Melissa's Imaginarium

Origins Blogfest

2012-02-12T18:27:00.000-08:00

I'm posting this a bit early because my internet service is out right now and sporadic when I do get it, so please bear with me. I can't wait to get around the fest, but will have to at a slower pace. I am so very sorry for this! You all rock and I thank you so much for visiting me today.

Anyway, it's time for the awesome Origins Blogfest Presented by D.L. Hammonds and co-sponsored byAlex J. Cavanaugh, Matthew MacNish and Katie Mills. Yay!!Now you get to find out just how this maniac crazy dream of being a writer came to me. It's all thanks to a British author and a third grade teacher.

Let's hop into Ye Olde Wayback Machine and part the foggy mists of Time. The year is 1981 and I have just discovered the wonderful world of Narnia. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis is perhaps the single most influential book on my writing career. I love the total escape into another world and all the fantastical creatures therein.

As I lost myself in Narnia, Calormene, Archenland and the other realms in the tales, I found myself dreaming up my own continuing adventures there. I also started thinking about creating my own kingdoms. It wasn't long before I wanted to show my stuff to my teacher, Mrs. Hall. She introduced me to Mr. Lewis after all. But, she was not the support I thought she'd be.

While Mrs. Hall certainly did not discourage me, she didn't encourage me, either. It was more of a polite "That's nice, dear" vague dismissal along with a "don't you realize how hard it is to be a writer?" I was heartbroken. Another teacher, who wasn't even mine, Mrs. Martello, saw me crying. I showed her my story and she asked me what was wrong. I blubbered out my tale, then she took my story and read it. Afterward,she said the magic words "Don't cry. I think this is a beautiful story. You can be a writer just like C.S. Lewis if you want to. Don't ever let anyone tell you different."

She was my favorite teacher from then on. To this day she is still teaching and encouraging kids. Mrs. Martello, you rock! It's thanks to her and a world called Narnia that I am writing today.

Click here to visit another awesome Origins participant.

Author Spotlight: Xavier Axelson

2012-02-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's a killer Friday, Imaginarians. I have the privilege of having the brilliantly talented author, Xavier Axelson in the house today. What a cool cat he is, writing psychological horror and erotica. I just started reading him and I am hooked like a diabetic at a candy convention.

Tell us about the inspiration behind your latest release, Lily.

Lily is based on a true story about a young girl who was dragged off her swing set by a coyote and into the woods. In Southern California, we are encroaching on the coyote’s habitat, which has led the animals to wander into our yards and get into trouble. Obviously, I’ve changed the coyote into a wolf and have attempted to explore the horrors a parent must go through when something horrific like this happens.

What started you down the path of writing? Any particular favorite authors you'd love to share?

I’ve always been a writer, I grew up in a house where my love of reading was always encouraged, so I think that had something to do with my pursuit of writing. I love to read and there are so many authors I enjoy. Right now, I love vintage British Fiction published in the 40’s and 50’s.

What was the biggest surprise for you on the business end of being published?

The biggest surprise was discovering no one really cares about your work as much as you do, and that means I have to be vigilant when it comes to my promotion, advertising, etc.

I read that you like to cook, what are some of your other passions and pursuits?

I do love to cook and eat! I also love nature; the desert, the beach and road trips. I’m also an art lover and am fascinated with all kinds of design; fashion, architecture and curiosities.

What was the best writing advice you received and would gladly give to a room full of aspiring authors?

There is a book called, Making a Literary Life by Carolyn See and every word in it is worthy of speaking to a room full of writers; aspiring and otherwise. When I led a writers group of mostly college students I would tell them, “be generous with your readers, don’t rush it, don’t fake it and ignore what other people are doing. Just do you.”

I think that is some pretty increible advice. I'm going to have to get this book. Thank you so much Xavier, for stopping by. You can find out more about Xavier and his incredible stories by going to his website, following him on Facebook, his Twitter page or visiting him at his Examiner page.

Here's a look at Lily, Xavier's latest. It's a wrenching story that I could not put down.

Buy Link

Book Trailer

Blurb

When Pryor's daughter Lily is taken by a wolf, Pryor is convinced she has turned into the creature he sees lurking in his woods. He swears she promises to return to him. But is it his despair and desperation making him see things or is there something more lurking in the shadows of the forest? When he meets Ned, a silversmith who helps him with a plan to bring his daughter back into his life, he begins to live again. But can his newfound love help ease the horror that may be waiting? What if the ultimate horror isn’t when Lily was taken but it’s when Lily returns and he realizes his nightmare has only just begun...

Excerpt

I am Lily's father, my name is Pryor. It was a year ago last Father's Day when she was taken from me. I still believe being Lily's father is the most important thing in this world.

Unfortunately, my daughter dwells in another world.
* * * * *
I glanced at the necklace. Ned's pressed close to me, but the necklace I hoped would bring Lily back to me felt closer. Ned was soft in his sleep; not the bull of a man he was when he's awake. I loved him soft and I loved him hard. It was his hardness that grounded me, that brought me in from the darkness. The necklace caught the light of the fading moon and I wondered where Lily was tonight.

The old clock on the nightstand hummed quietly; its vintage florescent glow a pale mockery of the necklace that lay beside it and yet I heard the clock, it won in that department. Time always does.

Ned moved against me, I could feel his arms pull me close, felt the bulge of his muscles, his arms thick and powerful. He had never loved a man before me. I had only loved Lily. Once she changed, I had little left to love; in fact, I was certain love had disappeared from my life all together.

The clock still hummed, never quiet; it's old and made noise as if time itself wanted us all to know that it was passing and with each minute Lily fell farther and farther into the darkness. The tears came then and at the same time Ned's cock pushed more firmly against my back. He grumbled, pulled me even tighter so that I could truly feel his penis--not hard, not entirely soft--on the edge of wanting. A tear fell and I gasped a little. Seeing the necklace; hearing the clock, feeling Ned's cock, his muscles, I fell away into him and closed my eyes.

"Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I was," I replied softly.

"No you weren't," his voice was sleepy; distant and yet he knew things, he knew I was awake, thinking about my lost daughter.

"It's Father's Day," I answered, skipping over my lie. "Do you think she will come?" I felt him nod and nodded in return against my pillow. Another tear fell.

The Thursday Rundown

2012-02-09T00:10:00.000-08:00

It's Thursday and there are some exciting things coming up here at Ye Olde Imaginarium. First, Jesse aka Copyboy over at Not Worth Mentioning, made Melissa's Imaginarium his Hot New Blog of The Day, yesterday. Awesome! Thank you, Jesse!

Next, hot author Xavier Axelson will be here tomorrow. He is an amazing writer with an edge, whose stories are simply unforgettable. I've read his newest, Lily, got totally hooked and am now in the process of scooping up his other titles. I can't wait for tomorrow.

I saw two films recently, both utterly engrossing for very different reasons. The first is the new Soderbergh thriller, Haywire. What a badass bitch Mallory Kane is. Hell to the yeah, my peeps, we finally, FINALLY have an action heroine worthy of the title. Click here to go to The Movie 411 for the whole review.

The next is The Whistleblower, a Canadian indie flick about Kathryn Bolkovac, a Nebraska police officer who volunteered for a U.N. peace-keeping mission in Bosnia and uncovered a brutal sex trafficking ring run by her fellow Americans and others. It is a very harsh film about a violent and gruesome subject. There are scenes that made me white-knuckle my chair, so if you have any squeamishness at all, do not watch. Rachel Weisz is astounding as Kathryn, but it is Roxana Condurache in her debut performance as Raya, a young Ukrainian girl sold into slavery by her uncle, that rivets. She broke my heart. My review is here.

I'll also be participating in DL Hammons Origins Blogfest on Monday, February 13th. You'll all be able to find out where my writing dreams began. "Once upon a time in a land far away..."

Also, just four more days until more new eps of my newest obsession, The Walking Dead. Whoo Hoo!

My week has been relatively quiet so far with these movies plus a little more rest and relaxation. I'm feeling better and better as each day passes. I cannot thank you all enough for the amazing well wishes. I'm still a bit out of it, so please feel free to share your news and linkage with me. Tell me how you all are. :)

Break It Down: The Super Bowl Commercials

2012-02-06T06:45:00.000-08:00

So yesterday was the Super Bowl, the high holy day for those of us who are NFL football fanatics. And of course, with the big game came the commercials. I love watching what these advertisers come up with to try and entice us into shelling out more dough for stuff we already don't need.

The Good

I loved these three commercials. They were clever, funny and had a broad appeal to both women and men. I geeked out over the Metlife Insurance spot and the Ferris Bueller tribute from Honda.

The Bad

These were just lame, boring or otherwise unappealing.

Go Daddy (as per usual)I wonder if any women even consider Go Daddy when looking for domain names. I know I don't.

Kia Optima. This one is so cliched, its stupidity is self-explanatory. I mean does Kia actually think they'll draw in female buyers with this? We do purchase cars more than guys these days. And really, heavy metal and bikini models for an Optima? That's like dressing up grandma in a biker jacket.

The WTF

This title goes to Fiat for this strange commercial. If a car is going to be a woman, then she should be a Ferrari and not a Fiat. Otherwise, it's not much of a fantasy is it? It's kind of like taking a spa treatment at the local Comfort Inn. And what about this would actually influence a woman to buy a Fiat? But, then again, Fiat probably though they took care of the female audience with their lame J-Lo ad.

What did you think of these commercials? See any ads that annoy you when you watch TV? Any commercials you love?

Happy Friday!!

2012-02-03T09:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday!!! Well, I for one, am damned glad this week is over. I am finally feeling better and on the mend. Whew! Turns out, I have to get my fiber intake up, and I also have a small hernia. Oh yay. But, considering they were testing for cancer and other more serious things, I am on my knees thankful.

Since I went in Monday, I didn't get a chance to share those articles I wrote with you for Static Multimedia.com. There are two reviews, the first is for The Necromancer's Apprentice by Naomi Clark, a rather brilliant short story with lots of magic, zombies and wicked necromancers. The second is a thriller entitled Kill Zone by James L. Hatch. It is addicting reading. Finally, I wrote a short feature article talking about some interesting horror films coming to theaters and DVD/Blu-ray as well as a new TV show, The River by Paranormal Activity director Oren Peli and executive produced by Steven Spielberg. Check out February's Frightening Flicks.

I also missed the Insecure Writers Support Group this month, but I want to encourage all of you to check out these amazing writers and to join up for next month. Founded by the awesome Captain Ninja, Alex J. Cavanaugh, it really is a wonderful group and they give out so much encouragement to everyone.

Speaking of Alex, he is over at The Piedmont Writer today so go say Hi. Also, it's just a couple of more weeks until the sequel to Alex's awesome CassaStar releases, CassaFire. Whoo Hoo!!

And while I'm on the subject of new books, RaShelle Workman has a wonderful new book Sleeping Roses, now available on Amazon. It's a thriller that sounds downright chilling and is the first in her Dead Roses series. She has a contest going on right now so head on over there and enter. There's a copy of the book, a pen and bookmark in the mag prize package.

Finally, Stephen Tremp, author of Opening was at the always amazing MPax's blog Wistful Nebulae on the 30th. Check it out, it's a great piece. Both of these wonderful authors will be here at the Imaginarium later this month. Yay!!

Have a great weekend everyone and thank you so very much for all the well wishes. They really touched me and made me feel better. You truly are the best blog buddies/friends and I appreciate each and every one of you.

In Hospital

2012-02-01T17:47:00.000-08:00

Hey there everyone, yes I know I swore I would get back to you all, but something else happened. I've been in the hospital for the last three days. Brilliant, right? A cherry on top of ye olde shit sundae. I won't go into the gory details, but I have been x-rayed, scoped and had enough blood drawn to feed a vampire for a month. Thankfully, it wasn't cancer nor did this require any kind of surgery. Scared ten years off my fat ass though.

Anyway, I am trying to rest and get myself back to 100%. I'll be poking around til then.

So Where In The Sam Hill Have I Been?

2012-01-30T02:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday!! I want to apologize big time for my sudden absence. I got an unexpected job assignment which also coincided with two articles that I had to get done as well as a new tutoring gig. Did I mention I have no internet access for about twelve hours each day during the week? So I had to take myself out of the blogosphere for a bit. I'm still on assignment, but at least the articles are now done. Yay!! I'll post the links as soon as they go live. And I promise to catch up with my commenting and my replies. Thank you so much for all your witty, kind and awesome comments. You really do rock and I appreciate your constant support.

Today is the big sign up for the Great A to Z Blog Challenge so hurry up and get over there to join. It's going to be epic fun.

Since I still haven't quite figured out where my ass is, I'm leaving you with one of my favorite clips from one of my favorite shows, Taxi. Because hey, it's Monday and we need to laugh.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

2012-01-22T10:22:00.000-08:00

Okay, so when I first heard about this movie, I laughed uproariously. I mean I was straight up choking on my sugar free Gummi Bears in the theater. There was no way I was going to sit through this. Well, my Movie Roundtable gang worked on me and got me to reconsider. So last night,without handcuffs, a knock on the head or other restraints, I watched Rise of the Planet of the Apes. And to my shock, I was entertained.

Now, lest you think I did a complete Pod Person role reversal, I also had some huge problems with it. But, another surprise, these were not of the CGI variety. I thought the apes looked magnificent and Andy Serkis had me believing he really was a chimp with a revved up brain. The way Caesar evolved from boyish chimp to someone who doesn't fit in, and finally to the leader of a revolution, was nothing short of brilliant.

I drank the Kool-Aid for the most part and found myself very involved in Caesar's story, getting excited when he plotted his revenge and led his fellow apes on a dare I say it, heroic uprising. I hate cruelty to animals and loved how the director brought us into Caesar's POV. It was wrenching at times. Made more so because Caesar would not let his apes kill the humans. The best scene in the whole movie was when his abilities increased enough so that he was able to utter the word "No" in defiance of his captors. It was a powerful, pivotal moment that stayed with me.

The action sequences were incredible and the way Rupert Wyatt seemlessly blended the apes into the shots was stunning. Nothing appeared CGI. Take note Peter Jackson and James Cameron, you may have developed the tech, but you do NOT know how to use it wisely without having any character appear like cartoons.

I digress.

Here's where my problems started. You knew this was coming. ;) The characters all appeared to fall into 2 categories: Douchebag and Not Douchebag. A bit too simplistic, if you ask me. Party of the first: Brian Cox and Tom Felton run an ape "sanctuary" which is a completely over-the-top, sadistic prison where they gleefully torture the inmates. They're so awful, they're caricatures rather than believable characters. Cruella Deville times 2 with no motivation. At least she wanted a puppy coat. This primate Big House was so San Quentin-esque that I half-expected Johnny Cash to come out and lead the apes in a rousing rendition of Folsom Prison Blues. Uh, ASPCA anyone? PETA?

The D-Bag category also includes David Oyelowo as the hard-nosed greedy corporate suit who cares about nothing, but money and image. Very stock and uninteresting, delegating every little thing, even the wiping of his ass. Then he completely steps out of character to climb into a helicopter, grab a gun and hunt those apes. Wall Street turned Big Game Hunter. I've seen this exact character in a million cheap SyFy channel flicks. Then we have the inexplicable, in-dire-need-of-anger-management neighbor. The littlest thing sets this guy to beating things with baseballs bats and slamming people up against walls. He might as well have been wearing a tee shirt that read "I am the Angry Asshole."

Non D-Bags are of course, James Franco, John Lithgow and Freida Pinto. Franco's Rodman goes to great lengths to keep his rapidly crumbling world together. I can identify with that. However, I found Franco's overall performance a bit uneven. He seemed to roll along in disconnect, then plug back in at certain times. Not to mention all the larceny he was so easily getting away with. I mean where was security every time he walked out with vials of drugs? Taking lunch?

Oh Freida, it's no wonder Danny Boyle didn't let you really speak in Slum Dog. While her Caroline helps Will to understand the grown-up Caesar, she really has no chemistry with Franco and their whole romance seems forced.Plus, she's pretty much useless after Caesar is gone. I like her, but she needs lessons on delivering more emotion in her performances.

John Lithgow was my favorite here. His performance is heartbreaking and yet, a joy to behold. He shines as Will's stricken father and his relationship with Caesar is so touching. I think he deserves Oscar consideration for this right along with Serkis.

There were also some other things that I found hard to digest. For instance, how a chimp could be pregnant and give birth to the complete ignorance of the scientists who work with her every day, including the on-site animal expert. Even a five year old knows that a round belly on girl dog probably means she's gonna have a baby. And apes smell. Big. Time. So why would you bring your potential piece of ass to the monkey prison, Tom Felton? Not gonna score if they fling poo at her. And as a huge fan of the original, I did not appreciate the co-opting of certain lines. Felton was NOT coming from the same place as Heston.

Overall, I enjoyed Rise and am glad my cohorts encouraged me to see it. I do think that between this and the other Apes films, this franchise has been played out. There are no new stories to tell, only reboots so I hope there won't be a sequel. I probably won't be as kind next time.

Friday Awesomeness & Someone You Should Know

2012-01-20T11:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday, yo! I want to kick off this weekend with positive things and share with you the awesomeness from my fellow blogger buds and friends.

My fellow Amber Quill folks, KC Kendricks and Rick R. Reed have new releases as well. Whoo Hoo!! KC's is called A Cat Named Hercules and Rick's is I Heart Boston Terriers They're part of an Amber Pax collection called Heavy Petting,
which also features fellow authors Christiane France with And The Cat Came Back, Deirdre O'Dare with Smoke and Spots and A. J. Llewellyn with Bunyip. This is a m/m story collection about men who find love through the unexpected interference of their non-human best friends.

Stephen Tremp's newest, Opening has dropped. Congratulations!!! Go and read this right now. And you also got to get his other brilliant novel, Breakthrough.

Melissa Sugar, from Have You Heard is running a fantabulous contest of epic proportions. Starting on the 29 of January and running through Feb, 29th (Leap Year). It's a incredible contest that aims to help spread the word about fellow bloggers whose own sites may not be as well known as others. The prizes are just stupendous so go and check it out. Help your fellow bloggers. Our community is the best.

The inaugural edition of the Vine Leaves Literary Journal has gone live. This is an amazing creation is the brainchild of Jessica Bell and Dawn Ius that takes the art of the vignette to new heights.

Captain Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh is over at Susan Roebuck's talking about successful blogging. The trailer for his soon-to-be-released CassaFire is up for voting tomorrow at You Gotta Read.

And for my You Should Know Fridays, I'm going to shine the spotlight on a wonderful friend to the Imaginarium, PK Hrezo. She has an awesome blog that is always full of positive thoughts and interesting, engaging posts. She posts about her passions, her writing and her fiction addiction. I love her blog and I know you will too.

Well, that's it for me. I'm hunkering down for an icy winter blast that will freeze me to my toenails. Doesn't stop me from craving ice cream. LOL 6 inches of snow and temps below zero, Oy! I may venture out to see Haywire, but that might have to wait until Sunday.

**Image is from Good Light Scraps.

Movies I Hate & Wish I'd Never Paid To See Part...Whatever

2012-01-16T09:14:00.000-08:00

With all the hype surrounding David Fincher and his Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, as well as all the press he's received for The Social Network, it's time to break my 20 year vow of silence on perhaps the worst movie ever made in my opinion, Fincher's Alien 3. Where do I begin to describe the utter WTFery that is this movie? This film ruined what had been a sensational franchise, detonating it in one huge mushroom cloud of artsy, fartsy misguided nonsense, leaving Ripley dead and we the fans in a smoking wreckage from which we have never recovered. Hello, Alien Resurrection.

Who the hell thought it would be an awesome idea to have Fincher make his big-budget debut with this movie? Because yeah, making 80's music vids so qualified him to succeed James Cameron on a sci fi epic. To be fair, there were more script changes than winning lottery combinations. Why? What the hell was so hard? It's a fucking sci fi horror. You have alien monsters, people getting killed and a kick ass woman who takes them down. A simple, in-your-face formula that worked.

And it was fucked with it seven ways to Katmandu. Morphed into a weird, unrecognizable mess of shaved heads and psychotropic drugs. I went into this on a high reserved heretofore only for the original Star Wars sequels and well, Aliens. From the first frame, I wanted to put the beat down on Fincher and his producers, put their collective manly bits in a spice grinder. This was not my Ripley and not my ass-kicking sci fi movie. It was betrayal at the highest levels. Kill Hicks and Newt? Are you fucking kidding me? Set it on a prison planet? All right, we could go with that. But kill off Ellen Ripley? What exactly were they smoking/shooting up? And to think I paid top dollar on a midnight opening for this. Talk about How To Kill A Multi-million Dollar Franchise In 10 Frames Or Less.

Deep breath...I was spewing as I wrote this and had to do some serious editing. 20 years is a long time to keep rage inside. Maybe I can channel it into a story...Anyway, at least I can look forward to the return of Ridley Scott with his Alien prequel, Prometheus. And maybe a franchise can be reborn.

It's the A to Z Challenge!!!!

2012-01-13T00:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday!! It's good to reach another weekend. Maybe I can have total fun instead of worrying about computer problems this time. LOL Anyway, today I wanted to kick off the weekend with some really good stuff. First, the big A to Z Challenge is coming this April, Whoo Hoo!! Second, I want to get back to my You Should Know Fridays by talking about some cool peeps you will love like I do.

Okay Imaginarians, if you haven't, pretty please check out the A to Z Challenge. Seriously, this has to be one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had since I started blogging. I met so many new people through this and made a whole host of friends that I treasure. They are the best! If you really want to reach out and connect with great people, this is the way to do it.

I know what you're thinking, 26 posts in 26 days...No way, Mel. I can't post that much. Yes. You. Can. It sounds daunting,and it is, believe me, I know. Last year I started off with a bang, even had the Gashlycrumb Tinies kick off my posts each day, but I stumbled like a rookie runner mid-race. I did not finish on time. I think my last post came during the second week of May, but it was all good. Arlee and the gang were there to keep me encouraged as I chugged through to the finish. But that will not be you. With a little planning, doing all these posts will be easier than you think.

All right, Mel, but what about all those bloggers? There is no way I could possibly visit all these people. Okay, you got me there. Last year, there were over 1300 participants (Zoinks!) which made for one huge-ass obstacle in getting around to the all the bloggers. However, the organizers heard and made some changes to smooth this all out. Check out the A to Z site for helpful hints. I also encourage you just to pace yourself. Try to visit as many as you can and don't worry about the numbers. You're ultimately here to explore and make friends. This is fun, a challenge, a fest, not a timed gauntlet run. The list of participants was left up long after the Challenge ended last year to give people the opportunity to keep on checking out blogs.

And now for the organizers. This year's team of sponsors is a tremendous group whom I consider real pillars of the blogging community. They are extraordinarily supportive and do so much for all of us. They absolutely rock in my book. And they happen to be my You Should Know Friday selections. Go to their blogs, follow them, they really know their stuff and they are just the best. I love their blogs and you will, too.

Arlee Bird Tossing It Out
Damyanti Biswas Amlokiblogs
Tina Downey Life Is Good
Alex J. Cavanaugh Alex J. Cavanaugh
D.L. Hammons Cruising Altitude 2.0
Jeremy Hawkins Retro-Zombie
Karen Jones Gowen Coming Down The Mountain
Shannon Lawrence The Warrior Muse
Matthew MacNish The QQQE Blog
Elizabeth Mueller Author Elizabeth Mueller
Jenny Pearson Pearson Report
Konstanz Silverbow No Thought 2 Small
Stephen Tremp Breakthrough Blogs

Now to sign up for this, go to Blogging From A To Z April Challenge starting on Monday, January 30. The Imaginarium would not be what it is without the Challenge and I absolutely encourage you to do it. It's fun, it's amazing and one hellagood time.

Some Mid Week Inspiration

2012-01-11T02:00:00.000-08:00

My sister shared this really incredible video with me and I wanted to share it with you. The young women in this video exemplify sportsmanship and honor. They are an absolute inspiration and reminder that there are great people and blessings everywhere. I certainly had that brought home to me these last months. I feel incredibly blessed in my circle of friends and cannot thank everyone enough for propping me up when I needed it.

Watch Christian Videos and Read the Online Bible at GodVine.com

I'm BAAAAACK (Well, mostly)

2012-01-10T08:57:00.000-08:00

Whoo Hoo!!! Imaginarians, I am back. Let the chorus of Hallelujahs begin.

So what the eff happened?

Do not ever, EVER make the mistake of uninstalling Norton without their Uninstall Tool. It screws everything up. Big. Time. I could only operate in Safe Mode and I was panicked, well, freaking out, more like. Not good. I do not do well with tech. I called my friend, Dave and after he talked me down off the ledge, he picked me up, along with my PC and all its parts, then we decamped to his place. I have to say, he is truly one of the most incredible people I know.

Anyway, he set to work. A complete re-install was called for, which took like 5-6 hours, then we had to do all the updates for the system, which as it turned out, I needed like 457 of them. Thanks Windows Vista. I found out the hard way that if you have virus protection running, many of Vista's updates will fail, only it won't tell you they failed unless you are in the Window's Update screen. No, instead it'll go through the automatic updates, tell you stuff has been updated and let you move on.

We kept installing updates and 24 hours later, we were still finding them for my baby. What a nightmare! But, yesterday, after 48 hours, I finally, FINALLY, got the magical "There are no new updates." Now, it's just a matter of getting my software back and other programs as well as all the files that we copied to this external hard drive back onto my computer. It'll take some more time, but the hard stuff is done and I am operational.

The weekend wasn't a total loss, though. In between all of this, I did manage to catch the football games and have some good food and beer.

All of this taught me that on my dating profile, Must Be Computer Geek has replaced Sense of Humor as my Number 1 on What I Am Looking For In A Potential Mate.

So...I'm BAAAACK! And getting my groove on in a victory dance. I may film this, I'm so happy. LOL

Okay, One more thing before I go...

THANK YOU, DAVE!!! (standing on roof, shouting)

Another Short Post

2012-01-07T11:02:00.000-08:00

I'm having my computer worked on today and I don't know what will happen. If I'm not back send a posse...lol, *fingers crossed, sick smile in place* Hopefully it will all work out, but if you need to get in touch with me, send a line to melbwrites@gmail.com, I will be able to check email from other computers as well as Facebook and Twitter which are on my side bar. Please be patient, I don't want to leave you all, but... *heaving sobs start* Until soon, to quote my favorite authors Sharon Lee and Steve Miller and their awesome Liaden Universe.

A Call For Help

2012-01-06T13:31:00.000-08:00

Very short post today, but a very important one. Candace from The Misadventures In Candyland is in need of our help. You all have helped me so much with your kind words and in other ways this year, that when I found out about Candace's plight, I wanted to do something to help. I understand will be taken down in 24 hours.

I know times are tough and our various situations are less than ideal, but even if you just repost or spread the word. She's an awesome friend to the blogging community and I love her attitude. I only wish I had seen this sooner. Thank you guys. You are all amazing. And thank you for all of the incredible, heartwarming comment you left on my Insecure Writers Post. That made my week. Hugs! I'll be back soon with more fun, I promise. Hugs to you my Imaginarians, my friends. :)

Insecure Writers Support Group: It's A New Year & A New Beginning

2012-01-04T00:52:00.000-08:00

It's time for the first IWSG post of this new year and I want to start off in a positive manner because I am trying to maintain mine. If you're new to the IWSG, please visit here and read all about this amazing group started by the always encouraging, Alex. J. Cavanaugh, friend and ardent supporter of writers and creative people everywhere. Plus, he's a sci fi and movie geek par excellence.

Being positive is difficult when it comes to writing, especially when we've gotten away from it because of overwhelming outside circumstances. It is hard as hell to be positive and keep the creative juices flowing then.

I admit, my friends, that I have not written a single syllable of fiction in six weeks. 6 weeks. Whew, writing it down here is like saying it out loud. I am relieved to come clean with you all. I let outside factors drag me down big time and once you go down that road, it is hard to turn around.

Now what do about that. Well, I'm starting by dedicating myself to writing some fiction every single day, whether it's a whole chapter or a few pages or even half a page. Some is better than none is my credo for now. I know there are those who will say you must do a specific page count if you want to get anywhere, but I just want to get back to it. Period. Even a paragraph is better than absolutely nothing.

I am also organizing my story ideas and projects. Thinking like an author with contracts to fulfill (I'm being positive!) helps to maintain that writing frame of mind. Cleaning my writing space is another. I have let other things creep into my authorial realm...bills, to do lists, etc. Even if you use your writing space for other paperwork, that stuff should have its own drawer so it's not visible as you try to write.

These small steps will hopefully start me on my road back to fiction writing. It's a new year and a new beginning!

And so ends my post for this first IWSG post for 2012. I wish you all good writing this year and may 2012 see our writing dreams come true.

Off With A Bang: An Award And Some Kink

2012-01-01T15:54:00.000-08:00

Well, now didn't that title just get you going? LOL It;s the first day of a brand new year and I am starting things off with a dose of red hot awesome sauce. First, I wan to say that I hope you all celebrated with style whether it involved doing something quiet or a Saturnalian revelry of epic proportions. If the revelry is the case, please email me the salacious details. ;)

Jeremy, ofiZombie Lover and jmh digital has graciously gifted me with the Zombie Rabbit Award. Isn't it wicked cool?

And now for that kink. You know were dying to hear about this. ;)

So I was looking for something different to read as my 2011 wound to a close when this naughty little number caught my eye. Kink and the City: An Englishman In New York is a salacious memoir that is also an honest, irreverent look at the insular world of kink and BDSM. John Smith with his engaging, tongue-in-cheek style takes the reader on a voyeuristic journey into a realm that is misunderstood and often mocked by those who have never entered its gates.

As an erotica writer, I found myself by turns impressed, laughing out loud and simply sitting there with my jaw agape. He spares no detail and shares everything from play times to techniques in single tail whipping along with a veritable glossary of terms to expand one's knowledge of this world.

A subversive, edgy work with an almost philosophical air, it is also an engrossing satire the likes of which I have never read before. Most definitely not a book for the average reader. But, if you are willing to set aside preconceived notions and open your minds, you are in for one hellagood, entertaining reading experience.

Happy New Year And My Resolutions

2011-12-30T16:35:00.000-08:00

It's the last day of the year and I am stunned at how quickly the time has gone. Can't believe we're at 2012, the Mayan apocalypse if you believe that stuff. I don't. After the craptacular way 2011 started and ended for me, I have to believe that 2012 is going rock. I've made some resolutions to help me get my act together this new year.

1. Get healthy I know I resolve to lose weight, etc, every year, but the way my health has been of late, I really need to get on track. I'm sufficiently scared to do this. Plus, I will be standing up in November to a wedding on the Maya Riviera and I want to look and feel my best.

2. New job. I really, really need some full time work. This hustling with freelance and no insurance is killing me.

3. Get my writing organized and get out those two novels that have been gathering serious dust in the back of my desk. I want them published and am determined to see this happened.

There are only three, but these are going to be tough and I feel that if I can accomplish them, then my 2012 will be epic.

I have gotten so much wonderful, amazing support and words of encouragement from all of you out there, it has really humbled and stunned me. I think you all are the best blog buddies anywhere and I hope that 2012 brings you all good things, huge success and dreams come true. I look forward to spending more time with you next year and hearing all about your joys, your successes and your troubles. You will always have a friend here.

Reviews And A Re-Cap

2011-12-27T02:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Dec. 27th!! Well, are we sufficiently recovered from our food comas and hang-overs? Only 4 more days til the drinking and eating binges on New Year's Eve. Hard to believe there's only 4 more days and 2011 will be a bad memory. I don't know about you all out there, but 2011 was an odd year for me. Bookends with bad shit with lots of good stuff and good friends in between like the cream of an Oreo cookie. Can't wait for it to be over though as this month has sucked out loud.

I just finished two reviews, one for Fright Night 2011, which I liked. I thought Marti Noxon's script really respected the source material. Here's the link. I also saw Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows. What an incredible movie! Check it out at The Movie 411

I had an awesome Christmas with my family. We shared lots of laughs, watched our Bulls pull off a HUGE upset of the Los Angeles Lakers AT the Staples Center. Hell to the yeah!! Suck it, Kobe! However, all was not right with my sports world. Our Bears were crushed by our hated rivals, the Green Bay Packers. Ugh! But, my Derrick Rose and my Joakim Noah made me feel better. I hate the Lakers as much as I loathe the Packers.

I got some really wonderful presents that truly were awesome. I got a digital camera from one of my dearest friends, which totally blew my mind. D rocks! He has had my back for nearly twenty years and I wouldn't know what to do without him or my sister from another mother, S, who also happens to be his fiancee. I scored some great DVD's thanks to my mom and my sisters. Sons of Anarchy, Burn Notice, Somewhere in Time, The Wolfman, oh and Fright Night 1985 from the coolest film geek I know, R. In the past he's gotten me titles like Alien from L.A., Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, Night of the Lepus, Them!, Plan 9 From Outer Space and The Brain That Wouldn't Die. I worship at his feet, you know.

My puppy Vegas came through her first Christmas with lots of toys. I mean like a dump truck full. LOL Her spoiled? Never! She has this little monkey that she just has been tearing into and carrying it everywhere. It's hilarious.

My fave part was hanging out all day Christmas Eve with my youngest sister. We always have a great time, but this year we wrapped our gifts together and faced the last minute crowds at the store like troopers. We went to midnight mass at our church with my mom and the choir sounded terrific and the whole place looked amazing. They darken the church except for some candles, then process the Baby Jesus to the manger at the start of the service, lighting each section until the altar is lit up at the last. It's really gorgeous.

How was your holiday? I'd love to hear from you.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and All Good Things

2011-12-24T10:04:00.000-08:00

To all my Imaginarians out there, Happy Holidays!!! Hope you all are celebrating this season with family, friends and lots of good food and drink. I want to wish you joy, peace and many blessings in the coming year. I appreciate you all for sticking with me and being part of my little corner of the blogosphere. You are the BEST!!

To bring a little smile to your faces, I'm leaving you with the infamous squirrel scene from my favorite holiday movie ever, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I laugh til I cry every time I watch this thing. I know, gosh Mel, you are so juvenile. Well, it's the holidays and I am in high spirits. No, not that kind, either. That comes later, ;).

I'm So Sexy Yeah!!!

2011-12-20T21:35:00.000-08:00

Wowzers!!! Imaginarians I cannot believe this, but yours truly has won Sexiest Female Author at the 2011 Movie 411 Awards. I feel like singing, but I promise not to make your ears bleed and dogs come running. To all of you out there who nominated, then voted for me, you have made my entire month and I cannot even begin to find the right words to express the depth of my gratitude. This has done wonders for my spirit, which has taken a beating these last weeks. I love you so much!!

Congrats to all the winners and nominees. You have made this year's awards just the best.

For the entire list please click here. Go on and congratulate these amazing people.

A Ninja Giveaway & ATrailblazing Woman Remembered

2011-12-20T04:48:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday, Imaginarians!! Hope you all are having a terrific week so far. I wanted to share some exciting news. Captain Ninja, Alex J. Cavanaugh, is having a stellar giveaway. It includes not only a copy of his sci fi epic CassaStar, but...BUT it also includes a review copy of CassaFire, the highly anticipated sequel which will blaze into our solar system on February 28, 2012. But wait... There's MORE! Included also in this stupendous bag of awesomeness is bookmarks, postcards and other goodies courtesy of Dancing Lemur Press, Alex's publisher. How cool is this? All you kids have to do is head on over to his site here for all the rules. It's open until Dec 31 and the winner will be announced on January 4.

And now I want to share with you a trailblazing woman who left a huge mark in this world and won't soon be forgotten. If you have ever seen A League of Their Own, you'll know about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Mabel Holle was one of the first to sign up when PK Wrigley came calling in 1943 with his idea of the AAGPBL. She played third base and outfield for the Kenosha Comets and later the South Bend Blue Sox. She even had her very own baseball card and is included in the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

She admired baseball greats Stan Musial and Dizzy Dean and said in an interview with thediamondangle.com that the thrill came from "Playing every day with and against strong teams. Being treated like a pro by not only management, but by your team and your fans. And of course being together with your teammates." Treated like pros at a time when women were not equals is amazing. She made 50 to 70 dollars a week, which was more than her father at the time. Yet, even as a pro athlete she still had to wear skirts, make up and take part in etiquette lessons.

After leaving the league in 1944, Mabel took a teaching job. It was in this capacity where she affected the lives of thousands of girls. She spent 35 years as phys ed teacher and coach at Waukegan High School and was instrumental in bringing Title IX to Illinois, the 1972 federal law that bars sex discrimination in academics and school sports.

She passed away on Sunday, Dec. 11 at the age of 91. On behalf of all women, thank you, Mabel for blazing a trail the rest of us have followed. You are one of my kick-ass heroines.

Birthday Bash Winner And Mel's Salacious Adventure

2011-12-18T22:52:00.000-08:00

Sorry I've been so quiet this weekend, but I was celebrating away and having a kick ass birthday weekend. Thank you all for sharing your birthday memories. I loved reading them all from the amazing to the not so great. You are brave for sharing them and I appreciate it very much. So all of your names went in to my Atomic Randomizer aka my Bears cap, and the nephew drew out the name of the lucky winner. Without further ado, congratulations to...

L.G. Smith

Yay!!!! L.G., email me at melbwrites@gmail.com and let me know which of my stories you would like. Congratulations!

Now on to my salacious adventure. I went to a very naughty Holiday party this weekend and we had to bring spicy gifts. In order to purchase such titillating items, I went to a rather perverted little store . This place is one block from Chicago's biggest Catholic church. In fact, I could see the cross high atop the steeple as I walked inside. A bit unnerving, if I do say so myself.

Inside, there was the usual assortment of gag gifts like blow job bibs, penis suckers, finger vibes and games like "Who's the Biggest Slut?" "What the Fuck?" bar cards, and Hump: The Game of Erotic Education. There was also bondage accoutrements, handcuffs, whips, riding crops and restraints. What got me as I was looking at the selections, the song "Have A Holly, Jolly Christmas" came on over the loud speaker. Followed by "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." I am never going to listen to these songs in the same way again. This place also had booths. You know the kind, back of the store through the beaded curtain and/or swinging door. A few men came in to partake of the visual aids when they noticed me standing mere feet from their afternoon solo flights. They immediately started shuffling around, trying to find something to do until I left. But, I stayed. They kept looking at me, looking at the swinging doors, looking at me, looking at...You get the picture. Finally I just stared right back at them and said "Go ahead, I'm not an undercover nun or anything." It was a stampede, I tell you. ;)

Oh and in case you were wondering, I bought a riding crop and a sexual positions coupon booklet and some flavored massage oil. It went over very well at the Naughty Holiday Party grab bag.

Happy Birthday !! It's Party Time

2011-12-15T00:10:00.000-08:00

Sing it with me now..."Happy Birthday to..." Nah, I won't make you sing. Just come on in and join my party. Alex Cavanaugh kicked things off yesterday. Thank you Captain Ninja Alex! To kick this celebration into high gear today, I've got angels, demons, zombies and of course, werewolves all lurking around the premises so beware. LOL You gotta watch the wolves, they tend to bite and claw when the cake comes out. And what a cake it is. Red Velvet for my sexy self. Delicious, no?

Yes red velvet is my favorite cake and I intend to have a slice. I'm diabetic, but this will have sugar-free frosting, so I'm being partially good. I also intend to raise a pomegranate martini to you, my friends. You are the best! Of course, I'll be careful NOT to end up like this guy below. I did that one year and yeah, it was pretty ugly.

This is a rough birthday this year, but I'm reminded of one my best birthdays ever, which came a few days after the occasion. In 1997, I was spending my first b-day and Christmas without my grandmother and I was depressed as all get out. My birthday came and went and so did Christmas. Then out of the blue, my best friend called from North Carolina. She called me the day before New Years and told me to get my rear in gear and head to O'Hare airport on New Year's Eve. There was a ticket waiting for me. I flew down on New Year's, spent the holiday and the whole following week with her. It was the most incredible gift and we had such a terrific time. I remember that week so well. We hung out, went hiking and just laughed our asses off.

Do you have a favorite birthday memory? A birthday drink/cake? Talk to me. As a gift, I'll select one person to win a download copy of their choice of one of my stories. I'm going to head back into the party and hopefully hook up with a werewolf. ;)

Captain Ninja Alex: The Interview

2011-12-14T04:41:00.000-08:00

I am so excited Imaginarians, today I am kicking off my 2 day birthday festivities and I have the coolest ninja ever, the captain himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh. (Cue the Kermit the Frog yays)He agreed to be interviewed by yours truly and I could not have been more pleased. Though he is our captain and friend, here's a little about Alex you may or may not know and of course I tried to dig out what I could in the interview.

Alex has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. (yay for literacy!)A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Currently he lives in the Carolinas with his wife. And now, the Interview.

When did you know that you wanted to be a writer? Who are some of your major influences?

I wrote some as a teen, although it was never my goal to be an author. I’ve always enjoyed Terry Brooks, Preston & Child, and Timothy Zahn. When I found the original version of CassaStar a few years ago, I realized that while the storyline sucked the characters were strong. I decided to go for it and rewrote the entire story.

Cassastar and its soon-to-be-released sequel, Cassafire, are space opera adventures. What was the inspiration behind them? Any plans to make them into a trilogy?

They were inspired by hours of TV and movie watching! I dug Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica, and I envisioned my own space adventures. Everyone expects a trilogy, but I’m not sure it will happen. I never planned more than one book anyway!

Have you ever thought about writing more hard science based fiction?

My job involves a lot of technical work, and I write to escape. So I doubt I’ll ever dump a lot of hard tech or science into my writing.

What has surprised you most about the business side of writing?

The promotional aspect was more than I expected. And I guess I never really thought about the multitude of strangers who’d read my book. (Yes, when CassaStar shot onto Amazon’s Best Seller chart I rather freaked!)

I know you play guitar and are a film buff, what are some of your other passions and pursuits? Any that might surprise your Ninja Army?

Despite all of my geekness, I’m also a big sports fan. Football, hockey, basketball - I enjoy watching and attending sports games.

If you could take any character from Cassastar or Cassafire out to show off our little rock here, who would it be? Where would you go, what would you do?

No question I’d select Athee! (After all, she looks like Kate Beckinsale.) She has a fascination with fighter planes, so I imagine I’d be showing off some of our best military jets. Actually, Athee is really feisty and tends to get her way, so I’d probably take her wherever she wanted to go. (Did I mention she looks like Kate Beckinsale?)

Music or silence when you’re at your computer, steeped in the world of your creation?

Music! I write while rocking out to the likes of In Flames, Dream Theater, Rush, Shadows Fall, etc. Music sets the mood for me.

What was the best piece of writing advice you have ever received?

Don’t overthink it - just write!

Thanks so much, Melissa - you’re awesome!

Aww... thanks Alex. :) Now for more about Alex and his fantastic stories, you can go to his blog or follow him on Twitter.

CassaStar by Alex J. Cavanaugh
6x9 Trade paperback, 246 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Science fiction - space opera/adventure
Print ISBN 978-0-9816210-6-7 $15.95
EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-3-8 $2.99

CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh
Available February 28, 2012
6x9 Trade paperback, 240 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Science fiction - space opera/adventure
Print ISBN 978-0-9827139-4-5 $15.95
EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-6-9 $4.99

And for a treat, here is the book trailer for CassaFire, dropping February 28, 2012 from Dancing Lemur Press. I can't wait!

I'm A Zombie

2011-12-12T23:01:00.000-08:00

Check this out...I could totally be in The Walking Dead

Jeremy at iZombie Lover turned me into a zombie. Don't I look grotesquely cool? What an amazing artist he is. Thank you, Jeremy! Now if I could find someone to turn me into a werewolf...;)

By the way, my birthday is Thursday and we will party here like it's the end of the world. LOL To kick things off, Captain Ninja, himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, will be here on Wednesday. Whoo Hoo!!

And let me say that in the midst of my ongoing mess, I am finding incredible inner strength and am seeing how truly super blessed I am in my friends. I could not ask for better people at my six. Now here's a bit of Pat Benatar to fire up your day. She's one of my fave rockers. Don't you just love the late 80's early 90's vibe of this vid? Why it's Attack of the Mullets. Movie script, perhaps? Seriously, though it's simple song with a very strong message. It perfectly describes my new found attitude toward all this crap. May we all have a kickass week!

Puppy Love And Someone To Know

2011-12-11T21:02:00.000-08:00

Remember way back in September when I announced that we got a puppy? Well, I have been remiss in putting up some pics of her. So to kick off the week on a good note, here is my cutesy little gal with 'tude, Vegas. As you can see, she's all decked out for Christmas and she has a red and green eye because I can't figure out my camera. LOL Seriously, though, she has one blue eye and one brown. A crazy adorable combo.

And she really loved getting this get up on, too. As seen by her reaction in this pic. She hates getting dressed up as much as I do.

Vegas is a shi tzu and she's about 6 months old. This will be her first Christmas with us and of course, she will spoiled rotten, LOL.

Now, to make up for my lack of You Should Know Friday, I am going to spotlight someone I think you should know today. I want to share with you someone who is smart, cool and just a terrific blogger/friend. Kimberly at Meetings with My Muse is an awesome blogger who supports writers and is an amazing writer herself. She talks about things like how you go about plotting, the passion of writing, books she's reading and all manner of things in between. Her style is engaging and charming, there is no doubt in my mind that you will love her like I do.

Insecure Writers Support Group

2011-12-06T21:58:00.000-08:00

It's time once again for a meeting of the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by the awesome Alex J. Cavanaugh, friend to writers and movie geeks everywhere. Here we air our insecurities, fears and other garbage that is just messing with our minds and here is also where we encourage each other, give each other virtual hugs and revel in the craziness we have embarked upon as soon as we said we wanted to be writers.

Today I'm talking about staying true to yourself, writing your story the way you want no matter what is selling, what an agent or publisher thinks is the hot tamale. So many of us just starting out are told if we want to sell, then we must study the markets, see what's hot, read the bestsellers in the genre we write so we have an idea of where to place our stories, how to brand ourselves. That's all well and good, but we also need to remain true to our writer voice, the one that got us into this crazy profession in the first place.

I was told that a first person female werewolf story would never work. It was too niche and too unusual. Female readers would never identify with a monster and well, male readers just don't skew to liking female protagonists. Whatever. I wrote her story anyway. I know a lot of women out there who more than identify with Maxie and I have to say that the men out there who have read her story have no problem whatsoever "liking a female protagonist."

So I want to encourage all of you out there to keep right on with that story you've been told is unsellable or unmarketable for whatever reason. It does not matter one wit how unusual, obscure or different it is. Nor does it matter that the market is "flooded" with vampire stories. Keep going and do not give up. This is your story and it deserves to be told and I believe that it will find its audience.

Now, I encourage you all to click here and visit more of your fellow writers out there. Here's to a productive day and rest of the week for all of us.

Briefcase Encounters: A Review And Some Cool News For A Change

2011-12-04T22:41:00.000-08:00

Yes, Imaginarians, I have had a time of it, but while things are still very dark, there is finally a little teeny tiny crack of light. Your continued support means the world to me. I just wanted to make to tell you that I'm not stopping blogging or anything, just have to drop out every now and again to ride the waves. It'll be like that for the foreseeable future, but I've got my head up and I should be okay.

Check this. Oh. My. God. I am Top at The Movie411 Awards for Sexiest Female Author. Nothing like being called sexiest when the world is off-kilter and careening out of control. You can vote here for moi, if you so choose, but most importantly just get your fine selves over there and vote for your fave cinegeeks, cinephiles and fellow wicked awesome bloggers. It's a hellagood party.

Now on to this review. I am very excited Imaginarians, because one of my favorite authors, Alexander Hammond, has just released a new collection of tales. Brief(case) Encounters is a witty, thought-provoking and self-effacing collection of travel stories that will have you howling with laughter and picking your jaw up off the floor all within the space a few paragraphs. Part erudite comedian, part no-holds-barred tour guide with a slice of philosopher and a dash of cultural anthropologist mixed in, Encounters offers a unique take on world travel.

Hammond has a way with language that just leaves me green with envy. His metaphors are true gems that paint an exact picture without ever straying into the realm of cliché or over use. For instance in Thai Tribulations, one of my favorites, he is on board a vomit comet of a boat in very rough seas, hiding up on deck to keep away from the seasick. He writes “Eventually my bladder asserted itself and I made my way to the conveniences, forgetting that I had to pass through the ‘sick room.’ I took one look. It was a Hogarth etching come to life, a vision Gustave Dore would have been proud to have created… People were lying around groaning on the floor beyond caring what they looked like. I regret to confess that natural compassion escaped me in that moment. I immediately forgot my own physical needs and returned to the deck, profoundly grateful I wasn’t one of them.” Oh God, what an image.

This book is chock full of these hilarious, nightmarish anecdotes that leave you with the dichotomy of wanting to never board a plane and yet, also having the unbearable desire to experience this stuff in person to see if it's real. In short, you have to read this book if you get the chance. For more info on Alex and to read about more of his travels, visit his blog. To purchase Brief(Case) Encounters please go here. You can also purchase his wildly brilliant, Tales From The Edge Of Forever here. Both are also available at Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions.

Thank you!!!

2011-12-03T13:51:00.000-08:00

I need to really thank all of you for your comments and support over the last couple of days. Things have really come crashing down around here and it helped tremendously to have your wonderful words to read. It is so true when it rains, it pours. To add the cherry on top of my shit sundae, I now have to look for a new place to live. So this means my blogging and comments might get a little scarce. Nothing like unemployment, health scares and no place to live to just make the holidays a happy time. And right before my birthday, too. That's just WRONG. But, as my sister said, in the flood of life, sometimes you just have to decide to float. So, Imaginarians, that is what I am going to do. Float. Hopefully there will be good news to report.

In the mean time, let me finish on high note. The Lovely Blog Award given to me by the amazing Annalisa will be given to these great blogs I just love. They are all very cool people who are a joy to read.

Julie @ Gypsy in My Soul
Eve @ Clueless Eve
Melissa @ Have You Heard
Julie @Empty Nest Insider
Judy @ Judy Croome: Author on the Prowl

Kathy @ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy
Sangu @ Echoes of a Wayward Mind
Arlee Bird @ Wrote By Rote
L.G. @ Bards and Prophets

Go visit these blogs. They are awesome people you should know. Enjoy the rest of the weekend, my friends. Hugs!

When It Rains...Plus An Award to Brighten My Week

2011-12-01T04:34:00.000-08:00

When it rains, it really freakin' pours. As if the cold and more dental woes aren't enough, now I'll be off to the doctor. Ugh! I just haven't been feeling well and now I can't put it off anymore. So next week, I'll be spending even more money to go to the doc's. I'm diabetic and should go more often than I do, but I am a big chicken and have no insurance and well, that's no excuse. I have to take better care of myself.

Well, enough on that downer note. Sheesh, I'm sounding like a regular fun sucker, aren't I? Let's get to some good stuff, shall we? Annalisa from the awesomely cool blog, Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep has tapped yours truly with the wonderful One Lovely Blog Award. Check it out...

Isn't it pretty? Her blog is completely amazing so you all should definitely get to know her. Plus, she's just celebrated an important milestone, 100 posts. Yay!! I am honored, Annalisa, thank you very much. You have brightened my week for sure. I will be passing this award on, but since I am about to leave for work, I will have to do that tomorrow or Saturday. Have a great day, everyone.

Favorite Movie Soundtracks

2011-11-27T22:27:00.000-08:00

I'm in the mood for some good music this Monday because I re-watched Forrest Gump this weekend and it is one of my very favorite soundtracks of all time. I love all those rock-n-roll classics, the mood music...I could listen to those tracks all day long, I swear. "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Joy To The World" by Three Dog Night, "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd...I know all the words by heart and sing 'em out loud when no one's around because ears would be bleeding for sure. They do put me in a great mood, though. Especially when I'm driving. I tap out the beats on the wheel and it makes me a whole lot more pleasant in the car in heavy traffic. I tend to cuss out the other drivers who get on my last nerve.

Forrest also got me thinking about some other favorite soundtracks. Dirty Dancing is a soundtrack guaranteed to get me going and I own both the original 1987 album as well as the 20th anniversary compilation. I especially love "Cry To Me" by Solomon Burke, "Love Is Strange" by Mickey and Sylvia, "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes and "In The Still Of The Night" by The Five Satins. What a softie I am. :)

I am an 80's child and one of the penultimate 80's dance movies, aside from Dirty Dancing is Footloose. This 1984 soundtrack is one of my very favorite albums. Nothing gets me going like "Dancing In The Sheets" by Shalimar, the title song "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins and "Hurt So Good" by John Mellencamp. God, Kevin looks young on this cover, too. LOL

Now, lest you think I'm only about pop and rock, I do have my big dramatic soundtracks, the ones I listen to relax or to inspire me as I write. One favorite in this category is the Lord of the Rings trilogy. This one definitely inspires an epic battle or two as well as providing some haunting music to inspire those scenes of conflict and angst.

My final choice for today comes from a little known Tom Selleck, Bess Armstrong film called High Road To China. It is one of my most favorite romances of all time. I have worn out two VHS copies and a DVD watching this one. As well as scratched up the original album and lost a CD listening to the soundtrack. This one inspired my current WIP, a pilot story set along the Old Silk Road. I don't admit to this film very often because well, I think of this movie as my comforting favorite. I watch it whenever I am depressed, nervous, upset. It is my cure all, I guess. I never saw this in the theater, I found it in the video store completely by accident. How incredible is that?

What are some of your favorite movie soundtracks?

A Field Trip With Some Werewolves

2011-11-25T11:32:00.000-08:00

That's right, I took a field trip with my werewolves today. I piled Maxie and her fellas into a minivan-not easy-, drove to the airport, then flew to Austria to be with cool horror geek, Maynard, at his blog Maynard Morrissey's Horror Movie Diary. If you love horror and anything dark side, you should get to know Maynard's blog.

He has a wicked cool interview with yours truly and a kick-ass review of my wicked tale Maxie Briscoe: Werewolf.

Celebrating With Gratitude

2011-11-24T01:41:00.000-08:00

It's the Thanksgiving holiday here in the States and while I am so happy to have a very long weekend, I am also filled with a profound sense of gratitude for all the people in my life, all that I've accomplished and all that I have.

I am grateful for my family. I irritate them, yell at them, tease them and yet, they stick with me for some reason. I love them very much and would not be the person I am without them.

I am grateful for all of my friends, both here with me and out there on the web. I do not know what I would do without all of you. You support me, put up with my quirks and weirdness, my potty mouth and allow me to be me in all my eclectic glory. I love you all very much.

I am grateful for being able to walk around. I have severe arthritis in my hips, knees, shoulders and hands. Have had it since I was in my early twenties, a legacy from my grandmother. Sometimes, it is a wonder I can move at all some days and I am ever so grateful to still be kicking.

I am grateful for my writing. It is my passion and I am grateful that the voices in my head keep talking to me and allow me to create such adventures. I am gobsmacked that I am published and that people really seem to enjoy the tales that spin out of my demented brain.

I'll be in and out this weekend, not sure if I'll post, but I'll be around. Take care, my friends. Have an amazing rest of the week and a beautiful weekend. Peace.

Bridesmaids: A Hellagood Laugh Riot

2011-11-22T02:00:00.000-08:00

Hey Imaginarians, before we go any further, Russell, formerly of Chaos N Mayhem, has now started his own new film blog called 1:37 Exactly. It rocks. He talks about anything and everything film, his posts are witty, thought-provoking and brilliant. His style is friendly and engaging, encouraging some really great discussions. Go on and check him out. You'll love him as much as I do.

Now, before I get into my review, I have a confession. No nothing really salacious, although...Just kidding. I'm not about to confess to THAT unless serious money changes hands. ;) Anyway, I have a side of me that is a terminal 12 year old. I laugh and laugh at things like bodily functions and other really low brow stuff. Much to the chagrin of my mother. I can't help it. It's this sense of humor that brings me to Bridemaids, one of the most hysterical movies I have ever seen.

The script is wicked funny and smart for the most part with a few scenes that were really chick flick and not in the comedy vibe. But, hells to the yeah, the ladies went down and dirty and bought the freakin' tee shirt up in here. I laughed til I choked in certain parts, especially the bridal shop food poisoning debacle. I admit, my bestie Nancy and I rewound that scene more than a few times. I had a headache from laughing so hard. Maya Rudolph frog-walking across the street then finally shitting herself is bar none one of the most hysterical things I have ever seen. I can sympathize with her pain. Almost. All I can say is Girl's Night Out, too much beer and El Taco Burrito Palace #2, the mortal enemy of stomachs and intestines everywhere.

As if Maya weren't enough, Melissa McCarthy just blew me away. My sweet Sookie has transformed into comedic blockbuster ala Chevy Chase. She was the most brilliant part of this movie. I watched her scenes again and again. The rest of the cast was terrific. I loved Rose Byrne as the snobby boss's wife and Kristen Wiig as Annie, the bride's childhood best friend. Their constant need to upstage each other is psychotic and great fun to watch.

Bridesmaids, like Bad Teacher, shows off the dirtier side of female humor. That we can be just as raunchy, low-brow and in-your-face as the guys. I hope H-wood takes notice because I want to see more movies like these.

Triple H Monday: Hot Story, Hot Men and Hotter Cars

2011-11-21T04:14:00.000-08:00

Well, I had a rotten weekend, spending four excruciating hours at the dentist. Ugh! To make myself feel better, I am bringing the hotness this Monday morning.

First, I got a pretty terrific review for my sizzling erotic tale Nathan's Angel.
Pixie from MM Good Book Reviews gave Nathan's Angel 3 and a half hearts. Whoo Hoo! My first official review for my first ever M/M story. Check it out here.

Second, in my quest to catch up with what the rest of the planet has already seen, I watched Fast Five. This really perked me up Saturday night. All I can say is hot men, hotter cars and no plot required. They had me at The Rock. Yes, I have a HUGE crush on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Along with Tyrese, Sung Kang, Paul Walker and Vin Diesel. Then there were the cars...Holla! Oh man, I've got Auto Show fever, now, and it's only November. There are still three more long months til Chitown's cargasm extravaganza.

I digress. Now where was I? Oh yeah, my Fast Five review. Not much to tell, I freakin' loved it. The action sequences were an incredible rush and the car chases high-octane. Director Justin Lin brought the goods and then some. The characters united from all the other Fast and Furious films and they had chemistry in spades, adding to this hellagood ride. Vin makes an awesome big bro, I just adored the brother-sister moments he had with Jordana, reprising her role of Mia.

I found myself missing the snap and sass of Letty, though. Michelle Rodriguez is a complete badass bitch. However, that did not mean that this flick lacked for strong women. Oh no. Gal Gadot rocked it as Gisele, blazing in on her Ducati street racer (I have a thing motorcycles, too) and Elsa Pataky was aces as badass cop Elena Neves. Elena stood her ground with The Rock's Luke Hobbs, faced down machine gun fire and rocket launchers, too. The men were more balanced out this time around by these kick-butt women and I really dug that. I hope to see more of this as they continue the franchise.

Now, for a couple of my fave cars, cuz a post about Fast Five would not be complete without them...

Dom Toretto's signature 1970 Dodge Charger

1972 Pantera Detomaso

1966 Ford GT 40

Did you all see any good movies this weekend? Who or what do you consider drool-worthy? Talk to me.

Saint Sanguinus By Julia Phillips Smith

2011-11-17T21:46:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that werewolves are my monsters, but I do love an awesome vampire tale. And how fitting that on the very day Mr. Sparkles and his insipid bride hit theaters, I am reviewing a truly dark, dangerous and true-to-the-blood-thirsty-core vampire tale.

Saint Sanguinus is by Julia Phillips Smith, a cool author who puts the monster back into vampire. It is the first of the Dark Ages Vampire trilogy and it is a hellagood start. Peredur is a Welsh warrior fighting Irish raiders when he is brutally cut down by a spear. Cursing God as he bleeds out, he is visited by a darkly compelling man who offers him a chance at another life. He takes it, knowing that something is very wrong, yet a new life, even one without his beloved Tanwen, will be better than no life at all.

So begins Peredur's initiation into The Brotherhood, an elite group of vampiric warriors charged with keeping the other vampires in check to prevent them from destroying humanity. He is determined to make the best of his new life, yet he cannot forget Tanwen.

This book is savagely beautiful with characters that tread a dark path. They are honest, flawed, yet sympathetic. Peredur is made a vampire not through some evil purpose, but because in a frightened, angry moment he grabbed a lifeline. Tanwen is a strong, courageous woman taking her life into her own hands, yet she remains an authentic product of her time.

The Dark Ages setting is one of the most beautiful things about this story. Phillips perfectly captures the social strictures, the superstitions as well as the danger and daily struggle for mere survival. She weaves a spell over her readers with her subtly brilliant dialogue and lush descriptions. I was right there in the cavern with Peredur and the Brotherhood. I could smell the forest, hear the crackle of the fires and oh my God can she write fight scenes in all their bloody, violent glory. Putting this one down was almost impossible and I so can't wait for the second installment.

To find out more about Julia and her work, visit her blog, A Piece of My Mind or visit her web site.

You can purchase Saint Sanguinus here.

Now, onto You Should Know Friday. Today's cool peep is Robyn Alana Engel from the absolutely hilarious and witty blog Life By Chocolate. Her trials and tribulations will make you laugh, cry and want to eat chocolate by the truck load. I just love visiting her and I know you will, too.

Favorite Old School Cartoons

2011-11-16T22:11:00.000-08:00

Okay, so with my nephew's b-day just passing and me buying him some DVD's of his favorite animated shows with names like Kick Buttowski, Fish Hooks and Johnny Test, I thought I would take a trip in the Way Back Machine and revisit some of my childhood cartoons. Here we go...

Speed Racer

Oh my God I loved this show. I was in like first and second grade, just dreaming of the day I could ride in the Mach 5 with Speed and fly in the helicopter with Trixie. If I remember right, my Big Wheel served as the Mach 5. Here's a bit about my ultimate ride.

Scooby Doo

My love of all things scary has its foundations with that crazy Great Dane and the crew of the Mystery Machine. I wanted to hunt ghosts and monsters with the gang. Then when I got older and realized why Shaggy and Scooby were always hungry, I wanted to party in the Mystery Machine. It also had the most rockin' theme song.

Thundarr the Barbarian

Who knew 1994 would be such a bad year? I was such a sucker for this post-apocalyptic cartoon. I wanted to fight evil wizards alongside Thundarr, Princess Ariel and Ookla the Mok, whatever the hell a Mok was.

Battle of the Planets

An American version (some would say ripoff) of the Japanimation series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, this was one of my absolute faves. I wanted wings to be a part of the Whirlwind Pyramid and to fly in the Phoenix, defending Earth from Spectra and Zoltar

The Banana Splits Adventure Hour

This came on in syndication when I was a wee tot and I was enthralled with the live action and animated sequences like Danger Island, Arabian Nights and The Three Musketeers. I also wanted to play with Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper and Snork. And of course who can forget the song?

What are some your favorite childhood cartoons?

Glittering Ashes by Kelley Smith

2011-11-15T21:32:00.000-08:00

Glittering Ashes: Dark Artist Series Book 1
It sure has been a long time since I reviewed a book here at The Imaginarium. I'm getting back into the swing of that with Kelley Smith's YA novel, Glittering Ashes.

Roe is on the outs with her mom and has come to live her aunt in the small town of Gaudium Falls. Here she finds a new friend, Jordyn, who is eager to show Roe the Abyss, a mysterious place with a fairy-tale like magic. Roe, of course thinks Jordyn is off her rocker, but cautiously goes along. Once inside, the Abyss proves more than Roe ever could have imagined, a beautiful and dangerous place where dark meets light. Here Roe realizes she is to be a competitor in the Games, a gauntlet that will test her, the prize being her life and possibly the heart of Dominic, a compelling young man whose family controls the Abyss.

Kelley has created a dynamic and compelling tale that sweeps the reader into a dark, strange fantasy realm. Roe is a quirky, provocative heroine, tough, intelligent, yet vulnerable and insecure at times. In a world that has gone nuts over Bella Swan, Roe is a shining example of what a strong, smart girl should be.

The pacing is terrific, leaving readers on the edge as they turn each page. Smith has a deft hand in creating exquisite tension, capturing the essence of teenage drama. The interactions between Roe and the other characters made me feel as though I were eavesdropping in the halls of a high school.

The world of Glittering Ashes and the Abyss is dreamy, dark and dangerous. Kelley's descriptions are a rich tapestry of nightmare and fantasy that is utterly captivating. As a debut, this is a terrific story with only some minor flaws that I point out for the sake of honest disclosure here. There are a few editing issues, but nothing that really detracts too much from the story overall. I suspect they might have occurred during upload.

I am not a reader of YA normally, but I was drawn into Roe's world and look forward to the next Dark Artist novel. Kelley, you must write faster. :)

I did an interview with Kelley not long ago, she is a terrific writer. You can read it here. For more information on her and on Glittering Ashes, you can go to her blog, Writtled or visit her Amazon page.

Hanna : A Teenaged Badass Bitch

2011-11-13T14:09:00.000-08:00

Yes, I finally, FINALLY watched Hanna with my friend and her daughter. I know it's only been out on DVD for a million years or so, but I'm putting in my two cents worth anyway. We LOVED this movie! And I was slap-happy to see a young movie heroine worthy of being called a heroine. My friend and I believe that Hanna actually broke G's heretofore disturbing fascination with Bella Swan. She said to me after the movie that she liked how Hanna saved herself and did her own butt-kicking because Bella always lets Edward and Jacob do it for her. How's that for pre-teen logic? It brought a tear to this ardent feminist's eye, I tell you.

I digress.

From opening sequence to final credit roll, Hanna was an ace flick. Saoirse Ronan is seriously freakin' talented. She rocked it as Hanna Heller, a girl who is the sole survivor of a CIA experiment and raised in the deep woods of Finland by her father to be a multi-lingual assassin. Hanna is intelligent, quick-thinking, fast on her feet and hellagood with weapons. She made me think of a cross between two of Joss Whedon's most famous badass bitches, Buffy and Zoe. If I were the parent of a young girl, Hanna would definitely be a character I would want her to like and pretend to be while at play.

This movie is one hell of a rush, too. There are very few slow parts and these serve as an intriguing counterpoint to all the breath-stealing action. Here we get to know Hanna and watch her figure out how to grow up. I loved the family she hooked up with. Olivia Williams and Jason Flemyng are superb as Rachel and Sebastien, a couple on a road trip with their two kids. Jessica Barden plays their daughter, Sophie. She is wise-cracking with attitude to spare and helps Hanna navigate the realm of teenagers. I just have to say that I think it is awesome that Hanna's first kiss comes with Sophie and not with the two boys they had hooked up with. G asked her mom and me if girls could kiss other girls like that for real and our answer was a resounding yes they absolutely can. And boys can kiss boys, too.

Cate Blanchett creates a whole new level of bitch in this film as Marissa Weigler, the CIA agent who oversaw the experimental medical program that Hanna's mother had belonged to. She has no hesitation in killing anyone who gets in her way and screws people over left and right, lying and using whatever means necessary to get what she wants. And in this case that is Hanna and her father dead. Eric Bana shows another side of his talent as the scientist, Erik Heller, who tried to right a serious wrong by helping Hanna's mother escape, then raising her daughter to have mad survival skills.

Everything about this movie was fantastic. From the stellar characters and Joe Wright's fierce direction to the outstanding screenplay by David Farr and Seth Lochhead, Hanna is an epic film. For G and all the little girls and teens out there like her, we need more girl-centric action films like this. I am so sick of movies that highlight boys and their adventures with girls, if they appear at all, relegated to playing sidekick or, gag me, love interest. I want a sequel to Hanna. :)

Speaking of more films like Hanna...

Haywire, Haywire, Haywire...Only 8 more weeks until Gina Carano stars as a black ops super soldier out for revenge. Until then, here's to my badass bitches out there and more books and movies about them.

**Photo on right appears courtesy of Alex Bailey/Focus Features

String Bridge Amazon Rush & A Whole Bunch Of Awesome Sauce

2011-11-11T02:00:00.000-08:00

Today is the big day to help Jessica Bell's debut, STRING BRIDGE, hit
the bestseller list on Amazon, and receive the all-original soundtrack, Melody Hill: On the Other Side, written and performed by Jessica, herself, for free! How cool is that?

All you have to do is
purchase the book today (paperback, or eBook), November 11th, and
then email the receipt to:
jessica.carmen.bell(at)gmail(dot)com
She will then email you a link to download the album at no extra cost!

To purchase the paperback:

Amazon USA

To purchase the eBook:

Amazon USA

Amazon UK

To listen to samples of the soundtrack, visit iTunes.

Today is also the BIG LAUNCH DAY for RaShelle Workman's Exiled. She's launching in conjunction with her Dark C.A.R.M.A. buds Ali Cross and C.K. Bryant. They're having a Twitter party with lots of goodies and other fun, so be sure to check it out starting at 11:11AM Mountain Time under the hashtag #darkcarma.

And now for my You Should Know Friday

Today I am spotlighting a very cool sci fi chick, Ms. Mariah. She has a wonderful blog called Ms. Mariah's Space Blog-yssey. Here she talks all things sci fi from television to movies and cons. I love visiting as her reviews are always balanced, smart and very thoughtful. There's usually some lively discussions to be found in the comments as well. If you love sci fi, you definitely need to know Mariah. Right now she has an excellent spotlight of Tarsem Singh's Immortals.

Seriously Twisted Television

2011-11-09T05:01:00.000-08:00

I am absolutely in love with the new show American Horror Story. It has to be the most twisted, creepy, squirmy thing I have ever seen on television. Check it. The show centers on the Harmon family, Ben, Vivien and daughter Violet. They move from Boston to Los Angeles after Vivien gives birth to a still born babe because she discovered Ben having an affair with a patient. Cool drama so far, no? Anyway, they move into this restored mansion that has a hugely tragic and evil past. As Ben and Viv struggle to repair their broken marriage and poor Violet suffers from depression, they must confront the horrors in their new home.

The always excellent Dylan McDermott stars as Ben, a psychiatrist on the ragged edge. He's sunk all of his money into this second chance, very aware that he has Mt. Everest to climb and Death Valley to cross in order to have even a chance at winning Viv back. Viv, played by the super-talented Connie Britton, is broken woman, who's seeking some kind of way out of the black hole her life has become. She hates her husband, but yet, he's also offered her a kind of life line and the glimmer of a way out the dark forest s she's willing to latch and at least try. Violet is played by newcomer Taissa Farmiga. She's depressed, resentful and been forced to leave everything familiar behind. Added to this insanity are Jessica Lange as Constance, the whacked-out neighbor whose mentally handicapped daughter is obsessed with the house. Evan Peters is Tate Langdon a new patient of Ben's who is obsessed with Violet and has his own connections to the house. Some recurring guest stars include Kate Mara as Ben's student lover, Zachary Quinto as a former owner whose obsession with the house has clearly not been cured by leaving and Frances Conroy as Moira, the housekeeper who definitely has her crazy connections to the place.

Now we come to the house. And man, this house makes Amityville look like an over-stimulated kindergartener. Built by an insane surgeon, there has been murder, mayhem, sick experiments and other evil happenings in this house since the very beginning. Every week we are treated to yet another glimpse from the house's evil past. It drives its residents insane when it's not killing them off.

Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, the creators of the brilliant Nip/Tuck and Glee are the fiendish minds behind this series. I watch every single week and I am never disappointed. I can't believe I'm seeing this on television. It's just mind-blowing, psychotic and outrageously creepy. I can't wait for more.

Monday Blues And Some Damn Good Television

2011-11-07T04:55:00.000-08:00

Ugh! It's Monday and I'm already having a bad week just thinking about the shit I have to do this week. I want to turn the clock back to Friday. I hate when the week just starts and already my blood pressure is hopping. Stop the ride, I want to get off...NOW!!

Okay, bitch session is over. It's not all bad, honestly, I'm just whining because that's the way I roll sometimes. And what better day to bitch, than Monday?

Anyway, I watched Walking Dead last night and saw the coolest zombie kill ever. It was gross and hilarious all at once. My favorite kind, really. Picture water-logged zombie and immense dead organ spillage. I have got find the clip and post it. I nearly peed myself laughing. Yep, I'm just that twisted.

I also watched Hell on Wheels. Great is an underwhelming adjective to even begin describing this show. It is savage, visceral television. The production is just mind-blowing. I could almost smell the filth, the animals and the people. Whoever it was that said the Old West was romantic obviously had no clue what they were talking about. Uh can we say "Ewwwww..." That being said, this show absolutely captures that brutal period known as Reconstruction. Carpetbaggers, corrupt politicians, Native Americans, freed slaves, greedy tycoons, gunslingers, families wanting to start fresh, ex-soldiers, prostitutes and preachers all in a roiling, seething mass of expansion and rebuilding. What a savage period to have lived through. The U.S. had blown itself apart in civil war, the social order was in complete upheaval, the president had been murdered and we were building one of the country's greatest infrastructure projects. Not a period for family values that's for sure.

The characters are incredible, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly, each with their own agenda. Colm Meaney is wickedly brilliant as Thomas "Doc" Durant, a greedy railroad man who is hellbent on building the transcontinental railroad, but also just as relentless in wringing as much money from the process as possible. Anyone who stands in his way is brutally run down. Anson Mount is intense as Cullen Bohannen, an ex-Confederate bent on revenging his wife's murder. A far, far superior cry from Brit Brit's love interest in that godawful Crossroads. Chitown's own Common is incredibly brilliant as Elam, a former slave working the line and determined that no man will ever own him again. Check the trailer and tune in for sure.

First Annual Natalie Acres Boot Scootin' Boogie Blog Tour

2011-11-06T13:31:00.000-08:00

Imaginarians, today I'm steaming things up with erotica writer Natalie Acres, who is celebrating the release of her newest title, Cowboy Boots and Unsettled Debts from Siren Publishing.

Here's a little taste of this extremely hot menage tale...

Blurb

Seduction turns deadly when Abby Rose, an agent with the Underground Unit, decides to put a provocative spin on revenge. Her plan to sleep with a cartel leader backfires when fellow operatives refuse to let Abby face her enemy alone.

Abby’s fellow agents begin the fight of their lives. After discovering Abby will use her body to lure in the man who killed her father and their command leader, seven highly trained special operatives cope with high tensions as each man comes to terms with feelings they never acknowledged.

This team isn’t fighting for another cause or plotting the best way to take out their mark. The stakes are much higher. These men will take up arms and meet their greatest challenge as they work together to protect the woman they admire and love.

Excerpt

Abby looked freshly fucked. That’s the only way Ace knew how to describe her. She had a soft glow to her cheeks when she stepped away from the car. Her round nipples were hard, pressing through her thin light blue shirt, and those plaid shorts looked crumpled. Some heavy petting must’ve occurred in the backseat of that SUV.

“Hey you,” Ace said, forcing a smile. “I’m glad to see you’re in one piece.”

“I’m fine, Ace,” she assured him, glancing over her shoulder.
Judson slid out of the vehicle. Ace took a ragged breath. He wasn’t worried about Judson. He wasn’t the competition. He’d held Abby’s heart in the palm of his hand for a very short time.

Ace had been with her for the last five years.

Judson stuck out his hand, “Nice to see you, Ace.”

The others politely greeted Judson as well. By the time Kit stepped away from the automobile, everyone stood on the driver’s side of the Suburban. Kit and Brantley exchanged words, and everyone was introduced. Ace and Brantley were the only two operatives who’d worked with Kit in the past. Their time together was brief.

Thank God.

“Ace,” Kit said, narrowing his gaze. “You look stressed. How’s it going?”

“I’m super, you?” He stuck out his hand and shook. Damn, that hurt. He immediately wondered where the guy’s hands had been.

“Never better,” he replied, winking at Abby.

Ace stalked across the garage and stormed inside. Behind him, Brantley said, “We’ll discuss our plans once everyone gets settled in. Stop off at the refrigerator and grab you something to drink. We have plenty of snacks in the pantry. Meet upstairs in the control room in fifteen.”

Ace entered the kitchen. Abby was right behind him. No time like the present to get a few things out of the way.

She hit the last step. He grabbed her arm. Casey saw everything.

Right as Ace dragged her into the utility room, Casey said, “I got this, Ace. You can owe me later.”

There was a brass latch at the top of the door, Ace used it. He slid the lever in place, turned around, and faced his fears. Time to play, and way past time to sate the need and satisfy the longing. Although he feared after he fucked her, things would only get worse.

“I’m in love with you.”

“What?” she asked, acting surprised.

“Don’t pretend you didn’t see this coming,” Ace said, stalking her. “Don’t act as if you don’t know there’s something between us.” He loosened his belt, snapped it as he pulled the leather away from the denim. Shirtless after working in the hayfields all afternoon, he noticed how her gaze worked across his dusty, hay-coated abs.

“I’m hot. I’m sweaty. I’ve been farming all day.” He reached behind her and turned on the shower nozzle. A matter of convenience more than anything else, the mudroom housed a washer, dryer, toilet, sink, and small shower stall. “And I need to clean up.”

She placed her hand over her mouth and hid a smile.

“Considering I don’t know where you’ve been or who you’ve let touch you, I think a bath is in order for you, too.”

“Ace this is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of,” Abby said. “You’re what? Jealous of Kit and now you’re ready to fuck me?”

“You’re half right,” he replied, grabbing her by the hand and pulling her against him. “I’m not jealous, but I am gonna fuck you. Right here. Right now. I don’t care if someone interrupts us or not.”

“Ace, no,” she said, shaking her head.

“Why? Because you don’t want to hurt him?”

She thinned her lips.

“Do you love him?”

Her eyes watered.

“You do,” he said, processing.

“I always will,” she informed him.

Ace felt his jaw tighten. He felt like a blasted fool now. Maybe he should’ve asked her about her feelings for Kit before he dragged her off to the shower.

“And I’ve known for a long time I’m in love with you, too.”

He felt his jaw relax. “Of course you are.” He hoped like hell he didn’t sound pussy whipped. “Yeah, you are.” The second time sounded more confident.

“You should believe that,” she whispered as she stood on her tiptoes and took their first kiss. Her wicked tongue jabbed through his sealed lips. They parted and welcomed the invasion, the overdue moment that would prove they somehow weathered the storm.

Whoa...I think my glasses are fogged up. :) As if this spicy excerpt weren't enough deliciousness, Natalie is giving away prizes at the end of this tour. So leave a comment or three since the more you comment, the more chances you have of winning. For the rest of her tour stops , click here. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and I will see you on the Flip Side.

It's Friday!!!!

2011-11-04T04:28:00.000-07:00

I am so psyched, my peeps. I just received news that Nathan's Angel is the #5 bestseller for October at Amber Allure. Drinks all around!!! Who cares if it's not 5 o'clock yet? It's so completely freakin' awesome to have my story and the word bestseller together in perfect harmony. What's that Lionel Richie song? "Oh what a feeling, when we're dancing on the ceiling..." I am so blown away and considering the story has only been out for 2 weeks? Wowzers! Thank you all so very, very much for the support. You rock!!

On to some more awesomeness, my You Should Know Friday. Today, I want to spotlight a wonderful blogger friend that I just adore, Ella from Ella's Edge . I just love her. Ella is a poet, an artist and all around creative genius. She always has the most interesting posts and opens up your mind with her unique blend of art and writing. She always leaves upbeat, quirky comments that make me smile and give me a lift when I really need it. Visiting Ella's site is like going to a favorite place and giving your spirit a lift. You should all get to know her.

See the Movember button at the top of my side bar? Jamie aka Mithril Wisdom is growing a stache for a good cause. He's helping to raise funds to fight prostate cancer. So click on there and check it out. Go Jamie and go Jamie's 'stache!

Well, that's it for today. A short sweet post to see you all into the weekend. Do you all have big plans? I want to try and hit the theater since this is I did not get there last weekend, either. Harold and Kumar are back, Yay!! Those two crack me the hell up. I'm also having dinner with friends and of course, there's the Bears-Lions game. Yes, I am a football junkie. I even play fantasy football. I can see the eye rolls and sad head shakes out there. :) I wish you all a stellar weekend.

Author Spotlight: Jessica Bell

2011-11-02T21:35:00.000-07:00

Imaginarians, I am dancing with excitement because the amazingly talented Jessica Bell is spending some time here with us on her whirlwind tour for her debut novel String Bridge.

String Bridge tells the story of Australian musician Melody, who married a Greek music promoter and settled in. Eager to make her new life work, she gives up her music for a proper career and eventually, motherhood. Unable to bear what she's become, Melody makes plans to return to life on the stage and the person she once was. However, the obstacle mount and tragedy unfolds, leaving Melody to wonder if she's been looking for fulfillment in the wrong place. You can read the official blurb here.

If you're not already familiar with Jessica via her spectacular blog, The Alliterative Allomorph, here's a little bit more about her. She is a literary women's fiction author, poet and singer/songwriter who grew up in Melbourne, Australia, to two gothic rock musicians who had successful independent careers during the '80s and early '90s.

She spent much of her childhood travelling to and from Australia to Europe, experiencing two entirely different worlds, yet feeling equally at home in both environments. She currently lives in Athens, Greece and works as a freelance writer/editor for English Language Teaching publishers worldwide, such as HarperCollins, Pearson Education and Macmillan Education.

In addition to String Bridge, Jessica has published a book of poetry called Twisted Velvet Chains. A full list of poems and short stories published in various anthologies and literary magazines can be found under Published Works & Awards, on her website.

From September 2012 Jessica will be hosting the Homeric Writers' Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca, home of Odysseus.

String Bridge is your debut novel. What was that moment like when you first found out it had been accepted for publication?

I really didn’t want to, seeing as it’s all I had been doing with every rejection, but I cried. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. I was ready to shelve the thing. I’d said to myself, “This is its last chance.” It really felt unbelievable.

What has surprised you the most about the business side of writing? Is there any part of publishing that you have found especially challenging?

The marketing, the networking. It takes just as much time, if not more, than writing does. I also don’t really enjoy tooting my own horn. I feel like I’m imposing myself on people. But I guess it’s something I’m going to have to get used to.

What will you take away from this experience and how do you think it will affect your future pursuits in publishing?

I will forever cherish the memory of all the support I’ve received from people like you. The launch of this book would seem useless without you! How will it affect the future? Well, it’s certainly changed my view of myself. I think I’ll stop doubting myself so often.

Do you write every day or only when inspiration strikes? How do you keep your creative juices flowing?

Only when inspiration strikes. I lose my flair when I push myself. But I love to write, so my breaks aren’t usually lengthy. I keep my creative juices flowing by writing poetry.

What message do you hope readers will take away from String Bridge?

I’m hoping readers will realize that there aren’t ever really any wrong choices in life, there are just different roads to follow. The challenge is to take a step back and figure out what is the most important to us before taking that leap in a new direction.

If we looked on your bookshelf right now, what are some of the titles we would find?

A Marilynne Robinson, Anne Lamott and Margaret Atwood library …

Writers receive advice from many sources along their journey. What was the best piece of writing advice you have received?

To be true to myself.

Aside from writing, what are some of your other passions and pursuits?

Reading, singing, playing guitar, cinema, travel, ancient history, making beaded jewellery (though I haven’t made any for quite a long time), learning how to enjoy physical exercise! (not quite succeeded yet)

If you were sitting in a room full of young girls who aspire to be writers and poets, what would you say to them?

Learn the rules and then break them intelligently!

That's some great advice. Thank you Jessica so much for being here. String Bridge debuts from Lucky Press, LLC. For more information go here and visit the amazing site Jessica has set up for novel. String Bridge is available for Kindle at Amazon and Amazon UK.

As if this book weren't amazing enough, she also wrote a soundtrack for the novel called Melody Hill: On The Other Side. You can check it out on iTunes, Amazon and Amazon UK.

Want more of this amazing writer? Visit her website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or her blog.

Insecure Writers Support Group

2011-11-02T03:54:00.000-07:00

Well today is Insecure Writers Support Group Day and I am sending out positive, productive thoughts to all my fellow writers out there. Some you of, like my good friend Vics over at Hairnets and Hopes, are doing NaNoWriMo this month. Vics, you can rock this challenge!! I have every faith in you. And the same sentiment goes out to all my writer buds doing the NaNo. Write On!!

In the spirit of the Writing Muse, I want to share some of my favorite quotes about writing. Here's hoping we all take away some inspiration today.

"A word is not the same with one writer as with another. One tears it from his guts. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket." ~Charles Peguy

"And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt." ~Sylvia Plath

"When something can be read without effort, great effort has gone into its writing." ~Enrique Jardiel Poncela

"Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead." ~Gene Fowler

"Words - so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them." ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

"Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia." ~ E.L. Doctorow

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T04:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!!! It's my favorite day of the year and I'm all in black, complete with skeleton earrings in celebration. I'm also celebrating because I have been nominated for a Movie411 Award. WHOO HOO!!! Check this, yours truly has been nominated for Sexiest Female Author.

OMG!!! I cannot believe it, I am stunned, just stunned, but very happy. Sing it with me now... "I believe in miracles. Where you from? You sexy thing..." Ah, nothing like a little Hot Chocolate music to celebrate. The nominating goes through November 28 and those Top 5 with the most nominations moves on to the voting round. Fingers crossed that I move on. And since I'm from Chicago, I promise, no dead people will be involved, unless they have their own blog. LOL To nominate me or others just email The Movie411 here themovie411@live.co.uk.

You all know how I love scary movies, books, hell I'm even planning a real-life ghost hunt next year with some friends. We are going to Waverly Hills Sanitorium in Kentucky where I plan to personally inspect the infamous death tunnel.

There are, however, some things out there that truly terrify me and I'm not talking fear of the dark or hating reptiles, I'm talking bone deep fear and stomach churning horror. The following are two of the very few movies on this earth that genuinely terrify me and I have a very hard time watching them. These movies really do a number on my psyche and I just cannot watch them alone.

The Strangers Words cannot even begin to describe the creepy feeling that this film engenders in me. I think it's the way that this movie is a real life possibility. Brutal, savage home break-ins happen every day and the majority go unsolved. I knew someone whose sister was brutally murdered in her home. Fifteen years later and not one clue. One of my mother's friends was a student nurse slaughtered by Richard Speck. I can sit through the mindless horror of Friday the 13th, Halloween and other slasher flicks like that because they're mostly silent hulking killers that regenerate. I get a lot of shit for this movie, but it just freaks me out, a random act of savagery that hits too close to home.

The Exorcist William Friedkin's film stands out as the single most terrifying movie I have ever seen. I was raised Catholic, still am, and this movie hits at the heart of my spirituality and the beliefs I hold dear about Heaven and Hell. Some of its images are so shocking and revolting, especially the crucifix scene. I was frozen in horror as I watched, sick to my stomach. Yes, some of the acting is cheesy and the dialogue over-the-top and it's been much-parodied in the nearly forty years since its release, but you will never catch me watching this film alone.

So what films terrify you?

Halloween Blogfest

2011-10-29T14:03:00.000-07:00

My friend Sloane Taylor has spotlighted Nathan's Angel on her blog. Yay!! I appreciate this so very much. If you get a chance, stop by. She's an amazing writer and a great cook with some pretty awesome recipes on her site.

I'm participating suspense author Jeremy Bates' Halloween Hop and I'm having a blast meeting all these new people. The rules are simple, just post your favorite monster movie or book and your costume this year. Let's see...

Favorite Monster Movie: Oh God, I have to pick one?! I'd go with The Howling because you know werewolves are the penultimate monster in my book with zombies a close second.

My Costume this year: I have none. I'm a HORRIBLE person, what kind of Halloween lover am I? But, then again, I may go as a zombie. I'm good with makeup and don't mind ruining a shirt with fake blood. I may add rubber worms and larvae, too. We'll have to see how I feel tonight. But here's me in one of my favorite costumes, a cat. My friend Portia here is supposed to be a dragon. Her ear is hanging over my wrist.

Tonight is my annual Fright Fest and here is ye olde play list:

1. Halloween

2. The Howling

3. Dawn of the Dead

4. Puppetmaster

5. House on Haunted HIll

6. The Wicker Man (the original, NOT the Cage remake)

We have a bit of everything, slashers, monsters, undead, killer dolls, haunted houses and witchcraft. Sounds like a recipe for some great fun.

I Do Believe In Ghosts, I Do Believe In Ghosts...MOMMY!!!!!

2011-10-27T23:24:00.000-07:00

LOL, love that title? It's Halloween and not only is it time for scary movies, monsters, serial killers and of course Trick R Treating, it's also time for ghosts. Chicago is one hell of a haunted town. We have so many ghosts running around, we're also known as Undead Central. Our ghosts even vote. Just ask former Mayor Daley. ;)

Before I get started with my post, let me share my You Should Know person for this week. Because it's Halloween and his blog centers around zombies, I think you should get to know Jeremy at iZombieLover.

Jeremy is a talented graphic artist with a hellagood, slightly skewed sense of humor. His artwork is incredible. It's creepy, it's intense and it's definitely unique. He'll turn you into a zombie, too, if you dare...Imagine that Christmas card going out to family. As if being an incredible artist isn't creative enough, the guy is also an amazing writer with a graphic novel out called Chatterbox.

Now on to my ghostly post. We have some very cool haunted places here in Chicago and places that are just plain notorious and infamous for grisly happenings. These sites have been known to have some residual spiritual activity or outright ghosts and phantoms. I've had some eerie encounters at these places and no, not full-bodied ghosts and stuff, but things. Here's a couple that creeped the hell out of me and made me want my mommy.

Mt. Carmel Cemetery is located in suburban Hillside, not far from Queen of Heaven where my grandparents are buried. This is where Julia Buccola Petta, the Italian Bride, has her permanent resting place. Julia died in childbirth in 1921 and within a few months her mother began having dreams that her daughter was still amongst the living and needed her help. For six years the dreams continued and in all that time, her mother tried to get Julia's grave opened. Finally, she succeeded and when the coffin was exhumed and opened, Julia's body was found to be entirely in tact, no decay whatsoever. Take a gander.

The picture was taken when they opened her casket and you can see the perfect condition of her body while the coffin is muddy and looks the worse for wear. Now, they say you see a woman in white near her grave, but I didn't see anything when I was there with my friends. HOWEVER, I did feel something when I got a few feet from her grave. Something took my right hand. Seriously. It was like someone slipped their hand in mine, but it was as if that hand were made of ice. I sucked in all the oxygen around me in a slow, hard breath. Every hair was on end. Now granted it was winter, but I had my gloves on and it was only my right hand. I choose to believe that I had a haunted encounter and you won't convince me otherwise anytime soon.

Another time, I attempted to go into Bachelor Grove, one of the most haunted cemeteries in America. The activity here ranges from mysterious balls of light to disappearing car and a strange woman. The picture at the left is purported Madonna of Bachelor Grove. She's been photographed dozens of times over the decades. A few years ago I went by myself, during the day, of course, to see what I could see. I never made it past the No Trespassing sign as dread froze me in my tracks. I tried walking, but my legs would not move. I was overwhelmed with fear. I don't know how long I stood there until I was able to run back to the car. I am planning to go with some friends this time and we'll see what we see. Call me a nut job, but I want to face this dread and see if I encounter anything inside the place.

Internet Book Fair Blogfest

2011-10-24T22:56:00.000-07:00

Hooray for books!!! Today, M.A. Leslie an awesomely cool member of our blogging community is sponsoring the Internet Book Fair Blogfest as a way for we writers to get our books out there and to promote books and authors we love. The idea, as I understand it, is to tell a little bit about our own book, provide a buy link and tell about some other books and writers we love.

Along with my steamy sizzler, Nathan's Angel, I'm featuring two awesomely fantastic books by two of the best writers I know, MPax and Gail M. Baugniet. So here we go... And be sure to check out the other stories and linkage here.

NATHAN'S ANGEL by Melissa Bradley
ISBN 978-1-61124-191-4 (Electronic)

Sometimes the laws of Heaven were meant to be broken…

When his soul mate is stolen from Paradise and reincarnated, Ramiel, angel of death and transformation, defies Celestial Law to find out why. As punishment for his crime, he is banished to Earth in human form without his powers. His only hope lies in recovering the grace he lost in his fall from the Divine Realm…

Nathan, a beta werewolf, knows all too well what it’s like to be vulnerable and at the mercy of unfair people and situations. He is considered weak in the eyes of the alphas of his pack. Ramiel literally falling into his life changes him. Determined to help the sexy angel, he takes charge of the situation and to his surprise, begins to exhibit some rather alpha behavior…

As they search, a white hot, forbidden fire ignites between them, an inferno that sets them ablaze, fusing them body and mind. A passion that makes them question everything they’ve ever known. But when Ramiel’s grace is found, will they have the strength to let each other go?

SEMPER AUDACIA by MPax
Smashwords link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92160

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005QB25H4

Alone. Leda is the last living member of the brigade, the sole defender of her world. War took everyone she knew, leaving her in the company of memories and ghosts. Or is it madness?

The siren blares. The enemy is coming. Or is it? The approaching vessel isn't a friendly design, but it answers with the correct code. Leda must figure out whether the arrival is reinforcements or the final assault. In an aging flyer, she ventures out to meet her world's fate, the last stand.

FOR EVERY ACTION...THERE ARE CONSQUENCES by Gail M. Baugniet

Paperback

Electronic

26-year old Pepper Bibeau deals with unresolved personal problems while she plugs away at her job as an insurance investigator for a Wisconsin-based company. She recently resigned her commission with the Army Nurse Corps after a 12-month tour of Vietnam and experiences occasional flashbacks. Also, her son is being raised by her mother's relatives in Hawaii, a decision Pepper doesn't regret but never fully accepts.

Pepper's current investigation takes her to Chicago where she discovers that murder, suicide, and a child's heroin overdose all point to a small drug operation. Many of the people she is counting on for help may be indirectly involved in the case and the more Pepper learns, the more difficult it becomes to sort out who's hiding what.

After someone slams her head against a brick wall, sending her to the hospital, a homicide detective suggests she drop her insurance investigation and leave town. But her friend is dead and a child remains in a coma. Until she exposes those responsible, Pepper is staying.

Melissa's Horror Film Survival Rules

2011-10-23T22:39:00.000-07:00

Seven days until my high holy holiday, Halloween, and as I gear up for my annual Fright Fest I want to share with you a few things that I have learned about surviving a horror film. Follow these simple rules and you have a reasonable chance of getting out alive.

Rule #1

There is no such thing as mass psychosis, it's zombies. Did we not learn anything through dozens of zombie films already? Just start gathering supplies and practicing head shots.

Rule #2

Always wear appropriate clothing. No one ever seems to be properly attired in these things. They start off on a road trip with suitcases and when they reach the creepy camp or abandoned house, suddenly all they have are flip flops and shorts. Ladies, you might also want to keep track of your bras. They disappear with inexplicable frequency in horror films.

Rule #3

Keep it in your pants. I know it's tempting, but avoid having sex on graves, in old barns, derelict houses and, or abandoned psychiatric hospitals. Think tetanus shots if nothing else, but you know the killer/zombie/monster will always get you with your pants down.

Rule #4

That shape at the end of the hall is NOT your friend. Keep your mouth shut and keep moving. Don't you just love it when the vics see a giant shuffling shape and call out "Tiffany, is that you?"

Rule #5

Go to the bathroom in groups. Safety in numbers, kids. Nothing like going for a quick pee all by your lonesome and the monster/killer comes up behind you because you didn't bring a friend for lookout.

Rule #6

If the walls or floors start to bleed, LEAVE. Don't bother to call a priest or a psychic, that house is seriously freakin' haunted. GET OUT!

Rule #7

If there's a strange lunatic guy telling you you're going to die in there, DON'T GO IN THERE. How hard is that?

Rule #8

Stay out of the basement. Nothing good ever came from heading into the creepy basement. Unless you're fleeing a tornado, but seriously in horror, how many of those have you encountered?

Rule #9

Don't skinny dip. Come on, now. You know the monster is always in the water and the killer on the shore by your clothes.

Rule #10

No matter how bad the weather, STAY OUTSIDE. That scary looking house is not going to yield any sort of help. Think about it. The place is dilapidated and dark, do you really think you're going to find help in there?

Rule #11

Don't call the cops. They're useless cannon fodder unless it's near the end of the movie when they drive in en masse AFTER it's all over.

Rule #12

Don't ask what the noise is, HAUL ASS. How easy is this one? The noise is always bad news, so just run the fuck away.

So there you have them, my twelve simple rules for surviving horror. Now, I can't guarantee you'll live, but these rules will up your odds.

What's In A Name?

2011-10-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

Names are so important, they help us forge our identities. Our parents hold absolute power by choosing our names when we are born. We as writers labor over what to name our characters. So what's in a name? Absolutely everything.

On Saturday, 285 girls in the Satara district of Maharashtra state in central India took part in a renaming ceremony for themselves. You see every single one of them had been given names that meant "unwanted." Can you imagine? Your whole identity beginning with the title of unwanted. I was astounded.

Government officials were prompted to hold such a ceremony because the latest census results show that ratio of girls to boys has dropped sharply. There are now 914 girls for every 1000 boys under the age of six. In Maharashtra that ratio is even lower with only 883 girls for every 1000 boys under the age of six and in Satara district, the ratio drops even further. Many believe this is due to the extreme gender bias that exists.

In India, girl fetuses are often aborted once the sex of the child is learned. Hospitals are forbidden to reveal the gender of an unborn babe as a preventative measure, but the truth gets out anyway. Girl children in many cases are neglected so they die young.

The name often given to girls is Nakusa or Nakusi which means "unwanted." Dr. Bhagwan Pawar, who came up with the idea for the renaming ceremony, says in a quote to AP "Nakusa is a very negative name as far as female discrimination is concerned." On Saturday these beautiful, extraordinary young women came forward and took their power back. They shed their horrible birth names and renamed themselves. They chose to be called "Aishwarya" after the gorgeous Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai. They chose "Savitri" after the goddess and "Vaishali" which means "prosperous, beautiful and good." One girl chose "Ashmita" meaning "very tough" or "rock hard."

The article, by Chaya Babu from the Associated Press, is here. The article is enlightening and shocking. I always understood that a name is powerful, but I guess I never really thought about it outside of my own stories. I am so happy that these girls were given the opportunity to rename themselves. They have forged a new path on life. I am in awe of the courage it took for them to make such a decision and go to this ceremony. Just look in those gorgeous eyes and see the hope and strength. Those girls, like the Nobel winners I posted, are what true Girl Power is all about.

To those girls and my fellow females everywhere, here's Pink with "Fuckin' Perfect" cuz we are ALL fuckin' perfect.

** The image above is from the Associated Press.

New Feature and Sharing Some Love

2011-10-21T21:58:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Alex Cavanaugh's and Matthew MacNish's Pay It Forward blogfest last week, I have now decided to do my own weekly You Should Know feature. I'm going to be posting links to fave blogs and why I love them. Many of them are friends old and new, but all of them are sites I adore and know you will too. So for my inaugural You Should Know post I give you one of my very favorite peeps and one of the coolest movie review guys ever...

CineMarvellous! Known around the blogosphere as Nebular, George is a true cinemaniac. His knowledge of films, directors, styles and genres is astounding. He goes into detail about pacing, cinematography, costumes... Many things that a lot reviewers don't discuss. He also specializes in horror, my fave genre. George gives it to you straight with the good, the bad, and the abysmal. So go, visit him now. He's got an incredible review of the new Three Musketeers film.

I have some announcements, too. In the coming weeks I will have incredibly cool author spotlights, starting with the always amazing Jessica Bell on November 3rd. I have some books reviews coming soon including Kelley Smith's Glittering Ashes, Alexander Hammond's Brief (Case) Encounters, Julia Smith's Saint Sanguinus, as well as a couple of others. It's going to be exciting! I will also be celebrating Halloween all week next week as well as participating in the Internet Book Fair Blogfest on Tuesday, October 25. The awesome M.A. Leslie is sponsoring this and I found out through my favorite Alliterative Allomorph, Jessica Bell. So if you have a book to sell or just want to get out there and find some great books go participate.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Basement Treasure Trove

2011-10-20T04:26:00.000-07:00

Okay, so in between my regular gigs, I helped my sister clean YE OLDE BASEMENT and we came across a treasure trove of old books. We found some goodies like a copy of Catcher In The Rye and for all you Stars Wars geeks out there the original 1978 Splinter of the Mind's Eye by Alan Dean Foster, a sequel to Star Wars in which Luke Skywalker crash lands on the swamp world of Mimban with Princess Leia and gets caught up in the search for the Kaiburr crystal.

But I digress...

What really struck me in the Magic Box of Books were these two gems. Harlequin Superromances with the cheesiest WTF covers I have ever seen. I nearly peed myself laughing at them. Take a gander

Check out the Mom jeans on Wyatt Earp here. Is it just me or does the poofy shirt and vest make him look like he should be pillaging and plundering some Spanish galleon and not holding a baby with Laura Ingalls Wilder? Maybe that's the truth about cowboys, that they secretly wish to be pirates. And check the dress. This just screams Little House on the Prairie meets Bridezilla. And don't you just love the His and Her cowboy hats? It's so sweet, I need to take an extra does my diabetes medication and brush my teeth. And as if this cover wasn't enough of a chuckle, this cowboy's name is Abe Cockburn. Hmmm...all I can think is Ouch!

Doesn't this picture just scream Diabetic Coma? I mean you have cute kids, cute couple, a cute dog and cat who look like they are deliriously in love and they are surrounded by CHristmas. even the name, The Man Who Saved Christmas, is cute. I think I need some cute pink Pepto Bismol. However, check the cover carefully. Is it me or are they trying to imply that Mom gave birth on that couch? Eeewww!! Plus, her legs are missing. It looks like one of those half-mannequins they pose in the department store because the ones with legs are all in the windows. And this plot is a doozy. Pregnant mom and two kids lose everything in a fire, but a conveniently off duty patrol officer rushes in to save their dog. Romance ensues because yeah, nine months pregnant and homeless, you want some lurve and romance. But as the cover says "Christmas and babies come whether we're ready or not. And so does love." Ponder that thought for the day, Imaginarians.

And The Winner Is...

2011-10-18T22:49:00.000-07:00

It's time to announce the lucky winners of a free e copy of my newest story, Nathan's Angel. My apologies for the delay as my life once again took a turn for the crazy and I ended up sick. Blech! Blame the rain, the cold temps and soaked feet. I set my Atomic Randomizer aka my nephew to choose the name out of my trusty Bears cap. And so without further ado, the lucky winner is...

Vic Caswell (Aspiring X)

Congratulations Vic!!! Just shoot me an email at melbwrites@gmail.com and let me know what format I can send you.

New Release Party And Story Time

2011-10-17T04:40:00.000-07:00

Well Imaginarians I am just in a celebratin' mood and a hoppin' with the promo. Today I am having a party here and I'm also putting in an appearance over at my publisher, Amber Quill Press' blog today. There's an excerpt and a bit about how Nathan's Angel came to be. If you get a chance stop in and say hi.

At my party here, we're talking angels and werewolves, two of my favorite supernatural creatures. My love of werewolves comes from my Grandpa Bradley and my Dad. I was six when they allowed me to stay up late on a Friday Night and watch an old episode of Creature Feature on the local station. The movie? Why The Wolfman, of course, that old 1944 Lon Chaney Jr. classic. I was hooked and have loved no other beast since. My love of angels came from Uncle Moose. I used to be terrified of thunder. When he asked why I was so "derned scart" because "it's just them angels up there bowling like your mom does on Friday nights." I remember asking if he fibbing me. And he loomed over me with those steely eyes and said "Missy Mae, would I ever fib you?" I, of course said "But, Uncle Moose, angels can't bowl they have to do guard stuff. They don't have time for fun, do they?" He sighed and shook his head. "You see that rain?" I nodded. "That's them a cryin because kids like you don't believe they should be having fun." I have believed thunderstorms are angelic bowling tournaments ever since. ;)

In honor of my new release, I want to hear what your favorite supernatural creatures are and why. You'll be entered in a contest to win a copy of Nathan's Angel.

I also want to steer you to Craig Edwards of Let's Get Out Of Here. He put together a really cool Maniacal Movie Poster Monday and gave a shout out to me. I have never been so uniquely honored before. He rocks!

Now Available...Nathan's Angel

2011-10-16T06:13:00.000-07:00

It's here, it's here, my newest story Nathan's Angel is here at last. I'm dancing and celebrating which is quite the feat considering it's way early this Sunday morning and I had a late night. LOL

Nathan's Angel is also part of the Howling at the Moon 2011 collection featuring my fellow wicked cool authors D.J. Manly with the steamy mystery tale Conway, T.A. Chase with the sizzling latest installment of The Preternaturals series Love's Baggage, Vivien Dean with the beautiful, passionate Moon Touched and A.J. Llewellyn with scorching Tame.

So without further ado, here's a little about Nathan's Angel...

Synopsis

Sometimes, the laws of Heaven were meant to be broken…

When his soul mate is stolen from Paradise and reincarnated, Ramiel, angel of death and transformation, defies Celestial Law to find out why. As punishment for his crime, he is banished to Earth in human form without his powers. His only hope lies in recovering the grace he lost in his fall from the Divine Realm…

Nathan, a beta werewolf, knows all too well what it’s like to be vulnerable and at the mercy of unfair people and situations. He is considered weak in the eyes of the alphas of his pack. Ramiel literally falling into his life changes him. Determined to help the sexy angel, he takes charge of the situation and to his surprise, begins to exhibit some rather alpha behavior…

As they search, a white hot, forbidden fire ignites between them, an inferno that sets them ablaze, fusing them body and mind. A passion that makes them question everything they’ve ever known. But when Ramiel’s grace is found, will they have the strength to let each other go?

Excerpt

The angel stiffened and bowed his head. “I do not know what overcame me. I am weakened and in a form I have not taken in millennia. I have no control, I…” He trailed off, exhaling sharply.

Nathan tugged at Ramiel until the angel turned to face him. “No matter what you are, you’re human now and close quarters plus attraction equals lust, desire, whatever you want to call it. Trust me. I’m half human and half animal, if anyone can understand, it’s me. ‘Your reaction was quite understandable.’” A half smile quirked the side of Ramiel’s mouth as Nathan repeated the angel’s own words back to him. Apparently not all humor was lost on the angel, then.

He stared at Nathan through the gold silk of his bangs and Nathan’s chest went tight. Without thought, he reached up to palm Ramiel’s cheeks. The lost look in his eyes hit Nathan deep and he was overwhelmed with the desire to kiss him, to ease the loneliness Ramiel must surely be feeling, exiled from his own kind. He raised up, tilting his head…

Ramiel’s mouth crashed onto his, a hungry, elemental force that caught him by surprise. Pent-up need emanated from Ramiel and Nathan speared his fingers through
Ramiel’s hair, dragging the angel deeper into the kiss, letting him know it was all right, that he could take whatever Ramiel had to give.

With a low growl, Ramiel hauled Nathan tight against his big body, his hands grabbing Nathan’s ass. Ramiel’s tongue licked along Nathan’s lips, then plunged deep inside, stroking and twining with Nathan’s.

Ramiel’s taste was a wild kaleidoscope of flavor. Spicy and sweet with a hint of the meaty burger he had just eaten. It teased at the back of Nathan’s mind, a long forgotten treasure rediscovered. Pleasure overrode any more coherent thought like a tsunami and Nathan was swept up in its wake, drowning in sensation. His erection pulsed behind his zipper, a primitive, throbbing heat that tightened his balls.

Nathan wanted nothing more than to be skin to skin with Ramiel, exploring every plane and hollow of him. He needed to be closer, with no barrier between them.
Ramiel groaned, stumbled and the two of them nearly toppled over. Nathan clutched him, balanced on his feet and averted disaster. He locked eyes with Ramiel, their breath coming in rough gasps, and noted the pallor of the angel’s skin beneath the sex flush.

“Come on. I think we need to get you into bed for some serious rest.”
Ramiel stroked a finger along Nathan’s jaw, with a banked fire in the silvery depths of his eyes. Nathan regretted saying a thing.

“I have no desire to sleep. I prefer very much to continue what has begun.”

Pay It Forward Blog Fest...Sharing The Love

2011-10-14T04:18:00.000-07:00

It's Pay It Forward Blog Fest Day and I am very excited to be sharing some of my favorite blogs with you all. The Linky List is below and I encourage you all to visit as many of these awesome people as you can. Thank you Alex J. Cavanaugh and Matthew MacNish for sponsoring this and being such stupendously cool pillars of the blogging community. Your efforts are most appreciated by this blogger because without you, this virtual realm would not be the same, my blog would not be the same.

Now here are three blogs that I absolutely adore.

Supernatural Sisters Oh my God, if you are a fan of the Winchester Brothers then this is the site for you. I go here for episode recaps, discussions and basically all things Supernatural. These ladies know their stuff when it comes to this show.

Alexander Hammond: The Man of Whom It's Often Been Said "Who?" This mans is a writer, an inveterate traveler and a true wit. His posts are hilarious, self depracating and marvelously written. I love the way he uses language and his descriptions are so original.

Let's Get Out Of Here Craig Edwards is a font of all things pop culture and horror. He does things like movie reviews, spotlights obscure PSA's and he has Maniacal Movie Poster Mondays that is just awesome. Check him out, you'll love him.

Now get out there and visit some cool blogs. Have fun!

A Hollywood Field Trip And Blog Party

2011-10-13T03:26:00.000-07:00

It seems like this is the week for news and announcements. So today is the Big Day. I am interviewed over Dezmond's Hollywood Spy blog. So come on over and join me as I get down and dirty with Dez talking about my latest creation, Nathan's Angel, which drops this weekend on the 16th. Yay!!!

I hope to see you all there. The love and support you always show me means the absolute world to me. Virtual hugs and pomegranate martinis for all of you.

I will also be participating in the Pay It Forward Blogfest sponsored by Matthew MacNish at the hellacool blog, The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment and the Captain Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh. It starts tomorrow, Oct. 14. Go sign up here, it's a party that's all about sharing the blog love.

Good News!!

2011-10-12T04:29:00.000-07:00

It's good news all around. My mom is home and doing good, so is my sister (she's been cleared to drive--progress,yay!). Thank God. And thank you all so very, very much for the kind thoughts and the prayers. You rock! I've said it before, I am humbled by the awesome support I receive from you time and again. Creating this blog has really been one of the best things I've ever done because it brought all of you into my life. So thank you and big virtual hugs to all of you. :)

Second, I did get the job. It is a temp to possible permanent assignment with a client that is notoriously picky and I managed to wow them in spite of my lack of sleep.

Finally, I am interviewed by the one and only Hollywood Spy himself, Dezz, at his blog. Cool, right? So stop on by at The Hollywood Spy tomorrow, October 13. You will read some cool things about me, and help celebrate the release of my newest tale, Nathan's Angel. It's a party, I tell you! I am so excited, I'm getting my groove on here.

An Emergency

2011-10-10T22:34:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do a full out post today because I have some exciting news to share, but I spent the greater portion of last night, er tonight, man I don't even know which end is up right now, at the hospital with my mom so that is not happening. Mom's okay, but she scared the crap out of us when she collapsed and my sister, who's recovering from surgery herself, had to call an ambulance. So everything must be delayed for a day as I have a job interview to get through. Hopefully I won't fall asleep and make a bad impression. I promise to be back later today or tomorrow.

Inspirational Women

2011-10-09T09:41:00.000-07:00

I am an ardent feminist, Girl Power to the core. If there's a rally for women somewhere, I'll be there or be writing about it. Here, I often write of strong women and badass bitches I love in television and on film. Women who kick ass and take no prisoners. Today I am taking some time to honor three of the strongest women in this world. Their courage and fortitude humbles me and simply cannot be measured. Tawakul Karman, Leymah Gwobee and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf were selected to be the recipients of this year's Nobel Peace Prize. They have worked tirelessly in their countries for the rights of women, risking their very lives to blaze a trail into the darkness of oppression that shines with the power of a thousand spotlights.

Words cannot express the profound joy I feel at seeing these three women from two nations known for their ruthless suppressive governments, receive one of the greatest awards in the world.

Tawakul Karman is a Muslim woman who has risen to become the face of Yemen's pro-democracy movement. She has been honored as the "Mother of Yemen's Revolution" and holds a position on the central committee of her country's Islah (Reform) Party. Something that was unheard of just a few years ago. Although she helped kick things off with the Day of Rage on February 3 of this year, the truth is she had been working tirelessly the year before holding protests at the Girl's College of Sana'a University for the rights and freedoms of women. Since 2007 she has led demonstrations against censorship and the right to create a free radio station. These demonstrations were often met with violence, yet she never waivered and now the Yemeni people stand on the precipice of taking back their country from its oppressive rulers. Sahar Tarman has a wonderful article about Tawakul here.

Leymah Gwobee began her activism in a fish market outside Liberia's capital of Monrovia nine years ago. It was there that she, along with thousands of Liberian women began to make their voices heard. They dressed in white and sat, singing and praying within earshot of the dictator, Charles Taylor. Rain or shine, they stayed, protesting the 14 years of war their country had endured. In 2003 she led hundreds of women to Monrovia's city hall demanding an end to the violence. When at last they confronted Taylor and the other warring factions, the Accra Peace accord was signed. She now serves on Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is executive director of Women in Peace and Security Network, an organization that works with women in Liberia Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. Tamasin Ford has a great article here in the Guardian profiling Gwobee.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the first democratically elected woman to lead the nation of Liberia and the first female Head of State on the continent of Africa. At 17 she had been married to James Sirleaf, who brought her to the United States in 1961. Here she studied economics, receiving an eventual Masters from Harvard in Public Administration. She returned to Liberia where she served as Assistant Minister of Finance and Minister of Finance under William Tolbert. She survived a brutal coup which took the life of Tolbert and fled her country in November 1980. After working for the World Bank, Citibank and HSBC throughout the 80's and early 90's, she was appointed to the United Nations Development Programme where she served as assistant, then as director of the Regional Bureau for Africa. In 1999 she was appointed by the Organization for African Unity as part of a prominent team to investigate the Rwandan genocide. She became President of Liberia in 2005 and in 2006 created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate the brutal crimes carried out during Liberia's Civil War. The New York Times has a great profile of her here.

TV's Badass Bitches: Gemma Teller-Morrow

2011-10-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

It's time to get back to my ladies, the television badass bitches. And to me there are no bigger bitches than Gemma Teller-Morrow on Sons of Anarchy. If you do not watch this show, start right now, this minute. It is Hamlet meets Hell's Angels and all the twists, turns, back stabs and shootouts in between. You'll find it on F/X on Tuesday nights @9PM CST.

Gemma is played to perfection by the amazing Katy Sagal. Peg Bundy no longer lives here, let me tell you. I should hate this show because it is so misogynistic at times, but with a female lead like Gemma, it's impossible. This characters is one of the strongest and smartest written for a woman on television. Gemma is the matriarch and queen bitch of SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original). Her husband, Clay Morrow, is the president and a founding member while her son, Jax Teller, is the heir to the club. She is beloved by all the club members and she rules them with equal parts love and iron-fisted ass kicking. To Gemma there is nothing more important than her family and the club. She will do anything, I mean we're talking anything, to protect them, even from themselves.

The Lowdown on Gemma

She's got a killer 'tude and a mouth that would make a hardened prisoner blush. Gemma pulls no punches, she delivers them blow after blow. She takes scheming to new lows, a brilliant strategist who sizes people up accurately in a millisecond. Her tongue cuts fast and deep, making hulking bikers and racist drug dealers go slinking away, testicles in hand. She's not afraid to pull a gun when necessary and do things like shoot up a porn star's car or threaten an ATF agent. She'll even knock a bitch out with a skateboard. There's nothing she can't handle and acts as cleaning crew when her men have fucked up. Gemma even finds time to run community service projects for the town of Charming. Bet your Homeowners Association President was never like her.

Favorite Gemma-isms

"Stop talking. My Martha Stewart's wearing thin."

"You should have thought of that before your dick went on a cheerleader hunt."

"Nobody gets in the way of me taking care of my family. Especially my conscience."

Here's Gemma in action thanks to the You Tube stylings of HPfane777

Insecure Writers Support Group: Revisionist Blues

2011-10-05T06:35:00.000-07:00

Here it is the first Wednesday in October and it's time for the second edition of the Insecure Writers Support Group. Welcome! My fellow group members and I are here for you and each other. Below you'll find a list of the other cool participants. Last time I talked about my fear of having everything I write suck. Today I'm going to talk about revisions, which I know can suck out loud and sideways.

We do everything possible to ensure that our story is in the best shape possible and hey, it's been accepted. However, we have to be prepared to make changes and revisions no matter what. It's inevitable, like Republicans complaining about Democrats.

Editors will still find basic structure problems like pacing, weak prose, dialogue that is stilted and places where your main character waffles and steps out of herself. We are not perfect writers and our manuscripts, no matter how much we love them and have had other eyes look them over, are not perfect either. But that's okay, it's part of the routine, NOT that your writing sucks.

However, instead of those structural edits, I'm focusing on those revisions and changes in content. The ones that require you to alter your actual story, the most painful, horrific edits of all, in my opinion.

The editor knows their publishing house, know their readers and they will ask for changes accordingly. WHAT!! New to the business writers always seem to have a problem with this one. They always tell me there is no effing way they will allow anyone to destroy the vibe of their book. It's their story, damn it, their heart, their soul, their baby. "I know," I sympathize. "And you've already argued with your crit partners and beta readers about things, too. You can't possibly make one more single change. Period." "Damn straight." They nod fiercely, convinced of the superiority of this mindset. I hate to crush them, but that is oh so wrong and let me count the ways.

That love story in your political thriller that you insist is mere background, well your editor feels it should be played up more to add some additional flavor to the main characters. Oh and think two suspects is enough in your cozy mystery? Think again. You now have to add two more. The battle sequence in the desert was surely long enough at a thousand words. No, no, the editor thinks it should last longer, more to the tune of another two thousand words. Prefer a bare bones description of that European seaside village? Wait, your editor wants you to put the readers right there like they are looking at a guidebook.

Some changes will even come for marketing purposes. Like that title you so love and painstakingly labored over. It may not fit with their overall promotion scheme and will have to go. Gasp! Yes, your superfantastic Fires of Darkness is now Hot Nights. This kind of stuff happens all the time and you have to remember that it is no reflection on your skill as a writer or your ability to name your own kids.

Now, are there times where you can completely disagree with an editor and be heard? Heck yeah. You absolutely do not have to accept all those changes if you feel it threatens your voice. Ah, but here's where you have to be your most calm, though. In spite of the seething mass of roiling rage within your veins, you must be ice and civility. No one will listen to a crazed writer who is alternately screaming and crying unless you have a gun to their heads, but that's another story.

The bottom line is we as writers have to suck it up for this stage on our road to publication. Pretty shitty advice, I know. But, we want our babies published more than anything and the editors hold the magic key. It behooves us to listen. At the end of the day, they are only looking to ensure that our best possible work goes out there. I survive this part by commiserating with my fellow writers. So feel free to call me up or just pop on over here and tell me about those big bad editors and how they are ruining your masterpiece.

Book Launch And RandomThings

2011-10-04T07:54:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday and I'm very excited because Ciara Knight's debut novel, Love's Long Shadow is now available. Yay!! Check it out.

Because I am busily preparing my post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group, here a just a few bits of randomness that make me smile, laugh or just go hmmm...

Mapquest really should start their directions at step 5 or 6 because I'm pretty sure I can get off my own street and out of my own neighborhood.

Nothing sucks quite like that moment in a heated argument when I realize I'm wrong. Doh!

Tylenol costs me $7.99 a bottle outside the hospital, but $17 a pill on the inside. Why? Do hospitals get the pure, uncut shit?

How many times is it acceptable for me to say "What?" before I just have to smile and nod like I understand even though I don't?

Bad decisions really do make the most interesting stories.

There is a fine line between boredom and hunger. I stomp over that line quite frequently.

I really wish Facebook would stop yelling at me about missing statuses. I panic and immediately log on, thinking I'll be kicked out.

I hate when I just miss a call, immediately call back only to have it ring ten times and go to voice mail. WTF? Did they drop the phone and runaway?

I have never understood the expression "cute as a button." To my knowledge, buttons aren't cute.

Shouldn't the pain scale have more numbers? Somehow that root canal pain seems more like a 1000 than a 10.

Why does cleave mean both to rip asunder and cling together?

Why did baseball and hockey helmets not come into play until the 1970's when testicular protection had been in use since the 1870's? Did men not think that their big heads were just as important as their little heads?

Have a great day and I'll be back tomorrow.

2 Weeks And Counting: Nathan's Angel Is Coming

2011-10-02T21:20:00.000-07:00

October 16 will see the release of my sixth published work, Nathan's Angel from Amber Quill Press' Allure line. It is a story that is very near and dear to me, that features a character that I created because I had been inspired by some very dear friends. Here's the official blurb...

Sometimes, the laws of Heaven were meant to be broken…

When his soul mate is stolen from Paradise and reincarnated, Ramiel, angel of death and transformation, defies Celestial Law to find out why. As punishment for his crime, he is banished to Earth in human form without his powers. His only hope lies in recovering the grace he lost in his fall from the Divine Realm…

Nathan, a beta werewolf, knows all too well what it’s like to be vulnerable and at the mercy of unfair people and situations. He is considered weak in the eyes of the alphas of his pack. Ramiel literally falling into his life changes him. Determined to help the sexy angel, he takes charge of the situation and to his surprise, begins to exhibit some rather alpha behavior…

As they search, a white hot, forbidden fire ignites between them, an inferno that sets them ablaze, fusing them body and mind. A passion that makes them question everything they’ve ever known. But when Ramiel’s grace is found, will they have the strength to let each other go?

I will be having a party here and holding a contest to win a free download of Nathan's Angel and will post up the details very soon. I will also be making some guest appearances and will have that information up in the very near future.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

Cornucopia Of Awesomesauce Thursday

2011-09-29T15:29:00.000-07:00

I've decided that today will be Cornucopia of Awesomesauce Thursday. I wanted to take some time and share with you all some amazingly exciting news from friends of the Imaginarium. Jeremy at the wicked fun blog iZombie Lover has an exciting interview with the group, The Blanks, on his site Two Thumbs, Eight Fingers. They are an A Capella group who probably best known as "Ted's Band" on the tremendously popular television show Scrubs. Member Sam Lloyd appeared on all nine seasons as "Ted Buckland."

In other awesome news, Angela Felsted , from My Poetry and Prose Place, is running a contest because her new book, Cleave, will be out January 12 from Finishing Line Press. Cleave is going to rock because it is a poetry chapter book. Check out the trailer, Angela created it herself. I love it.

In more spectacular book news, MPax, from Wistful Nebulae, has her novel Semper Audacia releasing on Oct. 4. Yay! Here's a little bit about Semper as well as the gorgeous cover from M's site.

Alone. Leda is the last living member of the brigade, the sole defender of her world. War took everyone she knew, leaving her in the company of memories and ghosts. Or is it madness?

The siren blares. The enemy is coming. Or is it? The approaching vessel isn't a friendly design, but it answers with the correct code. Leda must figure out whether the arrival is reinforcements or the final assault. In an aging flyer, she ventures out to meet her world's fate, the last stand.

Sounds utterly brilliant, doesn't it? I can't wait to get my copy.

Finally, my newest, Nathan's Angel drops on Oct. 16 from Amber Allure, I'll post the blurb tomorrow.

When Do You Edit: A Guest Post By Stephen L. Brayton

2011-09-28T04:46:00.000-07:00

Today I am letting the super-talented author, Stephen L. Brayton, take over the Imaginarium. He is the author of Night Shadows, one wicked cool fantasy horror. His newest novel, Beta, drops this Saturday, Oct. 1. It's a mystery featuring one literal kick-butt private detective, Mallory Petersen. She's a fourth degree black belt in taekwondo, hence the picture of Stephen in his awesome dobok. He is a fifth degree black belt. So you know I'm already anticipating getting my copy. Oh, how I love my strong female protagonists. Take it away Stephen...

Katherine Hinkson, a writer friend, and I both agree editing is probably the worst tribulation about writing a manuscript. Certainly, it is the most tedious and frustrating. One of the reasons is because we are constantly finding mistakes, even after the third, fifteenth, and fiftieth read through. Then, when the publisher’s editor(s) get a hold of it, they’re finding even more. Plus, they’re coming back and mentioning not just the fundamental errors (grammar, spelling, punctuation), they’re noticing continuity and time mistakes among others. For instance, they’ll catch the misspelled word ‘fiend’ when you really meant ‘friend’. They’ll also notice you left the door open in a certain scene, yet your hero, upon leaving the room, opens the door and steps out.

My last book went through several editing phases and then, when I thought everything was kosher, the publisher came back with highlights on all the ‘were’, ‘was’, and ‘that’ words. I couldn’t believe how many I’d used, especially in what she called ‘clusters.’

I think the best way for you to recognize mistakes and problems in your own writing is to edit others’. During my short stint as an editor for Echelon Press, I edited several manuscripts and finding errors in those helped me find errors in my stories, even while I was currently writing them.

Another interesting method to learning editing is to take a random book, and start writing it. Open to page one, grab a pen and paper and start writing from the first word in the first chapter. By doing this, you’ll see what the author is doing, how he/she is using words and phrases, grammar and punctuation.

My second book, “Beta”, didn’t have as many problems, but only because I’ve been editing and rewriting it for nearly ten years. For those of you struggling with editing, I say, “Good for you.” Everyone should. However, we’re all in this together, so I’m not going to sit back and laugh and poke fun. Instead, I’d like to offer a few tips on how I edit. I’m not saying this is the correct way. It’s MY method and until I find a better one, (or someone offers me tips like I’m doing for you), I’ll stick with it.

For Beta, I wrote the first draft longhand. I used up a pen and several legal pads. Today, I write a few stories’ first drafts on the laptop. I prefer longhand because it is my first chance at editing. I can think faster than I can write. So ideas and descriptions and dialogue will form and stack up waiting their turn to be put down. Other scenes may intrude or details may come to mind for me to include elsewhere. Conversely, when using the laptop, I can type faster than I can think, so sometimes, I lose some of the ‘fine tuning’.

After a chapter or two, I’ll then type what I’ve written onto the computer. This is the next chance to edit. I’ll fix the fundamentals, and I may substitute words and sentences for others that sound better. Again, while typing, other ideas may present themselves, other scenes to include.

After I’ve typed in the entire manuscript, I”ll celebrate what I’ve accomplished. Then it’s back to the pen and pad for an initial read through, catching typos and jotting down questions for research or areas of concern. I’ll spend a period of time with corrections, then another read through. Somewhere in this process, even before completing the manuscript, I’m reading chapters or scenes to members of a critique group. I’ll jot down their concerns and suggestions, then when I’m correcting the read through, I’ll insert those as I see fit.

I’ve been trying to follow a course laid out by Todd Stone in his book “The Novelist Boot Camp”. He suggests looking at specific aspects of the story for each read through. Action, Dialogue, Sentence Structure, Setting, and others. I think this is a good guideline to follow. By focusing on specific areas you’re not as overwhelmed by trying to catch EVERYTHING on each round.

Even when I’d edited “Beta” many times, the critique group still had suggestions. I needed to tone down the brusqueness of my main character. Plus, they didn’t like the names for two of my male characters. After reviewing this, I agreed. So Jamie became Darren and Lauren was renamed Lawrence. I like them better.

Find your editing method. Get frustrated, but realize that with each correction, you are improving not only your story, but your writing as well.

To find out more about Stephen and his works,please visit:
Stephen Brayton.com, his website
Brayton's Briefs, his blog
Brayton's Book Buzz, his book blog

In Celebration Of Banned Book Week

2011-09-25T22:59:00.000-07:00

Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies, The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.

- C.S. Lewis

Provocative quote, isn't it? And so true. I am celebrating Banned Book Week loud and proud. As an author of sexy and spicy tales, I know what I write is controversial to many people. I know that if certain conservative wingnuts out there had their way, I would be on the banned list. I think that the very idea of censorship is abhorrent. It's telling people what to think.

What surprises me is how innocent censorship starts out. Well, Melissa, people say, we just don't want our kids to read those kinds of things. They're five, ten, two years old. They don't need to know about sex, violence, curse words, etc. I know that, I have four nephews. But, kids talk. They get and pass along, a lot of wrong information. I know because until I was fifteen, I thought that pregnancy only occurred right before your period. Well, a good friend from grade school, whose son is now 25, gave me that wrong information when we were eleven.

People love to say that Huckleberry Finn is about promoting violence and racial slurs. "We don't need that coming into our homes, Mel. We don't want to promote racism. We're good people." The mere act of reading about racism and slavery doesn't make you a violent plantation overseer. If reading affected people like that, then I would be a six foot blonde warrior goddess and a werewolf. I also would have gone to Narnia.

It all starts with this idea that we're somehow protecting our kids, ourselves, that we're not supporting cruelty or offending anyone, that we're making our society better. I am a sex writer, the proverbial canary in the mine shaft. What happens to those of us on the controversial fringe, snowballs. I guarantee it. First, it's the erotica and porn, then it's horror, then sci fi, then murder mysteries and on and on, all for innocent-sounding ideals.

Bertrand de Jouvenel said "A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves." We keep censoring stuff to protect our children, to promote good thoughts and eventually there is no stopping. More books get fed to the flame. Freedom is difficult. If we are to keep our freedom of choice, then we must defend others' choices when we don't like them. Instead of blocking our children from having the information, we should have open discussion.

Okay, I am off of my high horse. I will leave you with this thought, though. The next time you hear about someone turning down the censorship road, ask yourself, would you like to see your favorite author end up on a banned book list? Although that is a hellagood marketing strategy...Melissa Bradley author of banned books. Anyway, I'm sure the answer is a resounding no, so go on and read some banned books. I'm cracking open my very favorite novel and long time member of banned book lists everywhere, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Here are some banned books to consider:

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Kite Runner by Khaled Housseini
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The Flamingo Rising by Larry Baker
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Flashcard of My Life by Charise Maricle Harper
Uncle Bobby's Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen

Author Spotlight...Kelley Smith

2011-09-22T05:12:00.000-07:00

I am very excited, Imaginarians. You know how I love discovering new to me authors. Today, I am shining a huge spotlight on Kelley Smith, author of the terrific YA tale Glittering Ashes. I'll have a post about her fantastic debut novel in the very near future, but right now, let's get to know Kelley. She's a terrific author with whom I connected a short time ago and I am just blown away by her.

Kelley holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree in English literature. Having been a word smuggler from way too far back to remember, she has always been obsessed with language, stories, and throwing these two together to make sense of the world she knows and the worlds that she doesn't. She is currently working on other novels, from the young adult genre and beyond. Glittering Ashes is her first novel.

What was the inspiration behind your debt novel Glittering Ashes? Tell us a little about your main character, Roe Daniels. She seems like quite an intriguing person.

Glittering Ashes started out as one of those stories that brews in your head for a long time. I first imagined all of the things that happen after the first book, but then I realized that there needed to be this as a beginning to have the rest of the series make sense. Roe Daniels was/is fun to write. She's adventurous to a point, but remains cautious. I liked writing her next to Jordyn, a more wild and crazy character.

World building can be so enjoyable for some writers and quite challenging for others, what side of the line do you fall on?

I think coming up with worlds can be really enjoyable, and I think a lot of worlds that people build start off from whimsy, from a person being imaginative enough to want to make a place totally different, but actually executing that world after finding a passion for it can be difficult. I'd say I'd definitely fall on the "it's enjoyable" side though.

This is a YA novel. How do you feel about exploring issues like sex, domestic violence, drug abuse and suicide in teen stories? Do you think there needs to be open dialogue with YA authors and their readers?

I've talked about this before on people's blogs when they've asked, and what I said then is similar to what I'd say now, it has to be integral and authentic to the story. If it makes sense for those types of things to occur without being gratuitous for the sake of being gratuitous, then I think there's a place for conversation and dialogue about just about anything within the YA genre.

What made you decide to embark on the writer’s journey? Who are some of your writing influences? Is there one author or title that had the biggest influence?

I've always wanted to write in some capacity. I was the girl with the notebook who scribbled story ideas and beginnings that never went anywhere but entertained me. I couldn't wait to have a laptop or access to a computer whenever I wanted to write everything down. I remember being saddened when I finally got to type up THE STORY I had been working on and it only amounted to a few angsty pages typed. lol.

My writing influences are really varied. I love to read. A lot. YA, romance, chick flick books, New Adult, Non-fiction, thrillers, horrors, magazines, blogs, how-to's. If it's interesting enough for me to pause and think about, I'll read something about it. I think anything can be inspiring, so I always like to be looking at any and everything to see what sparks something in me.

I wouldn't necessarily peg a specific author who made me want to write, but there were authors who made me want to read, and reading is definitely what made me get into writing. Robert Cormier was mind-blowing to me as a young teen, but, like I said, I look for inspiration everywhere.

What has surprised you the most about the business side of writing? Is there any part of publishing that you find especially challenging?

I was surprised about how much you have to work to get your book out there. Sure, I knew you had to direct people to it, but your book is one of so many books out there, and it is really important to steer people to your book, rather than just let them find it. At least in the very, very beginning.

I think choosing to self-publish with Glittering Ashes was challenging in that there are a lot of steps that could snare someone who doesn't research how to self-publish well and correctly (formatting wise and distribution wise), but if you want to learn, the information is all out there so it does become easier.

Do you write every day or only when inspiration strikes? How do you keep the creative juices flowing?

I don't write every day. I think every day. I stew on things almost every hour of every day (yes, I dream about WIPs sometimes), but I haven't yet decided how beneficial it is to force myself to write when I'm not feeling inclined. Goals are important, though. That I completely agree with.

I think reading is the best thing to keep the creative juices flowing. If I read something really awesome, it makes me more excited to write, to get my turn to try to be awesome. If I read something really bad, I want to write better and that gets me writing. Reading always helps.

Aside from writing, what are some of you favorite pastimes and pursuits?

Well, I've mentioned this on my blog before, but I am knitting a quilt that never ends. I knit many squares (SO many) that are roughly 5x5 inches. I have them piled in a bin in my closet. It's my dream to someday connect them all and have this crazy quilt of many colors. I also have been googling hand embroidery lately, so I'm interested in starting that. I really like looking at artsy things and trying to be creative. I love looking at and designing crazy tshirts too.

Do you have any favorite indulgences that might surprise your readers?

Hmm, I like looking at literary tattoos and looking at different ways to write text. I'm really into typography. Is that surprising? lol

What’s next for you? Is there a genre that you have not tried before, but would like to attempt?

I have a numbered list of book ideas written down. I think I have 33 on the list, last time I checked. Some are series ideas. Some short story collections. Some romance, some New Adult, some horror/thriller or script ideas. I would never rule a genre out. I'd like to take a try at everything. I'm really looking forward to doing something like a flash fiction collection or small book of poetry some time. I'll keep you posted :)

If you could pass along one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be?

Write everything. Give everything, every idea that seems worth it, a shot. You never know what could stick and what you could amaze yourself by writing.

You can find out more about Kelley at these cool links

Her Blog: Writtled
Her Author Page: Amazon
Follow her on Twitter

You can purchase Glittering Ashes here or at additional retailers here.

Worst Movies Ever Blogfest

2011-09-19T02:00:00.000-07:00

Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh has compelled we in the Blogosphere to list our Worst Movies Ever. These are the movies that just stunk up the theater and made me want to demand my money back. They made me want to bleach my brain, gouge out my eyes and bemoan the loss of those hours from my life. They made me say "I can't believe I paid to sit through this shit." They also made me wish wholeheartedly that I had seen them with Joel, Mike and the Bots from Mystery Science Theater.

Here, in no particular order, are some of my... Worst Movies Ever. (I think I need an echo machine for dramatic effect.)

Jeepers Creepers (2001) Total rip off. You start with the typical dumbass brother and sister college students on a lonely road because no one drives the interstates anymore. Also, I really don't know what makes Hollywood think that America's highways and byways are ever deserted. I digress. So they spy a guy dumping bodies and simply HAVE to investigate. All the makings of a great cheesy serial killer epic. Then...THEN this guy turns out to be a winged monster. WTFH? You have got to be freakin' kidding me.

Twilight (2008) From the bad acting, which was stiffer than frozen spaghetti, to the stilted dialogue to the utterly crazed vampire mythos...here they can walk around in the daytime and sparkle in the sun...this is one hot mess of a movie. Seriously, it stretches the bonds of believability. Riddle me this, why would anyone who's rich and looks eternally 17 choose to go to high school over and over and over and over. And wouldn't he be considered a pedophile?

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008) Talk about the most useless sequel ever and absolutely no chemistry between the actors. And why would an egyptologist search for mummies in China to begin with? I was so goddamned bored in this movie that I walked out and snuck into The Dark Knight, which I had already seen three times.

Paranormal Activity (2007) I know this was an indie with no budget, but come the fuck on. We get this self-absorbed couple, Katie and Micah, a pair of white bread yuppies who, when shit starts happening in their house,just gotta put it on video. Fine, I get that. But then whole movie centers on time-elapsed drooling and staring from Katie and off camera noises that wouldn't scare a toddler. The big ending comes when"demon" Katie kills Micah, again off-camera, then it takes her hours and hours to drag his body up the stairs (My fat ass takes less time) where she pitches it like a fastball at the tripod, which miraculously stays upright. Finally, Katie crawls over to the camera and makes a constipated face. The End. I laughed and laughed through this entire movie. And Oren Peli had a nerve to sic two more on the world.

Over the Top (1987) An arm-wrestling movie, seriously? WTF! Struggling trucker Stallone tried to win his estranged son's affection by entering the national arm-wrestling championships in Las Vegas. Because you know family problems can all be solved with a bit of hand to hand tango on a table in a casino. Who got paid for this shit?

Sleepwalkers (1992) Shape shifters come to town because they need a virgin to feed on in order to keep their powers. Yeah, cuz you know those untouched women work just like a pack of D batteries. And I thought Duracell was the best.

The Prince of Darkness (1987) Of all the forms the Devil could take, green goo was not one I'd ever imagined. A cylinder of green slime is found in a Los Angeles church where it is discovered that this is the essence of Satan. What the eff, John Carpenter? I waited for a seriously cool monster and all I got was a tub of salsa verde. I survived babysitting the Gojnar monsters, er boys, for this piece of shit. Oh my God, pissed does not even begin to describe my mood upon leaving the theater.

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) The plot for this is so effing stupid, it deserves to be called STOOPID. An insane toymaker hatches an evil scheme to kill millions of children by using a stolen boulder from Stonehenge and putting something in their Halloween masks. A stolen boulder? WTH? Kim Kardashian's popularity makes more sense. And precisely why this was named as part of the Michael Myers franchise is beyond me.

Roller Boogie (1979) It's the Exorcist meets Studio 54...I'm kidding. Linda Blair stars in this whacked out film about skaters who band together to keep their roller disco open. Boo Hoo... tear that piece of shit down, I say. I could only watch and wish that Linda's head would have started spinning and spewing pea soup.

Star Wars: Phantom Menace, Clone Wars and Revenge of the Sith I am stating unequivocally that there is only one Star Wars trilogy and it features Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo. I don't give a rat's ass what any one else thinks. This prequel trilogy of self-indulgent, badly written films with the worst acting ever is total bull shit and tarnishes the legacy. Hayden Christensen is horrendous and he utterly ruined Darth Vader. There is no fucking way the most awesome villain in the universe sprang from that wooden-headed brat. George Lucas, you greedy asshole, you fucked with your own mythology and ruined my childhood memories. Damn you!

Deep breath. Rage has been contained. Hope you enjoyed this look at some of the craptacular flicks I've tortured myself with over the years. And to think each one of these was released in theaters, none were direct to DVD Syfy Z Grades. Yikes!

Watching Willow Watts Launch Party...Time To Have At It Like A Rock Star

2011-09-14T20:42:00.000-07:00

Today, super cool author and blogger, Talli Roland is celebrating the launch of her newest creation, Watching Willow Watts. I know, I'm about million years behind and everyone's probably already been there done that and is over this already, but I'm getting in the party anyway because I really am excited about this book. The theme for today is "If I could be anyone, I'd be..."

The reason for this is that the main character, Willow Watts, impersonates Marilyn Monroe after a You Tube video makes her famous. So for all of you out there wondering who I'd be if I could be anyone here it goes.

If I could be anyone I would be...

Sarah Jane Smith

I am a Doctor Who fan and Sarah Jane was my favorite companion of all time. I have always fantasized about being able to travel around with the Doctor, having neck or nothing adventures while battling Cybermen and Daaleks. Sarah Jane was the coolest chick in the universe to me. Brilliant with attitude and courage to spare, she traveled in the Tardis with the last of the Time Lords. She even went on to have her own adventures, fighting aliens and saving the Earth many times over.

RIP Elisabeth Sladen. You brought Sarah Jane to life and are terribly missed.

Now go with me to buy Talli's fabulous book.

My New Story And Other Awesome News

2011-09-11T22:54:00.000-07:00

Here is the cover of my newest tale, Nathan's Angel. Isn't that heavenly seraph one sexy beast? Rrrowr! Anyway, Nathan will be released on October 16 from Amber Allure. This was a very difficult story for me to write as it is my first foray into writing gay characters. I wanted to write something for some of my dearest friends who have supported me over the years.

September is going to be a hot month around here because I am also having two very cool authors visit. Kelley Smith will be here on the 22nd to tell us about herself and share her new novel, Glittering Ashes. Stephen Brayton, a previous guest author, will be here on the 28th to promote his exciting new thriller, Beta. I can't wait for their visits and I hope you'll stop by.

I also have a brand new puppy. A little shih tzu female whom my nephew named Vegas, joined our household on Friday. She is the cutest little thing. I hope to have some pics posted here soon. She is beige and white with one blue eye and one brown. She is such an adorable little fluff ball. We got her from someone who had taken her because her owner, a show breeder, could not sell her. Her eye color is considered undesirable. Poor thing! It was love at first sight for all of us.

Hope you all have an awesome week and after my temp assignment today, I will be getting back to my regular visiting and commenting (I swear) so I will definitely be seeing you all around the blogosphere again. I hated being away. I thank you all for being such great friends to me during this discombobulated time.

Cheers!

9/11...Ten Years On

2011-09-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

It's hard to imagine that it has been ten years since that horrible day, yet, time has marched on and while the wounds have scarred over, they are still very much with us. Each anniversary of this day that has come and gone over these last ten years had me torn between, "God, I am so sick of reliving everything over and over. Just stop" to watching every single news item, reliving every single moment in my mind's eye and praying.

I remember most of that day with a clarity that stuns me. And I was no where near New York City or Washington DC. I was here in Chicago and in my office at 300 W. Washington on the 21st floor, just three blocks north of the Sears, now Willis, Tower. I sat at my desk, opened my Diet Pepsi, then got into voice mail and started answering messages. It was just before 8:00AM Central Time and the first tower had been struck.

My co-worker Lisa came over to my desk, ghost white. "They think a plane crashed into the World Trade Center. There was an explosion."

"What?" In my mind I'm thinking a Cessna or some other small plane that had some engine trouble.

"They think it was a jet. There's a lot fire and smoke. We turned Good Morning America on because we had to adjust the picture on the new tv for the meeting later."

That brought me up short. "Holy shit!. Are you serious?" She nodded. Her blue eyes were so huge they looked like swimming pools. "We're all there watching, if you want to come on back. No one's here, really.." Our company had been having its annual conference so most of our office, at least all the bosses, were out in Las Vegas.

"Yeah. I've just got to finish up the consultant schedules."

"Okay." She left, but somehow I could not bring myself to do it. I grabbed my soda and headed to be with my co-workers. I walked in that room, just in time to see the second plane crash. All the oxygen was sucked from my lungs and I could not process what I had just seen live on tv. It reminded me horribly of that moment when I watched the Challenger explode fifteen years earlier. Everyone started exclaiming and crying. I dropped my soda and simply stared at the screen. I fumbled for a chair and sat down, my mind screaming "What the fuck?" over and over.

The next thing I remember, my friend was Teena handing me a napkin. I hadn't realized I was crying. I dabbed my eyes and continued to watch, ABC News had now taken over and Peter Jennings was the voice of reason to my scattered brain. The phone rang, making us all jump. Lisa answered and she started talking to one of our engineering consultants who happened to be in one of our member bakeries in New York. He said he didn't have long, but that he was going to extend his stay and try and rent a car because he didn't know if he'd be able to get out that night. They talked a while long, but I don't recall what was said because by this time the news that the Pentagon had been struck came across.

"Oh my God," another co-worker, Tom, exclaimed. "The Pentagon, too. I wonder how many planes were taken over? What other targets are there?"

Those words frightened me because we were right smack in the middle of downtown Chicago just up the street from America's tallest building. I ran to the window and looked out. I could just make out the top portion of the Sears Tower and my ears strained for the whine of a jet engine.

"Jesus Christ!" someone yelled, I spun back only to see a rumble of gray smoke and debris roll across the television screen. The South Tower had collapsed. I could not believe what I had just seen. It was weird and horrifying, like seeing a mass of red and slowly putting it together as blood stains.

Word came that a jet had crashed in Pennsylvania. We were starting to talk about that when a little while later the North Tower came down. I remember thinking with the rod on top, it looked like a collapsing birthday cake. A dumb thought, sure, but it was what ran through my brain at the time.

Talk started about other planes and other targets when we heard that the FAA had grounded all flights until further notice. But, they still could not account for four planes. A little while later, someone from the building manager's office came in and said that they were evacuating the entire Loop. I remember getting my stuff together and heading for the elevator. I was scared and wanted to take the stairs, but our building had people riding in the elevators with us and assuring us that this was the fastest way.

Outside was totally surreal. There was no noise at all. It was like the cemetery hush, magnified. All these people and cars, but no noise. I had a seven block walk to the train and I was terrified the whole time. I kept craning my neck, listening for a plane, yet trying to walk as fast as I could. I wanted my parents in the worst way.

The ride home on the train was a strange blur. I could not think, I could not concentrate on anything. My mind was just in a whirl. I got off my train and got on a bus. It was weird because instead of getting off the bus at the regular stop, I got off by old grammar school and walked that way to my parents' house. I had not walked that route since I was 14 and finishing 8th grade.

I stayed at my folks' house most of the rest of the day. My mom took me home later and I had a message from our company president, Bernie, saying to stay home and don't come in until Thursday morning. I watched the television all night and I recall that I went to bed right when the sun was starting to come over the horizon.

Ten years is a long time and yet, it still seems like just yesterday. This country has been changed forever. I have been changed forever. I think I'm going to do some serious reflection today and pray for peace.

I'm Baaaack...Insecure Writer's Support Group

2011-09-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back, I'm back, I'm back!!!! I really hated being away from you all and missed you something fierce, but the good news is I'm DONE with my story. I'll share the pertinent details with you very soon. Lots of exciting things are planned for this month and there will be tons more news coming soon. I'm still discombobulated so bear with me.

I am very excited to be a part of Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group. This is where we writers bare our souls and give a peek into our crazed craniums. We'll be talking about our struggles, insecurities, fears, hopes, breakthroughs, as well as sharing words of encouragement. There will be posts on the first Wednesday of every month for the group.

Today, I want to talk about one of my biggest fears in writing and that is my fear of my work not being good enough. I love to write, to tell stories, but when I am in the midst of working on something new, I reach this point where the words won't flow. I suddenly am overwhelmed with thoughts of "this story sucks," "what made you think you could ever write, you big loser" and I physically cannot write a word.

It's like going from finding golden nuggets in a river with a pan to having to take a pick ax to solid rock and getting nothing but rock with maybe a few flecks of gold. I hate every syllable, I get headaches, want to vomit and I feel trapped. My production level drops to the point where it will take me hours to produce a paragraph. Part of the reason I took a hiatus from the blogging was because I was having a serious breakdown over this story and I was making myself horribly ill. The day that I announced my hiatus, I had a migraine of epic proportions and could barely see to type.

Now that the thing is done, I am on pins and needles waiting to see what my editor will think. Will she hate it? Will I have to make a million revisions? This is story is different from anything I've ever written because for the first time, my main characters are gay. I wanted to write something to honor some very special friends. Did I do the characters justice? Will my friends like the story?

All these things crash around in my brain like a psychotic bowler every single time I write a story and I don't foresee it going away any time soon. How do you all deal with insecurities and fears?

Here are the other participants in the Insecure Writers Support Group and I encourage you to visit these amazing people. Pass along some blog love to them and you'll take away a lot from the experience. Thanks Alex!

News And A Short Hiatus

2011-08-14T23:08:00.000-07:00

Remember ol' Gary Gnu from the Great Space Coaster Show? If you don't, that's okay, I'm just old and have obscure taste. LOL Anyway, his tag line was always "There's no gnews like good gnews and I have some good gnews to share. First, the awesomely cool iZombie Lover himself, Jeremy, has a wicked anthology of demented tales called Chatterbox. You should go and check it out immediately.

Second, Samantha Sotto, a really talented new author has her debut novel out entitled Before Ever After. This is a modern fairy tale about a woman who has lost her husband, yet through a stranger who claims to be his grandson, she finds that not everything is what it seems. There is a whole lot more to her husband than she had ever dreamed possible. An intriguing twist on second chances that is sure to keep you enthralled from first page to last. You can check out an exclusive interview with Samantha here at Hollywood Spy.

Finally, I am under deadline to complete a story and so I will not be posting for the next couple of weeks or so. I just don't have the time to devote to blogging right now with this story still unfinished. I will be around here and there, commenting when I can, but I really need the time to finish my baby. I'll have lots of cool things for you all when I get back. :) In the meantime, if you have something you want to share or that you'd like me to announce on here, you can always drop me a line at melbwrites@gmail.com.

Thank you so much for being the best supporters, cheerleaders and blog buddies in the world.

Hugs!

Happy Birthday, John Cazale

2011-08-12T00:19:00.000-07:00

Today I am taking some time to talk about one of my favorite character actors of all time, John Cazale, on what would have been his 76th birthday. Best known as Fredo, the weak link in the Corleone crime family, John is considered by his colleagues to be one of the greatest actors of his generation. If he had lived, he would be mentioned in the same breath as Pacino, De Niro, Duvall, Hoffman, Hackman and Streep. Pacino has said that "all I ever wanted to do for the rest of my life was act with John. He was my acting partner." High praise indeed.

He only made five films, yet all five were nominated for Best Picture: The Godfather, The Godfather, Part 2, Dog Day Afternoon, The Conversation and The Deer Hunter. John himself was never nominated, though he did receive a Golden Globe nod for his turn as Sal in Dog Day Afternoon. He was recognized for his amazing accomplishments on stage, though, receiving OBIE awards for his performances in The Indian Wants The Bronx and Line. How's this for awesome, he appears through archival footage in The Godfather, Part III and this, too was nominated for Best Picture.

John had the kind of intensity that gets into your bones, drawing you unerringly into his character. You hate the person he's playing, he's weak and broken. Who wants to be the clown, the loser, the guy who falls apart? But he had a way of seeing inside those people, of finding their pain and bringing it to the surface. You despise Fredo and yet, you understand him. He's not the man he imagined himself to be. He never planned on being third best. Or Sal, the guy in fucked up circumstances that just snowball. John was not afraid to tackle these kinds of roles, having a well of compassion for them that showed in his performances. He was so good, he made the actors around him better. Michael Corleone would not be the guy he is without Fredo.

That intensity and cool extended to his personal life as well. Known for being a bit of a Romeo, John always had the luck with the ladies. He met and fell madly in love with Meryl Streep when they worked together in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure. He remarked to Pacino that he had "met the greatest actress in the history of the world." And considering her accomplishments, it's safe to say he was right. Meryl, herself, has said that John taught her about acting, to see other "possibilities" within the characters.

Tragically, John succumbed to lung cancer on March 12, 1978. He was just 42 years old. Meryl was by his side right through to the end. He made The Deer Hunter in the last stages of his disease, dying before its release. Because of his illness, he was not able to get the required insurance so Robert De Niro stepped in and paid for him. His star burned brilliantly for the briefest of times and it leaves one with a tremendous sense of what might have been.

Richard Shepherd directed and Brett Ratner produced this incredible documentary short, I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale which was featured at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and aired on HBO last year. It is an in-depth look at Cazale's brief career with lots of amazing interviews and commentary. In a rare moment of disclosure, Meryl opens up at length about John and their time together. It's a unique chance to see some of our greatest actors in another light as they talk about their friend and fellow thespian.

I have the film below in three short parts. If you have the time, please watch. It is well worth the effort. Parts 1 and 3 are here, but Part 2 is linked because for some reason the embed code has been disabled.

Part 1

Part 2
http://youtu.be/12bLuAD269A

Part 3

Badass Bitches Part Deux

2011-08-06T16:39:00.000-07:00

For those of us dying for Haywire to hit the bigs, our appetite for badass bitches will be whetted on August 26 when Colombiana, starring Zoe Saldana as an assassin hits theaters. It's going to be one hell of a ride. Check out this wild trailer.

Zoe plays a woman raised to be a contract killer after witnessing the brutal murder of her parents. A common theme, but it's with a chick so I am totally on board. Olivier Megaton directs this Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen co-written slice of late summer awesomeness. And you thought Zoe was badass in Avatar. She whips out the big guns this time. No bows, arrows and giant blue pigeons to get in the way.

It's Chimp-sploitation!

2011-08-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

This has to be one of my strangest posts yet, but I so could not resist. Since Rise of the Planet of the Apes drops this Friday, I thought I'd take a moment and draw you all back to the 70's for some good old fashioned chimp-sploitation.

Lancelot Link: Secret Chimp was a sort of Get Smart action adventure comedy series centered around a chimpanzee (Lancelot) and his female spy companion, Mata Hairi. They worked for A.P.E. the Agency to Prevent Evil and did constant battle with C.H.U.M.P. the Criminal Headquarters for Underworld Master Plan. It ran from 1970 to 1972, a bit before I knew what television was. However, I do remember having the coloring books and the dolls. Courtesy of a relative or my godmother, I can't be sure.

The other members of A.P.E. included Colonel Darwin (the leader) and Bruce (an official courier). Parnelli Smith was their go-to car chimp. Lance and Mata even had a rock band called the Evolution Revolution. Blackie was the drummer and SweetWater Gibbons was on piano. They performed on the Ed Simian Show and their music was intended to be coded messages for A.P.E. agents. Groovy! I've often wondered if one these senseless little pop tartlets is perhaps the CIA equivalent.

Now for the forces of darkness. C.H.U.M.P. consisted of seven evil masterminds Baron von Butcher, Dragon Lady, Creto, Wang Fu, the Duchess, Ali Assa Seen and Dr. Strangemind.

Some interesting factoids:

*Bernie Kopell, best remembered as the doctor from Love Boat voiced Baron and Wang Fu.

*The show was created by Stan Burns and Mike Marmer who wrote for The Carol Burnett Show.

*They released an Evolution Revolution album on ABC/Dunhill Records with the singles Sha La Love You, Day Dreams, Magic Feeling and Blind Date.

*There was also a mysterious orangutan that never had a name, but Lance referred to him as "the weirdo."

So, are you ready for some Chimp-sploitation? I knew you were. Without further ado, here is Lancelot Link: Secret Chimp as well as a performance of The Evolution Revolution. Dig those funky threads! It's no wonder the apes take over the planet.

Don't Be Stingy With The Syrup

2011-08-01T01:07:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite foods on this planet is pancakes. To me there is nothing like those golden delicious disks coated in butter and syrup. I can't eat them very often, so when I do, they had better be good. No mediocre flapjacks for this woman or there will be consequences. However, if there is one thing I absolutely hate even above bad pancakes it's not having enough syrup. You see, I need to have what I call Perfect Syrup to Pancake ratio when I eat. Go ahead and laugh, my family has guffawed for years over this lunatic quirk of mine.

Anyway, in order to achieve said ratio, the amount of syrup should be proportionate to the size and thickness of the pancake as well as what the pancake is made of i.e. buttermilk, buckwheat...Are you all on the floor gasping with laughter, yet? Go ahead, I'll wait.

Done? Okay.

To continue, the syrup should coat the pancake generously, nearly drowning it, but not turning it into mush. This requires a lot of syrup and as I have discovered, there are a lot of places out there that hoard syrup and dole it out like food rations in these teeny tiny containers.

For example, the restaurant chain Cracker Barrel brings you the syrup in these heated little vials. Vials, hah, that's actually being generous. These little things are so small the syrup is measured in cc's like a drug. Come on, is it maple syrup or penicillin? I'm telling you, you need an eyedropper when you eat the pancakes there.

You would think that a restaurant calling itself a "house" of pancakes would know better. Wrong! At this place the syrup comes in little ceramic teaspoon-sized bowls. I was served three giant pancakes and naturally asked for more syrup. The waitress brought me one more mini-bowl. Really? I had to ask three times before she finally brought out an entire little tray of the thimbles. Damn, just bring me the whole bottle next time and save yourself the trouble.

I went to an All You Can Eat Pancake breakfast at a church. Let me tell you, these people were so stingy that they had a breakfast condiment table set up like we were refugees. Here one would hold out their plate of pancakes and receive precisely 1 pat of butter and 1 mini ladle-full of syrup. Excuse me? I asked for more and stood there waiting for the lady manning the station like Oliver the orphan. She kept giving me the Evil Eye like I was asking her to give me an extra Communion Host. Then give me the ladle, Sister Syrup Nazi and let me do it.

It's syrup people, not liquid gold. I met a guy for a breakfast date and we both ordered pancakes. Fortunately, this place put out mini pitchers of the stuff. Of course, I told him he had to get the waitress to bring him his own as I would be needing all of it. He was not amused and I never saw him again. I think I must be the only woman not to get a second date because of syrup.

I have finally been driven to smuggling in my own. I look like an ass, but I don't care. I have the syrup to myself and don't have to ask for any.

What about you all out there? Any crazy food things? Do you think I'm a big weirdo for this?

Hell To The Yeah, This Is One Badass Bitch

2011-07-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

I want to run screaming through the streets "At last, at last, at last..." You all know I love ass-kicking females and have longed, longed to see a woman on screen who can go balls to the wall with men. Thanks to Cathy at Buzz's Cafe, I have seen the trailer for what is sure to become one of my favorite films of all time, Haywire. Take a look at this awesomely spectacular trailer.

Is Mallory Kane badass or what? You can see my satisfied smile all the way to Hollywood, baby. This is what I'm talking about. Take that all you antiquated jackasses who think women can't kill unless motivated by kids or love. And that they only resort to poison or guns.

Steven Soderbergh directs this Lem Dobbs screenplay and he has cast MMA star Gina Carano as Mallory, a black ops super soldier out for revenge after her handlers betray her. The stellar cast also includes Ewan MacGregor, Michael Douglas, Bill Paxton, Antonio Banderas, Channing Tatum and Michael Fassbender. It hits theater January 20 and I, for one, will be first in freakin' line.

It should be interesting to see how this performs during the cinematic dead zone. If it blows the audiences away like 300, maybe DC will take note and make Gina Wonder Woman. I can only hope. It would fantastic to see my childhood hero kicking ass like this.

Party Time! Byzantine Provocateur Wins 5 Heart Review Of The Week!!!!

2011-07-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

YAY!! Bring out the champagne, the margaritas, the...well, heck bring out whatever your poison of choice is because we are celebrating. Thanks to all of you out there, Byzantine Provocateur won 5 Heart Review of the Week over The Romance Studio. I win free advertising on their home page for a week, which could really boost sales for me. Yes!

I am so freakin' happy right now, I'm dancing. I've never gotten anything like this before and it was especially gratifying because this was a story that had been particularly trying for me. Thank you so very much, my friends. You are the very best and I appreciate each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart. Woo Hoo!!

Blue Velvet: A Documentary In The Making

2011-07-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

"That's a human ear, all right." I can't believe 25 years has come and gone since the release of the iconic David Lynch film Blue Velvet. The infamous ear in this movie was the first body part to ever really creep this horror fan out. Until then it was all gallons of fake blood, deli meats and other assorted materials that had no realistic look to them. It was also the first time I'd ever seen Kyle MacLachlan and heard the F word used so frequently and creatively. Yeah, I was bit young to be seeing this, but when one had connections at the local video store, it wasn't hard to access a copy.

In honor of the anniversary, they are in the process of making an independent documentary about the making of this picture. Since this is an indie effort, the funding is coming through donation. To that end my good friend Craig from the wicked smart and endlessly cool blog Let's Get Out Of Here! is spotlighting their efforts with this post. He also shares some wonderful anecdotes about The Ear and its creator, the uber-talented Jeff Goodwin. He has also posted some terrific photos.

If you're a fan or just want to support a great cultural cause, check out the donation site here

In the meantime, what forbidden films did you see when you were an adolescent?

Creativity and Promotion: Advice From John Mayer

2011-07-20T15:53:00.000-07:00

John Mayer is a truly gifted musician and songwriter. However, he's not exactly the first person you think of when looking for advice on writing or even being an artist in general. Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, a really excellent site where readers and writers connect, posted a link to a truly remarkable piece. It concerned Mr. Mayer and some rather profound ideas he shared with Berkley students about creativity, promotion and being an artist. I think his words are especially important for people just getting started with their creative endeavors and young people in particular. Click here to read.

In this clinic, he discusses topics and behaviors that are detrimental to creativity. For example, toxic thinking. We think that someone's work is not as good as ours and wonder why they made it. How sometimes we are afraid to finish a piece because we think it's not good enough. Or perhaps spending too much time on social media instead of honing our craft.

I found myself really taking to heart some of the things he said and noticing my own behavior and attitudes in some of his what not to do examples. Needless to say I was cringing. Well you learn and move on, right?

Byzantine Provocateur Up for 5 Heart Review of The Week

2011-07-18T22:36:00.000-07:00

Hey Hey, more awesome news...Byzantine Provocateur is up for 5 Heart Review of the Week at The Romance Studio. Too Cool!

Click here if you'd like to vote. If you do, thank you so much for the support. It truly means a lot to me.

Whoo Hoo!!! An Awesome Review

2011-07-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

I have some really excellent new to share. Yay!! My story, Byzantine Provocateur was given a 5 Heart review over at The Romance Studio. Teresa T made my weekend with her words. Go on and check it out here.

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend. I spent the past few days with my cousin Scott and his family. We had a great time and took in the sights at the John G. Shedd Aquarium and the Museum Campus. This time while at the aquarium, I got to touch some starfish. I almost fell into the tank because I'm so short and had to lean too far over. I still managed to get soaked from waist to armpit on my right side. You see in proportion to my body, I basically have the arms of a T-Rex. Also the attitude when I have had no caffeine. On the bright side, I managed to avoid dumbasses. Which is amazing considering the size of the crowds there.

I did not get to see Harry Potter. I know how it ends as I've read the books, but I am looking forward to seeing how the film turns out. Deathly Hallows Part 1 was excellent. I hope to have a review for DH Part 2 at some point on The Movie411.

Thank You And What Inspires The Snark In Me

2011-07-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

First I want to thank you all for the truly awesome comments here. I'm sorry I've been out it. I had a wedding and family coming into town this past week. I love you guys and would be just rambling on alone in cyberspace without you.

Now onto with the show. :)

You all know I love to write humor, especially those rants, but I also have a certain twisted, snarkiness that permeates my stories as well. I can't help myself. When I give an interview, one question I get is where I find my inspiration for those bitter, snarky words. I find it all over as I do have a certain demented outlook, but most of the time it comes to me through people and their foibles. Oh what a treasure trove the stupidity and general dumbassedness (is that even a word?) of people can be. You know exactly what I am talking about, too. It's enough to make me want to carry a purseful of little bottles of alcohol everywhere. That or write enough novels to incorporate each and every incident.

A major source of human stupidity comes from the Trenches aka Customer Service and Retail. I have worked on and off in this illustrious field for 17 years and have encountered some of the smallest minds and lowest IQ's anywhere on the planet. Here, I sharpened not only my sense of humor, but gained lots of insights into people's behaviors.

One popular saying in this industry is The Customer Is Always Right. Except when they want you to take back a book they bought 5 years ago because they don't like it anymore. Complete with various Cheetoh stains, grease marks, boogers and a smashed spider on page 29.

I especially love it when they want you read their minds and help them find a thing for their thing that you know fits in the little black thing. And it makes kind of a shushing, squealy sound. This lady actually gave me a one woman show complete with noises and wild hand gestures.

The power of a good education sums up this guy.

Customer:"Miss, I need a travel book."
Me:"Sure. Where are you going?"
Customer:"Well I'm taking the wife to this beach resort. It's called San Something and it's in California. You know the southern part that's in Mexico."
Me:"You mean Baja California?"
Customer:"No. Where's that?"

Spare me the uneducated, yet socially conscious shopper

Customer:"Miss, can I see your leather wallets?"
Me: "Absolutely. Do you have a style preference?"
Customer: "Yes. I'd like to see only the ones that were not made by five year old slaves in China."
I pulled out several and assured him that they were made by only the most coordinated of four year olds who had been paid very well. I didn't last long there.

Working the reception desk at law firms has also provided me with some excellent material.

Caller: "Yeah I need to speak to my lawyer."
Me: "What is the attorney's name, sir."
Caller: "I don't know. It's the guy with brown hair and glasses."
Me: "Sir, you are aware that we have 400 lawyers here and that description fits approximately 220 of them. Do you have a case number?"
Caller: "What the fuck is that?"
Me: "Uh, the ID number right below your name on the letter."
Caller: "You mean I was supposed to hold on to that thing?"

Attorneys are by no means smarter than the average bear either.

"Melissa, can you come to the copy room?"
"Sure Mr. S^&* What's the problem?"
"Which of these is the copy machine and how do I turn it on?"

Oh I could go on and on, but I think you more than get the point. People are just grand aren't they? My father used to tell me the masses are asses. And he was right.

Cool Interview With True Blood Star Carrie Preston

2011-07-09T23:09:00.000-07:00

Hey you all, thank you so much for all the support here and to the always awesome Alex J. Cavanaugh, author of the new sci fi classic Cassastar, for having me over to have some fun on his blog. I loved discussing two of my favorite passions books and movies.

Now for some more cool news. I got to interview True Blood star Carrie Preston. It was via email, true, but it was a great experience. She is quite a fascinating person. Read the interview here at Static Multimedia.

Field Trip And A Guest Post

2011-07-08T03:07:00.000-07:00

Today, I am on a field trip. Well, metaphorically speaking anyway. Come and join me over at one of the coolest blogs, a must see site, the one and only Alex J. Cavanaugh, Ninja Captain extraordinaire. Here I'm ranting about books, movies and what can go wrong when they come together. Check it out, you know how much I love to vent.

Fireworks, Food and Movie Review

2011-07-04T11:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July to all my fellow Americanos out there. Hope you all are having a great holiday. Be safe! I am off to my sister's for a cook out and fireworks show. The food is spectacular with a huge variety of pig, cow and chicken on the fire and lots of homemade sides and desserts. I don't eat at all until I get there, then it's grazing time.

I love being able to sit in a comfortable chair in her backyard to watch the town's fireworks show. Her house is just over the hill from the river park where they launch the extravaganza so we don't have to deal with crowds and port-o-potties. Yay! The only thing better is being out on a boat in Lake Michigan like in this picture. Now that is the way to watch the fireworks around my city.

Check out my review for Transformers: Dark of the Moon over at The Movie411. I had a blast watching it in spite of the huge flaws. Chi Town goes all post-apocalyptic. It's awesome!