(I think that cover is gorgeous and ominous, with those dark nuances and the writing reminiscent of Japanese writing style!)
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Tag Archives: ad librum aeternam
TV Show Introduction & Scene Excerpt – Daphné at the Restaurant
Hello, folks!
So, I've told you a year ago how I started screenwriting. I love it! While I paused the writing of my movie, I'm having a blast writing my TV show, The Carousel! I took three screenwriting courses, including one last month for a TV show pilot and it was not only extremely enjoyable but also very informative (which I'll tell you about in another post as a review). As an exercise in the last course, I had to write a scene where my protagonist went to a restaurant alone. Since I have two protagonists, Daphné and Philip, I decided to write two scenes.
Thus, I am sharing the scene with Daphné so you can get a taste of my screenwriting and connect with her (hopefully).
My face claim for Daphné Vegas? Camila Cabello, ladies, gents, and all other folks!
I particularly love this GIF because, as you'll see in the scene, this is the perfect display of my Daphné's whole attitude, vibe, and energy:
So, here is my scene for Daphné at the restaurant (enjoy!):
DAPHNÉ
You sure you're not coming?
Daphné walks into the diner, speaking on the cellphone. She looks around her.
DAPHNÉ
No, it's fine. Another time. See you tonight, Phil.
Daphné hangs up and puts the phone away in her black leather jacket. She licks her lips and goes to the counter to order. She stands straight and proud, her short boots tapping the tiled floor.
DAPHNÉ
Hello, I'd like a–
The foreign man behind the counter lifts a finger to silence her as he finishes writing down on a receipt. Daphné snaps her head backward, offended, and scoffs as she crosses her arms over her chest.
CASHIER
(smiles)
What'd you say?
DAPHNÉ
(opens wide eyes)
Nothing, I couldn't finish.
Silence. The cashier nods slowly but still smiles at her. Daphné relents and uncrosses her arms, gently tapping her boot on the floor.
DAPHNÉ
I mean: I'll take a hamburger with mustard, onions, tomatoes, and salad, please. Add a root beer. No take-out. Thanks.
The cashier nods, writes down the order on an old receipt. With a wink, he turns and gives the paper to an Arab woman who cooks the order. Daphné waits, looking curiously at the several pictures from their home country.
CASHIER
Here. 9.76$ please.
He smiles at her and opens his palm. Daphné forces a smile and takes out a debit card. The cashier's smile vanishes. Daphné raises an eyebrow and keeps the card up in mid-air.
DAPHNÉ
You take debit, right?
CASHIER
(serious)
Yes.
The cashier hands her the debit machine roughly. Daphné exhales loudly by the nose and slides her card. She gives the machine back with a glare, then picks up her tray and goes to sit at the farthest table, near the bay window.
Daphné eats for a while as she watches calmly passers-by and other customers come in. When she's done, she stands up and gazes at the tray questioningly. She gives in and takes it to the counter. When she reaches the door, the cashier calls out to her.
CASHIER
(curt nod)
See you next time!
DAPHNÉ
(grimaces)
No lo creo, nah… Adiós.
She smiles sarcastically and waves at him. Then, she whirls around and leaves quickly.
Did you like it? I rather love the distinct format for screenwriting? What do you think of Daphné? Did you like her?
I've got a funny story about her strong character: While I loved her, I couldn't really grasp her whole personality unlike Philip (her childhood best friend). I thought she was the calm and peaceful one, but writing this scene, I realized she was the one with the loud mouth and ready retorts. Haha, I laughed so hard! So, Philip is the calm and polite one. They both surprised me (mostly Daphné!). In the end, thanks to this exercise, I fell in love with Daphné even more deeply, and now I got a good grasp on her.
If you have any questions or comments for me about screenwriting, this scene or Daphné, please leave comments or contact me on Twitter at @CatGV6 or by email! I'll be so glad to discuss this with you.
See you next post, lovelies! I'll come back with the scene for Philip!
Ciao!
Yellow Wife: A Book Review
By Sadeqa Johnson
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Pages: 288
ISBN: 978-1-9821-4910-9
ASIN: B08BZFTB1Y
Format: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook (Kindle, Kobo, Nook), Audiobook
Publication date: January 2021
Publisher: 37 Ink/Simon & Schuster
Type: Book, Novel
*I received a free paperback copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada and Sadeqa Johnson!*
Introduction
What do I have to say about Yellow Wife? Here, summarized: I… Well… my feels… I just… Wow!!!
Okay, wait a minute now! Let me explain my reactions better. Please do proceed by reading my review and I promise it will make sense.
Blurb
Pheby Delores Brown, a teenage slave on a plantation in America in the 1800s, has been cherished above all others and promised freedom by her master at 18 years old. A tragedy strikes, and Pheby is sold by the mistress who hates her, sent to a slave jail and thrown into a life she never wanted. A life where she’ll have to be smarter than she ever thought she could be and play everything to survive, for herself and her loved ones. Will she see freedom or ensure it for those she loves by paying the ultimate price?
The Positive Sides
If you want a moving read, this is the book for you! So many harsh realities that are so poignant they made me stop reading for hours at a time, sobbing, because I felt so much for them. This is not a flaw, it’s a compliment! It’s been so long I was THIS invested in characters and their stories, I mean in such an emotional perspective that sobs were wrenched from me. There is also one of the most realistic death scenes I’ve read. Ever. And it’s just soul-crushing but so well written.
The writing is beautiful, elegant, and yet the vernacular and language of the black people are so real I can hear them in my head exactly like they would talk. Quite a talent to write so differently! I believed in their dialogue, and I enjoyed reading it so much. Professionally and passionately done, kudos to Sadeqa Johnson! As for Pheby, the main character, was strong, brilliant, affectionate, a survivor through and through. Awesome woman! I’d have done the same in her situation. Now, what about the story? Wow. Special, moving, motivating, inspiring. Strong. And the other characters? Loving, resilient, interesting, true, all of them. The mothers? So real, so touching.
It’s an extremely important read! So important I feel it changed me in some way. I can’t tell you how I’m not quite sure yet, but I feel different. Although I was never racist (I’m into languages, cultures, translation, and all of that good stuff), it still broadened my perspective. If you want to be moved and come out changed, even if only a little, please, read Yellow Wife. Everyone should read this book to know what truly happened, the horrors black people, slaves, went through. Unimaginable. Yet so real. I’m sorry for all of them. This book does something magical. It moves you, so poignant I never read anything like it; it’s raw, honest, true. It’s a women’s story, of love, sacrifice, slavery, reality, survival… It’s everything gripping. If it were for me, if I had enough money, I’d purchase a copy and distribute one to EVERYONE, but since I’m not rich, my words will have to suffice. But mark them. I always think high schoolers should read this in class due to its importance and its eye-opening nature. Please, READ THIS BOOK! shoves it in your face with passion
Reading this book, I was crying, sobbing, moved, and I wanted to reach out to all the past slaves and just… hug them, let them feel the love. Tell them they were strong and beautiful and they MATTERED. I would have offered my help, but I know they could save themselves. Black people are strong, but I’m always here for you if you need help or a discussion. I know you’re heroes too and survivors, but I wanted so bad to be their friend. Stop this cruelty. Make it right. I’m so glad things have improved, but they could still get better. I support you! HERE’S MY LOVE TO YOU! It was even harder reading this book because my family is a direct descendant of a slave woman… it’s in my roots though I am white. But I can’t deny it nor never would want to. That woman who gave birth to my family is history, she’s important, she mattered. That’s why I’m talking about it here. Also, my dear female cousin is mulatto, like Pheby the MC, and damn do I love her. Always have since I was a child and saw her for the first time. Sometimes I would read the book and see my cousin in Pheby’s stead and I would be so furious and utterly disgusted. I’m glad she’s safe. I’m glad she’s thriving. I’m glad I know her. I want you all to be safe, to tell your stories loud and clear I’ll lend you my hand when you want it, but I know you can do it on your own, heroes and heroines. You go, girl, you go, boy. And you go, non-binary. I believe in you.
I will definitely purchase a copy for my “Favourites” shelf in hardcover, because it deserves to be there. It marked and changed me positively. I don’t know how yet, but I feel it within. It’s strong; this book tore me apart and stitched me back together again. I never sobbed nor cried so hard throughout a single book, but I feel fixed somehow? I loved this journey I went on with Pheby, though my heart was ripped from my chest oftentimes. This is not only the best book I’ve read lately, it’s definitely in my top 10 EVER. It had such a huge impact on me. I’m grateful to have read it. I feel like I’ve matured, like I’ve learned and shared something. I never read a book that I thought was “important” in terms of meaning or change… but this one? It’s the one I call IMPORTANT. Please, make all the difference you can by reading it and shouting about it on social media.
Just read it, okay? Sadeqa Johnson is a glorious author, and I’ll definitely await her upcoming books.
The Negative Sides
I couldn’t find any, except that it’s a true story. Hear me out! I’m so sad this story is based on real events because the characters were immensely mistreated. I just… My heart goes to them. But the book? The book is one of the most poignant and its effects deep and long-lasting that I have ever read.
In summary, you want an imperfect book? Skip this one. You want perfection, love (in all its meaning), strength, and history? Don’t ignore Yellow Wife!
In Conclusion
For all the emotions and the positive change it produced in me, and the truth it conveys so well, I would give Yellow Wife a rating of 10 out of 5 stars! Unfortunately, I can’t. So I’ll give it a full rating of 5 excellent stars out of 5! This book is perfect in many ways, with all its special characters and the strength emanating from it and the love, but it’s most definitely perfect in my heart. I could talk for hours about this book, but this review will have to do. But if we meet, trust me, I’ll talk about it. Thank you so much Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me this most perfect book! It made a great and positive impact on me and I will never forget your kindness of agreeing to send this new reviewer of yours such a marvellous book. Miss Sadeqa Johnson, all my praise! I’m so glad Mary Lumpkin followed you back home that day so you had to write this book. Thank you.
If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit her Web site, you can also follow her on her Amazon author page and Twitter, as well as Facebook, Instagram and Goodreads. Plus, don't forget to visit her publisher, Simon & Schuster. You can also add Yellow Wife to your bookshelves on Goodreads and LibraryThing.
The Exorcism of Little Billy Wagner: A Book Review
By Francis J. Flynn
Genre: Fiction, Horror, Satirical, Humour
Pages: 234
ISBN: 9781857568318
ASIN: B00T6R4JQ4
Format: Paperback, eBook (Kindle)
Publication date: 2015
Publisher: Janus Publishing Company Ltd
Type: Book, Novel
*I received a free ecopy in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to Francis J. Flynn and BookTasters!*
Introduction
Now, what a title: Exorcism! Shocking, I know. But when it comes to horror stories, whether movies or books, my favorites are about possession (demonic, please). Why? I don’t know but I find it fascinating and horrifying. So, when I was offered by BookTasters (thanks!) to read The Exorcism of Little Billy Wagner, how could I say no? It was right there in the title!
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. In my opinion, while it has some strong flaws, it’s also pretty enjoyable and I had a good feeling reading it.
Care to know all of my reasons and why it’s a good book nevertheless?
Read on, folks!
Come with me into the abyss of a possession story…
(My review is not that dark, don’t worry.)
Blurb
The frantic parents of Little Billy Wagner are at a loss as to what to do when their son shows signs of demonic possession. When the medical community can offer no answers, they turn to their Catholic Church. The Archbishop a prominent hawk in the war on Satan is more than willing to help the Wagners. Though in precarious health (His bypasses had bypasses), he always knew The Evil One would show up on his watch and he s now ready to send in the exorcists. But first, the Church has to determine whether Little Billy Wagner is demonically possessed. Enter the handsome Father Leopold Mackenzie. Father Leo wants to be a priest. He believes God wants him to be a good priest. He aspires to return to a parish in Bolivia where he spent many happy days in his favorite llama-wool sweater and was accepted by the kind Boliviano parishioners. To make this happen, he just needs to do a good job on the Billy Wagner matter and keep the lovely Veronica Fields, from the parish’s conversion class, far away from him and in moments of weakness not think of ways to make her his rectory mate. Father Leo visits the Wagners and soon determines that Little Billy is clearly possessed, but, the question is, by what? Knowing an underlying medical cause must first be ruled out, Father Leo starts gathering information and medical reports and hires the famed Jesuit psychiatrist, the dhoti-wearing Father Caspar Wieland, MD/PhD/SJ. Meanwhile, the Archbishop gathers his exorcism team (including bringing in ex-special forces Monsignor Krebs, despite his handling of the exorcism in The River City Delirium Tremens Burro Incident ) and prepares to make the case to the Vatican to get the authority to send in the exorcists. Can Father Leo stop a Rush to Exorcism before it s too late? Or is Little Billy demonically possessed, and by trying to stop the exorcism, is Father Leo allowing Satan and his legion into America s heartland?
The Positive Sides
The best point of this book is definitely its brazen humour. It’s pretty good, funny, and sometimes dark—it also has a habit of bouncing at you when you least expect it! Sometimes it’s sarcastic, other times ironic, but always good and well thought. Oftentimes I would find myself smiling, chuckling or outright laughing. A very good point indeed because not all books manage that with me! (I find most humour in books fall flat, not because I’m hard to make laugh, haha.)
Also, while I knew this was a horror book, I didn’t expect it to get so dark and gorey right in the beginning! But gosh was it good, creepy and satisfying! I loved it!!!! I remember reading it late at night with eyes wide opened. Ha ha, I had to take a break from reading for a few seconds, then resume it. Talk about a surprise!
Moreover, I really enjoyed the gruesome plot of possession, and how the priests would be conflicted towards each other and this case. It showed that priests are human too, flawed, though they have a good will. The plot kept me reading as I wanted to know what truly happened to Little Billy Wagner and those priests. What horrors would unfold. I’m a sucker for possession stories (bad, I know *shakes her head but #noregrets*)!
This book gave me a good feeling. I mean, when I read the book, it was highly enjoyable (despite its weaknesses) and I cared about the characters, who were entertaining, human and fun. I can’t really explain it, but when I resumed reading every night, I would smile and feel cozy and calm. As though I was pulled into the book and I was fine with it. Or maybe meeting with an old friend? My stomach felt light and so did my heart. Cheesy, I know, but true.
The Negative Sides
I found there were unnecessary repetitions. For example, the word “cookie” appeared twice in the same sentence and the author rarely makes use of pronouns, too; there are many more occurrences of same words in a single sentence/paragraph, which becomes annoying and tiresome enough to roll one’s eyes. It sometimes comes across as poor writing, but I don’t believe that’s the case because the rest is well described, the characters are interesting, etc. I would just suggest using more synonyms, pronouns or rephrasing. Otherwise, it’s the worst flaw of this book, and that makes it not so bad. 😉
Another thing that bugged me was how unclear the transitions are from one character to another. I often had to go back a few sentences to understand we’d switched characters. This quickly became confusing.
Lastly, there is what I call “backstory dump”. You switch to another character and it’s in the present (I mean they’re doing something NOW) and then suddenly you’re in their past for you don’t know how many pages and you kind of lost the whole point to begin with. Their backstories are interesting and necessary, but I think information could be sprinkled here and there without breaking the rhythm so much.
In Conclusion
But you know what? Despite these flaws some would consider either too major or numerous, I rather liked it and enjoyed my reading experience. So, I give The Exorcism of Little Billy Wagner a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, and I encourage any horror or humour enthusiastic to pick it up for its great and true characters, its good horror and gore scenes, as well as fun plot and humour.
If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit his Twitter account (and follow him!), you can also follow him on Goodreads. You can also add The Exorcism of Little Billy Wagner to your bookshelves on Goodreads and LibraryThing
More Than Halfway Through My Novel and Other Projects
Miranda Kane
Get this: I’m at the 70% mark in my novel The Rise of a Heroine: Resurgence!!! Yup, I’m nearly at 3/4 and I think my progress amazing!
I never got this far in any of my books, but this one’s really hitting it (if I may say so what with Miranda being a boxing student).
I’ve been really stuck with the plot of the ending last week, BUT I found solutions and I’m ready to resume writing it. I’ll ?%$#$%? smash my goal and write “The End” soon. Hooray!
Miranda Kane and Thomas Lance are my lovelies and I can’t wait for you all to meet them and have my book in your hands, whether it be in physical, ebook, or audiobook!
(Melissa Benoist is my Miranda Kane’s faceclaim. And look, she’s ready, too!)
(Dylan O’Brien is my Thomas Lance’s faceclaim. Hmmm, Thomas is more doubtful about the whole thing, though… Hahah.)
Until then, wish me luck! I’ll go back to writing—it’s my last stretch with drafting!
I’m so ready for this! *punches her palm*
Secret Project
There’s also a secret project of mine I picked back up. It’s an old story that I… put away for a long while. I recently felt it in my bones again, you know? And I found solutions to the major blockage I had!
So, yeah, I’m actually excited about this. I’ll be shedding light on this project little by little. Hopefully, my progress will be easy (ha!) and steady (hm?).
Poetry Collection
Folks! I’m nearly done with my poetry collection. Yup! I wrote thirty poems or so, and I need about another 11 poems. After which I’ll polish them and send them to a professional editor. Soon, dears, soon you’ll be able to read them all in one place.
I’m also writing a new poetry collection, which is more personal in terms of themes and voice. And I’m starting one in French because hey, I live in Quebec, and we speak French first and foremost, so why not pair two of my favorite things?
World Building & Nightshade
Okay, get this: I picked up my Nightshade series again, but more for plotting and world building purposes. Why am I not writing it instead? Well, I find this story with the multiverse and the tangled storylines to be quite… intimidating. I don’t feel ready to tackle and do justice to this great series yet (I need more experience writing books), so I decided I’d still achieve progress by developing the plot (which sometimes gets messy) as well as the worlds we get to visit (and ain’t world building just fun?!?!??! YES!)
So, here I am, on a calm evening, scouring the Web for world building materials. And I found something quite interesting that turned out to be such an excellent surprise!
I ended up on Scribe Forge, and was hooked quickly by the collaborative work of authors and this genuinely interesting world building workbook.
So, you know what happened?
I purchased it. And I’m not mad. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised because not only is it really pretty (look at that fantasy cover! Actually, look at all their covers!), but for the hefty price (USD $20) it includes crucial information digested for you and classified according to their section (such as planets and space, society, resources, and more!) I mean, yeah, you get worksheets in those categories, sure, but real information and guidance on what to use to fill them. Uncertain about how to create a planet, its atmosphere and earth? Here you go, they’ve got you covered with important information on different atmospheres, types of earth, how lack of oxygen impacts the development of life, and so on!
I wasn’t expecting so much out of this workbook, in all honesty. Now I understand the price.
So far, I’m really pleased. I promise to use it for a while with Nightshade and then write a review about it for you, folks. Deal?
Gotcha!
See you next post, lovelies!
(Lily Collins is my Rosellia Rowland-Lovelace in my Nightshade series)
Guest Post: Author Warren Rochelle
When I saw Other Worlds Ink offering a blog tour for Warren Rochelle’s The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories, I immediately felt compelled to sign up to help spread the word about an LGBTQ fairy tale retelling short story collection! I hope you'll do just the same.
Missed the book review? Click here!
Today I've got something special for you, dears. An interview between the author, Warren Rochelle, and one of his characters, His Majesty, Aidan IV, King of Joria and Prince of New Roesk.
Now, that's exciting! I always had a fondness for character interviews, so this delights me, too!
Ready? Have fun reading like I have! (And read until the bottom of the page: there's an Amazon giveaway!)
WR: Your Majesty, Thank you for talking with me today. We had a character interview with Calum. He loves you.
ADN: I know. I love him, too.
WR: He said you were the center of his heart. True? You don’t talk much. Why is this?
ADN: Well, the story is called “The Wicked Stepbrother,” and so Calum is the story’s heart—and his love for me and mine for him, are what drives him, makes him take action. Of course, we talk all the time, as would most married couples. But not all conversations need to be told. Yes, I am the center of his heart and he is the center of mine. No one closer. When I was prisoner in the tower in the Tallwood, in that hardtree grove, I knew he would come for me.
WR: Calum likes men from the very beginning. Did you know this about yourself?
ADN: Like Calum, I figured out my sexuality as a teenager. I had to keep it a secret from my parents and from everyone in court. The laws in effect then were not kind to people like us. But I was protected by my position as crown prince. So, there were men, but in the shadows, they were secrets, and I never approached them—I mean, I was the heir to the throne. I arranged for men to come to me. But that isn’t how it was with Calum. I know he told you he was unattractive, and no, he is not conventional handsome. But when we met at the Birthday Ball, I knew I had to talk to him. He sent me doves. I saw a beautiful man.
WR: You gave up your throne for him, at least for eight years.
ADN: I did. I decided to be happy.
WR: He also told me he has done terrible things—wicked things.
ADN: He told me all those things the wicked stepbrother has done. He doesn’t do such things anymore. He changed for me, and more importantly, for himself. We promised each other no secrets.
WR: When you became king, you changed the laws on gender and sexuality back to what they had been before the Interruption. Some people are not happy with you for making such a sweeping change so quickly. The Gradualists, I think they are called, are saying too soon, too fast. Will it be hard to enforce these laws?
ADN: (Nods his head, runs fingers through his hair.) I know. But this doesn’t affect opposite-sex couples at all. It merely restores rights that once were for all Jorians. I know Jorian history and what happened with the conservative religious movement during and after the Big Interruption. But they seem to have forgotten theirs, and some tried to hide the stories of the gods and their opposite and same-sex pairings, their group marriages, and—you know how sexually fluid the gods are. That truth will no longer be hidden. No one is expected to change their beliefs, just not impose them on others. Besides, I promised Calum.
WR: It will be easier for Aileanna.
ADN: Yes.
WR: You won the war. What next?
ADN: An education campaign, a time of healing from Magda’s rule. We will show the people a model of two men who love each other very much—well, not a perfect model, but a human one. Over time, that will make a difference.
WR: Calum says the two of you have thought of going back through the green mists.
ADN: (Laughs). He did, did he? Yes, we have talked about that.
WR: Thank you for talking with me today.
What’s next?
Right now, I am working on completing Fletcher and Sam’s story. Fletcher is in Faerie, now he has to find Sam and bring him back. This task will test Fletcher. I think their story could a novella, but I am not sure. I keep thinking of more things, of more story. The other project, which might be a novella, or at least along story, is a sequel to my first novel, The Wild Boy, and takes place two hundred years later, as humanity is recovering from the Long Nightmare of the Lindauzi conquest. When can you expect these novellas? Next year, I hope. I also want to revisit a novel I have rewritten a few times, The Golden Boy, set in alternate history, in the world of the Columbian Empire. — Warren Rochelle
Excerpt from The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories
From “The Wicked Stepbrother.”
“Well. Lord Culver, are we done? Are there no more women to try on the shoe?” Aidan asked as he stood from where he had sat all morning, next to my grandfather’s great tome of a dictionary.
I was about to say no when my stable manager interrupted. “There’s one more, Elena. She’s in the kitchen, washing dishes. I saw her there when I came up.”
Before I could protest, Aidan ordered her brought to the library.
When Elena came in, her hair braided and pulled back to keep it out of the sink, I knew, with a sudden certainty, who had stared at me before running away. She had to have had magical help. She glanced at me before sitting down in the chair facing Aidan and his shoe. A quick flash of triumph.
I hated her.
Of course, the crystal slipper fit. Of course, she had its mate in her apron pocket.
“I have found her—my wife-to-be,” Aidan said as he stood, taking Elena’s hand, and gesturing to the room. Every woman still in line, all the male staff around me, my stable manager, the prince’s entourage, burst into applause. I clapped, too, even though I felt like I was going to throw up.
So much for my half-loaf.
An hour before they left for the capital, after a dove was sent ahead with the news, Aidan took me aside, taking me back to the library. Holding my hand, he sat me down in an overstuffed chair in a reading alcove that overlooked the orchards.
“Cal. It’s going to be all right. I have to marry her, and get her with child, but you are my true love; you’ll be my mistress—my lover. I’ll fix that house for you. Cal?”
“Aidan, that might have worked with any other woman but not Elena. She hates me, and—I’ve not been nice to her. She won’t share.”
There was a knock at the door, and the soft voice of one of his guards: “Your Highness. The Lady Elena has bathed and dressed. Her companion is ready as well. Your car is ready; another dove was sent to the King telling him you and the Lady are due to arrive soon.”
“I will meet everyone at the car in ten minutes,” Aidan shouted back through the door. Then he turned to me. “She’ll share; she’ll have her place and you’ll have yours. Here, in my heart, no one closer. Walk with me to the car.”
I so wanted to believe him, and I did until we walked down the steps. I recognized the companion, who waited by the prince’s car, the little old lady who lived by the river, her old maid. And I smelled her: first folk, a pureblood, a true silver. I clenched my teeth. That old hag had done the magic for Elena. I learned later the old bitch had been with Elena since her birth and with the earl’s family for at least three generations. She had been biding her time in that little house by the river. Now she stared at me, with a triumphant smirk. I sniffed again: she was very powerful and she wasn’t afraid of me.
“Lord Culver.”
I jerked around to face Elena. She was beautiful, as she had been when she came to Colomendy years ago. So, the hag had hidden her weak eye—some magical disguise. She glanced back quickly to find Aidan, who was at the door, conferring with his head guard and chauffeur, then turned back to me, getting as close as she could without touching.
“You monster. You lose,” she hissed, her breath warmth on my face.
“It’s not over; he’s mine. He wants me, not you,” I hissed back.
“He wants you?” She stared at me, incredulous, then glanced again at Aidan who was still talking to his servants. She laughed. “All the better then, eh?”
Then, in a flurry of commands and good-byes and thank yous (and one furtive squeeze of my hand) they were gone.
***
A month and a half later, on New Year’s Day, they were married.
Now, what about that Amazon giveaway I mentioned at the beginning? It's for a $20 Amazon gift card. Click here to enter, loves!
Warren Rochelle, Author of The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories
Warren Rochelle lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, and has just retired from teaching English at the University of Mary Washington. His short fiction and poetry have been published in such journals and anthologies as Icarus, North Carolina Literary Review, Forbidden Lines, Aboriginal Science Fiction, Collective Fallout, Queer Fish 2, Empty Oaks, Quantum Fairy Tales, Migration, The Silver Gryphon, Jaelle Her Book, Colonnades, and Graffiti, as well as the Asheville Poetry Review, GW Magazine, Crucible, The Charlotte Poetry Review, and Romance and Beyond.
His short story, “The Golden Boy,” was a finalist for the 2004 Spectrum Award for Short Fiction. His short story “Mirrors,” was just published in Under A Green Rose, a queering romance anthology, from Cuil Press. “The Latest Thing,” a flash fiction story, is forthcoming in the Queer Sci Fi anthology, Innovation.
Rochelle is also the author of four novels: The Wild Boy (2001), Harvest of Changelings (2007), and The Called (2010), all published by Golden Gryphon Press, and The Werewolf and His Boy, published by Samhain Publishing in September 2016. The Werewolf and His Boy was re-released from JMS Books in August 2020. The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories is forthcoming from JMS Books in late September 2020.
Follow his page on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads! You can also add The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories to your bookshelves on Goodreads.
The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories: A Book Review
By Warren Rochelle
Genre: Fiction, Fairy Tale, Romance, Fairy Tale Retelling, Fantasy, Gay fantasy, Gay romance, Adventure, LGBTQ+
Word count: 76,446
ASIN: B08J6PWLWC
Format: eBook (Kindle, Kobo, Nook)
Publication date: Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Publisher: JMS Books
Type: Book, Short Story Collection
Warnings: violence, one rape (not described)
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to Warren Rochelle and Other Worlds Ink!*
Introduction
When I saw Other Worlds Ink offering a blog tour for Warren Rochelle’s The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories, I immediately felt compelled to sign up and review it. Kindly enough, I received an ARC of what felt both a revelation and an exciting event: an LGBTQ fairy tale retelling book by an own voice for us! I. just. couldn’t. resist!
There are so many good sides in this book to explore. Care to do so with me?
Read on, loves!
Blurb
Fairy tales. We all know the traditional stories, right? Prince Charming, the hero, fights evil, wins the princess, happily ever after. Three sons, three wishes, witches, dragons, a quest, and happily ever after.
These stories are part of our cultural fabric. We retell them, over and over, and the stories change in the retellings, to reflect contemporary culture, such as Princess Charming, heroes and heroines as people of colour. It has been only relatively recently that queer folk have found their way into the retellings, as they have here, in this collection of stories, stories that grew out of questions:
What if the prince falls in love with Cinderella’s gay stepbrother?
What if Rumpelstiltskin doesn’t really want the Queen’s child? He wants his old boyfriend back, the King.
What if Beauty and the Beast were two men?
As fairy tales do, these stories explore the human condition, human experience, through the metaphors of magic and the magical, exploring what it means to be human. After all, all fairy tales are true. But this time, with a gay perspective.
In these tales, retellings and original ones, readers are asked to consider what price must be paid for happily ever after—which is not guaranteed. Love, on the other hand, without a doubt. These tales are love stories.
Duty or love? Is love worth great sacrifice?
So… once upon a time…
The Positive Sides
First, these stories are so poignant, they grabbed my heart and never let go. They’re beautiful, emotional, and intense and true. I swear, I would go about my day and think about the stories and the characters’ feelings or woes at work! Doing the dishes. Cooking up lunch. That doesn’t happen with all the books I read, but this one, it burrowed itself a den in my heart. And you know what? I’m happy it’s there.
Funny enough, the stories are interrelated!! They have references to the others embedded in them! So clever. I am pleasantly surprised and impressed as I wasn’t expecting this—I figured they were all standalones in their own little world. But oh, was I wrong. The stories also touch on deep important matters in the LGBTQ+ reality, like cultural divides, hope, acceptance, what’s expected of you, and so on. It was very poignant and much needed.
On a side note, I particularly enjoyed how amusing and foreign he made another language feel and how he wrote it out. As a polyglot myself, it was fun to see! Because I felt this on a personal level, haha. The author used a clever way to visualize not understanding another language, or at least its foreignness, like the pronunciation and how hard we try to associate it with the sounds we know.
As for the stories themselves, Rumpelstiltskin’s (the first one) made me cry with belonging and feels. I thought there was no princess like me ever even in a gay fairy tale retelling, but hey! I was proven wrong (again! Notice a pattern, here?). From the bottom of my heart: thank you. She was great and lovely. And the story itself with the fey and the long-lost love was perfect, so emotional. I still think about it spontaneously during the day.
I love that the Beast’s house is in-between worlds and states of mind… It explains all the magic and mystery surrounding it and how some people can find it and not others and when they do so. Nice! There’s also an invisible in-between crew (which is quite funny and hot-headed!) in the Beast’s house. And it’s the first time an author made me relate to the beast on a deep level, what with his insecurities and sadness and longing.
Can I say this too many times: I looooove the emotions, angst, and sheer love of all types (whether it be romantic, platonic, family, friends, etc.) in these stories! I don’t think this book will let my heart go anytime soon, if ever.
(This quotation comes from my favorite story in the collection, which happens to be the very first one!)
The Negative Sides
I should really say “the negative side” here and not “sides”, but oh well. There’s way too much telling in the The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories. While I don’t mind it much, I felt the stories were sometimes lacking in terms of connecting with the characters or “discovery” (at least from a reader’s perspective). Nevertheless, it didn’t ruin my experience but I’m pretty sure that’s because I find telling to be okay. Though I think it might be an issue with other readers, hence my mentioning it.
In Conclusion
All in all, it was lovely and touching to finally read about LGBTQ fairy tales. It was high time someone did this, by us, for us. I give this beautiful and poignant book, The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories, a rating of 4.5 out of 5. I had a pleasant time every time while settling into bed with my Kobo to read these enchanting stories of love, acceptance, struggles, and flawed but lovable characters. Please, give this book a read! Not only will you feel attached to the stories, their situations and characters, but you’ll also help to spread own voices LGBTQ fairy tale retelling fiction, which we’re in great need of. I recommend it to anyone with an open mind, a desire to travel into pages of a book and find themselves, and those looking to broaden their horizons.
If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit his Facebook author page, you can also follow him on Twitter and Goodreads. You can also add The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories to your bookshelves on Goodreads.
The Author: Warren Rochelle
Warren Rochelle lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, and has just retired from teaching English at the University of Mary Washington. His short fiction and poetry have been published in such journals and anthologies as Icarus, North Carolina Literary Review, Forbidden Lines, Aboriginal Science Fiction, Collective Fallout, Queer Fish 2, Empty Oaks, Quantum Fairy Tales, Migration, The Silver Gryphon, Jaelle Her Book, Colonnades, and Graffiti, as well as the Asheville Poetry Review, GW Magazine, Crucible, The Charlotte Poetry Review, and Romance and Beyond.
His short story, “The Golden Boy,” was a finalist for the 2004 Spectrum Award for Short Fiction. His short story “Mirrors,” was just published in Under A Green Rose, a queering romance anthology, from Cuil Press. “The Latest Thing,” a flash fiction story, is forthcoming in the Queer Sci Fi anthology, Innovation.
Rochelle is also the author of four novels: The Wild Boy (2001), Harvest of Changelings (2007), and The Called (2010), all published by Golden Gryphon Press, and The Werewolf and His Boy, published by Samhain Publishing in September 2016. The Werewolf and His Boy was re-released from JMS Books in August 2020. The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories is forthcoming from JMS Books in late September 2020.
Extreme: A Book Review
By Joan Gelfand
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Thriller, Romance
Pages: 282
ISBN: 9781421836515
ASIN: B08BX7RJQL
Format: Paperback, eBook (Kindle)
Publication date: 2020
Publisher: Blue Light Press
Type: Book, Novel
*I received a free paperback copy in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to Joan Gelfand and Blue Light Press!*
Introduction
When I was offered to review Extreme by Joan Gelfand (a paperback copy no less!), I couldn’t say no. I was intrigued about the techy and Silicon Valley aspects of this story right from the start. A startup? Seen from a woman’s perspective?
I had to read it.
If this sounds interesting to you as well, then let’s explore the story’s strengths and flaws together, shall we?
Blurb
Hope Ellson is from the wrong side of the tracks, but her genius transcends class. When Hope joins FearToShred, a Silicon Valley extreme gaming startup, Hope's mission is to groom the scrappy company for prime time. Enter Doug Wiser, her very married ex. While the two work in tandem, nefarious forces are at work behind the scenes. Adding to the excitement of this thriller are the stars and heroes of surfing and skateboarding. With a keen eye on women in tech, business ethics and dangerous stunts, "Extreme" will leave you breathless.
The Positive Sides
I’ll start with the ending because it struck me as a great way to write this book’s dénouement. Not only was the phrasing gold (you have to read it for yourself, it’s clever!), but there are still surprises to be discovered! Hope makes an important announcement to Doug, which has been hinted at throughout the book but comes off as a surprise in the end, really. I’m not used to seeing such big announcements at the end, they usually come about 3/4 of a novel or so.
But what about the characters? Well, I thought they were all an interesting bunch of -sometimes- conflicting points of views and motives. As for Hope herself, she underwent great character development. In my opinion, it was impressively well done. I thought she was very flawed from the get-go, which is rare in fiction for characters tend to be flawed but not enough, but I felt I walked beside her on her personal and professional quest. I had a blast learning about her world, her opinions and desires, and get an inside view at Silicon Valley! So many thrilling events took place in the story, and twists and turns and problems kept occurring—this made me very happy as it kept the reading experience fresh. It was one bad thing over the other, and kept me guessing about what would happen next.
As for the writing, I found I really enjoyed it. It is funny, sincere, true to real life (with exemples such as “matinees” at the cinema and the famous “WTF”). The author doesn’t back down from technological terminology and real life expressions and realities, which makes the story feel more grounded, more tangible, closer to us readers. Her vocabulary is both rich and familiar, which makes for an intriguing and odd combination. But it’s pleasant to read.
The Negative Sides
Well, this might come as a surprise, but the vocabulary itself made it both hard and pleasant to read. Let me explain: I said above that the vocabulary is rich and familiar at the same time, but that’s exactly what clashes in my mind as I read. I’m expecting familiar but I get rich vocabulary… Then, if I expect rich, I get familiar. It’s as though the combination of those two is odd and takes a while to become easy to read. It was still interesting and pleasant, but harder to read.
Lastly, what really bugged me was the adulterous relationship with Doug… this definitely didn’t please me. I despise those from being a child from a family broken by an adulterous relationship. I always try to avoid such reads because, I guess, it’s a trigger for me, or just something I really can’t stand either way (it’s not in my values). It wasn’t badly written, mind you, it’s just it’s not my cup of tea. However, I liked how it ended. It was responsible and mature both from Hope and Doug.
In Conclusion
Overall, this story is surprising, immersive, and friendly (I mean, I felt like I was Hope’s friend, going on her personal and professional development withher). Despite the vocabulary that makes it not confusing but harder to read, I enjoyed this inside look at a startup in Silicon Valley a great deal! I didn’t want to close the book and I found myself wondering about the characters and their situations even when I wasn’t reading. I call that a win! So, for all these reasons, I give Extreme by Joan Gelfand a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. I recommend this book to fans of contemporary fiction and those interested in everything technology. Also, as an upside, I’m not one for contemporary reads, but this one stood out. Another win!
If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit her Web site, you can also follow her on Twitter and Goodreads. You can also add Extreme to your bookshelves on Goodreads and visit the Extreme the book Web site.
Tavern: A Book Review
By Deston J. Munden
Genre: Epic fantasy, high fantasy, fantasy, swords and sorcery, adventure
Pages: 447
ISBN: 9781795562584
ASIN: B07PWTR89Q
Format: Paperback, Ebook (Kindle)
Publication date: March 2019
Publisher: Self-published
Type: Book, Novel, First in a series
*I received a free ecopy in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to BookTasters and Deston J. Munden!*
Introduction:
I was kindly offered by BookTasters to review one of the books they had, and Tavern’s blurb stood out to me. It sounded so fantasy-like and magical… How could I resist? So, here I am, reviewing it with pleasure!
I hope many of you will find this read to their liking as I did.
Shall we go on a quest together and explore this book in more details?
Come, dear reader…
Blurb:
Information, Power. Respect.
Xelnath of the Gnarled Root—a tavern owner, information broker, healer, and guildmaster of the Blackwind Company—has found a place, far better than the forest from which he came in the magical metropolis and city-state of Lladad in the Magiian Empire.
When a simple act of kindness draws the ire of a troubled assassin, his love-stricken Archmage father and an army of magically constructed golems, Xel must scheme with vipers of the high court, mingle with royalty at the castle, blackmail drug dealers in the slums, and fight assassins and mercenaries in the streets.
He needs to lean on the support of his motley crew of a dark elf assassin, a dragon pirate, a high elf royal, and a talking dog artificer to keep him from his own inner demons and doubts.
The Positive Sides:
For starters, may I say this lad writes excellent descriptions of fights and action scenes? Because it’s true. They were so engrossing and immersive! Moreover, the whole reading experience was amusing and thrilling (despite the first confusing chapter, though). The quest Xelnath embarks on is fun and so are the other, smaller adventures in his path.
Another magnificent point is how really exotic the story and settings are! There is an orc for a main character, as well as other creatures and tribes. And magic! Did I talk about this one yet? Nope. Here goes: I love the nature-based magic system found in Tavern. All this variety gives me the feeling I am reading The Witcher, which is amazing as I love this series. (I’m even reading it in Polish! Yup, that’s a polyglot for you.)
I loved being on this reading adventure with Xelnath the orc and his motley crew. It reminded me of why I enjoy High and Epic fantasy (I’ve been falling out of touch with it lately, but now I want to resume The Witcher books—still in Polish—and go back to Lord of the Rings). I call this a win by this book and author!
The Negative Sides:
However, I found that the text was sometimes too telling and not showing enough—it was rather straightforward in multiple occasions, but I’m not sure whether it’s a fault or the author’s intention. Hmmm… Also, the first chapter was confusing as h.
It took me a while to get used to the whole situation, the world, and the orc main character! Everything was too vague, and while I understand the strategy to keep his MC’s nature a mystery at the beginning, it doesn’t help the confusion. I had a hard time immersing myself or believing the story at first. But then after the first chapter, I had a blast reading!
In Conclusion:
What can I say? It rekindled my flame for this genre. I’ve had a blast (except that damn first chapter) and I can’t wait to read the next one in this series! I will definitely follow this series and author (already doing so on his Amazon Author’s page, yup). All in all, I give Tavern by Deston J. Munden a rating of 4 stars out of 5! If you enjoy high or epic fantasy, a big and varied cast of characters, and an intricate story with amusing parts, this is the read for you!
If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit his Web site, you can also follow him on Goodreads and Twitter. You can also add Tavern to your bookshelves on Goodreads and LibraryThing.
Ad Librum Aeternam 