Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 563
July 22, 2011
Interview with Erin Jamison
Today I have Erin Jamison here for an interview to wrap up her Bewitching Book Tour. It's not a paranormal book but I figured since it's a hot summer, let's add a little sizzle.
Hi Erin thanks for joining us today.
Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
I love to read romance stories but I have to say, I like my romance hot!!! I am a contemporary erotic romance writer. I have wanted to write since I was a senior in high school. I've written some stories over the years but I never had confidence in myself to do anything with it. I convinced myself that the story wasn't entertaining or wouldn't capture an audience. I have to say that I don't feel that way about my writing anymore.
Please tell us about your latest release.
Better Than 8 Fantasy is my debut novella. Amara has been single for the last four years and her friends suggest that she register for a dating website. This website is called betterthan8.com. If you're thinking that it couldn't possibly mean men's size, think again. With a deal on the line, Amara travels to Puerto Rico in an attempt to salvage the deal. She comes face to face with her would be Latin lover. She has a decision to make than just might make her wildest fantasy come to life.
Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?
I don't know that I have a special formula but I research baby names and I keep a list. When I am thinking of writing a new story, I refer to the list. I do like names that mean something and sometimes the meaning becomes apart of the story. When I wrote this story, I was looking for a pretty name but also a name that meant beauty. When I was looking for the primary hero's name I was looking for a Latin name and one that I could shorten. I also wanted the name to be different that what most people expect for a Latin name.
Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?
I don't have a formula. I quite frequently list out a list of attributes and I find I go back to that list when I write dialogue to describe a character. Somewhere in there, the character develops a voice and they may not sound like the list of attributes that I've written.
Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?
I had to research Puerto Rico and I was so surprised at the history of the island. I was surprised to find that most natives are college educated and that there is still debate about whether to establish Puerto Rico as a state.
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
The main character has bits of me like her dislike and wariness around bees. I've moved heaven, earth, and you to get away from one. Amara may not be as dramatic as myself on that end.
Do you ever suffer from writer's block? How do you deal with it?
Several times I developed writers block but there were two reasons why that happened. One was that I was writing a love scene and I was shying away from it. Second was that I tend to plot out in my head what happens and I couldn't envision the scene. So I'd write a scene and make it total fiction. I'd leave it alone for a day and read it over and wonder what the heck I was on when I wrote it and I'd revise it. I've decided going forward that I will write until I get stuck and then I'll switch to a different story. Hopefully writing something else will dislodge the block.
Do you write in different genres?
For the most part, I'd say that I write romance stories. Those might include contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and/or horror romance. Never say never though.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
A pint of Jerry Garcia Caramel and Vanilla ice cream. Frozen snicker bars too but that's it. I try not to be so bad. I really do.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
I've taken up lately doing things I've always wanted to do and never got around to doing it. So I like to take dance lessons and I always wanted to try my hand at voice acting. It's fun to learn new and interesting stuff and you're never too old to learn.
What was the last amazing book you read?
I read an excerpt of "Living Out Of The Box" by Kallysten last week and I am salivating for the rest of the story.
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
I like to read curled up in the corner out in front of a picture window. I do tend to scare myself a little when I sent in front of a picture window and I don't recognize my reflection in the mirror as it gets darker outside. I get to a scary or suspenseful part in the book and my reflection makes my heart leap out of my chest. I know, I'm a scaredy cat.
What can readers expect next from you?
I'm working on the next book in the series, "Better Than 8 Karma" as well as a stand alone story called "I Break For No Man."
Where can readers find you on the web?
Website: http://erinjamison.com
Blog: http://erinjamison.wordpress.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/erinjamison_
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
"How long has it been, Amara?" my girlfriend Stacey asked. Then she continued without waiting for a reply. "Let's see ... the last man I heard about wanted to be your maintenance man while keeping his main squeeze. What was his name?"
"Adrian, I think ... " Nicole chimed in waggling her eyebrows. "And you know everybody needs a maintenance man ... to you know ... maintain certain areas."
Chuckling along with the rest of my friends, I looked around my living room at them. All four of them were in relationships, save me. It had been four years since I'd been with Adrian, since he'd gotten married.
I looked around my living room at my four girl friends. We had all been friends it seemed like forever but in reality, it had only been six years. They were all the sisters I never knew I wanted and never had until now.
We had all worked together in one capacity or another. There were many friends I would say were associates or friend, the term used loosely. These girls, though, I loved.
There was Nicole aka Nikki, the party planner. The very one that had planned this little girls night we sometimes had on Sunday nights at my cozy two-story Tudor house not far from downtown Mountain View, an hour south of San Francisco. Nikki was the youngest of my friends. She was half white, half Mexican, 26 years old, tan, shorter than five feet tall, and a brunette, usually.
Then there was Vanessa aka Nessa. Nessa was brown skinned, 28, big brown eyes, with a mischievous sense of humor. She was also the whitest black girl I had ever known.
Then Stacey, the red headed, stubborn, "I ain't taking no shit off nobody" kinda girl. She was 40 and a long way away from mellowing out.
Last but not least was Charlene aka Charlie. Charlie was the quick-witted, 30-year-old, strawberry blond shit talker.
I felt my face heat up at the mention of Adrian as I gathered the dishes off the table and took them into the kitchen. I grabbed the strawberry cheesecake. On my way back I passed by the floor-to-ceiling hallway mirror and paused. My cheeks were flaming from all the talk about Adrian. My skin was naturally all peaches. I had long dark brown wavy hair, hazel eyes, petite nose, and a full lush mouth. I was cute and curvy. I could admit that to myself.
After four years of being single, I had trouble explaining to myself why me, 35-year-old Amara Simmons, why I was still alone. Except that Adrian had burned me bad.
"Mmmmm," Nessa hummed as she bit into the strawberry cheesecake I had served. "I swear I don't understand why you're still single." I shrugged.
She continued. "I mean you're gorgeous, small waist, full breasted, phat ass; for a white girl. And ... you can cook. Hell, I'd marry you simply so I can have cheesecake!"
Amid a chorus of laughter and the clink of wine glasses lifted in agreement with Nessa's statement echoing my own thoughts, I offered a suggestion. "I simply haven't met the right one." I sat with my head resting on the back of an overstuffed brown suede chair with my legs stretched out in front of me on a matching ottoman.
"The one. You make it sound like that movie, The Matrix. Is that it?" Charlie asked sardonically. She had a mischievous glint in her eye as she sat on my sofa, one leg crossed under her, the other swinging back and forth. "Are you waiting on your version of Neo, or are you stuck in the Matrix?"
"Very funny Charlie. I'll know him when I find him that I'm sure of." I sat up quickly, planted my feet on the floor, and leaned forward. "You know I've been wondering though, what if I find Mr. Wonderful and he's not as well, hmph umph, equipped as I would like."
"Mara, OMG! I mean, are you looking for a porn star? Hell, you'll never find anyone if that's the criteria you're measuring against," Stacey said and flipped her red hair over her shoulder.
"That's pretty vain, don't you think?" Nikki asked. She shifted her petite self in the middle of the white sectional swirling her wine glass. "That's like a guy saying a girl has to have a set of DDs or something for him to be satisfied. Isn't it possible to fall for a guy or girl that doesn't meet all your preconceived notions?"
Hi Erin thanks for joining us today.
Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
I love to read romance stories but I have to say, I like my romance hot!!! I am a contemporary erotic romance writer. I have wanted to write since I was a senior in high school. I've written some stories over the years but I never had confidence in myself to do anything with it. I convinced myself that the story wasn't entertaining or wouldn't capture an audience. I have to say that I don't feel that way about my writing anymore.
Please tell us about your latest release.
Better Than 8 Fantasy is my debut novella. Amara has been single for the last four years and her friends suggest that she register for a dating website. This website is called betterthan8.com. If you're thinking that it couldn't possibly mean men's size, think again. With a deal on the line, Amara travels to Puerto Rico in an attempt to salvage the deal. She comes face to face with her would be Latin lover. She has a decision to make than just might make her wildest fantasy come to life.
Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?
I don't know that I have a special formula but I research baby names and I keep a list. When I am thinking of writing a new story, I refer to the list. I do like names that mean something and sometimes the meaning becomes apart of the story. When I wrote this story, I was looking for a pretty name but also a name that meant beauty. When I was looking for the primary hero's name I was looking for a Latin name and one that I could shorten. I also wanted the name to be different that what most people expect for a Latin name.
Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?
I don't have a formula. I quite frequently list out a list of attributes and I find I go back to that list when I write dialogue to describe a character. Somewhere in there, the character develops a voice and they may not sound like the list of attributes that I've written.
Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?
I had to research Puerto Rico and I was so surprised at the history of the island. I was surprised to find that most natives are college educated and that there is still debate about whether to establish Puerto Rico as a state.
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
The main character has bits of me like her dislike and wariness around bees. I've moved heaven, earth, and you to get away from one. Amara may not be as dramatic as myself on that end.
Do you ever suffer from writer's block? How do you deal with it?
Several times I developed writers block but there were two reasons why that happened. One was that I was writing a love scene and I was shying away from it. Second was that I tend to plot out in my head what happens and I couldn't envision the scene. So I'd write a scene and make it total fiction. I'd leave it alone for a day and read it over and wonder what the heck I was on when I wrote it and I'd revise it. I've decided going forward that I will write until I get stuck and then I'll switch to a different story. Hopefully writing something else will dislodge the block.
Do you write in different genres?
For the most part, I'd say that I write romance stories. Those might include contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and/or horror romance. Never say never though.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
A pint of Jerry Garcia Caramel and Vanilla ice cream. Frozen snicker bars too but that's it. I try not to be so bad. I really do.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
I've taken up lately doing things I've always wanted to do and never got around to doing it. So I like to take dance lessons and I always wanted to try my hand at voice acting. It's fun to learn new and interesting stuff and you're never too old to learn.
What was the last amazing book you read?
I read an excerpt of "Living Out Of The Box" by Kallysten last week and I am salivating for the rest of the story.
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
I like to read curled up in the corner out in front of a picture window. I do tend to scare myself a little when I sent in front of a picture window and I don't recognize my reflection in the mirror as it gets darker outside. I get to a scary or suspenseful part in the book and my reflection makes my heart leap out of my chest. I know, I'm a scaredy cat.
What can readers expect next from you?
I'm working on the next book in the series, "Better Than 8 Karma" as well as a stand alone story called "I Break For No Man."
Where can readers find you on the web?
Website: http://erinjamison.com
Blog: http://erinjamison.wordpress.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/erinjamison_
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
"How long has it been, Amara?" my girlfriend Stacey asked. Then she continued without waiting for a reply. "Let's see ... the last man I heard about wanted to be your maintenance man while keeping his main squeeze. What was his name?"
"Adrian, I think ... " Nicole chimed in waggling her eyebrows. "And you know everybody needs a maintenance man ... to you know ... maintain certain areas."
Chuckling along with the rest of my friends, I looked around my living room at them. All four of them were in relationships, save me. It had been four years since I'd been with Adrian, since he'd gotten married.
I looked around my living room at my four girl friends. We had all been friends it seemed like forever but in reality, it had only been six years. They were all the sisters I never knew I wanted and never had until now.
We had all worked together in one capacity or another. There were many friends I would say were associates or friend, the term used loosely. These girls, though, I loved.
There was Nicole aka Nikki, the party planner. The very one that had planned this little girls night we sometimes had on Sunday nights at my cozy two-story Tudor house not far from downtown Mountain View, an hour south of San Francisco. Nikki was the youngest of my friends. She was half white, half Mexican, 26 years old, tan, shorter than five feet tall, and a brunette, usually.
Then there was Vanessa aka Nessa. Nessa was brown skinned, 28, big brown eyes, with a mischievous sense of humor. She was also the whitest black girl I had ever known.
Then Stacey, the red headed, stubborn, "I ain't taking no shit off nobody" kinda girl. She was 40 and a long way away from mellowing out.
Last but not least was Charlene aka Charlie. Charlie was the quick-witted, 30-year-old, strawberry blond shit talker.
I felt my face heat up at the mention of Adrian as I gathered the dishes off the table and took them into the kitchen. I grabbed the strawberry cheesecake. On my way back I passed by the floor-to-ceiling hallway mirror and paused. My cheeks were flaming from all the talk about Adrian. My skin was naturally all peaches. I had long dark brown wavy hair, hazel eyes, petite nose, and a full lush mouth. I was cute and curvy. I could admit that to myself.
After four years of being single, I had trouble explaining to myself why me, 35-year-old Amara Simmons, why I was still alone. Except that Adrian had burned me bad.
"Mmmmm," Nessa hummed as she bit into the strawberry cheesecake I had served. "I swear I don't understand why you're still single." I shrugged.
She continued. "I mean you're gorgeous, small waist, full breasted, phat ass; for a white girl. And ... you can cook. Hell, I'd marry you simply so I can have cheesecake!"
Amid a chorus of laughter and the clink of wine glasses lifted in agreement with Nessa's statement echoing my own thoughts, I offered a suggestion. "I simply haven't met the right one." I sat with my head resting on the back of an overstuffed brown suede chair with my legs stretched out in front of me on a matching ottoman.
"The one. You make it sound like that movie, The Matrix. Is that it?" Charlie asked sardonically. She had a mischievous glint in her eye as she sat on my sofa, one leg crossed under her, the other swinging back and forth. "Are you waiting on your version of Neo, or are you stuck in the Matrix?"
"Very funny Charlie. I'll know him when I find him that I'm sure of." I sat up quickly, planted my feet on the floor, and leaned forward. "You know I've been wondering though, what if I find Mr. Wonderful and he's not as well, hmph umph, equipped as I would like."
"Mara, OMG! I mean, are you looking for a porn star? Hell, you'll never find anyone if that's the criteria you're measuring against," Stacey said and flipped her red hair over her shoulder.
"That's pretty vain, don't you think?" Nikki asked. She shifted her petite self in the middle of the white sectional swirling her wine glass. "That's like a guy saying a girl has to have a set of DDs or something for him to be satisfied. Isn't it possible to fall for a guy or girl that doesn't meet all your preconceived notions?"
July 21, 2011
Review of Black Heart Loa by Adrian Phoenix
"An eye for an eye is never enough."
Kallie Riviere, a Cajun hoodoo apprentice with a bent for trouble, learned the meaning of those ominous words when hoodoo bogeyman Doctor Heron targeted her family for revenge. Now, while searching for her still-missing bayou pirate cousin, Kallie finds out the hard way that someone is undoing powerful gris gris, which means that working magic has become as unpredictable as rolling a handful of dice.
The wards woven to protect the Gulf coast are unraveling, leaving New Orleans and the surrounding bayous vulnerable just as a storm–the deadliest in a century–is born.
As the hurricane powers toward the heart of all she loves, Kallie desperately searches for the cause of the disturbing randomness, only to learn a deeply unsettling truth: the culprit may be herself.
To protect her family and friends, including the sexy nomad Layne Valin, Kallie steps into the jaws of danger . . . and finds a loup-garou designed to steal her heart–literally.
Read the first 2 chapters here.
My Review:
Better than the first book in the series, Black Heart Loa rocked. Hoodoo, voodoo and a little romance all rolled in with magic and mystery to create one hell of an urban fantasy book.
By the time I was done reading I was thoroughly hooked on this series even more so than after reading the first book, Black Dust Mambo, and I had the insane urge to walk around speaking Cajun style. LOL
This second book in the series was filled with more drama, twists, and turns in what is becoming a fangtastic urban fantasy series.
The main character has a mystery about her- like where is her soul and who is the loa inside her? Why did her mom do this to her and who helped her mom? And why did her mom kill her dad?
The characters are intertwining and developing adding more whys, hows, twists and turns into this series. New characters are popping up that are sure to be major players in future books- like the loup garou (werewolf) that's out for Kallie's heart. Whether he means to tear it out or make her his love interest remains to be seen in future books.
All in Black Heart Loa was an amazing book that I devoured in two nights. Complex characters, a story line filled with enough roller coaster drama that you'll crave more from the first page to the last and in the end you'll still be hooked, wanting more books in this series.
I love the hoodoo and voodoo in this book and the addition of the loup-garou myths from the Louisiana bayou.
Everything sounds very authentic to me, making it an excellent read set in my favorite areas to read about- New Orleans and the surrounding areas of Louisiana. This part of the country is just so filled with myths and magic that it makes an excellent backdrop for this kind of book/series. Take existing myths and folklore, add characters and a dash of fictional creativity and you have a book readers will love.
July 20, 2011
BlogFest 2011 Winner
Patrice aka pixiepuff is
the BlogFest 2011 winner
of the Fang-tastic Box of Books Giveaway
the BlogFest 2011 winner
of the Fang-tastic Box of Books Giveaway
July 19, 2011
A Review of Skirting the Grave by Annette Blair
Five Fangs for Skirting the Grave by Annette Blair
Blurb:
Maddie Cutler thought she was taking on a new design intern for her boutique. But instead she finds her dead at the train station under suspicious circumstances.
Hours after Maddie's new intern--Isobel York--is identified & pronounced dead, a woman claiming to be Isobel appears on Mad's doorstep. This is not just a case of "whodunit" but "who-is-it?"
Now, Maddie is determined to iron out the wrinkles of this mystery.
My Review:
I couldn't put down this book once I started reading it. I literally had to pry my fingers and eyes away just to go to bed. Each book in this series is better than the one before.
Annette Blair's books are always pure magic! I love the mix of wit, humor, mystery and magic (plus the steamy sexiness that sometimes gets thrown in) and her writing style flows so smoothly- all of her books that I've read have truly been a pleasure.
And the Vintage Magic series- it has everything I love- humor, wit, style, vintage stuff, ghosts, mystery, and sexy men. Personally I'm rooting for Werner but knowing me I'm rooting for the underdog, I always do.
In this 4th installment Maddie and Werner have actually been kinda dating, not that she'll admit to that but her and Nick are again in "off" mode.
But of course Nick comes back to town just in time to get involved in another murder case Maddie finds herself in the middle of- again.
And the murder victim...This time it's Maddie's would be assistant- or is it?
The mystery of the dead woman is quite interesting and will keep you on toes trying to figure this mix up out. And the visions Maddie gets from the trunk of vintage clothes just add into the mystery of who, what and why?
Readers also will wonder throughout the book who will Maddie choose? Werner or Nick- by the end you'll think you know- but hey things might change again in a future book.
I read this so fast I was almost disappointed to realize the book was over- but definitely not disappointed in the book.
Blair never disappoints. Her books are fun and light hearted even though the subject matter can sometimes be dark- the writing is superb, colorful and bright making you want more with each page you turn.
I can't wait for the next vintage magic mystery.
PS In the front of Skirting the Grave not just one but two of my Fang-tastic Books review snippets in the front. I get so excited when I see my review quotes in and on the books.
Review of A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang
Five Fangs for a Brush of Darkness
My Review:
Cat piss and Cabbagges...
How can you not love a book that starts out like that?
I was sincerely hooked from the first crazy line all the way to the end of this wild journey of a book. And I can't wait for the next adventurous ride in this series.
A Brush of Darkness is exactly what an urban fantasy should be- all with a little extra spark- or should I say snark?
I love the wit, sarcasm, and humor this book is filled with. It doesn't hurt that it contains a sexy incubus, a dash of mystery, a hint of romance and...a horny unicorn.
Yup, a pint size horny unicorn that likes to hump legs, bite asses and root around in underwear drawers. Oh yes he also talks which adds a whole new layer to the funky wit and sarcasm.
I don't think I can properly gush enough to make you understand how freakin fabulous this book is. With so many books featuring the same ol' same ol' characters and plots- A Brush of Darkness breathes new life into the UF genre while still staying true to it's roots.
I mean all the classic urban fantasy elements are here- there's a world where OtherFolk exist but not quite everyone is aware, we have a heroine who is clueless about what she really is and what her powers are and what they could be, we have a love interest who is sexy, dark, troubled and sees himself as damaged, and we of course have the parental lineage mystery/ absent parent thing going on with Abby. See because her mother is dead- and she has no idea who (or possibly what) her dad is.
There is angst, there is drama, there's a bit of steaminess, there's so much here you'll keep flipping the pages until the very end. I had to drag myself away from this book to sleep. I did not want to go to bed at all, I wanted to know what was going to happen and how things would turn out.
I was a little disappointed with the way things ended with Brystion but my fingers are this will be remedied in future books.
I look forward to seeing Abby grow as a character and this series develop into something uniquely fabulous.
July 18, 2011
Interested in Hosting a Book Tour?
Check out some of the tours I am currently scheduling for:
Anya Kalinczyk Series by Laura BickleBloodStone Book 3 DeadTown series by Nancy HolznerBoyfriend from Hell- YABreak OutDarwin's Children- YALure of the VampireMine Until DawnMishap and Mayhem- YAOracle Series by Alayna WilliamsSilver MoonStatic- YAThe Cowboy and the VampireThe Gift of IllusionThe Hand He Dealt- eroticaThe Hunter by Theresa Meyers (steampunk)
If you see any tours you are interested in hosting please contact me with your blog name and url and the name of the tour you wish to host along with suggested dates you have available and type of stop you are interested in setting up at your blog
Anya Kalinczyk Series by Laura BickleBloodStone Book 3 DeadTown series by Nancy HolznerBoyfriend from Hell- YABreak OutDarwin's Children- YALure of the VampireMine Until DawnMishap and Mayhem- YAOracle Series by Alayna WilliamsSilver MoonStatic- YAThe Cowboy and the VampireThe Gift of IllusionThe Hand He Dealt- eroticaThe Hunter by Theresa Meyers (steampunk)
If you see any tours you are interested in hosting please contact me with your blog name and url and the name of the tour you wish to host along with suggested dates you have available and type of stop you are interested in setting up at your blog
BlogFest 2011 Now Closed
Thank you for all the BlogFest 2011 entries
I am currently sorting through them all and tallying extra/bonus entries
I will announce a winner either on or before Wednesday
Good Luck Everyone
I am currently sorting through them all and tallying extra/bonus entries
I will announce a winner either on or before Wednesday
Good Luck Everyone
July 14, 2011
BlogFest 2011 Box of Books Giveaway
Welcome to the BlogFest 2011 Fang-tastic Books Giveaway
Check out what I have for one lucky winner:
8 Books and a swag pack of author bookmarks and other goodies
I have a variety of different genres in the prize pack (paranormal, urban fantasy, horror, erotica, romance, chick lit, mystery):
Hunt the Moon by Karen Chance, Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz,Beg for Mercy by Jami Alden, Welcome to Last Chance by Hope Ramsay, The Holy Reaper by Mark Sherony, Unbound by Kay Danella, The Montauk Steps by Diane Sawyer, and My Dangerous Pleasure by Carolyn Jewel
A few copies are ARCs but they are bound and with a finished as you can see in the photo above
This contest is open to US Shipping Only
To enter fill out the form below
Extra Entries Can Be Earned by:
Leaving a comment on this post
Following this blog through GFC
Liking Fang-tastic Books on Facebook
And Following me on Twitter @RoxanneRhoads
You can also earn bonus entries for tweeting and/or linking to this giveaway on Facebook
Be sure to Visit BlogFest HeadQuarters
http://www.ajourneyofbooks.com
and the tracking sitehttp://blogfest.ajourneyofbooks.com which can earn you entries for even more prizes
and stop by the next five blogs on the BlogFest List
Farmgirl Writes
Fiction Flurry
For What It's Worth
Free & Frugal Mommy of One
Frequent Reader, Infrequent Blogger (INT)
If the form below is not loading go to the form directly by clicking this link.
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July 13, 2011
Midnight Snack- Flash Fiction by Laura Bickle
Midnight SnackBy Laura Bickle
Something jerked his tail. Hard.
Sparky awoke with a start. Instinctively, he clutched his Gloworm toy close to his body, its plastic face lighting up. Sparky lifted his spade-shaped salamander head, blinked sleepily.
His tail trailed off the edge of the bed into darkness. He slowly reeled it back from the edge. His tongue flickered out of his mouth, sticky from sleep. He smelled the sour, corrupted smell of a ghost. Ghosts were like roaches. They came at night, creatures feeding off the emotional debris of humans. Annoying pests.
Sparky's human lay stretched on the other side of the bed, asleep. Anya's head was jammed under the pillows, muffling her oblivious snoring. Sparky shoved his beloved toy closer to Anya for safekeeping.
He padded to the edge of the bed and peered, upside-down, into the blackness. Something pale and diaphanous seethed under the bed. Sparky pressed his feathery gill-fronds forward, hissing.
The thing in the darkness hissed back. It scuttled forward, charging at Sparky. Sparky snapped at it, and it retreated.
Sparky lashed his tail in irritation. Stupid little spirit. Probably had hitched a ride with some of Anya's garage-sale relics. He hopped back into bed, stomping over Anya. He planted his feet in her ribs and licked her shoulder to wake her. Anya was a Lantern, a spiritual medium who devoured ghosts. She'd eat it for breakfast. If he could get her ass out of bed.
"Sparky." Anya wrapped her arms over her head, mumbling: "Go back to your bed."
The salamander glared at the pet bed on the floor in disdain. That was for dogs, not elemental familiars. Insulting.
Sparky mewed insistently. Anya swatted at him, knocking the Gloworm off the floor.
Sparky huffed, emitting a raspberry-like sound from his gill-fronds. He hopped down to the floor to rescue his toy from the thing under the bed. If Anya wasn't going to wake up, he'd have to get rid of the ghost himself.
White light oozed from under the bed. The pathetic little ghost wasn't even powerful enough to coalesce into a shape with fixed boundaries, just a puddle with tendrils reaching for the toy. When the ectoplasmic fingers touched the Gloworm, the plastic face lit up.
Not my toy!
Sparky pounced on the ghost, tearing into it with his powerful salamander jaws. It squeaked and growled, but Sparky didn't let go. The ectoplasm felt cool in his mouth as he shredded it, like a dog with a wet newspaper. Three or four quick gulps, and the ghost was gone.
"Mmmph." Anya slurred, snagging the toy to toss it onto the bed next to her.
Sparky leapt up beside it. He stretched his distended belly out beside Anya's hip, belching a sulfurous bubble of gas.
From the mound of pillows, Anya snored.
Sparky rolled his eyes. Keeping this human safe was tough work for a familiar.
Get more of Sparky in Laura Bickle's Embers and Sparks, you can even read a guest blog form his point of view at The WormHole
EMBERS Anya Kalinczyk #1
Pocket Juno Books
Mass Market Paperback, $7.99
ISBN: 978-1439167656
April 2010
"One of the most promising debut novels I've read in a great while… I'd highly recommend this book to anybody who reads fantasy. It reminds me in many regards…of another exceptional first novel…Emma Bull's seminal War for the Oaks, and there's not much higher praise that I can give."
—Elizabeth Bear on Tor.com
"Bickle has something great in Anya. Embers has everything: demons, ghosts, dragons, love, sex, police, and murder."
—M.L.N. Hanover, bestselling author of Darker Angels
"Gritty but never grim, Embers is a truly urban fantasy, where the soul of a city haunts every page. I can't wait for more of Anya and the unforgettable Sparky!"
—Jeri Smith-Ready, award-winning author of Bad to the Bone and Shade
Unemployment, despair, anger--visible and invisible unrest feed the undercurrent of Detroit's unease. A city increasingly invaded by phantoms now faces a malevolent force that further stokes fear and chaos throughout the city.
Anya Kalinczyk spends her days as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, and her nights pursuing malicious spirits with a team of eccentric ghost hunters. Anya--who is the rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern--suspects a supernatural arsonist is setting blazes to summon a fiery ancient entity that will leave the city in cinders. By Devil's Night, the spell will be complete, unless Anya--with the help of her salamander familiar and the paranormal investigating team --can stop it.
Anya's accustomed to danger and believes herself inured to loneliness and loss. But this time she's risking everything: her city, her soul, and a man who sees and accepts her for everything she is. Keeping all three safe will be the biggest challenge she's ever faced.
A free excerpt is available here.
EMBERS is available now from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
SPARKSAnya Kalinczyk #2
Pocket Juno Books
Mass Market Paperback, $7.99
ISBN 978-1439167687
September 2010
The second book in Bickle's series about Anya Kalinczyk is just as wonderful as the first—Anya is a compelling and likable protagonist and Bickle does an outstanding job in her portrayal of the city of Detroit; there are ruins, yes, but also hope in the ashes. Anya never takes herself too seriously and there is a scene in a baby supercenter that is absolutely not to be missed. (4 stars)
- RT Book Reviews
...a charming and inventive read.
-Elizabeth Bear, Realms of Fantasy Magazine, December 2010
WITHOUT A TRACE...
Anya Kalinczyk is the rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern, who holds down a day job as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department—while working 24/7 to exterminate malicious spirits haunting a city plagued by unemployment and despair.
Along with her inseparable salamander familiar, Sparky, Anya has seen, and even survived, all manner of fiery hell—but her newest case sparks suspicions of a bizarre phenomenon that no one but her eccentric team of ghost hunters might believe: spontaneous human combustion.
After fire consumes the home of elderly Jasper Bernard, Anya is stunned to discover his remains—or, more precisely, a lack of them; even the fiercest fires leave some trace of their victims—and she is sure this was no naturally occurring blaze. Soon she's unearthed a connection to a celebrity psychic who preys on Detroit's poor, promising miracles for money. But Hope Solomon wants more—she's collecting spirits, and in a frantic race against time, Anya will face down an evil adversary who threatens her fragile relationship with her lover, her beloved Sparky's freshly hatched newts, and the wandering souls of the entire city.
SPARKS is available for pre-order from Amazon and Barnes & Noble
A free excerpt is available here.
Winner Wednesday
So I have 2 weeks of winners this week because I have been so slammed with work I didn't get a chance to pick or post last week.
So without any further ado...
The winner of Mishap and Mayhem, a print copy, is Julie S
The Sirenz Book and Swag pack winner is angie lilly
The Beautifully Broken is Becky
The Dark Magick winner is DANIELA
The Shadow Path print copy winner is shadow_kohler
Barb P won the Black Dust Mambo and Black Heart Loa set from Adrian Phoenix
and Mikki Mano won In the Blood from Adrian Phoenix
and last but not least the Fezariu's Epiphany winner is lindalou
Congrats Everyone!
Happy Reading!
So without any further ado...
The winner of Mishap and Mayhem, a print copy, is Julie S
The Sirenz Book and Swag pack winner is angie lilly
The Beautifully Broken is Becky
The Dark Magick winner is DANIELA
The Shadow Path print copy winner is shadow_kohler
Barb P won the Black Dust Mambo and Black Heart Loa set from Adrian Phoenix
and Mikki Mano won In the Blood from Adrian Phoenix
and last but not least the Fezariu's Epiphany winner is lindalou
Congrats Everyone!
Happy Reading!
