Friday, December 30, 2011

Between the Covers - Book Review #6

Toshio reminded me I have another book review post to write before I travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the holidays.

I'm not packed, I haven't finished stuff at home, but I am going to check this off my list soon, at least! I have been laid up in bed with a bad back and the vicodin channel has been keeping me awake at night, so I've been a reading fiend again. I have three new books for you. Well, they're new to me at least. Heheh.

1) Cottage Witchery by Ellen Dugan is a nonfiction book about hedgewitchery, which I recently learned is a term for a witch who uses herbs and plants. They're a green witch. This "how-to" book is entertaining, informative, and not at all stuffy. I hate formal Wiccan books that make me snore. Ellen has personality and she's a no-nonsense witch who loves to share her knowledge in an easy to read format. I recommend this book for anyone as an introduction to hedgewitchery.

2) I also recently finished the anthology edited by Paula Guran, Zombies: The Recent Dead. Not my favorite zombie antho, but there were some great highlights. The writing is great; I just wasn't as interested in all the stories this time around. Dating Secrets of the Dead had me roaring in bed, which annoyed my husband late at night. Kudos for David Prill for making me cry with laughter at a zombie tale -- just doesn't happen that often. I also enjoyed Joe R. Lansdale's short, Deadman's Road, which is beautifully written. I recommend this for zombie lovers, but don't try to read it when you're tired. It's a big paperback!

3) My last book is Justine Musk's Uninvited, a young adult paranormal fantasy about a teenage girl and her brother drawn into the world of the devil. Very good. I can't say more for fear of spoilers, but you will love this read. Adults and teens, both. Enjoy!

As always, happy writing and happy reading to all!

And I hope everyone had a good holiday and wish you a happy new year!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Lake Michigan & Home- A Photo Essay

One of the first places I visit after arriving in Milwaukee is Lake Michigan. The lake centers me. When I feel unbalanced, nothing is better for peace and tranquility than the sound of the waves washing ashore and the gulls flying above. I miss the lake terribly when I am away in Texas. This park is my favorite place to mull over my life and writing, etc. It is also a source of inspiration for me and I want to share it with you, my reader. Hopefully, it will bring you a good story or poem. I also am including a few nature photos from my parent's backyard as added inspiration. Happy writing everyone!









Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Visited My Old Library Haunt in Milwaukee, Wisconsin


I frequented this library from second grade on in my hometown. I went there this week while visiting my folks for the holidays. I couldn't stay away. I haven't been sleeping well with all the clocks and dad's oxygen machine hissing away like a rabid animal in the next room. Plus, my back's been screaming up a storm in the cold weather. I didn't want to run out of reading material for the flight home and my book supply is running dangerously low!

I now have four books. I've settled on Christopher's Moore's Bite Me for my bedtime reading. Nothing like the angst of a Goth girl and a vampire cat stalking her hometown to help me get to sleep, right? Wish me luck! Maybe, I will get some sleep soon. If not, at least I can rest when I get home on Sunday night and I'll be entertained in the meantime. *chuckles*


Monday, December 26, 2011

Monday Musings #4 - What Character Are You?

Little known fact about this author - I love Wonder Woman. I used to watch Lynda Carter on Wonder Woman with my father -- the reruns, of course! I wasn't even born when the series was on T.V. As a little girl, I didn't fully grasp the complete powers of Wonder Woman, but I knew she was a kickass femme who fought for justice. My mother bought me the Wonder Woman Underoos, which any child of the 80s will recall. (Underoos were the coolest underwear for kids, featuring Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, and other characters.) At five years old, I never wanted to get dressed; I just wanted to play Wonder Woman and save the world from evil. So yeah, I have a little Wonder Woman hiding inside me.

When I need a kick in the butt and some inspiration to get through hard writing times or any other struggle, I turn to Wonder Woman. Sounds silly, but sometimes it helps to reach for childhood comforts. What character is hiding in you?




Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas Creepfesters! Contest Winner Announced!

Creepfest is drawing to a close at midnight, but the good news is that someone won a signed copy of the UK mag, Twisted Tongue featuring my short story, A Taste of Murder!

And the winner is...

Thea Gregory, for her entry:

I've always liked the Medusa. I could imagine her taking a liking for engineering and developing a giant mirror of sorts to turn entire cities into stone. She's vengeful like that.


Concreepulations!

Honorable mention goes to Mightybri for Zeus as a nightclub owner in Vegas. ;)

Today is the last day of the Creepfest Blog Tour. Go lurk. Be brave. Be bold, my readers!



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