Welcome

Come on and join author Melissa Bradley as she sets off on her latest adventure...

WARNING

If you are not 18, please exit stage left. While there is normally nothing naughty here, I do write and review erotica so there are links to spicy stuff and the occasional heated excerpt.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Davy Jones... RIP My Daydream Believer

I was stunned when I found out Davy Jones had died yesterday. He was a powerful presence from my childhood that I will sincerely miss. I LOVED the Monkees, they were my one of my most favorite shows when I was kid. On my local station it was syndication heaven... The Monkees, the Munsters, the Addams Family and the Banana Splits Show. All in a row!! I could not ask for a better schedule.

I crushed on Davy big time, that voice, that smile and those eyes accentuated with the sparklies. ;) He was the littlest Monkee, the sweetheart who won over most of the girls and I just loved him. He made my six year old heart beat faster. I wanted to color with him and imagined having him play dolls with me and of course, sing to me. Yes, I was a born seductress. Of course, I hadn't a clue at the time that he and the rest of the band, Mike, Mickey and Peter, had all moved beyond the show, LOL

Here's a few of my fave Monkees moments and songs in honor of Davy.





And here's a clip from the ep entitled Monkees in a Ghost Town. Look who have as the thugs: The Wolfman himself, Lon Chaney Jr. and Len Lesser...Uncle Leo from Seinfeld.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Catch Fire...CassaFire Is Here!

While we're partying here for Alex, I'm blogging over at the Amber Quill blog today about music and writing.

Whoo Hoo!! The highly anticipated sequel to one of the hottest sci fi books ever, CassaStar, is finally here! Cue the fireworks, strike up the heavy metal band. Congratulations to our Captain Ninja, Alex J. Cavanaugh, on this spectacular day.


I cannot wait to read this and want to wish Alex all the success in the world. Here's a little bit about CassaFire

CassaFire

by Alex J. Cavanaugh

Science fiction - space opera/adventure

Print ISBN 978-0-9827139-4-5, $15.95, 6x9 Trade paperback, 240 pages

EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-6-9, $4.99, available in all formats

CassaStar was just the beginning…



The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.



The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan’s technology and strange mental abilities.



To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves; the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…

CassaFire is the sequel to Cavanaugh’s first book, CassaStar, an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller:

“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal



Visit Alex at his blog

CassaFire is available now at
Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Amazon Kindle

Friday, February 24, 2012

Friday!!! Time To Get Your Groove On

Yes! It is finally, finally, Friday. Yesterday was a horrible grind and I really do believe some people come with a built-in Suck Factor of 100. However, I'm not about to go on a sarcastic rant because I want to kick off the weekend in a fun way. So I'm going to share nothing but good things today.

I have two film reviews up. The first is for the awesomely creepy Woman in Black. This is truly one of the best horror films I've seen. The second is for Mulberry Child, a powerful documentary about a woman recounting her tragic childhood during Mao's Cultural Revolution. Jian Ping's story is powerful, poignant and a testament to the strength of the human will.

Since it's Friday, that also means it's time for another edition of You Should Know. I just met this blogger recently and he's already made a huge impression on me. Jay Noel has a mindblowing site called Jay Noel: Writer on Fire. Writer on fire, I just love that name, it's so exciting and passionate. His bio says he loves science fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, biographies and chocolate chip cookies. I could get on board with that. His first book, The Dragonfly Warrior, will be out this summer. Yay! It is the first in a series called The Mechanica Wars.

And now to help you get your groove on, I am spinning Come Dancing by The Kinks. This was my introduction to this legendary band and I still love this song. It puts me in a happy mood whenever I hear it. Enjoy and have a kick ass weekend.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Fat Tuesday Celebrations And Good Things

Happy Fat Tuesday! It's a day for eating those fruit-filled paczkis, drinking too much and other fun stuff before the somberness of Ash Wednesday. If you celebrate, hope you are having a fabulous day!

I took yesterday off for a total Me day. I think after the last few months, I deserved it. I took myself to the movies at the gorgeous AMC River East theater, with the uber-plush seats and the art deco interior. Saw the early showing of Woman In Black and I had the whole theater to my lonesome. It was perfect and the movie was seriously intriguing and creepy. I'm doing a review soon. Then I attended a couple of informative lectures at my alma mater, DePaul University. I learned how to give a good elevator pitch and the key ingredients for maintaining a positive outlook as you transition your career. I am trying to find something in the non-profit sector, although really, my entire life has been non-profit. LOL

The superbly brilliant Craig Edwards over at Let's Get Out Of Here posted a truly wonderful review for my erotic werewolf thriller, Maxie Briscoe: Werewolf. Thank you, Craig, you rock!

He even posted the review at Amazon for me. I could seriously kiss him. Until he posted his review there, the only review posted was for another book entirely. I have been trying to get it taken down, but no one seems to respond to emails and requests. Arrgh! Honestly, what is going on. I think I'm going to have to do some more digging around to figure out how to get that false review gone.





My good friend Sloane Taylor had a recent new release with Love Notes. A fiery, erotic tale set in Venice during Carnival. American Clancy is on her dream trip to Venice, thoroughly enjoying all the magic the city has to offer. She never imagined the masked stranger who saved from an accidental dunking in the Grand Canal would also prove to be a dream lover. Hmm, mysterious strangers, Venice and Carnival, I'm there! Love Notesis available now from Musa Publishing.










Friend to the Imaginarium, KC Kendricks also has a new release. Her newest sensation is Eye of the Beholder, a M/M erotic tale set in New York City about two young men, one new to the city, the other a jaded local rediscovering the joy of his hometown once more.


And finally, next week on February 28, will be the Catch Fire blog tour for Alex J. Cavanaugh's new release, CassaFire, the sequel to his brilliant space opera tale CassaStar.

Have a great Fat Tuesday. I am going to gorge on some delicious paczkis from the local bakery here. Yummm... :)

Friday, February 17, 2012

Author M Pax Is Taking Over

Thank you to Melissa for letting me borrow her Imaginarium today. I was thinking about doing a post on great science fiction love stories, but couldn't think of one besides Han and Leia. Wow, that needs fixing, huh? Anyway, while researching on the webs, I stumbled across this scientific romance thing and found it interesting enough to share.

Science fiction as a term for the genre of scientifically-oriented fantastic fiction, was made popular in 1929 by Hugo Gernsback publisher of the first science fiction magazine, Amazing Stories. The Hugo awards are named for Hugo Gernsback, by the way.

Before the genre was called what it is, the genre was called scientific romance. H.G. Wells claimed this is what he wrote. Popular in the mid 1800’s, Wells and Verne are the most well-known examples. The Enlightenment Era of scientific discovery led to the creation of adventurous tales in fantastic settings using scientific devices and discoveries.

Many of these stories also fall into the “imperialist adventures” category. Some of my favorites are Journey to the Center of the Earth [Verne], Erewhon by Samuel Butler, The Time Machine by HG Wells, and She by Henry Haggard. Edgar Rice Burroughs and Sir Arthur Doyle were also prominent writers in this genre.

What changed for the genre was the end of Imperialism. Then came film. The scientific romances were popular at the movies for awhile, Tarzan and The Lost World being the genre’s swan songs. Then debuted Metropolis in 1927, dubbed the first “true” science fiction film, introducing the public to futurism and the dystopian tale. The term scientific romance hasn’t been used since.

Do you have a favorite scientific romance? Did you know about how the Hugo got named? Did you learn something new? I did. Thanks for making me do some research on the webs, Melissa. :)


 
M. Pax blogs at Wistful Nebulae and at MPax-TheWebsite. She spends her summers as a star guide at Pine Mountain Observatory and has a slight obsession with Jane Austen. Author of Semper Audacia and the free reads Plantgirl, Translations and Small Graces. Coming in 2012: The Backworlds, Stopover at theBackworlds' Edge, The Tumbas and The Augmentation of Hetty Locklear.

Thank you, M! This was an absolutely fascinating post. I had no idea there was such a term as scientific romance. I love Wells and Verne. M, you rock as a teacher so feel free to take the reins here any time you want.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Sex In Outer Space...And My Valentine Winner

Catchy title, isn't it? Well, actually, that's the theme for my post over at the awesomely brilliant Stephen Tremp's Breakthrough Blog. We're doing a switcheroo, he took over the Imaginarium yesterday and I'm invading Breakthrough today. And yes, my topic really is Sex In Outer Space. Top that!

And now for my Valentine winner. This was a hard one to do as I just loved the comments, so I entered everyone in my famous Atomic Randomizer 10,000. My super-cool,ultra high-tech gadget of the century has chosen... Craig Edwards!

Yay!! Cue Kermit the Frog cheers.

Thank you all for playing. Craig, email me melbwriters@gmail.com with Valentine in the subject line and let me know your choice of story.

Author Stephen Tremp


Thank you Melissa for hosting me today as part of my Grand OPENING Tour! I'm looking forward to yours and your followers comments as this is an exciting topic that so many people are talking about:

"This porridge is too hot," Goldilocks exclaimed.

So she tasted the porridge from the second bowl.

"This porridge is too cold."

So she tasted the last bowl of porridge.

"Ahhh, this porridge is just right!" she said happily.

And she ate it all up.

"Goldilocks and the 3 Bears" children's story

The Goldilocks Zone: A region of space where stellar and other conditions favor life. It’s the habitable zone that’s “not too much” or “not too little” that would otherwise make conditions impossible for life. Rather, it is the zone that is “just right,” where liquid oceans and a thick atmosphere exist. Our good ol’ planet earth lies in just a Goldilocks zone, where life can not only exist, but flourish. Just take a look at our nearest neighbors who orbit outside our Goldilocks Zone. Venus (too much) is a scorched wasteland and Mars (too little) is a frozen desert. No life there at the moment.

Note: The Goldilocks Zone is being defined and fine-tuned as we discover life in extreme conditions, such as near boiling hot springs, temperatures below -60C, caves without light, water with high sulfuric acid content, and deep sea volcanic vents hot enough to melt lead. And we do not know if and how life can exist under other conditions somewhere else in the universe. Translation: Scientists are discovering life can thrive in unexpected places.

Also: The Goldilocks Zone can be misconstrued to limit our understanding for the requirements for life as the only ones for life. There may very well be other life forms that are based on silicon. And other chemical reactions may thrive in entirely different Goldilocks Zones.

BTW: The Kepler telescope (more on this amazing NASA mission in a future post) has identified 2,326 candidate planets and 139 are potentially habitable ones.

Example: On February 2, 2012,
a large, rocky planet orbiting a distant star in a "Goldilocks" zone -- not too hot and not too cold for liquid water -- is also classified as a "super Earth."

The planet orbits closely to its parent, a dwarf star that is part of a triple star system, and receives 90 percent of the sunlight Earth receives. But since most of that light is in the infrared part of the spectrum, the planet absorbs more of its energy, in the end equaling the amount of energy Earth soaks up.

According to the article in the Orange County Register, “it's close enough that a futuristic, nuclear-powered space probe could reach it in perhaps 200 years. Then the equivalent of a "smart, Droid cell phone" could start beaming back pictures. In two or three human lifetimes, the information could come back from your hardy little cell phone," he said.

Question: Do you believe there is something or someone else out there in the universe? Or are we Earthlings as goo as it gets?

“A scientific breakthrough of such magnitude it could radically alter the future of humanity—for better or worse—is in the wrong hands”

Stephen Tremp, author of the BREAKTHROUGH series, has a B.A. in information systems and an MBA degree in global management. Stephen has a background in information systems, management, and finance and draws from this varied and complex experiential knowledge to write one-of-a-kind thrillers.

His novels are enhanced by current events at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and other scientific research facilities around the world. These potential advances have the ability to change the way we perceive our universe and our place in it!

Stephen Tremp is author of the recently released suspense thriller OPENING, the second book in the BREAKTHROUGH series. You can visit Stephen at
Breakthrough Blogs for $1.99. Opening is available for download at:

Amazon for $1.99
Smashwords for $1.99



Image Credits:
Goldilocks Zone and Goldilocks


Wow! What kickass killer post! Thank you so much Stephen. You can come back here any time you want. And Opening has just moved to the top of my Must Have list.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

It's The Big V Day

It's that time of year, Valentine's Day. Time for chocolate, sparkly things and delightful naughty goodness. In honor of the day, some very cool stuff is going on around here and at my publisher, Amber Quill Press' blog. We are having one hellahuge Par-tay!! There are lots of scintillating excerpts to read and contest fun galore as well as anecdotes, recipes and other tons of delicious sinful fun. Go on and check it out. You just may find a new author or twelve to read.

Now for my fun here. I'll let one of you pick the story of your choice, either Nathan's Angel or Byzantine Provocateur. Just tell me your coolest Valentine story ever. It does not have to be a love story, no siree. I mean I know people who think Valentine's Day is the worst. Your V Day tale could be scary, a break up revenge tale, heck, even an alien invasion. Leave it in the comments so we all can enjoy. I'll post the winner here by midnight PST.

My own entanglements with the Big V have been less than stellar so my feelings generally run along the same sentiments as ol' Willie here. It goes back to childhood when my mom would make me write out these horrid little cards for my classmates, most of whom I couldn't stand. And I knew they were under the same parental coersion, otherwise, I'd have no card from them, either. LOL

Lest you think I am a complete Love hum bug, there has been the odd, sweet Valentine's Day over the years. Like 02 when my roommate's nephew brought me a pink carnation beause he thought I was having a bad day. Or the unexpected coffee with a friendly Aussie who took shelter from the bitter February chill when I was working the early shift at the travel store.

So let's get on with the fun, shall we? I think a pomegranate martini is in order to lift my spirits. ;) And this little gem from my favorite comic of all time, Calvin and Hobbes by the wonderful Bill Watterson.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Origins Blogfest

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.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Author Spotlight: Xavier Axelson

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.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

The Thursday Rundown

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. :)

Monday, February 6, 2012

Break It Down: The Super Bowl Commercials

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?

Friday, February 3, 2012

Happy Friday!!

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.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

In Hospital

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.