L.K. Rigel's Blog, page 8

Kiss Me Hello – it’s alive!

It always takes me longer than I think it will! But KMH is out in the world.

Kindle   ….   Nook

I think this is a good one. There’s only one small problem … my brain is already conjuring a sequel. Gah!

Now – away from Pelican Chase, the sleepy but ghost-infested village on the northern California coast and …

… on to War of the Wyrd .

Oh – in the details department: Kiss Me Hello is priced at $2.99 for the release. Its permanent price will be $4.99.  I’m going to try and nudge my standard price to $4.99 for most books. I could get more written faster if I could actually make a living at this – and if my book doesn’t entertain someone enough that they begrudge me the cost of a crappletini in return, then I’m not doing it right anyway!

And the Winner Is … Laura H.

Congratulations to Laura H. who won the personalized ARC of Kiss Me Hello!

Yes! We’re almost there …

an excerpt:

Sara turned her car onto Bird Row to look for parking. She was going to find Spot and ask how to de-ghostify Turtledove Hill. Bram’s truck was parked crooked next to the hitching rail in front of The Book Beak, taking up two spaces.

“What a jerk.” Joss materialized in the passenger seat.

“Go away,” Sara said automatically. “You’re hardly one to complain about taking more than your share of space.”

“True. As you know, I am a rather large guy.”

“Oh, ick. If that’s supposed to be sexual innuendo, don’t forget you were using another man’s…largeness.” She turned at the next corner to go around the block.

“The ignominy of it all!” Joss put his hand to his forehead in mock shame. “Wait. Is it IG-nominy or ig-NOM-iny? That’s one of those words you only read but never actually hear anyone say.”

“IG-nuh-minnie,” Sara said. “I’m an English teacher. Or I was one, anyway.”

“Oh, really.” He had a gleam in his eye. “Can I be teacher’s pet?”

“Why are you here?”

“I don’t know. It feels like I’m stuck to you. Psychically or something.”

“That’s just what I need in my life. Jakey Twilighty imprinting creepiness.”

“Imprinting? You mean like a duckling?” His face screwed up like he didn’t know what she was talking about. But of course he wouldn’t. He’d missed decades’ worth of changes in the zeitgeist. “I think it’s worse than that. Seriously, Sara. Our…lovemaking was pretty intense. I believe I’m stuck to you spiritually.

“Because the earth moved, you mean.”

“Well, yeah. For me. God, is sex like that normal with you?”

No, it wasn’t. But that was none of Joss’s business. “You have to leave me alone.”

“I don’t have control over it. I’ll keep showing up. In your life. In your car—”

“In my bed?”

He smiled. “Who knows?”

“Go away, Joss.” She pointed to her ring. “I’m married.”

“You called me Joss.” Smiling, he dissipated to nothing.  .

Kiss Me Hello … Is Coming!

It’s on the downhill run. It always takes longer than I think (and yes, I say this every time).

I’m so excited about this story. It’s a ghost story, a love story, a story of resentments, desire, greed, guilt, forgiveness — of letting go of pain so joy can find its place.

When Sara Blakemore inherits a haunted mansion, a ghost forces her to confront problems in her marriage she’s long tried to ignore.  She must reconsider what she wants and what she deserves. Sara fights to save her marriage — and discovers the real threat may be to her life!

I’ll be sending out the newsletter on the day it goes live. Subscribe here!

Things I Liked About 2012

For me, one word captures 2012: Struggle. So much to do, and not enough. Not enough time, money, understanding. There was a lot to hate about 2012. I’m glad it’s gone. A few things can stay (in memory, on bookshelves, in data storage…)

In no particular order …
Cloud Atlas

I guess this movie got bad reviews. I understand that. Classical narrative structure is wired into our brains – Aristotle said so! – and this movie seems to have a free-floating nonstructure. Here’s the secret: Watch Cloud Atlas with no expectations. Try to let it take you where it goes. When you’re presented with seemingly new characters, situations, time lines, let that irritated part of your brain turn away. I adored this movie.

The Man Who Left

I am an unabashed Theresa Weir (Anne Frasier) fan, and this memoir is yet another reason why. Last year The Orchard made my best of list. This is a sort of companion piece, though it can absolutely be read alone. Women who had bad fathers will appreciate this book. Or bad mothers.

 

Downton Abbey Christmas Special

Rumors and spoilers abound. It seems poor DA is disintegrating. But season two’s Christmas special was wonderful, wonderful.

 

The Dark Knight Rises

Perfect. This movie was SO good! The ending sequences are riveting . Best Catwoman Evah!

 

 

Thank all that is holy.

Not that he’s close to what I hoped he’d be but that the alternative was so very, very scary.

 

 

I know I’ve left out a ton of great stuff. What did you like in 2012?

Shirin Dubbin is Smart

( Shirin Dubbin is one of my fav fantasy writers. She infuses intelligence into her stories in the way I like best – a sudden, unexpected comment that recalls stored knowledge or an insight that sparks a new idea. One such comment on Facebook sparked a discussion of The Doctor’s companions.

Sure enough, Shirin provided a wonderful analysis of the (first) five companions of the New Iteration. With Shirin’s permission, I quote her below.)  

… I see what you’re saying about Amy as an Audience POV character and certainly Young Amy (the girl who waited) is all those things. However, positing Adult Amy as a true partner doesn’t ring true for me. Nor does defining Martha and Donna in the context of Rose. All companions are defined by what they mean to the Doctor and how they transform him. Here’s how I’d break down the New Who Companions:

Rose : She was a true traveling companion—in the classic sense. They were co-adventures, living full throttle. With Rose the Doctor enjoyed every moment of being alive because he finally understood what it meant to savor life. And above all they had a kind of love together that broke him when they had to part so permanently.

Martha : After the separation from Rose the Doctor became reckless. Martha Jones saved his life. He’d been saving everybody else for eons and finally someone came along who saved him, who was willing to sacrifice everything for him. She went back in time and became a servant for him, even though he left her alone and defenseless because he’d become another man. She walked the earth, telling his story and turning him into a legend in order to save him for the Master. Once again she did this alone and in his absence. And on top of all that he adored her because she had the wits to match with his. She was a true partner and his savior in many ways. “Smith and Jones”

Donna : After Martha saved his life, and he was no longer hell bent on dying, Donna Noble saved his soul. She became his true friend, without the entanglements he couldn’t deal with Martha. As his best mate she told him the truth, when he was amazing as well as when he was being a git. Donna brought out the best in him. She held him accountable and she reawakened the hero inside him. Donna was truly his soulmate, the other half of him, and his partner. “The Doctor Donna” 

Amy : Is a fan. Sure. She gave birth to the love of his life. Sure. But unlike the companions above she contributed nothing to who he is. She did not leave him a better man. Yes, she’s his friend and I’ll concede her greatest contribution was in helping to give him a sense of family. Also the adventure was high. But more than anything else what Amy did was need saving, perpetually. Oh, and the universe needed saving from her. It seems any association with Amy Pond ends in disaster for all involved. I kept thinking the Doctor, River, and Rory deserved better. On top of it all she was self righteous and woefully self centered to boot. I don’t see her as a true partner or even a very good friend.

Dang, I didn’t know I had deconstructed the companions that much until I wrote it all down… But you know how much I love storytelling

 

Me again – check out Shirin’s wonderful stories  at Amazon , and B&N   and the full conversation about the companions here at Facebook .

Idris Gets A Cover

It occurred to me – quite late, I admit! – that I should put together a two-pack set of Give Me and Bride of Fae. So I did.

That’s Idris, the very bad fairy (and not in a good way) on the cover.

I think it would make a great gift for someone with a Kindle ! (Nook edition is coming soon).

On the Death of a Child

After yesterday’s shooting in Connecticut, it didn’t seem possible anyone could say anything to mitigate the pain. Facebook has been awash in attempts, most misfiring, including my clumsy wish for control of high-capacity ammunition.

This morning on NPR there was an interview with Rabbi Shaul Praver of Temple Adath Israel in Newtown. He spoke about finding meaning in horrible events. I wrote this song/poem a short while ago, inspired by his words. I hope this is more consoling than painful.

 

In K.I.N.D.

There is goodness in the world.

Do NOT deny it.

And you can be a force for good, a force for goodness.

You can.

Winner Wonderland 2012

It’s that time of year!

Welcome to the Winner Wonderland Giveaway Event. This event is hosted by Blog It Forward , Taking Time For Mommy , And The Little Ones Too , Put A Little Umbrella In Your Drink , and My Mommy’s World . This event features giveaways with a value of $25 or more at each of the participating blogs! Be sure to visit each blog from the linky below and enter for your chance to win! This event will close on December 15th at 11:59 pm EST. Good Luck and have a winning holiday season!

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More to win – follow the linky list below!

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DISCLAIMER

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Please understand that Blog It Forward, along with the “Winner Wonderland Event” bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. However, we are responsible for contacting our sponsors regarding the winner’s prize at the close of the giveaway. We expect that our sponsors will fulfill their prize agreement and ship them to the winners in a timely manner.

Everyone Needs A Little REDEMPTION Sometimes …

Redemption (Legends of Graham Mansion)

Be careful what you wish for.

When the breakup of her family forces Grae White’s mother to move her two children from their privileged city life to her hometown in the mountains of Virginia, all Grae wants is to be invisible in her new life. But that’s rather hard when everyone knows that her father is the latest headline-grabbing white collar criminal, the most popular boy in school wants to take Grae to the prom, and then there’s that she lives in a haunted mansion. It would make anyone want to get away. Grae soon learns that a simple wish can reveal an unknown ability.

Something more than curiosity spirals Grae back in time to seek the truth in the tragedy of a 200 -year-old murder. Along the way, she learns about history, happiness, and heartache in the lives of those who have lived on the property, including her own family. Her first journey reveals secrets that will lead Grae to further explore the legends of Graham Mansion.

REDEMPTION is Book One in the Legends of Graham Mansion series. Look for the second story in the series, AMBITION, in spring 2013.

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