Unique Experience

I have had rejection letters. I have received acceptance letters. But, last night, I received my very first rejection and acceptance in the same letter. Of course, that's because I submitted multiple stories to the same anthology, but still, I thought it was interesting.

Now for the announcement. My very first Flash Fiction story, "The Game," will be in Doorways to Extra Time, an anthology from Spencer Hill Press, due out in 2013. (Insert Happy Dance Here)

As for my other story, well, congrats to everyone who beat me out. :) I know the competition was very stiff, and, honestly, it's an honor to have written one story that got in. I can't wait to read all the winners!

Sorry!

Wow. My posts have been really sporadic lately, and I'm sorry. But I'm still here. I promise. It just seems that between family commitments, holiday stuff, and, of course, writing, I just don't have much time left to tell you what I'm doing lately. But how about I make it up to you? What if I joined in a super-awesome Christmas giveaway with some other equally awesome authors? Would that make up for it? Details coming soon.  :) 

Traditions

As I'm sure you all know, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. And as some of you know, I have a short story in the upcoming anthology, Holiday Magick, that is based on a Thanksgiving tradition. What you may not know is that the main character in that story is based on my younger brother, the traditionalist. Every year, he insists that we do what we've always done, because "it's tradition." This even includes going over the Thanksgiving menu to make sure certain foods (even ones he doesn't like) will be present at the meal. Of course, we all tease him about this, but if he ever stopped, I'm sure it just wouldn't feel right. It's, well, tradition. :)

Traditions are important, and they tell a lot about who we are. so, what are your favorite holiday traditions? Do you decorate the Christmas tree Thanksgiving night? Spend meal time plotting your Black Friday trips? Watch a certain football game? Do you have unusual traditions attached to a different holiday? I'd love to hear about your traditions. And, even though I don't have any stories planned yet, your traditions might show up in a future story of mine!

Review: Dust Girl (The American Fairy 1) Sarah Zettel

Callie LeRoux lives in Slow Run, Kansas, helping her mother run their small hotel and trying not to think about the father she’s never met. Lately all of her energy is spent battling the constant storms plaguing the Dust Bowl and their effects on her health. Callie is left alone when her mother goes missing in a dust storm. Her only hope comes from a mysterious man offering a few clues about her destiny and the path she must take to find her parents in “the golden hills of the west”: California.

Along the way she meets Jack, a young hobo boy who is happy to keep her company—there are dangerous, desperate people at every turn. And there’s also an otherworldly threat to Callie. Warring fae factions, attached to the creative communities of American society, are very much aware of the role this half-mortal, half-fae teenage girl plays in their fate.

I have to say this is one of the most unique books I've read this year. I read as many fae books as I can get my hands on, but I've never read one set in dust-bowl Kansas. I loved it.

The imagery and language were so vivid I felt like I'd been transported back in time, listening to an old jazz band and wiping away the newest layer of dirt. Callie's desperation, confusion, and fear all felt very real. But they were nothing compared to the portrayal of the fae. In Callie's world, there are no clear cut "Good" or "Bad" fairies.They all tell her bits of the puzzle, woven in with their own version of the truth.

Callie is a great lead for this story. Her voice is a bit younger than what I normally read, but it really works here. She has spent her whole life in seclusion, hiding her bi-racial heritage, and now she is out on her own, trying to find out who she really is. She makes several mistakes, pushing even Jack, the only person who really wants to help her, away. But as she starts to figure out her own strength, she is willing to do whatever it takes to save those she loves.

Rating 5/5 stars

YA notes: none

My Least Favorite Shape

Let me start out by saying that a well done love triangle can be awesome. It can be beautiful, heart-wrenching, and show that the only truth to finding "the one" is finding "the one" you choose to make it work with. That said; Enough Already!

It has gotten to the point that as soon as one love interest is introduced in a new book, I start wondering when the other one is going to show up.I pretty much refuse to read any new series if the main thing reviewers are talking about is "I'm team HotGuy." Seriously, are that many completely swoon-worthy guys out there that every heroine needs two? I know that triangles are the "trend" at the moment, and I'm not at all saying that writing what is popular is a bad thing. I guess what I am saying is that I'm bored. A love triangle always ends one of two ways, and it's generally pretty obvious which guy will get the girl. So, what happened to creativity? Why can't one side of the triangle find someone else entirely? Or maybe the girl could decide she doesn't really need a guy at all, and leave the two hormone-driven males with nothing to fight over. Throw me a curve-ball once in a while. Okay, I'm done ranting now, but I am curious. What plot-devices make you want to poke your eyes out with a spoon? 

Review: Hereafter (Hereafter #1) Tara Hudson

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life--or her actual death--she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but "will" him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever. Goodreads

Hereafter is an awesome debut novel from Tara Hudson. As most of you know, I love a good ghost story, and this is right up there with the best of them.

While the book does get bonus points for being set in Oklahoma, my favorite part of the book is that it is told from the ghost's perspective. I loved being able to go along with Amelia as she learned the "rules" of being a ghost. Her emotions, especially dealing with her family, really connected with me.

Joshua, if a bit too perfect, is a great love interest. He's strong, smart, and funny. It is great to see that while he doesn't always get along with his family, he truly cares about them, especially his little sister. Oh, and there is the tiny fact that he's willing to accept Amelia as she is, even though she has no pulse.

There is definitely a dark aspect to the story, dealing with Amelia's death, and why she is an "unclaimed" spirit. The last few pages left me thoroughly creeped out, but I can't say much without ruining the plot. But I will say that I can't wait to read the rest of this trilogy, and you shouldn't either!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Y.A. notes: language

And the Winner Is...

    First of all, I want to give a HUGE thanks to everyone who voted, blogged, tweeted, ore otherwise spread the word about my special cover reveal. We had over five hundred votes!  And for those of you who preferred the "hand" image, the publisher just informed me that we may be using that image as well, in one form or another. And now all that is left is for you to add my awesome debut to your TBR list, and (along with me) anxiously wait for September!