Sometimes Life Just Needs a Little Plaid

The good news? Despite the amount of work involved (and don't kid yourself, it really is tough to read and do a write up for all of these) several blogs are reviewing this year's Advent Calendar from Dreamspinner Press. The bad news? I'm losing the links as fast as they are coming in to my alerts, and a few of these didn't show up via Google at all. Whoops! If you've reviewed one of my stories and I missed putting up your link, please send me an email for a little public appreciation. Here's a few from this past week or two:

( Follow Me to Read Reviews )

To everyone who enjoyed these stories and were nice enough to email me - Thank you! Enjoy a Safe and Happy Holiday.

Busy in the midst of clean-up and organizing for ye olde end of 2010 and realized that I missed posting a link to this delightful review from Dark Diva Reviews. Filing this under the "not very organized heading".

I really liked Grant and Craig in this story - another two of my characters that don't seem to get much time to come out and play, and I'm glad Jaime found them appealing as well.

Stormy Weather by Chrissy Munder - available in the Make Me a Match Vol. 2 Anthology from Dreamspinner Press.

Summary: Meteorologist Grant Singer is sick of dates who only want to bed the TV "weather guy". But the matches from the online dating service he signs up with are even worse. In fact, the only thing that makes the endless dinner dates bearable is Craig, the cute waiter at his favorite restaurant. Luckily for Grant, Craig never misses one of his forecasts….

Jaime’s Review:

This was a lovely tale of two guys who manage to find one another through the crowd, even though they don't quite know right away what they're looking at. I rather liked Craig and his simple resolve to be content with his life. He has a certain surety that he will meet the right guy, eventually, even if he hasn't, yet. Maybe that's the optimism of youth, but I think it's also about his personality, being open to chance. Grant's not so sure Mr. Right exists after his recent dating fiascos, but he's willing to try, and that's always a plus.

This really is a sweet story despite the sex scenes, which generally tend to push any story from sweet to at least sensual. In this case, they are well done and somehow manage to retain the sense established in the story of honest, uncomplicated love. The characters are easy to like, their situations are easy to sympathise with, and you just want them to see each other and more importantly, recognize each other. I like the way the story closes with them still being just who they are, honest and tender, and you just know it's all worked out for the best.

Jaime also reviewed the rest of the stories in the anthology. Click on the link here to read more.

Hey world! I lost about a week and a half there. How about you?

Right now I'm strongly resisting my rabid urges to redo my website instigated by you-know-who-you-are *wink*. I'm not overly enthused with the template choices though, which helps in the resisting.

The tulips are on their last, wind-blown legs, the iris are just about ready to bloom, and the poppy has 3 (!) blossoms on the way. Phlox are phloxing, the chocolate chip ajuga is a carpet of electric blue and mixing wonderfully with the beacon silver. *Happy sigh*

On the writing front (did you think I forgot?): After the Storm has received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 from Kassa over at Reviews by Jessewave.

After the Storm is totally unexpected and equally delightful. For those that didn’t read this offering first in the anthology, you’ll definitely want to get it now. The great characters, descriptive writing, clever ending, and above all really wonderful ambiance create an unforgettable story with a great twist. This story just solidifies Munder on my must-read book list.

That brought a smile to my face. Thank you very much, Kassa. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed the story.

Coming in June will be a chat date with the ever-so festive Clare London. She was gracious enough to invite me along with some of her other friends to share, and it will be exciting to see what we all have to say. Really. I promise. I'll post more info on that as I get a chance.

Not only a new week, but a new month as well!

I'll start the Monday off with a few new reviews for Start From the Beginning.

4 Stars from Night Owl Romance Reviews: Reading these characters' interactions - from Drew trying to ignore Miles, to Miles having none of it in his own way - and the progression of how their thoughts change, to reading how those changing thoughts translate into actions made this a wonderful little novella.

and, a grade of Excellent from Jenre over at Well Read: It was all rather delightful and beautifully done, especially in some of the tender moments between the men and in the way that their feelings develop for one another..

In addition to the review itself, Jen and her commentors gave my work some quite unexpected praise that left me with a good dose of warm fuzzies for the rest of the weekend, and almost made up for my dentist appointment.

New as well, 4 Stars from Kassa, over at ReviewsbyJessewave for the Curious Anthology. Including a mention of my short, Spontanteous.

Many of you know that Start From the Beginning was one of the first stories I submitted for publication. I've been very pleased to hear from readers that the story hasn't lost its appeal.

Here's what a few of the review sites have said as well:

4 stars from Lily at Rainbow Reviews

and

4 stars as well from Wave at Reviews by Jessewave

I fear I congratulated myself too soon. Totally behind once again - tsk, tsk. I never got around to posting some reviews of Season's Greetings:

Click on the links for the full review:

Here's the concise cut from Well Read: Overall: A funny, charming story. What more would you expect from expert short story writer, Chrissy Munder? Grade: Excellent

From Tam's Reads: I really enjoyed this story. Russ is totally pissed off that he can't get Ian out of his head, he's trying to write Easter stuff while Christmas music plays, he lives in Florida where they don't get snow, everyone is so freaking cheerful it's making him nuts. He is my ideal character. Snarky, pissy and frazzled. And it was pretty funny.

I was going to wait until Wednesday when I do all the other updates to post this, but what the heck.

Drive Me Home has received 5 Divas and a Recommended Read from Dark Diva Reviews.

You can read the entire review here, but how about an excerpt?

"After reading and reviewing Fair Winds, the first book I read by this very talented author, I was sure that this was going to be an excellent read. But with Drive Me Home, Ms. Munder has reached a whole new plateau and I’m still feeling somewhat stunned. Low-key and subtle are two elements that really mark this book, and I’m firmly hooked on Chrissy Munder’s writing."

It's always a pleasure to hear a reader enjoyed a story.

Dark Diva Reviews has given Fair Winds a 5 Delightful Diva Review that you can read here. And I'm pleased to say that you can vote for Fair Winds in their Book of the Month Reader's Poll. Click here to vote! Poll open from Tuesday, December 1st until 12:00pm est December 7th.

I will cheerfully raise my hand, blink dazedly and say blankly - August?

Yes, another month approaches, and no matter how my fingernails dig in and try to hold on - August is blowing past.

But September is my friend. I love September and October. Fresh winds, fresh thoughts. My organizational skills peek up over the chaos that has been my June/July/August and give me fresh hope.

Wish me luck!!

In the meantime - I come bearing a new review for Fair Winds.

You can check out this post by Jenre at her blog Well Read or her expanded post over at ReviewsbyJessewave where she is a guest reviewer.

Here I thought June was going to be a busy month. *whew* Wait - someone tell me where July went, please?

How's everyone doing? Enjoying the summer? Sailing? Reading? Reading about sailing? (how was that for a smooth and subtle plug for Fair Winds? ) Just having fun?

I'm always tickled to come across a review of some of my older shorts and A Halloween Tail is no exception. There's a nice review up at Library Thing .

Also new is a review for Drive Me Home by Ley over at Joyfully Reviewed..