Vashti Quiroz-Vega's Blog, page 19
January 8, 2018
Rave Reviews Book Club “Spotlight” Author
Hi everyone! I have great news!
The Rave reviews Book Club has selected me as their January “Spotlight” Author! This is great news, because it means that my writing and my new release, The Fall of Lilith will be showcased all month throughout social media. The RRBC’s “Spotlight” Author Blog Tour began yesterday on Author, Wendy Scott’s blog, Wendy Scott Fantasy Blog and will continue until the 13th. You can visit today’s tour post on Author, Beem Weeks’ blog The Indie Spot. If you’d like to follow the line-up for the “Spotlight” Author Blog Tour and read all about what it is to be a “Spotlight” Author you can do so at Rave Reviews Book Club Blog. I hope to see you at the blog tour!
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Rave Reviews Book Club “Spotlight” Author Blog Tour:
Fantasy Author Wendy Scott Blog
The Indie Spot
A Blog Focused On Writing An Music (Jan Sikes)
Michelle Abbott Romance Author Flawed Heroes
Shirley Harris-Slaughter
Life As I Know It (Marlena Smith)
Joy Nwosu Lo-Bamijoko
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Have a great week, everyone!
January 5, 2018
Haiku Friday – Singe & Deep
December 29, 2017
Haiku Friday – Nightmare & Horror
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My best friend, Sophia won’t stop wailing and howling in the middle of the night. “It burns, it burns!” she screams. I visit her at her mother’s house, where her ashes are kept in an urn, but it doesn’t help.
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Night terrors visit
Sleep’s become a memory
I fear the darkness
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The blue in his eyes
became the new shade of my
nightmares––Don’t wake me.
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Nightmare and Horror are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
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Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, everyone!
Tagged: haiku, haiku friday, Happy New Year, horror, nightmare, poetry, RonovanWrites, The Writer Next Door, Vashti Q, Vashti Quiroz-Vega
December 22, 2017
Keeping Up With The Quiroz-es
I know December is a very busy month for many people but for me and my family it is downright cray-cray! We have lots of out-of-town guests. My niece Vanessa and her husband Luigi are here all the way from the island of Japan, my youngest sister, Kathy is down from NYC and my nephew Josh and niece Natasha are down from college (Tennessee).
The entire family gets together several times during the holiday season for several festivities. This year we’re having a “Gingerbread House Decorating Pajama Party & Cocoa Bar” at my house on the 23rd. The 24th is a huge party day in the Spanish culture, so there’s a big party at my brother’s house and then another big Christmas celebration at my cousin Alan’s house on the 25th! We also have events scheduled for the 31st and New Year’s Day. Oh, and as if that wasn’t enough, there are six birthdays to celebrate during the month as well, including my mom’s birthday on the 24th. To say the month of December is a hectic month for me and my family is an understatement.
That being said, and there is a point to all of this––he, he. I will be unplugging (well, almost) until after the new year. I may show up sporadically around Twitter, Instagram and Facebook but for the most part, I won’t be the busy little bee that I normally am, until after the holidays. To be honest, I’m exhausted already with all the preparations and the festivities haven’t even begun.
I wish you all a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday season.
But––if you do have a list and you checked it twice and realized you forgot someone, don’t fret! It isn’t too late to give the gift of a good book.
December 15, 2017
Haiku Friday – Flare & Steam
I hope you are all doing well. It’s a beautiful day here in south Florida, although it’s still a bit chilly and by chilly I mean 70º F––yep, definitely sock weather.
December 8, 2017
Haiku Friday – Bold & Daring
For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Vashti Quiroz-Vega but you can call me Vashti Q.
December 1, 2017
Haiku Friday – Strong & Heart
Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. A warm welcome to my blog!
*If you missed last week’s Haiku Friday post, please check it out here . I interviewed a very special guest on my blog last week, so you don’t want to miss that.
*Also, please check out this post, Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore | Christmas Book Fair where I am featured with one of my favorite reviews of, “The Fall of Lilith”. Authors, Dan Alatorre and Mary Smith are also featured with their books and latest reviews.
Moving along . . .
Strong and Heart are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
A Heart of Wonder
You have a strong heart
It’s been broken and stepped on
Aching and wounded
Still, you love others
Without fear of getting hurt
Have a great day, everyone!
Tagged: 1st day of December, haiku friday, heart, Love, poetry, RonovanWrites, The Writer Next Door, Vashti Q, Vashti Quiroz-Vega
November 24, 2017
Haiku Friday – Broken & Over
Hello everyone! Today, I have an interesting guest on my blog. Her name is Gadreel and she is one of the characters in my new novel, The Fall of Lilith . She has written a poem for us but before we get to that I have a few questions I’d like to ask her.
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Illustration by Luis Royo (Click on image for website)
Character Interview
Vashti:
Hello Gadreel! Welcome. I’m so happy you could join us today.
Gadreel:
Greetings. I am delighted to be here.
Vashti:
Let’s get right to it, okay? Tell us about your home, Floraison.
Gadreel: (She frowns. She gives me a wounded look and then lowers her eyes to the floor)
Floraison is no longer my home, for I was cast out along with Lilith, Lucifer and the rest of the rebel angels.
Vashti:
Oh––yes, I’m sorry. (I squirm on my seat) If it’s too difficult for you to talk about it, it’s––
Gadreel:
Apologies. It is for this reason I was invited, so I shall answer your question. Although, there are no words to fully describe Floraison, none that humans can understand. I shall do my best. Firstly, there are three realms of Heaven: Heaven Most High where God resides, Metá Heaven, and Floraison, the lowest realm of Heaven where God chose to place his angels. Different dimensions separate these realms and only God travels between them as He pleases.
There was no need for a sun, moon or stars to give Floraison light. God’s splendor lit the lowest realm, and the skies were beautiful beyond compare. There was no true darkness where the angels lived. In Floraison’s unit of time there was brillante, when the light was at its most intense and nightglow when at its dimmest.
There were many trees and meadows adorned with colorful flowers that emitted fragrances evoking happiness and vigor. Magnificent creatures abounded, large and small––perfect in every way and pleasing to the senses. Some of these creatures were prototypes for beings God created on different planets, and others were unique to Floraison.
The River of Life, a pure river with crystalline healing waters, flowed between realms and proceeded from God’s throne room.
(She stopped and gazed at me with doleful eyes that made my heart ache a little)
Vashti:
It’s okay, Gadreel. I think we get the picture––Floraison is a celestial paradise. You mentioned that there was no true darkness in heaven, so what was it like the first time you experienced night on Earth?
Gadreel: (She shivers and wraps her arms around herself)
When I fell from heaven I landed in a hot area of grasses and small dispersed trees. The sunlight was harsh and glaring and singed my angelic skin. There was no shade or area to escape from it. The heat enveloped me and the air was so dense I had to drag it into my lungs. I hated this new environment, but nothing prepared me for night.
It was like I disappeared. I could not see my hands in front of my face. It was like not existing, but yet living. I felt like God no longer saw me and that made my heart very heavy. I never felt farther from my home.
The grasslands came to life at night with unfamiliar noises. I heard a sharp, thrilling call overhead, the leaping and bounding of fleet-footed creatures avoiding predators on the ground, and all manner of growls, clicks, and hoots. An eerie, cold sensation crept into my bones. I curled into a tight ball and trembled in the darkness.
Vashti:
That sounds awful. I won’t be alone in the dark any time soon. (Awkward pause) Gadreel, did you ever see God?
Gadreel:
In Floraison there are golden double doors that opened to a portal that lead to Metá Heaven where God’s presence could be reached in His Throne Room. Only by His expressed permission could one cross this portal. I was never given permission to enter. Michael, who had entered the hall, said it was aglow with the most exquisite light ever seen. But in order to truly see God angels must elevate to Heaven Most High and that’s a difficult process.
Vashti:
You’re obviously remorseful for joining Lilith and rebelling against God and the holy angels, so why did you do it?
Gadreel: (She swallowed hard and looked down)
I never felt rebellious in my heart. I loved God and my heavenly home. Lilith was my best friend and she is a powerful influencer. She made me feel that I needed to be loyal to her––and I was also a bit afraid of her, of what she would do if I did not follow her. She also told me it was the only way for me to be with Samael and I believed this. I loved Samael and he joined Lilith and Lucifer in their rebellion. I wanted to go wherever he went, even if it meant that I would end up in hell.
Vashti:
So much has happened since the war in heaven and your fall from grace. How have you changed?
Gadreel:
I am much stronger and confident in my abilities now. I know I have done many wrongs for which I must make amends. I will seek God’s forgiveness, although I know I can never return to my home in heaven. I shall no longer ally myself with Lilith, Lucifer or Samael. I have new allies in the Animal Kingdom, for I have the ability to understand and communicate with them. However, I shall always miss Floraison.
Homesickness pulls at my heart
Tossed down from Heaven
I lie broken on the earth
I know in my mind
It is not over for you see
Although the fall split my spine
I shall survive this
Long enough to make amends
I don’t belong here
but I am homesick
for a home I shall not see
Home needs a whole heart
My heart’s a thousand pieces
so homesick am I
Earth shall never be my home
I am wishing for heaven
“There was no sun in Floraison to torture us. We had brillantes, a time of divine light, which was like the warmth of God’s smile. Here on earth, we have to endure days of glaring, fiery light, which stings our bodies and perturbs our minds. In Floraison, we had nightglows when light dimmed to a soft glow, which reminded us that God was still near. Here, we have night––the absence of light when we are left on our own. I miss our home.”
~Gadreel
Broken and Over are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
Enjoy the weekend, everyone!
Tagged: character interview, fallen angels, Fantasy_Angels_Series, Gadreel, haiku friday, poetry, RonovanWrites, Tanka, the fall of lilith, The Writer Next Door, Vashti Q, Vashti Quiroz-Vega
November 17, 2017
Haiku Friday – Short & Sexy
Thanksgiving Day is a great reminder that we should be living a life of gratitude. No matter how bad you may think you have it, there are always others that have it far worse, so be grateful for the little things. Celebrate all your little victories, as well as the big ones. If someone shows you a kindness say, ‘thank you’. It doesn’t cost a cent to show gratitude.
Of course, there are some that mistake kindness for weakness and feel that thanking someone is beneath them. I honestly feel sorry for people like this, because this is such a negative and sad way of thinking and living.
Being grateful reminds us of the positive things in our lives. Be thankful for everything you have and say thank you often––you will be happier for it. Living a life of gratitude takes strength of character and a positive attitude. With this in mind, I’m going to list several things I’m grateful for today. You can list the things you’re thankful for in the comment section. I’d love to read what you’re grateful for this day.
I’m grateful for my family and the fact that everyone seems healthy and in a good place right now.
I’m grateful for my little writing buddy, Scribbles (my Pomeranian). He awoke one day, a couple of weeks ago, vomiting blood! I thought he was going to die. My husband and I rushed him to the vet and it turned out that he must have swallowed a tiny jagged rock or glass while licking one of his paws that cut and irritated his esophagus. He’s going to be okay, but it was heart-wrenching and terrifying to see him like that. I now check and clean his paws every time we come home after a walk.
I’m grateful, because my niece, Natasha and nephew, Joshua will be coming home from college in a few hours and will be spending Thanksgiving week with us! I’m very excited and can’t wait to see them and spend time with them.
I’m grateful that more and more readers are discovering my fantasy novel, The Fall of Lilith and are reading and reviewing it. I’m thrilled and humbled by all the great reviews, including a 5 star review I received recently from Readers’ Favorite !
[image error]6. I’m grateful to the talented designers at Damonza who helped bring the concept of my book cover to life. The cover of The Fall of Lilith has won two awards: A Gold Star from The Book Designer and a Silver badge from AUTHORSdb Cover Contest.
This list could go on and on, so lets move on to this week’s poetry.
Short and Sexy are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
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Whipped Shortbread Cookies (Recipe)
Holiday Baking
Surely you’ll relate
to my never-failing love
for shortbread cookies
The ambrosial fragrance
drifts into my nose from plate
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Vanilla Spritz Shortbread Cookies (Recipe)
The excitement grows,
as I savor one and all
before I know it
They’re all gone! What have I done?
The ‘Cookie Monster’ left none
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Lavender Shortbread Biscuits (cookies) Recipe
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Tagged: awards, baking, book review, cookies, haiku friday, holiday, poetry, RonovanWrites, shortbread, Tanka, the fall of lilith, The Writer Next Door, Vashti Q, Vashti Quiroz-Vega
November 10, 2017
Haiku Friday – Smooth & Hand
Smooth and Hand are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
*I’m sharing two Tankas today.
Tanka: A Japanese poem consisting of five lines, the first and third of which have five syllables and the other seven, making 31 syllables in all and giving a complete picture of an event or mood.
You Haunt Me
Her skin appeared smooth
I took her hand, hoping to
feel her loving touch
But only energy flowed
Sans matter, skin was a thought
Nature’s laws are gone
For a ghost has just appeared
And that ghost is me
I should stop following her
And whispering in her ears
Enjoy the weekend, everyone!
Tagged: ghosts, haiku, haiku friday, haunting, poetry, RonovanWrites, The Writer Next Door, Vashti Q, Vashti Quiroz-Vega 
