The Great Cover-Up #5

The Great Cover-Up #5

It’s time for another round of The Great Cover-Up! I was recently looking at a list of books displayed by cover. If I were going on the cover alone, I might have bought 10 out of the 50 that were listed. Clearly, books with attractive covers are going to garner more interest. “Aspiring authors, get this through your head. Cover art serves one purpose, and one purpose only, to get potential customers interested long enough to pick up the book to read the back cover blurb. In the internet age that means the thumbnail image needs to be interesting enough […]

Book Review: The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book, set in the graveyard in “Old Town” (somewhere in England) is a story about Bod, an unusual boy living in an unusual place and under truly unusual circumstances. When tragedy strikes his family, Bod is adopted by the denizens of the cemetery and guarded by a man known only as Silas. While he grows he is taught by ghosts from every century, by Silas, and by Miss Lupescu (a werewolf). The tales of his adventures combine a wonderful sense of humor with shades of creepiness and a dash of magic. The assassin that killed Bod’s family was […]

Luscious Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate Fix: Luscious Chocolate Mousse

It’s chocolate time! This luscious chocolate mousse is one of my favorite ways to get my chocolate fix. It’s rich and creamy, and it doesn’t require an official chef’s hat. Big bonus in my world of quick-and-easy. Luscious Chocolate Mousse 1 pkg unflavored gelatin 2 Tbsp cold water ¼ cup boiling water 1 cup sugar ½ cup cocoa 2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream ½ tsp vanilla Additional cream, whipped, for garnish (optional) Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in small bowl; stir and let stand one minute to soften. Add boiling water; stir until gelatin is completely dissolved (mixture must […]

A Drift of Quills: Looking Back and Going Forth (Happy New Year 2016)

A Drift of Quills: Looking Back and Going Forth

in It’s a new year! Happy New Year to you! Today A Drift of Quills is taking a look back and a look forward. What happened last year, and what are we looking forward to this year? Read on to discover our inmost thoughts as we reflect on our bookish (mostly) progress—or lack thereof. 😀   I can’t help thinking “Wow! 2015 went by WAY too fast.” It really did. But ready or not, it’s 2016 now—I feel like I need to fasten my seatbelt for another speedy ride! Thanks to Leeland Artra and the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network Writing Challenges […]

FSFNet Blockbuster Sale

FSFNet Blockbuster Sale!

I’m teaming up with authors from  the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network for another awesome e-book sale. Starting today (December 19th) and running until the end of the year, the FSFNet is having a spectacular blockbuster sale featuring free, 99¢, and bargain e-books. You’ll find award-winning and bestselling authors like Patricia Reding, A.R. Silverberry, L.R.W. Lee, and J.D. Hallowell. We’ve also got up-and-coming authors including Kasper Beaumont, Joshua Grasso, Lori Fitzgerald, and many more. As the Crow Flies is on sale, and my new short story, The High Roads, is also available. Check out the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network site for a list of all the awesome books on sale!(Watch […]

Five Good Things (Dec 11)

I have Five Good Things for you! Actually, I have a  lot more than that, but this is supposed to be a quick read. So many bloggers and writers out here in the internet world create such good stuff, sometimes it’s hard to choose! Pay What You Want For Ten Great Novels https://storybundle.com/fiction StoryBundle is an awesome idea from the get-go. “The VanderMeer Winter Mix Tape Bundle,” curated by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer, is a collection of ten novels including the original anthology Bestiary, with new fiction from China Miéville and Catherynne M. Valente. Christmas gifts, anyone? Top Christmas Gifts […]

New Release: Select, by Patricia Reding

Check this out! My friend and Drift of Quills partner Patricia Reding has recently released the second book in her award-winning Oathtaker series! The adventure continues… A challenge met. A calling sought. A faith required. When Mara, Oathtaker to the ranking twin members of the Select, suffers an injury, her charges—Reigna and Eden—seek to determine their callings, while Dixon suffers over the potential loss of his beloved. As their allies disperse in response to a growing threat to their homeland, and as the forces of evil set out to destroy them, the twins journey across The Tearless. There, in fulfillment of […]