The Speculative Salon

Happy Spring.

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 13:05:00 +0000

Just let me know which is your favorite combination?

tlhIngan Hol Dajatlh'a'?*

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 06:18:00 +0000

Do you speak Dothraki? Or Na'vi?

Last time I talked about me and languages. Evidently, I am not alone with the language thing. Not that I ever thought I was. However, there is a huge difference between wanting to learn a language and wanting to just make one up. We are, in part, back to Tolkien again. But, we are also far in to the future and creating jobs for linguists. Who knew that when they were taking this relatively obscure field of study that they might be able to make a living creating languages?

There ~~used to be~~ IS a great site called "Conlang" where you ~~could~~ STILL CAN learn all about constructed languages. Probably a whoooooole lot about constructed languages you don't want to know, but, if you need a reason to stay in school, linguistics with an alien touch might just be what you are looking for. Analyze Dragon-speak, anyone?

There is also Omniglot. It's a collection of language tools and resources. Lots of cool languages here, still. Besides Elvish and Klingon, there is the constructed language--Laadan--of Suzette Haden Elgin's Native Tongue. (You can listen to a podcast about it here).

It’s 2205 and lots and lots of aliens have been contacted, and a genetically related dynasty of Linguists exists to talk to the aliens, which they do by exposing small children to them so that they can learn the alien languages as native tongues.

We kinda expect there to be some language reference when we pick up a book about an alien culture, or when there is some high fantasy involved. Most often it is in naming. The first thing I check when the cover calls to me, is the middle of the book. If I can't pronounce anything written with capital letters, I put it back on the shelf. Not to say that constructed names must sound like English, or that they have to be reasonably familiar looking. Not at all. It's just that the name should have some sonic logic to it. F'narr and F'larr (or however you spell their names without looking them up) are pronouncable. I can hear them in my head and so, tell the characters apart. Csikszentmihalyi. Seeing that? I'd not skip the whole book but if there were more than three instances of that on a page? Back on the shelf. OK. Here's my other real world favorite. Remember when we heard about Eyjafjallajokull? I'll help: Eh-yaf-hetla-yok'tl. Got it? Dw i ddim yn deall!

One of my favorite language-based stories is Samuel L. Delany's Babel 17. It is the main character's knowledge of an obscure Earth language (Basque) that allows her to solve the alien language problem. Still, I am happy that writers don't usually use words that already exist in other languages. At least not without a glossary.

Language creates depth of culture in fantasy and science fiction. Different words are used from one generation to another. When was the last time you actually used a dial to dial a phone number? Or why is it called a "ring tone"? Many cultural conflicts are based in language and when the cultures are more alien to each other, greater opportunities exist for breaches and resolutions. Language has other elements, like metaphor and idiom, that writers can use to build their worlds while keeping our inner reading voice happy.

Here's another World in Words podcast from the archives.

You never know when that odd turn of phrase will be the solution to a grave problem.
Do you have a favorite alien language? Which one would you wish you could teach your friends? How about a secret language?

*Translation: Do you speak Klingon?

Salve!

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 07:13:00 +0000

I read the Hobbit when it first came out. Yeah, I'm that old. One of the things that happened was a longing to have someone to speak Elvish with. My best friend at the time, Franny Cohen, did do the work to learn how to write the runes. I never did.

I don't know why. I grew up in a household of languages. My dad, born of American missionaries in Angola, grew up speaking Ovimbundu, Portuguese and English. My mother, a graduate of Girl's High School in Philadelphia, spoke French and had some smattering of Russian. So, to recap, five languages before I was 8. What did I get out of that?

I speak decent English.

I also have a fascination with languages in general. I've attempted--Spanish, French, German, Russian, Japanese and Welsh. What do I get out of this? I'm not sure. I got to use my antique and very rusty Spanish when I traveled to Mexico that one time. Surprised even me! I felt like Brendan Fraser in Bedazzled "O s((t. I speak Spanish!"

German was a resolution to learn the grammar needed for declined? Is that the word for making declensions? Anyway, languages that use word endings where English uses prepositions to give a shortish answer. Russian uses more than German does.

So, does Latin. And now that I really do want to settle down and learn another language, I'm settling on Latin. Hence the titular greeting. As it turns out learning Latin is not such a dead thing as one might suppose. Homeschoolers are including it in their curricula. Curriculae? Curriculum? Sheesh. I already know too much to feel confident writing even in English.

Anyway.. not a dead language. Winnie Ille Pu. Harrius Potter et Philosofi Lapis. There are several online resources for listening to Latin being read. I'm going to leave that till next time. All of this is leading to something and I need a while to figure out where, exactly.

Give me some help? Do you have a favorite language? One that you love to hear? Wish you could understand? what other one do you speak other than your native language? Do you read spec fic in other language? An inquiring mind wants to know.

Review of Writing Active Setting by Mary Buckham

noreply@blogger.com (EW Gibson) — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Writing the right amount of description to evoke a world where characters live and breathe can be a bugaboo for writers. Either we put too much setting in that has nothing to do with anything and the reader dozes off, puts the book down (heaven forbid), or skips to where the story is unfolding. There’s also the flip side of too much and that’s too little. This dilemma could lead the reader to develop the Goldilocks’s syndrome, only reading books that are just right. Heh. I wouldn’t blame them. Would you?

As a writer, I wanted to know how to write settings that would drop my readers smack in the middle of a world they’ve never been to and never want to leave. I was lucky to participate in a workshop taught by Mary Buckham about writing active settings. She has a busy schedule now and doesn’t teach as often. By busy, I mean, she’s writing her own stories and being a USA bestselling and People’s Choice author. Yay! She’s walking the walk.

Anyway, she has a new print and ebook of “Writing Active Setting – The Complete How-To Guide.” It’s a lifesaver for beginning, as well as advanced writers. This has all three of the Writing Active Setting books: Book 1 - Characterization and Sensory Detail, Book 2 - Emotion, Conflict and Back Story, Book 3 - Anchoring, Action, as a Character and More. Plus Mary has added bonus material all on hooks. What I personally love about this complete guide is everything is in one place. The real winner of the books are the examples from a slew of well-known authors which Mary has deconstructed. Each line is analyzed, so you understand what the author was going for. But she doesn’t stop there, Mary writes a hypothetical first draft and a second draft that the author might have started with, so you can see the progression. It makes it easy to grab hold of the concept and learn how these great authors write active settings.

The following is from the book description of what you will learn:

* Discover the difference between Ordinary Setting that bogs down your story, and Active Setting that empowers your story.

* See how to spin boring descriptions into engaging prose.

* Learn to deepen the reader's experience of your story world through sensory details.

* Notice how changing characters' POV can change your setting.

* Explore ways to maximize the setting possibilities in your story.

* Learn to use Setting to quickly anchor the reader into the world of your story.

* Use Setting as movement through space effectively.

* Explore Setting in a series.

* Find Out the most common Setting pitfalls.

These books go straight to the point, putting theory in plain language, adding examples from authors in a variety of genres, and finishes each section with exercises designed to help you work with your Setting in a way that will excite you. . .and your readers!”

USA Today Bestselling author Mary Buckham credits her years of international travel and curiosity about different cultures that resulted in creating high-concept urban fantasy and romantic suspense stories. Her newest Invisible Recruit series has been touted for the unique voice, high action and rich emotion. A prolific writer, Mary also co-authors the young adult sci-fi/fantasy Red Moon series with NYT bestseller Dianna Love.

Mary lives in Washington State with her husband and, when not crafting a new adventure, she travels the country researching settings and teaching other writers. Please visit Mary's website for more information.

If you want to soar, I highly recommend “Writing Active Settings – The Complete How-To Guide.” Do you have a way of writing settings that you can share?

Till next time,

E. W.

There is Always Time to Read

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Muñiz) — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 10:00:00 +0000

I started to believe I would never have time to read books again. There never seems to be enough time to sit down and read a book with everything going on. Yet, I manage to read the newspaper during my meals and I read FB posts on my phone before bedtime. I decided to use those times to read books again. And with that thought, I'm reading Thieftaker by D.B. Jackson currently. Even if it is just half an hour, I'm reading pages during that time. And because I love goodreads' widgets so much, here is my current reading list and to-read list.

Marilyn's bookshelf: currently-reading

Thieftaker

by D.B. Jackson

tagged: currently-reading

Marilyn's bookshelf: to-read

The Griffin Mage

by Rachel Neumeier

tagged: to-read

Dragon Keeper

by Robin Hobb

tagged: to-read

Geist

by Philippa Ballantine

tagged: to-read

If I enjoy the first book in each series, then I will continue to read all books in the series. Then I will continue on to the next book in my list. It's all planned for me. No thinking is needed. But what about you? Do you have a list, or do you decide on which book to read next when you are done reading a book? If you have any tips on fantasy books, please pass it along.

Where the light comes in....

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 07:00:00 +0000

Met a woman, a few weeks ago, who is revising her photography career. In our chat, I happened on the concept of how photography happens. How it is a matter of light. She is looking at photography as a healing practice, moving away from the emphasis on technology and on inner movement.

She got me thinking of the nature of light and sight. And wondering what other perceptions might happen when you don't have sight, when you are surrounded by light but don't have the means to perceive it. The normal way. I am still thinking about that.

Part of the conversation included someone asking if her photography was spiritual, used just the mind and body. That got me thinking....

Then I remembered. I remembered reading a cool story that I did not understand most of. It's called "The Blind Geometer" by Kim Stanley Robinson.

I work with kids with special needs of all kinds. Reading this story, when I did, helped expand my recognition of what is possible. Ask the parents of my kiddos and you might hear that echoed in how I treat their kids. I expect them to be more than their disabilities. Not just to look past them, but to look through them to see what else might be possible.

For one, it was seeing through to the possibility of life in space. Confined to a wheel chair and held captive by gravity, how might he be perfect in the realm of no gravity. He did inspire a flash fiction piece. I inspired him to read more, to engage math and science through reading: Rowling of course, then Crichton. He was heading to U.C.Davis when I saw him last.

This is where and how the light comes in, by seeing with more than our eyes, and looking at more than what the light reveals. Who have you seen inspired by what they have learned to see differently? What writers have you seen influencing friends and family? Any recommendations?

An Urban Fantasy TV Poll

noreply@blogger.com (Ella Gray) — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 09:00:00 +0000

Spent most of last week stuck indoors due to what Hubs likes to call 'snowmageddon', the winter storm that dropped a heap of snow and ice here in the Carolinas. We love snow, so we were pretty happy about it, but severe weather is kind of rare here and driving becomes impossible. So it was the perfect time to curl up next to the fire and get caught up on some reading and TV.

One show I was excited to pick back up was Lost Girl since the third season was recently added to Netflix's streaming videos. I'm usually behind on most shows because we rely on just Hulu and Netflix (no cable for us), and we have to wait for certain programs to become available for viewing on either of those or the network website. I was so psyched about the new SyFy show, Bitten (based on one of my favorite urban fantasy series, Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Underworld) but that's another one like Lost Girl that I won't have the pleasure of seeing until a later release date. Note: the episodes are on the SyFy site, but you still need a cable subscriber code to watch - lame.

Anyway, I'm loving Lost Girl, and coincidentally I came across this poll of (current) urban fantasy shows on the Spoiler TV site which naturally included several that I watch. The results of that poll so far are a little surprising to me, especially that Lost Girl ranks number four (awesome!) as I didn't realize it was that well known or popular. It was great to see Sleepy Hollow near the top of the list as that's another one we both like, and it films in our neck of the woods too. I haven't seen Haven, but I'm somewhat shocked it made it in the poll over Warehouse 13 or Arrow, so maybe I need to check it out.

My top five would look like this:

1. Lost Girl
2. Sleepy Hollow
3. Walking Dead (I'm counting this one, deal with it)
4. Warehouse 13
5. Being Human

Of course, I'm hoping Bitten will make the cut, and that this version of Elena will be as fun and captivating as Lost Girl's Bo, but we'll have to see. Looking at the current line up also reminds me just how much I miss certain shows that have ended already - Buffy, Fringe and Dead Like Me come to mind.

So, do you agree with the Spoiler TV poll, or do you have your own order of UF TV greatness? (feel free to tell me how wrong I am, LOL) Let me know which show is your fave or if there are any new series in the works you're looking forward to - maybe something based on Neil Gaiman's American Gods for instance (total swoon).

Cheers!
Ella

Loving it all over again

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 06:30:00 +0000

I was listening to an essay by Tor's Jo Walton from her collection What Makes This Book So Great. she writes about why she re-reads certain books and it got me thinking about the same thing. Problem is, I don't really like to re-read books. I get it the first time and move on. Most of the time.

For example. Did the obligatory re-reading of Lord of the Rings when the movie was about to come out. It went ok. Liked some of the parts that didn't end up in the movie. Was not disappointed by the Treebeards, of course. Or the first appearance of Viggo-- I mean, Strider. Passed on The Hobbit, though. I'm past my High Fantasy reading skills. Read it for the first time when it came out and I don't think it will ever have the same feel for me again. Well, except for the barrel escape scene. I can do that again. Maybe.

And that is it, the reason I revisit old stories. There are moments in them that I remember and want to meet with again. Rarely is it the writing. Or the whole of the story. And again, there are exceptions. Asimov's cyborg detective remains an inspiration for how to blend genres and still manage to say something important. Rowling is also someone I can listen to again (re-reading for those of us who prefer the audio versions). It was several listenings before I stopped getting teary at Neville's meager ten points for Gryffyndor in the first book. Or my cheering when the Weasley twins decide they have had enough school. No, wait. When McGonagall tells Peeves it goes the other way.

I also recently went back into Zelazny's world of Amber and its Nine Princes. I was a little disappointed. Why? Because it's a period piece. It is more obviously written by a man than Asimov's books are, for example.

Are there more recent books or authors I'd be tempted to reread? Yes. Now that I think about it, there are a few. Why? Mostly because they have brought something new to my reading. A new presentation of a trope is the usual reason. How many ways are there to present fairies? Or werewolves and zombies?

I am more likely to reread revisions. What? How many ways have we seen Red Riding Hood? I can read more of those. Or Sleeping Beauty? Re-telling is the better term. Revealing elements of the world of he original story or connecting the past with the present in a new way. That is what excites me. Bringing the world into a different perspective. Rowling does that. Zelazny did that. Asimov does that. Even Tolkein did that.

So, what brings you back to old favorites? How do you know your heart will still skip a beat when the story gets to THAT particular part? Which covers show how comfortable you have become in your relationship?

Rituals and Writing

noreply@blogger.com (EW Gibson) — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 05:00:00 +0000

For most folks, practicing a ritual means to reap a certain result. Sometimes it seems superstitious, like basketball player, Michael Jordan wearing his North Carolina shorts underneath his Chicago Bulls shorts for every game. Sometimes it seems mystical, like Author, Steven Pressfield invoking the spirit of creativity by reciting Homer’s Invocation of the Muse. Other times it seems unusual, strange even funny. Hemingway pounded away on a typewriter standing up, while Capote wrote lying down and in longhand. Some writers, like John Cheever and Victor Hugo found writing in their underwear or in the nude beneficial. Hmmmm.

In an article in the Scientific American titled "Why Rituals Work," it said, “Despite the absence of a direct causal connection between the ritual and the desired outcome, performing rituals with the intention of producing a certain result appears to be sufficient for that result to come true.” Basically, you could do anything as part of ritual, as long as you repeated the action each time you did it.

For me, I’ll go as far as writing in my pajamas but not my underwear. I will play a piece of music over and over again both for when I’m painting and when I’m writing a scene. It drives my hubby crazy, but it puts me into a kind of trance like state. Doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does, I love the results.

Do you have a ritual that gets you going?

Till next time,

Elizabeth

Writers Online Pitch Event and Musical Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Ella Gray) — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 08:00:00 +0000

As usual, I'm modding some really cool writing workshops this month on the Savvy Authors website, including a fascinating study of Alpha Babes with Pamela Jaye Smith that will surely produce some soon-to-be awesome heroines for any genre. Even more exciting is the month-long event Prepare, Pitch and Publish, which features several mini workshops, pitch practice with feedback from peers and instructors, and a chance to present your polished pitches to agents and editors. It's an amazing opportunity, so all you writers out there get on over to Savvy Authors and get your pitch on!

Personally, I'm expecting a very creative and productive February as I close in on the final chapters of my PNR project, Rising Fire, while also jumping into the planning stages for the urban fantasy I'll be writing during the March-April Editor's Blueprint event. I'm already having a Devics kind of week, and I suspect their albums will be my musical muse for the coming weeks - haunting and romantic. In case any of you aren't familiar with them, here's a video. Love them, love the song, love the video. Have a great month!

Cheers!

Ella

Sherlock Holmes and ADD

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 07:00:00 +0000

I've been putting together a collection of posts on my own blog on my experience of ADD. I don't meet the hyperactive markers that one might typically think of. I identify with the "excessive daydreaming" kind. The attention to the outside world deficit. In me, that translated--some five decades later--as Psychic according to the local community college career center. Imagine that!

I was watching the PBS special on the new Sherlock Holmes series with Mssrs. Cumberbatch and Moffat. It traced the history of the character and his peculiarities. But it's not the historical Holmes that got my interest. It is how he is being presented in the current production--how his attention flits from element to element as he puts the whole picture together.

I got to wondering what that might have felt like as a kid. As a kid in the American school system that asks for right answers based on step-by-step movement through a series of programmed movements. At least that was it when I was growing up. I just waited until everyone else got to the end of the steps before I joined in. I'd most of the time got to their conclusions already. Put it together from other pieces having nothing to do with the current lesson. Weird. And I didn't get it right all the time, but I had fun getting there.

In another PBS special I discovered how much the story of Sherlock Holmes inspired modern forensics. That means there are a lot of people who identified with him or thought that how he behaved was alright. I mean their teachers. Yes, Holmes was logical and studied. But how much of how he started out was the more daydreamy kind of behavior, taking in information and putting it in a new context?

Anyone else have new insights into odd behavior? This is spec fic. Seeing the world through the eyes, the perceptions of those whose perceptions are considered faulty. Sometimes they are called artists. Do you know anyone who perceives the world so differently that you are encouraged to change your own perceptions?

Fast Edits

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Muñiz) — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 10:00:00 +0000

At this moment, I’m going crazy participating in Savvy Author’s Editpalooza. I picked an old draft from NaNoWriMo 2010. While not officially complete, there is enough material to finish it once I iron out the trouble spots. The problem is those spots after the first three chapters. It's going to be painful to work through it in one month, but I’m willing to learn how to edit fast.

I haven’t touched the draft since that NaNo, so it opened my eyes to my three main problems:

A classic moment of pantsing. It started great, and then it went downhill after my main character left home. The original idea devolved quickly, and the scenes shifted my original ideas. The plot left in the fifth chapter and never returned.
I hate my characters.
Somehow my novel turned into a fantasy romance novel instead of a high fantasy novel.

Unfortunately, approaching writing as a pantser can spell doom when you realize there isn’t much to work with. I wrote 71k, but how many good words are there? If I’m lucky, probably not more than 20k. I lost touch with the reality of the world I created. It’s painful to read and more painful knowing I wrote it. The first draft is meant to be this way, but I still didn’t want to believe it. Yet, I accept them to move forward.

Participating in Editpalooza isn’t going to allow me to think long and hard. The push to finish the next assignment is pressing against my forehead. Now they said, each assignment may take longer than others. I’m treating this event as a request from a real editor. If you want your book published on time, then you must meet the deadline. If I want a good 2^nd draft, then I will work hard to complete it by the end of the event.

How about you? Do you think you can edit fast?

SNOW DAY!

noreply@blogger.com (EW Gibson) — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 13:05:00 +0000

I'm avoiding the Snow Queen. She won't find me under the comforters. Hehehehe!

Till next time,

Elizabeth

Gorging on Urban Fantasy

noreply@blogger.com (Ella Gray) — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 09:00:00 +0000

In my last post I mentioned that cleansing can be a nice thing to focus on as part of making a fresh start in the new year. I was referring specifically to the plan for hubs and I to do a fruit and veggie cleanse some time in January, and I was very pleased with the healthy feeling that came from it. Now, some people will do this kind of cleanse for a week or more, and more power to them. I can't go without coffee for that long, LOL. So while it may not seem like a huge stretch, I think going two days eating nothing but fresh foods and water is a worthy accomplishment.

Of course, a little dietary cleansing isn't the only way to clear the cobwebs and get energized. Cleaning out all the junk and unused items around the house, emptying all the old folders and bookmarks on the computer you'll never look at again, or just organizing everything so it's not such a hot mess. I decided it was time to purge more books to make room for all the awesome new reading material I want this year, including getting rid of several ebooks on my Kindle (and I so wish we could donate those to the library too).

I couldn't help but notice that there are quite a few urban fantasy series that I started reading over the last few years but have not kept up with. It might be my short attention span, or my attraction to shiny new objects, but I tend to jump from one series to another only managing to read one or two books before moving on. I'm also super anal about reading any serial story in order, so there you go. Very occasionally I'll keep up with each new release, but not often. Which means I have a lot of catching up to do, so I'm planning a good old-fashioned gorging of some of the series I loved but didn't get the chance to continue. Here's my list so far -

The Walker Papers by C.E. Murphy - loved the first book (thanks for the recommendation Melanie!), but never went back to it

Horngate Witches by Diana Pharaoh Francis - I actually reviewed Bitter Night for the Witches and Witchcraft reading challenge last year

The Hollows by Kim Harrison - I know this one is really popular, and I made it 3 books into the series before I got distracted

Descendants by Jenna Black - again, only read the first one and really enjoyed it

Cal Leandros by Rob Thurman - I don't even know how many are in this series at this point, but I've only read the first two

Dresden Files by Jim Butcher - another long series that I can't wait to get back to

In addition to these (as if it weren't enough to keep me busy all year), I've got a few series I've been meaning to start and haven't yet - October Daye and Incryptid series by Seanan McGuire, Elemental Assassin by Jennifer Estep, and the Sabina Kane books by Jaye Wells.

Yep, I've got a long and glorious UF road ahead of me this year, but I always have room for more. Which urban fantasy series do you think I should add to my list? Do you have any favorites you desperately need to catch up with?

Cheers!

Ella

Why I Read Spec Fic

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 07:00:00 +0000

Some of the satisfaction I get from reading speculative fiction, the reason I put on a favorite book when I am feeling low, is practice.

Huh?

Think of it. We read stories so that we can practice the consequences of our thoughts and feelings through the characters, without risk. In speculative fiction we get to practice getting through the murk, the barely nameable ilk and irk of our day. That energy-sucking co-worker. The weight of an upcoming storm. The creep of clutter.

Mainstream writing doesn't help me much. It doesn't help me name the ick. Not the way Jim Butcher does when Harry is being poisoned by vampire spit. Not the way Kristine Kathryn Rusch lets me identify with the pervasive dust of the moon, the constant threat of the bubble being breached, letting the breathlessness of living on a strange planet overwhelm. How does it feel living among aliens, trying to make sense of their rules?

None of this is obvious when I am reading or listening. Only when I ask the question, recall that this is what we want stories for, do I recognize the connections. This is also what our favorites are for. They take us into a world that some part of us recognizes, that encourages our hearts to listen more closely. This next year, 2014, I look forward to discovering more landscapes that feed my spirit, hold my heart, give me comfort when the world around me becomes just a bit more weird and whelming.

What are you go-to stories, novels? Do you have a world that you would like a passport to? OK, just for a day, maybe. One that is more than just an escape?

New Year, New Beginnings

noreply@blogger.com (rj.garside) — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 02:27:00 +0000

I always love writing each year about a fresh start and fresh beginning, but unfortunately by March (if that), my fresh start is stuck in the mud and I'm back to the place I was the year before whether it was for weight loss, working out or pursuing writing. This year, while I try to kick start my pursuit of publication, I have something new that I am pursuing and one that I can't fail at - a healthier lifestyle.

My two-year-old son has some nasty allergies that we discovered just before his first birthday, but him being so young we were able to just feed him "baby" food and my husband and I continued to eating all the foods that we loved. My son is allergic to wheat, oats (anything with gluten), eggs and dairy. This has been a real challenge for me to find things that don't taste like garbage to give to him because toddlers have a hard enough time eating when they don't have allergies.

I did a ton of research and checked out cookbook after cookbook trying to find some recipes that would be suitable. Finally, I found four really great books that allow him to eat pretty much everything from bread to cookies, cakes to ice cream and even a homemade nondairy cheese. This Christmas, I took on the challenge of cooking and baking dinner for my very picky inlaws. Thankfully everything turned out reasonably well.

To start 2014, I cleaned out my pantry and fridge of everything that isn't safe for my son to eat. If he can't have it, neither can we. There is no better feeling than when he can just pick at my breakfast, lunch and dinner plate. It's been a little rough at times, since I absolutely love cheese and chocolate. The dairyfree cheese has a different taste, but I'm adapting and chocolate...well, it's a love that I will never get over. I have learned to cook and bake. And although it takes a lot more time of preparation than popping in a pizza or chicken nuggets, I feel good because I know what I am feeding my little guy.

So changing my eating and my family's eating is my fresh start. I've also started the new year with another bundle of joy. My second little guy was born in late September and a family of four is more to adapt to than three.

My writing has taken a beating since baby #2 came, but it is so worth it. And although I am back to being that sleep deprived mother of a newborn, I wouldn't change it for the world. Now when I look at my little guys, I have a little more motivation to write and seek publication. I also make better use of my writing time because when the boys are napping at the same time (virtually never), I focus so hard on writing as that window doesn't stay open for very long.

I am thankful to be back at the Salon and back with the Scouts. I have a feeling that 2014 is going to be the best year yet! Happy New Year! And if you have any websites or cookbook recommendations for gluten, dairy and egg free recipes, please feel free to post!

RJ

New Year’s Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Marilyn Muñiz) — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 10:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year

I originally posted this on my blog, but it fits well for the Salon theme for this week. So here it is:

It’s one of the most popular topics this time of the year: New Year’s Resolution. It arrived before we finished the ones from last year. It isn’t my favorite subject because of my track record, but the drive to win pushes me to make New Year’s resolutions. My resolutions don’t differ from most people. I want to lose weight with exercise and healthy foods. Most of you want to finish your first or tenth draft. But this year, my three resolutions are different, because if I can’t keep making the same ones. I never finished, so I will keep working on them and make new ones.

1. It isn’t easy for me to speak of my flaws. I strive for perfection in everything I touch. I’m harsh on myself when it doesn’t meet my high standards. I can be just as harsh on someone. But I shouldn’t judge, because I can’t hold the same standards in others. Their wants and needs are different from mine. I can’t expect them to do the same as me. The world travels in a different way. I should honor that.

2. My second resolution stems from my first. I am harsh on myself and expect the best always. If the first time doesn’t come out perfect, then it isn’t right. Again, I need to step back and realize first tries are not perfect. I can’t write the perfect draft in 30 days. It can’t be unless you practice writing all your life and know the 30-day formula for publication. My mind needs to slow down and not expect perfection in the first round.

3. This year I want to be happy and enjoy what life has in-store for me. No matter what happens, if I’m not happy, then my dreams will never happen. My happiness spreads across to everything I touch. I’m an unstoppable force when I can’t beat myself down. Therefore, no one else can bring me down.

Now, I am ready to take on the New Year. Please leave your comments with your resolutions, or if you are not planning to make any. If you aren’t, let me know why. Until next time!

Today Is A Gift

noreply@blogger.com (EW Gibson) — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 05:00:00 +0000

January signals another glorious beginning, a gift to cherish or squander. It reminds me of Master Oogway, from Panda Kung Fu, quoting Eleanor Roosevelt, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift; that’s why it’s called a present.”

Yesterday is history. I find that statement cleansing with the washing away of 'whatever did or did not happen yesterday'. I am thus renewed. From yesterday, I can glean from my mistakes and my triumphs to make a better today. At least, that’s the plan.

So, I started with goals, but this year I’m doing something different. You know, the Einstein quote of doing something the same way will garner the same outcome. Every. Flipping. Time.

Instead of making an endless list of things I want to accomplish, like I want to lose 10 pounds. I’m writing goals with an end result in mind. For example, I am healthy and energetic. I am eating healthy foods and having fun exercising. The goals are written as an affirmation. It’s not written as something to happen in the future, but is the state of being I am already in. Heh! Thinking positive here. Don’t know how this will work, but I’m giving it a do. Not trying, but doing as Yoda would recommend.

I’m also gathering up two glass jars and labeling one ‘happiness’ and the other ‘gratitude’ to sit on my kitchen counter. If I may dip back into yesterday for a moment, there were times I could have used looking at a jar filled with moments of happiness and the joy of that 'Yes' pumping action. I know, you know what I'm talking about. We easily forget the moments that bring a smile to our face, when something we don't want crowds our vision. It would have helped to see and read scraps of paper filled with the good times to overcome the seemingly nonsense drowning me at the time. Besides, I believe the more I recognize the goodness in my life, more will be bestowed to me. I got the idea for the jars from two writers, Elizabeth Gilbert and Terry Lynn Johnson. Do check out their sites.

Well, this is my new beginning for 2014. Do you have any new rituals or old ones to share?

Thanks for reading,

Elizabeth

Posted on my website too. :)

Try New Things in the New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Ella Gray) — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 08:00:00 +0000

I think everyone likes a new beginning, a fresh start. It's exciting and full of anticipation and possibilities. That's why writers have at least a dozen book beginnings sitting around collecting cyber dust. Not middles or endings, it's the brand new beginnings that we love so much.

Brand new years are great for the same reasons. Where I live in the south, January is when things really get wintry and waiting for snow becomes a real treat. Taking down the holiday decorations and storing them for the next year is an opportunity to shake things up around the house. Maybe it's time to replace those old curtains or start a photo wall project with all the new family pix you've taken.

I'm not a fan of resolutions. It's kind of a bummer to dwell on things you feel you should be doing but aren't. Top it off with added pressure to change, then call yourself a failure if you don't? No thanks. Don't get me wrong, goals are good, and there's nothing necessarily wrong with taking the time to plan for success. Cleansing is good too. Part of getting a fresh start sometimes requires flushing out the old to make room for the new, whether it be mind, body or WIPs. Hubster and I are even planning a fruit and veggie cleanse by month's end (more on that likely in my next post).

Rather than making resolutions, I prefer to think about all the new, fun things I want to try in the next year. Will I get to do them all? Maybe not, but at least I'll have some things to work for that provide more of that giddy anticipation and less of that dreaded fear of disappointment. So, here's a few of my New Things for the New Year -

Create an author website/blog
Learn to play that ukulele my dad passed down to me at Christmas
Take a cruise, or at least travel somewhere new
Re-decorate the guest bathroom
Write a few magazine articles
Plant a garden
Give quilting a try (Have you seen all the new, modern designs nowadays? Like knitting, quilting isn't just for your grandmother anymore)

Some of these are a done deal, and some.... well, we'll see how it goes. The important thing is that this list gets me excited and motivates me to push myself like no list of resolutions can. Sure, I've got some serious writing and career goals too, along with a couple of personal challenges I'm preparing for, but reminding myself of all the fun new things I'll be doing all year long is a great way to start things off.

So, what awesome stuff do you want to try this year? Give me your favorite New Things for the New Year, and best wishes in all your amazing endeavors :)

Cheers!
Ella

Happy 2014 and Welcome New Beginnings.

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 08:44:00 +0000

Happy New Year and welcome new beginnings.

And of course, I am going to do the usual New Year thing, but not as resolutions. Or goals. Or planning of any kind. I learned something simple and exciting from the marvelous Martha Beck. Her suggestion/instruction/advice? How do you want to feel this time next year? No, really.

I tried it for a bit during the murk of the last few months. I needed something else. I decided that I wanted to feel satisfied. How do I feel when I finish something? How do I feel when I have had fun with friends? How do I feel after a good day at work? Satisfied. That's exactly how I feel now. Satisfied.

And that is how I want to feel at the end of 2014. Satisfied and excited. Excited? Because I have all the adventures that leave me feeling satisfied to look forward to.

I am excited by what I have achieved and where it is sending me. New authors discovered. New publishers, book reviewing achieved, a collection published. All the Salon Scouts have had an interesting year, of course. New genres explored. New ways to make the world a better place. You can expect to see us approach blogging a little differently this year, putting more energy in to match the energy in our off-line lives.

So, this time next year... How do you want to feel? Expectant? Comfortable? Happy? And, yeah, “weird” can be a good thing to feel.

Meanwhile, Happy New Year from all of us at the Speculative Salon!!

noreply@blogger.com (rj.garside) — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Seal Of Awakening
Seven Seals Series ~ Book Three
Traci Douglass

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Publisher: SpinTale Publishing

Date of Publication: October 28th, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-9897829-0-6

Number of pages: 261
Word Count: 70,000

Cover Artist: Kim Killion

Today, I had the pleasure of reviewing Miss Douglass' third book in the Seven Seals Series, "Seal of Awakening". I have read and reviewed the first two and was very happy with the series, and Miss Douglass' did not disappoint.

Characters:

One of my favorite aspects of Miss Douglass' writing is her characterization. In each of the three Seven Seals novels, that characterization has been standout to the point that the characters feel real. In the third book, it features socially awkward geneticist Quinn Strickland, who is approaching thirty and Scion’s alpha-geek Wyck that is given the task to protect the apocalyptic Seal encrypted within Quinn’s DNA. The conflict is tense and the romance is smoking.

World building:

I love the world building that features the Scion. I found the world building very unique in the first book and I have been following along since. The heritage that is created is wonderfully scripted and makes the world seem "real".

Overall:

I am a sucker for this series and will be waiting for the next book. Miss Douglass has a nice writing voice that is both engaging and interesting. Her dialogue is snappy and her descriptions vivid. I enjoy reading her writing. As mentioned above, the characters are amazing and are worth the read. The conflict is well-developed and there is no lull in the book. Just when you think that it can't get any more tense, it is pumped up.

I would give this book four stars on a five star rating and would recommend checking it out. If you haven't read the first two, I'd recommend starting there and working through the series.

Rafflecopter Giveaway:
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A reversible DNA scarf

A beaker coffee mug

A Kiss The Cook apron

And a signed copy of Seal Of Awakening

* Giveaway is for US residents only

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Book Description:

Socially awkward geneticist Quinn Strickland has willingly forgone the pleasures in life to reach her career objectives. Alone and approaching thirty, she uses her independence to mitigate any risk of a broken heart. Her strategy works until the day a handsome stranger bursts into her lab and her orderly plans shoot straight to Hades. He claims to be her personal divine protector, a powerful, ancient warrior sent to defend a prophetic time bomb existing within her own genetic code.

The Scion’s alpha-geek Wyck is offered the opportunity of his immortal lifetime as head of his own covert operation. He arrives at a Colorado lab expecting starched white coats and sterile surroundings—not a redheaded spitfire in charge of both his project and his libido. His skills have carried him from the battlefields of ancient England to the pits of Hell and he has no plans to be felled by one woman, regardless of her shag-worthy charms. Divine duty requires him to protect the apocalyptic Seal encrypted within Quinn’s DNA, but his heart has other ideas. When his personal feelings interfere with his age-old vendetta, he’s forced to decide between desire and retribution.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/dAJ9tKiiUOQ

Short Excerpt:

For the band of adopted heavenly brothers known collectively as the Scion, covert ops generally fell into two categories, crashing bore or glorious adventure. And after more than nine hundred years of divine missions, Wyck could tell the difference before the first volley fired.

He double-checked to make sure his ID badge was prominently displayed. Divinity had finally given him a second chance as mission leader and he intended to make sure this operation fell squarely into the epically awesome range despite his less than glamorous surroundings. This time, he vowed, there’d be no messy diversions to waylay his goals, no damsel in questionable distress to shred his heart to smithereens. Nope. This time he was fully prepared and would see his mission through to a successful end.

Wyck trudged up the sidewalk toward the imposing glass and steel Eugenicorp Labs building, craning his neck to see the top of the six-story structure. He was so engrossed in his perusal he nearly squashed a bedraggled squirrel limping across the pavement in front of him. Wyck glanced down and spotted a half-cracked acorn near the toe of his boot. Poor bugger must’ve dropped it in his hasty retreat.

His first inclination was to reach down and retrieve it, maybe place the nut near the roots of the giant tree where the squirrel now hid. But now wasn’t the time to get sidetracked. As his commander, Xander, had already warned him, such kindness had only added to his past failures.

He kicked the nut, watching as it hurtled through the open grassy area surrounding the complex, then strode through the automatic doors and into the cavernous lobby. Empty. Sterile. Utilitarian, covered in gleaming metal and glass. The décor - neutral grays and bland beiges - screamed restraint.
Okay, he amended. Maybe epic and awesome were pushing the envelope for this mission. Best to start with solidly successful. He blinked several times in the early morning sunshine and spotted the pinched, schoolmarm expression of a receptionist across the expanse.
Brilliant.

In his experience, mulish females appeared to be the rule in academia. Just one more reason he steered clear of the smart ones and stuck to his technology. Emotional evisceration was another, but he refused to dwell on that now. Gadgets and science had always been his safe refuge. They trustworthy.

He proceeded across the pristine white-tile floor and when the receptionist steadfastly ignored him, Wyck coughed and summoned his most charming smile. “Hi, I’m Orson Parrot, the new bloke.”
The woman glanced up from her computer screen and ran a disdainful eye over him, her glare burning a hole through his extended hand. Her scowl increased as she snatched a clipboard from the desk’s immaculate surface and skimmed a bony digit down the list. She tapped her finger twice beside one line and stared back at him, her demeanor cold enough to freeze hydrogen, then pointed toward a pair of glass doors across the lobby. “Through there.”

He leaned forward to thank her only to be confronted by a strip of red fabric. Dangling from the receptionist’s hand, it swung in crazy, lopsided circles to tap him squarely on the chest. “You’ll need this,” she said, her tone a perfect match for the Queen’s after a distasteful tabloid scandal.
Wyck caught the twirling lanyard, with its attached security keycard, and placed it around his neck. He couldn’t resist giving the woman a wink and a grin on his way out, and was delighted when she stiffened like rawhide. A fellow had to have some fun.

He headed toward the double doors across the atrium, his mind ticking with details. This rare shot at redemption, plus the added potential for delivering a digital smackdown to his longtime enemies, the Nephilim, had him jumping at the chance to infiltrate the Eugenicorp’s computer system. Getting back in the field again would prove more enjoyable than his usual long hours of tedious research for his brother’s quests. Not to mention turning down an assignment from Divinity wasn’t really an option. She’d given the Scion many blessings, but freewill over their assignments wasn’t one of them.
If his hunches were correct, his new logic bomb would blow the fucking cork right off the half-breeds’ schemes for a new world order. By utilizing their legitimate business arm in the human realm, Tolbert International, the Nephilim had been quietly amassing huge quantities of money for centuries, branching out into everything from pharmaceuticals to produce. The Internet had been buzzing for months with rumors of an eminent Tolbert takeover of a genetics research facility and Divinity had sent him to Eugenicorp to make sure those takeover plans didn’t include the Seal currently hosted by one head scientist or the top-secret project she commandeered.
He used his new keycard to enter a glass-lined walkway and caught sight of his reflection. Christ Almighty. He’d done a wicked job of turning his normal hipster persona into Orson Parrott—Super Brain Extraordinaire.

Attired in a scholarly turtleneck and khakis, he couldn’t have been further from his normal choice of t-shirt and jeans. Between his helmet hair and the tatty, empty briefcase he carried, there was little sign of the tousled charmer who’d enticed a cute barista to bed during his last reconnaissance mission here a few months earlier.

Goodbye quick tumbles. Hello brainy celibate.

Wyck passed from the atrium into another adjoining lobby and glanced at the office number scribbled across his palm in blue ballpoint ink. 5324. He pushed the button for the next arriving elevator, whistling while he waited.

Sure, he’d performed a teensy bit of cyber-fraud by uploading his own credentials and employee demographics into the Eugenicorp HR files and he’d picked out a nice cushy office with a window, close to his target and close to the vending machines. Perfect.

Speaking of his target, the buttoned-down woman wasn’t one he looked forward to meeting. From everything he’d read about the third Seal’s unwitting host, she was smarter than sin and as enticing as a good bout of bubonic plague. No thank you.

A determined clack of heels echoed against the tile behind him and he swiveled toward the noise, just in time to see a flash of bright red hair barge through the gathering crowd and into the elevator. People stepped back, some headed for the stairs, as if the woman now occupying the compartment might spontaneously combust at any moment.

About the Author:
Traci is the author of paranormal romance/urban fantasy and contemporary romances featuring a sly, urban edge, including her current Seven Seals series. Her stories feature sizzling alpha-male heroes full of dark humor, quick wits and major attitudes; smart, independent heroines who always give as good as they get; and scrumptiously evil villains who are—more often than not—bent on world destruction. She enjoys weaving ancient curses and mythology, modern science and old religion, and great dialogue together to build red-hot, sizzling chemistry between her main characters.

She is an active member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Indiana Romance Writers of America (IRWA) and Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Writers (FF&P) and is pursing a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Writing Popular Fiction through Seton Hill University. Her stories have made the final rounds in several RWA chapter contests, including the 2012 Duel on the Delta, the 2012 Molly Awards, and the 2012 Catherine Awards. An earlier draft of the first book in the Seven Seals Series, Seal of Destiny, won the paranormal category of the 2012 Marlene Awards sponsored by the Washington Romance Writers.

Other current projects include upcoming books in the Seven Seals series, a new contemporary novella series due out in early 2014, and a new futuristic suspense series with hints of the paranormal and plenty of romance.

Website and blog: http://www.tracidouglass.net

FB Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/TraciDouglassAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Traci_Douglass

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8112113-traci-douglass

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/tracidouglass

Urban Fantasy Perspectives: Interview with Kimberly Frost

noreply@blogger.com (Ella Gray) — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 07:00:00 +0000

We're pleased to welcome Kimberly Frost to the blog today, and I had a blast interviewing her about Would-Be Witch, the first novel in her Southern Witch series. Follow the links to find out where to get your own copy of the book and more titles in the series.

Salon: Welcome Kimberly!

KF: Thank you! It’s really great to be here. :)

What do you like best about writing (and reading) urban fantasy and who are some of your favorite authors in the genre?

When writing urban fantasy, I love the possibilities that magic and supernatural phenomena provide. Doing the research on the history of witchcraft, vampires, ghosts, etc. was really cool and definitely fueled my imagination. When it comes to reading urban fantasy, my introduction to the subgenre was through the works of Holly Black and Laurell K. Hamilton. I loved Black’s Tithe so much. And all the early books in Hamilton’s Anita Blake series were fantastic. From there, I went on to read a lot of fabulous authors. I’m a fan of so many!

What inspired you to write about witches, and what makes your particular witches unique?

I chose witches because I liked the versatility that magic provides. The witches and wizards can cast different kinds of spells depending on what the situation calls for. I like variety! In terms of what makes my witches unique, I think it’s the spin I’ve put on how magic works. Some spells are inherently dangerous to cast. Some properties of the physical world are hard to overcome. It’s created interesting complications, sometimes humorous, sometimes sobering, for the characters when they edge into dangerous places.

Tell us a little bit about Tammy Jo Trask and her family’s magical history.

Tammy Jo Trask is a twenty-three-year-old woman from a small town in Texas. She comes from a long line of witches, but initially the family magic seems to have skipped over her. (There’s a reason her powers have been dormant; when awakened, her magic is powerful but dysfunctional.) The witches in her family use Earth magic, so there’s a back garden full of ever-blooming plants and a pantry full of potions made from them. Generations back, her family was from the British Isles. They moved to New York and then migrated to Texas. The reason Tammy Jo was born in a small town is also part of the back story; Duvall has special magical properties and is atop Unseelie fae territory.

Tammy Jo has to seek help from the wizard Bryn Lyons, but she’s always been told to stay away from his family. Can you give us a clue about why that is and what possible repercussions will arise from the two of them working together?

Nope, no clues. I’ve got to save the good stuff for the book ;)

Fair enough, LOL

How do the folks in Duvall Texas respond to magical things, and what are the advantages or challenges in choosing a small town as your setting rather than a big city?

The residents of Duvall didn’t know that witchcraft and other supernatural phenomena existed, but some have caught on. There are those who will embrace the fact, and others who will try to rid the town of anyone with superhuman powers.

I chose a small town for the setting of the Southern Witch series because I love the dynamic I imagine exists in small towns where people have a long history together and know each other’s business. I wanted the story to be filled with quirky characters and felt a small town would have them.

I got such a kick out of seeing Tammy Jo team up with an ocelot named Mercutio; such a fun twist! Are you just an ocelot lover, or did you consider other animal sidekicks?

I’m a huge fan of ocelots and of big and little cats in general. Maybe it’s because I’m a Leo? ;) Anyway, I thought Tammy Jo could use a feline sidekick since she’s a witch, but it would’ve been hard to hide a tiger in a small town. Ocelots grow to be about twice the size of a domestic cat, they are nocturnal, and fight to the death. Really perfect, I think.

What are your favorite kinds of paranormal beings or tropes in urban fantasy?

I really love them all, but vamps, werewolves, witches, and fae are my favorites.

Can you explain your writing process a little? Are you a plotter or pantser?

By nature, I’m a pantser, but flying by the seat of my pants while writing would occasionally get me into trouble when I was a fledgling writer, so I’ve learned to do some plotting up front. I tend to come up with an overall plan for the story and some of the major twists and then I fly by the seat of my pants. That tends to work well for me.

What are you working on now, and can we expect more adventures with Tammy Jo?
I’m finishing up MAGICAL MISFIRE, a Southern Witch novella that comes out in April and SLIGHTLY SPELLBOUND, the 4th Southern Witch novel, which will come out in May. So, yes, definitely more Tammy Jo adventures to come!

Thanks so much for stopping by to answer our questions :)

KF: My pleasure!

Would-Be Witch

Southern Witch Book 1

Kimberly Frost

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Berkley (Penguin)

Date of Publication: Re-release September 3, 2013

ISBN-10: 0425267555

ISBN-13: 978-0425267554

Amazon BN IndieBound

Back Cover Blurb:

In the small town of Duvall, Texas, the only thing that causes more trouble than gossip is magic.

The family magic seems to have skipped over Tammy Jo Trask. All she gets in the way of the supernatural are a few untimely visits from the long-dead, smart-mouthed family ghost Edie. But when her locket—an heirloom that happens to hold Edie’s soul—is stolen in the midst of a town-wide crime spree, it’s time for Tammy to find her inner witch.

After a few bad experiences with her magic, Tammy turns to the only one who can help: the very rich and highly magical Bryn Lyons. He might have all the answers, but the locket isn’t the only thing passed down in Tammy’s family. She also inherited a warning…to stay away from anyone named Lyons…

About the Southern Witch Series:

In this “coming of age in the world of magic” story, urban fantasy meets humorous mystery in small-town Texas. Plucky pastry chef Tammy Jo Trask comes into her spell-casting powers unexpectedly, and malfunctioning magic makes her a reluctant heroine. As her adventures continue, she learns the secrets of her supernatural heritage and embraces her butt-kicking destiny. Gorgeous love interests and an ocelot sidekick add to the charm of this bestselling book series.

About the Author:

Kimberly Frost is the national bestselling author of the humorous Southern Witch series, which currently includes Would-Be Witch, Barely Bewitched, and Halfway Hexed. After her first release, Kimberly won the 2010 PEARL Award for best new paranormal author. Her second series featured darker paranormal romantic suspense stories.

These "Etherlin" books launched in November 2011 with the novella, “First Light". It appeared in the multi-author Christmas anthology, Tied With a Bow, reaching the extended New York Times Bestseller List. The subsequent Etherlin novels included All That Bleeds, a featured Barnes & Noble “Must Read Romance”, and All That Falls, a Colorado Romance Writers’ Award of Excellence finalist.

Learn more about Kimberly and her books at: http://frostfiction.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKimberlyFrost

https://twitter.com/FrostFiction

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1958136.Kimberly_Frost

http://frostfiction.blogspot.com/

Review of Realm Walker ~ Three & Half Stars!

noreply@blogger.com (rj.garside) — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Realm Walker ~ Realm Walker Series
Book One
Kathleen Collins

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Carina Press

Date of Publication: October 28, 2013

ISBN: 9781426896545
ASIN: B00E1V5S3S

Word Count: 76,000

Today, I am reviewing Book One of the Realm Walker Series, "Realm Walker" by Kathleen Collins. It has been a little while since I last picked up an Urban Fantasy, but I am happy that I picked up this one. While I think that this one could have been hotter, overall I enjoyed the read.

Miss Collins really hit the jackpot when she created the heroine Juliana Norris as she is the typical UF heroine - strong, snarky and non-emotional. I really her personality and her tone, without her being annoyingly snarky like some UF heroines are. The hero, vampire Thomas Kendrick is interesting, but I wasn't as drawn to him as I am many other UF heroes. I actually was more drawn to his "number two" in command, Michael, who I found extremely fascinating to the point that part of me kind of wished that maybe Thomas hadn't come back for Juliana...I'm hoping that Michael will get his happily ever after in a future story.

One of the things that really pulled me in besides the characterization of the heroine was the worldbuilding. I loved the use of the different paranormal characters and the world that they live in. I also love the uniqueness of the paranormal ability of the heroine. There are the shifters, vampires and trolls to name a few of the species that are within the world, but they feel fresh. I loved her mentor "Nathaniel" the wolf and his protectiveness of the heroine. I also enjoyed the enemies, like the banter with the troll.

I also absolutely fell in love with Miss Collins' writing and voice. She has such a gift with stringing along descriptive sentences and a great flow. I flew through the chapters without even realizing it because of the amazing flow of wordings. The tone is perfect for UF and just a really easy read.

I breezed through the book in about two nights, but I wasn't as satisfied with the ending. I won't give away any of the details, but it just felt stilted to me. Now that may because at the end of the paranormal romance novels that I normally read, there is always that happily ever after and no abruptness, but the ending just didn't feel satisfying. I will however pick up the second book when it comes, especially if it's about Michael! :)

This is a great read and the skill and voice is something that writers can study. The sentences are beautiful written and as I mentioned, Miss Collins is very gifted as an author. The writing takes you away to a different place. I would give Realm Walker three and a half stars. I would have given four if the ending hadn't felt so rushed. I enjoyed everything else.

There is an amazing giveaway for a great package, so make sure you check out the rafflecopter at the bottom of this post. Check the awesome picture ~ isn't the owl cool???

Book Description:

An estranged mate, a mangled body and a powerful demon who calls her by name…

As a Realm Walker for the Agency, Juliana Norris tracks deadly paranormal quarry using her unique ability to see magical signatures. She excels at her job, but her friends worry about her mysterious habit of dying in the line of duty without staying dead. That's only the first of her secrets.

Most people don't know Juliana became the mate of master vampire Thomas Kendrick before he abandoned her seven years ago. Most people don't know the horrors she endured at the hands of the vampire he left in command. Most people don't know her true parentage, or why a demon on a world-threatening rampage has taken a personal interest in her…

Even as Juliana pursues the demon, it goes after all she holds dear—including Thomas, who is back to claim her for his own. But if she can't reconcile her past and learn to trust herself again, she will lose him forever.

About the Author:

Kathleen Collins has been writing since Kindergarten. And while her ability has drastically improved, her stories are still about monsters and the people who play with them.
The rare instances that she actually finds some spare time, she spends it playing with her two boys. Three if you count her husband.
She is currently hard at work on her next book.

www.Kathleencollins.net

@kathy_collins

www.facebook.com/kathleencollinsauthor

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7191208.Kathleen_Collins

Here is the AWESOME GIVEAWAY ~ check it OUT!!!

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Entangled's "Wish Upon A Star" ~ Four and a Half Stars

noreply@blogger.com (rj.garside) — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Wish Upon a Star

Michelle McLean

Book Description:

Ceri McKinley never stopped wishing that her ex-fiancé Jason Crickett would come back into her life. But when he finally does, he comes with a request that puts them both—and all of humanity—into jeopardy.

Jason only wants two things: to bury his brother properly and to convince Ceri to trust him again after he jilted her. But when Ceri agrees to help him get his brother back, they end up fighting for their lives as a zombie uprising threatens them all.

My review:

This romance book had me hooked at "zombie uprising" and it didn't disappoint. It had a perfect balance of romance with the zombies. Now I am definitely not a girl that loves zombies or that could read a "zombie romance" novel, but the zombie elements were a perfect addition to make this Paranormal Romance a really awesome read. Don't forget to check out the giveaway at the end of this post for the Rafflecopter.

Concept:

The concept of this book as I mentioned above hooked right away. I love zombies and I love Paranormal Romance. To be truthful, I wanted to read this book because I have read other zombie romance books that just kind of wigged me out. I wanted to see if anyone could really write a good romance with zombies and sure enough, Miss McLean did. It was a short read, but a very enjoyable read. Even with the short read, I didn't feel that I was missing out or that the story was rushed. The story unfolded with a perfect timing - not too fast and not too slow. I found myself fighting with my eyes to stay open for a little longer to get through another chapter.

Characters:

I really enjoyed the characters, especially the heroine, Ceri McKinley. Although she is still pining away for ex-fiance Jason Cricket, she isn't whiny or annoying, which some heroines can be when jilted at the alter. Her motives were real and I could sympathize with her immediately. I also enjoyed the love that she had for her daughter. Despite the still broken heart, Ceri is a strong chick that is independent and very likable.

And then there is the hero...and despite Jason breaking off his engagement three days before the wedding, you can't help but like him when you learn his motives. The guy has a good heart and is one of those good guys, although he's not a wimp. He's such a nice guy that he's appealing.

The villain, Ceri's ex-husband is an awesomely wicked written villain. You love to hate him.

World building:

I loved the zombie background and the concept. I thought that the world building was unique especially in the Paranormal genre where vampires, shifters and witches still rule the shelves. The zombie concept was very clever and very cool.

Overall:

If you love Paranormal Romance and you want to read something different, then this is your book, especially if you've ever wondered if zombies could be included. The characters are strong and fully dimensional. The plotting is a perfect pace with twists and turns. This is a really easy read and worth the price. Entangled's "Ever After" line is perfect for the reader that is looking for a fast read, but still an enjoyable read. I would give "Wish Upon a Star" four and a half stars and I will definitely be looking at the Ever After line for more novellas to fill my nights.

Do you have a zombie romance novel that you'd recommend? What do you think of zombies in romance?

Thanks for reading!

R.J.

Excerpt:

Jason sank down beside me and pulled me toward him, pressing a kiss against my temple.

“Are you okay?” he asked, brushing soot and a few burned leaves from my face and hair. The smell of burned plastic and singed hair coated everything. But it could have been worse.

I leaned against him for a moment before trying to push to my feet.

Jason stopped me. “Rest for a minute.” He reached into my backpack and pulled out another bottle of water.

I took it gratefully, gulping down half the bottle before handing it to him to finish off. When he was done, he bent down, kissing a drop of water from my lips. His hands cupped my face. “I’m sorry. For everything. All of it. Everything I put you through. These wasted years without you.”

“I’m sorry too.” I pulled away and looked up at him. “If we get through this—”

“When we get through this. Not if.”

I gave him a small smile and nodded, knowing he knew what I wanted to say without having to voice the words. “When we get through this, maybe we can talk. About things.”

He gave me one more lingering kiss. “I’ll hold you to that.”

“But for now,” I said, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead.

“Rain check?”

“Rain check.”

About the Author:

I grew up in California and have lived everywhere from the deserts of Utah to the tropical beaches of Hawaii to the gorgeous forests of the east coast. The oldest of five children, I am generally an organized mess with slight Obsessive Compulsive tendencies. I have a B.S. in History, a M.A. in English, an insatiable love of books, and more weird quirks than you can shake a stick at.

I am the author of Homework Helpers: Essays and Term Papers, (Career Press Jan 2011), To Trust a Thief (Entangled Scandalous Jan 2013), a historical romance trilogy Blood Blade Sisters (Entangled Scandalous 2013), and a zombie fairy tale retelling Wish Upon a Star (Entangled Ever After Oct 2013). In addition to my novels and non-fiction work, I write picture books and a bit of poetry. If I'm not editing, reading, or chasing my kids around, I can usually be found in a quiet corner working on my next book.

I currently reside in Pennsylvania with my husband and two young children, an insanely hyper dog, and two very spoiled cats.

Website: http://www.michellemcleanbooks.com/

Blog: http://michellemclean.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/michellemclean

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/michelle.m.mclean

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4253087.Michelle_McLean

Giveaway:

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Entangled Ever After Tour - Hot Reads & Giveaways!

noreply@blogger.com (Ella Gray) — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 06:00:00 +0000

Check out these fantastic titles from Entangled Publishing's Ever After imprint and enter to win some amazing prizes in their tour-wide giveaway! Which haunting reads are you most looking forward to this fall?

Haunted Chemistry

Lindsey Loucks

ISBN: 9781622662982

Book Description:

When bookish college co-ed Alexis heads to the laundry room in her new apartment, she runs into Ian Reese, the chem lab partner she crushed on all last semester. And the guy who stood her up on their first date. But she’s down for an awkward reunion, and no better place than her creepy laundry room.

Ian has every intention of making amends, but just when Alexis begins to trust him again, a new threat calls more than their future together into question. A ghost from the apartment’s past is hellbent on revenge, and if he wants to get his girl, he’ll have to get the ghost first.

Amazon BN Goodreads

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Mercy

Jan Doffey

ISBN: 9781622663347

Book Description:

Julia Klein’s life has begun to unravel—her daughter Amy has been suspended from school, Julia is about to lose her job, and her boyfriend Garrett is being transferred thousands of miles away.

Overwhelmed, she and Amy leave for a weekend at a rambling old colonial inn. Julia never suspects that Garrett, desperate to find a way to keep Julia in his life, has decided to surprise her by joining them. Nor does she expect her daughter to befriend a mischievous ghost...or that she herself would be possessed by the malevolent spirit of a long-dead mother.

As a dark secret emerges, Julia, Amy, and Garrett find themselves pitted in a fight for survival against a savage presence that intends to resurrect/repeat/relive a horrible crime committed two centuries ago. And this time, Amy and Julia will be the victims.

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Northern Light

E.J. Russell

ISBN: 9781622662845

Genre: M/M Romance

Book Description:

Nothing gives art fraud investigator Luke Morganstern a bigger rush than busting forgers, the low-life criminals who dare victimize true artists. But when his latest job sends him to a remote cabin in the Oregon Coast Range, he’s stunned to discover the alleged forger is his former lover, Stefan Cobbe, the most gifted painter Luke has ever known.

Stefan, left homeless and destitute after the death of his wealthy partner, doesn’t exactly deny the forgery -- he claims he doesn’t remember, an excuse Luke can’t accept.

But Luke’s elderly client suggests Stefan may be telling the truth and presents another possibility – a dark presence in the woods, a supernatural fury simmering for decades. Luke must face down his fear of the uncanny – and admit his feelings for Stefan – if either of them is to survive.

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Ruby Hill

Sarah Ballance

ISBN: 9781622662258

Book Description:

From her earliest memories, Ashley Pearce has been drawn to Ruby Hill Lunatic Asylum, and she's not the only one. Decades after the abandoned hospital ended its institutional reign of torture and neglect, something lurks in the shadows. Since she’s a paranormal investigator, it's Ashley's job to find out what.

Crime scene expert Corbin Malone doesn't believe in ghosts. A born skeptic, he has no interest in entertaining the hype surrounding the mysterious deaths at Ruby Hill, but he won't turn his back while more women die. He agrees to an overnight investigation, never expecting his first encounter would be with the woman he pushed away a year ago. But when he discovers Ashley is a target, he learns his greatest fear isn't living with his own demons, but losing her for good.

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Wish Upon a Star

Michelle McLean

ISBN: 9781622663323

Book Description:

Ceri McKinley never stopped wishing that her ex-fiancé Jason Crickett would come back into her life. But when he finally does, he comes with a request that puts them both—and all of humanity—into jeopardy.

Jason only wants two things: to bury his brother properly and to convince Ceri to trust him again after he jilted her. But when Ceri agrees to help him get his brother back, they end up fighting for their lives as a zombie uprising threatens them all.

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One Thousand and One Nights

Ruth Browne

ISBN: 9781622663316

Book Description:

Sheri spends her days fighting zombies and her nights chained to a wall, earning her every breath by telling stories to her captor Aleksy—stories that make them both forget the ruined world. Sheri could put up with the conditions—at least she knows her sister is safe in the community Aleksy leads—until she realizes she’s falling for him...even though he wants her dead.

When Aleksy allowed Sheri and her sister into his compound, he didn’t know about the zombie bite on her back. It's only a matter of time before she turns into one of the rising dead and threatens their existence, but Aleksy has a secret need for Sheri and her stories. For everyone’s safety, he chains her to his bedroom wall, hoping for just one more day. But how long will the community allow Aleksy to ignore his own rule: always kill the infected. Always.

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