Print Version Available!

Well, after much frustration and reworking and formatting, I've finally manged to mock up a print version of my first book. All in all, I'm happy with it, and if you didn't buy my book because you don't have a Kindle, or you just like having a physical copy to hold, then this should be just the thing.

 The book is about 533 pages long, but it seems just about the right size/ weight when I pick it up. Not too hefty a book, not too small.

As you can see, it's not a small TPB, which I am really pleased about, and looks pretty good on a shelf next to other books. My copy is a proof, and I have not yet grabbed a real copy, but so far I'm rather impressed, considering the site I used, and the amount of work that I had to go in to. (Trying to make a book cover without owning Photoshop is not easy, let me tell you!)

You can get it HERE. It's priced at $16.50 (though as I'm looking at it now, Amazon seems to have it on sale, so I'd recommend getting it now) and I'd like to hear what you think!

In other news, hoping to get the book up on other sites like Apple, B&N, and others. I'm editing the second book and that should be done within the next few months. I've commissioned art once again from the wonderful Tillieke, who is just fantastic. And I'm working on some other projects here and there, so, pretty excited about it all.

Cheers!

Book Review: Cutting for Stone

I see to be in a habit of reading "real" books these days, and after hearing all of the talk about this book, I finally had to pick it up.
I love medical stuff anyway. I've always had a fascination for technical descriptions and surgery and all of that. I am also a sucker for books about kids, especially told by the kid's pov. So, sold.
The story is from Marion Stone's perspective. He's a twin born to a nun nurse and a surgeon father, and if you want the whole description, you can certainly read it HERE on Amazon.

The two greatest things about this book were One: The plot, which was so masterfully put together, spanning years of the characters' lives to come full circle. Verghese's vast knowledge of medicine as well as his cleverness in writing worked so perfectly I was at times baffled how he'd managed to come up with it. Certain small things one doesn't notice till the end suddenly become incredibly important.
The Second thing I loved so greatly was the characters. Marion and Shiva are twins, joined at the head at birth, and their relationship throughout the book shows the love of brothers, despite circumstances that pull siblings apart (involving a girl, as always). Shiva is distant, detached, perhaps a bit on the side of Asperger's, Marion is the opposite. I'll admit, I do tend to cry on books, when the stories are good, and I grow to love the characters, and the journey that these two boys go on would have brought me to an ugly mess near the end had I not been reading it in the break room at work.

Reading Cutting for Stone, you will not be disappointed with writing or style. The slower plot points and medical scenes are written in a way that is both understandable, and interesting. It's a book about family, about estranged fathers, unrequited love, the struggle for a place in the world, and the bond of siblings that cannot be broken.
If you're into that, then you'll love this.

Book review: Fingersmith

Just finished reading the book “Fingersmith” by Sarah Waters, and I must say I was impressed. I hadn’t known what to expect with the story. I knew ahead of time that Sarah Waters tends to write Victorian books, and that several of her stories contain lesbians, so, I supposed it goes without saying that that is what this book was about.
But, oh, it was so much more than that. I have not often been so impressed with a story, especially set in this time period, that was an…engaging as this one.
The plotline, at first, seemed incredibly simple. A young thief, named Susan, is hired by a rather wicked man who calls himself Gentleman. It is his plot to steal the fortune of a young innocent named Maud.
Simple. And yet, almost immediately, the plot grows so thick and complicated I was left in shock more than once.
The relationship between Sue and Maud is believable, and very refreshing. By the time the two of them do finally begin to realise they have feelings for one another, the plot to ruin has grown too thick and the struggle the two women have from there on—both to survive and to reach each other—becomes something the readers wish for just as hard.
Not many books set in this time period really focus on women and sex (that I am aware) that aren’t those paperback romance novels with dukes who seduce women. This one was a relief in the fact that it truly did focus on sexual freedom for women and empowerment. The characters are comfortable with who they are, and (without giving away the plot) are not afraid to do things that others in the time would frown on. It is a breath of fresh air and gives readers, especially women my age, a look into what life would have been like for women who are just like us, who may not have the same conventional views. It connects us to the time in a very…intimate way, showing that our views have not changed so drastically. They have simply been more hidden in the past.
I will certainly be reading more of Sarah Water’s books in the future, starting with “Tipping the Velvet” which, in the film, has Benedict Cumberbatch. Sold.

But hey it was .99 cents!

So, for six days from today, I'm putting the book up for .99 cents. So, I suppose you could either go to a fast food restaurant and buy some chips, or you could buy a bloody big book that will entertain you for *hours* to come. I think you know what you want.
Here's the link, give it a looksee if you've got the time. X
And please leave a review, I'd be most grateful!

Tumbling Along

Well, I've given in and gotten a TUMBLR. I don't really even know how to use it yet--hey, I'm not exactly internet savvy, but, well, I have one, and it's slightly addicting. So if you like, here it is: My Tumblr! I promise to always reblog things about Sherlock and Doctor Who and everything else I love. And possibly do a bit of blogging about library stuff and my own books as well.
Cheers!
Taylor Leigh

Free!

Like free things? Of course you do, everyone does.
WELL! My book is free for this week (From the 15th)
So if you're interested on this awesome deal, check it out, right HERE!

Messy Stuff

Busy, busy, busy. Feels like I have so much writing on my plate at the moment and my brain is so scattered! There's something about creating a new work, it's hard for me to tell myself that it's only the first draft. It doesn't have to be perfect, I can leave things out. Things can be messy. I suppose that is what creativity is supposed to be, messy.
I am very much hoping to get the first draft of the third book done by the end of the year, and yet that is soon approaching and I am stumbling about, trying to make everything in the plot right. But, as always, no matter how messy or disjointed it gets, it is a joy to write, a joy to create and build this world with Victoria and Andrew and Tollin and several other new faces that I am very excited for you all to meet.
I do suppose I should stop writing here and START writing in the actual document, so I will leave you all with these few thoughts, yes, I am writing, yes, it is a mess, but yes, I am having fun.
~ Taylor Leigh