Happy Thursday, RG2E Peeps!
Welcome to The RG2E and/or Welcome Back!
Here’s a waaay fun post from one of my fave Authors and fave all-around guys…Greg Carrico
Want to know a secret? I’ve been a night-owl for as long as I can remember. Here’s another: I also really love the peace and solitude of staring up into the infinite night sky on a clear evening. One or two of you might also be shocked to learn that, in middle school, I used to sneak out of my bedroom window in the wee, damp hours before dawn (pun not intended, but still puerilely enjoyed). Hey, I didn’t say they were interesting secrets, just embarrassing!
Oh, sorry. Here’s the embarrassing bit. I didn’t sneak out to joyride in stolen cars or meet up with girls (very often). I did it to enjoy the peace and solitude of star-gazing, and to recover from the caring and encouraging words of my three brothers (1 big brother, 1 twin, and 1 younger). Oops! I said “Caring” and “Encouraging.” That’s not quite accurate, but I digress.
I used to imagine that, among the countless billions of unknown worlds spinning around those distant thermal-nuclear explosions, at least one of them must have dragons. Crazy? Statistics are on my side with this, people. Just try and prove that I’m wrong!
One morning I returned from an illicit nocturnal jaunt to find my bedroom window, along with and every other potential ingress to the warm, dry interior of my home, locked tight. I’d been caught. The only way into my house was to ring the doorbell and face the wrath of my already angry, and now sleepy parents, who, let’s be honest, Just Didn’t Understand Me! This filled my perfectly rational, calm, and reasonable teen-brain to the brim with righteous, indignant rage!
How DARE They? Didn’t they know I could get hurt or kidnapped? It would serve them right if I slept out in the cold and got sick. That would show them!
So I did. I slept on a concrete foundation of one of the many new homes being built in my neighborhood. I learned some valuable lessons that night. First, I found that I could see more shooting stars by watching a small patch of sky instead of scanning from horizon to horizon. Second, I learned not to sneak out of my window. Just use the front door, leave a note saying I’d be back soon, and bring a key.
When my parents realized what a lame kid I was; that I wasn’t sneaking out to do drugs or rob convenience stores, they were sort of ok with it. Sort of. That chilly, damp, restless, uncomfortable, rage-filled night of non-sleep on a concrete slab, initiated one of the first open and honest discussions I’d ever had with a real adult; my parents, nonetheless! And we understood each other a little better afterwards.
Sometimes a thing that looks or sounds like great fun (read: sneaking out and sleeping on concrete) can suck rotten eggs. Conversely, some things that might seem against our nature (read: Teen Greg being open and honest with his parents), can be rewarding in ways we might never have imagined.
Guess what? It’s the same with books.
As you may have surmised, I’m a guy. I like books with explosions, impossible gadgets, evil villains, superheroes, and yes, dragons. So when I won D.D. Scott’s Carats and Coconuts, right here on the RG2E as a matter of fact, I started reading it right away.
On Amazon
Price: 99 Cents
(DEE DEE, you can skip this paragraph!) I didn’t read it because it was free, or because I’m a huge RomCom fan; quite the opposite. Dee Dee had been so generous with her time and knowledge on the WG2E, that I thought I should at least TRY to read one of her books.
Carats and Coconuts changed the way I read and think about books. No, it doesn’t explain life’s mysteries, or why Gandalf didn’t just fly the One Ring to Mordor on a giant eagle. In fact, it’s a pretty silly book, and I enjoyed every silly page of it. I even blogged about it. Who knew that RomCom could be so much fun? Apparently quite a few people did, and now I’m one them. One of you. You know what I mean.
SO, If you are still one of those troglodytes who ONLY reads (insert your genre here), then climb up from your isolated literary cave and feel the warm sun of something new on your face! If you aren’t rotating the occasional Gaimon, Lovecraft, or Carrico (hey, why not?) through your TBR list, take a chance on something different. Sure, it might cost you a night or two of sleep, but you just might like it.
About Greg
Greg Carrico is a Scifi/Horror writer who dabbles in Extra-planetary VooDoo and Sarcasm Therapy. When not creating new worlds and plotting their destruction, he obeys the telepathic commands of his three little dogs, cooks, and makes tea. Read his funny stuff at his blog, and his scary stuff on your favorite eReader.
On Amazon
Price: $2.99
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Thanks Bunches, Greg, for the superfab sweet shout-out and terrific post! U rock!
Now then…who all would like an Ebook Gift Copy of Greg’s Apocalypstick? Let us know below, and you just might win one from The RG2E!!!
Oh, and if you’d also like an Ebook Gift Copy of Carats and Coconuts, let us know that too! 🙂
The Best of RG2E Ereading Wishes — D. D. Scott, RG2E Founder
The Reader's Guide to Epublishing 
Great post, Greg! And good reminders to try something new now and again. I’ve found a lot of great books by reading something I didn’t think I’d like.
Thanks Dana! It’s great to see you here this morning. I’m the same way. I’ve bitten into a few rotten apples along the way, but they only make the good ones taste sweeter!
Awesome post! I love all kinds of books in different formats. I think I’d get bored with just one genre or even two. Of course there are those genres I read the most of like suspense and horror, but I mix in some romantic suspense, paranormal, sci-fi, fantasy, romcom, christian fiction, etc. I just love to read and to be transported into diffferent worlds where anything can happen.
BTW…I loved Apocalypstick!
G’mornin’ Rhonda! I have my fav’s too, but the more I read outside of my genre bubble, the more I realize that a good book is a good book, regardless of genre or who published it. Like you said, if it takes me mind to a new place, then mission accomplished!
Thanks for the Apoc shout-out!
Great post!! I would love a copy of Apocalypstick for Amazon Kindle.
I know I have read some of your stories D.D., but I don’t remember reading Carats and Coconuts. I would love a copy of Carats and Coconuts. Thanks!
Thank you Becky! I haven’t read any of the other Cozy Cash Mysteries, but I enjoyed meeting all of those characters so much, now I have to go back and learn more about them. That’s the hazard of starting a series in the middle, but D.D. gives just the right amount of info. I picked up on the connections between characters and knew they had some history but the story worked on its own, too. I’m sure you’ll you’ll love it, and I hope you get some creepy enjoyment from Apocalypstick, too.
Cheers!
What a fantastic post from a fantastic writer! Thanks!
Aww, gosh, Thanks Tamara 🙂 I enjoyed your guest post (http://aliciastreet-roystreet.com/2012/08/22/tale-of-two-keyboards-mysterysuspense-author-tamara-ward/) Alicia Street Roy Street, too! Thanks for coming by!
DeeDee-you are so right-Greg rocks! Wish I had known he was going to write this…knowing Greg back in those teen years, I probably could have provided a few more tidbits! Greg-I truly enjoyed your book and am delighted to say I knew you back when! Keep up the great work!!!
Uh-oh… Someone who knows where the bodies are buried! Just you keep those tidbits to yourself, please! 😉
It’s awesome to see you here, Michelle. I’m so glad to know you enjoyed Apocalypstick. Say hi to some of those Old School peeps for me. Not all of them, mind! Just a few 😉
Cheers!
You are so right! If you do not step outside of your normal reading, how will you know what you may be missing?
I would love a copy of Apocalypstick for Kindle.
Exactly, Barbara! There’s Soooo much stuff out there to read. Some of it is good, too ;-). Just kiddin’. Actually a lot of it is good, and for a great many reasons, too. Widening our nets a bit is an easy way to catch more of the ones that we’ll want to share and discuss with our friends.
Thanks for chatting!
I already have a copy of Greg’s book and will be moving it up on my tbr list. I would definitely like a copy of Carats and Coconuts for Kindle seeing that I have the other books in the series.
Thanks Christy! I think you’ll be getting to it at just the right time. As the shadows grow longer, and the brown and orange leaves skitter down the street and crunch beneath the little feet of Trick-or-Treaters, something darker than usual on the Kindle could be just the thing. But when you finish Carats and Coconuts, be sure to give Apocalypstick a try! 😉
I’m glad to see you here today! Cheers!
This sounds great! Different and cool! Id love a copy for kindle please? Thank you!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Shadow! I’m diggin’ your profile name. Thanks for dropping in this morning, and I hope you enjoy Apocalypstick!
Great post! I already own Greg’s book! Great stuff!
Thank ya C-Mac! I appreciate the shout out!
Cheers to my favorite Islander 😉
I read Greg’s book a couple of months ago and thought it was great. I recommend it. I also recommend looking up at the night sky. When it gets cooler I’m going to do something from my “bucket list” — sleeping under a tree—a tree with branches that go all the way to the ground. Yes, I have a inexpensive bucket list, but a good one. I love the feeling that nature gives up and the way it can creep into your writer’s mind and play with it.
Different genres? I read anything. And so, I write almost anything. I love to stretch those writing muscles.
I just finished Cherry on Top and I loved it. But, now I need something else for my Kindle. I would love a copy of Carats and Coconuts especially after reading that post! We all have our own little quirky secrets, huh? Except I’m telling no one mine.
Cindy, Cindy, Cindy… You gotta let those secrets out! Preferably in a paranormal Tell-All Mystery/thriller under a pseudonym. Do you think it can be ready by Halloween? Of course, I’ll know it’s you, but it’ll be our secret. 😉
Thanks for commenting! You’re gonna Luv Carats and Coconuts:)
Luv the beautifully written, fun post, Greg! So true about stepping out of our comfort zones to learn new things. And not just in books. But I do read every genre and find it feeds different parts of me that get stale and hungry for variety. Hey, it’s better than switching husbands, right? I’ve got both books already and can vouch for how great they are!
Gracias, Alicia! Your nourishment analogy is right on. I think of the genres as the Food Pyramid. There’s a place for every genre in our literary diets, and they do certainly feed that need for the new and different in me. Yes, I think it’s better than husband switching, too. Don’t get me wrong, I know your husband is a great guy, but I don’t have one to trade back, so it wouldn’t really be fair. What? That’s not what you meant?!? 😉
Cheers Alicia! Thanks the kind words. And the funny ones, too.
Greg, I’m afraid I’m just going to have to be a blog groupie of yours. Horror still gives me nightmares if I read it before bed. As usual though your blog posts crack me up. I may have to start a crusade to get you to write a smarmy romance. Ooh we could do it together, I’ll even let you add in a few zombies!
Oh, I love this post, Greg! Yes, it made me laugh until my belly ached but it also made me nod vigorously. Indeed, how great it is to be able to get out of your comfort zone and say, “Hey, I checked out the other side – the dark path I never dared tread on – and it’s not that bad!” It takes a cool guy to say that :). So now we’re converting Greg to the joys and mysteries of romance, lol :))
Converting is easy with all of the talented writers and amazing readers we have on the RG2E and the WG2E. I tend to enjoy those darker paths, including the ones you write on! I loved A Kind of Judgement! I knew I liked you, but now I’m a little scared of you, too 😉
Cheers, Nat!
Scared? Why? I don’t bite, you know, lol. Thanks, Greg – you’re really a trooper x
**Spoiler alert for A Kind of Judgement**
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It’s the Dolls! Maybe it’s because I’m a guy, but dolls are just spooky to me.
Greg, I love DD’s romcom books. It’s my favorite genre. However, recently I stepped outside my genre and you’ll never guess which book I read. Something called Apocalypstick by some guy named Greg Carrico. Heard of him?
And I loved it. It was creepy and entertaining and fast moving … and afterwards, I didn’t want to turn out the lights. LOL! Looking forward to more from you!
That’s awesome Sheila! You made my day.
I have heard of this “Greg Carrico” guy, though. I’ll just say don’t his rugged good looks fool you, and keep a tight grip on your Cheetos when he’s around!
Thanks!
Nice post. I would like a copy of Apocalypstick for Kindle please. Thanks.
Thanks bn100, if that’s your real name! 🙂 Thanks for commenting, and I hope you enjoy Apocalypstick.
Cheers, M8
Great post, Greg. Not only has Indie been great for me as an author, but as a reader, I’ve done exactly what you suggest here–read outside my usual comfort zone–and I’ve found some great books, including yours. Creepy enjoyment is exactly the way I’d describe my experience with Apocalypstick. I’m really looking forward to the new book you’ve got coming out soon.
I really wish you hadn’t stuck that bit about Gandalf in there. Now you’ve damaged my enjoyment of one of the most beloved fantasy tales of all time. But for the first, your advice is generally good. I tend to do that anyway, but honestly, unless you’re planning on living forever, the older you get and the less time you realize you’ve got, the less sense it makes to broaden your mind, instead of reading the stuff you like. Now, if I live to be 200, I’ll probably regret not reading more adventurously, but if I make it that far, I’ll deal with the regret.