Malevolent Musings

Cover art!

2011-11-20T12:09:00.002-05:00

I got the cover at for AT ALL COSTS yesterday. It's it gorgeous?!!

Time flies...

2011-10-21T12:41:00.003-04:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted on here. I wish I could say I've been busy, but I haven't. I'm currently working on the edits for White Wolf, due out in April with MuseItHOT. "Raising the Dead" was featured in Shelter of Daylight and can be purchased on Sam's Dot Publishing's website. "Wedding Wizard" has been accepted by Residential Aliens and is due out in the near future. Other than that, nothing. Nada. My muse has gone on vacation, leaving me all alone.

Okay, it's not as bad as I'm making it sound. I've been catching up with my reading (almost finished Mortal Coils by Eric Nylund right now, and will start reading Secret Circle by LJ Smith next) and watching Supernatural via Netflix. I've got ideas for my future WIP, but right now I'm just going to relax some more.

And I just rememered....NaNoWriMo is next month!!! Holy crap I'd forgotten. Dear Muse, please come back from vacation. It's NaNo time! You can follow my progress on NaNoWriMo.org. My handle is dadewrites.

Dream Lover's first review! 3 hearts!

2011-08-13T14:39:00.001-04:00

From Sizzling Hot Book Reviews;
"Dream Lover is a good concept with loving characters and is a good sweet love story."

For the complete review, go to http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2011/08/dream-lover-by-heather-kuehl.html

Last stop

2011-08-10T00:40:00.000-04:00

And the last stop on the Dream Lover/Epiphany Tour is at One Writer's Journey: http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/

This tour has been so much fun, and I can't wait until December to do it all again with At All Costs!

At Fangtastic Books and EP

2011-08-09T00:35:00.002-04:00

Today I'm guest blogging at Fangtastic Books: http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/ and at the Eteranl Press Authors blog: http://eternalpressauthors.blogspot.com

Get your copy of Dream Lover at http://eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615724451
Get your copy of Epiphany at http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=318&osCsid=148e753462c7adc46a33d091496e5faf

And the tour continues

2011-08-08T00:30:00.000-04:00

Today I'm guest blogging at Kayden's World of Paranormal: http://kaydenmcleodparanormal.blogspot.com/

I'm so happy that my books are now out.
Get your copy of Dream Lover at http://eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615724451
Get your copy of Epiphany at http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=318&osCsid=148e753462c7adc46a33d091496e5faf

Dream Lover release day!

2011-08-07T13:21:00.004-04:00

I feel like I'm everywhere today, promoting Dream Lover.

This week I'm the Spotlight Author at Cate Masters blog: http://catemasters.blogspot.com/2010/08/heather-kuehl-in-author-spotlight.html

I'm being interviewed at You Gotta Read today: http://yougottareadguest.blogspot.com/2011/08/welcome-author-heather-kruel.html

I'm posting tidbits and excerpts at the Eternal Press Readers loop: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EternalPressReaders/

And I have a live chat in the Eternal Press chatroom at 2pm and 7pm EST: http://eternalpress.biz/chat.php

Busy busy busy! Make sure you get your copy of Dream Lover today: http://eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615724451

Epiphany has been released!

2011-08-05T00:28:00.000-04:00

Today starts my Epiphany and Dream Lover blog tour! It's also the day that Epiphany is released! So excited!

To purchase Epiphany, please visit http://www.decadentpublishing.com

I'm blogging at Decadent Publishing's blog today: http://decadentpublishing.blogspot.com

I'm also guest blogging at The Sweater Curse: http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com

For a full tour list, go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=199964386700292

Blog Fest Winners!

2011-07-21T14:05:00.002-04:00

After entering all the information into Random.org, I now have the winners of my BlogFest contest!

The winner of the crystal dragon is Darlene!

The two winners of Blood Moon are Doreen and Vivien!

The winner of Promises to Keep is Amanda!

Congratulations!

BlogFest 2011

2011-07-15T00:09:00.004-04:00

Welcome to BlogFest 2011!

This is stop 113/201!

What is BlogFest? Well, BlogFest is a blog run, allowing you to visit participating blogs from July 15-17. Each blog will be offering a fantastic giveaway for readers to enter. Listed below are the blog links that will pull readers through the party. Sounds fun right? With so many blogs there is no way you can enjoy them all, so make sure you bookmark the ones that look interesting! Then you can come back later to enjoy all they have to offer. Make sure you keep track of the blogs you visited by going to http://ajourneyofbooks.com/. Anyone using this tracking site will be entered in the BlogFest 2011 massive giveaway.

The BlogFest Giveaway
Don't forget about the massive BlogFest 2011 grand giveaway! Head on over to http://www.ajourneyofbooks.com/ and click on the Tracking Site link to head to the exclusive tracking site. Once there you can register with a valid email address (to be used solely for the purpose of contacting the winner). This site will allow you to track your progress through BlogFest 2011! You can log on from anywhere at any time and continue where you left off. The best part is that every blog that you visit and mark off through this tracking site will give you one entry into the massive giveaway! We have a great collection of books, goodies and other swag that is looking for a new home!

My Giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive this crystal dragon (pictured below). Two winners will receive a pdf of Blood Moon: Sarah Vargas Book 3, and one lucky winner will receive a pdf of Promises to Keep. That's a total of four chances to win!

My Giveaway Rules and Details:

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post with your email addy

Receive + 2 entries for being a blog follower

Receive + 2 entries for being a Twitter Follower @heatherkuehl

Receive + 2 entries for following my Facebook Fan Page

Please don't comment for each entry. One comment with your email addy and what you are following will be fine.

This giveaway is open to international residents. :o) Contest ends at 11:59 pm EST on the 17th. Winners will be notified by July 19.

Continue with the excitement and keep the party going!
114 Manga Maniac Cafe
115 Meg Mims, Author
116 Memoirs Of A Misanthrope
117 Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks
118 Michelle's Book Blog
119 Middle of the Road Reviews

Whoops!

2011-07-07T13:31:00.001-04:00

How could I forget to mention that I was in 5x5 Fiction and that Ruby Red Cravings has been released.

Read 5x5 for FREE at http://5x5fiction.blogspot.com/2011/06/5x5-fiction-presents-issue-two-secrets.html

Buy Ruby Red Cravings at http://www.amazon.com/Ruby-Red-Cravings-Brianna-Stoddard/dp/1617061271

OMG! It feels like forever

2011-07-07T13:02:00.002-04:00

Since I've blogged, that is. I no longer have a reliable internet source at my house, which is kinda nice since that means I have more time for other things rather than stalking Facebook. But with Dream Lover AND Epiphany's release date just around the corner, it's time to get back to business. Yep, I said both books. Dream Lover is due out on Aug 7 and Epiphany just got confirmed for Aug 5. Two books...one week. Holy cow! I already have a tour lined up. Check out the tour at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=199964386700292

Now, to catch up...
I was at Decadent Publishing on June 30 for Three Way Thursday - http://decadentpublishing.blogspot.com/2011/06/thursday-3-ways-with.html

I will be at Decadent Publishing on July 28, once again for Three Way Thursday - http://decadentpublishing.blogspot.com

I am participating in BlogFest 2011 next week. Check back here for more information the closer it gets.

Happy Memorial Day!

2011-05-28T08:49:00.003-04:00

Yeah, I know, Memorial Day isn't until Monday. But I still felt the urge to say Happy Memorial Day, especially since my short story "What Heroes Do" is up at Flash Fiction Online. I'm so proud of this story, not just because this was my first professional story sale (WOOT!) but because of the message within it's short length.

To read "What Heroes Do" go to http://www.flashfictiononline.com/f20110503-what-heroes-do-heather-kuehl.html

New Review!

2011-05-27T19:48:00.001-04:00

Tammy from The Pen and Muse has written a glowing review for Far and Away.

"Perfect for momentary jolts in between the daily moments of drudgery, Far and Away is loaded with slices of life that sting with humor and linger in memory."

Read more at http://thepenmuse.net/archives/2978

Thank you, my fabulous fans!

2011-05-24T20:40:00.002-04:00

Isn't that awesome? Also, for Fantasy ebooks, Blood Moon is #65 and Fade to Black is #78. Top 100! WOOT!

Final Retribution: Book Three of the Angelic Chronicles by Marion Webb-De Sisto

2011-05-24T00:09:00.000-04:00

This third and final book of the trilogy is an exploration of how opposites attract. No one is more evil than Archangel Samael and no one is more untainted than Angel Manah. These two characters should never hold any interest in each other and yet they do. It was a challenge for me, as a writer, to convince the reader of such an unlikely relationship. I do hope I’ve managed to do this. It was certainly enjoyable for me to demonstrate how what began as a total dislike of each other in Book One eventually changed into attraction and ultimately love. The following is a little breakdown of these two differing angelic individuals about whom the storyline of this book revolves around.

Samael was the most radiant first archangel, who fell from grace and became the Devil. He’s handsome and charismatic, but also cruel and embittered. His mood swings are like quicksilver, but anger frequently dominates him. He is the hero of this story, albeit the anti hero. This archangel rules Abbadon/Hell with an iron fist and has lost the love of Archangel Malkura to his brother. Although completely wicked, there is a hidden reason for his drastic change of character from good to evil. Even Samael has no memory of the true cause and mistakenly believes it is because of an event that never actually happened. In this book his attention has turned to Angel Manah and he hopes to either persuade or coerce her into becoming his consort. In the process of attempting to do this he falls in love with her, but Samael can only claim her if he becomes redeemed.

Manah is Malkura’s pure essence angel and is the heroine of the story. She is beautiful, compassionate and forthright. Compared to Samael, Manah is total purity in contrast to his darkness and wicked nature. Yet she is the only one who can alter his path of damnation; even Malkura could not do that. Manah abhors Samael’s evil acts, but is gradually falling in love with him. However, she knows she cannot be his unless he becomes redeemed. She believes this will never happen and is resigned to living her life without him. Manah is the thorn in his side, rejecting his amorous advances and reminding him with her forthright comments that his evil nature has rewarded him with exile and loneliness. The angel also dismisses his amorous interest in her as either being motivated by the fact that she reminds him of Malkura or it is merely a cruel charade. Considering angels to be inferior to archangels, this seraph cannot believe Samael’s acts of affection are genuine.

Author Marion Webb-De Sisto
Fiction - Adventure and Romance with a Devilish Twist.
Non-Fiction - Helpful Information on Crystals, Crystal Skulls, Healing and the Spirit World.

Website - www.marionwebb-desisto.com

Blog - http://marionwebb-desisto.blogspot.com/

Amazon Author Page - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marion-Webb-De-Sisto/e/B002A06PMK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

FaceBook - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=671911733#!/pages/Marion-Webb-De-Sisto-Author/121238787930802

AuthorsDen - http://www.authorsden.com/marionwebbdesisto

Alternative-Read - http://www.alternative-read.com/aamarionwebbdesisto.htm

AuthorIsland - http://www.authorisland.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=748&Itemid=602

CDC warns about zombie apocalypse

2011-05-20T07:49:00.002-04:00

How awesome is that? Read the full article here.

Busy busy

2011-05-17T08:55:00.002-04:00

The moment I get my new ac adapter in the mail, the motherboard on my laptop craps out on me. I've spent the last week redownloading things that I use and trying to get the info I have off of my old laptop's harddrive. And there are some things on there I really want, like the book trailer for Dream Lover.

It also means that I'm trying to catch up with updating my website and blog. I know I forgot to post on here that I was guest blogging at Creative Chatter last week. I also got the link for the roundtable interview I did with Romance Radio Network. Today I'm guest blogging at MuseItUp Publishing. That should be it for guest posts until Dream Lover is released in August.

WIP update:

Of Wolf and Man has been sent out to publishers. I'm shooting for the stars with this one, so it may be a while before it actually sees the light of day.

Gray Magic is on hiatus. There's something about that story that just isn't doing it for me right now. Don't know what.

"Smut story" has a new name, White Wolf, and I will be editing and submitting it this week.

Sarah Vargas 4, 5, and 6 are outlined. They will be a stand alone trilogy, meaning that you don't have to read the first three to enjoy these. Maybe I'll label these Part 2: Book 1 or something of the sort.

Blood Moon stats

2011-05-10T08:28:00.002-04:00

Blood Moon seems to be doing well. Well enough for me to brag, anyways. LoL

On Fictionwise.com, Blood Moon is currently #45 for Fantasy ebooks. It's also #11 for Eternal Press on Fictionwise.

Maybe this will hit number 1 as well, like Fade to Black did in November 2009.

Two interviews and a review!

2011-05-09T15:15:00.003-04:00

Far and Away has its first review and it's glowing!

"Kuel does it again with some great flash fiction and poetry. Her work makes you think, is something really hiding in the dark and even in the deep recesses of your mind." ~ The Pen and Muse

Read both the review, followed by my interview, at The Pen and Muse: http://thepenmuse.net/archives/2651

I'm also being interviewed on Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz's blog: http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/2011/05/interview-with-author-heather-kuehl.html

The Far and Away mini-tour has begun!

2011-05-08T07:55:00.002-04:00

My first stop on my Far and Away mini-tour is Gladiator's Pen, where I'm being interviewed! I'll be talking about my new anthology and what the difference between writing Far and Away was compared to a book length work. Stop by and say hello!

http://gladiatorspen.blogspot.com/2011/05/heather-kuehl-steps-into-arena-at.html

Crazy week

2011-05-06T19:19:00.002-04:00

It feels so good to have internet access again! The AC adapter for my lappy died last week, and I had to order a new one so that I could get online. Yeah, I have a desktop computer, but it's not internet friendly. I use that one to write. So, no internet for a week meant that I couldn't update my site or blog with updates about Far and Away's release. It also meant that I had more time to read and write. It was actually nice.

So, I'm back! My mini tour for Far and Away starts up on Saturday. Don't miss the fun!

The End

2011-04-14T22:38:00.003-04:00

I love those words, especially when I can type them at the end of a project. For those of you who follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you'll know that I've been working on a project that I've called my "smut" story. I finished it today, and no I don't have a better name for it yet. It's a 5k erotic paranormal romance (M/F & F/F). This is the first time I've looked into the world of my werewolves through a born Were's eyes. Before, it's been through Sarah's eyes but she's a converted Were. Kalia, my main character, was a born a werewolf. It's interesting to see how animalistic some Clans can be, especially when it comes to their females. I've discovered that aparently Weres don't approve of same sex couples, oftentimes destroying them rather than banishing them. So, what happens when your the daughter a Clan's alpha and you discover that your Mate is a female? Do you run from your feelings, or do you stay and face them head on?

Blurb: Kalia Seffmoyer is a rarity among werewolves. She's albino, a trait that is coveted by Clans worldwide. She is sent from Clan to Clan, bedding every eligible male she comes across hoping to find her Mate. Kalia doesn't expect to find love, but the second she looks into Sophia's eyes she's done for. Never has Kalia had feelings like those she has for Sophia, and a night of passion quickly leads to dire consequences. For in the supernatural world, it seems that humans aren't the only ones who discriminate.

That's what my smut story goes into. :o) It really needs a better title than "My Smut Story." LoL

Uprinting Winner!

2011-04-14T15:10:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Maureen! She's the winner of 25 magnet cards from Uprinting.com!

Congrats!

CONTEST! Win 25 Card Magnets

2011-04-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

This month's Uprinting giveaway are magnets - 25 Card Magnets! Authors, here's your chance to win free promo material! Even if you aren't an author, magnets are still a great way to tell others about your school or business!

Prize Details:

25 Card Magnets for One (1) Winner

2” x 3.5”

13pt Magnet Gloss

Front Only Printing

6 Business Days Turn Around Time

Restriction: Limited to US residents 18 years old and above only. Winners are allowed to win only once over a six-month period.

How to enter: Leave a comment on this post with your email addy

Receive + 1 entries for being a blog follower

Receive + 1 entries for liking Uprinting.com on Facebook

Receive + 1 entries for being a Twitter Follower @heatherkuehl

Recieve + 1 entries for liking Heather Kuehl on Facebook

Contest Open Until Wednesday April 13 at Midnight EST The winner will be announced on April 14

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive business card magnets for hosting. Check out more information about magnet printing.

Interview with Maggie Dove

2011-03-29T05:48:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

ANGEL OF WINDWORD is my first novel, and the first of the WINDWORD trilogy. CALL ME DUCHESS, the prequel to ANGEL OF WINDWORD and the story of two characters from my original manuscript is set in 1870 England and will be released by Eternal Press on January, 2011. At this time, I am writing my third novel, THE ENGLISH MARQUESA. The last of the Windword Trilogy is set in 1870 Spain and also involves a member of the Kent family.

Angel of Windword Buy Links:
ebook available at http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781926704654
Paperback and Kindle available at http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Of-Windword-ebook/dp/B003ICWCFI/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_2

Call Me Duchess Buy Links:
Buy Link: http://eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615722860
Paperback can be ordered through Barnes & Noble.
Paperback and Kindle available at Amazon. Com
Paperback Available at: http://www.amazon.com/Call-Me-Duchess-Maggie-Dove/dp/1615722874/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1296254706&sr=1-2

HK: Who, or what, is your inspiration to write?
MD: My grandfather was a writer.

HK: When did you start writing?
MD: I think in high school, and later on after I got married, I took a few college courses in creative writing and loved them.

HK: When did you realize that you wanted to become an author?
MD: It just happened. I never thought that I would write a book. My good friend, Diana Flori, dared me to write one and I wrote Angel of Windword. She also wrote a historical romance titled A Thorn At His Side.

HK: What is your advice for aspiring authors?
MD: Don't give up. Write it and send it out. Keep at it until you get published.

HK: Do you do research for your books/stories? What kind of research do you do?
MD: Yes. I go to the library and now I use the internet. What a source of information!

HK: Do you outline before you start writing?
MD: No. I just jot down the ideas that come to me so that I don't forget them.

HK: Do you plan ahead before you sit down to write, or do you let the story take you where it wants to go?
MD: I have an original idea and then the characters take on a life of their own and the story goes where it wants.

HK: Do you write at a desk, or do you have a laptop that you drag around the house with you?
MD: I write at a desk. I don't like laptops...I need my mouse!

HK: Besides a pen/pencil/notepad/computer, what is a must-have while writing?
MD: Coffee! Also a shower. When I take a long, hot shower, my characters have conversations and my mind gets filled with ideas for plot.

HK: How did it feel to sign your first publishing contract?
MD: Unbelieveable! I walked on air for literally months!

HK: What is your favorite genre to write? Your least favorite?
MD: Historical Romances and Romantic Suspense. My least favorite. I don't have a least favorite because I only write Historical Romance and Romantic Suspense.

HK: Is there a genre that you haven't written yet, but you want to try?
MD: Just Mystery. I love writing the mystery part in my books. So I was thinking that maybe I'd call myself Maggie Raven and write suspense.

HK: Tell me a bit about your books? What do you think makes them stand out from the rest?
MD: My books are historical romances with a twist. They also include a mystery. I love secondary characters who are humorous.

HK: There are many fascinating historical places in Charleston, South Carolina. Are there any within your books?
MD: My first book takes place in France, my second in England and the one that I'm writing now, The English Marquesa takes place in Spain. I'm enjoying writing the latter because I lived in Spain for a year when I was 19 years old.

HK: And, for fun, if you could be anyone for a day - real or fictional - who would you be?
MD: Bewitched. She will always be young and beautiful even after Darin passes on without her. I love the fact that a simple movement of her nose can get her everything she wants, including her housework done!

HK: Thank you so much for participating in this interview! :o)
MD: Thanks, Heather!

Call Me Duchess Excerpt

Ah, the London Season—how glamorous, how debauch!

Staring at his image in the gilded mirror on top of the marbled staircase, the nobleman adjusted his black mask over his eyes and smiled with approval while surveying the fine-looking picture he presented. As usual, his appearance was faultless. There was not a hair out of place. It was time to make his grand entrance, but he couldn’t help but linger a while longer as he looked over the banister at the massive ballroom below.

The magnificent Bentley House boasted the most exquisite of ballrooms, and tonight the festooned and tinseled room did not disappoint. What would the London Season be without the Dowager Duchess of Wallingford’s annual masquerade ball, held every year at the commencement of the Season? He had looked forward to it for months.

His heart pounded with anticipation as he slowly descended the staircase, his keen eyes surveying the magical grandeur before him.

There she was now—the bejeweled and crusty dowager, dressed in black silk and lace, smiling at her doting son, the Duke of Wallingford. The duke’s escort, Lady Lorena Bonner, giggled and blushed while speaking to Lord Christopher Jackman, who looked more enamored by her than ever.

Entering the room, the nobleman recognized Lord and Lady Hardwood and their delectable daughter, Samantha, from last year’s Season. He accepted a flute of champagne from one of the numerous silver trays being passed around by uniformed waiters. He glanced at the dance floor and noticed the Countess of Salesbury waltzing with a young dandy while her aged husband watched silently. And was that not the exquisite Marchioness of Albester in lively conversation with the Earl of Deville? Where were their other halves? No doubt enjoying a lovers’ rendezvous in the terrace while their spouses conversed for all to witness. The nobleman smirked, remembering how the four had scandalized the ton with their blatant behavior last summer. But that was last year’s gossip. He wondered what tidbit this year would bring.

The marchioness called him over, but he could not go and speak to her now. He pretended not to notice, for he had more pressing matters at hand. The nobleman was not interested in the guests he recognized. He was more fascinated by the guests he had yet to meet.

Looking to his side, he observed a large group of young ladies standing by the north wall. So many of them! Giggling and hoping they’d be noticed. This year’s pretty pickings—such beautiful, dainty flowers just waiting to be plucked. Where would he start? Knocking back the champagne with one quick gulp, he headed toward them.

The London Season—how glamorous, how debauch, indeed! The time of year when the upper crust departed from their country manors and brought their young daughters to London to partake in the marriage mart, all anxiously hoping the young debutantes would meet eligible bachelors from good families such as theirs.

He wondered which one he would rape tonight.

Free Read - Struck by Beauty

2011-03-27T20:41:00.002-04:00

Struck by Beauty is available now from Smashwords for FREE!

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: PG-13

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/49914 A collection of four fantasy stories:

"Struck by Beauty" - Mika is forced to do the unthinkable.

"Homecoming" - Carra returns home to confront her past.

"Blythe's Vengeance" - Blythe seeks vengeance on the sorcerer that destroyed her hometown.

"The Desire of Selkies" - Salena discovers that humans will do anything to get what they desire.

Timeline

2011-03-27T14:55:00.004-04:00

I was in the shower this morning, thinking about my stories and books. Many of my characters live within the same world, sometimes eventually overlapping. I want to create a timeline, for those of you who like to read things in order. I'll be adding to this list as new books/stories are released.

"Dalamar's Quest" (Amythist Dreams, March 2011)
"Struck by Beauty" Mirror Dance, Sept 2009.
"Susan's Ghost" Ethereal Tales, Oct 2010.
"The Voice Within the Book" DemonMinds, April 2008.
Dream Lover Eternal Press, Aug 2011.
Fade to Black Eternal Press, Oct 2009.
Promises to Keep Eternal Press, March 2010.
Malevolent Dead Eternal Press, Sept 2010.
Blood Moon Eternal Press, March 2011.
"The Hunt" (Amythist Dreams, March 2011)
Epiphany Decadent Publishings, TBA
"The Final Goodbye" (Amythist Dreams, March 2011)
"Into the Dark" Ruby Red Cravings, TBA.
"The Unexpected Guests" Just Another Paranormal Christmas, Dec 2010.
"The Lesson" Midnight Times, April 2008.
"Whispers of the Night" Siren Book Reviews Ezine, Feb 2011.
"Fire and Brimstone" (Far and Away, May 2011)
"To Walk Among Dreams" Space Cops, May 2009.
At All Costs MuseItUp Publishing, Dec 2011.

Amythist Dreams is now available!

2011-03-27T13:44:00.003-04:00

Amythist Dreams is now up on Smashwords!

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/49843

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: PG-13

Contains "Dalamar's Quest," "The Hunt," and "The Final Goodbye."

"Dalamar's Quest" - Sorcerer Dalamar Shola and his apprentice, Amythist Dyier, investigate new magic in Ancient Egypt.

"The Hunt" - Amythist wants revenge, even if it means going to the demon realm to fulfill it.

"The Final Goodbye" - Will Amythist be able to say goodbye to her truest love?

Dragon Sent is now available

2011-03-26T21:03:00.003-04:00

Dragon Sent is now up on Smashwords!

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/49712

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: PG

Contains "The Wicked Deed" and "Redemption."

"The Wicked Deed" - To save her twin sister from a sorcerer's curse, Xerri must betray the dragon that trusts her to find the cure.

"Redemption" - Xerri goes on a dragon sent redemption quest to clear her soul of her wicked deed.

Anthologies

2011-03-26T19:12:00.009-04:00

You'll notice that within the next couple of months, I'll have a couple anthologies coming out. Nifty, isn't it?

Through the Rosebush is a print anthology published through AnthologyBuilder.com. It contains 11 of my previously published short stories. This is available now at AnthologyBuilder.

Far and Away is an ebook anthology published through Smashwords and available on the Kindle and Nook, as well as several other ereader sites. It's a collection of over thrity previously published flash fiction and poems, including 12 never before published works. (Coming Soon: May 2011)

Dragon Sent is an ebook release containing two short stories; "The Wicked Deed" and "Redemption." These stories feature an interesting character named Xerri who has to betray that dragon that trusts her to save her twin sister. (Coming Soon: March 2011)

Why am I doing this? I want my previously published work available for everyone to read. Some of it is hard to find or no longer available. I want to put related stories in a set (such as Dragon Sent) and offer them for little to no money.

And the winner is...

2011-03-25T09:57:00.002-04:00

Thank you all for participating in the Uprinting giveaway I hosted!

This morning I put all the entrants for the 250 Die Cut Business Card giveaway into a list randomizer on Random.org, and the winner is...

Diane Scott Lewis!

Congratulations, Diane!

About my reviews

2011-03-22T09:32:00.002-04:00

For those of you who didn't know, I'm the Charleston Paranormal Fiction Examiner for Examiner.com. I review books, interview authors, and write articles about the paranormal genre.

After writing several reviews, most recently having to give a book 1 star, I decided that I wanted to explain my process.

Before I even open a book, it has 5 stars. It has yet to do anything to frustrate me or make me give up. If I can get to the end of the book without getting frustrated with wooden characters or a crappy plot line, the book will be rated 5 stars. From the moment I start to read, the rating changes. Slow beginning? Now the rating is down to 4 stars (because the beginning is the most important part for me). If the plot has been done before and the characters are in no way remarkable, 3 stars. 3-5 stars are all fantastic ratings, mind you. It means that the book was "good" to "fantastic." It's the 2 and 1 star ratings that authors should worry about.

2 stars means that I was able to finish the book, but it was just bad. And 1 star, I just couldn't finish the book no matter how hard I tried.

Like with all reviews, it is my personal opinion about the book. I always make sure to give examples on how the book was good or bad, and I also make sure that I don't bash the author that wrote it. Yeah, the book was bad, but that doesn't mean all their books are. Maybe I should live by Thumper's philosophy; If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. But as a reviewer I feel that it's my job to let readers know what books I think are good and which ones I think are bad so they can make an informed decision before spending their hard earned money on a particular title.

And on that note, I am always open to reviewing any paranormal title. Please email me at heatherkuehl(at)gmail(dot)com if you are interested in being reviewed or interviewed. And if you want to take a look at my Examiner page, go to http://www.examiner.com/paranormal-fiction-in-charleston-sc/heather-kuehl

Writing stress

2011-03-21T20:33:00.003-04:00

Just so you all know, I'm about to complain. A lot. Feel free to ignore my whiny rant. :o)

I'm working on editing Of Wolf and Man right now before I deem it acceptable to submit. I've decided to add an additional chapter explaining rogue werewolves, since this is an important factor of this particular book. I've just finished writing a six page synopsis for Of Wolf and Man so I can start submitting queries to agents. Yep, I said agents. I'm going for gold with this manuscript. I feel that Of Wolf and Man is my ticket to get published by a big publishing house. I feel that my goal of seeing my book on the shelf at B&N is near. And while I'm sure it would sell well at a smaller ebook publisher, I have goals I want to see met:

see my book on the shelf at B&N
get on the NYTimes bestseller list.

Hence the stress.

I want to make it as perfect as possible, which is really impossible because even books at the store aren't perfect. But I want to get close! Of Wolf and Man has been the primary focus of my work for several months now, pushing several WIP into the background (including Sarah Vargas 4....and Sarah's wanting to come out and play for this one!). But it seems that every time I open the file, I see more and more problems. I'm starting to wonder if the problems I think I see are even valid, or the product of my stressed out mind.

Part of me thinks I should set it aside and work on something else for a bit, but I worry that if I let it collect dust for too long that there won't be a market for it anymore.

*sigh*

However, in dealing with all of this I have made an important decision for the Sarah Vargas Series. Much like Star Wars is divided into parts (episodes 1-3 being part one and episodes 4-6 being part two) I am going to do the same with this series. Books 1-3 (Fade to Black, Malevolent Dead, and Blood Moon) will be considered part one, while books 4-6 will be part two. Makes sense? Each part will be stand alone, readers not having to read books 1-3 to understand books 4-6. I intend for there to be three parts, unless Sarah gets tired of this mess and cuts it short. That's a grand total of nine Sarah Vargas books. Confused yet? LoL

YAtopia Pitch Contest

2011-03-20T22:20:00.002-04:00

Tonight I entered Of Wolf and Man in the YAtopia Pitch Contest. Agent Ammi-Joan Paquette of Erin Murphy Literary Agency is hosting this contest, so it's one that you just cannot pass on if you're a writer.

http://yatopia.blogspot.com/2011/03/agent-pitch-contest.html

I'm number 123/150!

Wish me luck

CONTEST! Win 250 Die Cut Business Cards

2011-03-18T09:49:00.004-04:00

This months Uprinting givaway are free business cards - 250 Die Cut Business Cards. Authors, here's your chance to win free promo material! Even if you aren't an author, business cards can come in very handy.

One Winner will recieve

250 Die Cut Business Cards
1.75” x 3.5”, 2” x 3.5”, or 2” x 2”; 2.5” Diameter (Circle)
Die cutting options available: Rounded Corners, Leaf, Rounded Single-Corner, Half-Circle Side, Circle

Paper Type: 14pt Cardstock Gloss, Matte, or High Gloss; 13pt Cardstock Uncoated

6 Business Days Turnaround; Front Only or Front and Back printing

Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above

To enter leave a comment on this post with your email addy

Receive + 2 entries for being a blog follower

Receive + 2 entries for liking Uprinting.com on Facebook

Receive + 2 entries for being a Twitter Follower @heatherkuehl

Recieve + 2 entries for liking Heather Kuehl on Facebook

Contest Open Until Thursday March 24 at Midnight EST
The winner will be announced on March 25

This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive business cards for hosting. For more information about business cards, please visit http://www.uprinting.com/business-cards.html.

Contest Winners!

2011-03-15T13:45:00.002-04:00

First, I'd like to thank everyone who came out and participated in my blog tour and contests. Because of you the Blood Moon Tour was a complete success!

Scavenger Hunt
This went very well, even with the slow start. I'll definitely be doing this again!
Congrats to the daily prize winners: Donna, Tiffani, Kristen, Christopher, Katrina, and Christine. Thank you for participating! The grand prize winner is Christine! She wins the Sarah Vargas box set! The second and third place winners are Kristen and Christopher. They win a pdf copy of Fade to Black, Malevolent Dead, OR Promises to Keep (their choice).

Eternal Press Author's Blog Contest
Congratulations Courtney! She won signed copies of both Fade to Black and Malevolent Dead.

Bitten By Books Contest
The winner of the $25 Amazon.com gift card is Carol. Congratulations!

The Writer's Chatroom winner
Congratulations to Flo, who wins a pdf copy of Fade to Black!

Brandyz Books Winner
is still in limbo. I'll let you know the winner when I find out.

The Para-Posse Winner
Congratulations to JM, who wins one ebook from my backlist at All Romance Ebooks.

and I think that's everyone!
Congratulations and thank you all for participating.

Upcoming tours (with more prizes)
Far and Away = May 8-14
Dream Lover = Aug 7-13

Blood Moon Scavenger Hunt winner - day 9

2011-03-12T22:11:00.002-05:00

Congratulations Tiffani!

She was the first to email me the correct answer for day 9's clue!

Q: What's the name of the anthology that's coming out in May?
A: Far and Away

Her prize:
a wolf bracelet

There are still plenty of chances to win! Keep an eye on my FB author page or my Twitter (@heatherkuehl) for the daily clues!

First Review for Blood Moon

2011-03-10T08:18:00.002-05:00

The Pen and Muse has reviewed Blood Moon!

"When I think of Heather Kuehl, I think of great action packed paranormal writing. Why? She simply provides it with such ease that as a reader, you invest in her works, her characters, and the world these characters are in...Sarah is a great kick ass character that you will absolutely fall in love with. "

To read more, go to http://thepenmuse.net/archives/2396

Blood Moon Tour Dates/Locations

2011-03-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

This list is updated daily

Mar 3 - Guest blogging at Kayden's World of Paranormal

Mar 4 - Guest blogging at Brandyz Books

Mar 5 - Guest blogging at Brandyz Books

Mar 6 - Blood Moon's trailer is on You Gotta Read Videos.
Guest blogging w/ CONTEST at The Para-Posse

Mar 7-13 - Dee Julian's Blurb Party!

Mar 7 - Eternal Press Reader's Group at 3:30-4:30pm EST
Guest moderating for Just Another Paranormal Monday - all day
Interviews at Siren Book Reviews and Welcome to the Other World
Guest blogging at Backseat Nightmares.

Mar 8 - Blood Moon release party! Live chat at 7:30pm EST.
Guest blogging with CONTEST at Eternal Press Author's Blog
Guest blogging at The Writer's Chatroom Blog

Mar 9 - Guest blogging at Brandyz Books
Character interview at Bitten By Books

Mar 10 - Guest blogging at Wayfairing Writer.

Mar 11 - Guest blogging at Clare Dargin's blog.

Mar 12 - Character interview at A Reading Nook.

Mar 13 - Live chat w/ door prize at The Writer's Chatroom: 7pm EST

Blood Moon Scavenger Hunt winner - day 7

2011-03-09T20:08:00.003-05:00

Congratulations Christine!

She was the first to email me the correct answer for day 7's clue!

Q: Who is first listed on my list of My Top 10 Paranormal Hotties?
A: Eric Northman from Sookie Stackhouse series/True Blood

Her prize:
$5 gift card to Amazon.com

There are still plenty of chances to win! Keep an eye on my FB author page or my Twitter (@heatherkuehl) for the daily clues!

A break from tour for some news

2011-03-08T23:45:00.004-05:00

BREAKING NEWS!

Eternal Press has accepted Dream Lover for publication in August 2011!

Dream Lover Blurb:
Denna Rainerd has dreamed about Warren Connelly for the past ten years, their relationship in the dream world hot and passionate. Pity he isn't real...or is he?

Warren wishes that Denna was in his real world, but a human in his world would be a liability. He's a Hunter shapeshifter; sworn to protect his world from the darkest of creatures while he's focused on revenge for the death of his brother. Their worlds collide when Warren saves Denna's life, setting up a chain of events that will change their lives forever. Will Denna be able to accept Warren's supernatural secrets?

AND...

MuseItUp Publishing has accepted my short story At All Costs for publication in December 2011!

At All Costs Blurb:
Samantha lives in a post-apocalyptic world where she is the mortal enemy of technology that has turned on humanity. Sam's a technopath, a person with the ability to control all technology. She can use her powers to obliterate the tech-threat one at a time, but General Lieberman knows that Sam's power can work both ways; not only can she kill but she can create as well. Wanting her to create a monster for their soldiers to use against the tech-threat, Lieberman hopes it will end the war.

There is just one problem; the level of power Sam will have to use to create the monster for the soldiers may cost her own life.

Will Sam sacrifice herself to save the world?

Blood Moon Scavenger Hunt winner - day 6

2011-03-08T23:37:00.003-05:00

Congratulations Katrina!

She was the first to email me the correct answer for day 6's clue!

Q: Sarah will face what kind of creature that usually appears in fantasy fiction?
A: a dragon

Her prize:
a wolf bracelet

There are still plenty of chances to win! Keep an eye on my FB author page or my Twitter (@heatherkuehl) for the daily clues!

Blood Moon Scavenger Hunt winner - day 5

2011-03-08T08:11:00.001-05:00

Congratulations Christopher!

He was the first to email me the correct answer for day 5's clue!

Q: What music artist do I listen to while writing about Sarah Vargas? (name one of the two)
A: Avenged Sevenfold or Evanescence

His prize:
a wolf bracelet

There are still plenty of chances to win! Keep an eye on my FB author page or my Twitter (@heatherkuehl) for the daily clues!

Blood Moon Scavenger Hunt winner - day 4

2011-03-06T13:09:00.002-05:00

Congratulations Kristen!

She was the first to email me the correct answer for day 4's clue!

Q: Proceeds from Blood Moon are going to ____. (Fill in the blank)
A: MUSC Children's Hospital

Her prize:
a pair of wolf paw print earrings

There are still plenty of chances to win! Keep an eye on my FB author page or my Twitter (@heatherkuehl) for the daily clues!

Blood Moon Scavenger Hunt winner - day 3

2011-03-06T07:29:00.006-05:00

Congratulations Christine!

She was the first to email me the correct answer for day 3's clue!

Q: Name all three books in the Sarah Vargas Series

A: Fade to Black, Malevolent Dead, and Blood Moon

Her prize:

$10 gift card to B&N

There are still plenty of chances to win! Keep an eye on my FB author page or my Twitter (@heatherkuehl) for the daily clues!

Blood Moon Scavenger Hunt winner - day 2

2011-03-05T07:34:00.001-05:00

Congratulations Donna!

She was the first to email me the correct answer for day 2's clue!

Q: What is the name of my upcoming release with Decadent Publishing?
A: Epiphany

Her prize:
a wolf bracelet

There are still plenty of chances to win! Keep an eye on my FB author page or my Twitter (@heatherkuehl) for the daily clues!

Blood Moon Tour is on!

2011-03-03T08:32:00.002-05:00

The tour for Blood Moon starts this morning at Kayden's World of Paranormal, where I'll be listing my Top 10 Paranormal Hotties. The start of this tour also means the start of something else exciting; the Blood Moon Scavenger Hunt! Don't forget to go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=176042819101715 for complete rules and information.

Also, here's the list of where I'll be for the Blood Moon Tour:

Mar 3 - Guest blogging at Kayden's World of Paranormal

Mar 4 & 5 - Guest blogging at Brandyz Books

Mar 6 - Blood Moon's trailer is on You Gotta Read Videos.

Mar 7-13 - Dee Julian's Blurb Party!

Mar 7 - Eternal Press Reader's Group at 3:30-4:30pm EST
Guest moderating for Just Another Paranormal Monday - all day
Interviews at Siren Book Reviews and Welcome to the Other World
Guest blogging at Backseat Nightmares.

Mar 8 - Blood Moon release party! Live chat at 7:30pm EST.
Guest blogging with CONTEST at Eternal Press Author's Blog

Mar 9 - Guest blogging at Brandyz Books

Mar 10 - Guest blogging at Wayfairing Writer.

Mar 11 - Guest blogging at Clare Dargin's blog.

Mar 12 - Guest blogging at A Reading Nook.

Mar 13 - Live chat w/ door prize at The Writer's Chatroom: 7pm EST

Upcoming contests

2011-03-01T11:23:00.002-05:00

My Blood Moon tour starts on Thursday, so I thought that it would only be fair to post a list of the contests I'm having:

1) The Blood Moon Scavenger Hunt!

In celebration of BLOOD MOON’s release, I’m hosting the BLOOD MOON scavenger hunt! Every day I’ll give a clue, and you email me the answer.

Rules:
Email your answers to heatherkuehl(at)gmail(dot)com, subject: BMSH. Entries must have that subject – I get too much spam. Person with the first correct answer wins for the day; person with the most first correct answers wins the grand prize.

...PRIZES
GRAND PRIZE:
Sarah Vargas box set! One winner will get copies of FADE TO BLACK, MALEVOLENT DEAD, and BLOOD MOON in either pdf or print. Note: If you are the winner and you choose print, do know that it won’t be until April or May when you’ll receive your prize (I have to wait until the print copies come available).

Second and third place prizes:
Winner’s choice! Winner will have their choice of a copy of one of my books (FADE TO BLACK, MALEVOLENT DEAD, or PROMISES TO KEEP only), again in either pdf or print.

Daily prize:
The person with the first correct answer wins for the day. I’ll be giving away wolf bracelets, paw print earrings, or the occasional $5 Amazon gift card.

Note: All clues will be posted on the Heather Kuehl Facebook fan page and on Twitter (@heatherkuehl)

2) Eternal Press Blog - March 8

Prize: One lucky winner will win a signed copy of both Fade to Black and Malevolent Dead, books one and two in the Sarah Vargas series.
How to enter: Just comment on this post with your email address. Easy as pie!
Extra entries: Receive + 1 entry for being a blog follower (http://heatherkuehl.blogspot.com)
Receive + 1 entry for being a Twitter Follower @heatherkuehl
Receive + 1 entry for being a Facebook fan (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-Kuehl/172267734681)

3) Fanatic!

Win a signed copy of all of my books (yes, I said all; Fade to Black, Malevolent Dead, Blood Moon, and Promises to Keep) by posting a comment on ALL of my guest blogs/interviews AND by attending my live chats. The person that can attend all the events, wins. Make sure you use the same name/email for all comments or live chats so that I can keep track. If you're worried that I didn't see you're name in a chat or blog, feel free to email me at heatherkuehl(at)gmail(dot)com to point it out to me; Subject: Fanatic!

Note: Do know that it won’t be until April or May when you’ll receive your prize (I have to wait until the print copies of Blood Moon come available).

Another note: If you are the winner of the EP blog contest and the fanatic contest, your prizes will be signed copies of all my books as well as a pdf of Epiphany when it's released (release date unknown), unless you want two signed copies of Fade and Malevolent (some people do; they make great gifts!).

GOOD LUCK!

RRN interview – Show #014

2011-02-24T22:02:00.002-05:00

My interview with Romance Radio Network is now live! I had so much fun doing this interview. You can either listen to it at http://romanceradio.net/2011/02/24/rrn-heather-kuehl-author-show-014 or click on the gaget below.

...and the winner is....

2011-02-23T09:01:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Mahalia Levey!

She won 50 Custom Brochures from Uprinting.com!

Update and advice

2011-02-18T21:42:00.003-05:00

I've been so busy lately getting ready for the Blood Moon Tour. Not only am I emailing blogs my posts, but I'm also still booking spots. I don't think the lineup will be final until the day the tour starts...which is on March 3 you lovely people. Two weeks away! Don't forget about the Blood Moon Scavenger Hunt that will being going on at the same time. What's better than fun and prizes? IMO, nothing!

Hrm, updates...

I finished Of Wolf and Man! *happy dances & throws confetti* I had just gotten through the hard scene when my computer crashed in 2009 and I lost a good chunk of it. Tells the story of Juliet and Jensen; Juliet discovers Jensen's dangerous secret and now a Clan of rouge werewolves wants her dead. It took alot to get me to sit down and write this, mainly because it was a lot of rewriting what I had already written before the crash. I'm happy it's done now, and I think it's much better now than it was originally.

"Dalamar's Quest" is currently in Bewildering Stories and can be viewed here. This is the first story I ever wrote about Amythist Dyier. Originally it had been accepted by Flashing Swords for publication in Feb 2008, but the magazine went under before it could come out. Major bummer, but hey it all worked out in the end!

"Apocalypse" is in the current issue of Aphelion's Webzine. Aphelion also has their Best of 2010 listed, and "Siren's Song" is on the list for best poem! Sweet!

My Uprinting giveaway is still going on. Go to my blog post that offers the giveaway and make sure to leave a comment. The contest ends on Tuesday!

I've already made a book trailer for Epiphany. It's up on my YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/iryadragyn

Now for something fun! One of the authors on Decadent Publishing's yahoo group posted this link. It gives some no-no's when writing fiction (it's geared to YA, but the no-no's cross the genre gap). http://georgiamcbridebooks.wordpress.com/2010/10/14/newbie-writers-watch-out-for-these-big-writing-no-nos/

1) I've never done this. Luckily, I don't get carried away with backstory and such until later.

2) OMG I'm so guilty of having my main character notice the love interest's eyes first! I just did that in Of Wolf and Man! The reason I do this is because I believe that eyes are windows to the soul, and I want my MC to fall in love for who the person is, not what they look like.

3) I used to do this early on, like during my high school drafts of Promises to Keep. A new writer can't help it. You get this awesome idea, go with it, only to discover that you don't know the whole story yet. This is where outlining can become important.

4) I don't think I've done this, especially since I can't stand to have filler in my books.

5) If my first chapter starts mundane, it doesn't end that way. I have to make sure to keep my first chapters interesting.

6) I've don't overly focus on my first chapter. My goal is to get it out there, and once it's done to go back and fix what desperatly needs fixing.

7) Guilty! I won't catch it while I'm writing, but during edits I'll be like "Haven't I said this before?" That's what I get for staying up late and waking up early to write!

8) Again, I hate useless filler. Not only do I consider scenes to be filler, but characters as well. Hence the reason why T.D. Drake isn't in Fade to Black. I cut her out...but was able to shove her and that cut scene into Malevolent Dead...Yay me!

9) Please see 8 and 4. Filler = bad. Georgia McBride must feel the same way.

10) I always hate when I'm reading a book and the author has no clue what they're talking about. I mean, it's obvious they did no research at all. While I hate research, my readers will know if I pretend to know what I'm talking about. I do the work to give my readers a vividly true reading experience.

11) I've done this. It happens when I get tired or if I am having a bout of writer's block. I don't know what to do next, but I feel that the words NEED to be written.

12) Please see 4, 8, and 9. Yep, Georgia McBride does feel the same way. LoL

I've printed up this blog post and put up above my computer. It's something that all writers, not just newbies, need to remember.

Uprinting Brochure GIVEAWAY!!

2011-02-15T00:01:00.002-05:00

This month's Uprinting givaway are for 50 Custom Brochures. Check out these online printing companies that provide brochure printing services. It is a great way for authors to promote their work! Even if you aren't an author, brochures can come in very handy.

One Winner will recieve

50 Custom Brochures
8.5" x 11"
100lb Paper Gloss; With Folding (Half Fold, Trifold/Letterfold, Z-Fold, Roll Fold, Accordion Fold) on a 2 Business Day Turnaround; Outside and Inside printing

Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above

To enter leave a comment on this post with your email addy

Receive + 2 entries for being a blog follower

Receive + 2 entries for being a Twitter Follower @heatherkuehl

Contest Open Until Tuesday February 22 at Midnight EST
The winner will be announced by February 24

In adherence to the FTC ruling on Blogger Reviews and Sponsored Postings, I am fully disclosing that I'll receive 50 Custom Brochures from UPrinting.com for hosting this giveaway.

My Personal TBR List

2011-02-12T16:47:00.001-05:00

Even been curious about my TBR list? Well, I've finally gotten around to going through my books, and I was shocked to discover how long my TBR list is. Take a look, and see what I mean.

Anne McCaffrey
CHANGELINGS
ACORNA'S CHILDREN: THIRD WATCH
ACORNA'S CHILDREN - SECOND WAVE
DRAGONHEART
DRAGON'S FIRE
TO RIDE A PEGASUS
PEGASUS IN FLIGHT
PEGASUS IN SPACE

Kerrelyn Sparks
EAT PREY LOVE

Laurell K Hamilton
DEATH OF A DARKLORD

Rebecca York
IMMORTAL BAD BOYS

Kathy Reichs
DEVIL BONES
BONES TO ASHES

Jim Butcher
STORM FRONT

JRR Tolkien
THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY

Patricia Briggs
CRY WOLF

Tamora Pierce
BEKA COOPER
THE WILL OF THE EMPRESS

William Goldman
THE PRINCESS BRIDE

Dawn Cook
FIRST TRUTH

Devon Monk
MAGIC TO THE BONE

Dean Koontz
INTENSITY

Kelly Armstrong
DIME STORE MAGIC
BROKEN

Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
SECOND GENERATION
DRAGONS OF SUMMER FLAME
MISTRESS OF DRAGONS

RA Salvatore
THE DEMON AWAKENS
ORC KING
NIGHT MASKS
CANTICLE
PROMISE OF THE WITCH KING
SERVANT OF THE SHARD

Sherrilyn Kenyon
PHANTOM IN THE NIGHT
WHISPERED LIES

Alyssa Day
ATLANTIS AWAKENING

Barbara Freethy
IN SHELTER COVE

Brian Jacques
HIGH RHULAIN
EULALIA!
ANGEL'S COMMAND

Meg Cabot
NICOLA AND THE VISCOUNT

LJ Smith
DARK VISIONS COLLECTION
THE FORBIDDEN GAME COLLECTION
VAMPIRE DIARIES: THE FURY
VAMPIRE DIARIES: DARK REUNION

Terry Goodkind
NAKED EMPIRE
CHAINFIRE
PHANTOM

Kayden McLeod
DEMONIC PANDEMONIUM
DEEP WATER LEGEND
CARNAL MAGNETISM

Tabitha Shay
WITCH'S FIRE

Candice Gilmer
UNHOLY NIGHT

Lynn Viehl
NIGHT LOST

Lawrence Watt-Evans
DRAGON SOCIETY

Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
DRAGON WING
DRAGONS OF A DWARVEN DEPTHS

SE Hinton
TEX

James Patterson
MAXIMUM RIDE

CS Lewis
NARNIA SERIES

Chuck Palahniuk
FIGHT CLUB

Rick Riordan
THE LIGHTNING THIEF

Edith Hamilton
MYTHOLOGY

Eric Nylund
MORTAL COILS

Thomas E Sniegoski
THE FALLEN

Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
ALL JUST GLASS

Alex Flinn
BEASTLY

Crazy long, isn't it? LoL

...and cover art already!

2011-02-10T14:47:00.001-05:00

Holy moly that was fast! I absolutly love it!

Epiphany!

2011-02-09T19:07:00.003-05:00

Joy of all joys! Decadent Publishing has accepted Epiphany for publication. I'm so excited to work with the Decadent team and getting to know my fellow authors. Everything's so shiny and new; I'm giddy!

Here's my page for Epiphany: https://sites.google.com/site/heatherkuehl/epiphany

Meet Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz

2011-02-04T07:12:00.010-05:00

Good morning! I'd like to introduce you all to Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz, and she's here today to talk about her new anthology; A Past and A Future. And don't forget to comment! One lucky person will win a free story from Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz that's not included within the anthology.

5 Star review from Examiner.com: "From sword and sorcery to futuristic fantasy, there is something for everyone. Readers will cheer for Caryn and Rader from “Isolation,” become fascinated with Arthurian legend in “Entrantress,” and bask in Prince Ulric’s love in “The Watcher.” This anthology is a must read for all avid fantasy readers." Read full review here.

HK: How difficult was it to put together enough short stories to fill an anthology?

PLE: This wasn’t difficult at all. In fact, I have enough to fill a couple of more anthologies! I’ve been writing short stories since 1993. Most of the stories included in the book have been previously published in a number of small press genre magazines. Many of these magazines have long since fallen by the wayside. I thought it would be fun to collect some of the best and put them together.

HK: I see you also write children's books. What are some differences between writing for children and writing for adults?

PLE: When I write picture books, I have to focus on the story and not think about descriptions. There is no place for padding in a short story. I have to write tight and tell my story in less than 500 words.

My middle grade novels are more exciting, in that I can delve into my characters and their friends and situations in much more depth. Kids like things that are fast-paced and I try to keep that in my head when I’m writing. They also like gross, icky, and funny.

My short stories for adults can be more risqué. I can explore relationships based on sex, not just friendships. Again, since they are short stories, not novels, I have to write tight and complete the plot in under a couple of thousand words.

That said, writing for children and adults entails the same dedication to good grammar, interesting plot line, intriguing characters, and crafting a tale my readers will enjoy.

HK: When did you start writing?

PLE: Like most authors, I started when I was a kid. I wrote to entertain myself when I wasn’t reading something written by someone else. I would print my stories, illustrate them, then bind them in little cardboard covered books tied with ribbons. I started my first novel in high school in lieu of writing homework assignments. Life eventually got in the way and my writing got sidetracked until I was in my early 40s.

HK: When did you realize that you wanted to become an author?

PLE: At a very young age. My dad used to make up stories for me when I was a kid. I thought that was wonderful and knew then when I grew up I wanted to be a writer.

HK: What is your advice for aspiring authors?

PLE: Don’t give up when you’ve written something you like. Submit it. If it gets rejected, submit it again. Often what one editor doesn’t like, another one will. Of course, if you keep getting the same types of comments back, you should take another look at the story.

If an editor says, this piece might not be for them, but they’d like to see something else, be sure to send them something else.

Finally, remember, even the best authors have been rejected and continue to be rejected. It doesn’t mean you can’t be a writer.

HK: Do you plan ahead before you sit down to write, or do you let the story take you where it wants to go?

PLE: I don’t plan ahead very much, although with my middle grade novels, I do plan a little. I tend to sit down with an idea or character in my head and let the idea or character just take over. My writing tends to be very fluid. It’s like I’m watching a movie in my head and I put it down on paper.

HK: Do you write at a desk, or do you have a laptop that you drag around the house with you?

PLE: I have both a desk-top and a laptop. I tend to use the desk-top for writing and the laptop for editing. I see advantages to them both. I love the laptop because I can take it out in my garden and work there when the weather is nice.

HK: What is your favorite genre to write? Your least favorite?

PLE: My favorite genre is fantasy and my second favorite is soft science fiction. All my stories, however, explore relationships, most often between a man and a woman. Although Love in a Different Hue, explores the relationship between a woman and a robot . I also enjoy writing light romance and will generally weave a little into my fantasy and sci fi.

My least favorite is erotica. I will probably never write anything erotic.

Thank you Heather for giving me this opportunity to be your guest today and for asking such great questions.

HK: You're so very welcome, Penny. And thank you for stopping by my blog. Readers, make sure you get your copy of A Past and A Future, available now from Sam's Dot Publishing.

A PAST AND A FUTURE
BY PENNY LOCKWOOD EHRENKRANZ

PUBLISHED BY SAMS DOT PUBLISHING - http://www.genremall.com/anthologiesr.htm#pastfuture

A COLLECTION OF SIXTEEN FANTASY AND SOFT SCIENCE FICTION STORIES

FLIGHT OF THE ROC – Lona is a budding sorceress, but her tutor isn’t too impressed with her skills. When he sends her off to collect a roc’s egg, she finds herself in a heap of trouble. Part of the trouble begins when she meets handsome, young Tom. Tom agrees to help her collect the egg, but disaster strikes when the egg hatches. Will Lona chose the roc or Tom?

BLURRED VENGEANCE – Vain and aggressive, Temur ignores the warnings of his dream vision, as he seeks vengeance for his father’s death. With his friend and confidant, Jamthrak, Temur rides across the steppes toward town. On the way, unforeseen events cause him to lose focus. He regains his strength and continues on. Once in town, he meets Bota, a buxom woman unlike those of his village. He arranges to bring her back with him to be his first wife. Then, using his skills of magik, stealth, and cunning, he tracks down his father’s murderer. He completes his task, but encounters yet another young woman, Mira…this one a slave. He saves her, but in doing so, causes strife between Bota, Mira, and Jamthrak. He should not have ignored his dead father’s warnings.

WHO WILL HEAL THE HEALER – Niane, a young sorceress, is aware of her elderly mentor’s feelings for her, but she cannot return them. She trusts to the Moon Goddess to guide her and Marzan, her mentor, to train her as the next court sorceress. Yet something, deep, dark and disturbing has taken a part of Marzan. Can she save herself and her mentor when the powers of darkness threaten?

ASHLEY OF ASHLAND – Ashley is the younger son of Brandon, Duke of Ashland. His older brother, Gerand, has been betrothed to the lovely Princess Thalia since birth. Unfortunately, Ashley loves Thalia and she him. Gerand is a womanizer and a brute. When they devise a plan to run away, Ashley and Thalia encounter obstacles and terrors, not the least of which is pursuit by Gerand and the king’s troops. Will the plain, younger brother win the hand of the fair princess or be executed as a traitor?

THE WATCHER – Zerelda lives in a land of women. Her job is to watch for the young men who come to impregante her Lady. As a child, she has a vision wherein she meets and loves a young man. Knowing this not allowed to her, she believes her vision is false. Yet when the man of her vision appears, she is torn. No one has ever told her she is beautiful. No one has ever told her of life outside her community of women. Yet, Prince Ulric does all this and more. Will he cause her to become a betrayer of all she holds dear? Can she be saved?

ENCHANTRESS – When Merlin meets young Viviane, a priestess of Avalon, he knows she will be his downfall, but he cannot ignore the pull of love she holds over him. Using his own magic, he tricks her into lying with him during the festival of Beltane. Once she has lost her virginity, they approach Morgaine for permission to be together. They set out traveling and as Merlin teaches Viviane more and more magic, he realizes the love he holds for her will destroy him, yet he cannot deny it. Will Merlin come to his senses before he is lost forever?

DRAKONI – Torn from her modern day world and thrust into a world of dragons, evil magicians, and handsome elves, will Farah succeed or die trying? In her own world, she is a successful zookeeper working with lizards, but once a freak accident propels her into the land of Draknoll, she finds herself in a field, lost and alone, until Josef, an elf, aids her. With his help, they set off to his village. On the way there, the evil magician, Cor, attacks them and kidnaps Farah. Dragged before the king, she must defend herself and prove she is not who they think she is—a Dragon Woman. Of course, when Drakoni, a great bronze dragon. comes to her rescue, she, herself, begins to doubt who she is. Fortunately, Josef is there to help her embrace not only her new life but her new love, as well.

HESHE- Lyda’s stepfather sells her to the highest bidder after her mother dies, leaving her no choice but to flee her captors. To survive, she hides disguised as a young man. Unfortunately, this disguise backfires when she meets the handsome, talented Garwen, who also has a secret to hide. Will the young noble woman tell her benefactor who she is, or will her pursuers capture her and take her back into slavery?

THE BABY MAKERS – In a world where cloning is possible, Reese and his wife, Akira take the chance to have a child they could never have on their own. Unfortunately in their part of the world, the government does not recognize these children as citizens. After the baby is born, Reese and Akira go through the necessary steps to acquire their new child. One of these procedures turns Akira into a robot who will do anything to keep Reese away from the baby. Loving both his wife and child, Reese has to make a decision to keep their family safe and intact. Will he make the right one?

3-D PICTURES – Avery sees people in 3-D pictures. The government thinks he is crazy and sends him to a shrink. As he waits in the doctor’s office, the 3-D picture in front of him comes alive. Suddenly a beautiful, petite woman appears perched on his lap. She tells him of his destiny and his heritage. Elvina and her people have been waiting for him for many years. Will he go with her through the picture, or allow himself to be “cured?”

SCREEN SAVER – Clancy works for an agent, Shianna, who represents the freaks of the world. With all the nuclear fallout, the agency is thriving. Clancy, however, longs to leave his world and travel the stars. The computer program arrives as a demo, promising instant transport. When all hell breaks out at the office, will it be Clancy’s ticket to survival or a rip-off which brings him to destruction?

ISOLATION- The world as we know it is gone. The rich are isolated from the dying poor. Rader and Caryn are fed up with living in isolation, away from fresh air and real food. Rumors abound of places where people can still live. When they meet by accident, they decide to make a break for it. Unfortunately, outside their isolated living quarters, disease, for which they have no immunities, runs rampant. Their mutual attraction and determination keep them going despite the many hazards they face outside the walls. Will Caryn and Rader make the right decisions when they search for freedom?

LOVE IN A DIFFERENT HUE – Chiri and her husband are not on the best of terms. He married her for her connections. Her father is a leader in the robotics field. By marrying Chiri, Tevon was guaranteed a partnership in a very lucrative business. Shunned by her husband, Chiri becomes intrigued by her father’s latest creation, Devro. What would you do if a blue-skinned robot wanted to protect and love you? Chiri isn’t sure until he takes her in his arms.

DOWN SO LOW, THE GROUND LOOKS LIKE UP – Sylan is a telepathic empath and is hired by a mining company to help them ferret out swinders. Unfortunately, something on her new world made her talents go ballistic. She drinks herself into oblivion to compensate for her psi talents. When Deveneaux finds her, he’s attracted, but he is also on a mission to find his dead brother’s daughter. Can Deveneaux save her from her demons, or will he lock her up for propositioning an officer of the law?

REBELS WITH A CAUSE – Shayleena is tired of living her life through holovision. She wants a real life with real people. When she sees an ad for volunteers to help with juvenile offenders, she signs up. She not only finds meaning in her life, but a connection to real people, including Bradon, a visual artist with a dream. Together, they hope to find a future for themselves and for the young people who’ve been thrown away by society.

CLOCKWORKS – John lives in Structured. His ancestors came from Upheaval, a country where time means nothing. He decides to take a trip—learn about his history and see Upheaval for himself. What will he do when he tries to trace his roots and finds his structured life is now in chaos?

http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.yolasite.com/

Excerpt for ASHLEY OF ASHLAND

Ashley, younger son of Brandon, Duke of Ashland, sat brooding in front of the
fire. Although it was late spring, the stone castle was drafty and always cold. Deep
in thought, he tried to ignore the gaiety around him, as party guests frolicked and
made merry. A spark from the fire fell on his blue silk hose, and he flicked it away
angrily. He sat up straighter on his chair and adjusted his dark blue brocade jacket.
He noticed a small smudge spot on one of the white lace cuffs protruding from the
right sleeve. He rubbed at it absently, but that only pushed the soot deeper into the
fabric.

Ashley glanced back over his shoulder. A small group of musicians, gaily
dressed in green and gold brocade, played a rollicking dance tune. Dancers of all
ages bobbed, swayed, curtseyed and bowed to each other as their feet flashed
through the intricate dance steps. Serving girls wove among the dancers, tankards of
ale and goblets of wine balanced on their huge trays. Ashley sighed and turned back
to his fire; he had never managed to conquer those dance steps.

Ashley picked up a poker leaning against the stonework and shoved it into the
pile of burning logs. The flames danced higher, the sparks flying like tiny fairy
lights. Ashley sighed and looked back over his shoulder again. Princess Thalia
danced with his brother, Gerand. Her small blond head was thrown back in
laughter, her cheeks lit with a rosy glow. She was dressed in a low-cut, lime-green
brocade dress, the full skirt trimmed in the finest ermine. Around her neck flashed a
choker of emeralds and diamonds. Woven into her hair were strings of pearls.
Gerand’s tall muscular frame, topped by his head of thick, black hair, created a
stark contrast to the small plump princess as he propelled her around the dance floor
in an intricate maneuver. Ashley sighed again. Thalia was so lovely, if only he had
been born first, she’d be pledged to him, not his older brother.

Ashley stirred the logs while muttering under his breath. A rainbow of colors
flickered, and suddenly an image of Princess Thalia appeared, hovering in the huge
fireplace. Several more words created Ashley’s image standing alongside Thalia’s.
When a hand touched Ashley’s shoulder lightly, it startled him. The images
flickered and disappeared.

“Impressive, Ashley of Ashland,” Thalia’s soft voice murmured.

Ashley spun around quickly, a blush coloring his pudgy cheeks. “Good evening,
Princess. I thought I was alone.” Ashley stood and bowed, his eyes never leaving
Thalia’s face.

“You were. I just came to see if my future brother-in-law would like to dance
with me?” Thalia’s cheeks dimpled slightly as she smiled, extending her hand.

---------------

A PAST AND A FUTURE Blog Tour

http://ciaragold.blogspot.com/ - Feb. 1, Jamie Bevans

http://www.seriouslyinterviewed.blogspot.com/ - Feb 1, Romance Reader

http://mgddasef.blogspot.com/ - Marva Dasef – Feb 2

http://janiefranz.wordpress.com/ - Janie Franz – Feb 3

http://heatherkuehl.blogspot.com/ - Feb 4, Heather Kuehl

http://barbaraehrentreu.blogspot.com/ - Feb 5, Barbara Ehrentreu

http://lovesbooksandmore.blogspot.com/ - Feb 6, Dawn Roberto

http://jaletaclegg.blogspot.com/ - Feb 7, Aleta Clegg

http://www.jqroseauthor.blogspot.com/ - Feb 8, Janet Glaser

http://lizzietleaf.blogspot.com/ - Feb 9, Lizzie Leaf

http://joyce-anthony.blogspot.com/ - Feb 10 & 11, Joyce Anthony

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/ - Feb 10 - Judy LASR 13 Stories from APAAF

http://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com/ - Feb 12, Kay Dee Royal

http://mizging.blogspot.com/ - Feb 13, Ginger Simpson

http://writerschatroom.com/ - Feb 13, 7 PM EST, The Writer’s Chat room

http://kellyaharmon.com/ - Kelly Harmon Feb 14

---------------

Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz has published more than 100 articles, 75 stories, two e books, a chapbook, and her stories have been included in two anthologies. She writes for both adults and children. Her fiction has appeared in numerous genre and children’s publications and non fiction work has appeared in a variety of writing, parenting, and young adult print magazines and on line publications. She edits for three small independent publishers. Visit her web site at http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.yolasite.com/ Her writing blog is located at http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/

Love Delivery and Lady-in-Waiting are coming in 2011 from MuseItUp Publishing. Her MG novel, Ghost for Rent, published by Hardshell Word Factory, is available on Amazon and Fictionwise. Her YA chapbook, Dragon Sight and her anthology A Past and A Future are available at GenreMall. Funny Dog, Boo’s Bad Day, and Many Colored Coats, all picture books, and Ghost for Lunch, a sequel, are schedule for publication with 4RV.

Borders True Romance blog

2011-02-03T16:07:00.001-05:00

I'm so excited! I'm at Borders True Romance Blog today! Stop by there and leave a commet; you might win Sue's Stash!

http://bordersblog.com/trueromance/2011/02/03/blogguest-heather-kruel-giveaway

Far and Away: Coming May 2011

2011-02-02T08:33:00.004-05:00

Far and Away: an anthology of flash fiction and poems.

Genre: paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, romance, contemporary

Publisher: Smashwords

Release Date: May 2011

Filled with over 30 previously published poems and flash fiction pieces and 12 works that have never seen the light of day, this anthology will be perfect for readers on the go. Cover art by the wonderful Dawne Dominique (didn't she do a damned good job? I LOVE it!)

Heck yeah!

2011-02-01T20:19:00.001-05:00

Examiner

2011-02-01T06:49:00.002-05:00

I've been trying to find a way to expand my Examiner page. Book reviews are fine and dandy, but I am having less and less time to read. I'm lucky to read a book a month now...so sad since I used to read a book a day. So, I'm going to start doing interviews on my Examiner page (http://www.examiner.com/x-58147-Charleston-Paranormal-Fiction-Examiner). If you are an interested paranormal author, please email me at heatherkuehl(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll forward you my questions.

I'm also going to start writing articles. Perhaps discussing the current trends or a comparrison of the book and the movie it's based on. Those are easy to do, and they don't suck up as much time. :o)

Anthology Update

2011-01-30T21:47:00.004-05:00

I've spent the last couple of days working my butt off, putting together what will eventually be Far and Away; a collection of flash fiction and poetry. Due to the fact that several of my favorite short stories won't be available to be placed into an anthology for a couple of years yet, I've decided to focus my attention on my much shorter works. I'm contacting cover artisits right now, trying to find someone to do the cover art for this anthology. I'm going to published through Smashwords.com sometime this summer or fall. Hopefully. :o)

Getting Serious Now: By Quinn Longstrong

2011-01-30T21:10:00.005-05:00

I must say that I agree whole heartedly. Facebook needs to redefine what they consider "inappropriate" and not be biased when it comes to the sexual orientations of it's members. Please read what Quinn Longstrong so eloquently said, and stop discrimination!

***

This whole hypocritical shit that has been going on lately with Facebook and those who are of same gender or bi-sexual orientations with tasteful and artful pictures on their profiles getting buillied into basically "hiding" who they are is old and tired. The world isn't meant for just some and not others. I have proof.

1. In the dawn of American civilization Pilgrims and explorers came to the New World to forge out a new life. Native Americans were not only killed, run off their homelands, or forced conversion of anglo saxon christian belief systems but eventully through the first couple of centuries were forced to live on reservations where many stil reside. Many Native American tribes have all but become extinct because of "some people thinking the country were for some and not all".

2. In the 1600s through well the late 60's(well pretty much still prevalent) African-American people have been enslaved and discriminated against. They have been beaten, separated, sold, and every other atrocity just because of the color of their skin and because "some people thinking the country were for some and not all" said they were not intelligent enough to have their own rights and lives...yeah tell that sad stupid shit to Oprah Winfrey, Sidney Poiter, Nelson Mandela, and President O'Bama.

3.In the mid 80s through 1990, a young boy who was plagued with hemophilia contracted AIDS through a life saving blood transfusion and was run out of his Indiana town. Ryan White was the center of paranoia and he was just a little kid. He was denied the right to an education, shunned, tormented, his family tormented, all because "Some people thinking the country were for some and not for all" decided it. They were sorry later, but really all they will ever be is sorry sacks of shit if you ask me.

4. Laramie,WY, a young college student by the name of Matthew Shepherd was beaten and left for dead because he was homosexual. He never did anything to anyone and yet two upstanding young men were part of the "Some people thinking the country were for some and not all" club. Pathetic and Fred Phelps and his fanatics can suck my dick!

5. Teena Brandon, a transgendered human being was raped, beaten, and killed for what....because she was born the wrong gender? Because he fell in love with a woman? I tell ya, the "Some People Who Thinking the Country is for some and not all" really need to realize that they're group is getting smaller and smaller.

I can go on and on. Despite your skin color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or even your religeon everyone has the right to be happy and live the way that makes them that way! I think we have proven that skin color doesn't determine intelligence and sexual orientation doesn't mean you're an instant child molester or pornographer! Everyone has the right under the Constitution to be able to have freedom of speech,the press, to worship how they will, etc. and the right to post their pictures on a social network site. My problem is people getting profiles yanked because they have tasteful and beautiful pictures of same sex couples yet "straight" members can post near X rated pictures and there's no problem as far as Facebook is concerned.

THIS IS WRONG!

--Quinn Longstrong

My first article!

2011-01-27T14:31:00.003-05:00

I'm so excited! Siren Book Reviews Ezine's first issue is now available, which means my article, "So You've Gotten Published. Now What?" is now available. This is my first published artcile. :o)

My short story, "Whispers of the Night," is also within this issue. Two great things....

AND THEY'RE FREE!!

Totally nifty, right?

SBR Feb '11 Issue TOC

4 - SBR sits down with Edward Kendrick, Author of Everyone’s Man

8 - Siren’s Best Books of 2010

12 - Writing Fiction - The Pitfalls, by Chris Burton

14 - Whispers of the Night, by Heather Kuehl

18 - So, you’ve gotten published. What’s next? By Heather Kuehl

20 - Nightseekers by Cindy Jacks

22 - SBR speaks with D.C. Juris, Author of On Solid Ground

Lost in Translation

2011-01-27T05:53:00.000-05:00

This should come as no surprise; I'm a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan. Loved the show and was heartbroken to see it go. So when I heard that Joss Whedon was creating season eight of the show using comics as his medium, I jumped on it. Granted, it wasn't until issue seven, but I quickly caught up.

40 issues later, I'm hooked yet again and looking forward to season nine. When I saw the motion comic at the store, I just had to add it to my collection. It didn't realize until I watched all 19 issues that I missed quite a bit. Yes, I read and reread those comics over and over. But I think some things are lost when there's no description or inflection to go along with some things. Then again, it might be because I know how everything plays out now. I really hope they turn the rest of the season into a motion comic. It was way cool to watch. I think I'm going to rewatch the entire series soon. Joss hinted at things sometimes two season before they came to pass. I wonder if he hinted at all about the events in season 8...

Season 8 overview: After the events in season 7, there is no longer only one slayer (two if you count Faith). There are roughly 2,000 girls in all the world, chosen to fight the forces of darkness with Buffy as their leader. A new big bad surfaces, one with the backing of Uncle Sam, who wants to destroy Buffy and her Slayer army; Twilight. Don't get the name confused with sparkly vamps who are more emo than evil. Twlight will do anything to get to Buffy, even if it means killing the people she loves most.

Reoccuring characters from the show: Buffy, Willow, Xander, Giles, Faith, Spike (YAY!), Andrew, Dawn, Dark Willow, Riley, Harmony, Oz, Ethan Rayne, Angel, Dracula, Warren, Kennedy, Robin Wood, Rona, Vi, and Amy. There may be more, but that's off the top of my head.

New characters to love: Satsu, Fray (Love her!), Twilight*, Renee, Saga Vasuki, Lady Genevieve, Jacob, and Alexia. Of course, there's more than that, but those are my favorites.

*Yes, I listed Twilight as a character to love. I think you have to love the big bad at least a little to appreciate the complexity of the season. :o)

Season eight rating: 8/10

Buffy Season 8 is published by Dark Horse Comics.

P&E Update

2011-01-24T20:57:00.001-05:00

I'm in second place at the P&E Reader's Poll for Best Poem! Please vote for "Beauty is the Beast" to make it #1. Voting ends Wednesday Jan 26.

http://critters.org/predpoll/poem.shtml

My first blog award

2011-01-24T19:28:00.003-05:00

I love these blog awards. It's a great way to get to know people online, and get to know their blogs as well. Marva Dasef, who you may remember was a guest on here back in December, nominated me for the Stylish Blogger Award. Nifty, it's it?

The rules for accepting this award are:

Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award . Thank you so much, Marva!

Share 7 things about yourself .

Award 10 recently discovered great bloggers and ontact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

Here goes with 7 things about myself:

I'm a stay at home mom to a beautiful little boy.
I have a Bachelor of Science degree; majored in European History and minoring in English.
I was the editor of my high school literary magazine.
I love Buffy the Vampire Slayer; the TV show and the comic. I'm actually watching the season 8 motion comic while I write this.
I an author... I feel like saying "duh!" after that. After all, my blog is all about my writing. :o)
When I decided to become a SAHM, I had been working in the Berkeley County Library System for nine years.
I love watching Family Guy. I can never get enough of that show.

Now, 10 awesome bloggers:

Cate Masters's Blog - http://catemasters.blogspot.com/
Margaret West's Blog - http://margaret-paranormalromanceauthor.blogspot.com/
Lyn Perry's Blog - http://blogginoutloud.blogspot.com/
Amy Ruttan's Blog - http://amyruttan.blogspot.com/
Maggie Dove's Blog - http://www.maggiedove.net/apps/blog/
Robin Wolfe's Blog - http://www.robinwolfe.com/
Fangtastic Books Blog - http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/
Kayden McLeod's Blog - http://kaydenmcleodparanormal.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Taylor's Blog - http://stephanietaylorauthor.com
Arianna Skye's Blog - http://ariannaskye.com/blog

Anthology!

2011-01-22T20:08:00.002-05:00

I've decided that I'm putting together an anthology full of my previously published and new short stories. Currently I own the rights to all but three of my previously published stories, and by the time I get the anthology together I might own those rights again as well. I plan on having it be full of both fantasy and paranormal, and maybe some flash fiction as well. We'll see how it goes. :o)

P&E Reader's Poll

2011-01-22T19:05:00.002-05:00

Some awesome person nominated "Beauty is the Beast" at Pred&Ed Go to http://critters.org/predpoll/poem.shtml to vote. Voting ends Wed, 1/26; that's four days!

Currently I'm tied for 6th. I'd like to see this poem reach #1!

Preditor and Editor

2011-01-15T08:09:00.003-05:00

The polls over at Preditor and Editors is open, and this year they're open until Jan 26. Click on the link below to look through the categories, and then vote for your favorite author, book, publisher, etc. I've already cast my vote, and no, I didn't vote for myself. I saw several of my fellow Eternal Press authors listed on there, as well as Eternal Press themselves.

Only 11 days left to pick your favs. And the best part is, if your favorite isn't listed, you can add it.

http://www.critters.org/predpoll/

Coming soon: The Blood Moon Scavenger Hunt!

2011-01-14T15:11:00.002-05:00

In celebration of BLOOD MOON’s release, I’m hosting the BLOOD MOON scavenger hunt! Every day I’ll give a clue on Facebook and Twitter, and you email me the answer.

Rules:
Email your answers to heatherkuehl(at)gmail(dot)com, subject: BMSH. Entires must have that subject – I get too much spam. Person with the first correct answer wins for the day; person with the most first correct answers wins the grand prize.

PRIZES
GRAND PRIZE:
Sarah Vargas box set! One winner will get copies of FADE TO BLACK, MALEVOLENT DEAD, and BLOOD MOON in either pdf or print. Note: If you are the winner and you choose print, do know that it won’t be until April or May when you’ll receive your prize (I have to wait until the print copies come available).

Second and third place prizes:
Winner’s choice! Winner will have their choice of a copy of one of my books (FADE TO BLACK, MALEVOLENT DEAD, or PROMISES TO KEEP only), again in either pdf or print.

Daily prize:
The person with the first correct answer wins for the day. I’ll be giving away wolf bracelets, paw print earrings, or the occasional $5 Amazon gift card.

I'll post reminders the closer it gets. This is going to be so much fun!!

Pro market response times

2011-01-13T08:49:00.004-05:00

I have to get on my soap box about this...

I just withdrew a short story submission, "Whispers of the Night," from a pro market because it got accepted by Siren Book Reviews Ezine (which I'm happier about). Here's what I got as a response:

Dear Miss Kuehl,

As requested I am withdrawing your story from our reading queue. You will get a second notice of withdrawal attached to your submissions e-mail.

Many pro markets are behind as we are right now and closing their submissions to catch up. Weird Tales being one of them. We certainly have no problems accommodating withdrawals, however I would respectfully ask that in the future you adhere to guidelines and not send us simultaneous submissions. we do not accept simultaneous submissions. In return our newer authors enjoy being in the same magazine as such names as Bradbury, Romero and others.

One thing I might suggest for you that could be helpful for your future in submitting stories in pro markets such as ours, is to expect lengthy waits. for instance it isn't untypical for a publisher like Doubleday to by the rights to a book that doesn't see print for at least a year. One way to do that is to tailor a story for that particular magazine or publisher and then submit and go on to writing the next. All of the top names in the industry we have dealt with do this.

I sincerely hope this helps with the frustration of waiting,

I feel like writing him back. I really do. I don't mind lengthy waits. What I mind is when your site says that you have a four month response time (120 days) and it's been 277 days. When a market gets so far behind, they shouldn't be shocked to find that authors are simultaneously submitting to other markets. (BTW: I submitted to them several years ago. It took 647 days that time (Jul 2007-Apr 2009). I had hoped that they got their game straight over the years. Guess I was wrong.) For that matter, markets shouldn't do that; not allow simsubs. If it takes almost a year to make a 4 month decision, either change the guidelines on your site or allow simsubs. Easy as pie.

I don't mind waiting a year if your guidelines say it'll be a year.

Also, learn to spell. You're a pro literary magazine. Look like it.

It's time...

2011-01-10T19:51:00.001-05:00

...to do the cover art happy dance!

And a new year has begun

2011-01-06T07:14:00.002-05:00

Happy 2011 everyone! I hope you all had a fun and safe holiday. Just a day after 2011 began, one of my resolutions have already panned out. I had two goals for my son during 2011; to get him out of his crib and into a twin sized bed and to have him potty trained. Potty training is still in the distant future, he's already in his twin sized bed! *happy dance*

Last night I jumped back on the writing wagon (after having not written a word since November) and added 3k to my WIP, Gray Magic. Gray Magic was my NaNoWriMo 2010 novel, and after reading through it I discovered that it made very little sense. I've had to toss a lot of it, and try to make sense out of what I've decided to keep. I'm about 15k into my rewrite. I don't think the final product will be 50k, since I'm a chapter away from hitting a vital turning point before wrapping things up. My goal right now is 30k.

In other news...

Blood Moon is due to be released in two months!

Epiphany has been submitted to two other publishers. It's almost been a year since I submitted it to my first choice publisher. A year with no response leads me to believe that it's a rejection.

Congratulations to Ashley Verdi. She won a $25 Amazon gift card from my Bitten By Books contest back in September.

Looking for that last minute Christmas gift?

2010-12-23T06:39:00.003-05:00

Just Another Paranormal Christmas, featuring stories from Kayden McLeod, Brigit Aine, Candace Sams, K.A. M'Lady, Susan Gabriel, and (of course) me, is available now! Get your copy now from MojoCastle Press. Ebooks make great gifts, especially for those friends and family that live far away.

Just Another Paranormal Christmas is an anthology that includes my short story “The Unexpected Guests.” Starring Sarah Vargas, the story takes place after my forthcoming release with Eternal Press, Blood Moon. However, reading the series is not required to understand the story and the characters.

“The Unexpected Guests” Blurb:

Damian’s Christmas party is the last place Sarah ever thought she’d find trouble…
Werewolf Sarah Vargas returns to South Carolina to attend a Christmas party thrown by Damian, born vampire and Lord of Charleston. She quickly discovers that The Council - an elite group of vampires - are attending. They are bringing with them two members of the Du'Rah, the vampire's elders. The Du'Rah are pretending to attend Damian's party so that they can initiate him into their ranks, however they have a more sinister plan. Will Sarah be able to save Damian from the true death and still celebrate the holiday season?

There are also five other stories highlighting the joy of the holiday season:

"A Cornwall Christmas" by Kayden McLeod

A Christmas the Vancouver vampires will never forget
Even vampires celebrate the holidays. Marcus and Kelly wake up Christmas morning with their own extraordinary presents for the other, one of them being blowing up of the kitchen. In an effort to appear more human, the Cornwall’s plan an extravagant dinner, with all the trimmings and more. Differences are put aside; the Council and Covens come together to show that this time of year is only for good tidings.

"A Future Holiday" by Candace Sams

Two war-weary galactic defenders rekindle their romance when Armistice corresponds with the holiday season.
In a future society, two lonely fighters return from war. Rorn T’Kar is the commander of an Earth ship which has been battling in space for eight long years. He once loved Lyra Dench, but she apparently found his presence tedious. Lyra couldn’t tell Rorn she’d joined the Infiltration Corps, which unfortunately had an eighty-percent mortality rate. She was ordered to keep her actions secret and knew Rorn would try to keep her from fighting to save Earth. When Armistice finally comes and coincidentally corresponds with the holidays, the magic of the season takes over. Rorn and Lyra meet again, at the end of the war, and find what they thought they’d lost…all by the light of a Yule tree.

"Once Upon A Dragon" by K.A. M’Lady

Jeremy Owens and his older siblings want to believe in magic, but hope and belief are difficult things to hold onto even when you’re a child. After the loss of their parents, three young children find themselves fostered off on an Aunt who’s never known the love of a child. This Christmas
will the Owens children find out what it means to believe again? Anything is possible with a little magic.

"A Christmas to Remember" by Brigit Aine

Pixie and Wolf politics still abound, but nothing will stop Kira from enjoying her first Christmas as a married woman. Now that they are married, Lance and Kira thought life would settle down.
Unforntunately for them, as Christmas approaches so do their enemies.

"Reflections of a Lily in Winter" by Susan Gabriel

A single light shines brightest in the darkest hour of the longest night.
Even a tough cookie can crumble under difficult circumstances. Fourteen year old Lily is drowning in domestic drama and facing the worst Christmas in her life until a distant relative in a faraway place throws her a lifeline. One Christmas spent at Candlewood Manor will open her eyes to a world beyond her imagining and open her heart to the reason behind the season

Personally, I think the best part of Just Another Paranormal Christmas is that the anthology benefits the Armed Forces Children’s Education Fund, Inc. For more information about this wonderful cause, please visit their website: http://www.afcef.org/

EXCERPT from my short story “The Unexpected Guests,” featured in Just Another Paranormal Christmas:

“Not only is it an honor to have the Du’Rah attend Damian’s event, it’s a danger,” T.D. said. She had sat upright on the bed and had her hand resting on the butt of her gun.

“Damian told me what happened at the last party they attended,” Sarah said. “No survivors.”

“They don’t attend parties to have a good time,” T.D. said. “They do it to take out competition.”

Jared and Sarah turned towards the witch. “What?”

T.D. nodded. “To become a Du’Rah is a very high honor, one gained only through age. There is no task to complete. You could live in a cave your whole life and still get inducted into the Du’Rah. They attend the galas of those chosen for the honor, and then find a reason to be displeased with them. The music wasn’t right. They didn’t have a Du’Rah’s favorite blood. The costumes offended a member. With displeasure comes death.”

“Then why are they attending Damian’s Christmas party?” asked Jared. “I mean, yes he was alive when Rome fell but there has to be vamps older than that.”

“There are,” said T.D. after a moment. “But Damian’s an interesting creature. He wasn’t born during Roman times Jared. Not only has he been a vampire longer than you can fathom, but he was born into vampirism. He has known no other life. The Du’Rah must feel threatened by this.”
“He’s been chosen to become a Du’Rah,” stated Sarah.

“We might as well been given a death sentence.”

J.A.P.Christmas update

2010-12-21T22:20:00.003-05:00

I got the proof for Just Another Paranormal Christmas in my inbox on December 16th. It was in a mock-final PDF form, so I know that it's near completion. Another sign that it will be released soon is that MojoCastle Press finally has it listed on their website: http://mojocastle.com/ParaChristmas.html. It's not available to purchase yet, but it's listed in their Coming Soon section.

More info as I know it....

Beauty is the Beast

2010-12-14T19:01:00.002-05:00

Please visit Trapeze Magazine to read my poem, a twist on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast. And don't forget to vote! I already have two 5 star ratings! *happy dance*

http://trapezemag.wordpress.com/2010/12/14/december-14-heather-kuehl/

JAPChristmas Contest!

2010-12-14T10:12:00.002-05:00

K.A. M'Lady is hosting a contest at Wayfaring Writer Blog, and is giving away two digital copies of Just Another ParaNormal Christmas. Just leave a comment on that blog with a question for K.A. or just a thought on what types of things your family likes to do for others at the holidays. Winners will be chosen on December 21st.

Go to http://moonsanity.blogspot.com/2010/12/just-another-paranormal-christmas.html to enter!

Meet Marva Dasef!

2010-12-13T00:21:00.002-05:00

Good morning everyone. Today I'd like to introduce fellow Eternal Press author Marva Dasef to you...

HK - How long have you been writing?

MD - I lot of writers answer "my whole life." I doubt that. At least, I didn't come out of the womb with pen and paper in hand. Would have been interesting if I did.

HK - What's your writing schedule like?

MD - Being retired, I write when I feel like it. When I am working on something new, I treat it like a job with comfortable working hours and long lunches. In other words, I write every day for some number of hours, but I don't set a daily goal of any kind. The only time I did that was in a Nanowrimo a few years ago. That 50K ended up as a 38K kid's adventure, which I self-pubbed.

HK - Do you plot out your stories before you write or do you just work it out as you go along?

MD - I have been known to write fairly long outlined summaries. Most often, I stray from the outline and become a pantser instead of a plotter.

HK - When did you first know you wanted to become a writer?

MD - I didn't write fiction except as assignments through school. A Creative Writing course in college got me to thinking. But those thoughts were put aside as I focused on technical writing, which made me plenty of money over the years. I did write a couple of short stories, but never pursued publication. When I retired I dragged out the few stories I had written to see if they were worth salvaging. One of those stories was "Pressure Drill." I rewrote a bit and sent it out. It was published not once, but twice. I liked the character and wrote another story about her. This also sold. Eventually I added enough to make it a novella titled "First Duty." It was published by Sam's Dot Publishing in 2008. When the contract expired, I decided to not renew it (it's still being sold at The Genre Mall) because I was thinking of a lot of good stuff to add including a few steamy love scenes. That made it adult reading. I then sold it to Eternal Press, and here we are now with the new and improved "Ultimate Duty."

HK - Were you a science fiction lover from way back or was this a genre you only recently turned your talents to?

MD - SF is my first choice in reading, although I enjoy fantasy and paranormal as well. When I was 15 or so, a friend of my brother's gave me a copy of "Stranger in a Strange Land." I was hooked, lined, and sinkered.

HK - What other genre/genres would you love to write/dabble in, given the choice?

MD - I've written just about every genre already. I found some genres I won't write, like women's literature. To be honest, I have no idea what "women" want to read as far as contemporary non-genre books. They bore me, so I couldn't write one if I tried. I'm dallying with the idea of steampunk, but I'd have to read a lot more before I'd feel confident.

HK - So, what's up next?

MD - A mystery/suspense novella titled "Missing, Assumed Dead" is scheduled for July 2011 from MuseItUp. MuseItUp also bought the first book in a middle-grade fantasy series about a witch who can't spell right. It's titled "Bad Spelling" (get it?) and is scheduled for October 2011. They also have books 2 and 3 and I'm hoping they'll take the entire series.

I have some ideas another book in the Witch series. My beta readers have clamored for a follow up starring the witch girl's brother, a half-vamp, half-warlock smartass with huge magical talent. You can guess the sibling rivalry there.

Ultimate Duty
by Marva Dasef

Publisher Eternal Press http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615722280

Blurb: Remy Belieux, a woman born into a life of servitude on a repressive factory planet, is desperate for a different life. When she's accepted into the Space Service Academy, run by the organization that enslaves her planet, she discovers the truth behind generations of rebellion. Now, she must decide what to believe, where her ultimate duty lies, and fight for more than her life against impossible odds.

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxaTLrg5c5A

Buy links:

Amazon ebook: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004ASND8O

Amazon Print: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1615722297

EXCERPT:

Remy and Garrett arrived at the outer wall path that led to the dock ports. Remy hoped at least one shuttle was still attached to the station. She dropped to the floor and peered down the slope of the passageway. Two guards stood at the entrance to bay 5. Luckily, they faced the opposite direction. Remy slid back and pointed silently, then held up two fingers. Garrett nodded and pointed left and then at himself. Remy nodded.

With no way to get any closer unseen, they must use speed instead. Both stepped back a couple of paces, so they’d hit the corner at full tilt. A nod from Garrett, and they sprinted through the twenty meters separating them from the guards. One guard turned to look only when Remy and Garrett were close enough to attack. The guard yelled, “Halt!” as he raised the barrel of his blaster. The second guard turned with a confused expression and didn’t manage to raise his own weapon before Remy reached him.

Remy felt her mind and body slip into fighting mode. Time slowed for her, and she noted every detail of the guard’s stance. She leaped high in the air, her legs coiled like springs. The second guard finally lifted his rifle but never had the chance to fire. Remy drove both feet into his abdomen, slamming him against the wall with the force of her strike. In the low gravity she landed easily on her feet crouched and ready. She crossed her arms against her torso, grabbing the guard’s belt with her left hand and prepared to strike with her right. The man’s eyes widened when Remy’s backhand arced toward him. The force of the blow across his jaw sent him tumbling to the floor.

New interview!

2010-12-12T11:00:00.003-05:00

Join me on Marva Dasef's blog today as we talk about the writing Muse and the time it took me to write my books from concept to THE END. http://mgddasef.blogspot.com/2010/12/interview-heather-kuehl.html

Don't forget to stop by here tomorrow as I return the favor and interview Marva on this blog!

Signing pics!

2010-12-05T19:32:00.003-05:00

Success!

2010-12-04T23:03:00.005-05:00

I had a great day today during my book signing at Dreamalot Books. I sold 10 books, and was told that this is the most books any author has every sold during a signing at Dreamalot. It makes me feel really good about myself.

Since my camera isn't handy, I won't be posting pics tonight, but check http://sites.google.com/site/heatherkuehl/events/dreamalot-books tomorrow. I should have the pics up by noon. No promises though; we're decorating for Christmas tomorrow!

The only downer to my fantastic day was learning that only two of the four newspapers I sent press releases to didn't put anything in their paper. One was understandable (it was a Summerville paper and my signing was in Goose Creek), but the other wasn't (it's the primary paper for the tri-county area). Next time, instead of emailing my press release like the gentleman at the primary paper asked me to, I'll snail mail it to him. And if he calls (like he did the last time I snail mailed something to him), I mention this event.

Thank you, The Gazette and Charleston City Paper, for posting my event in your calendar!

Book signing!

2010-12-04T08:18:00.003-05:00

Join me today at Dreamalot Books from 12pm to 3pm. I'll be signing copies of Fade to Black and Malevolent Dead.

Dreamalot Books
123B S Goose Creek Blvd.
Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 572-4188
http://www.dreamalotbooks.com/

Directions To Store:
Dreamalot Books is located on Hwy 52, 123B South Goose Creek Blvd. in Goose Creek. You will find them just inside the Goose Creek city limits in a strip mall with Allstate Ins., on the opposite side of highway from the Waffle House.

WIP List

2010-12-01T21:52:00.003-05:00

What I consider Works in Progress (WIP); A WIP can be a short as a scribbled idea or as long as a finished manuscript that needs serious editing. Above my computer I have several WIP’s ideas taped to my wall. This is what my Works in Progress list looks like right now:

GRAY MAGIC – My NaNo2010 story needs a lot of work, which is why I still consider it a WIP. Synopsis: Tabitha Desdamona Drake is an Enforcer, the person that does the dirty work for the Conclave of witches. The Conclave orders T.D. to find the gray magic witch. A witch wielding gray magic would be able to use dark or light magic without cost, able to end the world with just a thought. The Conclave wants the gray magic witch. With it, they can rule the supernatural world with an iron fist. However, once she gets there T.D. finds that there are more pressing issues to take care of rather than the Conclave's agenda. Witches are being murdered and drained of their magic, and it's up to her to put a stop to it. Enter Dez, a vampire that works for the Lord of Charleston. As mysterious as he is annoying, Dez accompanies T.D. on her search for the witch killer claiming that the vampire Lord has ordered him to do so. But what does a vampire care about murdered witches? Dez's agenda mirrors the orders from the Conclave, and T.D. quickly realizes that she is in more danger than what she's bargained for.

OF WOLF AND MAN - I had just gotten through the hard scene when my computer crashed and I lost a good chunk of it. Tells the story of Juliet and Jensen; Juliet discovers Jensen's dangerous secret and now a Clan of rouge werewolves wants her dead. Synopsis: Juliet knows that Jensen has a dark secret, especially after he uses his super strength to fight three wolves and save her life. Imagine her surprise when she figures out that he's a werewolf. Imagine her greater surprise when she discovers that this knowledge puts her life in danger. The three wolves that attacked her were also Weres, and they want Jensen to themselves. Jensen has to do what he can to save Juliet, when she and her best friend are kidnapped by the Weres during Homecoming. Will he be able to get to Juliet in time, before the Weres change her into one of them? It's my first attempt at YA. I’m currently 33k in, and am at the climax of the story. However, I keep getting sidetracked by other projects. I hope to have this one finished by the first of the year….maybe.

ACROSS TIME - A novella about Amythist Dyier finding love again. Her short stories came out in quick bursts so I hope her novella does the same.

UNTITLED Technopath Story - Originally a short story, I realize that I have more to say. Samantha lives in a post apocalyptic world where a human created microbe can infect technology, making it alive. It needs the earth's resources to survive, and the humans are just scum standing in their way. Samantha is one of only a handful of technopaths, a person that can control technology, that can defeat them. The short story is finished, but I want to add more parts to it and see more of the world that Sam lives in.

UNTITLED Sarah Vargas 4 – I’m taking my sweet time before coming back to Sarah. I want to make sure that her story really needs to continue past Blood Moon. Synopsis: With the Blood Moon Corporation behind her Sarah is ready to start her life with Jared, but a phone call from Donavan puts their well deserved bliss on hold. There's a serial killer murdering humans on the loose in Brainerd, MN, one that changes with the full moon. If the human police catch him, it will put the Seffmoyer Clan in danger - the very Clan that Donavan's sister is in. Will Sarah and Jared be able to catch the supernatural killer before the police do?

UNTITLED Beauty and the Beast – Modern day telling of an old story, with a unique twist. That’s all I’ll say on this project.

THE WRONG MAN – A contemporary romance about finding love in all the wrong places.

UNTITLED ghost romance – The title says it all…

UNITITLED Dreamscape – Jasmine McGovern has the ability to control her dreams, a gift that sets her in the crosshairs of the Blood Moon Corporation. Except they don’t want to kill her. They want to use her ability to assassinate and control. How can she escape them?

AN UNEXPECTED LOVE – Originally a short story about Amir and Phaidra, I want to flesh it out and turn it from a 3k romance into a 15k romance.

And this isn't even all of it! I have ideas scribbled in small notebooks that I carry around with me. So add another 15-20 ideas on top of these I've listed. Sometimes I wish this list was carved in stone. A new idea will crop up, making my long list of WIPs even longer. But at least I can't complain that I don't have anything to write. :)

COVER ART!!

2010-12-01T09:47:00.003-05:00

Word Count and more

2010-12-01T08:11:00.002-05:00

I'm on Cate Masters's blog today, talking about my views on the dreaded word count.

http://catemasters.blogspot.com/2010/12/in-author-spotlight-heather-kuehl.html

Can't get enough of me? Join me tonight at 6:30pm EST on Poetic Monthly as I discuss my latest release, Malevolent Dead.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/poeticmonthly

The inspiration for my latest WIP

2010-11-30T19:17:00.005-05:00

Ever wanted to know how an author gets inspired to write a certain story? This piece of artwork is the inspiration for my latest WIP.

BTW: My favorite movie of all time is Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Especially the library scene

Guest blogging

2010-11-30T10:04:00.002-05:00

I'm guest blogging at Fang-tastic Books today, talking about the joys of paranormal fiction.

http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/2010/11/welcome-guest-author-heather-kuehl.html

Where is Just Another Paranormal Christmas?!?!

2010-11-28T11:49:00.002-05:00

Well, it seems that Just Another Paranormal Christmas has been delayed. I know that the editors were struggling to finish the cover art and edits by the 27th, but I had hoped that Mojocastle would pull it together in time. When I receive word of the release, I'll let you all know. I hope I'm not the only one looking forward to this awesome anthology.

Just Another Paranormal Christmas release!

2010-11-27T10:18:00.001-05:00

It's here!

Just Another Paranormal Christmas is available today from Mojocastle Press (http://www.mojocastle.com/) and I'm guest blogging at My Bloody Fairy Tale. Stop by to read blurbs from all the stories included within this anthology and to read an excerpt from my Sarah Vargas short, "The Unexpected Guests."

http://kristenhaskins.blogspot.com/2010/11/guest-post-heather-kuhel.html

Reminder: Just Another Paranormal Christmas is an anthology benefiting the Armed Forces Children’s Education Fund, Inc. For more information about this wonderful cause, please visit their website: http://www.afcef.org/

Moonlight, Lace, and Mayhem

2010-11-25T10:15:00.003-05:00

I'm being interviewed today at Moonlight, Lace, and Mayhem (love the blog name, by the way). I'll be talking about what I'm thankful for, NaNoWriMo, and Just Another Paranormal Christmas.

http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/2010/11/twilight-thursday_22.html

Busy busy

2010-11-21T08:29:00.004-05:00

NaNoWriMo is coming to a close, and I've already finished Gray Magic...sort of. Because it's a NaNo creation it's going to need a lot of work, and I have a feeling that there is going to be a lot of scenes cut out of it. I hate useless filler, so if it doesn't help to forward the plot or enhance character development then it's going to have to go.

Tabitha Desdamona Drake is an Enforcer, the person that does the dirty work for the Conclave of witches. The Conclave orders T.D. to find the gray magic witch. A witch wielding gray magic would be able to use dark or light magic without cost, able to end the world with just a thought. The Conclave wants the gray magic witch. With it, they can rule the supernatural world with an iron fist. However, once she gets there T.D. finds that there are more pressing issues to take care of rather than the Conclave's agenda. Witches are being murdered and drained of their magic, and it's up to her to put a stop to it.

Enter Dez, a vampire that works for the Lord of Charleston. As mysterious as he is annoying, Dez accompanies T.D. on her search for the witch killer claiming that the vampire Lord has ordered him to do so. But what does a vampire care about murdered witches? Dez's agenda mirrors the orders from the Conclave, and T.D. quickly realizes that she is in more danger than what she's bargained for.

I can't wait until the manuscript is polished enough to share. T.D.'s story is just begging to be told and Dez's big secret will finally be revealed (for those of you who have been reading the Sarah Vargas Series). As usual, I'm putting Gray Magic aside for a while to let it cool (so to say) and I'm picking up Of Wolf and Man....again. Maybe I'll finally finish it this time.

Just Another Paranormal Christmas is out in 11 days!

2010-11-15T22:10:00.003-05:00

There is only 11 days left until the release of Just Another Paranormal Christmas. *happy dance* And I have for you today the blurbs from the stories included within this fine anthology. Enjoy!

A Cornwall Christmas
By Kayden McLeod
A Christmas the Vancouver vampires will never forget

Even vampires celebrate the holidays. Marcus and Kelly wake up Christmas morning with their own extraordinary presents for the other, one of them being blowing up of the kitchen. In an effort to appear more human, the Cornwall’s plan an extravagant dinner, with all the trimmings and more. Differences are put aside; the Council and Covens come together to show that this time of year is only for good tidings.

A Future Holiday
By Candace Sams
Two war-weary galactic defenders rekindle their romance when Armistice corresponds with the holiday season.

In a future society, two lonely fighters return from war. Rorn T’Kar is the commander of an Earth ship which has been battling in space for eight long years. He once loved Lyra Dench, but she apparently found his presence tedious. Lyra couldn’t tell Rorn she’d joined the Infiltration Corps, which unfortunately had an eighty-percent mortality rate. She was ordered to keep her actions secret and knew Rorn would try to keep her from fighting to save Earth. When Armistice finally comes and coincidentally corresponds with the holidays, the magic of the season takes over. Rorn and Lyra meet again, at the end of the war, and find what they thought they’d lost…all by the light of a Yule tree.

The Unexpected Guests
By Heather Kuehl
Damian’s Christmas party is the last place Sarah ever thought she’d find trouble…

Werewolf Sarah Vargas returns to South Carolina to attend a Christmas party thrown by Damian, born vampire and Lord of Charleston. She quickly discovers that The Council - an elite group of vampires - are attending. They are bringing with them two members of the Du'Rah, the vampire's elders. The Du'Rah are pretending to attend Damian's party so that they can initiate him into their ranks, however they have a more sinister plan. Will Sarah be able to save Damian from the true death and still celebrate the holiday season?

Once Upon A Dragon
By K.A. M’Lady

Jeremy Owens and his older siblings want to believe in magic, but hope and belief are difficult things to hold onto even when you’re a child. After the loss of their parents, three young children find themselves fostered off on an Aunt who’s never known the love of a child. This Christmas
will the Owens children find out what it means to believe again? Anything is possible with a little magic.

A Christmas to Remember
By Brigit Aine

Pixie and Wolf politics still abound, but nothing will stop Kira from enjoying her first Christmas as a married woman. Now that they are married, Lance and Kira thought life would settle down.
Unforntunately for them, as Christmas approaches so do their enemies.

Reflections of a Lily in Winter
By Susan Gabriel
A single light shines brightest in the darkest hour of the longest night.

Even a tough cookie can crumble under difficult circumstances. Fourteen year old Lily is drowning in domestic drama and facing the worst Christmas in her life until a distant relative in a faraway place throws her a lifeline. One Christmas spent at Candlewood Manor will open her eyes to a world beyond her imagining and open her heart to the reason behind the season.

Back from the Dead....Realms of Fantasy!

2010-11-09T07:29:00.001-05:00

You have absolutly no idea how happy this makes me. I actually cried when I found out that this market had closed. Now it'll be back, and in very capable hands. I can't wait to submit to the new RoF!

Press Release

Contacts:
Warren Lapine
Or
Kim Richards
(707) 543-6227
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2:00 P.M.PST, November 8, 2010

Damnation Books LLC buys REalms of Fantasy Magazine

Warren Lapine, publisher of Realms of Fantasy Magazine and Kim Richards Gilchrist, CEO and co-owner of Damnation Books LLC announce the sale of Realms of Fantasy Magazine to Damnation Books LLC.

Fans of the largest fantasy magazine in the world will be pleased to know the December 2010 issue will go to print with the new ownership publishing the February 2011 issue. All subscriptions already paid for will be honored.

Future plans include continuing to produce the same quality fiction magazine in print and to expand digital editions for ebook and desktop readers. The April 2011 issue will be themed ‘dark fantasy’ to coincide with World Horror Convention 2011 where Damnation Books will be hosting a party, and a booth in the dealer’s area.

The June 2011 issue is the 100th issue of Realms of Fantasy Magazine. Plans for a larger ‘birthday bash’ issue are already in place to celebrate this milestone.

Effective immediately, the magazine is reopening to submissions. Information for submitting stories and art can be found on the Realms of Fantasy website at / Advertising inquiries can also find information on the website or by writing to Realms of Fantasy.

The new mailing address is Realms of Fantasy; P.O. Box 1208; Santa Rosa, California 95402

Damnation Books LLC, publishes dark fiction as Damnation Books. They also own and operate Eternal Press, which is more romance and mainstream fiction. Please direct questions to Kim Richards Gilcrist at kim@...

Realms of Fantasy
http://www.rofmag.com

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http://www.damnationbooks.com
http://www.eternalpress.biz

-End-

Spend November With The Ancient Celts

2010-11-02T11:48:00.004-04:00

Spend November With The Ancient Celts

By Cornelia Amiri

I write Celtic/Romances so in this article I want to bring the back through the mist of time the ancient days of winter, to the month we call November. The white, waxy mistletoe berries were the last autumn fruit to appear and they marked the transition of the earth from fall to winter. One of the main ways the tribe prepared for the dark cold days was with cattle raids. Any tribe that didn’t have enough livestock to get them through the long, cold winter would consider grabbing some from a neighboring tribe.

Here’s an excerpt of a cattle raid from The Wolf and The Druidess:

“No, he is in danger,” Seren snapped.

“It is our only chance. If we lose milk and beef, the entire tribe could starve during the winter.” Hywell shook his head.

“What harm could possibly befall me? The Silures cannot hurt me if I turn them to ice, first,” Gwydion said.

“My mother would not warn me unless the threat was real,” Seren said. “I myself sense danger, but it may not be from the Silures. You must be careful.”

“Seren, he is a god,” Hywell said.

“Yes, what could happen to me?” Gwydion said.

Rather than answer, she peered into Gwydion’s eyes. “Swear to me, you will take heed.”

“Yes, I will return to you unharmed.” Gwydion pulled his wand from the pouch tied to his side and brandished it high. “I am ready.” He swirled the ash stick, decorated with Celtic spirals, through the air in a sweeping motion.

“Foes of the Ordovices

Your raid is condemned.

I forbid your flight.

Winter’s embrace,

Shall halt your escape,

Frozen like ice.

For the tribe to find.”

A blue light with the power of a lightning bold shot from the wand. Gwydion knew everyone in the village could feel the surge, and he noticed Seren and Hywell had clung to each other during the mighty blast.

“It is done,” he said to them.

“Now you must shift into wolf form,” Seren said to Gwydion as she released her hold on Hywell.

After Gwydion eased off his horse, his body blurred from one form to the next as his limbs shortened and his flesh shifted into a pelt of white fur. The wolf stood before Seren once more.

Hywell gasped. “Gwydion, do not get too near the cattle, you will spook them.”

The wolf nodded, and as he darted off, Seren goaded her horse into a hard gallop. Hywell followed.

The ancient Celts supplemented their diet in the winter by hunting. Boar was a favorite animal to hunt.

So here’s a boar hunting excerpt from Druid Bride:

Loud grunts and yells assaulted her ears as a charging beast and warriors headed straight toward them. She barely managed to jump out of the way of a raging, sharp tusked boar. A warrior burst out of the woods with more fierceness than the wild beast. He leapt like a deer. Beneath his short tunic, his long, lean, bare legs raced at the speed of a bird in flight. He pulled to a halt with the flexibility of a leather thong, bent back and then leaned forward to launch a long, black spear. The weapon soared through the air, struck hard, and impaled the beast. The boar’s high-pitched squeal tore through the forest air as it twitched in its death throes.

Tanwen nodded toward the warrior and his prize. “Good throw.”

Of course one of the main things for the ancient Celts was to figure out how to stay warm on those long winter nights.

Here’s a heated excerpt from Druid Bride:

Tanwen’s fingers played with the golden torque around her neck as she gazed at Brude. She drank in his masculine beauty as he gulped the sweet, thick mead. After the feast, she would honor him in her own way in their chamber, in their bed. Tanwen silently vowed they would heat their bedchamber in the dead of winter, hotter than the glowing hearth fire. Brude gnawed on the leg bone, ravishing it as he gazed at her with fire in his eyes. She burned for him. The pit of his stomach tingled, and it wasn’t from the mead. Her pulse pounded from just gazing at him. She studied the inviting mouth and arresting eyes on his lean, tan face. She reached out her hand and covered his wrist with hers. Lacing his fingers in hers, she squeezed his hand. His lips came down on hers in a slow, shivery kiss. Her mouth burned.

When the harper began to play and the dancing started, Brude stood, taking Tanwen’s hands in his, and pulled her to a standing position as he gazed into her eyes. “I would rather dance with you, alone.”

“Yes.” Tanwen whispered.

Arm in arm, they strolled to the wheelhouse, and as soon as they reached the door, Brude covered her mouth with his. She wrapped her smooth arms around him. Her pulsating heat shot through him. Lifting her off her feet, cradling her in his arms, he carried her inside and laid her on the smooth bull hide draped over the soft pallet. She let out a low, whispery moan. His heart beat erratically.

For more of my ten Celtic/romance novels please visit me at http://CelticRomanceQueen.com And feel free to take one of my novels to bed with you along with a cup of hot chocolate on a chilly November night.

Día de los Muertos

2010-11-02T00:05:00.002-04:00

I love the Day of the Dead. Not only is it a very interesting holiday, but it is also the day of my birth. No wonder why I'm so weird! :o) I thought I'd share with you the origins and beliefs about this special day, but since I'm very busy with NaNoWriMo I'm going to cheat and past the info from Wikipedia. ;)

Enjoy!

From Wikipedia:

Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Mexican Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. Due to occurring shortly after Halloween, the Day of the Dead is sometimes thought to be a similar holiday, although the two actually have little in common. The Day of the Dead is a time of celebration, where partying and eating is common.

Scholars trace the origins of the modern holiday to indigenous observances dating back thousands of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to a goddess called Mictecacihuatl. In Brazil, Dia de Finados is a public holiday that many Brazilians celebrate by visiting cemeteries and churches. In Spain, there are festivals and parades, and, at the end of the day, people gather at cemeteries and pray for their dead loved ones. Similar observances occur elsewhere in Europe and in the Philippines, and similarly themed celebrations appear in many Asian and African cultures.

Origins:
The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous cultures. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as 2,500–3,000 years.[1] In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.

The festival that became the modern Day of the Dead fell in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar, about the beginning of August, and was celebrated for an entire month. The festivities were dedicated to the god[2] known as the "Lady of the Dead", corresponding to the modern Catrina.

In most regions of Mexico, November 1 honors children and infants, whereas deceased adults are honored on November 2. This is indicated by generally referring to November 1 mainly as Día de los Inocentes ("Day of the Innocents") but also as Día de los Angelitos ("Day of the Little Angels") and November 2 as Día de los Muertos or Día de los Difuntos ("Day of the Dead").[3]

Beliefs:
People go to cemeteries to be with the souls of the departed and build private altars containing the favorite foods and beverages as well as photos and memorabilia of the departed. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed.[3]

Plans for the day are made throughout the year, including gathering the goods to be offered to the dead. During the three-day period, families usually clean and decorate graves;[2] most visit the cemeteries where their loved ones are buried and decorate their graves with ofrendas ("offerings"), which often include orange mexican marigolds (Tagetes erecta) called cempasúchitl (originally named cempoalxochitl, Nahuatl for "twenty flowers").

In modern Mexico, this name is sometimes replaced with the term Flor de Muerto ("Flower of the Dead"). These flowers are thought to attract souls of the dead to the offerings.

Toys are brought for dead children (los angelitos, or "the little angels"), and bottles of tequila, mezcal or pulque or jars of atole for adults. Families will also offer trinkets or the deceased's favorite candies on the grave. Ofrendas are also put in homes, usually with foods such as candied pumpkin, pan de muerto ("bread of the dead"), and sugar skulls and beverages such as atole. The ofrendas are left out in the homes as a welcoming gesture for the deceased.[2] Some people believe the spirits of the dead eat the "spiritual essence" of the ofrendas food, so even though the celebrators eat the food after the festivities, they believe it lacks nutritional value. Pillows and blankets are left out so that the deceased can rest after their long journey. In some parts of Mexico, such as the towns of Mixquic, Pátzcuaro and Janitzio, people spend all night beside the graves of their relatives. In many places, people have picnics at the grave site as well.

Some families build altars or small shrines in their homes;[2] these usually have the Christian cross, statues or pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pictures of deceased relatives and other persons, scores of candles and an ofrenda. Traditionally, families spend some time around the altar, praying and telling anecdotes about the deceased. In some locations, celebrants wear shells on their clothing, so that when they dance, the noise will wake up the dead; some will also dress up as the deceased.

Public schools at all levels build altars with ofrendas, usually omitting the religious symbols. Government offices usually have at least a small altar, as this holiday is seen as important to the Mexican heritage.

Those with a distinctive talent for writing sometimes create short poems, called calaveras ("skulls"), mocking epitaphs of friends, describing interesting habits and attitudes or funny anecdotes. This custom originated in the 18th or 19th century, after a newspaper published a poem narrating a dream of a cemetery in the future, "and all of us were dead", proceeding to "read" the tombstones. Newspapers dedicate calaveras to public figures, with cartoons of skeletons in the style of the famous calaveras of José Guadalupe Posada, a Mexican illustrator. Theatrical presentations of Don Juan Tenorio by José Zorrilla (1817–1893) are also traditional on this day.

A common symbol of the holiday is the skull (colloquially called calavera), which celebrants represent in masks, called calacas (colloquial term for "skeleton"), and foods such as sugar or chocolate skulls, which are inscribed with the name of the recipient on the forehead. Sugar skulls are gifts that can be given to both the living and the dead. Other holiday foods include pan de muerto, a sweet egg bread made in various shapes from plain rounds to skulls and rabbits, often decorated with white frosting to look like twisted bones.

José Guadalupe Posada created a famous print of a figure that he called La Calavera de la Catrina ("calavera of the female dandy") as a parody of a Mexican upper-class female. Posada's striking image of a costumed female with a skeleton face has become associated with the Day of the Dead, and Catrina figures often are a prominent part of modern Day of the Dead observances.

The traditions and activities that take place in celebration of the Day of the Dead are not universal and often vary from town to town. For example, in the town of Pátzcuaro on the Lago de Pátzcuaro in Michoacán, the tradition is very different if the deceased is a child rather than an adult. On November 1 of the year after a child's death, the godparents set a table in the parents' home with sweets, fruits, pan de muerto, a cross, a rosary (used to ask the Virgin Mary to pray for them) and candles. This is meant to celebrate the child's life, in respect and appreciation for the parents. There is also dancing with colorful costumes, often with skull-shaped masks and devil masks in the plaza or garden of the town. At midnight on November 2, the people light candles and ride winged boats called mariposas (Spanish for "butterflies") to Janitzio, an island in the middle of the lake where there is a cemetery, to honor and celebrate the lives of the dead there.

In contrast, the town of Ocotepec, north of Cuernavaca in the State of Morelos, opens its doors to visitors in exchange for veladoras (small wax candles) to show respect for the recently deceased. In return, the visitors receive tamales and atole. This is only done by the owners of the house where somebody in the household has died in the previous year. Many people of the surrounding areas arrive early to eat for free and enjoy the elaborate altars set up to receive the visitors from Mictlán.

In some parts of the country (especially the cities, where in recent years there are displaced other customs), children in costumes roam the streets, knocking on people's doors for a calaverita, a small gift of candies or money; they also ask passersby for it. This custom is similar to that of Halloween's trick-or-treating and is relatively recent.

Some people believe that possessing Day of the Dead items can bring good luck. Many people get tattoos or have dolls of the dead to carry with them. They also clean their houses and prepare the favorite dishes of their deceased loved ones to place upon their altar or ofrenda.

Observances outside Mexico:
In many American communities with Mexican populations, Day of the Dead celebrations are held that are very similar to those held in Mexico. In some of these communities, such as in Texas[4] and Arizona,[5] the celebrations tend to be mostly traditional. For example, the All Souls' Procession has been an annual Tucson event since 1990. The event combines elements of traditional Day of the Dead celebrations with those of pagan harvest festivals. People wearing masks carry signs honoring the dead and an urn in which people can place slips of paper with prayers on them to be burned.[6]

In other communities, interactions between Mexican traditions and American culture are resulting in celebrations in which Mexican traditions are being extended to make artistic or sometimes political statements. For example, in Los Angeles, California, the Self Help Graphics & Art Mexican-American cultural center presents an annual Day of the Dead celebration that includes both traditional and political elements, such as altars to honor the victims of the Iraq War highlighting the high casualty rate among Latino soldiers. An updated, inter-cultural version of the Day of the Dead is also evolving at a cemetery near Hollywood.[7] There, in a mixture of Mexican traditions and Hollywood hip, conventional altars are set up side-by-side with altars to Jayne Mansfield and Johnny Ramone. Colorful native dancers and music intermix with performance artists, while sly pranksters play on traditional themes.

Similar traditional and inter-cultural updating of Mexican celebrations is occurring in San Francisco, for example, through the Galería de la Raza, SomArts Cultural Center, Mission Cultural Center, de Young Museum and altars at Garfield Square by the Marigold Project [8] . Oakland is home to Corazon Del Pueblo in the Fruitvale district. Corazon Del Pueblo has a shop offering handcrafted Mexican gifts and a museum devoted to Day of the Dead artifacts.[9] In Missoula, Montana, skeletal celebrants on stilts, novelty bicycles, and skis parade through town.[10] It also occurs annually at historic Forest Hills Cemetery in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood. Sponsored by Forest Hills Educational Trust and the folkloric performance group La Piñata, the Day of the Dead celebration celebrates the cycle of life and death. People bring offerings of flowers, photos, mementos, and food for their departed loved ones, which they place at an elaborately and colorfully decorated altar. A program of traditional music and dance also accompanies the community event.

Latin America:
Guatemalan celebrations of the Day of the Dead are highlighted by the construction and flying of giant kites[11] in addition to the traditional visits to grave sites of ancestors. A big event also is the consumption of fiambre, which is made only for this day during the year.

In Ecuador, the Day of the Dead is observed to some extent by all parts of society, though it is especially important to the indigenous Kichwa peoples who make up an estimated quarter of the population. Indigena families gather together in the community cemetery with offerings of food for a day-long remembrance of their ancestors and lost loved ones. Ceremonial foods include colada morada, a spiced fruit porridge that derives its deep purple color from the Andean blackberry and purple maize. This is typically consumed with guagua de pan, a bread shaped like a swaddled infant, though variations include horses and pigs—the latter being traditional to the city of Loja. The bread, which is wheat flour-based today but was made with cornmeal in the pre-Columbian era, can be made savory with cheese inside or sweet with a filling of guava paste. These traditions have permeated into mainstream society as well, where food establishments add both colada morada and gaugua de pan to their menus for the season. Many non-indigenous Ecuadorians partake in visiting the graves of the deceased and preparing the traditional foods as well.

The Brazilian public holiday of Finados (Day of the Dead) is celebrated on November 2. Similar to other Day of the Dead celebrations, people go to cemeteries and churches with flowers, candles, and prayer. The celebration is intended to be positive to celebrate those who are deceased.

In Haiti, voodoo traditions mix with Roman Catholic observances as, for example, loud drums and music are played at all-night celebrations at cemeteries to waken Baron Samedi, the Loa of the dead, and his mischievous family of offspring, the Gede.

Dia de los ñatitas ("Day of the Skulls") is a festival celebrated in La Paz, Bolivia, on November 9. In pre-Columbian times, indigenous Andeans had a tradition of sharing a day with the bones of their ancestors on the third year after burial; however, only the skulls are used today. Traditionally, the skull of one or more family members are kept at home to watch over the family and protect them during the year. On November 9, the family crowns the skull with fresh flowers, sometimes also dressing it up in various garments, and makes offerings of cigarettes, coca leaves, alcohol, and various other items in thanks for the year's protection. The skulls are also sometimes taken to the central cemetery in La Paz for a special Mass and blessing.[12][13][14]

Europe:
In many countries with a Roman Catholic heritage, All Saints Day and All Souls Day have long been holidays in which people take the day off work, go to cemeteries with candles and flowers, and give presents to children, usually sweets and toys.[15] In Portugal and Spain, ofrendas ("offerings") are made on this day. In Spain, the play Don Juan Tenorio is traditionally performed. In Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Ireland, people bring flowers to the graves of dead relatives and say prayers over the dead. In Poland,[16] Slovakia,[17] Hungary,[18] Lithuania,[19] Croatia,[20] Slovenia,[21] Romania,[22] Austria, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Finland, the tradition is to light candles and visit the graves of deceased relatives. In Tyrol, cakes are left for them on the table, and the room kept warm for their comfort. In Brittany, people flock to the cemeteries at nightfall to kneel, bareheaded, at the graves of their loved ones and to anoint the hollow of the tombstone with holy water or to pour libations of milk on it. At bedtime, the supper is left on the table for the souls.[23]

A Mexican-style Day of the Dead has been celebrated in Prague, Czech Republic, as part of a promotion by the Mexican embassy. Local citizens join in a celebration of the Day of the Dead put on by a theatre group with masks, candles, and sugar skulls.[24]

Asia and Oceania:
In the Philippines, the holiday is Araw ng mga Patay ("Day of the Dead"), Todos Los Santos or Undas (the latter two due to the fact that this holiday is celebrated on November 1, All Saints Day) and has more of a "family reunion" atmosphere.[25] Tombs are cleaned or repainted, candles are lit, and flowers are offered. Entire families camp in cemeteries and sometimes spend a night or two near their relatives' tombs. Card games, eating, drinking, singing and dancing are common activities in the cemetery. It is considered a very important holiday by many Filipinos (after Christmas and Holy Week), and additional days are normally given as special non-working holidays (but only November 1 is a regular holiday).

Mexican-style Day of the Dead celebrations can also be found in Wellington, New Zealand, complete with altars celebrating the deceased with flowers and gifts.[26]

Other similar traditions:
Many other cultures around the world have similar traditions of a day set aside to visit the graves of deceased family members. Often included in these traditions are celebrations, food and beverages, in addition to prayers and remembrances of the departed.

The Bon Festival (O-bon (お盆?) or only Bon (盆?) is a Japanese Buddhist holiday to honor the departed spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist festival has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people from the big cities return to their hometowns and visit and clean their ancestors' graves. Traditionally including a dance festival, it has existed in Japan for more than 500 years. This holiday is three days in August.

In Korea, Chuseok (추석, 秋夕) is a major traditional holiday, also called Hangawi. People go where the spirits of one's ancestors are enshrined and perform ancestral worship rituals early in the morning; they visit the tombs of immediate ancestors to trim plants, clean the area around the tomb, and offer food, drink, and crops to their ancestors.

The Ching Ming Festival (simplified Chinese: 清明节; traditional Chinese: 清明節; pinyin: qīng míng jié) is a traditional Chinese festival usually occurring around April 5 of the Gregorian calendar. Along with Double Ninth Festival on the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese calendar, it is a time to tend to the graves of departed ones. In addition, in the Chinese tradition, the seventh month in the Chinese calendar is called the Ghost Month (鬼月), in which ghosts and spirits come out from the underworld to visit earth.

During the Nepali holiday of Gai Jatra ("Cow Pilgrimage"), every family who has lost a family member during the previous year makes a construction of bamboo branches, cloth, paper decorations and portraits of the deceased, called a gai. Traditionally, a cow leads the spirits of the dead into the next land. Depending on local custom, either an actual live cow or a construct representing a cow may be used. The festival is also a time to dress up in costume, including costumes involving political comments and satire.[27]

In some cultures in Africa, visits to the graves of ancestors, the leaving of food and gifts, and the asking of protection serve as important parts of traditional rituals. One example of this is the ritual that occurs just before the beginning of hunting season.[28]

In some tribes of the Amazon, they believe that the dead return as flowers rather than butterflies.

References/Notes:
1.^ Miller, Carlos (2005). "History: Indigenous people wouldn't let 'Day of the Dead' die". Day of the Dead — Día De Los Muertos (The Arizona Republic). http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/history/ . Retrieved 2007-11-28.
2.^ a b c d Salvador, R. J. (2003). John D. Morgan and Pittu Laungani. ed. Death and Bereavement Around the World: Death and Bereavement in the Americas. Death, Value and Meaning Series, Vol. II. Amityville, New York: Baywood Publishing Company. pp. 75–76 Day Of The Dead?. ISBN 0895032325. http://www.public.iastate.edu/~rjsalvad/scmfaq/muertos.html . Retrieved 2007-11-27.
3.^ a b Palfrey, Dale Hoyt (1995). "The Day of the Dead". Día de los Muertos Index. Access Mexico Connect. http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/muertos.html . Retrieved 2007-11-28.
4.^ Wise, Danno. "Port Isabel's Day of the Dead Celebration". Texas Travel. About.com. http://gotexas.about.com/od/festivals/a/Dayofdead.htm . Retrieved 2007-11-28.
5.^ Hedding, Judy. "Day of the Dead". Phoenix. About.com. http://phoenix.about.com/od/events/a/dayofthedead.htm . Retrieved 2007-11-28.
6.^ White, Erin (2006-11-05). "All Souls Procession". Arizona Daily Star. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-153859362.html . Retrieved 2007-11-28.
7.^ Making a night of Day of the Dead Los Angeles Times October 18, 2006. Retrieved November 26, 2006.
8.^ http://www.dayofthedeadsf.org/
9.^ http://articles.sfgate.com/2000-10-27/news/17664863_1_el-corazon-muertos-altar
10.^ "Photos of Missoula, Montana Day of the Dead parade". Saroff.com. 2006-11-02. http://www.saroff.com/shows/day_of_the_dead_parade/index.php . Retrieved 2009-08-13.
11.^ Betsy Burlingame, Joshua Wood. "Visit to cemetery in Guatemala". Expatexchange.com. http://www.expatexchange.com/lib.cfm?networkID=159&articleID=1793 . Retrieved 2009-08-13.
12.^ Guidi, Ruxandra (2007-11-09). "Las Natitas". BBC. http://www.theworld.org/?q=node/13922&answer=true .
13.^ Smith, Fiona (2005-11-08). "Bolivians Honor Skull-Toting Tradition". Associated Press. http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/bolivia/skulls.htm . Retrieved 2007-12-30.
14.^ "All Saints day in Bolivia - "The skull festival"". Bolivia Line (November 2005). http://www.bolivialine.com/bolivia/newsletter/Newsletter200511.htm . Retrieved 2007-12-20.
15.^ All Saints Day celebrations in Italy[dead link]
16.^ Polish observance. Retrieved June 11, 2007.
17.^ Slovakia observance. Retrieved June 11, 2007.
18.^ Hungary observance. Retrieved June 11, 2007.
19.^ Lithuanian observance. Retrieved June 11, 2007.
20.^ Croatian observance. Retrieved June 11, 2007.
21.^ Slovenian observance. Retrieved November 5, 2007.
22.^ Romanian observance. Retrieved June 11, 2007.
23.^ See All Saints Day, All Souls Day.
24.^ Day of the Dead in Prague.
25.^ "One of the many Filipino traditions often practiced is celebrating All Saints'/Souls' Day or Day of the Dead." Accessed Nov. 26, 2007.
26.^ "Day of the Dead in Wellington, New Zealand". Scoop.co.nz. 2007-10-27. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0710/S00273.htm . Retrieved 2009-08-13.
27.^ Nepali holiday honoring the dead. Retrieved June 11, 2007.
28.^ African ancestor ritual; Importance in many traditional religions throughout all of Africa serve as communications with ancestors

Further reading:
Brandes, Stanley (2006-12-15). Skulls to the Living, Bread to the Dead. Blackwell Publishing. p. 232. ISBN 1405152478. http://books.google.com/books?d=rlyTyVbhBYUC&printsec=frontcover&hl=fr. Retrieved 2006-05-14.

"The Day of the Dead, Halloween, and the Quest for Mexican National Identity". Journal of American Folklore 442 (1998) : 359-80.

"Sugar, Colonialism, and Death: On the Origins of Mexico's Day of the Dead". Comparative Studies in Sociology and History 39.2 (1997): 270-299.

"Iconogaphy in Mexico's Day of the Dead". Ethnohistory 45.2(1998):181-218.

Carmichael, Elizabeth; Sayer, Chloe. The Skeleton at the Feast: The Day of the Dead in Mexico. Great Britain: The Bath Press, 1991.

Conklin, Paul. "Death Takes A Holiday". U.S. Catholic 66 (2001) : 38-41.

Garcia-Rivera, Alex. "Death Takes a Holiday". U.S. Catholic 62 (1997) : 50.

Haley, Shawn D.; Fukuda, Curt. Day of the Dead: When Two Worlds Meet in Oaxaca. Berhahn Books, 2004.

Lomnitz, Claudio. Death and the Idea of Mexico. Zone Books, 2005.

Roy, Ann. "A Crack Between the Worlds". Commonwealth 122 (1995) : 13-16.

Ready...Set...Write!

2010-11-01T00:05:00.004-04:00

Today begins National Novel Writing Month, more commonly known as NaNoWriMo. I've attempted this event every year since 2006 (finishing it only once). The goal: to write a 50k novel in 30 days. Crazy, isn't it? But it's loads of fun. I mean, thousands of writers just like you are pounding away for 30 days, trying their damnedest to write a novel. It's inspiring. Many NaNoWriMo novels have even gotten published, including my own title Promises to Keep. This year I'm working on a new Sarah Vargas story. Now that her life is (sort of) back on track, I'm interested to see what will happen next. Although, I have to warn you, I might change my mind. It all depends on what my muse has in store for me today. Will it be Sarah, or maybe that T.D. novel that's been on the back burner for eternity (at least that's how it feels). Today will be the day that I start something new, and I'm hoping that once it's finished you'll enjoy it.

You can track my progress on my NaNo page: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/141463

A short message before the madness begins...

2010-10-31T22:41:00.002-04:00

Happy Halloween!

T.D. short story

2010-10-30T09:21:00.002-04:00

My T.D. short story, "Susan's Ghost," is in issue 9 of Etereal Tales - available now!

Here's a sneak peek of "Susan’s Ghost " (People’s Choice Winner of the Ethereal Tales Halloween Competition 2009)

Tabitha Desdemona Drake hated October.

It wasn’t the shift in the muggy Charleston weather that got to her. It wasn’t the department stores going Halloween crazy, trying to make sure they had enough Halloween supplies for their customers. It wasn’t even the witch costumes. Having been born a witch herself, Tabitha Desdemona knew that those hags were just a product of a fearful human’s imagination. No, it was none of these things.

It was the ghosts.

From November through September, Tabitha Desdemona rarely saw a spirit. It was refreshing. But October… The closer it got to Halloween, the worse it got. Half of the time she didn’t know if the person she was speaking with was alive or dead. She would just hang in there, doing her best to ignore them until 11:59pm on October 31. Then, when the clock struck midnight, it was like they had never been there.

But this year was destined to be different.

It was Halloween, and the ghost was in her bedroom; a first. The ghost looked just like her, with blonde hair and striking cerulean eyes. Tabitha Desdemona stared for a minute, thinking that she was looking at her reflection until she could see her bed though the ghost’s transparent stomach. Then her heart lurched.

“Oh Susan…”

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Feeding

2010-10-28T08:23:00.001-04:00

My haiku "Feeding" is live at Every Day Poets! Please stop by and leave a comment and/or vote on it.

http://www.everydaypoets.com/feeding-by-heather-kuehl/