my favorite things...aren't things

 

It’s the holidays and Christmas is approaching…so I’m going to get sentimental on you all today. 

This week we’re picking our three favorites. I have a lot of favorites. Favorite champagne: Le Mesnil, favorite pie: peach, favorite book: wait—I can’t answer that because there’s too many! But this year when I think of my favorites, the only thing that comes to mind is what really matters most. And they’re not things. 

My favorites are my family. No matter which direction I’m going, or where I’m hiking off to, I know they’re always behind me. 

My favorites are my friends. The right ones know when I need a call or a friendly message. They know how to pick me up and they’re always down for a bourbon tasting evening. They’re worth more than their weight in gold.

My favorite is my pup, Ullr. Being loved unconditionally is a difficult thing to grasp, especially when your own sense of self worth and success are strained. So having a physical reminder, every day, of that kind of love in the form of a fluffy fur-ball is amazing. 

Those are my favorites. What are yours?

Top Three Apocalypse Scenarios I Don’t Want to Live

Up until about a year ago, disaster movies and post-apocalyptic books were my personal happy place. Maybe Alas, Babylon converted me at an impressionable age or something. That Contagion movie, for instance? Man, I don’t even care how well it was (or wasn’t) researched, I watched the thing like eleventy billion times. Same thing with Station Eleven (did you read that? I loved it) and, of course, The Stand.

Fast forward to today, and guess what I did at lunch time? Or don’t. I went and got a Covid test. My kid’s school sent around one of those fun “we’ve had an exposure on campus” emails, so I took all our temperatures, and lo! there was I with a very low-grade fever. Combine that with a little scratchy throat and cough and boom, people poking brain-deep sticks up my nose. Fun!

Except, not. 

So, in light of recent experiences, here are three end-of-world scenarios I am no longer interested in reading about:

1. Asteroid impacts. Despite the fact that I could totally dig Morgan Freeman as president and Mary Robinette Kowal’s opening bit in her The Calculating Stars was just brilliant, I’ll take a pass on E.L.E. impacts, thanks. (You hear me, Apophis?)

2. Nuclear incidents. I’m not even re-watching Chernobyl. Honest.

3. And of course, pandemics. You’d think this one would be a given, but... so, there’s a board game called, amusingly enough, Pandemic, and it is actually kind of fun right now. Unlike passive entertainment like books and movies, in this game, players can work together and end the virus. That together part is the magic and the thing that humanity has so desperately failed at in real life. I guess I find it inspiring. Or hopeful?

So maybe I won’t be reading or watching the world end anytime soon, but the fantasy of humanity coming together is still alluring enough that, yeah, I will play the damn game. And win.

Three Artists Whose Works are My Current Obsession

Three Artists Whose Works are My Current Obsession:

Candy Cane Dragon by Rebecca Golins

1. Rebecca Golins of Dragons & Beasties
I've got a thing for dragons. When they're cute, I have no willpower. From coffee mugs to t-shirts to greeting cards, I have a whole lot of Becca Golins's dragons brightening up my days. I discovered her work on Redbubble, which led me to her Facebook page and then to her website.

Dance with the Devil by Abigail Larson

2. Abigail Larson
Winner of the 2016 Hugo Award for Best Pro Artist, Abigail Larson's fantastically macabre works caught my eye on Twitter. Since then, I've been trying to convince myself that curtains from her Society6 store showing her demons and devils series are too indulgent. For now, I'll have to content myself with her Court of the Dead card game.

Black Dragon by Sandara

3. Sandara

Feeding my dichotomous needs for works cute and menacing, artist Sandara's creations are inspiration pieces for one of my high fantasy series. Her dragons on DeviantArt got me hooked on the variety of illustrations she does. From dragons to angels to anthropomorphic forest creatures, Sandara doesn't stick to one style, but she is firmly in the fantasy genre. Skinning my laptop in with the black dragon from her Society6 store wasn't enough, I had to decorate my sister's tech too. Fairys riding Corgis, anyone?

Top Three..

 This week's topic is the Top Three Subject of your choice. ,]My subject? The top three things I'm working on right now.

Well. first, I just turned in Book Five of the Seven Forges series.  The tentative title, staying unless the publishers want it changed, is THE GODLESS. As soon as I can, I'll be starting book six of the series. 

Second up on the list of projects, I need to continue my collaborative novel with Charles R. Rutledge, THE TOURISTS' GUIDE TO HAUNTED WELLMAN. I'm enjoying the heck out if this project, as I virtually always enjoy working with Charles. It's a fun book and should be ready for release by October of next year. that sounds like a lot of time. It's really not. First thing I learned: There's never enough time. 

Third up, there's my collaborative novella with Christopher Golden. The third and final book in our BLOODSTAINED series, BLOODSTAINED NEVERLAND. We've already started, but we're nowhere near finished. As that one finishes the series, we need to wrap up a lot. And, of course, we're doing this with other projects going.

What other projects?  Well, in addition to what I've already mentioned, there's the short story promotional piece(s) that I'm writing to go with THE GODLESS, there are a few books to read for possible blurbs, there's the move. Yes, I'm moving. the truck should be here in two days and I've only just started packing my insanely crowded office. 

There are a  dozen more short stories I want to write, a novel proposal, a series proposal, a few things I need to edit for possible rerelease...

And somewhere along the way, I'd like a little downtime, but with the move going g on, the holidays right here and starting at a different Starbucks location in my near future, I'm kind of busy...

I hope you're all having amazing holidays!

Keep smiling,

Jim

CHRISTMAS PRESENT by Kim Fielding Is a Holiday Joy to Read

Our topic this week is to promote something we’ve written or a book by someone else. My new novel won’t be out for another week or so (and I don’t do pre-orders because they stress me out) soooo, let me share one of my favorite holiday fantasy novellas, CHRISTMAS PRESENT by Kim Fielding, released in 2019. I re-read it when I need a happy little pick-me-up. It’s a very charming story and quite different. Heart warming.

The blurb: A modern gay-romance twist on Dickens.

Lewis loves his holiday job. As the Ghost of Christmas Present, he guides people to improve their lives. Sure, he’s a little lonely at home in Minnesota, but Fezziwig the cat keeps him company.

When Lewis is spirited to California one Christmas Eve, he meets Sammy, an ex-lawyer who seems to already have his life in order. Lewis and Sammy share Korean fried chicken and a brief fling, but distance and career obligations appear destined to thwart anything permanent.

Maybe this year, Lewis is due for a special gift of his own.

Ms. Fielding writes an ongoing gritty M/M Urban Fantasy series entitled The Bureau, as well as other standalone novels and I really enjoy those stories, but there’s something so special about the contemporary holiday romance short reads she does.

I first discovered her books when I was assigned to judge  THE LITTLE LIBRARY a few years ago for a now defunct contest. I loved it and immediately went in search of all her other books. Lots of good reading to be had.

They say to go with your first answer and as soon as I read this week's topic, her book came to mind, so let me wish you a peaceful and safe holiday season and happy reading!

 

New Releases: Crow's Curse & Fox and Willow

Holiday salutations to & from two of our former bloggers (and founding members back when we were still the Word Whores)! Laura Bickle and Allison Pang are making merry with new releases this month!

First Up: Laura Bickle's CROWS CURSE Vampire Urban Fantasy Trilogy

Crow’s Curse Collection contains the novellas Morrigan’s Blood, Morrigan’s Bite, and Morrigan’s Bond.

Garnet Conners has the blood of the legendary Morrigan, and there's no wrath like that of an angry goddess. Turned into a vampire against her will, Garnet takes sides with the witches in a war against the vampires...and there will be blood.

The Complete Crow's Curse series is now available in ebook and paperback...and free on KU!

BUY IT NOW!

Next: Allison Pang & Irma Aimo Ahmed's fairy tale graphic novel FOX & WILLOW: ALONG CAME A HARPER (Vol 1)

Just a meal and a place to sleep in the barn... When Jessa, the miller’s daughter, offers simple comforts to Willow and Gideon in return for a bit of work, the runaway princess and her fox spirit companion are more than willing to take Jessa up on it. After all, being on the road has its dangers, and the respite while they search for answers to Gideon’s cursed collar is more than welcome. But when the discovery of a murdered royal and a forsaken ghost comes to light, the two travelers realize they’ve stumbled into something far more sinister…

PRE-ORDER NOW FOR A DECEMBER 15th RELEASE!

Alexia's Guide to Holiday Book Giving ~ 2020!

 Book Promo: shouting/beaming/gushing about your newly 

(or not so newly) released book in order to get people to know about it! 

I’m not going turn into a claymation wiseman and burst into song—I’ll save that torture for my sweet family—but we’ll see how I feel about promo-ing my own book come summer 2021 when THE MARS STRAIN releases on audio! 

What I am going to share with you today is a peek at my recent library haul that also doubles as a Guide To Holiday Book Giving! 

I had 19 books on hold for me—19! I either really impressed or shocked my local librarian…I’ll go with impressed. But hey, winter is coming to Minnesota and that means I must be stocked at all times. And now I know which books are going on my wish list! 

So, if you're looking for a book gift for someone check out these recs (genre is in bold and links to Goodreads for easy browsing). Enjoy!

THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS by Chloe Gong is a Historical Fantasy that gives the classic Romeo and Juliet new life! The writing grips you from the very beginning and fills you with the character’s hate, love, and loyalty. I absolutely MUST own a hardcover copy of this book! 

DECEPTION BY GASLIGHT by Kate Belli is a Historical Murder Mystery with a twist on Robin Hood in the Gilded Age. Intrigued? You should be, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough for these two sleuths to solve the murder!!

MURDER ON COLD STREET by Sherry Thomas is book five in the Lady Sherlock series which are Historical Mysteries. I adore Charlotte Holmes and can't get enough of this brilliant, quirky character. If you enjoy Sherlock spins, you'll love these—though these really should be read in order.

MISTLETOE & MR. RIGHT by Sarah Morgenthaler is a perfect, quirky, funny, Contemporary Romance set in Alaska. Her writing makes you feel as if you're in the middle of nowhere gorgeousness and only waiting for a Growly Bear drink to appear in your hand. If you/your loved one need a laugh and some Christmas romance—this is it!

A RITCHIE BOY by Linda Kass is a WWII Historical Fiction based on the group of young men, mostly Jewish German-speaking immigrants, who were sent undercover to aid the Allies. An uplifting story about these selfless young men.

THE HEIR AFFAIR by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan is pure, Chick Lit fun. If you're looking for a little drama, love, backstabbing to take your mind off the same four walls you've likely been staring at for the past eight months—read this series.

WHERE DREAMS DESCEND by Janella Angeles is YA Fantasy that mashes up The Phantom of the Opera and Moulin Rouge with loads of magic! If any of that hits a high note with you—go buy this book! This is another MUST add to my personal library.

BROKEN WISH by Julie C. Dao is a YA Historical Fantasy—that's right, all that thrown into one glorious book! Magical powers, a Witch of the Wood, and in Dao's own words: a dark fractured fairy tale. Dao has quickly become one of my go-to authors as her writing never fails to transport me. The cover is beautiful, the words inside even better, which means—it's a must buy!

STARTING AND SAVING SEEDS by Julie Thompson-Adolf is my only Nonfiction rec, but it's a Gardening rec! If you or your loved one is in to growing things—and it's possible to be in to growing things and still not be great at it BTW—I've found this little gem full of helpful tips! 

Honorable Mention 

(because I didn't have the book handy to add in the picture

—but is great nonetheless!)

A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN by Roseanne A. Brown is a YA Fantasy based on mythology. Brown's writing brought her West African mythology inspired world to life! So, so good and a high recommendation if YA fantasy is your thing.

Science Fiction—sci-fi thrillers are noticeably absent from my list this year. Can anyone help a girl out? Got any SF gift suggestions?

Promo: The Lemon Juice and Paper Cut of Writing

Hey, guess what we're talking about this week on SFF Seven? 

Here's a hint: it's not being buried alive, snuggling with spiders, or non-consensual skydiving. But close!

It's promo. We're talking about promo. Specifically, we're supposed to promote ourselves or someone else. The latter isn't so bad. I mean, hey, social-media sharing of tasty new releases is one of my very favorite things. And every time I see a "can somebody rec a book that..." or "whatcha reading and liking?" question, I'm all over that. (Currently am reading Piranesi by Susanna Clarke and really liking it, but that's not surprising as her Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell was brilliant. Also stoked about recent release Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse, and if you haven't read the teaser excerpt for that, I challenge you to do so and then not buy the book immediately. It's wow with whipped cream on top.)

So, yeah, promo for others is easy. It's fun. It makes me feel good. 

Promo for myself is like lugeing naked.

Or, as Miracle Max put it in my all-time favorite movie, "Why don't you give me a nice paper cut and pour lemon juice on it?"

But, you know, official topic of the week. So here goes.

I've written some books. Some readers have enjoyed them, others maybe not so much, but most are still, huh you write books? If you are in that third category, you could check out my backlist.  This one is my favorite so far. It's about a sentient AI who just wants to be a good person and figure out some way to smooch her honey. Also possibly liberate machinekind.

Well, hey. Okay. That wasn't too terrible. 

Might even do it again someday.