Mae Clair's Blog, page 87

Mythical Monday: Meet the Kappa, a Japanese Water Imp by Mae Clair

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Are you fond of cucumbers? If not, you might want to reconsider should you stray into the territory of a Kappa. A Japanese water imp, the Kappa makes its home in rivers and ponds, using webbed hands and feet to move through its murky habitat. No taller than a ten-year old, the Kappa has a tortoise-type shell on its back, ape-like features, and a beak like a bird.

Hold that image and add another distinguishing characteristic: The Kappa’s head is crowned by a b...

Pippa Jay talks Sci-Fi and Writing: Terms and Conditions Apply

Today, I’m welcoming “Pen Pal” Pippa Jay to my blog as she shares her sci-fi romance, TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY. I don’t know about you, but sci-fi has been a genre I’ve adored since junior high.

As I got older, however, the romantic in me couldn’t help wishing for some tender interludes between hero and heroine. Remember the first time you saw that spark between Han Solo and Princess Leia? LeSigh! And what about Dr. Daniel Jackson and Sha’uri in the film Stargate? That’s still one of my all-...

Mythical Monday: Fiddler’s Green by Mae Clair

Often called the sailor’s version of heaven, Fiddler’s Green is an enchanted place every mariner and fisherman dreamed of reaching in the afterlife.

Some believed it could be found in the physical realm when a man tired of the sea.If a mariner had dedicated at least fifty years of service and no longer wished to sail the waterways, he had only to walk inland with an oar slung over his shoulder.

Eventually, his journey would lead him to a small village tucked deep in the countryside. If asked by...

The Unexpected Curve Ball by Mae Clair

Dear Friends,

In the event you haven’t heard the news my publisher, Lyrical Press, has been acquired by New York house, Kensington Books. Lyrical will become the digital imprint of Kensington. While this opens new opportunities and potential for Lyrical authors, it’s also created some unavoidable issues.

For the present, until contracts can be signed between Kensington and its new roster of authors, Lyrical has pulled their books from online retailers. As I had just kicked off a blog tour for T...

Mythical Monday: Traditions of Twelfth Night by Mae Clair

For those of you familiar with my blog, you’ve probably heard me mention that twelve is my favorite number. It plays into the name of my latest release, TWELFTH SUN, and also happens to be the name of my favorite Shakespeare play, TWELFTH NIGHT.

Given the winter season, I thought I’d use today’s Mythical Monday as a chance to look back on some of the traditions and folklore related to Twelfth Night. Depending on how you’re counting, it occurs on January 5th or 6th (yep, today!) but the traditi...

Embracing 2014 by Mae Clair

The New Year has arrived and with it my plans to look ahead. I learned a lot in 2013. In many ways it was a mixed bag of blessings.

I saw the publication of my second novel, TWELFTH SUN, and also participated in my first NaNoWriMo. I’m pleased to say I came out of NaNo a winner with a 50K+ rough draft of my Mothman-based story, Negative Reach. If all goes according to schedule, I hope to publish it in 2015.

The year wasn’t without its trying moments, however. My day job branched into new and de...

TWELFTH SUN Blog Tour by Mae Clair

It’s a new year. In the blink of an eye, the old one has faded into memory like parchment crumbled into dust. I would love to do a look back/look ahead post in the next few days (cross your fingers that I can pull it off), but in the meantime, I’m stepping into 2014 with a new blog tour for TWELFTH SUN. Literary Nook is taking care of all of the details and put together this beautiful banner. How do you like it?

If you’d like to join me, Reagan and Elijah throughout the month of January, my sc...

Mythical Monday: The Frost Giants by Mae Clair

When the world settles into the cold brittle grip of winter it’s easy to imagine a realm of frost and ice. I live in an area that experiences four distinct seasons, but I sometimes wonder what it would be like to reside in a climate where winter holds dominion most of the year. It’s a place I might like to visit under the right circumstances, but definitely not somewhere I’d want to have make a permanent address. I’m much more of a tropical girl. Yet when December snuggles in, moon rise comes...

Mythical Monday: A Wish for My Friends by Mae Clair

There’s nothing mythical about this wish:

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

I wish you and yours, blessings and good cheer!

Meet Christina Thompson and CHEMICAL REACTION #Giveaway

Today, I’m happy to share my blog with Christina Thompson, an author who is great at blending thriller-type suspense, mystery, and romance in her novels. I’m currently reading her latest release, CHEMICAL REACTION (isn’t the cover stunning?) and love the swift pacing she employs. It’s great to reconnect with so many of the same characters I loved from CHEMICAL ATTRACTION, her first novel in a series by the same name.

I hope you enjoy her guest post. It’s a wonderful look at attraction and love...