1 - 2 - 3 Tag

2007 RWA's Golden Heart winner, recently sold her first novel to Kensington Publishing, Marilyn Brant tagged me to play her latest game of what are you reading now.

Marilyn knows I'm reading. Anyone who's perused my blog since the first of the year knows I've issued a reading challenge (one book per week -- come on, folks, seriously, that's one skinny little book or not so skinny as is your choice per week.) Simply comment and let me know what you're reading.

Back to Marilyn's tag, here are the rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people and post a comment to the person who tagged you once you’ve posted your three sentences.

I'm into Jim Butcher's series, The Dresden Files, reading book 5, DEATH MASKS.

A cell phone rested on a counter beside a pad of hotel stationary. A woman appeared in the window dressed in a long gown of dark silk, and picked up the cell phone. She answered it without speaking and a moment later said, "I'm sorry. You've the wrong number."

Sounds innocuous, doesn't it? BUT, if you've read any of Mr. Butcher's stories, you'll know there is nothing innocent about his scenes. Does something happen right after this quiet moment? You betcha! Because that is the way this master writing technician puts together a story. Lets you breathe, then sucks all the air out of the room in one life-altering moment. I don't exactly want to be Jim Butcher. My husband wouldn't like that . . . however, I'd love to follow him around as he builds his stories. He is a true professional. If you haven't read Jim Butcher, you're missing some truly great novels.

All right, so I'm tagging a few folks now. If I didn't tag you and you're here and reading a book that has page 123, feel free to post in the comments section with the 3 lines.

What fun!

Thanks, Marilyn, for tagging me.