Sunday, January 30, 2011

Grab the Chocolate, it's Valentine's Day!

Do you realize there are only two weeks until St. Valentine's Day? Boy how time flies! We angels celebrate the love of friends and family all year long. To help others cheer on the day, our Valentine Anthology is available for all to enjoy.

I know you'll love The Gift, a civil war story with a handsome hero and proud southern belle fighting to uphold their honor and beliefs in a world gone politically mad. There's also the fun romp of Chasing Rainbows about mad inventor uncles, pearl wearing brothers and a 50's time-warped mother surrounding a very normal daughter searching for a way to make her family normal.

Last, but not least, is my story of The Lending Library about faeries attempting to slip into a miniature version of the human world when their meadow home is slowly being destroyed by unknown predators.

The Lending Library sits on the edge of the forest and meadowlands outside of Eugene, Oregon. It's a transition point for the magic wee folk of the woods to enter and learn the ways of The Others--man. Here they can drink lattes, read the latest fashion magazines, observe the world of man through computers and decide if they want to stay in their carefree meadow or move to Faetown where life mimics human towns.

Normally, all this would be moot activity, but when an unknown force begins ripping up the ancient oaks where the fae reside, use of the Library picks up. Our hero is not the usual dashing male fae streaking in to save the day but an unwilling warrior gnome. Tiamoon has been in this spot before and was abruptly and rudely asked to stay out of the fae affairs. Through her persistence and investigative work, she uncovers the devastating evil destroying the valley peace.

Stop by and pick up a great Valentine's Day read to go along with the chocolate and hearts. As we angels know, who better to love you than yourself?

Sable Angel

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Three and a half Angel Eyes for Dragons Among Us





Dragons Among Us by, C. L. Kraemer
RoguePhoenixPress, 2010,

387 pages.

Rating 3.5

Reviewed by Courtney Rene

The question of this book is whether or not the human race is ready and willing to accept that dragons may be real? The other question is whether or not dragons are willing to co-exist with the humans. The story begins with a plague that is facing the dragons. Their species is plagued with unexpected and unwanted shifting in the most unlikely of places. The full-blooded dragons have grown too old and set in their ways. They can offer advice, but none really know what to do. It’s up to them all to find an answer otherwise their race is in real danger.

The story line of this book is fantastic. The background and history are intriguing and well thought out. Action around every corner: humans suddenly shifting into dragons; dragons taking flight; war; kidnappings; and family dynamics. This book seems to have a nice mix of good and bad and pride and selflessness.

Although well crafted, there did seem to be a few too many characters in this novel. I found it hard to keep them all together in my mind. Sadly, I did have to flip back and forth a few times to figure out who was who now and then. Also, some of the character story lines did not have a firm ending. Maybe that’s because a second book is in the works that I am unaware of that will help with the dangling lines.

All in all I was very impressed with this author’s imagination and the ability to bring the story to life for me within the pages of her book. It held my attention and kept me wondering what was next throughout the pages. Well done.
Read the book and tell us what you think?

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Three Angel Eyes for Maria Gonzalez by Nickie Fleming





Maria Gonzalez
Nickie Fleming
RoguePhoenixPress, 2009, 172 pages.
Rating 3
Reviewed by Christina St. Clair

Maria Gonzalez is a woman who has lived a long rich life. From the prologue we learn this Flemish born woman went to Spain, married a handsome soldier, moved with his regiment to New Spain, was kidnapped by Aztec Indians, and somehow ends up an old lady, now a noblewoman in Cornwall, with a maid called Tetla.

There are many interesting historical facts in the novel which appears to have been well-researched. It took a while for me to become engaged with the story, but by page 32, I found myself interested in the Aztec way of life within the hidden city of Tenochtitlàn. Here we meet the woman, Tetla, who becomes Maria's maid in England.

Adventure and dangerous escapes propel the story along. There was a little too much titillating sex for my taste, but maybe I'm just a prude.

I commend the author on her interesting details, her exciting plot, and the character, Maria Gonzalez, who seemed quite real.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Valentines Day


Interview: Michajah Brooks--from The Gift

Was it love at first sight, Micha?

I knew her all my life, watched her grow up. I was older and so much of her younger years she was an annoyance. But I always admired her courage and she was a charmer. When she turned eighteen, I was home from the academy. I saw her walk down the long curving stairs in her home and I can honestly say, at that moment I knew she was my soul mate.
.
How did the war change your perspective and affect your relationship?

She was loyal, I'll give her that much, but her loyalty wasn't to me. She believed in the South and states rights. She didn't care about slaves. Her family had freed all their slaves years before. When I left to fight for the Union, I didn't think I would ever see her again.

Why were you fighting for the North?

I believed in the sanctity of the Union. I knew if the men in power would sit down and listen to each other, make concessions, and act like gentlemen they could solve their difference. Problem was there were too many hot-heads.

Why did you choose her home?

I needed to know she was safe. I knew there would be men on both sides who would, if they could, take advantage of a woman.

Will you tell us if the two of you get married?

I will not give away the story. You have to read it on Valentine's Day.
Where can we buy this anthology?

At Rogue Phoenix Press. You can purchase the book for 40% off its original price.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Winter

The air is crisp and cold, frost coats the ground most mornings and snow is in the forecast are sure signs winter is here.

This morning we awoke to a light snowfall. As I looked out the window the snow added a peacefulness to my morning.

When snow crunches under my feet, I often think of a winter's night when I was growing up. We lived out of town on a hill. As the snow accumulated we'd test the road to see if we were able to start sledding. One evening, my dad parked his car at the top of the hill. The headlights from his car cast eerie shadows across the orchard. We'd slide down the road when we couldn't go any further dad would drive down and pick us up. We'd all pile into his blue station wagon then he'd drive us back up the hill for another turn.

The reason this is a special memory is my dad wasn't one to play games with us kids but that night he gave me a lasting memory. So this week whether we have snow or sunshine make a special memory for someone you love.
Cinnamon.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

New Year Resolutions

Here it is 2011. Where the heck did 2010 go? Well, like many, I have set some New Year's resolutions. Here goes:

1. Don't overload my plate. I'm famous for taking on more than I should.

2. More outside time. My wings are getting achy from lack of exercise. I aim to nip that in the bud. I hope to increase my flying time.

3. Write, write, write. It's my passion and my love. I want to spend as much time indulging my passion as I'm able.

4. Cherish my family and friends.

5. Giving back to others as much as I'm able.

These are not very resolution-like but putting them in black and white will ensure they're more likely to get accomplished.

I hope your New Year brings all those things you wish, good health, great friends and a good life. Happy New Year all!

Sable Angel