A Few Cool Things

It is snowing again here, and although it was 30 overnight, then temps are now heading back down into the basement--it is expected to drop to the teens during the day, then back to the negative single digits overnight..for the next few days.

All of which has brought on a migraine (on a day when I planned to Get a Lot of Writing Done, dammit!), so I'm just going to post a couple of cool things to amuse you and then run away again.

Cool Thing the One:
To celebrate the upcoming release of the Baba Yaga books (September and December, if all goes well with Berkley), I found myself this REALLY COOL shirt on Etsy.
Baba Yaga Tee Shirt

 I'm not a big tee shirt person, especially because I only like them if they have V-necks or scoop necks (not the normal crew neck, which is much easier to find). So you can imagine how excited I was to find this one that had a picture of the Baba Yaga's traditional cabin on chicken legs.

In case you're wondering, the writing says "Turn your back to the forest, your front to me." That is the magical phrase that you were supposed to say to get Baba Yaga's hut to turn around and show you the front door. (And no, I don't read Russian...I asked the shirt's creator.)

I've been thinking I might give away one of these when I get closer to the book release. What do you think? Is that something anyone might like? They're cotton, and very comfy...

Cool Thing the Two:
I just finished reading my pal Alex Bledsoe's newest book in the Eddie LaCrosse sword jockey series. He Drank, and Saw the Spider is the fifth book in the series, and they just keep getting better and better. In fact, when I started reading, I intended to make a note of some of the best lines, and email Alex to tell him how great they were. By the time I hit about the 10th one, at only chapter two, I gave up. Yes, the book really IS that good. (Minerva didn't want to give it up so I could read it, as you can see. She is a cat of discerning taste.)

Cool Thing the Three:
I spent the last week putting together all my numbers for my accountant, so she could do my taxes. (Gah. No, that is NOT the cool thing.) For the first time ever, my combined jewelry and writing income actually exceeded my "Day Job" income. Mind you, that's before taxes, since once the government gets their huge Self-Employment chunk, it will be a lot less. And I'm going to have to pay out a large amount in taxes, which isn't going to be fun. And to be honest, some of that is a reflection of the not-so-large size of my salary for running a not-for-profit shop and not working full time. But still, as a concept, it is kind of cool. You have to take your wins where you can find them.

That's all I got, folks. Tell me something cool that's happening in your life, okay?

And So It Begins

I'm enjoying my Hibernation Vacation, and actually resting and reading a lot. I just started my friend Nancy Holzner's latest, HELLHOUND which is impressing the crap out of me. (If you haven't read this urban fantasy series yet, you're missing out.) I just whizzed through a contemporary romance by one of my favorite Brit authors, Trisha Ashley, called Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues, and a mystery by the wonderfully humorous Donna Andrews called Duck the Halls which nicely put me in the mood for what I saw when I woke up this morning:

 

Not much snow, thankfully, but enough to make it feel like winter instead of late fall. I guess it is time to put the rest of the little pumpkins on the compost heap. Sigh. But I have to admit, it is beautiful, in its own way.

Don't forget there are only two days left to enter the ongoing contest. There is at least one option you can do every day, if you have already entered. It doesn't look like we are going to meet any of the goals, alas, but don't worry--I'll still give away at least one prize anyway. I appreciate my loyal followers, every one!

Spread the word, if you are so inclined, and I'll be back to chatting about something later in the week.

Feline Friday: Cats & Books

Cats and books are two of my favorite things. (Chocolate and wine are fairly high on the list too...)

So in honor of Feline Friday, here are some pictures of some of the kitties with a few books by my favorite authors that came out recently. As usual, I HIGHLY recommend these folks (the authors, not the cats...although they are pretty cool too) and suggest you check out the books.

 Magic and Minerva can't decide who gets to read Morgan Keyes' Darkbeast Rebellion first, so they are sleeping on it. Morgan Keyes is the pen name of my pal Mindy Klasky, and this is the 2nd in her middle grade fantasy series. Don't be fooled by the "middle grade" designation--these are a great read for adults as well.

 I have read every book that Tamora Pierce has ever written--many of them multiple times. She writes stunning YA fantasy books set in amazing worlds (again, don't let the YA keep you from reading, although I also recommend these for anyone who wants to give a teen a book with strong female protagonists). Battle Magic continues the story of the young Winding Circle mages...I LOVE these books! Clearly, so does Magic the Cat. I'm pretty sure she thinks her name is on the cover...

Robin McKinley is just plain brilliant. She is another fantasy writer, and this stand-alone novel looks amazing. Shadows is set in a world where science and magic are at odds. Minerva isn't sure what she thinks about that. But I think it is going to be great!

My only problem now is deciding which one to read first! What do you think? And which one are you the most attracted to?

I haven't forgotten about trying to name the new car, by the way--I'm still trying to figure out the perfect name. If you have one you didn't mention in the previous blog, throw it into the ring!

Single Witch's Survival Guide

No, that isn't the name of my autobiography :-)

 

In fact, it is a new book by one of my favorite authors, Mindy Klasky. You probably won't be surprised to discover that some of my best-loved novels feature fictional witches--Mindy's Jane Madison books are at the top of that list. A number of years ago, I read the first three in the series about a librarian who accidentally stumbles upon a secret cache of magic books and inherits them, along with her quirky part man-part cat familiar Neko and the sexiest Warder ever (too bad he is grumpy, elusive, and determined to stop her from using magic).

I followed Jane's adventures in Girl's Guide to Witchcraft, Sorcery and the Single Girl, and Magic and the Modern Girl,which came out about five years ago. Then, much to my dismay, Mindy decided that Jane's story was finished, and moved on to other things (all of which were wonderful, but still, I LOVED this story!).

Thankfully, Mindy listened to me and the thousands of other readers who demanded more Jane Madison, and has started a whole new series featuring the next set of adventures in my favorite witch's life. (Hint: she tries to start a school for witches...it doesn't go well.) The great thing about these books is that you don't have to have read the first bunch to read these--although I guarantee that after you read this one, you will want to go get the others.

If you like witches in fiction, and a touch of humor in your reading, you are going to love Single Witch's Survival Guide. Just tell Mindy I sent you :-)

Read the First Chapter Here

Buy the Book in Print or Eversion Here

See What Mindy has to Say about Writing the Book

Girl's Guide to Witchcraft on Amazon

Have you read any of Mindy's books? Did you love them as much as I did?

Three of the Best: Jennifer Crusie, Lani Diane Rich and Katie Fforde

I read a lot. Often I have a couple of novels going at a time (one mellow one for before bed reading, and one more exciting one for first thing in the morning with breakfast). And my to-be-read pile is staggering. Okay...it's a whole shelf. OKAY--it's two whole shelves. And a partial other shelf. Don't judge me. "Hi, my name is Deborah and I am a book junky."

My fiction reading tastes are fairly eclectic: I grew up reading mostly science fiction and fantasy, then expanded into mysteries, paranormal romance and urban fantasy, and some contemporary romance and women's fiction. (I write in all those genres too. Except mystery, and I do have the start of a mystery novel hidden in a drawer somewhere.) I tend to read different things depending on the mood I'm in, and what I'm writing at the time.

[My critique partner, the amazing Lisa DiDio, and I had an interesting conversation about this recently. We have completely different approaches when it comes to what we read while we are in active writing mode. She avoids anything even close to what she's writing, and reads different genres so that other people's work can't affect her own. I, on the other hand, tend to immerse myself into whatever genre I'm writing at the time, so that my head stays in that "place." Interesting, yes? If you're a writer, which approach do you take?]

I also have what I consider to be "comfort reads." Like comfort food, only in book form. These are the authors I love so much that I will return to their books over and over again. I even buy their books in hardcover, if I can (gasp!).

During my recent weeks of dealing with The Cold from Hell, now renamed The Cold that Would Not Die, I reread a whole bunch of my favorite romances, written by three of my favorite authors: Jennifer Crusie, Lani Diane Rich, and Katie Fforde. All three tend to write fabulous quirky characters and have wonderful humorous voices. If you haven't heard of Katie Fforde, it is probably because she is British, but if you like warm, funny, true-to-the-heart romances, you should definitely seek her out. In fact, you should seek them all out.

There's a reason why I reread these books over and over, and that's the quality of the writing. As an author, I am always aware of how writers use words and imagery and build a world that draws the reader in. These three do all that as well as any writers I've ever read. I want to be them, when I grow up.

In the meanwhile, I try to learn everything I can from reading and rereading their many books. And they never get old, because these three authors are just that good.

Have you ever read any of their books, and if so, what did you think? And who are your favorite "comfort read" authors? Inquiring minds want to know.

Recommended Reading: The Firefly Witch

As most of you know, I have a particular fondness for stories about witches (good ones, usually, as opposed to the typical evil witch). If fact, many of my own novels feature witch characters of one sort or another. If you liked my book Witch Ever Way You Can and its follow-up short story Witch Upon a Star then you're going to love this collection of short stories about one of my favorite witch characters, the Firefly Witch.

If you've been around here for a while, then you've probably heard me talk about my author pal Alex Bledsoe, author of multitudinous grand and fabulous novels, including my favorites, the Eddie LaCrosse series. But what you may not know is that when he was starting out, Alex wrote a number of short stories about a character called the Firefly Witch, most of them published in the BBI Media magazine that predated the Witches & Pagans Magazine I write for today.

Luckily for those of us who missed them the first time around, Alex has put some of these stories out in eBook anthologies. Check it out:

Don't you love that cover? This is the first anthology, in which you meet Tanna, a woman with very special gifts, and Ry Tully, the man who eventually becomes her husband.

In these three short stories a small-town reporter meets a beautiful witch who shows him how mysterious, and dangerous, the world can truly be.

When small-town reporter Ry Tully meets the woman of his dreams, he has no idea what he's getting into.

Tanna is blind, but when fireflies are around, she can see. She's a graduate student in parapsychology, and psychic herself. She's also a second-degree Wiccan priestess--a witch. And her primary duty is to help those in need, whether living, dead, or otherwise.

Will Ry be able to forge a relationship with a woman so different from anyone he's known? Will Tanna rise to the challenges of both her new love, and her chosen path? And will the dark corners of the world be ready for the Firefly Witch?

The Firefly Witch (Amazon) The Firefly Witch (B&N)

There are a couple more anthologies that follow this unusual couple through their increasingly unusual (and sometimes creepy) adventures. One of the things I love about these stories is the way they show Tanna and Ry's always-steady love for one another, no matter what comes.
Croaked (Firefly Witch Tales)
Back Atcha

I hope you'll go check them out. Alex is also putting up some very cool "Day in the Life of a Writer" videos up on his blog, which I'm really enjoying. Writer's Day #6 Alex Bledsoe

Have you read anything recently that you want to recommend? I'm in the middle of an early novel by Tanya Huff (author of the Blood Ties books, among others) called Summon the Keeper (there's a talking cat in it). Lots of fun.

And I'm thinking of doing my own private "Black Friday" sale here...I'll be working at The Artisans' Guild, of course, and not shopping, but I was thinking of doing a one-day sale on my jewelry. Either putting up a few things with slightly cheaper prices than usual, or adding a few items to Etsy and throwing in a signed copy of one of my books for anyone who spends over $75. What do you think? Silly idea?

DARKBEAST: A Recommended Read

My friend Mindy Klasky just released her first middle-grade fantasy book under the name of Morgan Keyes. I was fortunate enough to read it in manuscript form, and it was one of the best books I've read in ages. (Don't let the "middle-grade" tag fool you; it is wonderful for younger readers, but also entertaining enough for folks like you and me. And if you're like my friend Lisa DiDio, who likes to read the same book her kids are reading, so they can discuss it, this is a perfect choice.)

Here is a copy of the review I put up on Amazon and B&N:

I grew up reading classic fantasy stories by such authors as Anne McCaffery, Andre Norton, Lloyd Alexander, and of course, Tolkien. I loved books that had strong female protagonists I could identify with, intriguing new worlds for me to get lost in, and an adventure I wanted to follow until the end (or beyond).

Author Morgan Keyes gives us all of those in her debut novel, Darkbeast. Keara is a believable, feisty, and courageous heroine, whose dedication to her companion Caw makes me root for her even when she makes mistakes. The world-building is fabulous, and reminds me of the classics of my youth, when authors created new lands I wanted to return to over and over.

This book is called a "Middle Grade" novel, and in fact I would recommend it highly to anyone looking for a good read for the younger set (it's a fast and easy read, perfect for the kid who doesn't "like" to read). But as an adult, I also found it satisfying and fun; I think it would suit anyone from 10 to 100.

If you like fantasy, you won't want to miss Darkbeast! (And if you have a favorite animal companion of your own, I'm sure they'd agree.)

Mindy/Morgan just found out today that B&N has chosen not to carry the book in its brick and mortar stores, although it will be available online and by special order. And, of course, it is on Amazon. For an author, this is a tough break, since that means that people can't just stumble across the book in a store--they have to know it exists and go looking for it. (Gives B&N a stern look.) So I'm trying to help by spreading the word. And I'd appreciate it if you would too, if you know of people you think might be interested.

 Mindy is going to guest blog here on September 21st (yay!). I'd love it if you'd run out and buy the book, then come back here (and to B&N or Amazon or Goodreads) and say how much you loved it :-)
DARKBEAST by Morgan Keyes

Two Men I Love: Recommended Reading

A quick reminder: the next online witchcraft class, "Witchcraft on a Shoestring," starts next Monday, August 27th. Registration closes on the 26th at 6 PM EST, and the class is starting to fill up. I hope to see a few of you there Witchcraft/Writing Workshop blog

I have a stack of books I want to put up in a Recommended Reading post (long overdue), but I just finished reading two that particularly knocked my socks off, so I thought I'd put them up in one post right away, since they just came out.

I realized some time ago that I seem to read a lot more women authors than men. I've never counted, but I'm guessing it is at least 65/35...maybe more. I'm not sure why this is, really. I do have some male authors I have been reading for years, like the late Dick Francis (British mysteries) and the fabulous Jim Butcher (The Dresden Files). And then there are the two men I am currently madly in love with [don't tell their wives!]--

Alex Bledsoe and Jim C. Hines

If you are a regular reader here, you have probably seen me mention Alex before. I even put up a picture of Magic the Cat hogging the new book when it first arrived that blog post. He is an incredibly imaginative and original writer, with a number of different series out, but my favorite has always been his Eddie LeCrosse books. Eddie is a sword jockey--like a cross between a 50's private detective and a sword and sorcery hero. His adventures started with The Sword-Edged Blonde and continue with his 4th Eddie book, Wake of the Bloody Angel. There are pirates (including a mostly-retired pirate queen who is one of the best female protagonists I've seen in years), monsters, and mystery...as well as Eddie's unconventional and enduring love story. This was undeniably the best of them all: gripping, funny, and smart. You're going to want to read this book.

Jim C. Hines is another one with a couple of different series. I adored his Princess series, with kick-ass heroines based on fairy tale princesses like Snow White (but not like any Disney princess you've ever seen, I promise you!). He just started a new "Magic Ex Libris" series, beginning with LIBRIOMANCER in which the hero is a magic user and a librarian. Oh, man--you had me at librarian! This book sucked me in from the first page and didn't let go until I finally put it down at 2 in the morning. (*shakes fist at Jim*) This is another one that featured a female side-protagonist who was completely original, likeable, and fascinating. Hines creates an entire world of magical use involving books; it is unlike anything I've ever read before and will appeal to the reader-geek in everyone. I can't wait for the next book in this series, and to find out what happens with the...er...unconventional love affair that was revealed at the end of this one. I'd give this book six stars, if I could. 

So here are two more books I can recommend highly. What are you reading now that you recommend?

Recommended Reading: DARKLANDS by Nancy Holzner

They call it Deadtown: the city’s quarantined section for its inhuman and undead residents. Most humans stay far from its border—but Victory Vaughn, Boston’s only professional demon slayer, isn’t exactly human…

Boston’s demons have been disappearing, and Vicky’s clients are canceling left and right. While fewer demons might seem like a good thing, Vicky suspects foul play. A missing Celtic cauldron from Harvard’s Peabody museum leads her to an unwelcome conclusion: Pryce, her demi-demon cousin and bitter enemy, is trying to regain his full powers.

But Pryce isn’t alone. He’s conjured another, darker villain from Vicky’s past. To stop them from destroying everything she loves, she’ll have to face her own worst fear—in the realm of the dead itself.

I have been reading Nancy Holzner's "Deadtown" series since the first one came out a few years ago. The novels (Deadtown, Hellforged, Bloodstone, and now Darklands) have grown better and better with each release--the characters more compelling, the action more exciting, the romantic subplot more, well, romantic. Vicky is a believable and likable protagonist, despite her flaws, and Kane, the werewolf lawyer she in involved with, literally walks through Hell to be with her.

Holzner not only provides nonstop action from page one, she also accomplishes a feat that most writers find nearly impossible: summing up the important information from previous books so well, you can pick up book four and read it without having read any of the previous novels. (Although I highly recommend them all, and once you get hooked on this series, I promise you will want to follow Vicky's journey from the very beginning.)

She also accomplished the impossible in creating an unusual and sympathetic zombie character--something I (not a zombie fan, usually) would have bet against. This author is one not to miss. Highly recommended. 5 Stars!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1937007707/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img 

Feline Friday: The Pirate Book Version

I was going to post a cute cat picture, and then a picture of the new Alex Bledsoe novel, Wake of a Bloody Angel [follow this link for more info and some cool music], which he was kind enough to send me.

But Magic the Cat very kindly decided to combine the two:

What can I say? She loves a good Eddie LaCrosse book, especially when it has PIRATES. Arg!

I love this series sooooo much. Alex is one of the cleverest authors around, and his combination of noir detective novel and sword and sorcery fantasy is the most original thing I've ever read. Since Magic clearly isn't willing to share, I guess you'll have to get your own :-)

the book on Amazon

Have you read any of Alex's books yet? I'd love to know what you think. If not, what book would you recommend for Magic to read next?

Recommended Reading: The Garden of Happy Endings

Recommended Reading—The Garden of Happy Endings

Periodically I like to choose from among the best books I’ve read recently and share them with my readers. I’m a big advocate of spreading the word about great writers and great writing. The last couple of months, I have been truly amazed—almost everything I read was so great, most of the books made it to this list. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll talk about my favorites in more detail than usual—because they deserve it. I hope you’ll check some of them out.

One of the books that really stood out was THE GARDEN OF HAPPY ENDINGS by Barbara O’Neal. I discovered Barbara through another author I love, Jennifer Crusie, and immediately ran through everything she’d had published under that name. [She also writes romance under her own name, Barbara Samuel.] I suppose these books would be classified as “Women’s Fiction,” but frankly, I think they are in a genre all their own.

The book blurb says: “In Barbara O’Neal’s novel of hope and renewal, two very different sisters discover that life is like a garden: tend to it daily, nourish it with patience and optimism, then watch the beauty unfold.”

The beauty is interspersed with darkness, and the hope with tragedy. This is not an easy book to read, although the writing itself is lyrical and flows smoothly. Reverend Elsa Montgomery struggles with a crisis of faith after a terrible incident, and her sister Tamsin’s world is shattered when she discovers that her husband is a criminal. But there is also gardening, and community, and faith, and friendship, and love.

This book is a treasure: a feast for mind and heart and soul. Harsh, vibrant, gentle, loving…its spirit will resonate in my bones long after the words have faded from memory. It may be a novel, but it is not a work of fiction. Just the opposite, for it contains the essence of all that is real and true about life. Including, of course, a difficult, believable, and ultimately satisfying tale of love.

If you read one book this summer, make it this one.

The book on Amazon 

Barbara's Website 

Coming up soon, my favorite paranormal romance, YA paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy and short story anthology!

Also coming up is my next online workshop at the class loop http://witchywritingwithdeborahblake.blogspot.com/ -- registration is open now!

 

 For those who are writing a witch character (whether protagonist or antagonist) and want to get it right. See what's already been done, learn the basics of a modern witchcraft practice, and get hints from someone who has written six nonfiction and four fiction books about witches, magic, and spellcraft.

This is a class that I have given a number of times before, usually over the course of about three weeks. We're going to see if we can cram it into FIVE DAYS. Are you up to the challenge? I hope you'll join me!