I’m comparing seemingly identical inks to see how similar they really are. This week: Organics Studio BWIPS 2018 and Diamine Dark Forest.
Author: Rachel
Review – Seize
Posted in Book Blogger
Seize
by Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor
Series: Magnus Blackwell, Book 3
Genres: Adult, Supernatural
Release Date: March 26th 2019
Pages: 359
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
My Rating: ★★★★☆
Lexie Arden has a loving husband, a thriving business, and consults with the New Orleans Police Dept on murder cases. Kalfu has given her everything she desires, but challengers to her authority are closing in.
Her dark secret remains hidden from everyone except Magnus. He sees the evil growing stronger, changing her, and hurting her marriage. If Lexie doesn’t rid herself of Kalfu’s influence soon, the consequences will be irreversible.
When she unexpectedly inherits a cottage in the swamp, she uncovers a library of rare books on voodoo. Their spells can reverse the dark lord’s hold and set right the balance between darkness and light. But such magic requires a great sacrifice; one Lexie isn’t willing to make.
With the shadow spirits and raging voodoo gods vying for her attention, Lexie is on the verge of losing everything—her husband, her power, Magnus, and possibly, her life.
The battle for control of the mambo’s soul is about to begin.
Book Blitz – A Touch of Darkness
Posted in Book Blogger
Disclaimer: I’ve stated in the past that I don’t feel comfortable promoting books I haven’t read. I signed up for a review tour stop for this book, but received notice on May 2nd that the book would not be available in time for the tour. Rather than abandon my spot on the tour, I decided to post this excerpt as requested by the author via Xpresso Book Tours. Please consider this post as informative as opposed to promotional. I have not read the book as of posting this.
A Touch of Darkness
by Scarlett St. Clair
Genres: Adult, Mythology, Romance
Series: Hades & Persephone, Book 1
Release Date: Spring 2019
Persephone is the Goddess of Spring by title only. The truth is, since she was a little girl, flowers have shriveled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hopes to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist.
Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favorite bets are rumored to be impossible.
After a chance encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead and the terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever.
The bet does more than expose Persephone’s failure as a Goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows—and it’s forbidden.
Conflict in Books
Posted in Book Blogger, and Random Reflections
I hear often enough that without conflict, there is no story. That a story without conflict is just a boring series of events. But when…
Ink Dupes #10: Diamine and Lamy
Posted in Ink
I’m comparing seemingly identical inks to see how similar they really are. This week: Diamine Pansy and Lamy Dark Lilac.
The Dentists’ Daughter
by old-crow
Genre: Harry Potter
Word Count: 20,081
My Rating: ★★★+
Dan and Emma Granger’s peaceful life is rocked by a visitor claiming that there is a magical world. More shocking, the visitor wants their only daughter to become a part of that world! What would responsible parents do?
Review: Tangle Teezer
Posted in Non-Stationery Reviews
I’ve had the Tangle Teezer (TT) for about 4 months now. I’d watched a couple of reviews on YouTube and was intrigued by the idea…
Results of a Proper Introduction
by dunuelos
Genre: Harry Potter
Word Count: 73,285
My Rating: ★★★
A spin-off of my Lone Traveler stories (Lone Traveler originally from The Professional). Harry gets a proper introduction with some insights from an alternate self who has lived it. What does he do with this information? How would his attitudes change?
I’m comparing seemingly identical inks to see how similar they really are. This week: Organics Studio Nickel Teal and Robert Oster Morning Mist.
Building a Better Burrow
by dunuelos
Genre: Harry Potter
Word Count: 35,149
My Rating: ★★★+
The Better Burrow arc from my Lone Traveler compendium: The Lone Traveler encounters the Burrow before it was expanded. Maybe it can be made into a safer and more comfortable home for this version of the Weasleys. It’s amazing how much a building can change history.
One More Time
by loverofeevee
Genre: Harry Potter
Word Count: 40,904
My Rating: ★★★
Contains evil Dumbledore, Lily and James not Harry’s real parents, non-con and child abuse, mpreg, yaoi, own character, and time travel. With Voldermort gone, Dumbledore revealed his true colours. Harry had the chance to live his life over. Will he manage to save his friends from two evil wizards?
No Hurry At All
by robst
Genre: Harry Potter
Word Count: 126,691
My Rating: ★★☆
Remus was so shocked at seeing Sirius fall through the veil that Harry had raced past him before the boy’s intentions even registered with the werewolf. Screaming “Sirius!” Harry followed his godfather into the veil before anyone could stop him. H/Hr
Lord of Caer Azkaban
Genre: Harry Potter
Word Count: 119,393
My Rating: ★★☆
A letter causes Harry to learn some surprising things about his lineage, a different twist on the usual Harry in Azkaban story line.
I’m comparing seemingly identical inks to see how similar they really are. This week: Pilot Iroshizuku Ama Iro and Krishna Cool Breeze.
FanFiction Review – Harry Crow
Posted in Book Blogger
Harry Crow
by robst
Genre: Harry Potter
Word Count: 737,006
My Rating: ★★★+
What will happen when a goblin-raised Harry arrives at Hogwarts. A Harry who has received training, already knows the prophecy and has no scar. With the backing of the goblin nation and Hogwarts herself.
Time Travel
Posted in Random Reflections
I came across a fun writing prompt the other day. The question posed was: If you could travel back to any era, would you and which one?
My immediate thought was, “Yes, of course,” but as I thought about it, I realized there were some qualifiers.
- Can I come back?
- How long would I have to stay?
- Would the visit be observation only, or could I interact with the people?
- How well would I be prepared for the era I visited?
- Can I visit more than one era?
- What social position would I hold during my visit?
Review – The Unreformed Mr Darcy
Posted in Book Blogger
The Unreformed Mr Darcy
by Lin Mei Wei
Genres: Classical Rewrite, Historical Fiction, Romance
Release Date: November 3, 2018
Pages: 249
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★☆
What if Elizabeth Bennet had accepted Mr Darcy’s proposal in Kent? What if they married before he stopped being the proud, arrogant man she detested? What if, in order to avoid the ruin of her beloved sister, Elizabeth chose to swallow her pride and say yes to a pre-reform Darcy?
Mr Bingley has left Netherfield, and in his stead a rich and unscrupulous man takes possession of the manor. While Elizabeth is in Kent, visiting her recently married friend Charlotte, she receives letters which tell her how Jane is soon to be wed to a man Elizabeth can’t stand. And then, unbelievably, Mr Darcy, the last man in the world she would ever choose to marry, proposes to her. Elizabeth is torn. But thoughts of rescuing Jane make her do something that will change the course of her life forever…
The Unreformed Mr Darcy is a Pride and Prejudice variation romance by the author of Stranded with Mr Darcy.
Out with the Old, In with the New
Posted in News
*Fanfare* Hear ye, hear ye! It’s taken me WAY too long, but I’ve finally finished my new website design.
For those who are new, let me give you a comparison of the old and new. I did my best to make the site feel more modern.
An 18111 Commission
Posted in Fountain Pens
Mid last year, I reached out to Yoshi Nakama of 18111 Pens about commissioning a custom pen. As the DC Pen Show was only a few weeks away, we agreed to discuss it at the show. At the time, I hoped to get a pen themed to my Exalted Bloodlines series.
I eagerly sought him out at the show. However, when I showed him the ideas I had in mind, he warned me it may not be doable.
The proposed roll stopper design, the blood drop I wanted scattered across the pen, and the moon and star I wanted on the top of the cap all have “sharp corners.” Apparently, 3D printing and laser engraving can’t produce sharp corners at that size.
However, I hoped we could reach a compromise with a modified design that I liked and could be executed. I agreed to modify the design before sending Mr. Nakama the files. He warned me that his waiting list was about 3 months long. Granted, considering the year+ waiting lists many pen makers have right now, 3 months is hardly an issue.
Is Comedy “Getting Hard”?
Posted in Random Reflections
On Saturday, I went to a comedy show. I don’t intend to mention any names in this post, as that’s not the point of this post.
I found it interesting that every performer, the openers and headliner alike, spoke some form of “comedy’s getting hard because people are more sensitive” near the beginning of their act.
Of the openers, two were received very well, and one received a lukewarm response. Thinking about the show later, I realized something crucial.
Let me pause for a moment to say I’m well aware I’m no comedian. I can’t refute comedians’ assessment that comedy is getting harder. What I can offer, however, is an outsider’s perspective of the situation.