Thanks for stopping by! This is the official blog for the Rona Shively Stories Mystery Series. Check in for details on upcoming Rona Shively Stories and other events! Watch Rona's transformation as she tackles life head on, now armed with newly found faith and the knowledge that she is not actually in control of anything. Finally, it is all starting to make sense.

Upcoming Events

***All Rona Shively books are now available on Kindle! See below for details!***Buy your copy of any Rona Shively Story and help someone today. All proceeds go to Higher Ground Ministries to empower women! Get your copy today at Amazon.com!***Help women reach Higher Ground! http://www.highergroundministries.wordpress.com.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Konrath gives me the creeps...

That's why I like him! Please take a look at my review of his latest book, Fuzzy Navel:










Five Star Creepy!!!

My favorite thriller author of all time, J.A. Konrath has given us yet another reason to lock our doors at night. Prepare to be creeped out, because you can’t sit alone and read Konrath without feeling the need to check under the bed and in the closet for unwanted visitors. This book had me looking over my shoulder for days.

Not to give away details about the story, the villain, Kork is holding Lt. Jack Daniels’ loved ones hostage and she’s hell-bent on revenge. You won’t be able to stop reading this until you’re sure everyone is safe. But can you be sure?

Daniels is a wonderful character, hilariously funny and human. Fuzzy Navel is the best in the series so far and I can’t wait to see what the next installment brings.

Subscribe to Benston Blogs by Email

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

It's all about the numbers...

The older I get, the more I begin to notice that my life revolves around numbers. How much money is in my bank account, how many days of daycare I'll pay for this week, how many words I need to type in order to get my book finished, how much weight I need to lose, how high my cholesterol is, etc. Take today for instance.

I got up at 8 a.m. and spent a total of 20 minutes checking e-mails. I then hurried to get my daughter to daycare by 9, but ended up getting there at around 9:30. I went to the gym and walked a total of 17 laps which took a whopping 20 minutes before riding the stationary bike for 11.5 minutes and getting 2 miles in. This means I'll be able to eat those extra 50 calories I've been wanting to get my hands on. Woo-hoo!

After the gym, I went to the store. Geez, I hate to even think about the numbers involved there. After spending about $20 at the store, I stopped to put $42 worth of gas in my car. That will get me about 350 miles. Maybe. All the while, I was thinking that last night I had just hit 43,000 words on Keeping the Faith and that I really need about 20,000 more to ensure that I hit novel length with this one. We'll see. I've been working on this book for approximately seven months, four days, three hours and twenty-six minutes. During that time, I've thrown out about 97 pages worth of plot that I hated.

When I got home from doing all of this, I checked the tv listings to see what was on and decided not to watch Seven, The Three Amigos, or 1408. I had to get to work by 1 anyway. So, after answering 32 e-mails, a couple of instant messages and commenting on three or four blog posts I remembered that I needed to get the ISBN numbers for a few books I wanted to find. By the time I looked these up, I was sure that my brain might explode.

You see, I hate numbers. That's why I try very hard not to do any tricky math and I can't really commit to playing the lottery. There's just too many damned numbers.

Until next time...

Subscribe to Benston Blogs by Email

Monday, August 4, 2008

The Morning After...

Yesterday, I turned 36. Without much fanfare, but nonetheless, it happened. I had been wondering how this birthday would hit me since last year I nearly had a meltdown over turning 35. Thankfully, I maintained my composure and was actually ok with the whole thing. After all, 36 is one of those non-events we all go through. It isn't a milestone birthday. There really wasn't anything attached to this particular age for me. Last year, I had set myself up to be disappointed because I hadn't had more kids or done more with my life. This year, I'm thinking, "Hey, what the hell else should you have done? You've been pretty busy, so quit your bitching."

I usually look at my birthday as a time to make resolutions. It's a time to decide once and for all what the priorities for the next year will be. So, this year I have just two things that I want to accomplish. The first is to finish losing the weight I've been trying to lose for the past five years. The second is to finish writing this book, Keeping the Faith and find a wonderful publisher who will help me take my work to the next level. Actually, I should probably try to figure out what the next level might be before I start looking for publishers. I'm not even sure what level I'm currently on.

The long and short of it is that I'm finally giving myself a break. I'm no longer going to beat myself up for not having met someone else's personal idea of who I should be. I'm grown and I have my own goals to meet and my own crosses to bear. If my goals don't meet with someone else's expectations of who they want me to be, who gives a shit? Not me. Not anymore...hell, I'm on my way to 40. I don't have time for self-depricating bullshit like that. I'm happy and so far, I have been fairly healthy. For that I am thankful and I'll keep on working towards the things that I think will keep me that way. Shouldn't we all?

Until next time...

Subscribe to Benston Blogs by Email

A Little Bit of Mystery: Short Mysteries to Confuse and Amuse

Where I've Been...

Listen to my interview on the Jeffery S. Miller show.

Listen to my interview on Calling All Authors.

Listen to my interview on the Let's Just Talk w/Kathryn Raaker.

Listen to my interview on Radio Free Baxter.

Where I'll Be...

After a short break in the summer, I'll be at the following locations:

8/11/09 Allen Park Public Library, Allen Park, MI 6:30 p.m.

Looking for something entertaining for your library or bookstore patrons? Looking for a fun way to spend a couple of hours? Do you love mysteries? Then you need to schedule a Tea & Mystery event for your library or bookstore! The fee is minimal and the presentation is fun and informative! Attendees will be given the chance to win great prizes and share their thoughts about the mystery genre and their favorite mystery writers!

E-mail me today at lonestoryteller@yahoo.com for details on how to set up your Tea & Mystery event!

Books by Rebecca Benston

Reviews for Rebecca Benston

“You'll find yourself looking forward to more stories from the files of Rona Shively.”

Michelle Shealy, Reviewer for MyShelf.com

***

“Rebecca Benston has written a detective with plenty of suspense…I hope there will be a sequel…”

Annick, Reviewer for Euro-Reviews

***

“The story is good, the plotting great. Rebecca Benston draws you into the story from the first page. Read the book.”

Lucille P. Robinson, An Alternative Read

***

“Rebecca Benston’s twists, turns, and descriptions are utterly engaging.”

Tracy, Fallen Angel Reviews

***

“In The Wash is like a 1930’s film noir detective story that had a modern, edgy twist and a female lead.”

Janet Davies, Once Upon a Romance Reviews

***

“Under Lock and Key is an enjoyable, fun book! Rona Shively is a delightful character. I loved her off-beat, quirky personality and her outstanding sense of humor.”

Connie Harris, MyShelf.com

***

“Talented author Rebecca Benston shows the reader just how complicated life can get suddenly and how people you thought you knew, aren't who you thought they were.”

Anne K. Edwards, Mysteryfiction.net