A Little Pinterest Party Envy

Let’s face it. Pinterest is both awesome and horrifying. Amazing because, if there’s something you need to make, odds are you’ll be able to find detailed directions for how to make it ten times better than you ever imagined. Horrifying because, now that you know it can be done so much better, you’ll be guilted into spending ten times longer on the project than you’d originally planned. And probably nine times longer than you had in the first place. Anything else would be lazy, right?

You’ve probably guessed by now that Pinterest and I have had a recent falling out. The holidays are already an insanely busy time, but throw in your child’s birthday party and madness turns to chaos. Still, I thought we were doing fine. My son had picked a theme, and we’d actually found a few decorations and tableware at the party shop. We picked a date and sent out the invitations. We decided on the food, but then I wondered what sort of drinks were fitting for a cowboy party. And what sort of games the kids should play. That’s when I made the mistake of searching Pinterest for kid’s cowboy birthday party.

Apparently I should have hand made those invitations instead of creating electronic ones. And those silly paper decorations were sacrilege. Everyone knows you’re supposed to collect boxes for weeks leading up to the event and create an entire western village from them. Hay bales are a must for an awesome photo shoot with the guests. For the games, a pretend horse for roping must be constructed from that sawhorse you happen to have lying around, craft fabric, stuffing, and three rolls of yarn. Also, hobby horses must crafted in the same manner for a horse race. Don’t even think about using those brooms you have lying around; are you insane?

Honestly, if these sound like great ideas to you, then that’s great! Go you. For the stressed out parents like me, I think a little dose of reality might help. How many parties have you been to where the parents did all of these things? For me, the answer is two. Not just since I’ve had a child but over my entire life. So, odds are, my son’s not going to grow up thinking I don’t love him, and his friends aren’t going to refuse to come to his parties because I haven’t managed to recreate the wild west in our backyard.

Also, thinking back to those parties, things didn’t go any better for all the preparation than at any others. We are, after all, talking about small children (in our case, mostly young boys). A few children will decide that cactus juice is disgusting, no matter how many times you explain that it’s really just lime soda with ice cream. Little Sarah will refuse to play in any and all games and shyly clutch at her mom’s legs for the entire party. John and Marty will decide it is more fun to pretend the hobby horses are swords, and someone will end up with a black eye. An exhausted Landon will stumble into the wild west setting, crumpling everything beyond recognition. No one will want to wait their turn, and someone will decide it’s time to check out the presents when no one’s looking.

So what do you do? In the end I decided my paper decorations were fine. They were inexpensive, recyclable, and I didn’t spend too much time on them. So, when they started falling or getting pulled down, I really wasn’t that bothered. We went simple with fruit and a burger and hotdog bar which was a pretty big hit with the notoriously picky preschool set. Then we just let the kids play. I had a few simple games set aside in case things lagged, but in the midst of the party I remembered something I’d forgotten. Kids this age really just want to do their own thing and play with other kids. And have cake. Definitely don’t forget the cake.

Book Review: The Fire Seekers by Richard Farr

Years ago, Daniel Calder’s father introduced him to an indecipherable language written upon strange disks that were scattered across the globe.  Now, those discs are tied to a widely popular cult claiming to hold the secret to the next step in human evolution.  The tragic loss of someone close to him thrusts 17 year old Daniel into the midst of international intrigue.  All around the world, groups of people associated with the cult have begun to disappear.  The numbers and locations are varied, but the disappearances are always accompanied by an unexplainable explosion, and several of the group are left behind, permanently struck dumb by the experience.  Bent on finding out what happened to his loved one, Daniel leads a group of extremely gifted friends on an adventure through several countries.  The mystery they begin to unravel spans centuries and may spell disaster for our entire civilization.

This novel reads more as thriller than science fiction, but, as the first part of a trilogy, I believe that will change as the story progresses.  The action is fast paced, and I found the historical mystery aspect interesting.  The the first person perspective is unusual but is seamlessly executed for most of the book.  The problem with this, for me, doesn’t appear until the very end.  Avoiding any spoilers, I will suffice it to say that the perspective changes in the very last chapter, which I found a little jarring.  However, this may simply have been meant as a lead in to the next installment of the trilogy.  All in all, I think The Fire Seekers is a good read if you enjoy thrillers blended into other genres, but maybe not if you are purely into hard science fiction.

Get it on Amazon

The Liebster Award 10 question blog hop

I was tagged by Faydra Stratton to answer 10 questions in this writers’ blog hop.  At the end, I will pick a few writers I met recently at the FWA conference and pose ten questions for them to answer in their own blogs.

Question 1:  What traditional Thanksgiving dish do you wish would never show up on your table again?

Orange Fluff.  Is it a salad? A desert? No one seems to know, but my family goes crazy for it.  I, on the other hand, have never been able to deal with that squishy texture that also somehow manages to be chewy at the same time.  Someone once reminisced to my niece that it was one of the more popular dishes served in prison, so I think my judgement in this case is sound.

Question 2:  How do you keep writing during the holiday season?

I still struggle with this one.  Every year, for various reasons, I end up taking an unplanned, month long vacation from writing.  This year, I’ve decided to be a bit more proactive.  Since my usual writing time while my son is at school is filled with other activities, I have been choosing at least one evening a week to head to a cafe or coffee shop while my husband watches our son.  I haven’t been doing it for long, but having a dedicated time set aside forces me to at least sit in front of my computer and think about writing.

Question 3:  What does your main character want for Christmas? Why?

Alyssiana wouldn’t know about Christmas.  If someone explained it to her, she would probably want building supplies to repair all the damage the Terror caused to her city.

Question 4:  What prompted you to finally sit down and write a book?

I started writing as a child, but I didn’t write my first novel until a few years ago.  I took a break after getting my PhD and decided to write down the ideas that had been running around in my head during graduate school.

Question 5:  Where do you do most of your writing?

Since I have a young child, my answer is wherever I can find a relatively quiet place.  Often this means my dining room table while he’s playing in his room.

Question 6:  Is there any genre or type of book you’d love to write but are too intimidated to do so?

Historical fiction is interesting to read, but I find the amount of research needed to be too intimidating at this point in my career.  Even the tiniest of details can distort the author’s creation into something more fantasy than history.

Question 7:  What’s your bad habit in terms of writing?

I can’t turn off my inner editor, and my first drafts take forever to get off the ground.

Question 8:  What author or book speaks to you the most and why?

As a fantasy writer, I am a fan of Robin Hobb’s works.  The worlds she creates are intricate without overwhelming the reader in information.  Her characters have depth and interesting personalities.  They never feel rehashed or stereotyped.  While her works are clearly within the fantasy genre, she blends aspects of other genres to make something all her own.

Question 9: Imagine you’ve been asked to speak on a panel for writers.  What’s the topic and what other authors do you want sharing the stage with you?

As an author new to the business of writing, I wouldn’t really feel comfortable telling others what they should be doing.  A panel on writing believable science in fiction might be appropriate given my previous career.

Question 10:  What’s something you learned at FWA 2014 that has since affected your writing?

I learned that it’s ok to blend the outlining and “pantser” styles of writing a first draft.  What’s important is to do whatever helps get the information onto the page, and that process can continue to evolve as the writer evolves and progresses. 

Now for my own questions and tagged writers.  Evergreen Lee and Amanda Gaume, if you are up for joining the hop:

1)  What genre(s) do you write, and why?

2)  Do you mostly read within your own genre, or do you read others as well?

3)  What have you learned as a writer that you wish you knew when you first started?

4)  What author or book speaks to you the most and why?

5)  Do you have word/page count goals?

6)  Where do you do most of your writing?

7)  If you could disappear somewhere for a few weeks to completely immerse yourself in writing, where would you choose?

8)  Pick one of your main characters.  If his/her house were on fire, what would he/she choose to save and why?

9)  What’s your bad writing habit?

10)What is your writing goal for 2015?

Book Review: "Dark Hope" by HD Smith

Five years ago, Claire was forced into becoming the Devil’s assistant when she inherited her mother’s debt to him.  Now she finds herself caught in a world in which she doesn’t fully understand, running errands of which she would much rather not be part of.  The underworld is divided into the realms of the demons, pagans, and druids.  All of these beings possess powers far beyond Claire, and all of them seem to hold some sort of grudge against her.  When the devil’s son is murdered with Claire’s name on his lips, she knows she has to solve the crime or lose her one protector, such as he is.  The more Claire learns, however, the more confused she becomes.  Somewhere out there, she seems to have a doppelgänger claiming to be her and causing all sorts of trouble, sealing Claire as the prime suspect for Junior’s murder.  Even worse, Claire’s investigations bring her to the attention of the Queen of the Pagans.  The Queen soon decides Claire would make the perfect tool to exact revenge against her brother, the Devil.

I don’t read a lot of urban fantasy, and, to be honest, the blurb on the front of the book gave me pause.  ‘Loving a demon isn’t the end of the world-losing him is’ makes the book sound a little corny, but I found the writing to be much different in the actual novel.  Although Claire is in some ways a victim, she does not behave a such, and she has a depth that goes far beyond pining for the boyfriend who suddenly won’t return her calls.  The mystery of Junior’s murder and Claire’s look alike are intriguing, and the various underworlds are well constructed.  If you’re interested in urban fantasy, I would definitely recommend reading this book.

Get Dark Hope from Amazon

Book Review: "The Purple Morrow" by Dyane Forde

Jeru is a member of the wolf clan caught in the tragedies of his past.  Despite the efforts of his fellow clansmen, he drifts through life, subsisting and refusing to do anything that might lead to fulfillment or happiness.  The rovers, on the other hand, suffer no such lack of motivation.  A race of enormous barbarians from the north, they have grown tired of the meager existence their cold, barren lands provide and have set their eyes upon that of the clans’ to the south.  They tear through the clans’ villages, raping and murdering everyone in their path.  As his people deal with he possibility of exile, news of the capture of his deceased wife’s only living relative reaches Jeru.  Now, he will be forced to decide between accepting his past and moving on or retreating into the mountains with no guarantee of survival.  The Purple Morrow is the first installment in what will be a series of fantasy novels entitled Rise of the Papilion.

I enjoyed the depth of the characters of this novel and the richness of their surroundings.  The work Ms Forde has done building this world is gracefully done, drawing the reader into it without overloading on details.  The magic usage, too, is subtly executed and never overshadows the true point of the story, Jeru's journey toward self-forgiveness.  I did feel that the description of the different clans would have been better placed closer to the beginning of the story, but this is a minor point since my brief confusion was addressed before it interfered with my interest in the story.  Overall, The Purple Morrow is a strong start to the series, and I look forward to finding out where the papilion is headed.

Get it on Amazon

Terrifying Adventures in Parenting: Our First Visit to the Hospital

A few weeks ago, I posted about the anxiety that comes along with becoming a parent.  Almost immediately after that post, that fear and anxiety were replaced by something much more serious.  My son woke up covered with tiny red pinpricks and unexplainable bruises all over his body.  Thinking I was probably worried about nothing, I made him an appointment with his doctor for later that day.  As we waited for time to leave, however, more bruises began to appear, some even inside his mouth.  I picked him up to place him on the bed for a closer look, and he cried out that I had hurt him.  My heart dropped as I looked down to where I had grabbed him under the arms as I usually do to lift him.  There, under his left arm, was a new bruise in the perfect shape and size of my thumb.  I was careful to keep my expression blank lest I scare him, but I knew at this point that something was seriously wrong.

When we finally saw the nurse practitioner, she took one look at him before excusing herself.  When she returned, it was with a doctor whom we have never seen, and they stood over him, prodding his belly and discussing which labs to order.  The next thing I knew, I was racing him out of the office and down to the Pediatric ER, trying to remain calm enough to get us there in one piece.

After several terrifying hours waiting for lab tests in the ER, all the while fearing he had leukemia, we were told he had Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).  There is no way to say for sure what caused it, but his immune system was destroying his platelets, the cells involved in blood clotting.  This was why any slight injury resulted in such dark bruises.  The rash I had seen was actually dozens of tiny capillaries leaking blood.  A healthy person normally has over 100,000 platelets, but his were only 4,000.  The doctor was concerned about the risk of spontaneous bleeding in his brain, and he was immediately admitted to the pediatric hematology ward.

I now know that there is a level of fear that goes beyond panic to something more akin to a robotic state.  There was my baby in the middle of a big hospital bed, covered in bruises, as the doctors—yes, now we had an entire team—discussed how he might have to be tied down if he would not leave his lines alone during the twelve hour treatment.  It really became more than my mind could grasp.  At some point I remember explaining to him that the IV port was for the medicine that would make him better, that it would make the bruises go away, but it would have to stay in his arm overnight.  I did not really expect him to understand, but he never once tried to take it out.

He was released two days after being admitted, but his platelet level was still low enough that any injury he received could have been very serious.  There were no more worries about proper diet, planned activities, or potty training.  Instead, I agonized over every piece of furniture or toy that might trip him up and whether it was worth the risk of driving to the grocery store when a car accident could prove so disastrous for him in that condition.  I agonized to pad the area around his bed and brought out the baby monitor in case he might fall in the night.

His subsequent checkup with the doctor has since shown that his platelets are back up, but he will have to be closely monitored over the next six months to make certain they stay that way.  My heart goes out to those parents and their children whose stay is much longer and so much more traumatic.  The things those children must endure are horrifying, but they somehow hold on to their sense of wonder.

I also could never thank the hospital staff enough for the wonderful job they do and am so grateful for how they helped him not to be afraid at the same time they were fixing his body.

Pitching to Agents at a Writing Conference

I’ve made the leap and signed myself up for my first writers’ conference in October.  I’ve even managed to reserve an appointment with an agent who represents novels in my genre.  It’s only a 10 minute slot, so I began to wonder about the best way to approach the interview.   After a few days researching agent and editor advice on the web, I’ve compiled the most consistent points in this blog post for those who also find themselves in this situation.

The first important thing to note is that the entire 10 minutes should not be used as one long pitch.  Most people do not recommend more than three minutes for the actual pitch.  The remaining time is for the agent to ask questions about the writer’s work and vice versa.  So, the pitch itself needs to be boiled down to a few poignant sentences, and you need to be prepared for in-depth questions about your characters and plot.

A more obvious recommendation, perhaps, is to be professional.  Dress as for a job interview and be polite.  If the agent offers advice on how to better your query or your work, take it as constructive criticism, not an insult.  Know what you plan to say, but do not read your pitch to the agent from notes or your query letter.

I feel the final piece of advice is easier said then done.  All of the agents and editors suggested that writers need to relax.  Someone who is too nervous tends to rush through the pitch in a way that the agent cannot understand and is nearly incapable of answering questions.  It is not necessary to launch into your pitch the moment you set foot in the room.  If it will help you to relax, it is perfectly acceptable to take a moment to introduce yourself and exchange pleasantries.  Take the time to make yourself a little comfortable (but not so much that you ruin your professional aura).  The agent, after all, is human too, and talking the time to calm your nerves may put them more at ease as well.

Suggested Reading:

How to Pitch your Book at a Writing Conference by Cynthia P. Gallagher

How To Pitch Your Novel by Cliff Daigle

How to Pitch to an Agent at a Writers Conference by Kerrie Flanagan

7 Tips for Pitching to an Agent or Editor at a Conference by Peggy Eddleman

Book Review of Stephen King's "Mr. Mercedes"

“Mr. Mercedes” is a crime drama and suspense novel from Stephen King.  The story opens as a large group anxiously awaits the opening of a local job fair.  An unidentified individual plows through the waiting throng, aiming to hit as many unsuspecting people as the stolen Mercedes can manage.  The sociopath kills eight and injures fifteen before completely disappearing.  The tale then skips forward several months to retired detective Bill Hodges as he contemplates suicide.  An unexpected letter arrives, written by a man claiming to be the Mercedes Killer.  What is clear from the strange letter is that Bill Hodges is being watched.  There are just enough details enclosed within to convince him that the author might just be who he claims.  The mystery immediately draws Hodges in, giving him a new lease on life.  He quickly launches his own investigation, leaving his former coworkers, the active police, out of the loop.  The stakes are incredibly high, as the Mercedes Killer’s homicidal plans are far from over.

While “Mr. Mercedes” is not Mr. King’s most groundbreaking work, it is packed with intrigue and suspense.  King’s portrayal of the psychological battle between the retired detective and the sociopathic killer is unique.  Unlike typical crime dramas, the point is not for the reader to find out who has committed the crime, but to bring them along on the killer’s horrific plans and Hodges’ ill advised escapades.  As I neared the book’s close, I had trouble putting it down.  The final chapters of the story pull the reader along on Hodges desperate chase to stop the killer from committing an even more atrocious crime.
Find Mr Mercedes on Amazon

The (Slightly) Unexpected Part of Motherhood

Growing up as part of a big family, I had few illusions about the difficulty of parenting when my husband and I became parents nearly four years ago.  I knew there would be plenty of ups and downs.  Sleepless nights countered with days of discovery and laughter.  Power struggles, boo boos, and broken hearts coupled with hugs, success stories, and new experiences.  I even knew that the job would bring a new definition to the word anxiety for me, but I was not prepared for the extent it would reach in a short period of time.

Now I am usually convinced that I am totally screwing something up, and overanalyze nearly every decision.  If we spend several days in a row indoors or running errands, I worry that he isn’t getting enough exercise.  I wonder if his diet can truly be described as varied when there are only about five types of fruits and vegetables that he will eat.  I even worry about our decision to send him to preschool, even though we researched it thoroughly, the teachers are wonderful, and he absolutely loves it.  Sometimes I worry that we are spoiling him, while others I think I expect too much from him too soon.  I wonder if he gets enough sleep at night or if he is making friends at school.

In the end, there are no real answers to my questions.  With the exception of nutritional requirements, there are no quantifiable measures of parenting success.  For now, I must console myself that the majority of the time he is happy, independent, and kind.  He is equally happy learning in the classroom as he is running and climbing on the playground.  Once in a while, we even convince him to try new things.  I worry about these things because I care, and that probably is half the battle when it comes to the things he needs from me.  For the rest, I pray for guidance and forgiveness, because I can never be the ‘perfect’ mother, whatever that is.

Review of 'Half a King' by Joe Abercrombie

This book came so highly recommended by well known fantasy authors, including Robin Hobb and George Martin, that I almost had to read it when the Kindle add showed up in my inbox.  I am happy to report that this particular book lived up to the hype.  I should mention that this novel is YA, unlike Abercrombie’s previous works.  Half a King, however, should appeal to older readers as well.

In Half a King, Joe Abercrombie takes the traditional fantasy plot line of the outcast, rightful king and makes it all his own.  Prince Yarvi is not a traditional hero, but his dogged determination and commitment to the greater good won me over despite his flaws.  I enjoyed following along as he learns to play to his strengths and accept himself, despite his birth defect meaning he will never fit the description of his culture’s ideal.  The novel is well written, containing interesting cultures, multi-dimensional characters that drive the plot, and packed with adventure.

Prince Yarvi has known from a very young age that he can never live up to his father’s or, for that matter, entire people’s expectations.  Born with a disfigured hand, he cannot serve as a warrior and is thereby nearly useless in his vikingesque society.  Instead, he throws himself fully  into his training as a minister.  When his father and older brother are murdered, however, Yarvi is thrust back into the old life as the rightful king.  Of course, more than a few refuse to accept ‘half a man’ as king.  Betrayed, Yarvi soon finds himself sold into slavery, nearly crushed under the weight of his oath to avenge his father and brother.  A daring escape attempt unites Yarvi with an unlikely set of fellow slaves.  Captivated by his compelling story, the group embarks on a seemingly impossible mission of redemption and revenge.

Without giving too much away, I will only say that the twists at the end caught me by surprise (and are quite possibly why George Martin felt it worthy of recommendation).
'Half a King' on Amazon

Moving On

For weeks I have been excited about the idea of writing a short story to go along with my newly completed fantasy novel, The Terror Within.  I envisioned a sort of prequel that told the story of how one of my main characters, Alyssiana, came to find her family.  It would have begun with her exile from the group that raised her and chronicled her journey south toward her homeland.  Her trip would have culminated in confrontation with a group of exiles intent upon using her abilities for their own political and spiritual gain.

Now, however, we come to the wrench in the works.  The story I have described above can only take place inside a completely different world.  The societies in my novel either fear or already possess Alyssiana’s power.  Hence, no group would even consider using her powers for political gain.  In addition, the situation I described above works better when the rules of magic are different than those I laid out in The Terror Within.  Alyssiana may not fully understand her power at the point this story would take place, but she is, at least partly, in control of it.  In my short story idea, however, I think the plot works much better when the magic is something as natural for the wielder as breathing and something which they cannot control without training.

At first, I was disappointed with this realization, and I have spent several weeks trying to force the short story plot to fit into the confines of the reality in The Terror Within.  Maybe I was nervous to leave it behind, since I have not written about anything unrelated to my novel in the last 12 years.  The story refuses to bend, however, and I find myself excited to take on the venture of creating a new world and new characters, if only in the confines of a short story.  Oddly, my enthusiasm was peaked by the odd little crustaceans in the photo on the left.  My family and I were walking along a boardwalk in Cedar Key when I saw their nervous exodus down the sand, and the opening scene just popped into my head.  I may yet write a prequel for The Terror Within, but for now I will immerse myself in a marshy coastal land where magic has nearly disappeared and salvation and glory are not what they seem.

Struggling with Writer's Block

The most common question I receive once people learn that I write is, “Where do you get you inspiration?”  At first I assumed such remarks were only polite attempts at showing interest, but I have since found that most of these people have their own works in progress and struggle with the dreaded writer's block, just like me.  While I do not consider myself a writing expert—I took a long hiatus from writing to go to graduate school and, as such, my only published works of note can be found in scientific journals—I have since decided to write down my favorite ways of finding inspiration and hope that someone might find it helpful.

Many of my ideas come from snippets of stories that I have read or seen on TV or in theater.  If I feel stuck when writing, I often read books from my particular genre or those that have something to do with a particular scene from my work.  When I read, I pay particular attention to the way the characters interact.  I take note of the things that work in the writing, but mostly I focus on things that I feel could have been better.  For me, one of the most natural creative writing exercises is imagining where the story could have gone instead.  This not only keeps my mind used to working creatively but has often given me ideas for directions my own plots can take.  Reading nonfiction books on a matter or era related to the subject of my story can also provide inspiration.

I also listen to ample amounts of music.  I don’t just mean listen in the car or while working, but actually taking the time to stop and immerse myself in the piece.  I pay attention to the rise and fall, the rhythm, how the instruments work together, and really listen to the lyrics—if there are any.  In this way, the music has a story of its own.  I often find a particular piece that I feel represents each of my characters and can go back to these pieces whenever I feel the story has gone astray.

For me, travel and exploration are important aspects of the creative process.  I do not mean that one has to travel the globe to be creative.  Exploration might simply mean going somewhere new in my town or area.  Moving outside my comfort zone and meeting new people forces me to really look at my surroundings instead of looking past them.  Actually setting foot in a potential setting for a story also gives me insights into how the characters might move within it, the things that they might use from it, etc.

So, if you find yourself staring at the screen/page unable to move on, get out of the house, talk a walk, see a movie, or listen to music.  It’s ok to take a break when you’re stuck; just don’t forget to get back into the chair tomorrow.

The Not so Final Draft

A few years ago, just before the birth of my son, I thought I had completed my first novel.  I sent out a few feelers to publishers, but I must confess I quickly became occupied by other things.  As my son got a bit older and more comfortable spending time doing his own thing, I decided to get serious about getting my novel published.  After taking a publishing course, I chose to look for an agent, which, of course, meant I needed to write a query letter.  Great, except I had not even touched the novel for three years.

That is how I found myself re-reading my novel, and, with my fresh set of eyes, finding it lacking.  Yes, I used too many adverbs and passive verbs.  Most grievous of all, however, I shortchanged two of my characters, turning them into nothing more than support staff at best.  My warrior seemed more a guard dog than a true agent of change.  My underdog and outsider never moved beyond these characteristics, following everyone around in a bewildered state up until the very end.  As I read the novel again, they seemed to demand that I rewrite them, to put them back the way I had originally imagined them.

I have no choice but to rewrite them.  It’s only fair they have their share of the spotlight, especially since one of them has to make the ultimate sacrifice.  I’ve spent the last few weeks completely rewriting three chapters and reworking four subsequent chapters to fit the changes.  I still have three chapters to check, probably totaling a month and a half or rewrites on a supposedly finished novel.

I’m actually a bit embarrassed I sent the novel out to any publishers in this condition.  In the future, I will put my work away for a while, maybe work on something else in the mean time.  When I pick it up again, I can read the book as a first time reader and, hopefully, pick up on this type of problem and save myself the shame.

Book Review: 'Inamorata' by Megan Chance

When I first picked up Megan Chance’s Inamorata I was struck by how few reviewers placed it into a genre and how few details they provided of the plot.  Now that I have read it, I think those reviewers feared doing the novel a disservice by pinning it down.  Its prose reads as a literary work.  Much of it feels like historical fiction, immediately drawing the reader in to late 19th century Venice.  Each character is unique and fully developed.  The setting is a time and place from the real world, but elements of fantasy and horror fit seamlessly inside it.  In that way, it reminds me of Anne Rice’s early vampire novels.

Sophie and her talented twin brother, Joseph, move to Venice to escape scandal in their native New York.  Hoping to attract a patron for Joseph’s paintings, they quickly acquaint themselves with high society Venice.  Joseph’s art intrigues several important persons, but none so dangerous, or tempting, as Odilé Leon.  This courtesan holds a terrible secret, and, while she can absolutely give the fame she promises, it will come at a terrible price.  For a demon lives beneath Ms Leon’s skin, and it feeds off creative energies. Though her victims create the best work of their lives under her instruction, the demon ensures it will be their last.  The twins, however, hide secrets of their own, and if Nicholas Dane, a man who has had his own near miss with Odilé, can convince them of their danger, there may yet be a way to end the demon’s cycle.

Inamorata on Amazon

My family and I recently spent a few weeks in Devon, and, as is often the case, I could not ignore just how different our lives have become since our son William’s arrival three and a half years ago.  Vacations, for me, used to involve attempting to cram in a visit to as many historic, scenic, or adventurous places possible.  Perhaps because parenting a preschooler comes with its own special—or should that read terrifying—brand of excitement, I have more recently adopted a more relaxed attitude.  Because there is no way to predict what might excite or bore. Before this trip, I never would have picked a trip to a model train museum, but I found myself there, staring in astonishment as he gawked for hours at all the delicate parts.  Without ever attempting to dismantle them.  Nor would I have dreamed of taking my active child to afternoon tea, but somehow that is exactly where we ended up, me wondering all the while who that little person sitting next to me was with the impeccable manners as he sampled little tea cakes and scones. 

Watching him discover the world is a form of excitement all its own.  Sometimes not in a good way.  His love of climbing has always made me nervous, but his adventures reached a whole new level on Haytor Rock.  It took me three times as long as he and my husband, Howard, to shakily drag myself up the exposed, steep hill, yet when I arrived, it was to the scene of Howard literally trying to talk Will down off a cliff.  To get him down, I had to promise to take him to the rock gym when we got home so he could learn to climb safely.  So, Gainesville peeps, you may be seeing a particularly adventurous small boy accompanied by a white-faced mom at Gainesville Rock Gym, because, unfortunately for me, the only requirement is that your child must weigh at least 30 pounds.