Penny Ash

Sword and Sorcey and High Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 01:52:00 +0000

When I was 17, a friend introduced me to Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser. I read the first book when I should have been paying attention in class. The stories were short but packed with adventure, action, and exotic worlds. I was hooked. Soon I'd read them all. I moved on to Tanith Lee and The Birthgrave, the Thieves World books, particularly the stories from Andrew J Offutt. I read any I could get my hands on, never noticing they were coming fewer and farther apart.

Real life intervened. Fast forward to 2011.

Conan the Barbarian is the latest in a line of remakes that seems to be sweeping Hollywood. It comes out August 19th, but this isn't about whether remakes are right or wrong. I was discussing this with a friend and it suddenly hit me. Where are all the sword and sorcery books? I may be missing something but I have not seen any in a long time.

So, what happened to the genre? Surely there are still writers turning out books in the sword and sorcery genre. Where are the heirs of Fritz Leiber and Robert E. Howard? Whatever happened to fantasy that didn't have such creatures as Elves and Dragons. Sorry Lord of the Rings fans, Conan would kick Legolas's backside and use the skinny Elf's arrows to pick his teeth with after he barbecued Smaug. Where are the stories of high adventure and heroes who fight evil Wizards and Sorcerers with nothing but their swords and the knowledge their cause is right?

I suspect we'll see a slew of S&S stories across the board. A lot will be written by authors who see the movie and fall in love with the genre for the first time. To these authors I say: research it, read some of the classics, then write your stories. And to the other authors out there who know and love the genre, what are you waiting for? Write! I know I will be…

Adventures in Self-publishing

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:04:00 +0000

I thought it was time for a change. For the last few months I've been hearing all these success stories from other authors. They've been singing the praises of releasing their back lists, or even new books, themselves. I had a book just sitting there on my hard drive all lonesome and sad. So I figured why not give it a try myself? As of the 19th of this month, I've gone Indie. It was surprisingly easy. A little revising here, some formatting there, a couple of helpful programs and presto, my very own Kindle book. It will be exciting to see how this goes, I think I'm going to enjoy this little adventure into self-publishing.

Puca: A Fantasy

A shape shifter with a twisted sense of humor and a love for humans.
A woman who doesn’t believe in Fairies.
A wayward teenager, little old ladies looking for Fairies in the garden, Brownies in charge of the kitchen and an evil Elf bent on revenge.
Welcome to Toddle House Bed and Breakfast, Enchanted Grove, Oregon, where things are not always as they seem and there’s always a cup of tea ready for whatever might pop in.
Available at
Amazon
And
Smashwords

Disclaimer:

This is a fantasy romance for adult readers, not a YA novel. It has some pretty steamy scenes. And I'd love to see comments from anyone who buys the book.

A Dark Place

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 21:04:00 +0000

I've had something of an epiphany in the last several weeks. I have lost something precious in the last two years. Darkness closed in and went unnoticed because it happened gradually. And, much as I would like to blame others, it was my own fault. I lost the ability to work anywhere no matter what was going on around me. I took my eyes off the goal and it got away from me.

Not many know this but my writing career began while I was the primary caregiver for my mother. My books were written while sitting up all night with her, in between bandage changes, injections, and visits from incompetent home care nurses, in ER treatment rooms, hospital rooms, and in the ICU. I've written through blaring TV, dog barking, days with only generator power after a hurricane, three major evacuations, and two moves. Illness didn't phase me. I even wrote when things were going well and conditions were perfect.

So what happened? I blinked. I forgot writing is a journey and the goal is a finished book. No matter what happens. The noise of the workmen and their power tools, the insect problem and the great Mice War began to drown out my characters trying to tell me their stories. My "muse" mused herself off to the Bahamas and refused to come back.

Something else I forgot along the way, writing is a business. One with no holidays, vacation time, or retirement plan. One which requires discipline, determination, and plain old garden variety stubbornness. Along with marketing, networking, research, and the care and feeding of ideas.

I've awakened. I have my eyes firmly on the goal again. I have ideas. I am writing stories that I want to read. I am learning all I can about my craft and applying it to what I write. Next month is Script Frenzy and I've signed up for that. There are a couple deadlines for submissions that I will hit. I will begin a new campaign to sell the books that I do have available and I will update my website and post more often here. I will be on twitter more often, and I will be a help and an encouragement where I can.

Now, back to writing.

In Defense of Entertainment

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 04:24:00 +0000

I’ve been writing Steampunk lately, in both the fantasy and western genres, and I’ve noticed something. In the chats and in various things I’ve seen and read online there appears to be an argument over just what makes a book Steampunk. What do you have to have in your story to qualify as real Steampunk? One faction says as long as there is some form of anachronistic steam tech and your story is set in an alternate Victorian historical era you’re good to go. Another faction has decreed the writer must address a some sort of ideology along with the clockwork critters or steam engines in the story all you have is a plain story with a little Steampunk window dressing. For this group the authors of these window dressing stories are jumping on a bandwagon and don’t really understand Steampunk. Then there’s yet another side who just want a cracking good story that lets them indulge in their passion for a fantasy world of steam technology, Victorian style and manners, and above all adventure. They want to escape the dreary everyday world for a few hours or an afternoon.

Now in all fairness I have to say there’s a lot of the same faction friction in the mainstream Science Fiction genre. There are authors who write stories with SF window dressing, tossing in a few terms they’ve picked up from watching Star Trek or Star Wars. There are other authors who are totally immersed in the genre and have a wider experience gained by reading. The third group, just like the corresponding one in the Steampunk genre, wants adventure and escapism. They want to be entertained. Compared to the Science Fiction genre, Steampunk as a genre is relatively new, they don’t have the equivalent to a Space Opera subgenre. At least not that I’ve seen yet.
What attracted me to Steampunk in the first place was the art and design I was seeing. I’ve been reading books that could be called Steampunk for years, since the late 70’s at least. They were simply called alternative history back then, usually an alternate Victorian or Edwardian era. What got me thinking about this were statements made during the #steampunkchat last Friday night. The topic was Romance in Steampunk. Quite a few of the writers seemed to think Steampunk books have to be “Message” books. They must have an Ideology. I say no. Not only no, but hell no. Because when you come right down to it a “message” book is, most of the time, saying, “This is how you need to live because I think its right.” Uh-huh. Sure. Next book please. Very few “message” book authors manage to get past this. Even fewer fiction authors manage it. A reader can always tell when an author is on a soapbox about something. Don’t believe me? Look at the definition of Ideology, particularly definition #2 since a vanishingly small number manage to pull off #1. Look at the synonyms.

Webster’s Definition of IDEOLOGY
1: visionary theorizing
2 a : a systematic body of concepts especially about human life or culture
b : a manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture
c : the integrated assertions, theories and aims that constitute a sociopolitical program
Synonyms: CREDO, DOCTRINE, DOGMA, GOSPEL, CREED, PHILOSOPHY, TESTAMENT

I write Romance, usually Science Fiction or Fantasy Romance, and now Steampunk Romance. I also write some Erotic Romance and Erotica. None of it has a deep, meaningful, social message. I’m not pushing an Ideology. My goal is to tell a fun story, to entertain. I don’t think, “How can I make a great social statement.” I think, “How do I give my readers their money’s worth and make them forget their worries for a bit.” Any message there is whatever the reader gets out of the story. I think this is really all you can expect. Because “message” books tend to be boring, preachy books, no matter what genre they’re dressed up in.

As a writer, I say do your research into the genre you want to write. Know the genre and know the readers. Learn your craft and keep learning. Read what others have written. If you absolutely have to put an ideological message in your story, learn to be subtle.

As a reader, I say don’t preach at me. Give me characters I care about, an interesting plot, a great story (very different things but that’s yet another rant) and above all entertain me. These are unbreakable laws because if your book doesn’t do these things I won’t buy anything else you write.

The Paranormal Romance Genre Box

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 18:37:00 +0000

I haven’t posted on my blog in quite awhile. I’m sorry. I plan to start posting more frequently.

I hope. Life has a talent for getting in the way of fun things.

I thought I’d begin the new posting year with an observation. Paranormal Romance is extremely limited. In the genre I’ve seen books about Witches, Wizards, Warlocks, Vampires, Werewolves, Shapeshifters of practically every sort, and a smattering of Ghosts. Heroines are frequently Vampire Hunters, Haunted Damsels, some were creature’s True Mate, a Witch, and occasionally some sort of Psychic (who almost always turns out to actually be a Witch.) Heroes are virtually always a hunky Vampire, Werewolf pack leader, Shapeshifter, Wizard, some sort of Demon, or sometimes an Angel. And of course let’s not forget the Djinn, various Fairy Princes and Princesses, and Mythological characters. As you can tell the line between paranormal and fantasy is blurred.

“So? What’s the problem?” you say. “All of those are paranormal.”

Well, yes. And no. We could get into a religious debate on several of these beings but that would just get everyone upset and we’d never get around to the point I’m trying to make here. Which is the Paranormal Romance genre is severely limited. It has been packed into a tiny little box with very thick walls no one seems to want to break through.

I have a theory about this that is similar to my theory on why Science Fiction Romance is just as limited (separate rant best left for another post.) Now here’s a simple question. Where are the stories about Telepaths, heroes and heroines with Telekinetic powers, characters who can Teleport? When was the last time you read a story about Remote Viewers? Dimension Travelers? And I mean characters who don’t have to cast some spell, get bitten, or be stolen/exiled/hidden at birth and raised by humans to do these things. In short, where are the really unusual paranormal stories?

I can tell you why you won’t find many stories like those above. Very few have ever been written. Why? Because a lot of writers don’t want to be bothered to do truly in depth research into the paranormal. A lot don’t want to research at all. I’ve even seen posted on a writers group the statement, “Let’s write a paranormal, we don’t have to research that.” Made me shudder.

“But I don’t have to research the paranormal because: A. I’m a Wiccan/Psychic/Witch. B. I’ve watched every episode of Buffy, Angel, and X-Files and read every Laurel K Hamilton and Jim Butcher book out there. C. It’s paranormal and I can make up anything I want because it’s all fake anyway. Or, D. All of the above.”

Now, in the interest of clarity, I am not a Psychic, Wiccan or Witch. I have seen Buffy, Angel, and X-Files, and I have read Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files but not Laurel K Hamilton’s books. I’ve also been reading books on the paranormal for around 35 years and count as friends several paranormal researchers. I’ve attended lectures by Psychics and I used to be able to see and feel auras. I’m out of practice now.

So, what is my point? Readers love the kind of Paranormal Romance books I seem to be ripping up at. My point is simply this. Next time you sit down to write a Paranormal, try thinking outside the box. Read up on things like Telepathy and other mind powers, check out some accounts of people who have experienced phenomena of extreme strangeness. Do a search on Remote Viewing, you can even take classes in it. Expand your horizons, kick some holes in the genre box, there’s a lot of stuff out there that would make wonderful stories.

All it takes is a little research.

Putting Backstory into your Book

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 18:23:00 +0000

I missed the last few challenges for the #storycraft chat but this one I just had to do. Since the chat was about backstory I thought I'd give a sort excerpt from my latest book Pale Fire.

An hour into the flight and working on my second scotch, I opened the folder. Cath could be considered a mild indiscretion, a flirtation with folly. No one in my world would blame me if I walked away. But we had a deeper connection and I couldn’t let it go. Not yet, maybe not ever.

I began to read. Several pages into the report I discovered I had been part of this twisted experimental genetics project since I was four. Four fricking years old. What the hell did they need to terrorize a baby for? It appeared that we had been chosen at a very young age. The Project had been operating since 1947. We were second-generation guinea pigs. How special.

I turned the page and stopped short. It was a picture of Cath as a child. Even though it was an old picture, I knew it was her—no one else I’d ever seen had hair the color of hers. I closed my eyes for a moment. I had been set up. Used, abused, and set up for this.

The file contained dates and detailed references to what procedures were done when we were taken. Each time they injected us with something, every sample they took, all the little surgeries that were done—everything was there up until I was twenty and Cath was fifteen.

The reports became vague and I could tell something odd had happened. While at first we had occasionally been abducted together, suddenly that became the only way we were taken. I shuddered. It read almost as if they were breeding us. I put the file down and waved at the flight attendant. I needed another drink.

She came back with my scotch and I thanked her. I didn’t want to go back to reading the file, but it was like a bad car wreck; I couldn’t help myself, I had to look. I opened the file again.

The #storycraft Flash Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Sun, 02 May 2010 19:07:00 +0000

The challenge was 300 words from an inanimate object's point of view.

Garden

He sat as he had since the family brought him home, still, unmovable, a joy to look at in the carefully tended garden. The children loved him. They clambered over his surface, playing. He liked the children, enjoyed their laughter and the way they made him a centerpiece to their games for the short time they loved him.

Sometimes he wondered where he would go next as he listened to the world flow around him. The lives of others came and went, mere sparks flashing past in his long life.

He wasn't sure when he began to realize it was lonely. Maybe it was the day the children no longer came to play. Or, it could have been the night the mouse living under him picked up her babies and moved them, one by one. He didn't remember the last time he had been with others of its kind. That startled him. He had never forgotten anything before. With a soundless sigh he began to know longing.

The family left, another took their place, a young couple with no children to play on him. Bored, he went back to sleep.

A commotion in the front seeped into his awareness. He woke to find many people scurrying about in the garden. They pruned the trees and replaced the flowers. The chatter of the pansies annoyed him but at least their silliness was something new. He put up with it. Suddenly he saw her, riding toward him in her wheelbarrow chariot. Moss and bits of dirt clung to her like jewels. The workers placed her beside him.

"There, now this old rock doesn't look lonely anymore." The worker gave him a pat.

They nestled close together. "It's a nice garden," she said.

"Yes, it is." He wasn't lonely anymore.

Science Fiction - A Rant

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:47:00 +0000

I do some reviewing for Night Owl Reviews and I used to edit for several publishers. I've been a life-long science fiction and romance reader. And I'm seeing something that bugs the heck out of me. I'm seeing stories where the authors are combining science fiction and romance. That isn't what has been bugging me though, I love the combination, I even write it myself.

The thing that bugs me is the number of books I see billed as science fiction romance where the author has made the assumption that calling a car a transport or having a character zip around in a flitter and talk to an intelligent cat with six legs makes the story science fiction. Sorry but it doesn't. Neither does copying things like warp drive, light swords, pointed ears and strange colored skin. Or setting the story on a space station or a planet with five moons and a green sky. I've seen books by authors who use the terms planet, galaxy, and solar system interchangeably, not having a clue concerning the difference between these things. They plug in a few spacey sounding terms and make the hero blue skinned and telepathic and bingo, they think they have science fiction. Um...No.

I have a suggestion for all the authors who want to write science fiction because they've seen all the Star Wars movies and every episode of Star Trek ever made. Read some science fiction. Read Heinlein, Niven, Asimov, Herbert, Bova, and Blish. Also Cherryh, Lichtenberg, Duane, Bradley, Tiptree, and LeGuin. There are thousands of great books out there. Hundreds of great authors. Read and pay attention to the world building, the aliens they describe, the culture the humans live in. Don't just copy a few terms you liked from the Matrix movies and rewrite Biff falls in love with Muffy. (Mary Sue / Gary Stu is a whole other rant.)

You want to write about people on a world with a green sky? Fine, take a minute and find out what would make that sky green, and would the people be able to breathe it or would they have to wear some kind of environment suit? Would they need air locks on their homes? What other problems would they have? Carnivorous grass maybe, who knows, the possibilities are endless. Research it; your story will be better for it. With Google and the internet these days research doesn't take much time at all.

Alright, rant over. For now. So, just in case you're wondering what I've read myself and personally recommend here's a short list.

H Beam Piper – Little Fuzzy (available on Kindle for free.)

James H Schmitz – Agent of Vega, the Telzey and Trigger stories (available online from Baen Books.)

Jacqueline Lichtenberg – Molt Brother and City of a Million Legends, plus the Sime-Gen books.

Marion Zimmer Bradley – Colors of Space as well as the Darkover series.

Frank Herbert – the first four in the Dune series.

Robert Heinlein – All of them, particularly Red Planet and Orphans of the Sky.

C J Cherryh – the Chanur books, Cuckoo's Egg, Cyteen, the Foriegner series, and Wave Without a Shore if you can find it.

Alan Dean Foster - The Flinx and Pip series.

And there are dozens of others. Go on, be brave, extend your horizons. It doesn't hurt a bit.

Lessons

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:13:00 +0000

I have learned a few things over the last couple months.

First I am definitely not and outliner. No I am what some call a pantster. I get my idea for a story or a character pops in to visit and I start writing. I may have a vague idea of where the story will go but most of the time I don't. I've discovered the characters always know, even if they won't share it with me until the last minute.

Second I am an outliner. Yes, schizo, I know. But what I've found is the perfect way to outline without outlining. And all it took was deciding to turn my fantasy romance book Puca into a movie. I found a group of great film and screenwriting people on Twitter which in turn led me to beat sheets and the three act structure. I had a vague idea that just possibly I could use this in my fiction writing but I had no clue how. Then I got some great advice from Jacqueline Lichtenberg and now the story is flying again.

Helpful Links:
http://aliendjinnromances.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html
http://scriptchat.blogspot.com/
http://www.blakesnyder.com/tools/
http://www.rareform.com/screenplay-editor/beats.php

Oookay

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:54:00 +0000

About time I updated this thing. Much has happened since last April. I have a new book coming out January 4th 2010, Pale Fire from Phaze books. I tried to NaNoWriMo this year, got to 26,000 words before edits stopped me again. But I am continuing with the book which is a Steampunk western and tons of fun to write. Also working on the sequel to Pale Fire, doing the odd cover commission, and continuing work on my other projects which includes adapting Puca for film. The website has been updated as well with three free reads, including a Steampunk Christmas story (18 and older please)

I've been spending a lot of time on Twitter with some wonderful new friends. If you want to follow me there I'm @PennyAsh.

The place we're renovating is getting close to being done and moving day is coming up soon. The best thing about the place is it is totally paid for, there will be no house payment, no huge remodeling loan to pay off, and I will have a writing room.

I'll be putting in a garden this spring. I am hoping to try my hand at canning too. I'll be doing container gardening for the vegetables and I'm planning a poppy garden. My favorite flower, poppies in any color but especially red.

In the future I hope to start doing reviews again too.

News

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:35:00 +0000

The first review is in for Caesar's Mercy of Love http://tinyurl.com/PJreview a great review, woot :)Caesar's Mercy of Love, available here http://tinyurl.com/djopfp from Phaze Books. 18 and up only please. :)

my book Puca available in print at Amazon http://tinyurl.com/PUCA-Ash 18 and up (you get the idea) For E-Book lovers Puca is also available here http://www.mojocastle.com/penny/ash.html along with my other book Wish Fulfillment Inc. and a free read A Vampire Story. Another short free read Sanity is available here http://www.mojocastle.com/

And my friend Etienne (who needs to get his own blog) Has a book out here http://tinyurl.com/AlienArmsEtienne and a Time Traveler series out here http://www.mojocastle.com/ Pure smut of course :)

Oh yeah, and my website... http://www.pucasforest.com
and Etienne's... http://www.etiennedartagnan.com (There's a free Time Traveler read there too)

The Big Move & Other News

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:32:00 +0000

Okay, it's finally done. I've moved north. What was I thinking? I've traded the hurricane coast for tornado alley.

In other better news my updated historical should be out in ebook this weekend, and in print soon after. I got together with my best friend and writing partner Jade Morrison and we rewrote Caesar's Love, adding a second story written by Jade and continuing Caesar's story. Now titled Caesar's Mercy of Love and soon to be available from Phaze.

Laurentius Caesar has everything a man could want: power, prestige,
and the admiration of all. He lacks only love, something the old soothsayer
has promised will be his. But he hasn't found it yet and he's growing
impatient until a chance meeting with one of his house slaves, Auriel.

Having known only the life of a servant, Auriel is surprised and not all
that pleased with her new role as Caesar's lover. Men like Caesar are
dangerous and all Auriel wants is to stay alive.

Is Laurentius' love strong enough to erase their differences?

Digging for buried Roman treasure, archeologist Athena Preston
finds more than she bargained for when an ancient ruby ring is found.
Slipping the ring on her finger, Athena wakes to find herself staring
into the intense eyes of Quintus Caesar himself. Caesar demands an
explanation for why the beautiful servant is wearing his ring;
an explanation Athena is at a loss to provide him.

With her life at stake, Athena seduces the young ruler, winning not
only his heart, but his trust as well. Captured by time, and the
Caesar’s love, Athena is no longer certain she wants to return to her
world. However, as a scholar she knows the time of Quintus Caesar’s
assassination - and it's only days away. Should she save the man she
loves and risk changing the course of history?

In an unforeseeable twist of fate, history is indeed changed.
Lives will never be the same, but will love survive the centuries?

Puca

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:21:00 +0000

Woo hoo
My first print book Puca is available on Amazon
http://tinyurl.com/5dla2k

A shape shifter with a twisted sense of humor and a love for humans.
A woman who doesn’t believe in Fairies.
A wayward teenager, little old ladies looking for Fairies in the garden, Brownies in charge of the kitchen and an evil Elf bent on revenge.
Welcome to Toddle House Bed and Breakfast, Enchanted Grove, Oregon, where things are not always as they seem and there’s always a cup of tea ready for whatever might pop in.

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Kira Barton swears an oath to the dead girls she will find their killer. What she doesn’t know is that, in her pursuit, she will be hurled into the distant past. Balion, Prince of Locke Cress, knows the forest nymph with lavender eyes will come to him because he has dreamed of her every night...

This book has an interesting story line. With the mix of modern eras, time travel and magic it has a little something for everyone. The only problem I had was with some of the profiling and forensics in the book, but them I'm really picky on my crime fiction, and this is a romance :)

This book is coming soon from Siren

http://www.sirenpublishing.com/ketadiablo/default.asp

I give this one a solid 4 Djinn

Nocturnally Vexed

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:35:00 +0000

Vex had never wooed a human and he wasn’t certain he had a clue of how to go about it, but Chastity, he decided, was worth it. The quicker he could claim her as his mate, the better he liked it. The question was, could he protect Chass from the denizens of Xurath—the bloodsuckers and shifter-rapts that lived among the humans and preyed upon them? Could he protect her from his own beasts?

Okay, vamps, shifters, mutants, and Jack the Ripper, what's not to love? Like a rollercoaster ride through the dark side, this is definitely a twist on the same old same old and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I definitely recommend this one with 5 Djinn

Buy it here:

http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/nocturnallyvexed.htm

The Price of Eternity

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:26:00 +0000

The Scrolls of Cachaen.

Remembered only as legend, these writings gathered by an obscure sect of wizards were hidden because of the diabolical forces they could unleash from the netherworld. Lost for eight millennia, the resting place of the scrolls is accidentally discovered by Xavier D'Shagre. Wounded and dying, the sorcerer seeks to possess the writings to restore his waning magic. Revenge fires his hatred, lit by Morgan Saint-Evanston, the assassin who murdered Xavier's beloved wife, Nisidia.

Xavier vows he will not rest until his enemy is dead.

The sorcerer's search for the scrolls is discovered by an unlikely source:
Julienne Blackthorne. Believed dead, her body was tossed into a charnel room. Alive amongst the reek of the battle dead, she seeks to escape her hellish incarceration. Time is against her, for she carries the embryo of a vampiric daemon that will consume her if it is not fed human blood. Julienne must escape Xavier's dungeons and find Morgan, her last hope for survival in the realm of Sclyd.

Book 2 in the series. More Gothic goodness. This one has it all. I definitely recommend reading this series in order.

I give this 5 Djinn

Buy here:

http://samhainpublishing.com/authors/devyn-quinn

http://www.amazon.com/Price-Eternity-Devyn-Quinn/dp/1599983982/ref=sr_1_4/00
2-2209932-6970433?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181251759&sr=1-4

(you'll have to cut and paste, one day I'll learn to do the short urls)

The Keeper Of Eternity

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:02:00 +0000

Julienne Hunter had it all. And she used it-her beauty, wit and grace-with a heedless and reckless daring to climb to the pinnacle of success in the world of high fashion. There was no tomorrow in her glittering world and no secrets that her charm could not hide.

But old bodies will not stay buried and Julienne is about to learn the truth of her own lost past. Crushing tragedy lures Julienne back to the family home her mother, Cassandra, abandoned over twenty-one years ago-and straight into the unwelcome embrace of the man her mother feared.

Morgan Saint-Evanston.

Dark. Brooding. Sexy as hell. He's everything a woman desires, yet his own dark secrets have tainted his heart and blackened his soul. He is a man Julienne will dare to take as her lover even as he plunges her into an occult realm where human souls are open barter and swords and sorcery still rule.

First in a series and available in print or e-book this is Dark Gothic Romance at it's finest. Reminded me a lot of the old bodice ripper romances I used to read and sadly so few are writing anymore. I enjoyed this book a lot.

I give this one 5 Djinn

buy it here:

http://samhainpublishing.com/authors/devyn-quinn

http://www.amazon.com/Keeper-Eternity-Devyn-Quinn/dp/1599982692/ref=pd_bbs_s
r_1/002-2209932-6970433?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181254852&sr=1-1

(you may have to cut and paste, I'm not sure how to do the tiny url thing yet)

Sinbad's Last Voyage

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:38:00 +0000

As the Earth readies itself for war with the invading Albegensi, Navajo Andrea Talltrees travels to the Thieves Quarter to hire halfbreed smuggler Sinbad sh’en Singh to find her fugitive-from-justice husband. When they meet, however, it’s an immediate clash of cultures as well as personalities--plus a heavy dose of instant attraction! Refusing to admit that he has fallen in love with a hated Terran, Sinbad reluctantly takes Andi on a journey that will carry them halfway across the galaxy, where the part-feline smuggler will call on some old friends for help and face one deadly enemy with an old score to settle. In their search for Andi’s husband, they’ll uncover a secret invasion that threatens to destroy the war-torn Terran Federation, and will learn that it doesn’t matter how long a person loves but simply that he does love. (Blurb borrowed from the publisher's buy page for this book)

I have to say I enjoyed this story very much. The world the characters live in isn't one I'd like to find myself in but it's quite unique and very well done. I had no trouble visualizing the scenes and liking the characters, particularly Sinbad.

Definitely a 5 Djinn keeper.

buy it here:

http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/single.php?ISBN=1-55404-514-2

Time Traveler Review

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:50:00 +0000

Time Traveler: An Erotic Trip Into The Past

by Etienne D'Artagnan

Caught up in his Uncle's intrigues Cody is swept into the past. The only problem is his Uncle's time machine doesn't work quite right. He's never sure where or when he'll be when he jumps. All Cody wants is to get home and back to his life, but the Time Police have different plans and now they're after him.

Stonehenge - Ancient Britain, fertility rites, what's a guy to do?
Excerpt – Stonehenge
The chanting was hypnotic. All I could focus on was the girl lying on the altar. She was pretty in an ordinary sort of way, her belly flat and her small breasts firm. I moved closer, to the edge of the light, mesmerized by the sight of her.
I felt the heat growing inside and the tightening in my groin that heralded an erection. I licked my lips and swallowed hard. This was not the time to be thinking about fucking but I really couldn’t help myself. She was looking at me, her eyes reflecting the flames. I don’t know what made me do it but I stepped forward into the light.

The Great Pyramid – In the desert heat mummies aren't all that gets wrapped up.
Excerpt – The Great Pyramid
The soft sound of sandals on the stone floor alerted me to the presence of someone else. The scent of lotus let me know Nefertiti was close by. I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry. My eyes were adjusting slowly; I could see movement blacker shadow on black night.
A fingertip drew a tingling line of fire over my chest and back as she walked around me. A faint breeze, or maybe it was her breath, ghosted over my sweat damp skin. I shivered, unable to stop it.
“Have you ever thought of what it must be like to awake in your tomb?” The timbre of her voice sent a chill down my spine.
“No,” it was all I could say. She laughed softly, the sound of a woman intent on seducing a man. Of a woman who knows she’s in complete control. My stomach clenched.

Contains:Ménage, m/m, light bondage, toys, anal, and some rough sex

http://www.mojocastle.com

What can I say, another scorcher from Etienne. I highly recommend all Etienne's books

This one gets 5 Djinn

In Alien Arms Review

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:46:00 +0000

In Alien Arms: A Nine Worlds Story

by Etienne D'Artagnan

When Desah Ssyn arrives on Earth all he wants to do is carry out his assignment and get home before his Chara cycle begins and all he can think about is sex. He didn’t count on being attracted to Federal Marshal Nevada Cisco, his guide and partner while on Earth or the strong feelings he’s developing for Sophie Gibson, the woman Nevada is assigned to protect.

Nevada Cisco isn’t that pleased with his new assignment. Until he meets Desah Ssyn, and his world is turned upside down. Soon his orders to cooperate with the alien take on a whole new meaning.

For Sophie being in protective custody isn't so bad. When the two men protecting you are gorgeous and one of them is an alien in heat, how can any earth born woman deny the call of the alien's Chara time. Or for that matter, how can any earth born man? Certainly not Sophie and Nevada.

But there are dark undercurrents threatening to tear the threesome apart just as they are learning the joy of sharing their bodies with each other. Chak Enif, the alien drug dealer with a secret link to Desah, and Sophie's ex-boyfriend, Brian, have found them. Soon the chase is on, and the alien drug peddler is not about to allow Desah to complete his assignment without a fight. Alien sex is a powerful aphrodisiac that binds them together but will they survive the forces determined to tear them apart?

Contains:Ménage, m/m, light bondage, toys, anal, and some rough sex

http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com/books/inalienarms.htm

From a new author who really knows how to write. This one is a scorcher with lots of twists and great characters. Hot hot hot, definitely an author to watch.

This one gets a solid 5 Djinns

Update

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:38:00 +0000

Well, I'm back now. Real life intruded but after some major shakeups, two evacuations, and general home stuff I'm ready to try this blogging thing again.

I'm going to start doing a few reviews now and then just for fun. No snark, no hyper pseudo literary techie stuff, just pointing out some good reads and some okay reads and probably a few not so good reads.

I'll be doing NaNo in November as well as my regular editing and writing so it's business as usual here.

Playing in the kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 01:04:00 +0000

Got new cookware and have been experimenting again.

The result went over well.
*NOTE* I rarely measure so adjust these as you like

Tortellini in beef broth

I suggest a large pan, the tortellini gets big and it all wants to float to the top when it's done.

Package of Tortellini, filling of your choice (I used 3 cheese)
2 cans of Campbell's beef consomme (or any brand you like)
3 cups or so of water
3 or 4 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
3 dashes on oregano
pinch of dried parsley
a couple pinches of onion flakes
3 generous pinches of shredded Parmesan
3 or 4 dashes of sea salt
2 or 3 dashes of garlic powder
about 1/2 teaspoon of Greek seasoning
a couple dashes of pepper
about 1 tablespoon of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
one single serving bottle of red wine

Pour everything in the pot and begin heating the water. When it begins to steam add the tortellini and cook until desired tenderness (about 7 to 10 minutes for me)

When the pasta is done add 1 heaping tablespoon of flour to thicken the soup just a bit. To keep the flour from clumping you can put it in a cup or small bowl, add some broth to it and whisk it until it's smooth, then pour it into the pot. Stir it real well and remove from heat and let it sit for about 8 minutes give or take. This is the time to toast the garlic bread and toss a simple salad, I used herb mix and iceberg lettuce and added a few pinches of shredded Parmesan too.

Once Upon A Time In A Blog

noreply@blogger.com (PennyAsh) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:49:00 +0000

Hi folks. This is the official first post on my blog. I hope to have regular news, book reviews, comments, and just whatever strikes me.

If you've visited my website pucasforest.com you've noticed that there's another author listed there too. Santana Smith is a friend and fellow Phaze and Mojocastle author that I'm letting borrow space on my site until he finds a few minutes to get his site working right. He's busy getting over a bad cold caught when he stayed out all night in the local cemetery photographing ghosts.

Anyway, we both have stories coming out this summer. Viva Las Vegas (which I wrote Santana into as a secondary character) will be out from Mojocastle Press soon. Santana's short story Best Friend's Mom is included in the 39 and Still Holding Him anthology from Robin Slick and Phaze. His book Dark Fire will be out soon from Mojocastle Press. Puca will be going to print soon as well. In the works is a collaboration between me and Santana as well as books we're writing on our own. And Santana has a free story called Sanity that will be available from Mojocastle when his book is released, believe me it has a twist you'll never see coming.

I'll be posting reviews for several books in the next few days.