FREE story!

Hey guys! I hope everyone had an awesome holiday weekend. But, since it's back to the real world today, I thought I'd make it better by reminding you that my latest short story, "Mother's Voice" is up on Infective Ink for FREE. So check it out and let me know what you think.

*On a side note, please excuse the website's sidebar ads. They aren't all child-friendly. I wish I could do something about that, but until I take over the world....

Happy Book Birthday Holiday Magick!

It's Here!!

  

People don't usually question holiday traditions or their origins, but maybe they should. Over centuries, explanations of how and why holidays exist may have been lost or changed. 
Some holiday histories might only be known by a few individuals. Ancient magic spells could have influenced how we celebrate today. Fairies, zombies, or demons may have shaped our holidays. 
Consider the following... 
Why do people give red roses and cards on Valentine's Day? 
Is there more to the story of Purim than is traditionally told? 
Why do people wear green on St. Patrick's Day? 
What happens to spirits that are captured during the Japanese Doll Festival? 
Where does Santa get his helpers? 
You may think you know the truth, but you can't be too sure.

Okay guys I'm pretty excited about this release. I may be a bit partial to this book (since I have two stories in it) but anthologies in general are awesome. Not only do you get to read stories from familiar names, but you get to "meet" new talent as well. This collection has work from some of my favorites (Kate Kaynak, Trish Wooldrige, Daniel Cohen) and I'm looking forward to stories from new names like L. M. Graham, Kendra Saunders, and Rich Storrs. Be sure to order your copy wherever you buy books, and let me know what your favorite Holiday story is!  

I'm Gone!

Hey gang, if you're looking for me today, I'm hanging out with Emma at The Writer's Voice, talking about writing and being excited about Holiday Magick hitting shelves next week. Stop by and tell us hi!

Review: Mind Games (Mind Games #1) Kiersten White

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of

the future. 
Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey. Goodreads


Oh my WOW. I'll admit, I've put off reading this one, because I loved the Paranormalcy trilogy, and I was afraid Mind Games wouldn't live up to it. And I will say, this book is absolutely nothing like the trilogy. Paranormalcy is light and fluffy and fun-like a cupcake. Mind Games is rich and dark and full of awesome-like a fine chocolate. But enough with the comparing (and snack references).

I loved, loved, loved this book. The shifting POV and time settings were just enough to keep me slightly off balance, without leaving me totally confused. The world Kiersten created is equal parts believable and completely terrifying. The concept of using extra mental abilities for evil gain isn't exactly unique, but the way the plot unfolds left my head spinning, and now I have so many questions for book two!

As far as the characters go, this may sound weird, but I didn't really *love* any of them. I really want to love Fia, and she is my favorite, but right now she seems so broken and confused about who she really is, that I can't love her. But I CAN root for her to kick some serious butt! Annie, the second POV, just rubbed me the wrong way once too often. She seemed weak and/or selfish for the majority of the book. But then again, the last few chapters give me hope that she'll be awesome in book 2.

The love interests...I'm not even sure you could call them that. James definitely has the hot-bad boy appeal, ans Adam seems a little like a lost puppy you just want to pick up and cuddle. BUT we haven't been able to see the full character of either boy yet, and there is definitely something else going on with them. Besides all that, Fia and Annie are in deep, and relationship issues are the last things they need to worry about right now So I'm glad that there wasn't an abundance relationship drama.

My only complaint is that the book was too short. But if it was 10,000 pages, I'd probably still say that. I wish I could give this on 12 stars!

Actual rating: 5/5 stars
YA notes: Minor drug/alcohol references

News!

Good News! Later this month, I'll have a short story published in an on-line mag. Better News! It will be free for you to read. :)

I'm always excited when I have something published, but this time I'm super excited. You see, I honestly had an easier-than-normal publishing experience with some of my first pieces. After a very few rejections, I had my first short story published. Then, my first novel, a direct result of my story, was born. Blood Bound was accepted by the first publisher I sent it to (which almost never happens.) And in the early stages of publication I had a few more stories published as well.

And then the writing powers that be decided it was time to pay my dues. The last several months, I've worked my tail off with zero results. Rejection after rejection, some short and to-the-point, (we don't like you) and some encouraging, yet still declining my work.

I kept looking, though, and one day, scrolling through publishing venues, I found one that caught my eye. I had an idea! I had characters! I started writing...not the story I planned. You see, one of my characters turned out to be quite bossy, and she took over. When I finished, what I had on my screen was not at all what I'd thought I was writing. I had no idea if it still fit in the publisher's style. But I liked the story so I sent it anyway. And they LIKED IT TOO! So now I'm wondering, have I been over-thinking this writing thing all along?