The Emerald Wilderness

Procrastinating Even With Resolutions

2012-02-01T15:26:00.001-08:00

I was supposed to blog at least once a week. That was one of my New Year's Resolutions and well, better late than never. Right?

Well since I last officially blogged, I've been toying around with that internet crack called Facebook. And while playing fruitless but exhilarating games I worked some on keeping my fan page updated. While Facebook does seem to reach a large audience with its moderate length, on the minute flashes of news, I think that blogger and blog type formats are for a more concentrated briefing. It allows the space and has the formatting for an in-depth pondering. It has the mood for it, I think. So, I really intend to blog more. At least every two weeks. I'm even setting it up on my calendar. Tuckering down, I am.

So, since this post within itself is just another type of resolution, I propose to have my first real post on Friday. Okay, leaf turning over...leaf turning...

Conventions, PC Gaming and Obsessions.

2010-02-19T04:07:00.000-08:00

2/13/10

As this is my last tour of duty with Katsucon, I must admit that I was not expecting to attend what has probably been one of the coolest and most meaningful panels that I have ever attended at this particular function. Perhaps it is due to my latest addiction, but the WoW-centric “MMOs Unite: WOW: Wrath Edition” panel was a highly entertaining panel if not very informative on a personal level. In fact I believe that I have made quite a few self- discoveries, in that I will never ever be a championship-level MMO player.

The panel speaker, Manny Camacho showed his obvious love for warlocks and disdain of the warrior-class aside, yet was still brilliant! The CEO and founder of GPX gaming Inc approached the game from a mathematics standpoint that had me wanting to break out a pen and paper for a few equations. He spoke of the various class damage scales in ways that would make school kids madly enthusiastic about math and PVP encounters. And while he didn’t apply that higher level of math to the economy of the AH and WoW universe, it was still blatantly obvious that gaming encompasses so much more than sole entertainment.

But the brilliance didn’t end there! Oh no. While Manny didn’t touch upon the crippling damage done by gaming obsessions, or the sociological damage done by hours spent hooked into the game, I believe he illustrated it damn well.

He showed this video (Funeral in WoW) and while the room lit up with laughter, mine too…I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and how I might have been the one to have done something so crass in my obsession.

You see, apparently a young woman died in real life and her friends decided to have an in-game funeral for her in a neutral contested area, which the Horde(an opposing faction) proceeded to attack as if they were raiding a low-level dungeon (ahem, Deadmines). While I laughed and cried during this the showing of this video, the main thing on my mind was that if that were my friends funeral I would make sure that payback ensued…in game and like a mad mutharfucka!

I don’t have to go into details about addiction, there are others with worse sob stories than mine, but for some reasons this was the point when I had to leave. Why? Because it can’t be that serious and yet it is at times… Am I getting help for my addiction? No but realizing the problem is a quarter of the battle.

Alas, as I prepare to do my last all-nighter for Katsucon at the Gaylord Hotel (a very swank establishment I might add) I will miss all the anime kids, the platform gamers (there is no love for the PCers in the game room)and the nights of consuming mass quantities of sugar and caffeine while. But I will be attending Balticon…and at one point perhaps Blizzcon, who reeeeaaally needs to have an event on the North East Coast.

Selfishly...It comes

2010-01-22T14:49:00.000-08:00

I cried for a moment, had my own little pity party and booted up World of Warcraft the day that I decided that I needed a bit of a writing break, the day I excused myself from writing circles and decided to float. I can't rightly say that I'm going to be published again and I definitely can't MAKE it happen. I have a full time job and can get by, although extra dough would be nice. So while traipsing about in Northrend, or waiting patiently for another raid to begin, for yet another night, I return to square one.

I was always a gamer. World of Warcraft is slightly more addictive than Final Fantasy but I have always engaged in some type of game playing. I played social Advance Dungeons and Dragons for years and have had consoles for as long I can recall, but my love of writing and reading has never waned. I've taken time to write, be it a small amount or a massive amount of time, and even though my raiding schedule can get pretty hectic...and ridiculous (5 hours trying to best Sunwell sucks)I was pleasantly surprised to turn out a few pages today.

While I would love to blame WoW for my lack of writing, I can't. I can't say that I've lost an obsession that has been with me longer than I can recall. What I can say is that a break was needed. So many nights spent typing away in a vacuum of my imagination needed to be countered with a little social interaction, even if it is "Nice heals," "Good Run," or "Buff up."

The camaraderie I get doing a run or socializing with the guild offers me something that muse often doesn't. Interaction. My muse loves wild things like anti-heroes, assholes, near-villainous protagonists and banter. I try to steer it towards the happy, happy and it seeks the dark. It prods me with it's belly full of all the hardcore scifi and horror novels I've been reading. (Thanks Neal Asher, Matthew Reilly and Edward Lee). My muse points and I follow. There is little interaction involved.

The craft of writing is pretty much a lone job. You write and you present what you created. Rejection letters seldom come with detailed explanations, that is NOT the publishers job. Critique partners can often sugar-coat, pass off or completely ignore a story. Fans may enjoy your story but rarely leave feedback...but my guild tells me immediately when I fuck up and when I do a good job.

I'm selfish. I've been told that before but truly in this time when I have slowed down my writing time, I think that when I do eek out a page or two, that I feel better...less the tortured artist alone in her workroom struggling with the prose. As I stopped pushing and hoping and worrying about writing, it comes...it always did. It's selfish too that way.

Fastest Rejection Evah

2010-01-06T08:17:00.000-08:00

In less than 5 days. Yeah that was pretty quick.

1st Manuscript of 2010 sent off...

2010-01-03T18:32:00.001-08:00

Getting back into writing after a long, not quite therapeutic obsession with World of Warcraft. Yes it is horribly addictive and allows me to forget about my short-comings as a writer, yes I spent more time researching specs and gear rather than editing ( there, I have admitted it) but for 2010 I have set a mildly aggressive goal of 2 Novels and 3 Novellas. This is not counting the free stuff, a novel which will be posted soon.

While I am still playing WoW, I have pre-game goals and word counts and am actively seeking a beta reader. The allure of chatting and slaying fiends in an MMORPG are hard to resist (at least until I reach a gear score of 2700) but I have resolve and a feisty muse.

Will try to have the free novel up soon for those who are interested :D

Coming Soon...A New Free Read!

2009-10-03T03:31:00.000-07:00

For those who like freebies, look for "Embraced by the Sun," which I will be putting up as a free novel on my website this month. Unconventional, raw and mildly twisted... It's an origin story for a not so nice hero.

Slither b. Edward Lee

2009-09-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

Slither by Ed Lee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is another book from those wonderful publishers of horror fiction, Leisure Books. I didn’t know it until after the book came in, but suffice to say if you are looking for a scary read, check out their catalog! My first book by Edward Lee, “Slither” provides a good amount of chills, grotesque scenes, horrifying deaths and creatures that will make you squirm. It is about worms, small ones and large ones and even larger ones that have infested an island that folks (college kids and rednecks) just can’t stay away from. The book kept me turning the pages quite swiftly, wanting to know what was going to happen next. Filled with a great deal of sex, murder and mayhem, it is definitely not for the weak of heart. It even has something in it for zombie lovers!

The surprise twist towards proved to be a tad far out (literally), and because of it, I would have to say it knocked a star off for me, but overall this was a chilling gem!

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Prador Moon b. Neal Asher

2009-09-03T05:11:00.000-07:00

Prador Moon by Neal Asher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
After having read Neal Asher's "Cowl" it felt so good to dig into fun, uncomplicated science fiction with daring battles, a dastardly villianous alien race, kick-ass weapons and starships, a larger-than-life hero and a plucky female heroine. "Prador Moon" is a short novel based in Asher's Polity Universe , which depicts the first contact between the humans and the crab-like Prador species, who swiftly find out that humans are tasty.

While the ending comes a little abruptly, this is one gem that I would definitely recommend for sci-fi lovers!

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Cowl b. Neal Asher

2009-08-27T06:35:00.001-07:00

Cowl by Neal'>http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/56353.Neal_Asher">Neal Asher

My rating: 4'>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/69065498">4 of 5 starsIf you like hardcore science fiction with a bit of Barron von Munchausen, a tad of time-manipulating demonspawns, a splash of Bladerunner and a whole lot of complex scientific terminology then you will love this book. I must admit, it was a bit heavy for me and I was never truly clear of the mechanisms behind the time travel but was impressed by the weight of the scenes and descriptions none the less. Definitely need to read some fluff now.
View'>http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1436486-mya">View all my reviews >>

Free Read: The Thief of His Heart

2009-08-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

Not every work gets published, not every work fits the guidelines or quality level of publishers, this I know. And while I love getting contracts on works, sometimes and with some stories, they need to be set free. "The Thief of His Heart" is the second free novel released on my website and while it is a little rough around the edges, I think it's a charm filled with cat wickedness.

Some have said why don't you revise it and try to get it published, but like the other free read on my website "An Alpha's Desire" I just didn't want to. Both stories were rejected several times, I'll be the first to admit and while, with some work they might garner me profit, I just didn't want to change them.

Perhaps, I'm impatient or lazy, and after a few pages of reading, maybe the stories are no more than clumsly works in need of a strong critique, but...they're free and they're mine and better luck with the next story getting published, I say.

I have a few works that are looking for contracts now, but even if they fail to, one writer's rule I follow faithfully is : Keep On Writing!

Artwork by P.L. Nunn

"Servant: The Acceptance" b. L.L. Foster

2009-08-02T11:58:00.000-07:00

Servant: The Acceptance by L.L. Foster

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I liked this book and found the L.L.Foster's idea of the contemporary paladin idea really fascinating. I really enjoyed the main character, Gabrielle Cody's relationship with her handsome, by the book cop. It is so filled with anticipation that I hung on their every scene. What I didn't understand, was the villian/s, who were so evil that I really did expect more of a supernatural bent to their background. This book can be read as stand alone as it touches upon enough backstory for me. Although there is a book before this one, I am interested to see the sequel...for one, I want the two main characters to hook up.

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"The Lost Colony" b. John Scalzi

2009-07-25T17:08:00.001-07:00

The Last Colony by John Scalzi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What can I say about this last book in what has proven itself to be a really tight and expertly woven trilogy? In this last book, threads that begun in "Old Man's War" came together with "The Ghost Brigades" in a very durable cloth. The arrogance of the CDF against the threat unlike any other (seriously) is the back drop for John Perry, the hero from the first book and his wife Jane (ex-Special Forces). Suffice to say, I was blown away by the scope of odds, and even more so by being able to understand the so called villains perspective. This is not a light read by any means, but the ending resolution fit perfectly!

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"The Ghost Brigades" b. John Scalzi

2009-07-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Picking up where 'Old Man's War' left off, "The Ghost Brigades' focuses on the special forces members of the Colonial Defense Federation. A much more philosophical book than the first, it really delves into what it means to be human. Special forces soldiers are made from the dna of the deceased rather than the consciousness of live ones in this book, and they give new meaning to the term 'superhuman.' One solider in particular, Jared Dirac, has the fate of the entire human race in his hand. Made from the dna of a traitorous scientist, and imbued with the man's ghost of consciousness, he is both the greatest threat and salvation of humanity, in a hostile universe and the suspect Federation. More so than with the first book, this one effects the emotions.

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Oh yeah...It was for a great cause too!!

2009-07-15T17:30:00.001-07:00

So after work today, I got on the red line and headed downtown to attend the "Readers for Life" Literacy Signing sponsored by RWA. As the mighty romance convention is this week and being held in Washington, D.C., I decided to head on down and see the sights. Boy, did I feel like the intimidated wall-flower. With sci-fi novel in hand, I stood in line for almost an hour before being released into a veritable den of authors, for the mass charity signing. To say it was overwhelming would be an understatement. Over a hundred authors were there and after grabbing the two signed books I specifically came to get, I ran into two other must have reads. God, but I would have loved to stop by every table. As it was, I got to chat with Ally Blue and Shayla Black, two authors with e-publishing chops and Lori Foster, whose convention I would love to attend. Sabrina Jeffries also gave me a wonderful autograph for my friend at work! The authors were there in force with goodies and it really made me excited and determined to one day join their ranks...in the meantime, I have a lot to read :D

"Old Man's War" b. John Scalzi

2009-07-12T18:45:00.000-07:00

Old Man's War by John Scalzi

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am really enjoyed this book. Currently on a sci-fi kick, I was referred to this gem of a series by a friend. I must say that coming off the Huff "Confederation" series, kinda tainted my awe of the features of this piece but that Scalzi's sense of humor and respect for mortality really made it stand apart. I liked the idea of senior citizens being chosen for intergalactic battle and most of all, the first half of the book is simply phenomenal. The speculation, the hope and the anguish of a man who has lived his life through and who is about to start another, is a gripping moment to focus on and I really look forward to starting the second in the series "The Ghost Brigades" soon. Aliens, war, technology and new worlds abound, but throughout, John Perry the main character proves why the experience of an Old Man is just what the human race needs.

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"Seven Deadly Wonders" b. Matthew Reilly

2009-07-03T03:58:00.000-07:00

Seven Deadly Wonders by Matthew Reilly

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
Hey...It had to happen at some point right? Me finding a Reilly book just shy of unbearable. Having read at least five of his books and loved them, this book was a bit much. It stars a new hero for me, Jack West Jr. who has a mechanical arm and is Indiana Jones on crack. This book is archeologically heavy, and is basically about the search for a pyramid capstone which could mean either devastation for the world or the empowerment of a nation. It has the crack team of commandos, whose badass qualities are diminished by child-like call names like Pooh Bear and Big Ears...

Something that I usually like- illustrations and diagrams in the text- is used a bit too much and I just didn't get the usual hardcore, grittiness that I tend to get from his work. Another difficulty I had was the fact that through deadly gunfire, difficult missions and even more deadly, ancient traps, the team of commandos is escorting a ten year old girl...Ooookkkkaayy... I want my SHANE SCHOFIELD back...or a story about Black Knight at least.

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What? I Can't Write All The Time?

2009-06-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

I spend an abnormal about of time at my computer desk and while my kids, Zoe and Cougar can't stand it, (sometimes they even protests) I can get a lot done at my workstation. I can write, play World of Warcraft, shop, watch cable or dvds, listen to my tunes, answer calls, etc.

It's not the healthiest lifestyle, I know and I often tell myself that as soon as x,y,z goals are met that I will get up and away from my workstation and do something more active. I often fail miserably.

This weekend I made it a point to go to a writer's workshop, mainly because Treva Harte, editor and co-owner of Loose-ID, was going to be there. Still, it felt so good to be able to get out, not just to talk about craft, but to get out an participate in something. I will admit that for the most part lately, I have become a bit of a hermit. I used to go clubbing, used to get out and exercise, socialize too...but I don't and writing and gaming are not the only reasons why. They are pretty good exucuses though.

As I finish up my current writing project, one of the things foremost on my things to do, is get more involved in outside ventures, a bookclub and a gym mainly. I have more stories to tell, so I need to be in good shape and fairly healthy to write them. But I can't write all the time.

"Valor's Trial" b. Tanya Huff

2009-06-20T03:58:00.000-07:00

Valor's Trial by Tanya Huff

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
While this book blew me away, it's more like standing in the wave of a nuclear blast and watching everything blow away and I'm still standing by some unnatural stroke of luck. This book, which could be the last piece of the Confederation novels, isn't the weakest one but its not the strongest either. I am very much a fan of Book 1 & 2, but it was vital that for me to finish the whole series. Gunnery Sergeant Kerr is still badass, however and her feats in this book catapult her to legendary status. Trapped in an underground prison, odds stacked way high and with faltering morale, Torin Kerr has to overcome some serious hurdles for her freedom and the freedom of her fellow marines.

Once again, Tanya Huff writes some amazingly endearing characters, and once again she deals some heavy, death scenes...In a sentence or two at times...but with no less punch.

While the book comes to a decent end, I hope that Tanya Huff uses this universe again at some point. Her world-building and character development are so rich, that they are a joy to experience.

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"Life As We Knew It" b. Susan Beth Pfeffer

2009-06-10T07:01:00.000-07:00

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Survival literature is what this book should be called although I hear that it is a young adult book. Referred to me by a friend, I was interested in a diasaster read and the book looked to be a fairly quick read. The novel focuses on a girl named Miranda and her diary's through an apocalyptic disaster. From worries about high school and boys to worries on how to survive with rationed food, no water and no electrcity. This book will depress you and make you paranoid beyond belief. You will be checking to make sure you have a supply of bottled water, looking at your canned goods and making sure you have supplies of medicine and batteries. From diary entry to diary entry, the reader progresses through the harrowing events caused by the moon being knocked too close to Earth. Volcanos, earthquakes and of course tidal waves ensue. Looting, violence and scavaging abound...and through it all a girl becomes a woman.

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The Heart of Valor b. Tanya Huff

2009-06-03T04:42:00.001-07:00

The Heart of Valor by Tanya Huff

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gunnery Sergenant Torin Kerr is back again, kicking ass and keeping folk alive in the heat of battle. As I become more and more emmersed in the world of Huff's making, I still have no idea what the H'San look like. Still the Di'Taykan and the Krai make great soldiers in arms, as Kerr is chosen to accompany a recovering General, his civilian doctor and a platoon of new newb Marines to Cruicible, an intense battle-training planet designed to train efficent soldiers. Needless to say that things go south pretty much thereafter.

Huff manages to write a fetching sequel in the Valor series and while this book is not as hard edged as the first in the series, Huffs talent for writing engaging seiges, battle planning, space jargon and alien sexual inneuendo is superb! I can't wait to get my hands on book 4!!!

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Late Balticon Report

2009-06-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

Monday, May 25, 2009

Well, as I am writing this report, I am gearing up to go for my last shift in the game room at Balticon. From 1a.m.-9a.m., this has been an intriguing and enlightening experience for me. This being my first Balticon and a convention with a great deal of writer-centric program offerings, I really felt that I got something out of this experience other than credit card receipts. I attended several cool panels, namely “Seducing the Editor,” “Villains in Science Fiction” and “Peddling Smut.” I might have attended more but as it was, I have been wiped out by the late night game room monitoring.

I got to meet some very cool people, namely gay writer J.M. Snyder, Phaze publisher Kathryn Lively and publisher/writer Alessia Brio, all of who gave me great tips and advice. I received several free books, advertisements, cds and yes I received a Bookworm Bag!! Ahh, the promo stuff that I have to go through, the suggestions that I want to follow up on—it’s all so daunting and exciting at the same time. Attending a convention more geared towards writers is such a refreshing jump starter and I am so glad I came. Although, my cats, Zoe and Cougar might be a tad pissy.

While much, much smaller than other cons I have attended, I have to say that I love having a short wait for the elevator, no crowds that make maneuverability in the halls a nightmare and having workshops that do not have to be held in an auditorium. I do have to learn how to pace myself better, especially if I am going to work at night, but other than that, I have had a wonderful time this Memorial weekend. I even purchased the cutest little addition to my office Godzilla and friends’ collection. I also purchased a copy of the hilarious “Zombies versus Ninjas,” the horror-comedy which was premiered at the con. The directors (I think they were) were there and convinced me to give this low-budget gem a look see. They also recommended their podcast Suckcast, both have turned out to be gems.

I definitely plan on attending next year, if only just to see one of my new favorite writers, Tanya Huff!!!

"A Confederation of Valor" b. Tanya Huff

2009-05-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

A Confederation of Valor by Tanya Huff

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
If I had a daughter, I would press this book into her hands so that she could truly see that women can be badasses and leaders just as sure as any male! Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr is a beast! She's a Marine through and through. Tanya Huff portrays the 'Leave No One Behind' soldier as a profound leader in the face of truly horrific circumstances. "A Confederation of Valor" is actually two novels in one: "Valor's Choice" and "The Better Part of Valor." While the first book is more emotionally wracking, both books carry Ms. Huff's talent for witty conversation, military and scientific jargon and claustrophobic chaotic action. These books are definitely not romantic and far from chick lit! Pure hardcore action with a colorful array of aliens, the most profound being the every horny Di'Taykan and the mysteriously absent but always discussed H'san. As I reach for the 3rd book in the series, I am so glad that I picked up this recommendation from a friend. Kerr is as much if not more of a badass than Ripley from the "Aliens" series and the villains are only slightly less vicious and I luv it!

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Balticon and Back in the Day Geekdom...

2009-05-21T17:05:00.000-07:00

I actually have the 2nd edition and the 4th edition of the Advanced Dungeon & Dragons Player's Handbook and played for a long time prior to finding World of Warcraft. Gaming in worlds built upon fantasy, has always been a favorite pasttime of mine. Back when I first started hitting cons, I went to a very geeky, but comfortable, friendly and small sci-fi and gaming con called Evecon/Castlecon. Talk about awesome! Getting to meet other geeks like myself, to game in the LAN room, and talk sci-fi was like heaven. It lasted for a few good years, but when it ended I was a bit lost. I had friends working for Katsucon, a japanese anime con with some gaming thrown in and so I decided to work for their staff. While there were some geeky elements, there wasn't nearly enough sci-fi and live action for me and I will admitt that the amount of yipping kids in costumes pretending to be Cloud or Tifa just didn't do it for me. (However the guy dressed as General Grievious kicked ass)

Anyway, I have worked at Katsucon for the past 4 years and all the while, I kept hearing about Balticon. A friend gave me a program last year, and I'll admit that it was the writer's programming that got me first, but the when I saw all the sci fi programs, I was determined to attend! And then I found out that I recognized a lot of the writers attending. Oh yeah, it was a must.

Initially, I figured I would go in writer persona, but nah, the geek in me won out and I ended up accepting a job. So this year, I will be in table top gaming, where I can watch (and play) some of the cool table top games. (Debating about bringing Magic cards) I will have my muse with me and will be doing some brain storming for my next project (hint: Guard) and hope to get a few autographs and books.

Wish me endurance...I allways end up sleep deprived and exhausted by the last day but expect to have a good time.

The Grind...

2009-05-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Contrary to some folk's suspicion, my new found love of World of Warcraft is not the reason why I have no upcoming releases. I will say that it makes waiting on the Muse and editors, a little easier to bear though. (And I'm getting closer to lvl 30 upon which I can purchase my first mount)

Currently, I have a novel and a short story seeking homes and one novel that needs an overhaul before it can find one. As I have said before, I'm mainly a story teller trying to be a writer, and while I could throw a story up on my website every month, they wouldn't necessarily be sales-worthy. Thus I am in my grinding period currently, trying to rein in my chaotic, sorcerer novel. Work has not yet started on the Guardian sequel, which wants to be more action and less erotica. I have a half-finished Vamp/Wolf tale which is begging for attention and then there is 'Bulletproof'...which may be my next short story challenge. I don't know. Even without plans for submission, I *have* to write...something, anything....my crocodile tale?

Well as I grind away, 2-4 hours a day at my craft, and while I've been grinding pretty well in Darkshire, I am afraid to admitt that sometimes I suspect my literary grinding may be a little chaotic. Appart from WoW, writing is my main obsession and sometimes I get so caught up in writing, in getting the story down, that my editing is ussualy on EPIC-Fail levels... So for those waiting for a new release from me, just know that that I am grinding still...

My Muse Sam...aka the Acer One...

2009-04-27T15:21:00.001-07:00

One the Road with my new muse, Sam. I suspected some time ago that I had tendencies to be whinny, and throw tantrums when I didn’t get what I wanted or whenever I felt moody about something. Well, currently (I mean at the very moment that I am writing this) I am using my new Acer One mini-netbook which after my internal debate, I decided, had to be mine.

The netbook is a small, laptop that is highly portable and streamlined for easy internet access and simple tasks. It has no CD or DVD drive and while it does have a 160 GB memory, it has 3 USB ports for the addition of extra devices such as a wireless mouse, an optical drive, or a printer. It can download new software easily and whoa…it comes with a webcam… And no you will not be seeing me on YouTube any time soon.

As a writer’s tool, I consider my purchase of Sam (my muse) to cover several levels of necessity.

1) Vacation Writing. Just because I am currently on the way to Puerto Rico, to walk around in my one piece with a massive girly drink filled with fruit an drum is no excuse for me not to write when I get there.

2) Tax Write –Off. Yup at a cost of about $299 (they run anywhere between $299-$499 depending on battery and maker as far as I can tell) at least you can show you tax-man a little expenditure other than your yearly ream of paper and promo costs.

3) Conferences. This is kinda like number 1 but you’ll probably be able to do some note taking, take down contacts and numbers quickly and (YUP) work on that story that your editor is waiting on.

4) Portability. The size of my netbook is compatible with the size of my (slightly) over-sized purse. I know because I put the floor model up against the side of my purse to make sure. Of course I bought the protective sleeve for Sam though. They don’t weigh much at all, less than 3 pounds and seriously, the idea of buying a bag or a bookpack for one of these guys seems a little odd to me. You can take them anywhere.

5) Reading. I hear tell that the Kindle is a wonderful device and if I were solely a reader of trashy novels and not also a writer of said trashy novels, I’d be okay with that but the netbook allows me to download the latest Loose-Id release, read a bit (I can magnify the font all I want) and then get my ass back to work on that novel that was supposed to be turned in last month.

There are many other reasons that a person (writer) might want to invest in an extremely portable and capable netbook that does not have the capacity to handle World of Warcraft (and if it can do NOT tell me so, I should be writing damnit). Sure the keypad is small and the battery life isn’t much ( I need the 6 hour, got the 3) but most importantly…The Acer One that I purchased from Staples came pre-installed with Windows XP and a trial version of Microsoft Home and Student. I am currently using MS Word…WHOOOOHOOOO. While I could later decide that I want to you Open Office or any other word processing program, I am a fanatic about MS Word. They have another version of the netbook that comes with Linux for the anti-Microsoft folk and well…I’m sure Apple will come out with a mini laptop (but honestly they get enough of my money through the Itunes and Istore.)

Overall for the writer on the go and for the writer with a guilty conscience, I would highly suggest this cutie!

Castaways b. Brian Keene

2009-04-24T04:24:00.000-07:00

Castaways by Brian Keene

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
First off I have to say that that this book was wildly entertaining. It was the perfect horror, beach-read for my vacation on a tropical island. The story is based around contestant on a reality-based show that strongly resembles ‘Survivor.’ Left with a television crew and meager supplies, they are at first consumed by competing in the show’s challenges and for alliances with other contestants. Such paltry concerns are quickly laid aside however, once the supposedly uninhabited island reveals its secret. There are monsters on the island, and they not only love to eat human...they also like to mate with them.

Now I will admit that although I have a strong stomach, there were scenes in this book that made me nauseous but it was an good, swift read with plenty of comeuppance and suspense. This book gets a 4 out of 5 from me.

View all my reviews.

Switch b. Claire Thompson

2009-04-24T04:14:00.000-07:00

Switch by Claire Thompson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a touching tale of D/s which I thoroughly enjoyed, in fact I found myself in the end wishing that the tale were a longer one. ‘Switch’ is the tale of Dane Bishop a Dom who walks the walk and looks the part. He takes pride in his reputation as a Dom at night and is a hard working real estate banker during the day. When he first sets eyes on Nathan Levi however, he is immediately jarred by the disheveled yet gorgeous man’s assumption of Dane being a submissive.

While Dane balks at the idea initially, he is drawn to the allure of the other Dom. What I loved so much about this book was Claire Thompson’s ability to separate the show and pageantry of the BDSM scene from the intimacy and the intensity of the commitment that is the D/s lifestyle. I do not profess to be an expert, but I found this novel to be a delightful treat. It is rather short at 204 pages and greedily I wished to see more scenes, but overall I give this work 4 stars easy.

View all my reviews.

V-The Second Generation b. Kenneth Johnson

2009-04-24T04:09:00.000-07:00

V: The Second Generation by Kenneth Johnson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I can’t help wishing that some producer will revamp the V series from my 80s childhood and give the project a renewed life in the same vein as Battlestar Galactica. I mean the idea of those giant saucers hovering over an entire city, the special effects of a Visitor getting his skin torn off to reveal the reptilian glory beneath, but alas…V the Second Generation does provide a wonderful flashback to the past. Yes the resistance is still fighting on, and not very well. For old fans, there are many characters that will be recognized from the mini-series and tv show, but even for those who never saw an episode, they can still enjoy the work.

The fascist, devious, propaganda spewing aliens have the same agenda: to eat our vermin and us, to steal all of our water and …impregnate our women. However the need us for a different reason, to fight their dreaded enemies, another intergalactic race called the Zedti who appear on Earth, to perhaps help us, or not…

While I did not know why Kenneth Johnson changed the idea of mixed-breeds looking human or reptilian instead of both, I liked how he drew a parallel of racism and oppression. Instead of being powerful, telepathic and emphatic superbeings, they are the lowest of the low, dregs.

The Zedti are remarkable, but slightly confusing as they are not just one race but several and yet all seem to have the hive mentality, but they are an interesting addition to the battle. I say interesting but in a film I don’t know how well they would work. While they don’t derive from reptiles, they are an intriguing mix.

Once again, for those looking to revisit an oldie but goodie franchise, this is an entertaining novel. 4 ½ out 5 stars would be my vote.

View all my reviews.

Why Amazon Why?

2009-04-12T20:05:00.000-07:00

Ussually, I try to keep my opinions of controversial issues out of my blog, but a rather interesting thing has occured that I have to note. So, upon checking out the Amazon listing of my book "A Guardian's Desire," I have discovered that the ranking is no longer there. I am so not alone in this as many of my colleagues and fellow writers of 'adult'-themed materials have had the same thing happen to them. Due to the stupidity of some Amazon employee, adult books are not being ranked and in some cases aren't even showing up on searches. I am a firm believer that I should be able to search and buy whatever I want. Their censorship is wrong and foul considering those that purchase many adult titles from them. Efforts are in place to fight this idiocy, but I can't believe that in this day and time, readers (and I am an avid one) who spend money at Amazon have to put up with this bullshit.

Please see Amazon Rankings for more info.

Short Story Progress Meter

2009-04-08T15:58:00.000-07:00

OMG!! What? No Meter is here? Oh because I finished it! I finished it! Mya can write a short story after all (now whether its good is a whole other ball of wax) but the renamed, MF paranormal, bondage tale heretofore known as "Higher Learning" is complete as 24,861!

"Bestial" b. Ray Garton

2009-04-07T14:42:00.000-07:00

Bestial by Ray Garton

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I had to snatch this book up after reading the prequel "Ravenous," because the first book was gripping, original, hard-core werewolf intensity! Sure, I was feigning for more back story in the first book and wanted to know how it was that the werewolves in the book were so feral and how the werewolves originated. I had soo many questions that I was expecting to have answered in the sequel.

Well, "Bestial" is a different type of book, let me say. It answers some questions I had and introduces even more. There's also some changes. The werewolves have more control over themselves, the sex is less seedy and is instead more raunchy and... bestial. As with the other works by Garton that I have read, there are some tragic deaths and lots of insane happenings. But for folk who like "Ravenous," and I find it to be the better novel, "Bestial" has several main characters, none of whom I cared much for and it's more of an action novel with lots of religious references, rather than the lone-wolf, crazed but charismatic werewolf hunter in the first book. Overall though, it was a good read and not every one is a manic werewolf enthusiast with a hunger for back story. Was it wrong that the most interesting person in the book is the villan...Oh well, I highly await the next Garton monster tale.

View all my reviews.

Short Story Progress Meter

2009-03-26T19:25:00.000-07:00

Perspective

Short Story Progress Meter

2009-03-16T17:50:00.000-07:00

Perspective

Red b. Jordan Summers

2009-03-16T05:14:00.000-07:00

Red by Jordan'>http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26033.Jordan_Summers">Jordan Summers

My'>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48542803?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I really wanted to like this book. I thought that somehow the techno-western backdrop of the story would stand out more, and that the heroine and her mate might be a little less cliche. Don't get me wrong, it was a good read but uneven and rushed, especially the ending. I swear the last ten pages are a blur. Initially the underling mystery that drove the first 2/3 of the book was done well, and then it just collapsed. The sex scenes were rushed and squashed into one incident, the revelation of the villian was a lightening strike and the resolution was even more unstable. Also, I thought that the references to the 'Little Red Riding Hood' story were weak and unnecessary. The book does allude to having a sequel though, and if there is, I would probably check it out because Ms. Summers did build an intriguing futuristic world with really interesting characters. Although for a werewolf-fanatic, it's not good when I am more interested in the vampiric characters, than the weres...Still it is a good read.

View'>http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1436486-mya?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.

Mya Can Write A Short Story...Really...or Else...

2009-03-10T17:50:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been so obsessed with short stories and my seemingly inability to write one. Okay so there are a lot of things I can't write but I like to try. At one point, I used to be able to write short pieces but that has faltered over the past two years. I want to go epic and world build and build up and as I have found out that is not always a good thing. So after sending off my latest novel (btw that would make two novels that are looking for publishers) I decided that maybe something short would be in order and set up a personal challenge for myself. I have twenty days to finish a short story. I have to do at least 1k per day. Well this is day two and I'm doing fairly well on MF piece (sorry but heh, both novels are MM). It's about a sorceress with a gift for bondage and the sorcerer who is better at it. So far, I'm having a ball.... My aspirations may go up in smoke in a few days, but I am going to give it a shot. Here's to ShoStoWriMo...or Short Story Writing Month :\

Perspective

"Shapeshifter" b. J.F. Gonzalez

2009-02-24T15:51:00.000-08:00

Shapeshifter by J.F. Gonzalez

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
Of the many werewolf books that I have read, I have to say that the werewolf in this book is about as Omega as they come. Definitely, not the Alpha male type. The book was okay, but after reading Garton's "Ravenous" I was expecting something a bit more lethal and less cowering. There is the same lack of information though. Gonzalez introduces the main character as being a werewolf from the start, but he never explains how he got that way, which make the ending more than a bit curious. Filled with melodrama and a villain too petty to be believed, the books truly shinning scary moment came within the final pages. One word describes it best: comeuppance. Outside of that however, the rest of the book leans more heavily towards thriller than horror, but then I am really demanding with werewolf books. Also, I like my horror with a little less sap. I want a ratcheted pulse, not a tissue after reading.

View all my reviews.

Aliens: Criminal Minds b. S.D. Perry

2009-02-22T10:52:00.000-08:00

Aliens: Criminal Enterprise by S.D. Perry

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a seedy read, filled with all sorts of criminal decadence, drugs, murder, prostitution-- all painted with the background of a hostile planet filled with aliens. I really enjoyed Perry's dive into the psyches of criminals, psychopaths and wounded people driven by lust, greed, revenge and hope, dark hopes though. Off all the Aliens books that I have read, this one comes closest in my bid to see one made into a film. It would certainly have the action!

The book follows two brothers, shanghaied into working for a drugrunner for of course a dealer who keeps his product and labs on an alien infested planet. One innocent and law-abiding and the other hopeless enamored of the fast lane. It also follows the motivations of a lieutenant drug lord and his doped out cherry of a girlfriend who run the facility.

Two forces, one that wants to steal the shipment and the other who wishes to bring all the criminals to justice invade the facility on the same day and saying that all hell breaks loose would be putting it mildly.

Again, this is perhaps the best of the Aliens books that I have read, however, there was something about the ending that I simply could not stand and which nearly ruined my enjoyment of the book. I won't give details other than of all the survivors in the end, one just made me want to hurl.

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Hamster on a Wheel...

2009-02-16T18:12:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I don't have any news about upcoming releases or anything, but I have been working away...wildly I might say. I don't know about other authors but I have been enjoying the writing/story telling process waaaay too much and need to discover where I left my inner editor. Short stories? I have forgotten what those are and things that should be 100 pages jump to nigh three hundred. To say that I get carried away sometimes is putting it mildly.

I will admit that I am no great wordsmith but I do love telling tales. Still I like being a published author too and by all means that entails creating a viable, edited, cohesive tale to readers. So...I have to slow down on starting new projects, which I would say that if I could edit and complete all the projects whose first draft, I have completed I might be able to get out 4 novels this year, but already the itch to move on to other projects is there, burning selfishly bright. There is some hot gargoyle loving, I'm feeling the itch for...waterwhip anyone? Okay...stopping the muse, right now!

Anyway, back to edit 4 of "Embraced by the Sun" and edit 2 of "Heart of Bast," and as for "Forever Guardian" the sequel to "A Guardian's Desire," I am already compiling the outline and notes for it...my other new project.

Ok...backing away from the wheel...

Aliens Book 2: Nightmare Asylum b. Steve Perry

2009-02-10T16:28:00.000-08:00

Nightmare Asylum: Aliens Book 2 by Steve Perry

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was a fantastic read...in that a lot of fantastic things occur in it. Sure the heroes, Billie and Wilkes are back from book 1 in the series, are larger than life and luckier than a bum hitting the jackpot but outside of that is the Aliens themselves. The buggers never cease to amaze me in what they can do and how much they can learn. What I enjoyed most, outside of the frequent throwbacks to the movie series, is that nothing ever works out the way the heroes want it to. Sure they manage to get out of some narrow fixes but not they way they plan to. Why? Because the villain in this book is a smart and tricky fiend. General Spears is an insane man and not a person that I would ever want to meet. His idea of a great army is a bit frightening as well...stupid but frightening. Now, I'm anxious to get to the third book in this really good Aliens trilogy (the other one sucks).

View all my reviews.

"Live Girls" b. Ray Garton

2009-02-06T15:58:00.000-08:00

Live Girls by Ray Garton

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
What I learned from this book is that garlic is my best bet when encountering vampires, not crosses or bibles or holy water or even stakes. Garlic should do the trick! But seriously, this is my second book by Ray Garton and I enjoyed it so much that I finished it fairly quickly. What I really enjoyed about "Live Girls" is something that I'm hoping appears in all his work, which is the dark, truly horrifying portrayal of any monster that he deals with. This book is about vampires that are beasts, disgusting and seductive and horrifying.

The story is based around a peep-show/club called Live Girls. It is one of two havens for vampires in the book. During the narrative, several people fall victim to its allure and its danger. I found myself breezing through the pages, curious and shocked by every event. One thing I will say about Garton is that I definitely could not guess the ending.

Like "Ravenous" his werewolf novel, I was still left with questions... all involving backstory and details. Don't get me wrong, Garton fleshes his monsters out and gives you exactly what you need to turn the page...but damn...there seemed to be at least 3 types of vampires in the book and I wanted more DETAILS...yeah, I'm greedy.

Great horror read though, definitely!

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!! !Valentine's Contest !!!

2009-02-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

For the answers you need to win, browse these sites:

www.AmandaYoung.org

www.AnneDouglas.com

www.MichelleCary.com

www.LizCraven.com
http://www.myaserotica.com

How DO you spell depression...C.R.A.S.H.

2009-02-04T06:41:00.000-08:00

Suffice it to say that this has been a truly bad week for me. My beloved Dell PC of 4 years crashed on monday, after several frightening days of disappearing files and no internet connectivity. On Saturday, the edits I had completed for H.O.B. (70pages worth) just vanished, then the entire folder holding all of my 'Heart of Bast' files disappeared. I was seriously in shock but due to some serious dilligence and searching through temp. /hidden files I managed to retrieve my information but the ominous feeling was still running rampant. I knew that something was wrong. I couldn't get on the net and the system was running slow as hell.

So after a call to Dell Tech on Monday, I was told to do a system restore, after backing up all my data to my External HD. I was able to do the system restore but as my partitions were so corrupted it did nothing but leave me with a black screen. Because Dell didn't ship the O/S boot disks, I have to wait until I recieve them to get a good look at what I managed to salvage...and to get back to work....

Which brings me to my dilemma, without my computer I am going stir crazy and am literally reluctant to go home. It is my connection to the outside world, my passion and obsession and even more it is my drug. Instead of going home to work on my stories, I go home and crochet...even go to be early.

I am due to get the disks between thursday and saturday, but honestly the day can't come soon enough. Apparently, a downloaded spyware program was responsible for my computer 'Godzilla's' lapse into coma-land and I was warned by Dell to stick to my disk installed Norton. I was also commended for having a very large external hard drive, which I will either be crying about or singing praises to very soon... Ahh...just a few more days....can't take much more of this...

Aliens, Book 1: Earth Hive b. Steve Perry

2009-01-30T04:45:00.000-08:00

Aliens, Book 1: Earth Hive by Steve Perry

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
What I learned from this book would be: that if I wanted to possibly study an advanced, killer, alien-species be it for military value, biological value or any value and said species could replicate faster than cockroaches...I wouldn't do it on my HOME PLANET.

Not related to the book 'Aliens: Cauldron,' which I just finished up, this is the first book in a different, more hardcore series if I must say so. With a grizzled, war-veteran hero, a traumatized young girl turned ass-kicker, Earth Hive is exactly what I was looking for when I picked up an Aliens novel. It has the violence, the machismo, the intensity of swarming aliens and the humility of arrogant humans abounds!

With this book, I finally got to see not only deeper into the Aliens background with a visit to their supposed homeworld, but Perry also introduced several other alien life forms-- just as deadly as the Aliens themselves perhaps. I sooo wanted to see a Predator but...well there are other hunters, I suppose.

No this book is not literature, but it's yummy, delicious, sweet pulp and if you like a swift read with a lot of action and horror and sci-fi artillary you'll like this one! It would make a damn good film...Aliens 5...I can almost see it, except the happy ending thing might be a problem...

View all my reviews.

Aliens: Cauldron b. Diane Carey

2009-01-24T18:17:00.000-08:00

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
The more I think that there is some sort of seperation between extreme horror and young adult literature, the more I am proven wrong. I mean I probably wouldn't have gone for the book had I known that a gaggle of children--yes kids--were going up against a pack of killer aliens, I might have thought twice about reading this book. It's not that I don't think the brightest child prodigies to ever live wouldn't be able to stave off horrifying death and mayhem. I'm sure that maybe one might live...maybe...

What started off as a promising space opera about the illegal transportation of the aliens species (disguised as cargo) on a star ship somehow denigrates to the pluckiness of brilliant space cadets in training. It was OK...not great, but it did raise two serious questions...What do the Aliens eat? How do they grow so fast after chest-burster stage? Maybe the next Aliens book I read will have more details and less of the Disney Channel.

Seriously, I would not want my teen reading this and I don't even have one.

Series or Trilogy...All that I don't know...

2009-01-23T17:02:00.000-08:00

There are smart writers who know the ins and outs of grammar, mechanics, word usage, tense and perspective, style and various other literary terms. Then there are story tellers. Unfortunately, I belong to the category of story tellers. Yes, I was an English major and did exceedingly well but only in the analyzing and debating of great works and the rambling, passionate composition of my essays...which always got graded down due to my complete stupidity in the aforementioned categories. Therefore, at no time ever will you read me complaining about how poorly a novel was written, edited or anything about the perspective and/or . (although James Joyce...)

Anyway, that drunken broad aka my muse, came to me this morning with an idea for the sequel of "A Guardian's Desire." (Which I am extremely grateful for, Ms. Caffiena!) After about two months of worrying and trying to recall the difference between a series and a trilogy--I had to look up the definitions of both--I have decided that "A Guardian's Passion" will maybe/definitely be...the second in a series. I want more of Freya and so do a lot of the readers, or so they have said, but then I also want to tell more than just her story...okay, i don't, I just want to write more battle scenes & sex scenes involving Freya and her boys but I think it will add a powerful edge to broaden the universe... That and I am no Tolkien or Lewis....

We shall see. I am wondering if there is a term for something in between a series and a trilogy? Yup, its back to the Literary Dictionary for me...Uggh

If Paranormal Were A Spice, It Would Be Sugar

2009-01-16T14:16:00.000-08:00

After many years of assuming that I was not born in the correct age, I realize that now is indeed the best time for me. The amount of paranormal-tinted materials, I can put my fingers upon these days is amazing. I can get my paranormal erotica, of course, filled with weres, vamps, ghosts, and demons with little effort. There is even a decent amount of paranormal in the young adult realms, such as the book I just finished "The Hunger Games," and the whole "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" series. The horror genre can almost always be counted on to provide paranormal thrills (see my review on "Ravenous") and I also like the trend of mixing them up with sci fi. A novel by Jordan Summers called "Red," is firmly on my 'To Read' list.

Sure contemporary literature, be it drama, horror, comedy, romance, etc can be pleasing, but its that extra dash of paranormal elements that make it extra delicious! My friends sometimes ask me when I'm going to write something serious and to them it could be as serious as a Drama about a pastor having an affair or a gangster chic rising up from the hood-- what they really mean though is when will I abandon my love affair with paranormal. Oh, I'd say about the same time I decide that I hate cupcakes...which would be NEVER. Ever since I began reading, I can remember being fascinated by the others; the beasts in "Where the Wild Things Are," and the mythical beasts and weres in my first book on greek mythology (Edith Wharton's, I think) and have no intention of ever abandoning it.

It's just that now, there's a lot more to consume and a lot more for me to be inspired by!

Ravenous b. Ray Garton

2009-01-08T17:08:00.001-08:00

Ravenous by Ray Garton

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Well about half way through this truly terrifying and brutal portrayal of werewolves, I realized that while I discovered a writer who isn't afraid of gore and horror, my dreams of a fulfilling novel were not going to be realized. I give it kudos though for not romanticizing werewolves in the least and for making them into beings that would scary any vampire shitless. The sex in the book (the way that the lycanthropy virus is transmitted) was not meant for arousal and is far away from paranormal erotica as Winnie the Pooh is from Hellraiser...I even liked the almost mandatory, lone hunter in the book...what I didn't like though was the stupidity. I'm talking, straight from 'Friday the 13th' don't make out in the woods kinda stupidity-- Did I mention that I don't want to hang out with anyone that can't identify on sight a zombie, werewolf, vampire, Cthullu etc!

Now I'm not faulting the book on a whole or the writer, I'm just a greedy reader and a backstory whore. The book has a label on it about how most of the legends about werewolves were wrong...and without giving anything away, such is the case even to werewolf hunter!

Alas this was a good, gripping read and I blew right through it. Perhaps in hindsight the true horror is that after finishing the novel, I was sure that if such an outbreak of werewolves ever occurred then the human race would be extinct in less than a month.

If I'm lucky, Garton will write another book giving some origin info and some hard core solutions for dealing with growing packs.

View all my reviews.

The Hunger Games b. Suzanne Collins

2009-01-04T12:18:00.000-08:00

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am not entirely sure whether this book is intended for young adults or not, but I will say that this book deals with some very adult issues. In the future, North America is split into 12 districts, the 13th having been obliterated. All is ruled by the Capitol, and well to say that they are a nasty, ruling body would be too mild. They host the Hunger Games, an arena-style, fight-to-the-death sort of competition which incorporates 2 children, a boy and a girl from every district. The children range from 12-18.

Katniss Everdeen is the heroine of the book and while she seems more mature than any teen I know, she almost has to be. As the main provider for her family and a natural leader, I think that it's not if she can win in the Hunger Games that's important, but rather could she ever be anything but a victim of the Capitol's cruelty and her own.

A damn fine book and an excellent start to a series. I look forward to the next in the series!

View all my reviews.

Life Outside of Writing

2008-12-28T05:31:00.000-08:00

Just when you think you have everything planned out, things will go awry. I would have to say that I have been pretty much obsessed with writing at the expense of a social life and other obligations. This holiday season in particular I had big plans. Then, I adopted Cougar, a feisty, orange tabby. I will admit that my original motive was to have him as a companion cat for Zoe my calico, but again things never work out the way I plan. Zoe is highly jealous and somewhat moody about him and he prefers to stick underneath me.

Demanding little fellow that he is, and adorable, when he got ill and had to get surgery, I nearly had a nervous breakdown. I blamed myself for not watching him closer, for paying so much attention to the computer and for then some. I realize that kittens get into things but really it was a wake up call for me.

I don't have kids and so sometimes I tend to be obsessive and self concerned, but lil Cougar (about to be Big Cougar with as much as he eats) is my reminder that there are other things that I need to concern myself with, things that cannot be planned for and things that are important outside of contracts. While he is doing fine and healing nicely, I try to make sure that he and Zoe gets plenty of love, play and attention.

Sure novels need to be re-edited and submitted, a novel needs to be finished and promo items need to be sent out, but my kids need attention too and Cougar is good for letting me know when I need to take a break!

Slave Boy b. Evangeline Anderson

2008-12-23T05:36:00.000-08:00

Its not just the smooth cover, unique size, beautiful artwork and easy to read font that has encouraged me to collect these types of long paperbacks...It's the content. Once a month, sometimes two, I purchase print material from not just my publisher, Loose-Id but from Samhain and Ellora's Cave. Erotica...that's what my collection is about, plain and simple and 'Slave Boy' is just my latest swift, greedy consumable. It took about two days to read, although with the speed I went through it, I could have read it in one.

To say that I wanted more out this tale of an apprentice and his master may be like asking for another brownie on my banana split, but I'm fat so it's okay. While I enjoyed the sci fi setting, and was intrigued by the dilemma that would cause a jedi-like warrior to place himself and his novice into a very kinky/risky situation, I wanted more. With all of the mention of arousals and near-contacts, I ended the book still hungry (see earlier food reference).

Things get resolved though and it is a very entertaining book, but it really needed one more sex scene...Or I'm just that damn greedy...

The Conqueror Worms b. Brian Keene

2008-12-19T12:29:00.000-08:00

The Conqueror Worms by Brian Keene

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
What I expected from this book was science gone awry. From the look of the cover, I think that I even may have suspected some Tremors-like humor. What I did not expect was the gripping tale of an elderly man in the mist of well...a "Mist"-type horror novel. Brian Keene is like the love child of Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft and while there are worms is the book, there are also a lot worse things!!

View all my reviews.

A Taste of Darkness b. Nina Bangs

2008-12-14T05:46:00.000-08:00

A Taste of Darkness by Nina Bangs

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
Reading this book was like eating a bite-sized candy bar, sweet and good but not really filling. There were several intriguing characters, and several very powerful characters, who I knew would not allow the chosen pair to fall into any real peril. The chosen pair being a vampire and a werecat...no a weresabertooth in fact. It had steamy love scenes and the prerequisite about of abstinence in it and lots of humor, but I think I will call this more romance than paranormal as a great deal of the plot and characters concern surrounded talk of marriages and relationships. I never once felt as if the characters were in any real peril and when the villains showed up, I actually laughed at their appearance. Oddly enough, humor is peppered all throughout the book and for some light reading, this book is actually recommended :D

View all my reviews.

The Sohon Debutante Contest

2008-12-08T16:02:00.000-08:00

So after much plotting and planning, I have come up with a way to reward my readers and to reward newbies. Need details? Here they are:

On January 3rd, 2009 I will select two lucky winners to receive the Sohon Gift Package which includes a signed print copy of A Guardian's Desire, pearl necklace, Sohon brochure, Bookmark, nail file, 2009 Magnet Calendar and other fru fru stuff :D This is my way of giving back to my readers.

For those who are more familiar with my work, if you have already purchased an e-copy of "A Guardian's Desire" and would like the opportunity to win the extended print version all you have to do is leave a review or comment (an honest one, I can take crit) on either my guestbook or Amazon page. On January 3rd, I will select two winners to be the recipients of a Sohon Gift Package.

If you have never read anything from me, not to worry, I will have a general drawing to give away the last Sohon Gift Package to a NEW reader.

As an added bonus all winners will receive a Bookworm Bag as well!

For both sides of the contest simply email me at blackkoda@yahoo.com with the word Sohon in the subject. If you submit a review or comment, simply let me know where it is in the body of the email and you will be entered.

Outsourcing and Multitasking

2008-12-01T09:40:00.000-08:00

Its been a busy week...Was there really a holiday? I don't know, but I do know that I made the right decision when I decided to hand over my website design and maintance to a professional. Rather than spending hours looking through and fixing codes, I have more time for the other aspects of my writing business, like promo.

I recently joined Bookworm Bags a promo based group and have been not only mailing out promo materials like mad, but I am also gearing up for a new contest, which requires locating prizes, crafting up a few prizes and ordering materials. If I could just outsource promotional responsibilites I would be in heaven.

I realize that if I want my little business (and if you're a writer, your pen name is your business) to grow then I am going to have to put in the work. Things that can be outsourced like websites, taxes, Vistaprint (because yes you can make your own postcards at home, but why) and Cafe Press, should be. I mean, one still has to make deadlines, submit new work, edit and revise, right? Then of course there's the sales figure and reciept for expendature tracking, conference planning and public assistant help that comes into play...Well, suffice it to say that I know NO writers who just write. So with that said, I don't feel so bad about the outsourcing.

Anyw...any suggestions and comments for are highly appreciated.

Temple b. Matthew Reilly

2008-11-23T17:11:00.000-08:00

I'm a Reilly fan and I simple adore his formula, which is often as follows:

[1 bad ass action hero + one impossible mission / conspiracy theory + 1 1/2 killer animal x 100 or more military acronyms + area diagrams and illustrations of detonation devices + 40 cliff hangers - spared casualties x notoriously evil villian x 20 WTF = Novel]

Well, my latest Reilly discovery, 'Temple' pretty much follows that formula. The bad ass action hero is named William Race and well...he's not really trained to do half of the shit that he does in this book. An every day joe turned Bond is how I describe him.

'Temple' is a tale within a tale and really I enjoyed the very Indiana Jones type feel of the novel. It is about a very special artifact which is not only the symbol of a tribe's spirit, it is potentially the means to destroy the planet. Yup, that Matt Reilly, gotta luv him. I think my biggest problem with the novel was how spectacular the main hero was. I mean moreso than the average joe hero in 'Contest,' William Race is just too damn lucky and gifted for me to even try to believe in.

Now Scarecrow or Black Knight....*cries* I wish for a new book everyday. Anyway, if you like tales of Incas, impossible odds, planet killer nukes, terrorists, intermilitary battles and more military hardware than you can shake a stick at... you'll like 'Temple.'

Mountains of Mail both Paper and Visual

2008-11-22T04:36:00.000-08:00

There is never enough time in the day, whether you have a full time job or no and outside of word count goals, which may or may not be made, there is the other element in an e-published writers life...the mail. Why did I specify 'e-published,' because I seriously doubt that trade and house writers spend as much time on the web.

E-published writers, and I could be wrong, spend a lot of time on the net. We need to. We heavily promote there, we get information and correspond there, but whoa can the mail pile up. List groups are good, but when you have a ton of them and most on digest, more than half of the messages go unlooked at, I can barely decipher one group from the next. There are promos, announcements, events, chat calls, and snark, craft information and other items, some that I can use and some that I can't. There is important publisher correspondence mail like statements and contracts, family joke mail, retail sales mail, bill mail and offer mail, all bunched in together and when I think about the distraction of checking my mail boxes (yes I have 2) every day, I get moody. I should be writing but instead I'm looking at the new pics a friend just sent from Cheeseburger, or I am looking for submission responses or filtering spam, or speed reading through digest lists.

It may sound like I am complaining, but like any junkie, it's meaningless drivel. I can't blame the internet for Writer's Lapses (not blocks), I am just easily distracted and have little self control. So in the event that it seems like I lurk on lists, don't respond to mail, and don't participate in a ton of things, I review a lot but hone in on little...my inbox waits for nothing. Allways filling, allways growing...if only my word count were the same. I wouldn't feel so guilty.

Zoe and Cougar

2008-11-14T18:21:00.000-08:00

I have a new addition to the Den, an orange Tabby named Cougar. I adopted him as a companion for my beautiful calico, Zoe. To say that it took a long time for her to stop hissing and growling at him would be putting it mildly. Now she only swats at him when he bugs her to play when she is trying to nap. Out of all the photos I've taken of him and Zoe, this one is the most precious. Getting them to eat in the same place without attacking one another was a feat in itself. They don't really share a bowl, this was just the moment when I realized I didn't have to have Cougar's food bowl in my room anymore. They both eat in the same area now, and each has there own bowls filled with their own food. Now the big task is trying to get them NOT to eat out of the other's bowl. Cougar is the more voracious eater.

These two amuse me to no end and are heavily inspiring my werecat piece, but more than that, I am just happy that they are finally warming up to each other.

Progress and Non-Progress Reports

2008-11-05T15:55:00.001-08:00

Most of the time, I am a multi-tasking fiend. I can watch movies, play a video game, chat and write. Sometimes I even eat too. I do it in the classic, multi-tasking ADD fashion, I bounce my attention between three or four tasks. (My editor may kill me if she knows this) But seriously, the more things I have to do at once, makes me happier. I get a rush out of it.

Focus...yeah right. I purposefully watch old action movies and B-movie monster flixs while I work because they don't hold my attention and I can write with the background noise. I can watch 'Transformers' or 'The Hulk' up to three times a day. I like the sound of carnage and occasionally, I look over to see Blackout or Ratchet on the screen.

What I cannot do however, is be productive during riveting, cerebral, engaging programs. I am currently in this small catchup with formerly ignored series mode. I watched all 9 episodes of 'True Blood,' five episodes of 'Sons of Anarchy' and a season and a half of 'Dexter.' Have 3 more episodes of Dexter to get through... Needless to say my word count has suffered a great deal. There is no way I can work while watching such attention-grabbing entertainment.

I want so much to finish the second season tonight, but I had to put my foot down and tell myself that there was work to be done. Currently, I have 43K written on 'The Heart of Bast.' I have 7 more chapters to write and with a personnal goal of completion set for mid-December, I keep telling myself the sooner I catch up on all my shows the sooner I can get back to business. I even put 'The Hulk' back into my dvd player to type this blog entry, but the urge....just one more episode...I need to be more disciplined, but knowing that I have a problem is half the battle, right?

True Blood Review

2008-11-01T12:12:00.000-07:00

One might have thought with the references to ‘Alien Nation’ and the encouragement of a coworker that I might have checked out this show sooner, but with my aversion to the dandy vampires (I prefer the hybrid-monster types), I had not even checked out the advertisements.

It took the recent hint of a werewolf, mentioned by the aforementioned coworker to get my interest in the show. With the Halloween holiday swiftly approaching, I decided to check out the show and see what it had to offer. You know I wanted to make sure that the weres were properly represented ;D

I started Thursday night and finished up on Halloween. Eight episodes of the gifted Sookie, the dashing and brooding Bill, the insane puppy-dog stupidity of Jason, the psycho confrontational Tara, the wicked dark chocolate of Lafayette and the noble but daft, possible werewolf…Sam.

Now what I like about this show is that isn’t just watching Jason sink to new lows, both coital and non, but that it touches on the serious issues of racial rights and tolerance, that it is beautifully shot and that the sex scenes are pretty smoking hot! I like the vampires do show some vulnerability. I absolutely adore Lafayette’s twisted, devilish ways and my gawd did Stellan Skarsgard produce a handsome Viking named Alexander (aka Eric).

The depictions of the south, and mainly of Louisiana are stunning and gorgeous, although why vampires would prefer the hot, swampy, alligator-riddled lands of LA when they could have the cool, solid earth of the north baffles me. I absolutely adore the one Cajun character they have and I have to admit that I crave every volatile interaction between Sam and Tara. Vampire Bill’s backstory was also highly fascinating.

What I don’t like…True Blood does remind me a tad of ‘Alien Nation’ but it reminds me of Anne Rice and “Gone with the Wind’ much more. As a not quite southerner (Maryland is below the Mason-Dixon line, even though most of us don’t think so), I will never understand the fascination with billowing nightgowns. Sookie running through the yard in a night gown to get to Bill…um…okay. Petty I know, but then Tara, despite all her sass, often reminds me of Mamie the concerned maid, who helps bustle gowns and do hair while the mistress ponders her two suitors. Now, outside of my bizarre plantation-film flashbacks, the plucky wunderkind that is Sookie, sometimes irks me. Bubbly and daft one minute, then fiery and determined even in the face of a master vampire, can be a bit much, but then I am not a fan of that type of heroine anyway. So, I would suppose all that I dislike about the show has more to do with me than anything technical or in the prose.

It is a damn, good show and I will admit that I will be checking out the latest episode on Sunday. Perhaps not just to see what goes on with Sookie and Bill though. The signs are there, pretty heavily that there is a werewolf and while the rights of vampires are all well and good, I want to see the werewolf unleashed, transformed and dishing out some pain! Vampire rights…Will there be werewolf rights is the question I want answered!

Over the Moon b. Knight, Davidson, Kantra and Sunny

2008-10-30T16:25:00.001-07:00

An interesting little guilty pleasure of an anthology that I read on the plane from Texas. For their compact sizes, each of the stories was sufficently spicy and compact enough to seem complete. While not a keeper, it defintitely works for a introduction or refresher for the paranormal genre. All of the tales revolve around shifters of some sort and 3 out of 4 are about werewolves. As a werewolf-lover, I was not blown away but I was pleased with the stories.

My favorite was 'Driftwood' by MaryJanice Davidson, a sassy love story about a vampire and a sweet, wacky werewolf.

Chocolate Paranormality...

2008-10-26T04:33:00.001-07:00

I ride the train to work and often I see a lot of young afro-american women clutching tight to an urban romance. Now while the premise ussually involves relations (adultry, dl brothers, wantoness behavior, or dangerous attraction) some also include religious bits such as locale, occupation and/or underlying themes.

As a lover of paranormal lit, I often wonder why there's not more interest by the afro-american community in things that go bump in the night. I myself was surprised to discover Dark Thirst, an afro-american paranormal anthology and L.A. Banks collection of paranormal lit.

Still there is a niche which needs to be filled. Maybe it has something to do with religious beliefs, maybe a lot of young, metro-ridding women are just not interested. But in my pipe dreams of promoting "A Guardian's Desire," I thought about advertising on some of the urban sites. (The fact that I suck at promo not withstanding)

I went online and did a little research. My cover looks just as slick and as saucy as many of the urban titles, so I figured 'perfecto' then I thought some more (as folk with OCD ussually and unfortanately do). While the issue of submission complexity occured to me, the fear that my book might not be urban or black enough (I know it ain't PC) did occur to me. Not just that however, I also write gay fiction and how would readers and/or reviewers respond to that? Would they discount me because I only have one heteroish novel? Yes, I have several black characters, but is there some taboo out there? I don't really know. I am however, going to attempt one of the review sites below (or at least try to advertise) but my paranoias aside, for those of you who are interested--Look what I found :D

*Urban Reviews

*RawSistaz Reviews
*APOOO

*The Urban Book Source

*QBR
*Black Butterfly Reviews

*Black Authors Online

Gridlinked b. Neal Asher

2008-10-23T04:52:00.000-07:00

I was about to say that it had been a long time since I had read a cyberpunk novel, but then I just recalled that I had read "Kiln People." I won't try to compare the two however, because one leans heavily on it's Gumshoe detective while "Gridlinked" leans half upon it's James Bond-like hero, half upon the wonderous world of technology. In this book, human beings and technology's relationship are intertwined. Humans have augs and implants which allow them to have instant and constant, internet-style access to data and others. Humans are also capable of modifying their looks to reflect animal-like features. Of course there are the starships and the wicked assualt weapons that are ussually included inside of good science fiction, but where this book stands apart for me, involves the amount of brutality in this piece. Its not a total blood bath, but the acts of violence are poignent and calculated almost with a mechanical emotionless manner. The main character, Ian Cormac, has been gridlinked (hooked into augs) for so long that his human characteristics are slim to none. The best at what he does as a lawman, his list of enemies is not only long but includes something far greater than the usual rebels and criminals. When a transporter (runcible) is destroyed and the inhabitants of a planet are wiped out, Ian is sent to investigate. Without his aug and detached from the information grid upon which he has been linked into for over 30 years, Ian is forced to rely on his less than reliable humanity to confront not just the mystery of the accident, but a villian with a vendetta to score and ...something very godlike.

A good read if you like your scifi to have a harder, sleeker edge to it. I really enjoyed it.

Vieques Island, Hurricanes and Fine Dining

2008-10-18T11:09:00.000-07:00

My third trip to the beautiful island of Vieques, Puerto Rico was an adventurous one. Fine Dining and beautiful beaches, I knew what to expect; the bounty of free roaming wildlife such as horses, roosters, geckos, etc. I knew that I would have a wonderful time with my best friend who has relocated to live on the island...but what I didn't know was that another visitor would attempt to show up to the island. His name, of course was OMAR.

Destined to hit Vieques head on, it struck dread in me. Besides watching the Weather Channel like it was the SuperBowl, I got a glimpse of what Hurricane prepardness means. It's always rather intriging to watch disasters on television, but breaking out the generator, the hurricane shutters, checking the cisterne, making sure adequate food, water, beer and charcoal are in stock, clearing the yard of loose possible projectiles, was a whole other ball of wax.

Now H. Omar just barely slipped past the island at the 11th hour, but when I went to sleep, I was prepared to wake up surrounded by water. Vieques is not a big island and with a lot of concrete structures it wouldn't have totally been annihilated, but water, electric, mudslides and property damage will have still been an issue...Hell, they take all of the small planes from the airport in preparation and no way are the ferrys going to be in port before a hurricane.

I did not think that I was going to be home today, but thanks to the carribean sea winds, I got away with no problemo.

Now, Vieques is a quaint island, nowhere as fast and modern as San Juan, but absolutely gorgeous and perfect for some one who wants to relax, admire horses herding upon the beach. It is home of the Bio Bay, a bioluminescient bay where if you swim at night the little micro-organisms glow around you. (They are harmless) It is a place where you can eat gormet meals as well as local fare for reasonable pricing and drink well into the night with friendly faces around. Most of all though, it is a place to chill and despite the excitement of the hurricane, I did just that putting on more than a few pounds to boot. Fine dining, I had such great conch fritters, swordfish, chirascuro, pasta, chowder...Several of my favorite eateries, such as Tradewinds are located on the malecon (like a boardwalk), that overlooks the sea, but there are other restaurants peppering the island that are just as delightful such as Coqui Fire (who make exquisite hot sauces).

Again, it is a gorgeous island and I plan on returning soon, but for the uninnitiated, it is defintitly a place you need a guidebook and a guide for. And be careful of hurricane season.

Cons, Cons, Cons....

2008-10-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

I leave for lovely Vieques, Puerto Rico on Friday and yet I can't help wanting to cry because Gaylaxicon starts this weekend! Yeah, some well known folk from Loose-Id and other publishers will be there. Yup, it will cover juicy topics like Bi-guys in fiction, but me... I'll be drunk and lying face down in sand, and while that will be a lot fun. I am missing out on prime networking.

Consoling myself and thinking about the cool conventions (but they won't be MM cennntraalll)... um, yeah the cool conventions to come. There are two in 2009 that I will definitely be at because I will be working security for them (again, not the best thing promo, but free admission helps). Those two will be Katsucon in February and Balticon around March.

As a new member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), I am saving coin to attend their conference in DC, July of 2009 but who know with the economy. That convention seems to cost a great deal

The most expensive for me would be Epicon in Vegas. Hotel, airfare, registration fee... coughcoughgamblinganddrinkingcoughcough money. Oh well, here's to getting out of my cave and socializing in 2009!!

Contests + Prizes= Happy

2008-10-06T13:58:00.000-07:00

I love contests and prizes and goodie bags, but I also like shouting out for other authors.

Michelle Cary, a writer of romantic suspense is holding a contest over on her blog. She will be giving out tote bags, promo goodies and books. Feeling lucky? Head on over here for details.

What About Fan Fiction?

2008-09-27T17:26:00.000-07:00

Every now and then I am asked about the fan fiction I used to write back in the day. Today, I was asked about a particular epic that may or may not have included several real actors from LOTR....Well, needless to say, that when I decided to write the OF (original fiction), I not only took down all of my fan fic, I desolved the old website. I am not ashamed of it...well, I don't think that I am and God knows that I loved the amount of attention and feedback that I got from the fan fic community, but now that I'm in business with a publisher, I get paranoid. What if someone sued me? Would it effect my career in the long run?

I don't know how publishers deal with former fan fic writers, but I do know that a lot of writers (ebook especially) cut their teeth in fan fic. I would love to know what they have done with their old fan fic cataloges. As for me, I would love to rewrite and transform those steamy tales in to original works but with 4 projects on the TBW (to be written) list, it won't be anytime soon...Que Sera, Sera...

G-Strain b. Sage Whistler

2008-09-25T16:51:00.000-07:00

I love sci-fi, especially when it involves hulking, tall, warrior-like aliens. "G-Strain" by Sage Whistler is such a gem and I do not say that because I know her. I say that because I stayed up all night, neglecting my work and my gaming addiction to read this wonderful novella. Why is it wonderful though? Her talent at not only world creation but at setting a fast pace from Earth to a desolate planet and on to a vibrant, wonderful new world.

The story follows the abduction of two human males, specifically. Others are abducted, but this story focuses on two, Kenano and Jared. They are abducted by handsome, blue-skinned warriors called Lykurgans, due to a genetic trait that makes the two species compatible.

Kenano specificaly gets bonded to a warrior named Nurak, who has to protect his frightened yet couragous human from alien attack by a rival alien faction and a harsh, violent planet.

Sage knows her sci fi, I will give her that and her various alien species have wicked technology and even more wicked biology. I was totally immersed in the action and deeply craving the hookup between Kenano and Nurak.

If anything, my only gripe was that the novella needed to be a plus sized NOVEL. Still, this ebook was a delight to read!

Available from Amazon in Print Today!!

2008-09-23T05:58:00.000-07:00

A Guardian's Desire, is officially my first print book release and it is available today from Amazon. It even has a blurb!! Oh yeah, I'm stoked and not just because I spent a hell of a time working on it but because I am a glossy, print book whore.

I will admitt that when I initially started work on this book, I did not think or imagine that it would be taken to print, and when I found out, I just kept staring at the email like, is it real? I made my first book in elementary school with board, contact paper, glue, needle and thread and paper. I illustrated it and everything. It was then that I knew what I wanted to do, make books, and today even more so, this book raises the bar.

Hopefully, I will continue to release ebooks and while another print book is not always promised, for now and for today, I have one and it is a very good one, full of adventure and erotic goodness.

Available today from Loose-Id and Amazon, I present "A Guardian's Desire."

Scarecrow b. Matthew Reilly

2008-09-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

Am I a fangirl? Yes I am. On my fourth Matt Reilly book already and yes, whatever this man writes, I will read. I've come to the realization that the absurd, over the top action and nick of time salvations that occur a LOT in his text as well as the superhuman abilities of one Shane "Scarecrow" Schofield attract me in the same way that James Bond does, times ten. It is fiction and adrenaline fiction at that, which he writes and no matter how absurd the near death situation is, it gets my pulse going and does not let up.

In "Scarecrow," our hero is on a list of 15 international targets who are slated for elimination by some of the most elite badass, merc squads on EARTH! Each of the 15 have million dollar bounties on their heads and yup, Shane is one of them.

Along with his regular squad of friends: Book II, Gant, Fairfax and the Queen B herself, Mother, Schofield is joined by a new allie, someone who is just as tough, resiliant and superhuman as Scarecrow is. It's like when Superman meets Batman and they agree to work as a team...Yup, it is that awesome.

Literature it ain't, but ass-kicking fiction, it definitely is and while I doubt there will ever be a movie based on any of Reilly's books (the special effects would be waaay too costly), I for one am definitely looking forward to checking out more of his works.

Meow Mix...The Heart of Bast

2008-09-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

It's novella time!!! (WhhoooHoooo) I am currently at 23,000/50,000 words on my latest project "The Heart of Bast," and well it's kind of a relief to be working on something smaller for a change. I am trying to stick to my guns and wrap this story up, not going to try to blow it out of proportion at all. It is my ode to the Zoe-chick--aka-my cat, who is relaxing after a hearty meal of yellowfin tuna florentine and a bit of play with her new cat nip mouse.

Anyway, I was trying to figure out the best way to describe the story when I found this pic from the film 10,000 B.C. Sure the movie sucked balls historically, but it was beautiful to look at. This pic however describes the feel of my current project immensely though. Big cat bully!

In "The Heart of Bast" a werecat thief named Seth who likes pricey gems, fast cars and swank condos. He shuns his heritage but on the invite of a powerful boss, attempts to steal a prized artifact from the Basti, a werecat pride. The attempt is a horrible failure and his encounter with Crnswar, the Lord of the Basti is nothing short of life changing. Worse still, Seth soon discovers that while he thought to steal from the Basti, that they have instead stole something from him.

Okay, hookey blurb aside, this is a piece with a lot of claws, biting, blood and brooding...oh and hot werecat porn.

The Ice Man Cometh...Difficult Protagonists...

2008-09-14T16:34:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I posted a sketch of Micah, the fire sorcerer, who beta readers seem to like waaay more than this guy here. Meet Peter Fitzgerald, one of my most intriguing and difficult protagonists. The reader may not like him much, but I just find him fascinating. Why? Because he is an unstable dominant personality and has a lethal personality. I'll admitt that I was thinking of a combination of Sub-Zero and the Ice Queen from 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,' when I first thought of Peter.

In the first book, Peter emerges into his power and basically takes ownership of his lover. Although Micah is more powerful than Peter, the loose vulcan canon in the relationship is definitely more lethal.

I am fascinated by the idea of the dark side (Anakin) and the fallen (Harvey Dent) and I want to use Peter to explore those ideas my own way. I want to see Peter get stronger, become more wicked, a tad more perverse and more unstable.

World Building...Or Plain Gluttony

2008-09-06T13:12:00.000-07:00

First off, The Sorcery of Shadows submission package was sent off this morning. While I am wishing it luck, I know that backer or no, it will have a sequel.

Second, I also got to work on The Heart of Bast, my ode to Zoe's favorite brand of cuisine; The Fancy Feast/ Elegant Medleys selections. She actually prefers the Shredded Fare over the Florentines and Souffles, but anyhoo, I'm looking forward to weaving in many different, delectable entrees for the werecats in my story. Ah, yeah, a werecat would like sushi as well! Hot damn, I get to write about delicate plates of beautiful, ornaments of seafood and seaweed.

There are a lot of books and writers who have opinions on world building and the importance of it, and I for one stress the importance of knowing your paranormal breed and how you want to breath life into them. My werecats are far bigger than their natural counterparts, the change is physical, there are many types, some that like civilization and some that don't. As a reader, I know that I always want details, small and big. It can even be fun.

I'm making a few flounder filets tonight for me and Zoe (and heh, it's baked so it shouldn't be too fattening for her) and plan on getting back to work :D

The Ruins b. Scott Smith

2008-09-04T07:05:00.000-07:00

There is a movie based upon this book. It was not very popular, but it was good... and it was far creepier than one might have imagined. A backstory addict, I will admit that the reason I just had to read the book had to do with me wanting to know more about the villian. Well...the book isn't concerned with the whys and the whyfores either. What the book is concerned with is terror and is far more intense, tragic and gory than the movie.

Outside of 'The Cobra Event,' I can't imagine a more terrifying way to die than any one of the ways in this book. Luckily, the majority of the book, probably 75% is dedicated to buiding up to the ominous end. It's light and jovial at times, following two couples and their friends on vacation, but when they take a trip to find a friends brother on a remote archealogical dig-- Well you can see the dark clouds just looming.

The evil in this book is plant-like in nature and pretty damn scary ..to me. So is the thought of being held prisoner on a hill with little food or water in an extrememly hostile environment. It was good book, slow at times but really scary in the way that worms are icky...(Thanks Wal Whitman btw.) I enjoyed it but it needs to go back on my Paperback Swap Bookshelf, some books are just too creepy to leave around the house.

Giving Back, Research, Helping Out...Or Yum...

2008-09-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

I don't know what to call it, when an author buys another author's work. Maybe it might depend on the motive. I know that before I was published, I bought a lot more books than I do now. I purchased a lot of books from publishers I hoped to court and submit to, if only to develop a sense of their style. Lately, I spend so much time writing, that I rarely get the opportunity to read and I must admit that when it comes to ebooks, I can not sit and read a book on a computer because the compulsion and feeling of guilt will not let me get through it.

I'll be honest, I ordered Jet Mykles two Dark Elves novels for one specific place. The Bathroom. I read on the train, in the car (if not driving), while walking and definitely when flying, but it is in the bathroom where I trully love to read. In the shower or on the throne, I love the peace and quiet I get in that room. Crass, I know, but true.

While I haven't been reading much erotica lately (as represented by my book reviews), I am so stoked to have picked up this series. Why? Because it is a smutty, easy-reading, gem of fantasy and because I am a notorious fan of the Drow, which may or may not have been an inspiration for the species of dark elves in this book. An ole' AD&D player, I could not resist the idea of hot dark elf sex...(ref. to post about Prince Nuada/Drizzt) . It's no secret, I love monsters and hot fantasy sex, hell I my favorite fanfic pairing is Legolas and Gimli, so this book definitely caught my attention.

I have read the first book (Part 1 & Part 2) already. Yup. It took all of 5 days of bathroom time and it was a saucy, sexy delight. Het/ MM...Menage... tis my kind of read and while I won't go in depth with a Review until I have completed the entire series (I hear tell of a 5th book) I am definatley a fan of the series...it's so wickedly, naughtay :D

News Report 001

2008-08-27T04:15:00.000-07:00

Good News! To my surprise and delight it is looking like "A Guardian's Desire" will be my first print book. Am I psyched? Yeah...and slightly nervous, you see at first I was thinking 'real book signings,' 'real book release party,' and 'print up adverts to leave in Borders,' but alas...sometimes I worry that I have the social skills of bear (in hibernation or out of). I am nervous. How so? I dropped out of EPIC because I was flamed (I sent a promo that I wasn't supposed to and they let me know that it was not appreciated). I stopped doing a lot of promo email, because I can't keep track of which list or group I need to submit stuff to and basically, I put the (her) in hermit.

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of author promotions: glamor shots, adverts, signings and appearances, one writer is doing do much, I had to wonder when she ever found time to write. I polan on working on the social skills some, but if anyone has tips for being better at promotions, I'd sure welcome them...otherwise, I'm having the release party at a pub--the favorite den of moody writers anyway? A book and a tumbler of scotch, anyone?

Sketch Book: Micah

2008-08-22T19:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes sketching out a character can help me to well...ok, here comes the cliche...It helps me to visualize the character and remember key details about them. It also gives me fantasy fodder. I don't do as much CGI sketching as I used to, but every now and then I get inspired...or challenged. I told my beta that I would have a picture of Micah up and a few hours later, here is my rushed attempt.

Micah is a character from my current WIP, The Sorcery of Shadows. A fire sorcerer, he has a calm demeanor and a gentle heart, but once enraged, he can bring the inferno of hell upon Earth. He is sexy, clever, and wise...but his mate the sorcerer of ice...well, his character sketch has not been done yet...Soon.

Ice Station b. Matthew Reilly

2008-08-19T16:46:00.000-07:00

I learned many things from this book, namely various types of handgrenades and their yields, about the true nature of killer whales, about the horrible unstability of real estate on Antartica and (my fav) how to evade and disble opponents hunting for me with night-vision googles on.

Nope it wasn't the most prolific book I've ever read, but it was damn near the most action-packed. Now a self-professed lover of Matt Reilly and his 'nothing is impossible' scenarios, I have come to embrace Shane "Scarecrow" Schofield as the baddest badass on Earth. I mean McGuyver, Jack Ryan, Jason Bourne, James Bond and Lara Croft COMBINED could beat this guy.

While I enjoyed learning heaps (of probably untrue) background on the many special ops units of the world, and the conspiracy theory (maybe not) of infiltrators in general, I won't say that that this was anything but what it sets out to be...A KICK ASS Action Thriller that will have your heart racing at 60+ mph!!

Checklists, Outlines and Synopsis...Fun?

2008-08-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

I find that during those few days of the self-imposed break, that I give myself between projects that scary things seem to happen, like...I get bored. After you've spent months of coming home to work on building a word count the lull of finishing a project is near painful. The real work soon comes into play, namely preparing the query letter and the synopsis (if you weren't prepared enough to have wrote the synopsis prior to the novel). This lull in creativity and excersize in business is ussually filled with questions such as: what promo am I going to do next, what project will I soon start, what updates need to be made to the website and where did my social life disappear off to?

In deciding to take a rest from my completed manuscript, I have a checklist that I have been working on. Although I am anxious to start the Hard Edit on "The Sorcery of Shadows" and even more anxious to start working on the numerous spicy sex scenes in "The Heart of Bast" I am forcing myself not to. One has to have time for the formal, business-type things, right? Like websites, polls, contests and *gasp* the actual submission process... and while I am getting things done (around the house too even), I am counting the days until I am able to edit...Sunday, August 17th...whoohoo...now when...oh when can I start writing hot werecat sex...Monday...maybe split my time between edit and free writing....I give up. I just need to get through my own self-imposed detox.

The Finished Line!!...Ok...The Final Countdown

2008-08-12T02:49:00.000-07:00

"The Sorcery of Secrets" was finished last night around 10pm, while I watching disc 4 of 'Starship Troopers Roughneck Chronicles.' At 86,179K, I'm not going to say that its the longest thing I ever wrote, but it was the hardest by far. I have 2 Beta readers, gracious enough to take a look at it, but it narrowly fits into the romance genre...ok, very narrowly. I don't have a clue whether anyone will want to pick this up, but more than Guardian, this piece is slightly on the complex side and moreso than any other piece I wrote, this one screams sequel to me. But I am not going to think about it. Today is celebration day! Whoo Hoo.

Going to work on the dreaded 3-5 Synopsis and give myself sort of a mini-break. In preparation for work on my werecat story, I'm going to read the 30 or so pages I already wrote towards that project and kinda chill....if I can...

Natural Selection b. Dave Freeman

2008-08-06T16:45:00.000-07:00

Looking for a creature feature? Something kind in the realm of the absurd, but not as far out and ridiculous as killer bunnies? Well, Natural Selection, might be the book to read. The killer creature in this book, in case you don't recognize it from the cover, is a manta ray. Now, in real life they are, pretty damn scary. The things can be 20+ feet across and weigh a few thousand pounds. Now imagine, the gaping mouths, full of teeth...imagine that they come on land and that they FLY!!

To say this book actually caused me to have a nightmare speaks not to the narrative talents of the author, but to my fear of the creature he creates. The book is full of unbelievable feats, of stupidity and bravery and reality, all rolled into one and the amount of times that a character has a PLAN and Knows How to Kill it, Find it and Solve problems might annoy a reader, but the book was a fun read and it is the summer time....

Earth, Wind and Fire...Um...and Water!

2008-08-04T07:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend rocked in so many ways, the most important being that my muse sobered the hell up and really got busy. Not only did she give me the insight I needed to wrap up my current, monstrous novel, but she also gave me a more suitable title. Hawt Damn! Ok, so the novel formerly known as "Burned by the Sun" will hence forth be called "The Sorcery of Secrets." 3 cheers for the sibilant hiss. The muse seemed to think that the title should be a bit on the broad metaphor and metaphysical aspect, rather than focusing on just the heat aspect. In short, I wanted something that would focus on the many revelations that come to the main character rather than one specific point. I outlined (yeah, occasionaly I try) the last 3 chapters and lord willin' this puppy will be ready for launch.

At the moment the muse hasn't said anything about a sequel but then it is a part of a large universe and part of the story is untold deliberately. At nearly 300 pages, I didn't want to push the tale any broader than it already is. As it stands, I focus on only two types of sorcerers, fire and wind (In my sorcerer universe each has a specific element which they deal with). I can sorta see a sequel, focusing on different types, maybe a water sorcerer-- but I'm really not ready to put the cart before the horse.

Believe it or not, I actually have a set list and order of upcoming projects, now if I could just learn how to plot out a story, I might be able to produce things a bit faster and have to rely upon muse sobriety less.

The Hot Zone b. Richard Preston

2008-07-31T07:08:00.000-07:00

I did not know that Richard Preston was related to Douglas Preston (The Reliquary, The Relic, Codex) but I guess that their passion for thrillers is a family trait. It didn't dawn on me until I read the acknowledgement page and saw Richard thanking his brother on it.

Ok, so The Hot Zone... while it was terrifying, it was not nearly as frightening as its "The Cobra Effect." The first fifty pages are a heavy, ominous decesent into not only the fear inspired by the Ebola virus, but the mystery of its origins on the African continent. As it is a true story, don't expect the pace to speed up, or for there to be any death-defying car chases. Expect a lot of information on biohazard suits, procedures, virus identification and case studies.

I enjoyed this book like I would have enjoyed a Discovery Channel special. It's depiction of an Ebola outbreak in Virginia...Yes, in the United States was intriguing, but no there are no machine guns involved and I don't believe that Preston does more than talk about people being in quarantine. Still, this is definitely in the top 10 of my Biological Thrillers List.

Arrr...Matey! Treasure? Where...

2008-07-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

Plot like a Map or FlySeat O' Da Pants? Damn I wish I could plot out a story. Really. Just sit down at the computer and do a bullet list of the potential story to be from start to finish. Do I? Nope. I just sit down at the computer and pray...seriously. My prayer goes something like this:

Muse, Oh my Muse

Vodka should not be neat

betwix such loose, but dainty fingertips

Spare a moment

Give me verse, just a small rivlet

Bigger ocean may it join

The clock hunts me, while you sit

twirling another olive

come, come, please come.

Ok, it's not totally like that but still, I am on page 268 of a novel that I need to wrap up and I haven't a damn clue how. Proper planning might have helped, but no...I've scrapped about three scenes already and well, I'm starting to sneak in a few extra words on other projects (will not work on yummy werecat story yet...uggh ok, anymore...) Some might say shelve it, put it away and come back to it, but if I have to grab that muse of mine and demand that she show me the ending to this story then I will.

I prepared to be rough >:-(

Grrl Power...Yeah...

2008-07-23T15:16:00.000-07:00

Well once you get past all of the hair, this is one of my favorite CGI creations (Shallow is my art psuedonym). I call it Happy and well it makes me thus because it touchs on the warrior woman attitude that I felt a great deal of growing up. I call my mom "Maximus."

With the release of my first female-centered novel, I wanted to tell the kind of story that I would like to read, about a female that is not dainty, not necessarily clever, and definitely not spunky. I wanted my character to be a brute force whose feminine side is manifested like a mountain.

As a writer of mainly M/M works, I often hint at strong women in the background, but it wasn't until the idea of Freya came to mind that I decided to write a story about a female.

While I am aware that most of my readers, probably won't touch the book because they prefer reading about the boys, I very much admit to all, that this was wholeheartily a beloved project to work on for me...and that there will be more warrioress stories, more man-handling of pretty boys and maybe even equally alpha men.

Actually, Happy is tied to a fantasy bunny about a villiage priest and the female battle instructor.

Weird? Maybe... but girlz rule!! Oh and if anyone has any referals for strong, big, dominant amazon women who man handle hot men, please drop me a note.

Kiln People b. David Brin

2008-07-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

I know that this cover picture looks big, but the actual book seemed pretty, darn big when I picked it up. It's a thick work, and it took me a bit to get through it. Recommended to me by a co-worker, I was told a few brief details, namely that the story revolves around the concept that in the future, a man can transfer memories and a portion of his soul to clay golems. For example, I could make three copies of myself, send one to work, send one to do the house and yard work and another to go to play all day. At the end of the day (as golems have a 24hour shelf life) my golems would return home to inload their memories back to me.

Now, when I started reading this book, I was a little fuzzy about the details. I got that it was about a detective and a case he was one, but I wasn't really and truly impressed. But, I kept reading and well, this book is brilliant. Really!

It's kind of like Blade Runner, well it reminds me of Blade Runner. It blends the myth of the gumshoe detective with conspiracy and the question of 'what is it that makes a man?' The plot gets not only complex, but action-packed! The philosophy posed about the potential and the breadth of a soul is pretty deep and the science fiction (clay folk creation included) is wild.

If you like sci-fi that makes you think (the AVP book series is not one) then check out this book. I'm almost sad that I didn't get to read and discuss this in school, but then not enough attention is paid to semi-contemporary sci fi in school anyway. Not for the reader who wants instant gratification, but a pretty good book.

The Dream of the Beta Reader

2008-07-16T17:22:00.000-07:00

Back in the day...ok, so maybe not that long ago, I used to write fanfic. I wrote Gladiator, LOTR, Harry Potter, Underworld and even X-Men slash. I decided to go Original around about 2006 and once I had my first release in 2007, I was hooked. So I hung up my fan fic pen. I enjoyed weaving my own tales, spending days, weeks and months in my own sandboxes and on my own worlds. I still do, but I find myself sometimes missing the community that immediately embraces the fanfic writer.

Now when you post a fan fic, you get comments, replies, praise and all of that fan interaction. Not so much when you're a begining Original Fic writer. (Either that or my readers don't have much to say good or bad) But what I miss the most and what I dream of mostly is....a beta reader.

Whoa, you want input on your writing style, on your story? Write a novella about Legolas and Aragorn or Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. You'll have to turn down beta readers, offering advice on everything from punctuation, sentence structure, continuity, pacing and then some! Whoa, I think. If I had a Beta reader that would allow me to embaress myself less when I turn manuscripts into my editor and would allow me some feedback.

An editor is not a beta-reader and you learn that when you submitt and get a rejection letter. However every once and a while you might get a thorough explaination and advice INSIDE of your rejection letter.

I guess back in the fanfic days, it was all pro bono, dealing in known-shared-and loved universes and done for the enhancement of the community. I know now that I am involved with monetary business, that it would be a bit much to ask for someone to give a free critique, but one can still day dream about the old days...

Conflict as opposed to PWP

2008-07-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

I just got back from seeing Hellboy 2 a day ago and while it was a great movie, it was great because of one person. Prince Nuada. Now, while I would looovvvee to write some serious (PWP-porn without plot) fanfic, regarding a beautiful, dark elf, I have a backlog of original fiction that needs to be tended to. Anyway, back to Nuada, I saw him for more than he was...well, just now I did. The man is conflicted, he is the epitome of angst and he is more beautiful (especially when practicing or executing deadly martial arts) because of his convictions. His angst gave the piece depth, purpose and engaged me emotionally. Something that I want to try for in my pieces.

Hell, If I were to use Prince Nuada as inspiration for building better conflict, instead of just hanging his photo on my computer for day dream purposes, I would be better off. You see, I have a love/hate thing going with conflict as in I'm not the best weaver of it. I loose myself to the intro, the attraction, and the mad sex of a work, but unless it's a quickie (25pages) most publishers want conflict in their writers work. The more I think about it, I know that I have gone up against the beast several times and when mentioned earlier, namely in the first few chapters or as a reason behind the main characters hook-up, it goes better, than the wrench in the works process. Currently, I'm working on a piece, where I can not wholly define what the climax is. It might be an internal revelation, it might be a battle royale, but when I tell myself that I can end this piece (already 21 chapters) in 3, I worry that I might not.... maybe I should have just planned it better. I don't really know what the problem is. You see, I write like a mad bastard, but I don't study the technics enough, I think. Sometimes I feel that I need to plot more, daydream less, wait for the muse less as my muse drinks and is occasionaly unreliable.

Still, I love to read and watch conflicts: about vendettas and backstabbing, doublecrossing and revenge. I read thrillers, they're my favorite genre. Yet, once I write, I always think, that my stories could use more, more explosion, a bigger sense of crisis... and then comes another humorous, interaction scene instead. One of these days I intend to do some of those 'conflict in prose' workshops but realizing that there is a problem, I hear is half the battle.

Subterranean b. James Rollins

2008-07-06T17:18:00.001-07:00

Well, this was a referral from a coworker, a tale of action and adventure with a dose of anthropology and conspiracy theory involved. This wasn't a half bad read for something that throws in everything but the kitchen sink, but it wasn't the best of books either and it may leave the reader with more than a few WTF moments. Now I could say that the story was about a plucky, headtrong female who takes her young son down to Antartica to explore a cavern that suggests a lost civilization and deep, dark wonders, but truthfully the story's focus changes to this Australian spelunker with Aboriginal blood.

When I say this tale has everything, it really does. It's like Jurassic Park, combined with The Cave, add a dash of Ewoks, and a misguided villian and poof, you get this book! I almost wish that some one would make this book into a movie because really, once you wade through all of the lost civilation, mystical whodo voodoo and the certain death moments, it's really and entertaining ride with enough monsters to shake a decent stick at. If you just need a page turner with wild thrills and not a whole lot of believability, check this one out!

Vacations for Writers...

2008-07-03T12:18:00.000-07:00

Personally, I wonder how most writers deal with vacations. Well, if you're a full-time writer, you might spend it relaxing right? If you're a part-time writer, the word vacation might seem scary. I mean, for me personally, when given the choice between going on an excursion, going jet skiing, or eating out at a fabulous restuarant, I can't help wanting to just stay inside and write. 7 Days of nothing but scenery, air conditioning and a Carribean view. Still, every time I open up the laptop, I get the look of guilt.

Just think about it, nothing but comfort, time to write and a beautiful view! I'm not saying that I haven't been down to the beach. Hell, I've been on a lot of adventures this week and haven't done nearly the amount of writing that I should have. I'm refreshed...feeling guilty but refreshed.

Can the two ever equal out? Can I take a few days off of work just to do my own writing vacation...one shall see and can hope.

Riot Grrlz of the World...Unite and Take Over

2008-07-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

I remember seeing something about the decline in sales and the dissapointment in fans when a writer switches genres and pairings and while I will admit that I have a lot of M/M pieces out, its not for want of composing something with a rocking female in it. I'm not down with the spunky, plucky, or nubile. My females are bone jarring, hard living machines of enforcement. Anyway, I know folk like to speculate on reasons for writing an MF or an MM, but so that there's no speculations for me, I will say that when I write MM, its definitely more fantasy than when I write MF, that's a bit more close and intimate.

Freya, the heroine in my upcoming release "A Guardian's Desire," is a warrior through and through. She likes to think that she is tough as nails and that nothing can harm her. When she goes against a monstrous beast and almost dies however, she learns differently. By getting to know three, plucky young girls, she learns how to reveal her soft side. But it is her attraction to one gifted, gorgeous, submissive male named Rayne that leads her down the path of no return. For Rayne is a Beta were and what he has he must share with his Alpha, Fenris....who doesn't know the meaning of submit.

Yeah, I'm worried and excited to see how this book turns out. It's a werewolf menage with lots of action, monsters and sex, but I think it has a heart too. Most of all I want to give a fierce portral of a female in my work. Hoping to write more in the future, but they are hard for me.

Leaving on a Jet Plane...aka Research...

2008-06-27T10:25:00.001-07:00

While I promised myself that I would cut down on the amount of trips I took in order to be able to make more writing events, I find myself somehow preparing to leave for the lovely island of St. Martin, the Dutch side. However, it is not just coincidence that "Burned by the Sun" the novel I am currently working on takes place on the same island. I had been to St. Martin before and really adore the island. So, its going to work out perfectly. I'm going to carry my laptop with me, finish up the novel which only needs 3 more chapters and do a TON of background research...at the local bars.

Still, one day, I vow to hit a writers conference and while the massive RWA and RT are a bit pricey, con.txt is not really a writing con and I am still wary of Epic...and well in general kinda antisocial, I will make it to something with workshops on the use of commas, on the construction of believeable conflict in plots and how to plan a trilogy!!

I am sincerely thinking that maybe I should stick to something small though, like maybe my local chapter of RWA at least for 2009. I mean, taking a trip for research purposes for a novel has the same weight as social networking at a convention right?...Ok...so, really, I am going to try my damndest to make Balticon, it has a ton of writers activities.

And maybe next year for every two pleasure (writing and researching) trip I take, I'll take one convention trip (socializing, learning craft and maybe writing). Maybe...

Grinding and grinding...

2008-06-24T14:23:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the post office, having mailed out all of the prizes from my recent 'Runaway' contest and am looking at several hours tonight spent on editing "A Guardian's Desire," which is slated for a July release...I have a self imposed completion date for "Burned By the Sun" of July 30, with a planned submission/fishing date in August. "Bulletproof," a gargoyle tale will be next on my list and then "The Petite Master" and then well...I'm grinding. I wish I could type a 100wpm, but I barely type 50 so I have to spend a lot of time in front of a keyboard, grinding. I suppose at some point I may need a newsletter and group, I may need to go to a conference or two and keep on expanding the back catalogue.

My point is that I don't know why other authors grind (churn out books at a fast pace) but my personal reasoning is this. At some point, I hereby vow that I will break into print, that I will get my name out into the public, that I will go to someone's pitching session and get an advance, that I will be able to comfortably put out one book instead of 3+ a year and will be able to quit my job and sell some movie rights.... [Ok, insert hysterical laughter here].

So, the odds are way stacked against me. While I may eventually have a back catalouge of over 20 pieces that doesn't necessarily mean I'll be writing for Kensington or Avon any day...but, one has to have goals doesn't one?

Like To Read? Love to Read.

2008-06-21T07:15:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine at work told me about this online swapping community for books, called PaperBack Swap, where in for only the cost of postage, I could get rid of my books and get new ones for free. While the idea intrigued me for a while, it never dawned on me to try it out until last thursday night. So online I went with a box of unwanted Japanese Manga at my feet. It was insanely easy to populate my bookshelf (i.e. the books I'm offering to give). Using just the ISBN numbers, I had 23 books up for eager readers in less than a half an hour. NOTE: Only post as many books as you are willing to mail. You can buy postage online and they even give you the mailing wrappers for each book and recepient. Anyway, not soon after I finished posting did requests come in for 8 of my books. Pankicing because I didn't know the process would start so fast, I printed out labels and postage for all. (total=$25). The good thing however, is that soon books will be coming to me. (Richard Preston's 'Hot Zone'). I have started to request books, some that I actually want on my shelves and some that I just want to check out. If you are an avid reader or even collector, you definitely should check them out. It's cheaper than buying fresh paperbacks, and they also have a CD Swap and and DVD Swap :D

Beyond the Veil of Stars b. Robert Reed

2008-06-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

For me there are two breeds of science fiction, cerebral and phyiscal. An example of cerebral science fiction would be 'Sunshine,' in which your brain can't completely wrap itself around the concepts given, but is stimulated nonetheless. An example of physical science fiction would be something like Aliens where the concept is simple, visceral and engaging on the endorphin level. There's not much to ponder in a physical sci-fi piece other than how hectic the adventure is. My latest read, by Robert Reed is "Beyond the Veil of Stars," and it definitely belongs to the cerebral category. This is not an adventure book at all, the climax is even a bit suspect but my brain actually liked this treat of a novel. It about the emotionally-defunct son of a UFO chaser and his contact with actual alien worlds after a world wide event that changes everything that everyone on earth believes...We are not alone...

This book kinda reminds me of X-Files, in that the concepts of aliens and travel and conciousness are spun completely on their heels. And just wait until you read about life on another world... The cover does nothing to hint at the complexity of existance (or the meaning of the book) and the ending is a bit blase and dry but I really did enjoy this.

The Incredible Hulk is fodder for...

2008-06-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

Fanfic. It is. Unlike Iron Man, the new Hulk film is sexier than it should be. Either that or I really need to reconsider my current celibacy and get out and date... Ok, so I just got back from seeing the film and yes, Iron Man is the better film, but as sexy as Tony Stark is, the Hulk is sexier. I think what I liked most about Iron Man, was the growth of Tony Stark from an asshole to a hero. I also liked the comedy as well as the mayhem and machinery involved in Iron Man. The Hulk is a story of a man on the run. Bruce is a good guy from the start and to the end. The fight scenes are better in the Hulk, but I kept wanting more...ok, I'm a greedy action-whore. I felt like I was watching the Bourne Supremacy that just happened to have super-human characters in it. Even when Bruce (pretty hot Edward Norton) changed into the Omega hot Hulk, he still had that gorgeous brute that just wants to be left alone with Betty feeling. The scene where Betty is sitting with the Hulk and caressing his back, put bad ideas in my head...stretch pants and all...Anyway, if Iron Man is a B+, then the Hulk is definately a B. It was good. I enjoyed it, just not so much as an action movie.

BTW...if anyone knows of some Betty/Hulk fanfic, please drop me a line. I will not write...I swear.

Gasoline in $4.19 for Regular and I'm Curious...

2008-06-14T10:20:00.000-07:00

I just saw a commercial on television for the video game "Brain Age," which is a nifty little thing that encourages learning and keeps the mind alert! I like problem solving, not math but the pursuit of creative solutions. Don't get me wrong, I like brute force, for fun and stupidity but not as a means of getting anything done. To get things done, I like slow and careful.

For example, our current gas and energy shortage, which I'm sure is unrelated to anything going on in the middle east...ok, sarcasm...but still, gas prices are shooting up and while there may be some relief in sight, it won't last long. Why? Because eventually our natural resources and reserves will be gone. Now, I don't know how to measure intelligence on a country-wide or even a planet wide scale, but I wonder-- Do world leaders have any access to scientists, reports, data? Didn't someone tell them that maybe finding alternative sources of energy, educating the public about energy conservation and constructing better forms of mass transit, would be good ideas? Hmm...I don't know, but then there's a lot I seem to be ignorant of? Why aren't guns illegal? Why do radicals care who sleeps with who? Why more money isn't spent in medical research and food production and why the space program has again taken a back seat...

Ok, so I think we should have pod cars that run off soy beans and electricity. I think we should have a space station worthy of docking craft and artificial gravity and asteroid detection equipment. I think we should have low cost, effective medicines and that all that money spent on military toys could have fed, clothed, educated AND housed several needy countries.

But then, if the leaders of the free world don't wonder about these things, maybe I shouldn't be. Maybe I should be thinking about how best to balance my budget or something.

Divine Inspiration of the Breed

2008-06-11T05:39:00.000-07:00

I can honestly say that I had a pretty good notion that Clive Barker (Hellraiser) was gay way before he came out of the closet officially and while his book "The Imajica" only cemented that notion, I'll start off with how erotic I think that the scene between Boone and Peloquin is. Now that he IS out of the closet though, I wish he would would write some gay paranormal. Snippets and hints don't do much for me.

Anyway there may be those who have not seen the one movie that has inspired me SO MUCH it's not funny so I suppose I should dish about it some. Nightbreed is a movie about a guy named Boone, who dreams of the home where the monsters live. He thinks he is/maybe a monster (serial killer) and his psychiatrist believes that he is as well. Even his girlfriend starts to wonder. Well he believes that rather than rot in jail, or continue to be a danger to himself and others, that he will go to Median, i.e. home and sanctuary of monsters (awesome creature designs...aaaawwweeesome). He encounters Peloquin who tells him that not only is he no monster but that he is innocent meat. "Meat for the motherfuckin' beast!" ok, he didn't say it like that. Anyway, Peloquin turns Boone into Nightbreed and the ride just gets hotter and faster from there.

In this movie the real monsters are humans, and the freaks and the nightbreed are sympatetic and wondrous, but dangerous still...and the Berserkers...OMG they rocked! Later for Let loose the Kraken, Let loose the Berserkers!

Why it is that movies like "Don't Mess with Zohan" can be greenlighted but a remake and sequals of Nightbreed can't, is beyond me. Maybe there just aren't too many monster lovers out there(Cloverfield was not a monster movie) ... but the ending of Nightbreed screams loud and clear for a damn sequal! Boone's destiny has to be fufilled. Baphomet needs to be food, a new Median needs to be created....GRRRRRRRRR...Damn you FOX! I just hope its done in my lifetime. Clive isn't getting any younger for crying out loud...ok, I'll calm down and rent "Lord of Illusions" another of my favorite Clive Barker films.

Lastly, I have to give credit where it's due. The care and interest that Clive showed for paranormal creatures in "Nightbreed" is something I strive to show in my paranormals. I'll admitt that in my current catalogue, the breeds are pretty tame in comparison, but the one I intend to write about my werecroc is still coming....and you can thank Mr. Barker for that, muhuhahaha.

Heat...and not the sexy kind...

2008-06-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

I don't like heat, not too particular about it at all... I become sluggish, moody, weak and can barely concentrate, more less write. Since the DMV area has reached the 90s, I have been miserable and my poor little AC is getting put to the test and is failing...

Having been to the islands several times on vacation, it seems that I enjoy the heat there, but then the AC inside the vacation rentals or there are tradewinds that ease the pressure of the heat.

In order to cope, I have decided to vampire it up. I woke up around 11pm and while it's not 60 degrees (my fav), I have been able to move around without wanting to faint, I have been able to sit at the computer even. Still feel sticky and damp though...Still something needs to be done.

We're in a recession, I know, but I choose AC over gasoline. I may need to invest in new AC. So if that means that I have to sacrifice road trips, I may have to...cause I hate heat. You can always put on more than you can take off. There are lots of drinks that can make you feel hot, but few that can really cool you off, not from the bones outward. Well, I just have to go on the hunt for a a system or make it to October, right?

Going Green and Stuff...

2008-06-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

I won't say that I am the best at conserving energy, or that I am a champion of environmental saftey, but I like to think that I try sometimes. I'm sure that everyone knows about the compact flourescent light bulbs and how they are energy saving god sends and all that, but one thing I didn't know was that they contained mercury and that they could not be disposed of in the trash can.

There are recycling centers and programs that help you to properly deal with your used light bulbs. Hey, it's a start right? And well, until they can do something about how much power my computer and my air conditioner sucks up, then every little thing counts.

For more information, click here!

My Personal Zombie Preparedness Plan...Seriously

2008-06-05T16:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, I am a geek. You probably knew someone like me in high school, who played a lot of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Gurps and Vampire, some one who watches way too much Sci Fi Channel and has the entire Aliens Quadrilogy. Still, I have a plan...

In the horrible event that the dead should emerge from the grave, my meeting spot will be at the closest Walmart I can get to. Why? Because they have everything on my Zombie Preparation list. Later for scavenging. After I make it safely to my car, I am going pedal to the floor over to the convience store that has Everything. Now I thought hard about going to Lowe's and Home Depot...the nearest gun shops, etc... but I need to eat if I'm going to be burning massive calories, hauling ass and slaying zombies, so...Walmart sells food.

I'll also need the following supplies:

*Concrete, *Ply boards, * Propane, *Duct Tape, *Bike Helmet, *Chainsaw, * Nail Gun, *Bottled Water, * Car Battery, * Radio, * Computer, * Playing Cards, *Nyquil, * Lighter Wand, * Soap Powder, * Hair Spray, * Rope, * Heavy Jacket, * Several pairs of Pants, * Underwear, * Blow Torch, * Knife, *Super Soaker Gun, *Coffee, *Toothpaste, *Books, *Aspirin, *Antibiotics, *Gatorade, *Bleach, *Cigarettes, *Weed wacker, * Trash can, *Rain Boots, *Ramen and Hostess snack cakes.

Now providing that there is an army looking for survivors, I guarentee you that me and the other folk hanging out at the Walmart will be there for at least a month or two, holding out...It does depends on how many people there are in the store, but I swear, I am not the type that will knock someone off just because I want to preserve rations...really.