Maree Anderson's Blog, page 11

The Perfect Christmas Surprise

The Perfect Christmas Surprise (cross-posted from Writers Gone Wild)

Hi y’all,

I find it’s nigh on impossible to buy presents for my teenage kids anymore. They have firm ideas of what they like/want/need–very firm. And they will often save like demons throughout the year and ask for cash for Christmas so they can buy some coveted item that’s beyond our limited budget. Which is fine because, well, I’d rather get them something they really want or need. And I already do quite enough of exchanging...

December is serials and sagas

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Just had to say that before I forgot :) And I hope 2014 is a stellar year for you all, and that at least one of your wishes, hopes, or dreams is fulfilled in the best possible way.

This month I’ve been re-reading a couple of series from my keeper shelves. This came about because I periodically peruse my shelves to check out which books I needed to buy to complete a series — in this case, the Morganville Vampires, a fabulous and compelling YA series by Rachel Caine. And...

Merry Christmas from New Zealand!

This is one of those times I LOVE living in New Zealand, and being a few hours ahead of most of the world. Because not only do I get say say:

earlier than most of you, once my Christmas celebrations are over for the day, I get to hang out on social media and enjoy y’all talking about the celebrations in your neck of the woods — sort of like a rolling Christmas day… which IMO is always an epic win *g*

I hope your Christmas day is full of joy and laughter and kindness, and lots of hugs from peopl...

OCD Love, and Girls Who Read

Warning: This first one might have you reaching for the tissue box. I’ve watched it three times and I still cry. If this was a book, I’d be gutted by the ending because I need that HEA or HFN. As it is, I’m awed by the raw emotion Neil conveys during his reading… and gutted!

Neil Hilbourn – “OCD” (Rustbelt 2013)

~*~

And this next one is a spoken word clip that poses a question for the guys: “So, what do you go for in a girl?” which is answered by Mark Grist, apoet and educational consultant base...

Every November has a Silver Lining

Some great reads this month. Most memorable were Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (here’s the snippet posted on Smart Bitches Trashy Books that made me get a hold of the book — it was a wonderful read and I totally fell in love with Park and Eleanor), Charming by Elliott James (loved this one, too! Here’s the Smart Bitches Trashy Books review that made me grab this book), and The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater. I can’t give enough praise for Ms Stiefvater’s way with words– her descripti...

Easy-peasy chocolate mug cake

It’s been quite a while since I posted a Recipe of the Week, but this one has inspired me to share :)

Ever have times when you need a chocolate fix but baking a whole tray of microwave chocolate brownies seems a little excessive? *waves hand in the air*Well, DD happened upon this easy recipe to satisfy that chocolate craving.

It supposedly serves 2 “if you’re feeling virtuous”. Yeah, right. I don’t think so! (DD is not inclined to share her mug cake… ever!) But happily this recipe doubles like...

Q and A, Crystal Warriors Book 4

Hi y’all,

I’ve received a number of queries from readers about the Crystal Warriors series — is there going to be a 4th book? who’s the hero? when is it going to be released? how come it’s taking so loooong??? Those kind of questions. So I figured I’d post an update on what’s happening. And maybe post a snippet or two from the manuscript… depending upon how confident I’m feeling about publicly sharing part of a work-in-process draft by the end of this post.

Q: Is there going to be a fourth Crys...

Wulfenite sighting!

Hey all,

Got a cool photo from one of my Aussie author-friends. She was reading The Crystal Warrior just prior to a visit to the Broken Hill Minerals and Mining Museum… where she happened upon this bad boy: a wulfenite crystal.

Wulfenite, Broken Hill Mining and Minerals Museum

Wulf(enite) and Chalcedony would be stoked, I’m sure! *g* (Though I’m guessing Chalcey would be ever-so-slightly miffed that her namesake crystal wasn’t anywhere to be found.)

:-)

M

P.S. Don’t forget you can download an elect...

DarkSiders’ Scarily Good Halloween Prize Pack!

HAPPY THIRD BIRTHDAY TO US!!!

To celebrate our third birthday, the DarkSiders have united to offer you the chance to win a scarily good Halloween mega-prize pack!

Prize includes books by Cathleen Ross, Jenny Schwartz, T.F. Walsh, Maree Anderson, Shona Husk, Kim Cleary, Cheryse Durrant, Maggie Mundy, Christina Phillips, Erica Hayes, Nicola E. Sheridan, Janni Nell, and Eleni Konstantine.

This Rafflecopter giveaway is being hosted on the Dark Side DownUnder Facebook page. (Here’s the direct link to...

October is Beauty Queens, Bullies, Chocolate, and Apples

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Here in New Zealand Halloween has been and gone. We’re finishing up leftover candy, and the kids are arguing over who has to take down all our Halloween window decorations… which were only put up yesterday afternoon in rather a big hurry. Worth the effort though. Despite inclement weather we had about a dozen groups of super-cute little witches and wizards and vampires and fairies knocking on our door, and oohing and aahing over our decorating efforts. There were even a couple...