M.L. Chesley's Blog, page 47
January 3, 2013
Is It Over?...
I had a decent holiday, but I am ready for it to be over. I have plans and things that have to get done. I feel like a huge bump on a log right now. Two weeks off sounded fantastic at first and slowly got boring as hell.
The weather was decent up until Christmas Eve and then we got about a foot or so of snow. My brother in law got about four feet of snow and was unable to come to Christmas dinner. My daughter and her fiancee have been so stressed about building their house, they were not going to budge from their place. So it was just me, my husband and my son. And we didn't have a whole lot of cash for Christmas, but we did try to get what we could for people.
Because of the paper route I had during the summer, funds were tight because of ALL the CAR REPAIRS.
I hated that paper route near the end.
It put us severely behind on bills and we're still playing catch up.
Oh, well.
You'll notice I did not post any resolutions. I feel that every time I do so, I fail and I'm tired of feeling like a failure, so I refused.
I do have goals. Mainly to get book two edited and polished. Send it off to betas, edit some more and well, you all know the process.
Book one is getting good reviews so far. I'm still waiting for that bad review to hop out of nowhere and sock me in the jaw. I think I'll handle it well, but depends on the day.
Other goals? Move to Washington and before we move, become a grandma.
Holy cow, it still gets me every time I say it. They found out it is going to be a girl.
And revenge. Will be mine. ::Cackles::
Nah, I'm sure my daughter will have a sweet, loving girl alllll the way up until she becomes a teenager. Ha!
So while I was all helpful and slightly snarky in my IWSG post, today, not so much. January 7th will kick off my blog tour. You might win a copy of my book, so be sure to visit all my sweet friends who offered up their blogs for the day.
I am wondering about book promoting and what's worked for all of you? Got any ideas? Tips? Anything will help. Have a great rest of the week!
The weather was decent up until Christmas Eve and then we got about a foot or so of snow. My brother in law got about four feet of snow and was unable to come to Christmas dinner. My daughter and her fiancee have been so stressed about building their house, they were not going to budge from their place. So it was just me, my husband and my son. And we didn't have a whole lot of cash for Christmas, but we did try to get what we could for people.
Because of the paper route I had during the summer, funds were tight because of ALL the CAR REPAIRS.
I hated that paper route near the end.
It put us severely behind on bills and we're still playing catch up.
Oh, well.
You'll notice I did not post any resolutions. I feel that every time I do so, I fail and I'm tired of feeling like a failure, so I refused.
I do have goals. Mainly to get book two edited and polished. Send it off to betas, edit some more and well, you all know the process.
Book one is getting good reviews so far. I'm still waiting for that bad review to hop out of nowhere and sock me in the jaw. I think I'll handle it well, but depends on the day.
Other goals? Move to Washington and before we move, become a grandma.
Holy cow, it still gets me every time I say it. They found out it is going to be a girl.
And revenge. Will be mine. ::Cackles::
Nah, I'm sure my daughter will have a sweet, loving girl alllll the way up until she becomes a teenager. Ha!
So while I was all helpful and slightly snarky in my IWSG post, today, not so much. January 7th will kick off my blog tour. You might win a copy of my book, so be sure to visit all my sweet friends who offered up their blogs for the day.
I am wondering about book promoting and what's worked for all of you? Got any ideas? Tips? Anything will help. Have a great rest of the week!
January 2, 2013
Insecure Writer's Support Group...
Or, as we all know it, IWSG! This is THE hop for lots of us bloggers, because lots of us are writers and we're all insecure. Even though we put up a very good front. Alex J. Cavanaugh is the person responsible for this. I think it's the best thing out there! And we all post on the first Wednesday of every month. Here is a link to the list, if you'd like to join, there's no time like the present.
So this is the first post of not only a new month, but a brand, spanking New Year! Hope you have all recuperated from your party hangovers. If not, allow me to turn up the volume...
Aww, would I do that?
Well, okay. Yes. I would. But you didn't have to agree.
I suppose this time around I am going to bypass the whining and go straight for the panicking, wailing, beating the walls...
No, not really. I am going to go the direction of some advice. There are lots of authors/writers out there who have chosen to take the path of the Self Published/Indie Author route. For a myriad of reasons, of which there are far too many to list, I'm sure, this decision was made. Some were determined from the moment they typed out that first sentence to go down this path, others felt forced down it and even more had been burned far too many times.
No matter what made you move down this trepidatious (yes, I know I used a big word...I even had to look the damn thing up on the dictionary website because it's saying I spelled it wrong. Pah!) path there are still lots of things to remember.
1) HIRE AN EDITOR!!!!! Or at the very least, let others look it over for you and try to help you out. Polish that sucker up, people.
2) Which brings me to this: Make it look professional. From the inside, out, the outside, in... do the freakin' hokey pokey if you have to. Make it shine! (I've put down lots of books for these two reasons alone.)
3) Move on.
I want to focus on numero tres. Simply because it was the hardest thing for me to do after going the route of The-Publisher-Who-Will-No-Longer-Be-Named. I've posted about that nightmare before and don't want to keep hashing over it. The biggest thing I had to do was move on. I didn't even consider myself a published author because of them. But now that my book is finally out with Hellfire Publishing and I have sold 3 times as many books already (not that big a thing, trust me...) I can finally do something I've waited almost 7 years to do.
Write. Book. Two.
I can finally freakin' breathe! I can move on to the rest of the story that people have been waiting for right along with me. But even if your first book has typos or issues, the beauty of being self published is that you can go back and fix some of those issues. However, once the MAJOR bits are fixed.
Leave. It. Alone. Don't go back to it. This isn't your ex we're talking about here, you know the one you used to keep going back to only to get dumped on all over again. Make a clean break and move on. This is a book, not a friend with benefits...
Ahem.
There are some books where I wish the author would go back and fix the problems that made me chuck the book aside and never look back. But then there are some who might get hung up on fixing every little issue. Well, just make some major corrections and be done with it. Once the rest of your books are out there, people may go back to the others. But give them a reason to. Even if you offer up the first one for free all over again if they buy the next. Once all three of my books are out, I am going to work on a compilation of all three in a set. Maybe add in a few extra scenes to make it fresh and new. Who knows.
Right now, I just need to focus on selling this first one and that, my dear friends, will be the next IWSG post. If I make it 'til then!
What's made you put down a book? Does it matter if they are an indie author or traditionally published? Got any helpful advice?
So this is the first post of not only a new month, but a brand, spanking New Year! Hope you have all recuperated from your party hangovers. If not, allow me to turn up the volume...
Aww, would I do that?
Well, okay. Yes. I would. But you didn't have to agree.
I suppose this time around I am going to bypass the whining and go straight for the panicking, wailing, beating the walls...
No, not really. I am going to go the direction of some advice. There are lots of authors/writers out there who have chosen to take the path of the Self Published/Indie Author route. For a myriad of reasons, of which there are far too many to list, I'm sure, this decision was made. Some were determined from the moment they typed out that first sentence to go down this path, others felt forced down it and even more had been burned far too many times.
No matter what made you move down this trepidatious (yes, I know I used a big word...I even had to look the damn thing up on the dictionary website because it's saying I spelled it wrong. Pah!) path there are still lots of things to remember.
1) HIRE AN EDITOR!!!!! Or at the very least, let others look it over for you and try to help you out. Polish that sucker up, people.
2) Which brings me to this: Make it look professional. From the inside, out, the outside, in... do the freakin' hokey pokey if you have to. Make it shine! (I've put down lots of books for these two reasons alone.)
3) Move on.
I want to focus on numero tres. Simply because it was the hardest thing for me to do after going the route of The-Publisher-Who-Will-No-Longer-Be-Named. I've posted about that nightmare before and don't want to keep hashing over it. The biggest thing I had to do was move on. I didn't even consider myself a published author because of them. But now that my book is finally out with Hellfire Publishing and I have sold 3 times as many books already (not that big a thing, trust me...) I can finally do something I've waited almost 7 years to do.
Write. Book. Two.
I can finally freakin' breathe! I can move on to the rest of the story that people have been waiting for right along with me. But even if your first book has typos or issues, the beauty of being self published is that you can go back and fix some of those issues. However, once the MAJOR bits are fixed.
Leave. It. Alone. Don't go back to it. This isn't your ex we're talking about here, you know the one you used to keep going back to only to get dumped on all over again. Make a clean break and move on. This is a book, not a friend with benefits...
Ahem.
There are some books where I wish the author would go back and fix the problems that made me chuck the book aside and never look back. But then there are some who might get hung up on fixing every little issue. Well, just make some major corrections and be done with it. Once the rest of your books are out there, people may go back to the others. But give them a reason to. Even if you offer up the first one for free all over again if they buy the next. Once all three of my books are out, I am going to work on a compilation of all three in a set. Maybe add in a few extra scenes to make it fresh and new. Who knows.
Right now, I just need to focus on selling this first one and that, my dear friends, will be the next IWSG post. If I make it 'til then!
What's made you put down a book? Does it matter if they are an indie author or traditionally published? Got any helpful advice?
December 29, 2012
Guest Post: E. B. Black
Hey everyone! I'd like you all to give a very warm welcome to E. B. Black, author of 'Medusa's Desire'. Rather, give a great big welcome to Stheno, Medusa's sister. She's got some interesting stuff to share:
I know a lot of people hate their siblings, but I have the worst sister in existence.
My name is Stheno and you've probably never heard of me, even though you've heard of my sister,
Medusa. I'm a gorgon, too, and unlike her, I'm immortal.
No one cares though because it's always been about Medusa all the time. Back when we were human,
she was so pretty that Poseidon was even attracted to her. While me and my other sister, Euryale, went
unnoticed and unmarried.
It's her fault our family was turned into monsters! She blasphemed Athena, but no one cares about us
and what we are going through. The minstrels all sing tales of the gorgon, Medusa, without mentioning
us sometimes.
It's really hard to get a date when you turn every creature you look at into stone. Finally, I thought we
were even with our sister, but she found a boyfriend anyway! She's flying around the world with him.
Did you know that I created vampires? I live in the underworld and my blood has the power to give any
creature life. Some of my blood landed on spirits and they grew skin! It was so flaky and thin, though,
that they burst into flames when they went out in the sun. I've kept them alive by feeding them more
blood and now they crave it! I know humans enjoy tales of vampires, so why aren't there thousands of
them here to thank me?
Instead, there are stories being written about Medusa and statues being built of her. It makes me gag!
Not only that, but this author named E.B. Black wrote a romance novel about Medusa called Medusa's
Desire. I'm obviously the more interesting character, but whatever.
In her story, Medusa is the heroine instead of the villain. When Perseus comes to chop off her head, he
falls in love instead. They struggle to have a relationship because they can never gaze into each other's
eyes. Not to mention that the gods are after the two of them since Perseus specifically disobeyed
something they asked him to do.
How ridiculous is that? This author feels sorry for my sister and says that's why she wrote this story.
Pardon me while I roll my eyes.
If you'd like to learn more about E. B. Black and 'Medusa's Desire', please check out the links below. Thanks, Stheno, for sharing this bit of mythological history!
E. B. Black's website: http://www.ebblack.com/
Where to buy 'Medusa's Desire': http://www.amazon.com/Medusas-Desire-Death-Series-ebook/dp/B00ABMAW5K/
I know a lot of people hate their siblings, but I have the worst sister in existence.
My name is Stheno and you've probably never heard of me, even though you've heard of my sister,
Medusa. I'm a gorgon, too, and unlike her, I'm immortal.
No one cares though because it's always been about Medusa all the time. Back when we were human,
she was so pretty that Poseidon was even attracted to her. While me and my other sister, Euryale, went
unnoticed and unmarried.
It's her fault our family was turned into monsters! She blasphemed Athena, but no one cares about us
and what we are going through. The minstrels all sing tales of the gorgon, Medusa, without mentioning
us sometimes.
It's really hard to get a date when you turn every creature you look at into stone. Finally, I thought we
were even with our sister, but she found a boyfriend anyway! She's flying around the world with him.
Did you know that I created vampires? I live in the underworld and my blood has the power to give any
creature life. Some of my blood landed on spirits and they grew skin! It was so flaky and thin, though,
that they burst into flames when they went out in the sun. I've kept them alive by feeding them more
blood and now they crave it! I know humans enjoy tales of vampires, so why aren't there thousands of
them here to thank me?
Instead, there are stories being written about Medusa and statues being built of her. It makes me gag!
Not only that, but this author named E.B. Black wrote a romance novel about Medusa called Medusa's
Desire. I'm obviously the more interesting character, but whatever.
In her story, Medusa is the heroine instead of the villain. When Perseus comes to chop off her head, he
falls in love instead. They struggle to have a relationship because they can never gaze into each other's
eyes. Not to mention that the gods are after the two of them since Perseus specifically disobeyed
something they asked him to do.
How ridiculous is that? This author feels sorry for my sister and says that's why she wrote this story.
Pardon me while I roll my eyes.
If you'd like to learn more about E. B. Black and 'Medusa's Desire', please check out the links below. Thanks, Stheno, for sharing this bit of mythological history!
E. B. Black's website: http://www.ebblack.com/
Where to buy 'Medusa's Desire': http://www.amazon.com/Medusas-Desire-Death-Series-ebook/dp/B00ABMAW5K/
December 27, 2012
Book Review: The Goddess's Choice by Jamie Marchant...
Title: The Goddess's Choice
Author: Jamie Marchant
Publisher: Reliquary Press
Pages: 385 (Print), File size: 902 kb
ASIN: B007VPA9R6
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble
Overview (from Amazon):
Samantha’s ability enables her to discern a person’s character through their multi-colored aura, and Robrek’s makes him the strongest healer the kingdom has seen in centuries. But their gifts also endanger their lives. Royals scheme to usurp the throne by marrying or killing Samantha, and priests plot to burn Robrek at the stake. Robrek escapes the priests only to be captured by Samantha’s arch-enemy, Duke Argblutal; Argblutal intends to force the princess to marry him by exploiting Robrek’s powers. To save their own lives and stop the realm from sinking into civil war, Robrek and Samantha must consolidate their powers and unite the people behind them.
My thoughts:
This was an awesome read! Now, I first have to warn you that this is absolutely an 18+ read. There is some sexual bits and language.
With that out of the way, let me just say I was sucked into this story from the moment I began. The story moves along at a very good pace, not too fast but not slow, either. The world is well developed as are the characters. It kept me up long into the night, reading. I didn't want to put it down until I was finished.
Samantha is a strong female character and Robrek is her equal. Neither of them make the other feel inferior. The other characters are just as developed and hold their own in the story. There were two instances I wanted closure from, but feel I didn't get, but that's okay. It leaves room for me and my imagination to hope that it did come about.
The only other issue I have with this book is it could have had another proofread. But the typos weren't so overwhelming as to affect the flow of the story. I did also contact the author about the formatting of the ebook for Kindle, but again, I didn't let that stop me from reading. This. Book!
If you like epic fantasy, sword and sorcery, you'll like this book. Jamie Marchant is an author to keep an eye out for. I'll absolutely be picking up other books!
I give it 4 out of 5 skull and crossbones.
Author: Jamie Marchant
Publisher: Reliquary Press
Pages: 385 (Print), File size: 902 kb
ASIN: B007VPA9R6
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble
Overview (from Amazon):
Samantha’s ability enables her to discern a person’s character through their multi-colored aura, and Robrek’s makes him the strongest healer the kingdom has seen in centuries. But their gifts also endanger their lives. Royals scheme to usurp the throne by marrying or killing Samantha, and priests plot to burn Robrek at the stake. Robrek escapes the priests only to be captured by Samantha’s arch-enemy, Duke Argblutal; Argblutal intends to force the princess to marry him by exploiting Robrek’s powers. To save their own lives and stop the realm from sinking into civil war, Robrek and Samantha must consolidate their powers and unite the people behind them.
My thoughts:
This was an awesome read! Now, I first have to warn you that this is absolutely an 18+ read. There is some sexual bits and language.
With that out of the way, let me just say I was sucked into this story from the moment I began. The story moves along at a very good pace, not too fast but not slow, either. The world is well developed as are the characters. It kept me up long into the night, reading. I didn't want to put it down until I was finished.
Samantha is a strong female character and Robrek is her equal. Neither of them make the other feel inferior. The other characters are just as developed and hold their own in the story. There were two instances I wanted closure from, but feel I didn't get, but that's okay. It leaves room for me and my imagination to hope that it did come about.
The only other issue I have with this book is it could have had another proofread. But the typos weren't so overwhelming as to affect the flow of the story. I did also contact the author about the formatting of the ebook for Kindle, but again, I didn't let that stop me from reading. This. Book!
If you like epic fantasy, sword and sorcery, you'll like this book. Jamie Marchant is an author to keep an eye out for. I'll absolutely be picking up other books!
I give it 4 out of 5 skull and crossbones.
Is It Over Yet?...
Well, we avoided the Alpacalypse! You know, where the Alpacas take over the world?
And the Apocalypse. Sorry, but I never believed the world was going to end and I feel bad for people who did. We even had to discuss it at work. (Boys and Girls Club) because some of the kids were a bit freaked about it all. But everyone was fine after.
I'm reflecting a bit on this year and wondering if I managed to meet my goals, if I made any. I think the main goal of getting my book into the hands of readers has definitely been accomplished.
January 7, 2013 will be the start of my blog tour. I've got lots of wonderful people lined up and there is always room for more.
I'm looking for people willing to do reviews of my book. You all know it's Fantasy. How could you not know if you read this blog, people! Really.
I've also reached my cap on people I can follow on Twitter until I get more followers. So I'd love if you would spread the word. I have lots of interesting people to follow!
Tomorrow's post will still be some funnies and not much of anything else, yet. I'm still trying to figure out how to format the new Friday posts. I'm also enjoying my vacation very much. Have a great rest of the week everyone!
So how was your Christmas? Did Santa bring you everything you asked for? Did you spend time with family?
And the Apocalypse. Sorry, but I never believed the world was going to end and I feel bad for people who did. We even had to discuss it at work. (Boys and Girls Club) because some of the kids were a bit freaked about it all. But everyone was fine after.
I'm reflecting a bit on this year and wondering if I managed to meet my goals, if I made any. I think the main goal of getting my book into the hands of readers has definitely been accomplished.
January 7, 2013 will be the start of my blog tour. I've got lots of wonderful people lined up and there is always room for more.
I'm looking for people willing to do reviews of my book. You all know it's Fantasy. How could you not know if you read this blog, people! Really.
I've also reached my cap on people I can follow on Twitter until I get more followers. So I'd love if you would spread the word. I have lots of interesting people to follow!
Tomorrow's post will still be some funnies and not much of anything else, yet. I'm still trying to figure out how to format the new Friday posts. I'm also enjoying my vacation very much. Have a great rest of the week everyone!
So how was your Christmas? Did Santa bring you everything you asked for? Did you spend time with family?
December 26, 2012
And A Festive Lasting Winter To You...
Hey everyone! Just wanted to post a short little holiday story for you all. Hope you had a good Christmas! (Merry Kalimas, to my gamer friends. You know what it means, lol!) So here is my gift to all of you:
Snow fell, more silent than one of Nikkolani's best assassins. Very few people walked along the streets of Moordigan, yet lights burned, warm and inviting, in many a window. Raucous noise boomed into the street every time the door to the Moon Water Inn opened.
A large man trundled through the deep snow, making a path for a smaller man who trailed behind him. The door to the inn opened, noise and laughter spilled into the street.
"Hurry up," the large man called over his shoulder.
"I'm comin', don't get pushy," the other man replied.
Once inside, out of the cold, the two men stood in the entry way and stamped snow from their feet. The shorter of the two looked around the room and unwrapped the long scarf that covered half his face.
"Two gold Dracts says you get drunk before I do," Vendras said, grinning up at his large, half-ogre friend.
"Vendras, dere is no way yer gonna out drink me," Farrehn said, shaking his head. "I'm three times yer size!"
"The bigger they are, my friend," Vendras grinned and pushed his way through the merry crowd.
Stuffed into the corner of the common room, a bard strummed his instrument and sang a slow, high melody. A woman stood next to him, hands on her hips and a frown on her face.
"Play somethin' a little more lively or ye'll be out on the street. I didn't hire ye to play at a Burnin', for Ioweth's sake!" She turned and stormed off to the kitchen and the music picked up in pace.
"Over here," Vendras called across the room to Farrehn. "I found Laria. I think she has a bit of a head start on us!"
Farrehn moved easily through the crowd, his bulk forcing people out of the way whether they wanted to move or not. He removed his heavy wool cloak with the fur collar and draped it out of the way on the back of Vendras' seat.
"Hello, sugar," Laria grinned at Farrehn and lifted her tankard by way of greeting. "Try the stew, if you're hungry. I gave the cook a few of my spices."
"I've had your spices before," Vendras said, wrinkling his nose. "I hope they have something other than stew."
"Are you trying to say I'm a bad cook?" Laria raised a delicate eyebrow as she stared at Vendras.
"You're an Elf."
"What's that got to do with anything?"
"Never mind, Laria. Drink your ale. Oh, Miss!" Vendras raised his hand and beamed a smile at the serving wench. When she arrived at the table, she looked haggard and impatient.
"What?" she barked.
"Two pints of your best ale and keep them coming 'til the ogre hits the floor," Vendras grinned and dropped several coins onto her dirty tray. She shook her head and turned away as Farrehn rolled his eyes.
"Ye tink ye kin out drink me, den let's make dis wager a bit more interestin'," Farrehn said loudly over the noise of the room.
"I can't afford to lose more than two gold Dracts to you, my large friend," Vendras said.
"Well if the two of you would quit betting on everything the twin suns shine on, you'd have more coin, sugar," Laria said. She tipped her tankard to drain it and almost fell over. Vendras grabbed her shoulder and pulled her upright.
"Easy, girl. How much have you had to drink, anyway? Doesn't it take a lot for an Elf to get drunk?"
"I've been here since last night," Laria said loudly, but acted like she was trying to whisper in Vendras' ear. He cringed away from her and waved a hand in front of his face.
"Explains a lot," he said.
The serving wench had made her way back to their table and plopped down two tankards, sloshing ale onto the table. She dropped down four more.
"I'm too busy to keep comin' back. Jest yell iffn' ye need more," she turned and left.
"All right, let's get this done," Vendras said, grinning. He raised his tankard and clanged it against Farrehn's.
"We haven't talked about da wager yet," Farrehn said.
"I'll do whatever you want me to, big guy, as long as it doesn't involve nudity and animals."
"Ye sure about dis?"
"Absolutely! Now drink. I need the coin."
*****
The next morning, the twin suns crept over the horizon casting a pink glow over the fresh snow. The streets were quiet after such a long holiday celebration. As merchants began to arrive to open up their shops, they paused in their usual routine at the odd sight before them.
In the center of town where a large, decorated tree had been placed for the holiday, was a most unusual sight. The usual jeweled star had been pulled down and was now nestled in the branches. In its place hung a man tied up with rope, arms and legs spread out like the points of the star. He was dressed all in white and draped in gold garlands. His snores could be heard from the doorway of the Moon Water Inn where Farrehn stood. He leaned against the door frame, large, steaming mug in hand and chuckled at the sight.
Snow fell, more silent than one of Nikkolani's best assassins. Very few people walked along the streets of Moordigan, yet lights burned, warm and inviting, in many a window. Raucous noise boomed into the street every time the door to the Moon Water Inn opened.
A large man trundled through the deep snow, making a path for a smaller man who trailed behind him. The door to the inn opened, noise and laughter spilled into the street.
"Hurry up," the large man called over his shoulder.
"I'm comin', don't get pushy," the other man replied.
Once inside, out of the cold, the two men stood in the entry way and stamped snow from their feet. The shorter of the two looked around the room and unwrapped the long scarf that covered half his face.
"Two gold Dracts says you get drunk before I do," Vendras said, grinning up at his large, half-ogre friend.
"Vendras, dere is no way yer gonna out drink me," Farrehn said, shaking his head. "I'm three times yer size!"
"The bigger they are, my friend," Vendras grinned and pushed his way through the merry crowd.
Stuffed into the corner of the common room, a bard strummed his instrument and sang a slow, high melody. A woman stood next to him, hands on her hips and a frown on her face.
"Play somethin' a little more lively or ye'll be out on the street. I didn't hire ye to play at a Burnin', for Ioweth's sake!" She turned and stormed off to the kitchen and the music picked up in pace.
"Over here," Vendras called across the room to Farrehn. "I found Laria. I think she has a bit of a head start on us!"
Farrehn moved easily through the crowd, his bulk forcing people out of the way whether they wanted to move or not. He removed his heavy wool cloak with the fur collar and draped it out of the way on the back of Vendras' seat.
"Hello, sugar," Laria grinned at Farrehn and lifted her tankard by way of greeting. "Try the stew, if you're hungry. I gave the cook a few of my spices."
"I've had your spices before," Vendras said, wrinkling his nose. "I hope they have something other than stew."
"Are you trying to say I'm a bad cook?" Laria raised a delicate eyebrow as she stared at Vendras.
"You're an Elf."
"What's that got to do with anything?"
"Never mind, Laria. Drink your ale. Oh, Miss!" Vendras raised his hand and beamed a smile at the serving wench. When she arrived at the table, she looked haggard and impatient.
"What?" she barked.
"Two pints of your best ale and keep them coming 'til the ogre hits the floor," Vendras grinned and dropped several coins onto her dirty tray. She shook her head and turned away as Farrehn rolled his eyes.
"Ye tink ye kin out drink me, den let's make dis wager a bit more interestin'," Farrehn said loudly over the noise of the room.
"I can't afford to lose more than two gold Dracts to you, my large friend," Vendras said.
"Well if the two of you would quit betting on everything the twin suns shine on, you'd have more coin, sugar," Laria said. She tipped her tankard to drain it and almost fell over. Vendras grabbed her shoulder and pulled her upright.
"Easy, girl. How much have you had to drink, anyway? Doesn't it take a lot for an Elf to get drunk?"
"I've been here since last night," Laria said loudly, but acted like she was trying to whisper in Vendras' ear. He cringed away from her and waved a hand in front of his face.
"Explains a lot," he said.
The serving wench had made her way back to their table and plopped down two tankards, sloshing ale onto the table. She dropped down four more.
"I'm too busy to keep comin' back. Jest yell iffn' ye need more," she turned and left.
"All right, let's get this done," Vendras said, grinning. He raised his tankard and clanged it against Farrehn's.
"We haven't talked about da wager yet," Farrehn said.
"I'll do whatever you want me to, big guy, as long as it doesn't involve nudity and animals."
"Ye sure about dis?"
"Absolutely! Now drink. I need the coin."
*****
The next morning, the twin suns crept over the horizon casting a pink glow over the fresh snow. The streets were quiet after such a long holiday celebration. As merchants began to arrive to open up their shops, they paused in their usual routine at the odd sight before them.
In the center of town where a large, decorated tree had been placed for the holiday, was a most unusual sight. The usual jeweled star had been pulled down and was now nestled in the branches. In its place hung a man tied up with rope, arms and legs spread out like the points of the star. He was dressed all in white and draped in gold garlands. His snores could be heard from the doorway of the Moon Water Inn where Farrehn stood. He leaned against the door frame, large, steaming mug in hand and chuckled at the sight.
December 22, 2012
Book Review: Spooky Showcase by Alan Draven...
Title: Spooky Showcase
Author: Alan Draven
Publisher: Pixie Dust Press
Pages: 344 (Print), File size: 530 kb
ISBN 10: 0981021336 (ISBN 13: 978-0981021331)
ASIN: B00A6TFQ4U
Purchase: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Description (From Amazon.com):
A collection of spooky tales featuring three short stories and two novellas--including a brand new novella and an unpublished short story: • The Paradigm • Beyond the Doomed Cave • The Rattling Man • A Madman's Atonement • Vengeance is Mine
My thoughts:
Lots of chilling tales from 'The Rattling Man' to 'Beyond the Doomed Cave'. The book gave me some goosebumps and soothed my nerves with some light humor. Alan Draven's take on Jack the Ripper in 'Vengeance is Mine' is pretty twisted. I never would have pegged the serial killer as... well, I can't tell you!
Well written, lots of different stories all set in Bitternest, Louisiana (except for 'Vengeance').
I give it 4 skull and crossbones.
Author: Alan Draven
Publisher: Pixie Dust Press
Pages: 344 (Print), File size: 530 kb
ISBN 10: 0981021336 (ISBN 13: 978-0981021331)
ASIN: B00A6TFQ4U
Purchase: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Description (From Amazon.com):
A collection of spooky tales featuring three short stories and two novellas--including a brand new novella and an unpublished short story: • The Paradigm • Beyond the Doomed Cave • The Rattling Man • A Madman's Atonement • Vengeance is Mine
My thoughts:
Lots of chilling tales from 'The Rattling Man' to 'Beyond the Doomed Cave'. The book gave me some goosebumps and soothed my nerves with some light humor. Alan Draven's take on Jack the Ripper in 'Vengeance is Mine' is pretty twisted. I never would have pegged the serial killer as... well, I can't tell you!
Well written, lots of different stories all set in Bitternest, Louisiana (except for 'Vengeance').
I give it 4 skull and crossbones.
December 21, 2012
The Dr. Saved Us!...
Ha! The world didn't end. In your face, apocalypse!
Hm... maybe not such a good idea to tick off the Mayan gods...
Anyway, we're all here and we're all going to be here awhile so might as well work together and strive towards world peace.
Or not.
You've always got the oddballs who want to cause chaos.
Why you looking at me?
So my Friday format is going to change on my blog posts. I've been blogging for awhile now and I'm running out of Favorites as far as books, movies and music goes. So I'll be focusing on at least 3 authors every Friday. I'll share their books, links and the like. I'm pretty good about promoting other authors. Half the time, they are books I have yet to read. Now that the world is saved, (Thanks, Dr. Who!) I have more time to read.
But I'll still give you the funnies. So on that note:
The Funny:
Or two:
Or three:
Haha! Have a great weekend everyone. Happy holidays and have a great New Year!
Hm... maybe not such a good idea to tick off the Mayan gods...
Anyway, we're all here and we're all going to be here awhile so might as well work together and strive towards world peace.
Or not.
You've always got the oddballs who want to cause chaos.
Why you looking at me?
So my Friday format is going to change on my blog posts. I've been blogging for awhile now and I'm running out of Favorites as far as books, movies and music goes. So I'll be focusing on at least 3 authors every Friday. I'll share their books, links and the like. I'm pretty good about promoting other authors. Half the time, they are books I have yet to read. Now that the world is saved, (Thanks, Dr. Who!) I have more time to read.
But I'll still give you the funnies. So on that note:
The Funny:
Or two:
Or three:
Haha! Have a great weekend everyone. Happy holidays and have a great New Year!
December 20, 2012
One Of Those Weeks...
Hey all! Things have been crazy hectic here and I haven't had a chance to post much this week. Then, internet issues cropped up and won't be fixed til either today or tomorrow (Friday).
So how is it you are seeing this post? Well, I am actually at work and using their computer for the moment. I got here early, before my shift, to post this tidbit to you!
I did not have a Friday post scheduled, as I am going to change some of my Favorite Friday format. No worries, you will still get me in all my snarky glory and funnies!
Psh, like you were worried.
I just wanted to post as it has been kind of quiet around here since my giveaway. Like I just dropped off books and ran! I've also been spending some time on Twitter these days. I'm starting to have some fun with it. So if you are on Twitter, follow me!
@MLChesley
You'll get twice the snark and even more fun than what you get on the blog. Think you can handle that? Of course you can. You guys are super fun!
All right, with that being said, I'm going to make like a shepherd and get the flock out of here.
Have a great rest of the week and maybe I will get a post up in time for tomorrow! Wish me luck.
So how is it you are seeing this post? Well, I am actually at work and using their computer for the moment. I got here early, before my shift, to post this tidbit to you!
I did not have a Friday post scheduled, as I am going to change some of my Favorite Friday format. No worries, you will still get me in all my snarky glory and funnies!
Psh, like you were worried.
I just wanted to post as it has been kind of quiet around here since my giveaway. Like I just dropped off books and ran! I've also been spending some time on Twitter these days. I'm starting to have some fun with it. So if you are on Twitter, follow me!
@MLChesley
You'll get twice the snark and even more fun than what you get on the blog. Think you can handle that? Of course you can. You guys are super fun!
All right, with that being said, I'm going to make like a shepherd and get the flock out of here.
Have a great rest of the week and maybe I will get a post up in time for tomorrow! Wish me luck.
December 18, 2012
'Holly and Ivy' by Selah Janel...
Looking for a holiday read? Try this:
Blurb
After losing her job and her boyfriend, Holly returns to her parents’ farm. Embarrassed and hopeless, she doesn’t expect to bump into a forgotten childhood friend that wasn’t supposed to exist. Ivy is not only a dryad, but she lives in the pine trees Holly’s family grows to sell at Christmas. As the old friends reconnect,Ivy not only shares her strong opinions, but gives Holly a charm that will change both their lives. As days melt into weeks and the seasons change, Holly’s life magically turns around. Christmas not only brings surprises, but a choice for the human woman. What’s more important: stability, success, and love, or keeping a promise to an old friend?
Excerpt: “What do I do with it?” I asked. I told myself I was just playing along, suspending reality to make Ivy feel better. Although if that was the case then perhaps I should have really examined the fact that Ivy was real and not me suspending reality to make myself feel better.“You hold it now until it gets to know you. You keep it safe in your possession and it shall bring you ease and grace,” the tree sprite giggled. “And that really works?” No matter how I tried I couldn’t hide my skepticism.She turned up her pointed nose. “How else would I have survived so well with murderers on the loose? It’s worked for a good long while.” I raised an eyebrow as a sly grin spread just a little too far across her face to make the smile look human. “Do you remember when I snuck to school with that sapling you took for show and tell?”The next smile didn’t hurt quite as much as I traced the delicate edge of the tiny plant with the pad of a finger. The petaled head shivered and softly brushed against my calluses. “I thought everyone was going to have a heart attack when you burst out of the thing and started singing to everyone! Mrs. Robinson finally played it off as the whole class playing a trick on her. We had to go without milk time for a week.” I’d gotten in so much trouble with my parents for lying in school and saying that I had a magic plant. Given that I was adamant that I’d been telling the truth, it was a hell of an ordeal for a six-year-old. “’Twas so much fun!” Ivy paused mid-pirouette. It was downright disgusting that she could hold the arabesque for so long and not even wobble or suffer a leg cramp. “Though I would not want to live in such cold halls all the time.” She paused and took a long breath, much longer than I or any other human could possibly inhale. Before my eyes her skin became greener, infused by the crisp clean air. “You need to be in the trees, Holly. Mortals refuse to understand that they must live where things grow. Now that you’re home, let’s play!” She leapt over my head and landed effortlessly beside her home tree, staring at me expectantly. Maybe it was being back home or maybe it was just being back in the good fresh air, but her suggestion made me giddy. It suddenly sounded like the exact prescription I needed, the one thing I’d been missing through all those frustrating years. My fragile mind and heart demanded an escape. They couldn’t take any more disappointment, any more expectations or responsibility, and they especially couldn’t take any more reality. I nodded and tucked the strange clover deep in my pocket. The breeze had dried my tears and the heavenly scent of grass and pine put the sudden urge to run in my feet. Suddenly the heavy air and the blazing sun didn’t matter so much and my anxieties were willing to take a momentary backseat to the chance to goof off for an afternoon. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?” I hesitated, hand still at my pocket.Ivy flashed a bold grin and stretched up on her toes; her fingers wiggled over her head, making her resemble an odd, scrawny plant. “With you here? Of course! Just remember to come look after my tree when the murderers come around the winter harvest time. You can even help me choose which tree will be my final home so you’ll know where I’ll be.” The words were no sooner out of her mouth when she tore off, dodging branches and bark as quick and swift as a deer. I groaned as I pulled myself to my feet and tumbled after her, muscles screaming at the sudden exercise. Still, I found myself laughing the entire time.
Holly and Ivy available at: Mocha Memoirs Press Store: http://mochamemoirspress.com/holly-and-ivy/ Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Holly-and-Ivy-ebook/dp/B00AGIIIUU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1354733167&sr=8-4&keywords=selah+janel Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/holly-and-ivy-selah-janel/1113879563?ean=2940015795950
Author Bio: Selah Janel has been blessed with a giant imagination since she was little and convinced that fairies lived in the nearby state park or vampires hid in the abandoned barns outside of town. Her appreciation for a good story was enhanced by a love of reading, the many talented storytellers that surrounded her, and a healthy curiosity for everything. A talent for warping everything she learned didn’t hurt, either. She gravitates to writing fantasy and horror, but can be convinced to pursue any genre if the idea is good enough. Often her stories feature the unknown creeping into the “real” world and she loves to find the magical in the mundane. She has four e-books with No Boundaries Press, including the historical vampire story ‘Mooner’ and the contemporary short ‘The Other Man’. Her work has also been included in ‘The MacGuffin’, ‘The Realm Beyond’, ‘Stories for Children Magazine’, and the upcoming Wicked East Press anthology ‘Bedtime Stories for Girls’. She likes her music to rock, her vampires lethal, her fairies to play mind games, and her princesses to hold their own. Catch up with Selah and all her ongoing projects at the following places: Blog – http://www.selahjanel.wordpress.com Fandom Scene Column – http://www.fandomfestblog.com/blogs/s... Facebook Author Page – http://www.facebook.com/authorSJ Facebook Book Page – http://www.facebook.com/intherednovel Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... Amazon Author Page - http://www.amazon.com/Selah-Janel/e/B...
Blurb
After losing her job and her boyfriend, Holly returns to her parents’ farm. Embarrassed and hopeless, she doesn’t expect to bump into a forgotten childhood friend that wasn’t supposed to exist. Ivy is not only a dryad, but she lives in the pine trees Holly’s family grows to sell at Christmas. As the old friends reconnect,Ivy not only shares her strong opinions, but gives Holly a charm that will change both their lives. As days melt into weeks and the seasons change, Holly’s life magically turns around. Christmas not only brings surprises, but a choice for the human woman. What’s more important: stability, success, and love, or keeping a promise to an old friend?Excerpt: “What do I do with it?” I asked. I told myself I was just playing along, suspending reality to make Ivy feel better. Although if that was the case then perhaps I should have really examined the fact that Ivy was real and not me suspending reality to make myself feel better.“You hold it now until it gets to know you. You keep it safe in your possession and it shall bring you ease and grace,” the tree sprite giggled. “And that really works?” No matter how I tried I couldn’t hide my skepticism.She turned up her pointed nose. “How else would I have survived so well with murderers on the loose? It’s worked for a good long while.” I raised an eyebrow as a sly grin spread just a little too far across her face to make the smile look human. “Do you remember when I snuck to school with that sapling you took for show and tell?”The next smile didn’t hurt quite as much as I traced the delicate edge of the tiny plant with the pad of a finger. The petaled head shivered and softly brushed against my calluses. “I thought everyone was going to have a heart attack when you burst out of the thing and started singing to everyone! Mrs. Robinson finally played it off as the whole class playing a trick on her. We had to go without milk time for a week.” I’d gotten in so much trouble with my parents for lying in school and saying that I had a magic plant. Given that I was adamant that I’d been telling the truth, it was a hell of an ordeal for a six-year-old. “’Twas so much fun!” Ivy paused mid-pirouette. It was downright disgusting that she could hold the arabesque for so long and not even wobble or suffer a leg cramp. “Though I would not want to live in such cold halls all the time.” She paused and took a long breath, much longer than I or any other human could possibly inhale. Before my eyes her skin became greener, infused by the crisp clean air. “You need to be in the trees, Holly. Mortals refuse to understand that they must live where things grow. Now that you’re home, let’s play!” She leapt over my head and landed effortlessly beside her home tree, staring at me expectantly. Maybe it was being back home or maybe it was just being back in the good fresh air, but her suggestion made me giddy. It suddenly sounded like the exact prescription I needed, the one thing I’d been missing through all those frustrating years. My fragile mind and heart demanded an escape. They couldn’t take any more disappointment, any more expectations or responsibility, and they especially couldn’t take any more reality. I nodded and tucked the strange clover deep in my pocket. The breeze had dried my tears and the heavenly scent of grass and pine put the sudden urge to run in my feet. Suddenly the heavy air and the blazing sun didn’t matter so much and my anxieties were willing to take a momentary backseat to the chance to goof off for an afternoon. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?” I hesitated, hand still at my pocket.Ivy flashed a bold grin and stretched up on her toes; her fingers wiggled over her head, making her resemble an odd, scrawny plant. “With you here? Of course! Just remember to come look after my tree when the murderers come around the winter harvest time. You can even help me choose which tree will be my final home so you’ll know where I’ll be.” The words were no sooner out of her mouth when she tore off, dodging branches and bark as quick and swift as a deer. I groaned as I pulled myself to my feet and tumbled after her, muscles screaming at the sudden exercise. Still, I found myself laughing the entire time.
Holly and Ivy available at: Mocha Memoirs Press Store: http://mochamemoirspress.com/holly-and-ivy/ Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Holly-and-Ivy-ebook/dp/B00AGIIIUU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1354733167&sr=8-4&keywords=selah+janel Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/holly-and-ivy-selah-janel/1113879563?ean=2940015795950
Author Bio: Selah Janel has been blessed with a giant imagination since she was little and convinced that fairies lived in the nearby state park or vampires hid in the abandoned barns outside of town. Her appreciation for a good story was enhanced by a love of reading, the many talented storytellers that surrounded her, and a healthy curiosity for everything. A talent for warping everything she learned didn’t hurt, either. She gravitates to writing fantasy and horror, but can be convinced to pursue any genre if the idea is good enough. Often her stories feature the unknown creeping into the “real” world and she loves to find the magical in the mundane. She has four e-books with No Boundaries Press, including the historical vampire story ‘Mooner’ and the contemporary short ‘The Other Man’. Her work has also been included in ‘The MacGuffin’, ‘The Realm Beyond’, ‘Stories for Children Magazine’, and the upcoming Wicked East Press anthology ‘Bedtime Stories for Girls’. She likes her music to rock, her vampires lethal, her fairies to play mind games, and her princesses to hold their own. Catch up with Selah and all her ongoing projects at the following places: Blog – http://www.selahjanel.wordpress.com Fandom Scene Column – http://www.fandomfestblog.com/blogs/s... Facebook Author Page – http://www.facebook.com/authorSJ Facebook Book Page – http://www.facebook.com/intherednovel Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... Amazon Author Page - http://www.amazon.com/Selah-Janel/e/B...
