I can't believe it's been 5 years since my first visit to Confluence as a professional writer. In 2013, I was promoting a speculative fiction anthology I had edited and announcing my contract with Dog Star Books to publish my first novel the next year. Now, my fourth novel comes out next month, and Confluence … Continue reading Con Report: Confluence 2018
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Review: Born to Love Wild edited by Cara McKinnon
Disclaimer: I received an electronic advanced reader copy of this anthology in exchange for an honest review; I consider the editor and some of the contributors friends. Normally I keep my short story reviews, well, short, and only call out two books when I review anthologies (favorite story and story I'd like to see expanded … Continue reading Review: Born to Love Wild edited by Cara McKinnon
Review: Invincible Volumes 10-12
And here we go again! The cover art is getting darker. Should I be worried? Invincible Vol. 10: Who's The Boss? Robert Kirkman (writer) Ryan Ottley (penciler, inker) Cliff Rathburn (inker) Bill Crabtree (colorist) FCO Plascenia (colorist) Rus Wooton (letterer) In a nutshell, Mark got comfortable. And then his innate idealism slammed face-first into start … Continue reading Review: Invincible Volumes 10-12
Review: A Gentleman Never Keeps Score (Seducing the Sedgwicks #2) by Cat Sebastian
I guess I'm a bit lucky coming to this book as a reader who doesn't have a lot of experience with "Regency" romances. To me, this is merely an unexpected romance set in an historical era, so I was a lot more forgiving of aspects of the plot that seemed to bother other readers based … Continue reading Review: A Gentleman Never Keeps Score (Seducing the Sedgwicks #2) by Cat Sebastian
Book Spotlight: Born to Love Wild
BORN TO LOVE WILD A Paranormal Romance Short Story Anthology from Stars and Stone Books Featuring: USA Today Bestselling Author Traci Douglass, Cara McKinnon, Sheri Queen, Pepper McGraw, M.T. DeSantis, Read Gallo, J. Bigelow, and Andie Biagini. Preorder Now Kindle | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play Traci Douglass – “Blood Strong: A Blood Ravagers Novella” … Continue reading Book Spotlight: Born to Love Wild
Confluence 2018 Schedule
For my second annual trip to western Pennsylvania this summer, I'll be headed for Confluence, the speculative fiction literary convention hosted by Parsec, Pittsburgh's science-fiction and fantasy society. I have a great time there every year, and I'm excited to head back this upcoming weekend. Due to miscommunications in a few different fronts, my schedule … Continue reading Confluence 2018 Schedule
Author Interview with Rachell Nichole
The publishing industry can be a roller coaster, and often, its up to authors to make the most of it. To help Rachell Nichole ride the high of her latest release, I came up with some fun and sexy questions that highlight A Love Affair in Las Vegas. ABOUT THE BOOK Dawn Jansen has only ever … Continue reading Author Interview with Rachell Nichole
Review: “The Steam Pump Jump” (Chronicles of St. Mary’s short) by Jodi Taylor
This short story very much needs the context of pretty much all of the novels in the Chronicles of St. Mary's series so far to understand the detail of what's going on. But otherwise, it's a "typical" St. Mary's lark, full of the usual shenanigans and mayhem (#disastermagnets). And as an added bonus, it's from … Continue reading Review: “The Steam Pump Jump” (Chronicles of St. Mary’s short) by Jodi Taylor
Author Interview with Matthew Warner
While it wasn't quite up my alley, Matthew Warner's Cursed by Christ book seemed intriguing enough that I had to pick the author's brain about it. Maybe you'll find yourself interested in my stead. ABOUT THE BOOK CURSED . . . Living at her family’s rice plantation, Alice Wharton learns some disturbing news from her … Continue reading Author Interview with Matthew Warner
Review: Urban Dragon: Volume 1 by J.W. Troemner
Disclaimer: I received a hardcopy of this novel through a book trade with the author. I was sold on this book based on two things: The absolutely gorgeous cover art, and when I heard the author read from it during Cleveland ConCoction 2018. I'm a sucker for urban fantasy, but this is urban fantasy done … Continue reading Review: Urban Dragon: Volume 1 by J.W. Troemner
Review: Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plot by Jane K. Cleland
To continue preparing to write the next book in my series, I chose a craft book dedicated to plot structure with an emphasis on suspense and twists. Rather than being targeted to one genre, the book ensures that all of the writing advice can be applied to any genre, from political thrillers to nonfiction memoirs. … Continue reading Review: Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plot by Jane K. Cleland
Build Report: Hans Christian Andersen
The first step to admitting you have a problem is to buy more LEGOs. That's how it works, right? Regardless, I'm officially buying LEGO sets faster than I can build them, but the LEGO sets I buy are expensive enough that they keep coming with awesome freebies to tide me over until my next major … Continue reading Build Report: Hans Christian Andersen
Review: Invincible Volumes 7-9
It's getting more and more tempting to binge-read the whole series (and my husband is actively supporting this plan, which is NO HELP). But I'm holding steady to a trade paperback at a time to really appreciate the intricate story line and excellent artwork. Invincible Vol. 7: Three's Company Robert Kirkman (writer) Ryan Ottley (penciler, … Continue reading Review: Invincible Volumes 7-9
Review: Writing Mysteries edited by Sue Grafton
So far I've written a female coming-of-age novel, a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, a time-travel book...and those are all in the same series. What's next? I think a murder mystery is on the horizon, and as a newcomer to this genre, I needed to get back to basics. Writing Mysteries is a solid book … Continue reading Review: Writing Mysteries edited by Sue Grafton
June Wrap-Up & July Goals
This whole linear time thing is for the birds. I feel like it was just yesterday that I sat down to write last month's version of this post. That usually means that I got a lot of work done during the month, or absolutely nothing at all. Let's see how it all fell out. Either … Continue reading June Wrap-Up & July Goals
Review: The Boogeyman’s Intern by Matt Betts
Disclaimer: The author is a friend, and I reviewed this novel as part of the publication process. I look forward to purchasing a hardcopy version of my own. This was a weird book set in an even weirder landscape. Betts proves that the supernatural creatures created as part of all human cultures are very similar … Continue reading Review: The Boogeyman’s Intern by Matt Betts
Con Report: In Your Write Mind 2018
I had another wonderful retreat at Hogwarts Seton Hill University this past weekend, where I originally received my Masters degree in Writing Popular Fiction. The alumni of this program wanted an excuse to keep coming back every year, so In Your Write Mind was developed. It's open to former students and the general public alike, … Continue reading Con Report: In Your Write Mind 2018
Review: “CTRL Me” by Anna Zabo
Disclaimer: I consider the author a friend; however, I purchased this ebook short story for full price. While I continue my trend of reading everything Anna Zabo writes, I appreciate that they've taught me a lot about my romance genre preferences. I enjoyed this particular short tremendously, but I think I prefer my romance in … Continue reading Review: “CTRL Me” by Anna Zabo
Review: Dead Indian Wars (Damnation #2) by Clark Casey
Disclaimer: I received a free ebook from the author via Netgalley. This fast-paced sequel to Dawn in Damnation picks up mere moments after the first book ends. Like the first installment, it's an easy read that flows well; every chapter brings a new character, a new incident, or a new puzzle. The narrator Tom continues to … Continue reading Review: Dead Indian Wars (Damnation #2) by Clark Casey
Review: A Wind in the Door (Time Quintet #2) by Madeleine L’Engle
My 2018 Resolution Project for Speculative Chic was to read and review both the novel and film versions of A Wrinkle in Time. But I’m a completionist, so it should come as no surprise that I’d have to continue on this magical journey I somehow missed when I was a teenager. My full review is at Speculative Chic, but here's a short … Continue reading Review: A Wind in the Door (Time Quintet #2) by Madeleine L’Engle