captors would certainly stave off some of those symptoms, I don't believe Libby would have been able to function as well and make such clear headed, decisive choices, those first few days without her meds.

Minor- minor, petty issues, I admit

Touch and Go by Lisa Gardner is a story of greed, infidelity, selfishness  & love. What you will take away from this novel:

Appearances aren't always what they seem. You never know what goes on behind the closed doors of another's home. The obvious is often right in front of our faces and we either choose to ignore it (denial) or we don't recognize it until it's too late.

I hope to see Gardner explore the relationship between Tessa Leoni and Wyatt in her next book.

I highly recommend this psychological thriller.

Rating: A-

Gardner has an excellent set of though provoking questions on her web site, that you might want to dig into. If you are in a book club, her questions are perfect for your group discussions.

For a more in depth discussion of Touch and Go, check out Karen Ballum's book club discussion on Blogher

My favorite line: " Pain has a flavor. The question is, what does it taste like to you?" 

Photo from the above website, Blogher, with an excellent discussion of Lisa Gardner's Touch and Go.

So, what does pain taste like to you?

Me? Lemons soaked in buttermilk

Your Turn: What does Pain taste like to you?