Liz Schulte's Bat Country

Supernaturally Yours

2012-02-06T21:17:00.006-06:00

What’s better than a hot demon on television or in a movie? 10 delightfully naughty demons right here is Bat Country. Yep, that’s right. Just because I love you guys I scoured the nine circles of the pop culture to find you the hottest of the hot—Dante would be proud.

Demons have been around for as long as people have been afraid of the dark. In most cultures demons are considered unclean spirits that can take over your body and not in a good way. Many demons in literature are fallen angels (who doesn’t like a bad boy *waggles eyebrows*). Some demons are portrayed as scary and vile (possibly fair), but you won’t find them here.

Nope today is all about temptation. So here are my

TOP TEN DEBONAIR DEVILS

1. The Collector- Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight - Oh Billy Zane. No man has looked so appealing without hair since Yul Brenner. This demon is mean, evil (that’s a given, and a little funny. Temptation is definitely in his bag of tricks, but saying I love you is a little out of his league.

2. Balthazar- Constantine - Gavin Rossdale might be a rock star in real life, but in 2005 he was the demon Balthazar who goes up against Keanu Reeves in Constantine. He is British, he flips a coin on his fingers like Doc Holiday in Tombstone, and he looks really good in a suit. Not a bad catch if you can get past the killing good guys thing.

3. Balthazar aka Cole Turner- Charmed. Julian McMahon was the demon sent by the triad to kill the Charmed ones. Like all who came before him, he fails time and time again, but the Charmed ones don’t vanquish him instead Phoebe dates him and who could blame her. It isn’t all smooth sailing on his reform to good, but he tries really hard and looks good doing it.

4. Lucifer- The Prophecy- Viggo Mortensen plays one of my favorite devils in this. He is creepy, oddly attractive and the king of the underworld. When Gabriel get a little rebellious who better to stop him than the father of rebellion?

5. Azrael- Dogma- Jason Lee is a demon who is tired of being a demon in one of my favorite Kevin Smith films. He manipulates two of the possibly dumbest earth bound angels into nearly destroying the world. He is funny, fights dirty, and has cute little horns.

6. Crowley- Supernatural- On a show where there is this much hotness (Hello, Dean and Sam) it is easy to overlook the other cuties. Mark Sheppard plays Crowley, the former crossroads demon and current king of hell, who may manipulate and always work his own agenda, but he is mostly the lesser of many, many evils. He is snarky and sort of just awesome.

7. Lucifer- Supernatural- Lucifer tortures Sam, and he tries to destroy the world. But Mark Pellegrino nails this role as the misanthropic former angel. When he tells his side of things, it makes you actually feel bad for him. Quite the feat considering he had been picking on the brother’s Winchester all season.

8. ZanKou- Charmed- Oded Fehr played this reoccurring demon on charmed before he was in the Mummy or Resident Evil. He is a very powerful demon who sets his sights on the charmed one, but they manage not to date this hottie. Too bad.

9. Brendan Rowe- Charmed- Michael Weatherly wasn’t always Tony DiNozzo. He was also one of three demon brothers who were destined to be the evil equivalent of the charmed ones only Brendan is a hold out. This demon has extra depth in that he is renouncing his evil side and taking order as a priest. I like to root for the underdog.

10. John Milton- The Devil’s Advocate. Al Pacino. Really do I need to say anything else? A-mazing. And with a name like John Milton and a personality as big as his how could you not love him just a little.

Now I am not the only one who if bringing you supernatural hotties today. A lot of my friends also have posts from vampires to angels to elves and fae. Follow the links and keep enjoying the fun!
Cait Lavender's Werewolves
Elizabeth Sharp's Vampires
M.d. Christie's Ghosts
C.G. Powells's Elves
Sarah Ross' Angels
Stephanie Nelson's Witches
Melanie Ainsworth's Fae
Tiffany White's Warlocks

Supernaturally Yours,

Liz

P.S. Michael Fassbender who played the fallen angel Azarael in Hex completely deserved to be on this post and possibly number one. Thank you, Lena, for reminding me.

Woman in Black Review

2012-02-04T20:31:00.005-06:00

The Woman in Black is the new scary movie out this weekend. It is set in a remote village in England. A young lawyer, Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), is sent to go through the papers in Eel Marsh when the firm’s client Mrs. Drablow passes away. As soon as Kipps arrives, the town is creepy and unfriendly. They will not give him the room his company arranged and at every turn someone is trying to make him go home. However, Kipps has financial problems and is already in bad standing with his firm, so he has no choice but to complete the job. When Kipps finally gets to the house, the haunting reveals itself almost immediately. The movie continues on with wonderful thrills right up to the very end.

The movie is a wonderful, creepy ghost story. Radcliffe does an excellent job playing the troubled Mr. Kipp. I only made a couple Harry Potter jokes while watching the movie. Mostly, I was so taken in by the story I didn’t even think about his most prominent role. In a time for horror movies when the majority of scares are driven by gore and over the top graphics, this was a refreshing ghost story that toys with your mind and sends chills down your spine.

By the way, there are tons of creepy ass dolls in the movie. Really creepy dolls.

My rating is

Blood Awakening by Wenona Hulsey #FREE today and tomorrow

2012-02-02T09:50:00.001-06:00

For a limited time Blood Awakening will be FREE on Amazon. This is the novelette that stared the Blood Burden (Nicole Keenan) series that everyone is talking about so grab it before this free offer is gone.

What are people saying about Blood Awakening?

"An awesome beginning to the series!" -Imaloud

"A Surefire winner by an author to watch!!" -Hotmaja54

"So, do I recommend this story? Darn right, I do!!" -JenniferS

Overview:

Evil starts the clock ticking, leaving Nicole's life changed forever....

Hidden powers, ancient grudges, romance and action that will leave you begging for more....

Now go grab your copy at Amazon

Mad Monday

2012-01-29T22:26:00.000-06:00

Authors can get inspiration from anything. A conversation they overhear while walking down the street or sitting in a cafe, a poem, a story someone tells, or a painting. Though all my writing isn't scary I have always liked scary the most. It captures my mind and threatens to run away with me.

As I was struggling to come up with something to blog about today I felt the urge to blog about art. I started searching for paintings I know and love, but then I had a better idea. What about creepy paintings. Surely there is some sort of strange internet message board where people post creepy paintings. I was not disappointed. Several of them were silly, some overtly gory, but some were goosebump worthy. Here are my favorites I found.

This kid is totally going to push someone down the stairs

I don't know if you can see them well but all the creepy little hands in the window behind them. Yikes!

This is one of those optical illusion pictures. There is a lady standing and a sinister man. I personally mostly just see the man.

I saw this and immediately thought Silent Hill.

I actually really like this one. I like the misty-ness of it.

That big panda is staring at me. Eeek

Don't poke the dead girl with a stick little boy

Happy Monday!

#GetLoaded Final Stop and #Giveaway

2012-01-27T05:00:00.006-06:00

Welcome to #GetLoaded. This is the final stop on the tour. You should have come here from Sherry Roberts’ blog. Be sure to check the IBC blog in case you missed any stops and to gather today's Scavenger Hunt Clues.

Now that that’s out of the way it’s time to get locked and loaded

What is this madness? What does it mean? Well, I’m glad you asked. It means you can get lots of free ebooks, enter to win *amazing* prize packs and an AWESOME grand prize.

As you are prowling the savannah of the internet hunting up clues, you may stumble upon Neiko’s Five Land Adventure, grab it quick but don’t get lost in this amazing fantasy just yet there’s a lot more to come. Your journey doesn’t have to start Anew when the Archer brothers are available to help you along the way. But the streets may be calling to you with A Hustler’s Promise. Or perhaps you are looking for a Book ofMercy with quirky and fun characters to share your day.

Here you will discover Secrets of the paranormal and life-altering kind. Olivia Martin was just a normal girl with a normal life. She had her family and her best friend, Juliet, and a promising career. Everything was perfect until she met a man. A man she couldn’t figure out or explain why she felt connected to him. Piece by piece her life falls apart as she is gets closer to a world she would have never believed existed. Secrets is a book about love, heart break, friendships, and the truth we keep hidden from the world—and sometimes even ourselves.

To get a copy of Secrets all you have to do is leave a comment with your name and email address.

But wait, there’s more!

In the book Olivia and her best friend, Juliet, stay in for a girls’ movie night and what 80’s classics. Dreams also play a prevalent role in Olivia’s life. Therefore, I bring you,

The Secrets Girls Night In gift basket.

Included:

*Breakfast Club dvd

*Say Anything dvd

*A dream journal

*Signed copy of Secrets

*Assorted Lindt Truffles

*Ghirardelli Dark chocolate and sea-salted caramel

*Kettle Corn

*Secrets/Dark Corners bookmark

To win this gift basket leave a comment (with your name and email address) on my wonderful and delightful sponsor’s blog, E-Readingon the Cheap. After you leave your comment (with email address!!) head over to the IBC blog and follow their clues for your very own adventure and chance to win a KINDLE!

For those of you who already have a Kindle, my first book, Dark Corners, is available for today only for free on Amazon.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I would love to hear from you!

Choices and more

2012-01-24T20:16:00.000-06:00

Hello!

I have lots of news today. I have been extra busy and you will reap the benefits.

First, Book 2 of the Guardian Trilogy is well on its way to publication. Soon, my friends, soon.

Hearts break. Loved ones are lost. Life keeps moving.

Olivia Martin’s afterlife was more dangerous and confusing than her life ever was. She thought she was ready to come back, to forget about Holden and to let go of the rage consuming her. Fulfilling her destiny as a guardian was all that mattered—the past could stay hidden in the crevices of her mind. However, when guardians are murdered and the evidence points towards jinn, she has to do something. To save anyone’s future, Olivia will have to confront the one person from her past she is terrified to see.

Holden waited for Olivia with the hope he would see her one more time. But when she didn’t return, he found salvation in darkness. The black and twisted road made it easier to forget what he lost than to live with the memory of what he had. An unexpected promotion shoves him into a world of intoxicating power and influence. Holden will have to choose between his new life and the woman he thought was gone forever.

From the ashes of Secrets, Choices are born that will change everything.

Second, I am also working on a short story that will be released in February or March in a paranormal romance anthology called Cupid Painted Blind. Get ready for some paranormal hotties.

My story is Sweet Little Lies.

Children are disappearing from the Abyss and vampires are being blamed. Femi, a bounty hunter, is approached by an alluring vampire named Thomas who wants to hire her to find Abby, a missing child. Everyone knows vampires lie, manipulate, and want only one thing from non-vampires, but Femi cannot walk away from this case. Between her desire to find the missing children and his magnetic pull, she will solve the case or die trying.

Check out other contributing authors story synopses: Stephanie Nelson and Olivia Hardin

Third, the final piece of news is a big one! I am participating in the #GetLoaded Blog Tour de Force this week. What does that mean to you? Only that you can get 5 free e-books by just commenting on the hosting blog of the day.

Follow the tour from the Indie Book Collective and even enter for a chance to win a #Kindle!!

On Friday commenting here will get you a free copy of Secrets, Book One Guardian Trilogy and for my Kindle using friends Dark Corners will also be free!

Plus, I will be giving away an extra special Girls Night In prize pack!!!!

Magical Monday

2012-01-22T23:54:00.001-06:00

There was a time when people believed certain stones held certain powers for protection, luck, or health. They thought these stones could help harness the power of the universe and focus it onto a particular task. This notion has always intrigued me. Maybe it is the nerdy 8 year old inside of me who loved her rock tumbler she got for her birthday and perused the pretty polished rocks in stores, but I like the idea that a particular person may be attracted to a particular stone.

During my research for Easy Bake Coven, I looked into the meanings/benefits of many different stones. Today I want to share with you the qualities behind our birthstones.

January- Garnet- The protection gem for travelers and is a symbol of love and desire.
February- Amethyst- Protection against intoxication and a stabilizing force to overcome addictive behaviors.
March- Aquamarine- Protection against dangers at sea and reverse poisonings. Also was once believe that when immersed in water, the water would heal heart, liver, stomach, mouth, and throat sicknesses.
April- Diamond- Heal illnesses
May- Emerald- Brings wisdom, growth, and patience. Also associated with youth, rebirth and fertility.
June- Moonstone- Spiritual understanding, health and longevity. Also believed by some to make a person invisible. *Pearl is the typical June stone, but there wasn't any particular attribution for it*
July- Ruby- Protection against evil and possessing its own magical powers to detect when the wearer is in danger (grows darker to warn of danger and returns to normal when danger has passed)
August- Peridot- Used to connect with nature
September- Blue Sapphire- Protection against envy and poisoning. Thought to bestow the wearer with wisdom and clarity. When ground into a powder thought to cure colic,rheumatism and mental illness, and to strengthen eyesight.
October- Opal- Ward off evil and nightmares. Protect eyesight and contains healing properties.
November- Topaz- Strengthens one's ability to give and receive love. Also a symbol of friendship.
December- Blue Topaz- Soothe bad tempers. Thought to make the wearer invisible in threatening situations, cure insanity, asthma, and insomnia. And believed to have cooling properties.

There is probably very little truth to any of this, but sometimes it is nice to believe in a little magic.

My Obsession is Justified

2012-01-12T22:17:00.001-06:00

Four more days until the FX show Justified restarts! I have missed Raylan, Boyd, Harlan and all the crazy people who reside there. If you have seen the show watch it immediately. It is full of action, drama, crazy country people, and hotness.

Today's post is, however, devoted to my good friend Katrina. While we both love Raylan (what's not to love),

we have another love on the show. Boyd Crowder's hair. Yep that's right. This love is one of a wild and crazy variety. It confuses us as well as makes just a little jealous and want to buy some aquanet.

The rebel hair

The pensive hair

Even Raylan is confused by how mesmerized he is by the hair.

Crazy hair!

2012 Cheap #EBook #Reading

2012-01-09T11:42:00.002-06:00

A friend of mine who just got a #Kindle asked me for a list of my books and books of my writer friends or books I would recommend. I thought I would share this with everyone and perhaps make it a semi-regular segment. All the books are $2.99 or less and are by independent authors.

Who knows, you might find your new favorite author!

Liz Schulte (Mystery and Urban Fantasy)-

Dark Corners- Ella Reynolds knew from the first moment she walked into the old house someone or something was watching her. Waiting. Her husband's violent murder sent her spiraling into a world of grief and isolation, but Ella isn't alone. Who or what is responsible for her husband's death is still with her. Darkness has engulfed the past year of Ella's life. Everyday reality slips a little more between her fingers as she struggles to break free from her memories. She must look deeper into her past as well as the present to discover truth of her husband's homicide. A string of uncanny events takes place and practical explanations run thin as Ella follows the terrifying road to closure. As the past and present come to a head, Ella must decipher who or what the murderer is before it takes her as well.
Amazon

Secrets- (Book 1- Guardian Trilogy) While Olivia Martin observed life through her camera, the abyss gazed back at her. She discovers mysterious men follow her around, people close to her are dying, and her dreams are no longer her own as she falls head over heels for a perfect stranger. A chance encounter leads to an obsession that could destroy everything she has ever known or loved. Olivia is about to find out there is a lot she doesn't know and sometimes what you don't know can kill you.
Amazon

Elizabeth Sharp (YA Urban Fantasy)-

Natural Selection- What do you do when you find out your family isn't your family, death is knocking at your door, and that guy you can't stop thinking about knows more about who you are than you do?
Amelia Hoffman was just a normal 15 year old until she found out the truth. Now ancient myths, supernatural beings, and murder have changed everything. Tests and school dances are no longer the biggest worry in her life-- she has to figure out how to save everyone she loves and accept the future in front of her before it’s too late.
Amazon

Second Nature- Amelia Hoffman always knew she would be with Nathaniel Peplow forever, but after they bonded everything started to go wrong. Nate treats her like the enemy, her siblings are in danger, and an old threat grows closer. As Nate pulls away and Amelia’s burgeoning friendship with a handsome stranger blossoms, she worries she made the biggest mistake of her life. If sorting out her love life wasn’t enough, a new drug emerges that not only threatens the ones she loves, but seems to be part of something larger than she could ever imagine. Amelia’s new and old friends must work together to not only save themselves, but the whole world.
Amazon

C.G Powell (Paranormal Romance/Science Fiction)

Spell Checked- Broken relationships were a constant in Mae’s life, causing her to swear off men forever. Unwittingly lured to Ireland, Mae finds herself knee-deep in a hidden world she never knew existed and head over heels for the very man that tricked her to coming there. His deception is complicated by his own feelings for the one person that holds the key to merging the ancient races that once ruled the ancient word.
Mae finds herself in an underground world of witches, and vampires, which are half-breeds of aliens long gone. She learns about her own unique parentage and powers, which she must study in order to control, before they consume her.
Beck and Helen’s love for one another spans across a millennium, her human soul reincarnated to match Beck’s own immortality. This time however the body she occupies is of a being that cannot be eclipsed by her return. After waiting two hundred years, Beck finds himself tormented by Helen’s inability to return and his growing love for her new host.
Some of the underworld creatures welcome her with open arms as a savior, while others seek to destroy the abomination they believe her to be. Will the knowledge of her existence cause a race war when the true power of her blood is discovered? Or will love become her ultimate downfall?
Amazon

Stephanie Nelson (Paranormal Romance)

Craved- Gwen Sparks just wants to live a peaceful life in the supernatural town of Flora, but from the moment she read about the first murdered witch, all hope of peace was abandoned. Possessing the rare ability to read the memories of dead, she volunteers to help catch the culprit behind the string of drained witches. Gwen has to team up with the one man who broke her heart, deal with a ghost who pulls her into the deathly realm at will, and a fight off the advances of sexy but frustrating vampire who not only craves what runs through her veins—he wants her heart.
Amazon

Deceived- The vampire drug, brew, nearly ruined Gwen Sparks’ life. Just when things started to get back to normal between her and Aiden, she is summoned by the North American Witches Council to their central city of Moon. A war is imminent between vampires and witches, and Gwen’s experiences with brew are being used to fuel the fire. She is about to discover just how powerful she is with the help of the ruggedly handsome Angel of Death and just how far some people will go to get what they want. Gwen is going to learn exactly what it means to be Deceived.
Amazon

Olivia Hardin (Paranormal Romance)

Witch Way Bends- Devan Stowe has only one thing on her mind when she teams up with Kent Crosby and his gang—putting an end to her father’s child trafficking business. Her determination takes her on a journey to discover her true strength and the… one man she was destined to love. In his arms, she’ll learn the meaning of trust, honor, and courage. Devan will unlock an amazing gift that will free her from her past and open up a future full of magic, faeries and more things than she ever imagined possible.
Amazon

Nicole Chase (YA Paranormal Romance)

Mortal Obligation- Ree will face the darkest form of betrayal before the year is out.

Seventeen year old Ree McKenna has three goals: get through high school, convince her crush she is more than his best friend’s little sister, and save money for college. Fate, though, has other plans for her. After the untimely death of her older brother, Ree is haunted by dreadful nightmares and terrifying visions. To make matters worse, Ree has started to suspect that something dangerous is stalking her from the shadows.

A night full of frightening surprises leaves Ree with unsettling news. Gifted by the gods with unusual powers, she must devote herself to a battle that could very well lead to not only her death, but the demise of everyone she knows and loves. After all, Ree is the only mortal standing between the Earth and utter darkness.

Set in Savannah, Ga, Mortal Obligation is the first book of The Dark Betrayal Trilogy.
Amazon

Mortal Defiance- One short week turned Ree McKenna’s life upside down. Not only does she have the weight of the world on her shoulders, but she still has to juggle homework, a job, and a curfew. While Ree tries to find her footing amidst the chaos, the Dark Ones and their champion are busy hunting down any humans that have a touch of the gods running through their veins. Allies have turned into foes, and enemies have become stronger.

The world is growing darker, but the passion between Ree and two irresistible guys blazes hotter. Romantic ties from a past life will threaten to break Ree away from the love of her life and will cloud her judgment. In order to follow her heart, Ree will break rules put in place by the gods, risking her life and the lives of her friends in an act of Mortal Defiance.

Mortal Defiance is book two of the Dark Betrayal Trilogy.
Amazon

J.A. Titus (Drama)
Kindness of Strangers- What happens when a child’s innocence & trust gets taken away by someone they love? After years of abuse, Sydney Venery finally escapes. With no one else offering to help around her, she accepts the assistance from a kind stranger by the name of Irene. After a frightening attack it is another stranger that comes to her rescue; Ian, who charges in to save her like a knight in shining armor. With the help of Ian & Irene, Sydney slowly begins the healing process & moves forward with her life; raising her child, attending school & accepting that what has happened to her isn’t her fault. Learning to love & trust again isn’t easy, but it is with The Kindness of Strangers that she learns to get by.
Amazon

Deceived by Stephanie Nelson

2012-01-03T19:01:00.001-06:00

Book 2 of the Gwen Sparks series has been released and it is a doozy! If you like a little steamy PNR do yourself a favor and read both of these fantastic books. Stephanie was nice enough to stop by today with a little excerpt for you.

Blurb: Gwen’s life has been a downward spiral since she discovered vampires crave witches blood. She’s summoned to Moon, the town of witches, where she learns that a war is brewing and she’s the secret weapon. Paired with the Angel of Death, it becomes quickly evident that she’s more powerful than she ever realized. But this reaper isn't the robe wearing, scythe carrying kind – he’s a ruggedly handsome handful that has his eye on Gwen. As if that isn’t enough, she’s still tormented by Ian Desperaux’s constant intrusion into her thoughts and dreams. As Gwen struggles to balance her responsibility to the witches’ council and her secret relationship with her vampire boyfriend, Aiden, she’ll soon discover exactly what it means to be Deceived.

He regarded me with a look I’d seen a few other times, an expression I tried to ignore, but at the moment, I couldn’t look away from. I was a woman who noticed attractive men, but I would never act on those feelings. I loved Aiden as sure as the night is long. But Dorian stirred something deep inside of me, and we connected on a level I hadn’t with Aiden. It wasn’t easy to ignore something that profound, especially when it was staring at me like I was the sexiest girl in the world.

Dorian took a step forward. His arms hung limp, but I could tell he was nervous about what was happening between us. The tightness in his jaw and triceps betrayed the cool confidence he was trying to portray. An inch of icy air separated us. I lifted my eyes to his, and we stared at each other. No words were needed; our body language spoke for us. Dorian brought his arm up and with the back of his hand caressed the side of my face with more gentleness than I imagined. My eyes closed against the feel of it. A shuffle of feet enticed my eyes open just in time to see Dorian bending forward and toward my eager lips.

You can stalk Stephanie on Facebook, and have access to updates on her upcoming books!

www.stephanie-nelson.com

Second Nature Release

2011-12-30T07:00:00.000-06:00

My good friend Elizabeth Sharp is releasing her second book, Second Nature, today. If you haven't read Natural Selection, a YA urban fantasy, I suggest you pick up both! It is such an amazing and creative series. Without further adieu I give you Second Nature and your clue for the scavenger hunt!

Amelia Hoffman always knew she would be with Nathaniel Peplow forever, but after they bonded everything started to go wrong. Nate treats her like the enemy, her siblings are in danger, and an old threat grows closer. As Nate pulls away and Amelia’s burgeoning friendship with a handsome stranger blossoms, she worries she made the biggest mistake of her life. If sorting out her love life wasn’t enough, a new drug emerges that not only threatens the ones she loves, but seems to be part of something larger than she could ever imagine. Amelia’s new and old friends must work together to not only save themselves, but the whole world.

CLUE:
I’m the only son in the Hoffman family. My flaming blue eyes give away my emotions, even more than my not-a-poker-face. Being half demon and half human, I don’t tolerate people messing with my family, especially my sisters Sariah and Amelia. My guilty pleasure is singing along with some classic rock when no one is around. My favorite song is “Heat of the Moment” by Asia, because of my reactive personality.

Next Stop- Stephanie's blog

My Newest Obsession: Damages

2011-12-29T21:37:00.000-06:00

I love Netflix. I especially love the instant program because I can watch television show in the most obsessive back to back to back way possible. On Christmas Day (my family celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve) I started watching the FX show Damages. I was leery about the show. I had seen it advertised and was so sick of lawyer shows it didn't even look appealing. However, it did have one big selling factor.

Now Mr. Olyphant is only in the second season, but the show is entirely worth watching. Much to my surprise I am completely drawn in, in fact, I am typing this as I am watching the ending of season three practically on the edge of my seat. I love all the characters. Everyone is corrupt in their own way. The lawyers actually dress like lawyers, no micro-minis or low cut tops. The seasons are filled with so many twists and turns you are constantly guessing at what is actually happening and who is lying to whom because in the end everyone lies and has their own agenda.

I am so excited to get to use my new rating system for the first time. Since we are in Bat Country 5 Bats is the best and 1 lonely bat is the worst.

2 More Days Until a New Year

2011-12-29T19:21:00.000-06:00

Over the holidays I have been on a bit of a blogging hiatus. The good news is I have sent book 2 of the Guardian Trilogy, Choices, to the editor. Woohoo!

I have developed an addiction to Pinterest.

Discovered my new favorite recipe, Roasted Garbanzo Beans with Cajun seasoning, It is super easy to make. Take a can of garbanzo beans drain, rinse, and pat dry. Spread on baking sheet and drizzle with about a tablespoon of olive oil then bake at 400 for 30-40 minutes. Sprinkle with Cajun or any seasoning you want and enjoy. They are completely addictive, you've been warned.

My picture came out weird, but here it is.

And here is the one from steamykitchen.com where I got the recipe

What are your plans for the new year?

Christmas Clone

2011-12-21T12:34:00.000-06:00

I don’t want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need

I don’t have time to wrap the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I don’t have time to hang my stocking

There upon the fireplace

Cookies, pies and cake

I have managed to make

Along with list after list

That I send to Saint Nick

But he hasn’t finished a single task

And I’ve taken to the flask

Oh I’m not asking for much

Just some extra time in a crunch

And I’m just gonna keep on waiting

While my nerves are grating

What more can I do?

Sometimes it is like I live in a zoo.

I just want a clone of my own

More than you could ever know

My fingers are worked to the bone

Please just give me a clone

I don’t need a flying car

Or unlimited credit at the bar

If this Christmas I get a clone to call own

Holy Back Pain, Batman!

2011-12-17T17:16:00.001-06:00

Two weeks ago I woke up with my back hurting. It hurt pretty bad, but I figured it would go away in a day or two. Now two weeks later and several chiropractor, doctor, and physical therapy visits later I am still nursing a twingy back. Everyone keeps asking, what did you do to it? And that seems like a fair question, but it is one I cannot answer. I went to bed fine and woke up with a pinched nerve. I have no idea how it happened. None, zip, zero, zilch, nada, nothing.

I was complaining about this to my physical therapist yesterday that I couldn't give people a proper excuse for my back pain which makes me feel like a hack. I mean I should know how I hurt myself when it has kicked my butt for two weeks. He told me the worst time he ever hurt his back was when he sneezed in the shower, so he sympathized with the not having a good story to relay to the concerned acquaintances. So he suggested I make up a good story. It sounds like a reasonable course of action so I am making up two so I can put it up for a vote.

First- I was driving home Friday after a night thwarting zombie chaos and madness. When a group of walkers stumbled out in front of my car. I didn't run them over (as someone in the movies would do) because I am no dummy. I know that running over five zombies would 1. injure my car, 2. Not actually kill the zombies unless I was lucky, and 3. Be hell to clean off my car. So instead I slammed on my breaks just missing them and freezing their red, milky eyes in my head lights. I calmly and collectedly pulled my baseball bat from the car and went to take care of business (I have a world to save after all). The first three went down easy, but the last two were runners. They took off across the field in a mixture of bum legs and war cries as they gnashed their rotten teeth over their shoulders at me as I hunted them down. Well, I got the one with the bum leg first and took care of him, but the other one gained some distance on me. So I had to take off running and do a flying leap at the zombie, crashing into it and the ground. Immediately pain spiked through my back and all my muscles screamed in pain, but I gritted my teeth and took out the last zombie with repeated elbow blows to the skull. Then I crawled back to my car and went home to nurse my ailing back knowing I had just save the world for a few weeks longer.

Second- It was a cold and blustery night, the sort where the wind chill makes every muscle in your body pull in on itself in an effort to stay warm. I was leaving a friend's house after a night of Jane Eyre and Zombie Zach children's book creating when this weirdly hot, stalkerish fellow steps out from behind my car. His piercing nearly black eyes seem to look right through to my soul as he watches me approach with a knowing smirk on his handsome face.

"I've been waiting for you," he says all confidence and ego.

I felt my cheeks warm despite the cold night, "I bet you have, but it's a no go. Emo is so last year."

"Wait, what? I'm not emo."

"Tight t-shirt. check. Morose attitude, check. Pointy teeth and hints of body glitter, check, check."

"I do not wear body glitter." His seemingly genuine abhorrence of body glitter gave me a moment's pause. Perhaps he wasn't an emo vampire after all. Maybe this one was different.

"Are the teeth real?"

"Come find out."

"Tempting, but you might glitter me and it is hell to get out of fabric. I would find glitter in my sweater for the next year to come."

"I don't wear body glitter. I'm just pale and the moon light makes my skin look like this." He stomped his foot flashing hints of fang my way.

"Whatever, Liberace."

"Damn Twilight," he grumbled as sulked off down the street.

I began to feel bad I hurt his feelings and he might go cry himself to sleep in this coffin so I took off after him. "Wait, wait. I'm sorry. You may not have body glitter on."

"Too late." He waved me away, obviously not ready to forgive the implication he was anything other than a normal vampire who just wanted a tasty snack.

I grabbed his arm, and he turned around black eyes glistening. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Buck up, champ."

His arm curled around my waist and his fangs lengthened. He moved in closer and I glanced at my hand I grabbed him with, sure enough glitter. I started to laugh hysterically lurching my back while he threw up his hands in disgust. "I get no respect." He stomped off as I continued to laugh, gasping for air and muscles straining in pain and cold. I hobbled back to my car, amused and glittery.

You Have the Right to Remain Dreamy.

2011-12-12T19:18:00.000-06:00

Hello, friends! Today I am trying something different. I am pairing up with the cowgirl, paranormal author Cait Lavender two bring you the Top Ten Hottest TV Men With Badges! But at the same time our friends and authors Elizabeth Sharp and Tiffany White are bringing you the Top Ten TV Usual Suspects for our own special brand of Christmas cheer. So gather up the mistletoe and check out these fictional handcuff wielding, boys in blue.
Top 10 Hottest TV Men With Badges and the Top Five Yummy Usual Suspects:

1. Marshall Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant- Justified). Like there was ever a doubt he would be number one on my list. That face, that stare, that gun, that slow, sultry twang, oh my! *fans self*

2.Sheriff Carter (Colin Ferguson- Eureka). This is my shout out to the sweet, family guy. He is honest, genuinely nice, and isn't shoot first ask questions later (I know, not at all my type, but I adore him anyway).

3. Interim Sheriff Nathan Wuornos (Lucas Bryant- Haven). He is quirky, loves pancakes, wonderfully serious, and cannot feel a thing. But Nathan Wuornos has a way of giving his partner, Audrey, the most heart melting, endearing looks I have ever seen.

4. Deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln- Walking Dead). Rick proves that just because its the end of the world doesn't mean you cannot still be a nice, stand-up sort of guy. Some of his decisions might be questionable, but no one can deny his heart is always in the right place.

5. Special Agent Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore, Criminal Minds). Derek is by far the prettiest of all the criminal profilers to ever grace the BAU, but don't let that fool you, the Morgan tackle is just one running bad guy away at any moment. He is hot, serious about what he does, and completely in need of a fictional TV girl friend.

Gah! Five is too few. No sooner do I finish this list then more pop into my head (The guy from the Glades!). Did I miss your favorites? Please share in the comments then pop over to Cait's page to see her top five men with badges or if you are more into the criminal element stop by authors Elizabeth Sharp and Tiffany White's pages to see their line up of the criminally misunderstood.

Christmas in TV land (top five holiday episodes)

2011-12-06T15:58:00.001-06:00

I may be weird (that is probable), I might be the only one (doubtful), but I absolutely love holiday episodes of TV shows. I don’t care what the holiday is, I love episodes that allow for my favorite characters to get into the season of things. I am a sucker for a heart-warming or side-splitting hour (or half hour) of seasonal fun in the fictional worlds I love so much.

Tonight, there are two episodes on. First, Eureka (I am so bummed Eureka was cancelled). Eureka already has one of my favorite holidays episodes (more on that to come) so I am anxious to see if Sheriff Carter and the gaggle of accident prone geniuses can top the last holiday snafu. The second show I will be watching is Haven. I love Haven and the quirky town that is troubled. I can’t wait for their take on Christmas though I am curious how they will work around the cliffhanger we were left on at the end of the summer season. (Warehouse 13 also has a holiday episode tonight, but I haven’t watched that show yet, however it is in my Netflix queue).

In honor of tonight’s TV excitement and the merriment of the season I bring you my…

Top Five Holiday Episodes

1. A Very Supernatural Christmas, Supernatural- This was a season three treat that just so happens to be my favorite Supernatural episode ever (and that is saying something). If you have seen the show, Supernatural, you know it isn’t really a Christmas celebrating type show. The brothers Winchester have dark, sad lives that don’t really have time for holidays. But this Christmas episode is pure creative genius! Not only is it everything I love about the show (sick, twisted, bloody, funny, and dramatic), but it also give so much background on Sam and Dean’s life that they become even more likable and heart breaking. People are being taken from their homes and up through the chimney by a man dressed in a red suit. It is up to Sam and Dean to figure out what MotW (monster of the week) is killing people while swimming through their own emotional baggage. (This is Dean’s last Christmas so he wants to celebrate and Sam doesn’t, completely illustrating the characters’ differences in personality even as kids)

2. O’ Little Town, Eureka- This season four Christmas episode is such a sweet episode. It starts with Sheriff Carter coming in out of the snow into the café and telling a group of doubting children about the real Santa Claus. It goes back to an unseasonable warm Christmas where Carter is stuck in Eureka and not happy about it. Taggert has some weird Santa machine that can shrink thins small enough to make them all fit into Santa’s sack. Well of course it backfires and the town is shrinking (hence the warm). This funny, charming episode continues until in one of the most delightful hours of television.

3. The One With the Holiday Armadillo, Friends- Oh my gosh, I don’t even think I need to recap this one everyone has probably seen it. Ross is trying to teach Ben about Hanukkah and ends up trying to get a Santa costume, but cannot find one so close to Christmas so he rents an armadillo costume and dubs it the “Holiday Armadillo” to tell Ben all about Hanukkah. During his story Chandler show up in a Santa costume and Joey in a Superman costume and thus a classic episode is born.

4. Afternoon Delight, Arrested Development- This is another of my favorite shows ever. This episode centers about the Bluth corporate Christmas party were Michael and Maebe sing the most awkward and uncomfortable (uncle/niece) duet ever, Afternoon Delight by Starland Vocal Band. I laughed until I had tears. And of course the rest of the brilliantly funny cast. So funny.

5. The Strike, Seinfeld- Ha! Festivus. Enough said.

Do you like holiday episodes as much as me? Did I miss your favorite holiday episode?

How to Survive a Horror Movie Part 2

2011-12-04T17:48:00.001-06:00

Back before Halloween I wrote a post about how to survive should you wake up one morning to find yourself in a horror movie. (Review here) By request I am following this post up with How to Survive a Sequel.

First step in survival is always figuring out what you are dealing with. So how does one identify they are in a horror movie sequel, well that is pretty simple. The first clue is if you just survived a horrific night of senseless slaughtering, you could be ready to start a sequel. If this is the case, you may right now be thanking your lucky stars because you are the main character, but that would be foolish. This is a sequel and the thing with sequels is they are trying to surprise the audience. So you are just as likely the first kill as you are the star. If you didn’t just survive the monster attack you can still be in the movie. Chances are you have heard of said attack or someone will very soon fill you in on it. Whatever the story they tell you is, that is the type of movie you are in. Also note that everyone is much more wooden in the speech and movements, horror movies aren’t the Godfather, the sequels will never even be debatable that they are better than the originals.

All the rules from the first post still apply. (Be prepared, get a weapon, don’t be dumb, no crying, etc.). You have to assume the action will start right off the bat. There is no time wasted on silly back story or character development. Sequels are about carnage and cheap thrills. So you don’t have time to get your bearings, you just have to be ready. Rule #1 Be a badass! You’ve learned something from the first movie and that is how to fight or survive. You aren’t a victim you are a touch cookie so don’t be afraid to be awesome.

The killer will be at least three times as hard to kill this time around and honestly he won’t die, I know this, you know this, but we like to think he is dead until part three. Rule #2- When you are thinking of ways to rid yourself of the killer go big or go home in a body bag.

If at all possible avoid these things: sex, drugs, being unnecessarily mean, being alone, darkness, bathrooms, and strangers. But it doesn’t have to be current sin, it can be your past sins so basically everyone is screwed in this. Rule # 3 hang around the friends who are more sinful than you. Fictional mass murders are attracted to sinners like tornados to trailer parks, you will have time to get away while Jason/Freddy/Michael is getting creative.

Sequels in their quest to distinguish themselves from the original never just settle for more bloodshed and carnage, instead they also go for the twist. Start thinking ahead. Someone with you isn’t what they seem. They are working with the killer in some manner or another. Rule #4 Trust no one. Anyone who says come with me or offers to help out of the goodness of their heart is not to be trusted. I repeat do not trust them. Do not go with them, do not get into their car, head out the door or anything of the sort, just hide. You may think the advice to hide is a fairly simple suggestion, but apparently it is not. After watching countless horror movies I can see I need to be clearer on this point. Rule #5 Be smarter than a bowl of jello.

Not acceptable hiding places:

Pantries (while yes there is food they never have reliable locks or escape routes)

Louvered closets (really, I mean really?)

Under the bed (They will see you even if they don’t hear your loud gasping crying)

Behind the couch (Are you a five year old playing hide and seek?)

In the car (Too many places for the killer to come through without your knowledge)

Rooms with no escape (They will get in and you will have no escape route. Failure to plan ahead = *Finger across throat*)

All of these hiding places will lead to on one end, you dead and someone else surviving the movie. Avoid them, tattoo them on your arm if necessary, just don’t go in them. Think bigger. Hiding in large buildings such as schools is a much better plan. Lots of rooms, lots of windows, lots of places to hide, use this to your advantage.

Rule 6 Stay in the pack. Sure you can’t trust any of them, but the more people you keep around you the more people to distract the killer. Rarely can they kill everyone when they pop up so just be ready for that and run when they do then hide in a non-stupid spot (see above for clarification). So our movie is winding down 95% of the people you started with are gone. This leaves you, the killer helper, a decoy and the killer. Now you have to use the ol’ noggin a bit and figure out what the twist will be. Are you the killer helper? No? Then that it one person off the suspect list. The next one we can remove is the killer cause obviously he hasn’t been too secretive about his hatred for all things breathing. So we are left with the decoy and the killer helper. Both will be pleading for you to trust them but remember Rule #4 and stay leery. Rule #7 Wait them out. Crazy/possession/hatred over something that happened thirty years ago can only stay hidden for so long. Eventually the psycho will be compelled to reveal their motive or hand in all of this. At which case you can help the decoy escape so the killer can kill the helper (after all he/she is a breathing person therefore of no use to the killer) and just when you think the two of you have gotten away and the sirens are flooding the background the killer will pop up kill the decoy and you will have to square off. Hopefully you have come up with a big death for this masked foe otherwise your night is about to end.

Best of luck to you and let’s all across our fingers there isn’t a part three.

#WinnerWonderland #Giveaway

2011-11-27T11:35:00.004-06:00

Welcome to the Winner Wonderland Giveaway Event. This event is hosted by Put A Little Umbrella In Your Drink, Seeds of Life, And The Little Ones Too and Taking Time For Mommy. This event features giveaways with a value of $25 or more at each of the participating blogs! Check out all of the great Winner Wonderland Sponsors being featured in this event! Be sure to visit each blog from the linky below and enter for your chance to win!

I hope you have entered to win many fantastic prizes and if you are just starting out, then don't miss the other amazing stops. Here I have made a Snow Day Care Package for the winner. The winner will receive:

Three candles (Apple Pie, Cinnamon, and Sugar Cookies)
One Flameless LED candle (lilac verbena)
Asi Red Harmony Tea (Roibocs and Honeybush with a hint of vanilla)
Leopard print cozy socks
Mug
Stainless Steel Tea Infuser
Signed copy of Dark Corners
Signed copy of Secrets

and

Must be 18 and US resident. Hop closes 12/4 11:59 p.m. EST. Prizes will be shipped.

Visit the other stops for awesome prizes!

Kindle Fire Giveaway

2011-11-24T20:04:00.003-06:00

Entry link

Independent Inklings has arranged a wonderful giveaway event. A Kindle Fire will be given away along with a collection of independent novel (55 authors are participating!) including both of mine. If you would like to enter for the giveaway follow the link above or enter below.

Secrets Trailer!

2011-11-23T10:02:00.001-06:00

Thank you everyone for your support yesterday. I am so happy to share Secrets with you. Today I have the book trailer to share. Please let me know what you think!

Secrets can be purchased in ebook for .99 at- Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords

Secrets (Guardian Trilogy)

2011-11-22T07:00:00.003-06:00

Welcome to the release of my second book, Secrets (Guardian Trilogy book 1)!! Woohoo!

Now this is a departure from the genre of Dark Corners and I dive into a paranormal world in my newest urban fantasy Secrets. Secrets is about a woman who lives a perfectly normal life until things start to fall spectacularly apart. As the pieces begin to crumble and she puts together clues she discovers her life will never be the same. Death, love, lies, and betrayal are at the heart of this story. I hope you enjoy it!

For a brief time it will be available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble for only .99!

Today, in honor of the release I have a lot of fun planned. Starting with a scavenger hunt! Since my book is called Secrets I am revealing six secrets about myself. Visit all six blogs below and figure out the answers to the clues then email your answers directly to me at Schultewrites@gmail.com to enter to win a ebook of Secrets, Dark Corners, and a $15 amazon gift card. This contest will close at 11:59pm.

Clue 1- http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/

Clue 2- http://khloekamalis.blogspot.com/

Clue 3- http://www.stephanie-nelson.com/

Clue 4- http://lisarayns.blogspot.com/

Clue 5- http://oliviahardinwriter.wordpress.com/

Clue 6- http://spellcheckedbycgpowell.blogspot.com/

Also come by my Facebook page for more fun and giveaways throughout the day.

Thank you so, so, so much for stopping by,

Liz

Little Bunny Foo Foo: A Cautionary Tale

2011-11-21T07:00:00.005-06:00

We’ve all heard the song, possibly even sang along. There is a GIT (Goon in Training) rabbit named Foo Foo who unduly harasses the populations of field mice. He is given more than his fair share of chances, but insists on being a thug.

Little Bunny Foo Foo

Hopping through the forest

Scoopin' up the field mice

Bop 'em on the head!

Then the Good Fairy came and said:

'Little Bunny Foo Foo

I don't wanna see you

Scoopin' up the field mice

Bop 'em on the head!

I'll give you 3 chances,

And if you don't behave, I will turn you into a goon!"

But what happened after Foo Squared was turned into a goon? Well that is hard to say, the goon network is a close knit group, but I like to think it went something like this.

Foo Squared started in bottom of the goon ranks and worked his fluffy tale off to move up the chain of command. He made a friendship with Bunny Corleone who would end up in charge of his own goon family and in one grand coup eliminate the other four heads of the goon syndicate. However, Foo Squared would never live to see Bunny’s rise to fame. One day after terrorizing field mice he was asked to go undercover into Roger Rabbits’ family. Foo Squared had the reputation for being the meanest and toughest of all goons. But one day Bunny Corleone received a fish wrapped in newspaper and he knew. Foo Squared now sleeps with the fishes.

So let that be a lesson to you. Goon today, gone tomorrow.

The Holy Grail of Boots

2011-11-20T16:03:00.004-06:00

Joe may have fought the volcano.

David squared off with Goliath.

The Trojans brawled the Spartans… all sweaty and shirtless, what Hollywood never lies?!?

And Robin Hood went head to head with the Sheriff of Nottingham (ooo da lolly ooo da lolly, golly what a day—couldn’t resist)

Liz (that’s me) went head to heel, mano y zapato, toe to toe with my new boots. The weekend started bright and early on a lovely gray Saturday morning. I have been in the need for a new pair of brown boots for some time. The only ones I have are 1. 10 years old at least, 2. 4 inch heels and 3. Uncomfortable if I wear them more than 2 hours and 13.41 minutes. So it was my mission to find the perfect pair of tall brown leather boots. I started at Macy’s. Lots of cute choices and I tried on about 4 pairs, but nothing fit quite right. After that I went to seven more stores, but still nothing was working for me. You see I did what I always do. I found a picture in a catalogue (J. Jill to be exact) of the perfect boots, just like what I want. Now nowhere where I live can compete with my love for J. Jill. Every time I get a catalogue, which seems like weekly, I feel I must have one of everything in it. (I think they know so they taunt me)

You are probably wondering then why don’t you just order the boots from them. Well that is an excellent question. I may be old fashioned but I prefer trying on shoes, especially boots, before forking over $200 for them. Second, they are $200 and my money tree still hasn’t sprouted. So I was about to break down. I found a $50 coupon off a purchase of $200 which felt like a sign. I was poised ready to purchase the pretty, pretty shoes when mom calls to tell me she found me the perfect boots at the mall. Needless to say, I had my doubts. Mom always means well, but her taste is sometimes questionable or as she calls it, the kiss of death. A few hours later she is delivering shoes that are surprisingly awesome. They look a lot like the J. Jill boots only they are $80 cheaper and I can have them immediately. Bonus!

I go to try them on, but there is no zipper I just have to pull them on. I am pulling and tugging and possibly grunting , but the damn heel keeps collapsing preventing me from getting my foot all the way inside. I am now cussing and scrunching and wiggling, but the heel is still bending. I search for a shoe horn, none. I search for my back stretcher, nada. I finally settle on a wooden spoon, now sweaty and worn out, but I will not be defeated. I briefly think of Cinderella’s poor stepsisters when they are trying to get their foot in a shoe they will stop at nothing to get. Would cutting off my toes help? Then suddenly pop, my foot slides in and it’s not so bad. In fact it feels pretty good, I just need to put on the second one. I struggle for no less than thirty minutes trying to get this rat bastard on my foot, vowing never to wear these gems in an airport, when inspiration strikes. I fold down the top and voila the shoe goes right on. One hour and fifteen minutes later, I am the victor, but I may never take them off again.

Secrets: Guardian Trilogy Book 1

2011-11-18T08:44:00.002-06:00

4 more days until the release! So in honor of that I having a little #giveaway and an excerpt.

First I am giving away an ARC to one person when I reach 500 fans (only 19 away). Second, I am giving away a bookmark to everyone who comments on this post with their favorite fictional stalker. **Don't forget to leave your email address!** :-)

No matter how much of my dreams were real, no one had eyes like that. I needed to see once and for all, so I could dismiss the silly notions suddenly floating around in my head. Vampires? Ridiculous! I’d read too much Ann Rice. And a lot of people had cold hands—poor circulation. So what if he’d found me without a car, maybe he’d been following me since the morning.

Great, Liv, now you're hoping he’s a more dedicated stalker.

I stopped in front of him and studied the determination settled across his face, which was now completely smooth of all lines. His eyes never moved or fluttered. I took a deep breath.

“Holden.”

He opened his eyes—his perfectly normal eyes: green flecked with gold. The only change was that now they lacked their indifference; an inner flame waged war against the coldness surrounding it.

#GCHop #Giveaway

2011-11-10T08:36:00.002-06:00

Welcome to the first annual Green Christmas Gift Giving Guide giveaway hop hosted by Home Grown Families and Just My Everyday Life.

Liz Schulte's Bat Country is happy to be participating with over 60 other awesome sites to show you many ways that you can have an Eco-Friendly Holiday season!

Each blog participating is offering a prize package to a (in some cases, multiple) winner worth $25 or more consisting of Eco-Friendly, sustainable, up-cycled, and recycled items, as well as items from independent consultants, authors and Etsy!

We hope you have as much fun learning more about the different Eco-Friendly items you find on these sites and entering the giveaways, as we had putting this together for you!

Here in Bat Country I am giving away some awesome products Bluecorn Naturals. I love every product of theirs I have tried. (The Bee Yummy Skin Food is a-mazing). I am giving one lucky guest: One Asana Jasmine & Honeysuckle Soy Candle (these candles burn clean so you do not have the carcinogens that come with other candles), Two aromatherapy beeswax candles in travel tins in Relaxing Lavender and Uplifting Lavender, Geranium, and Tangerine, a coconut citrus beeswax lotion bar, and a signed copy of my book, Dark Corners!

All you have to do to enter here is to leave a comment with your email address. For an extra entry also sign up to receive email's from Bat Country (in the upper left hand corner).

Thank for entering and we wish you and your family Happy Holidays!

Secrets Revealed

2011-11-07T19:32:00.000-06:00

Hello friends! I know I have been quiet. Lots going on here in Bat Country. Of course there is NaNo and editing, but I am also getting the final polish on Secrets for you so it will be ready on the 22nd. Woohoo! I just sent it for formatting and so far everything is going well. So I thought I would share a juicy excerpt of the book with you if that's okay.

Secrets

Urban Fantasy Book 1 Guardian Trilogy

“I’m Olivia Martin.” I extended my hand towards him. Instead of shaking it, he took my fingers and planted a smooth, cool kiss on the back of my hand without breaking eye contact. His eyes weren’t cold when they looked back into mine. This time they were warm and inviting . . . hungry even. He kept my fingers in his cool grasp, then slowly, deftly pulled me closer to him. No thoughts, warnings, or alarms were in my head, the only thing on my mind were his lips moving closer and closer to mine.

“Holden, I’m bored,” said a whiny voice from behind us. My eyes flickered from him to see who was interrupting. He gave a low growl of frustration and pulled away, releasing my hand.

“Candi … Didn’t you look at the pictures?” His patent expression of boredom was back in place, masking his face.

“It’s Cathi.” Holden shrugged as if her name was a minor detail. “Besides they're only of ugly people.”

A bitter laughed slipped out of my mouth. A slight smile touched Holden’s lips. He wasn’t apologetic or embarrassed though, he was amused which irritated me further.

“Cathi, this is the photographer, Olivia Martin.”

“Neat,” she said as if she couldn’t care in the least. I extended my hand towards the 60% plastic model who obviously lived to make others feel inferior, because I was determined to be an adult. She looked at my hand as if it might not be safe to touch me—some plainness might wear off on her—but eventually shook it. I resisted the urge to squeeze her fingers together until she said mercy. Like I said, I was being an adult.

“It’s lovely meeting you, Candi was it?” I asked innocently

“Candi, why don’t you go get our jackets? I'll meet you at the door.”

“Cathi—”

“Does it matter? Please get them.” He brushed his hand against hers and her face went blank. She went towards the coat check line. Holden gave me his attention again, raising an eyebrow.

“Can you not remember all of your girlfriends’ names, or was that for my benefit?”

He leaned in close and whispered in my ear. “I bet I'll remember your name, Olivia.” His breath was warm and made me want to press up against him. And the way my name rolled out of his mouth like a caress made my cheeks flush.

“Only time will tell,” I whispered back, then forced myself to step away, and flashed him a dazzling smile. I wouldn’t let him muddle my thoughts; his girlfriend was waiting. “It was nice meeting you, Holden.”

“And you,” he said with a slight bow. He walked out of the door with stripper Barbie. Story of my life.

The Thing 1982 vs 2011

2011-11-04T11:12:00.000-05:00

Recently I watched both 1982 and 2011 versions of The Thing (movies will from here on out only be referred to by the year to save confusion).

1982- Starred a very young and very hairy Kurt Russell as helicopter pilot with a ridiculously large hat. Sadly could not find a screen shot of it. It is totally worth laughing at.

2011- Stars a cute helicopter pilot who sort of looks like a less tall, skinny, and red headed Conan O’Brien who does not have a ridiculous hat, but he does have an earring.

1982- The story starts off with some apparently crazy Norwegian man trying to kill a very pretty dog from a helicopter. If I didn’t know what was going on I would so not be cool with this.

2011- Starts with a snow mobile filled with Norwegian guys trucking along a glacier who fall into some crazy cave and discover a spaceship. Spelunking anyone?

1982- Takes place at an American base in Antarctica.

2011- Take place on a Norwegian base in Antarctica.

1982- Awesome 70’s music.

2011- Awesome 80’s music.

1982- Dogs die.

2011- Dogs die.

1982- Lots of the people on this base are tool bags.

2011- Less tool bags, more turtleneck sweaters.

1982- Horribly cheesy graphics.

2011- Better gruesome graphics.

1982- Not a fully developed story line. Enough plot holes a Norwegian snow mobile could fall into it.

2011- Better explained.

All in all I liked the 2011 one better. I think it is cool that is was done as a prequel to the 1982 movie. They paid attention to detail, and it was sort of cool to watch the older one after the new one. Neither of them are bad movies, as far as alien movies go. 2011 is definitely louder and gorier, but enjoyable. Lesson to be taken away from both of these movies, people without fillings are suspect.

#NaNoWriMo

2011-11-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

Begins today!!!! For those of you who don't know, NaNoWriMo stands for National November Writing Month. The goal is to write 50,000 words during the month of November.

I am sort of prepared for it. I have a partial outline (something I never do) and chatty characters in my head. I also have a cover and a blurb, again something I normally wait until I finish to work on, but this time I am trying something new. So with out further adieu here is what I will be doing this month.

The ninth floor of St. Michael’s Hospital in Goodwin Hollow was shut off to the public, staff, and administrators in 1984. The doors were welded and chained shut, the stop was removed from the elevators, and the no one talked about what happened there—ever. The deaths stopped and the voices lessened, but the evil wasn’t gone, it merely slumbered.

Ryan Laurie’s life was going well until she received news her favorite aunt was deathly ill. Ryan moved back to the town she swore she would never set foot in again to help. When strange things start happening in the hospital, Ryan’s investigation leads to a horror she never imagined possible.

Ryan never wanted to go home again, now she may never leave.

Coffin Hop! and Trick or Treat for e-books

2011-10-31T23:00:00.000-05:00

Come check out the awesome horror writers who are giving away AMAZING PRIZES this week at the COFFIN HOP! The prize for Bat Country is...

A signed copy of Dark Corners, Bloody Window Clings, and an Edgar Allen Poe Memory Box

Just leave a COMMENT with your EMAIL ADDRESS and your FAVORITE HORROR MOVIE to enter. Good luck! Also, don't miss the other awesome blogs in this hop or the second giveaway listed at the bottom of this post.

You're never too old for trick-or-treating! Roam the virtual neighborhood in another fantastic event, TRICK OR TREAT FOR EBOOKSs. You never know what amazing books you might find. For your trick-or-treat stop here, pick up DARK CORNERS for FREE just this week on Smashwords with the coupon code YB28R!

Dark Corners Book Tour Big Giveaway!

2011-10-31T16:14:00.001-05:00

For those of you who have been following my book tour with the awesome and amazing company , Promotional Book Tours, you know about the big prize pack at the end. Those of you who haven't been following you still have time to enter. Just leave a comment with your email address to enter to win,

A signed copy of Dark Corners,

A signed copy of Secrets (released November 22nd)

$20 gift card to Amazon

$20 gift card to Barnes and Noble

This contest is only open in the US and Canada.

Good luck!!

Ghosties and Ghoulies or Allergies Run Amok?

2011-10-31T09:21:00.000-05:00

Last week I was on a fall themed vacation. We went to see covered bridges, apple orchards, a large fall festival, and a reindeer ranch. On the way home we stopped in Illinois to tour an old house. There was nothing upsetting about the house. It was a dreary, cold day outside, but the house looked nice and inviting, as if beckoning us to take a closer look.

The tour started and the moment I stepped foot in the house I became hot, stifling so. The tour guide complained about how cold she was and kept her coat on the entire tour as did the other guests. A moment later if felt like my lungs were closing then waves of nausea washed over me, I was certain I would either faint or pass out. By the time we made it upstairs, the pressure in my head behind my right eye made me want to cover my eye so it wouldn’t come out.

As the tour dragged on and on I only got worse. I eyed my escape with the good eye hoping it would be soon, but the tour guide kept blathering on and on unaware of the torture I was going through. Finally, she released us from the house, and I contemplated skipping the second part of the tour to go back to the car, but as soon as the cold air outside hit my face and lungs, everything evaporated. I was no longer hot, dizzy, or nauseous. The pounding head ache and irrational thoughts of escape drifted away as well. Within seconds, I was perfectly fine again.

Allergies? Maybe. Ghost? You never can tell.

Happy Halloween!

#Halloween

2011-10-28T08:43:00.000-05:00

Halloween is so close I can taste it...literally, I have candy wrappers all around me. So Halloween better hurry up before I become diabetic.

I can't wait to watch Halloween (78), dress up, and pass out...Halloween candy (there is no passing out for me, I have to work the next day. *shakes fist at growing old).

Now the question is, what to be for Halloween?

I could be inspired by the Strangers and go for something like this,

Or I could go with something more children friendly,

Or perhaps embraced my aging self,

Or channel my inner Saw,

Or I could scary everyone's pants off,

Which would you choose?

Popsicles

2011-10-21T11:08:00.005-05:00

Good morning! I have a wonderful guest today, the hilarious Myndi Shafer. Check out her blog here

Popsicles. I love 'em. For so many reasons. So sit your butt down while I wax poetic about the virtues of the rainbow colored family of frozen treats.

#1: They're dangerous. You don't think so? Listen to this: They're cold. So cold, that if you eat them too quickly, you run the risk of freezing your brain plumb off. PLUMB OFF, people. I swear I've had this nearly happen to me multiple times, and while in the moment it's terrifying, after it's over...whew! What a rush. The danger factor is definitely a perk, especially or those of us who wish we were into extreme sports, but aren't. I never feel quite as dangerous as I do when there's a popsicle in my hand.

#2: Adding to the danger factor is this little fact: They melt. You have to eat them quickly (running the risk of destroying brain matter), and if you don't, they melt. All over your hands, your clothes. Leaving you sticky and stained. You walk a fine line while eating popsicles. Too fast, dead brain. Too slow, permanently stained garments. Sure, your hands will wash, but facts are facts: Red Cherry and Blueberry flavored popsicles stain forever. Some people think that souls are the only thing that are eternal. I say souls, and popsicle stains.

#3: Danger isn't the only thing that makes popsicles so attractive.They're sweet, but not in a heavy, ice-creamy way. Don't get me wrong. I love ice-cream. I do. But sometimes you just don't want a creamy,

sugary concoction resting in your gut. Sometimes you want an artificially flavored, high-fructose corn-syrup sweetened watery-frozen concoction instead. *raises hand and jumps up and down a little* I do! I do!

#4: The thing that sets popsicles aside from the standard ice-cream cone is this: The jokes. The popsicle takes the cake for this fact alone. Because the popsicle is a giver. It doesn't simply satisfy our child-like pallets, or our need to live dangerously. No, the popsicle wants to invest in our minds by asking us questions. Questions we have to wait to get the answers to until our tasty treat is gone. Questions that not only make us think, but make us laugh. Oh, dearest reader. This is the sign of a true friend.

Take a couple of these gems, straight from the sticks that I collected today (there is a small chance this post was brought on by a four-month old fetus demanding popsicles, and the sticks might be the evidence) as examples:

Why did the baseball fan give the house a pair of sneakers?

Because he wanted to see a home run. *ba-dum-bum*

What do you call a pony that surfs?

A seahorse. *giggle, snort*

What did Mr. and Mrs. Steak name their son?

Chuck. *snicker*

And so, my friendlies, let us all revel in the wonder that is the popsicle. I wish you all happy weekends with dye-stained tongues, non-frozen brains, and new jokes to share with your friends.

Rules to Survive a Horror Movie

2011-10-20T09:26:00.002-05:00

If you wake up one morning in a secluded cabin (haunted hotel/house, the only living person for miles, camping near Crystal Lake, Haddonfield around Halloween, to discover you didn’t really wake up you are still in a dream, a town with lots of corn and no parents, to a creepy phone call wanting to know your favorite scary movie, etc.), you may be in horror movie.

Rule #1- Don’t panic. Well, maybe panic a little because there are scary things after you, but pull yourself together quick before you become an extra.

It is important to keep your head about you, in more ways than one, and figure out what type of horror movie you are in.

-Is this a zombie movie? Have people been sick and dropping like flies? Are you the only person for miles? Are undead people trying to bite you?

-Is this a slasher film? Are all of your friends slightly more slutty and want to camp? Are you or they having nightmares? This one is important… do you have a babysitting job?

-Is this a vampire movie? Do you have a really hot neighbor that mostly comes out at night? If you answered yes to that why are you still reading this? Go talk to him. *waggles eyebrows* Unless that neighbor is about 17 and smells like teen spirit and angst, in that case you aren’t in a scary movie. Stop fretting you have a vegetarian vamp.

After you figure out what you are up against, you must start preparing. Rule #2- Always be prepared. Find a weapon. Even if you don’t see the psycho, carry it around with you and for goodness sakes do not sit it down somewhere!?! Always expect someone is around every corner, sneaking up behind you, hiding just out of sight.

*important note* When you see said psychopath do not drop, throw, or do anything else that is stupid with your weapon.

Okay, so now you are armed and paranoid the next step is NOT escaping. That’s right, make no escape efforts. Do not be fooled by the friend who is pulling on your arm telling you to come this way. Freddy, Jason, and Michael have been doing this for a lot longer than you, and they know you are going to go outside. Rule 3- Stay mobile and stay hidden. The best defense is a good offense. Running away is not an offense. You hide quietly (Rule 4- Absolutely no crying!) with your weapon that you haven’t dropped or thrown away, and you wait for an opportunity to either attack or move somewhere the killer isn’t. Rule 5- Be aware of your surroundings. While you are hiding, if you don’t see the monster, it’s probably behind you, next to you, or waiting for you to do something dumb. Rule 6- Don’t be dumb. Really this can be applied to all aspects of life (this goes double for the driver in front of me on my way to work this morning!)

Congratulations you have survived 2/3 of the movie, but now you are at the part where survival is going to get tricky. The movie is winding down there are only a couple people left, and you know at least one of the people the audience thought would survive is going to bite the dust. You might think this is the part where you hunker down and continue to hide, but no. Rule 7- Be heroic. You haven’t been heroic so far and that’s good. The early heroes don’t live until the end. However, the people at the end of the movie who step up to fight the bad guy do, normally (70/30, really). What happens is one person decides to be a hero, and inspires the other to do the same then the killer ganks the other person and the original hero is left with the glory. Rule 8- Never assume the killer is dead. It doesn’t matter how dead you think it is, it will come back for one more scare. Evil always defies the odds so be ready for it (see rule 2).

Those are the rules to survive a horror movie, now just hope there isn’t a sequel.

Guardian Trilogy

2011-10-19T10:05:00.000-05:00

I have a fun surprise today. Brand new covers for the Guardian Trilogy.

Book 1: Secrets

Release date- November 22, 2011

While Olivia Martin observed life through her camera, the abyss gazed back at her. She discovers mysterious men follow her around, people close to her are dying, and her dreams are no longer her own as she falls head over heels for a perfect stranger. A chance encounter leads to an obsession that could destroy everything she has ever known or loved. Olivia is about to find out there is a lot she doesn't know and sometimes what you don't know can kill you.

Book 2- Choices

Release Date- February 2012

Book 3- Consequences

Release Date- May 2012

Why we carve Jack-o'-lanterns

2011-10-15T17:03:00.001-05:00

There is a long tradition of carving lanterns from vegetables throughout
Ireland and Britain, but immigrants to North America used the native pumpkin.
Turnips were carved into lanterns in Ireland as a way of remembering
the souls in purgatory. They were left on the doorsteps on All’s Hallows Eve along with a
treat of some sort to ward off evil spirits.

They became known as Jack-o’-lanterns based on the legend of an Irishman
named Stingy Jack. Apparently, Jack tricked the devil (the manner in which he tricked him varies,
sometimes Jack has the devil hanging from an apple tree in others he is a thief)
and made a bargain with him that he would never take his soul.

As time moved on ol’ Jack died, as all living things do, but he was too sinful to go to Heaven.
The devil however upheld his end of the deal and didn’t claim Jack either.
So Jack was left to wander the earth.

Jack had no where to go and no light to guide him. The devil gave him an ember from hell
that would burn eternally and Jack placed it in a hallowed out turnip
and endless wonders the earth looking for a place to rest.

Weekend Reading: Big Dragons Don't Cry

2011-10-14T09:09:00.001-05:00

Good morning! The wonderful C.M. Barrett has stopped by today to share an excerpt from her book, Big Dragons Don't Cry. Enjoy!

Blurb:
Morale in the country of Oasis has never been worse. The Earthers, a tree-hugging sect, beg forgiveness for their crimes against twigs and weeds. The Godlies preach penitence and suffering and inspire their followers into submission by threatening them with an afterlife spent being chased by a fire-breathing dragon.

All Oasans fear the dragon in the swamp at the country's edge, and they don't know that he fears them. Druid, a water dragon who puts out fires, steams up when he learns that a cunning opportunist intends to exploit dragonphobia and have the dragon killed so that he can level the swamp for suburban housing.

Tara, a kitten with charisma, is trying to bring humans back into balance. She needs to enlist Serazina, a young human woman who hides her ability to read emotions in order to avoid imprisonment in the Ward for the Chronically Crazy. Serazina's troubles grow when Phileas, Guardian of Oasis, chooses her to be the mother of the heir he so badly needs. Before he can consider fatherhood, he needs to stem the mysterious rumors that he's soft on dragons.

Somehow these four must overcome communication difficulties, mutual mistrust, and delusions of human superiority to save the country. Otherwise, even though Druid doesn't breathe fire, Oasis will be toast.

From the Book:

Orion stood on a ridge overlooking the city. As he swayed, exhausted and hungry, the threads of its winding, dirty streets seemed to tighten around his neck in a noose that limited both breath and freedom.

His sister, Sekhmet, nuzzled him with her black nose. “Lost in thought?”

“Wishing you’d waited a year or so to haul me away from the good life.”

“We thought we’d better get on the road before you wore out your equipment, Mr. Tomcat Stud.”

Orion’s other sister, Bast, trotted toward them, her white fur gleaming in starlight. “We’ve come to the right place. The pull is strong.”

“Praise the Many-Taloned One,” Sekhmet said. “My paws are killing me.”

The lights of the city flickered in eye-burning imitation of the starry sky. “It’s not going to be easy,” Orion said. “The smell alone makes me gag. It’s not just the physical stench, but also the foul odor of self-righteousness and fear. And some of the fear is mine. I’ve never failed before.”

Sekhmet raised her ears. “It’s hard to fail when you mount a willing cat. I’m glad you realize you’re facing a far bigger challenge. It gives me hope that you’ve become something more than a swaggering young tom. She of the Rough Tongue is molding you into the cat you were always meant to be.”

“I don’t know about Her rough tongue, but I’ve never doubted yours.”

Bast growled softly. “Enough. Orion, you have to guide us now.”

Panic bristled his fur. “I don’t know; I can’t feel anything.”

Bast scraped her claws against a stone. “Then ask to feel. Have you forgotten you were chosen for more than shining fur and golden eyes?”

“And equipment,” Sekhmet said.

He turned his back on them and washed himself briskly to hide his shame. How could he forget the first lesson all kittens learned? When you got lost, She would always nudge you home.

Orion closed his eyes, and the rasp of Her tongue shivered through him, massaging away the tension that had tightened his limbs, clearing away the resistance and fear that had hidden his path, and even temporarily blurring the memory of well-fed, sleek females.

One final moment of doubt kept him in place. “Are humans worth our sacrifice?”

“Not yet, they aren’t,” Bast said, “but we’re weaving a dream.”

Orion loped down the hill, praying that the gathering strands wouldn’t knot into a noose.

LINKS!
Amazon URL for Dance with Clouds $2.99
Amazon URL for Big Dragons Don't Cry: $.99
Author Web Site:

Supernatural Thursday: Carnivals

2011-10-13T09:23:00.000-05:00

Carnivals are creepy.

It's true, no need to deny it.

They can have scary employees who smell like cabbage and no one blinks an eye.

There are too many lights and noises.

Crowds pushing and shoving their way to rides that have a history of falling apart.

Oh, and clowns.

But even with the creepy clowns they aren't as scary now as they used to be.

I wrote a short story about a killer clown ghost to submit to an anthology

And I came across the "side show" posters in my internet research scouring

That crazy monkey isn't even scared of the devil, and he rolls with ladies in bikinis. The original Dos Equus guy, perhaps.

There's only one word for this- creepy

What is that giant spider lady doing? Eating her trainer that's what.

I like that they have her tagged as "Alive". There is horseman in Sleepy Hollow she should ~~check out~~ feel.

My killer clown story was selected for the anthology.

It is called Up Close and Evil and will be released this Halloween.

What Movies Teach Us About Genetically Engineered Fish

2011-10-12T13:43:00.001-05:00

My coworker told me this morning about a new genetically engineered salmon that was just approved for American consumption. My immediate response at just hearing the words "genetically engineered salmon" was “Sounds like we’re asking for a Resident Evil type situation.”

Coworker shook his head and continued to inform me about these fish. I don’t hold it against him he is not the pop-culture junky I am, and perhaps, Resident Evil shouldn’t be brought up in a serious conversation about genetically engineered fish—who am I kidding, of course Resident Evil should be brought up. Have movies taught us nothing!?!

This is what they say about these Frankenfish:

- It is not materially different than regular salmon. (that’s what they always say and the next scene…zombies.)

- They have a ravenous appetite. (You know what else has a ravenous appetite… yep zombies)

- They are born sterile (How many movies have the theme nature always find a way…mmm the ones that usually end with zombies)

- They continue to grow their entire life span (Giant zombies)

- They could alter the balance of our whole ecosystem if accidentally introduced into the wild. (Really?!?! Zombies)

Let me play this out for you.

Joe Friday is enjoying his tasty salmon lunch. Heads back to the office feeling full and satisfied. WHAM! Hit by a truck. Genetically engineered DNA kicks into over drive, bringing one very dead Joe Friday back to life.

Truck driver gets out of the truck, “Oh no, oh no, someone call an ambulance.” Truck driver runs over to Joe Friday to help him out even though he is a mangled mess.

Lady on the sidewalk stops to call 911, being an upstanding citizen. Truck driver hasn’t seen movies and doesn’t know about Frankenfish, leans over Joe Friday. Joe Friday’s milky eyes pop open and he takes a chunk from truck driver’s neck because he smelled so delicious and Joe Friday is ravenous. Lady on the sidewalk screams drawing attention to herself. Victim number 2.

Thus the start of 99.9% of zombie movies, give or take a few details.

Guest post today

2011-10-10T10:06:00.002-05:00

I did a guest post about a haunted bed and breakfast I stayed at in St. Louis over at I Love Books today. Stop by and leave a comment for a chance to win this--

Supernatural Thursday: American Horror Story

2011-10-06T12:21:00.000-05:00

This was definitely my most anticipated fall premiere. It's not that television hasn't done horror before, it has (Supernatural, Walking Dead, just to name two excellent ones), but a television show centered around a scary haunted house might be a new idea (at least I can't think of any others). So the big question is did it live up to my high expectations.
The answer is I don't know. I don't really know what in the hell happened. It is definitely a show where the viewer cannot take anything for granted. I am not sure that any of the characters are real besides for the family (unless they are doing the whole Others plot twist, hopefully not). So it is hard to say whether or not the show will live up to my expectations because right now I am trying to figure what the storyline is. I don't even know how to recap this, so I will just tell you what I liked vs what worries me.
Liked:
-The opening scene with red head twins (who I heard called the Weasley twins so I am stealing it). The scene is typical horror movie and is wonderful. It made sense. It offered the immediate punishment for the kids being little bastards. Horror movies are all about karma.
-Jessica Lange. She is C-RAZ-Y, and I am betting on ghost though I have no idea, just my guess. I love every scene she was in even if they confused me.
-The freaky, I don't even what to call it, ghost thingy in the basement. Weird.

Worried:
-Since this is the first episode I will over look the lack of a cohesive storyline, but it worries me. No one in the house expects its haunted yet (well maybe the daughter). All the characters have so much baggage they need a U-Haul to walk down the street. I don't know, I am feeling like I am going to need a reason to root for them and right now it just isn't there.
-The whole demon baby thing. Let's just say that particular storyline (if they are actually headed there) has been done a lot and very few of them have done it well.
-The characters seem slightly dumb right now and dumb people rarely survive a horror movie.

In conclusion, I will watch it next week and maybe the week after that before I decide whether or not to put it on the DVR chopping block.

Inside Writer Studio: Arshad Ahsanuddin

2011-10-05T07:00:00.003-05:00

Please help me welcome Arshad Ahsanuddin to Bat Country. He is a wonderful independent author and was kind enough to stop by for an interview.

What genre do you write in?

I write gay paranormal romance/urban fantasy. Alternately, you could say I write speculative fiction with gay characters.

Tell us about your book.

The basic premise is simple: What if vampires and vampire slayers were killing each other in the shadows of the world for millennia, and then were exposed on national television. How would the world change? Would peace between us be possible, or war inevitable?

The major subplot is a gay love story, in which the main character, afraid of love, must let go of his fears in order to find the person he’s meant to be with. Emphasis on the love, however, I don’t write explicit sex.

What is your process? (do you plan, outline, let the characters guide you, research before or during, etc)

I use a variation on what has been called the snowflake method (http://www.snowflakemethod.com), which is essentially a cycle of outline, write, and re-outline. The structure of the loose outline prevents the story from wandering too far off point, but the freedom to revise the outline allows for plot twists that develop during the writing process to be incorporated into continuity.

Do you listen to music while you write? What is your favorite song for emotional scenes?

I listen to a custom playlist that selects random songs from the Backstreet Boys and Shinedown. Yes, I realize that is borderline psychotic. It’s just what I like.

What have you published and what are you currently working on?

I have published three full-length novels and one novella in the current series, Pact Arcanum. I am currently working on a second novella, and a fourth full-length novel.

What is your favorite book?

The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.

What is your favorite TV show?

Babylon 5

Which of your characters is your favorite and why?

I think I like Nick best, the main character, for his romantic hang-ups and loneliness in a crowd.

PROUST Questions:

What is your favorite word?

Appalled

What is your least favorite word?

Faggot

What turns you on?

Confidence

What turns you off?

Arrogance

What sound or noise do you love?

Singing/Voice

What sound or noise do you hate?

Rap/Synthesizers

What is your favorite curse word?

Fuck

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Well, I’ve tried medicine, photography and writing, but I would love to be a musician.

What profession would you not like to do?

Soldier

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

“Come in.”

Author Bio:

Arshad Ahsanuddin is Canadian-born, but lived in the United States for most of his life. He is currently a practicing hematopathologist, a physician who specializes in using biopsies and laboratory data to diagnose diseases of blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes, such as leukemia and lymphoma. Yeah, a blood doctor writing about vampires. The irony is not lost on him. It certainly amuses his colleagues.

Social Media:
Website: http://pactarcanum.com/
Blog: http://pactarcanum.com/blog/
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pactarcanum
Twitter Handle: http://twitter.com/pactarcanum
Amazon.com Author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004YNJKKA
Goodreads Profile: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4759071.Arshad_Ahsanuddin

Book links:
Kindle edition: http://www.amazon.com/Sunset-Pact-Arcanum-ebook/dp/B005SIXXB2
Nook edition: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sunset-arshad-ahsanuddin/1030617301?ean=2940012314819
Smashwords edition (multiple formats): http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/61128
Print edition: http://www.amazon.com/Sunset-Pact-Arcanum-Book-One/dp/145635485X
Video Trailer: http://youtu.be/zdvchNFqSu4

Book Blurb:
Los Angeles, 2040. The terrorist Medusa and her followers threaten to destroy the metropolis with a nuclear bomb. One individual, the vampire Nicholas Jameson, comes forward to oppose them. As Nick takes on the terrorists, the fragile peace between the races hangs perilously in the balance as the supernatural peoples are exposed. Can Nick lead the four races into peaceful coexistence, or will the final war destroy them all?
With millennia-old magic, emerging romance, and ever-shifting allegiances, this inventive new series unveils a scintillating, homoerotic world of Nightwalkers, Daywalkers, Sentinels, and Humans, who battle for world dominance in the not-too-distant future.

Thank you, Arshad, for stopping by!

Music Monday

2011-10-03T09:04:00.001-05:00

Writing and music goes hand in hand for me. I listen to music while I am writing (sometimes), while I am getting into my character's mindset so I can write, and while I am creating a character. I like to think of who my character's favorite band or singer is and what that says or demonstrates in their personality. With Dark Corners I didn't listen to a lot of music while I was writing, mostly just Phantom of the Opera to put me in the mood, but I do know what sort of music my cast of characters would gravitate towards.

Ella Reynolds is a classic rock sort of girl. Her favorite band is the Rolling Stones. The dramatic power ballads appeals to her all or nothing attitude and fast, unrelenting songs allow her to escape reality for a short while.

Detective Gabriel Troy's favorite singer is Frank Sinatra.The crooner appeals to his secret hopelessly romantic side. The smooth, dulcet also relaxes him from his highly stressful job.

Daniel Reynolds gravitated towards college rock--like Dave Matthews, Snow Patrol, and Coldplay. It was good back ground music for him while he worked on the computer or the house. He could listen and loose himself in the music and the monotony of the tasks. The music represented his mostly happy and content outlook on life that never challenged him to dig below the surface.

Susan's favorite genre of music is pop. She liked anything with an up tempo that made her body want to movie. Music was pure escapism for her and allowed her to dance out any tension she was feeling.

Grant favors classic and piano music. He liked the peaceful, relaxed atmosphere it inspired and reminds him of his childhood.

Those are my characters choices. What music defines you or your characters.

#Running Groups

2011-09-30T11:28:00.004-05:00

I have never been in a running group. Running has always seemed like a solitary activity. But I was invited a week or two ago to join a running group with a friend. I started to decline when I rethought my position on it. Sure no one likes to be sweaty and gross around other people, but why wasn’t I doing it?
Since my first running kick last year, I have fallen off the bandwagon and it has been like torture to make myself get back on. I get home from work, and I am tired. I have ten thousand things I need to do, and it is hard make the time. So running always gets pushed to the back burner. With a running group I have real, actual people waiting for me–depending on me to show up. If that isn’t motivation, I don’t know what is.

Second, I used to think of writing as a solitary activity until I joined a writing group. It may have been the best decision I have ever made. I love my writing group. They have all been an amazing inspiration for me. Hopefully the running group works the same.

So I broke the pattern and said yes. I am now a member of a running group. I am doing the Jingle Bell 5k in December. I want to improve my time, run the whole thing, and hopefully continue with the races. Once I conquer this 5k business I can move on to 10ks.

Writing is for mind, eating right is for my body, running is for my soul. (Okay maybe that is cheesy, it is definitely for my stress though)

Supernatural Thursday: Supernatural Meet the New Boss

2011-09-29T15:56:00.003-05:00

Meet The New Boss- recap and opinions.
Last week #Supernatural season 7 premiered. Season 6 wasn't my favorite season, but still more original and entertaining than nearly any other show on television. This blog post will contain spoilers so if you watch, plan on watching, or may someday watch Supernatural stop reading now.
******
I mean it, stop reading.
*****
You've been warned.
*****

Okay, so if you are still reading I assume you have seen the episode and know what is going on in the Winchester world.

Recap:
Last season we ended with Cas losing his power hungry marbles and declaring himself God--not a change I supported. This season picked up right where it left off. I might be wrong about this, but I think the only other season to pick up exactly where the previous season left off is season 2 when it starts back up after the accident (love that episode). Anyway, Cas has obviously ran out to left field and decided it was a nice place to stay for a while. After he decided not to smite the Winchesters or Bobby (we all appreciate that, thank you), he goes off to punish sinners. He is taking out the KKK, people who use God to get ahead in the world, and generally unsavory characters. He is cleaning up the perceived mess. It cracked me up when he changed the stain glass window to his image, oh Cas.

Meanwhile, Sam is dealing with the walls being down, Bobby doesn't have the answers, and Dean is pouting and working on his car. Their big question is what are they going to do about Cas. This is an excellent question and as Dean points out, when God is feeling righteous it is best to stay out of His way. Sam wants to try to talk to Cas again, and Bobby just knows they should do something.

Back with Cas he makes a deal with Crowley that Crowley can be the king of hell and take the souls Cas gives him. Cas is leaving hell in existence because he needs something to threaten people with--so he basically has Crowley over the barrel here. Things quickly go from bad to worse with Cas. His body starts deteriorating because it cannot handle all the souls, and people are fearing him not loving him. Life isn't always flowers and sausages when you are an overly confident angel.

The boys and Bobby also visit with Crowley to see if he can help them with Cas. Crowley gets them a spell to bind Death and make him do their bidding (cause that's a good idea). They bring a peace offering of pickle chips hoping to smooth things over. They want Death to kill Cas (I do think this is a tad of an overreaction. I mean it is Cas for crying out loud). Cas appears and Death mocks him (totally deserved) and tells us about Leviathans, but doesn't kill him. Cas frees Death and seems hurt by the boys actions (well they are his only friends). Cas leaves and heads to a political campaign. He starts talking to them then wakes up in the middle of a massacred room. Death agrees to make another eclipse so they can reopen purgatory and make Cas put all the souls back.

Cas is surprisingly easy to convince, but all does not go as planned (what does in the Supernatural world). Dean half heartedly accepts Cas's apology (obviously still angry, though he seems upset when he thinks he died). Then Cas comes back just a normal angel or so it seems. Then in the last 15 second everything changes. Misha Collins pulls off a seamless transformation from sweet lovable Cas to crazy completely different Leviathan Cas. Amazing.

My thoughts:
-I did not love having power hungry Cas, and I am so glad that was short lived. Leviathan Cas is freaking awesome! Love is so much I might burst.

-I am concerned about Dean. I don't mind the drinking, whatever it is Dean, but it does bother me that he didn't try harder with Cas. Last season he told Sam and Bobby that Cas was like family to him, and we all know Dean NEVER gives up on family. So why wouldn't he try to talk to Cas? They have a more profound bond. Dean convinced Cas to leave Heaven and help him for Pete's sake. If any character could get through to him it was him. Was it all because Cas took down the walls in Sam's mind. Is that a line once crossed in Dean's book can never go back? I love the relationship between Dean and Cas, so I hope that is explored further this season.

-What are the boys going to do this season without the normal hunter information banks to fall back on? This is a monster hardly anyone knows anything about. Very good plot twist.

-Love all the characters they brought back this episode. Crowley, Lucifer, Death, oh my!

-Love the new title card too

Needless to say I can't wait for the next episode. What are you most looking forward to this season?

#Giveaways!!!

2011-09-28T14:10:00.000-05:00

I have been busy marketing this week. There are still tons of opportunities to win Dark Corners going on right now, check out Liz On Tour. I am also doing some guest blogging and articles. There is a "How to" article about how to make some of my Halloween decorations over at Time 4 Mommy. On October 10th I am doing a guest post about my stay at the Lemp Mansion in St. Louis over at I Love Books and I have an incredibly cool giveaway. Zombie Survival messenger bag? Perhaps!

I also have some very exciting blog hops coming up. One the week of Halloween, The Trick or Treat hop, were I will be offering Dark Corners for free all week and you can get other fantastic books for free, come by for details! The Winner Wonderland giveaway hop, another awesome opportunity to win cool prizes.The Green Christmas giveaway blog hop, environmentally friendly prizes. And the most exciting one Independent Inklings Christmas Kindle giveaway. One lucky person will win a Kindle and ebooks from every participating author!! How cool is that. So make sure you stop by any of these hops and enter to win. Or if your are interesting in participating in any of them let me know and I will give you the information.

I am so excited!

Teaser Tuesday- Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

2011-09-27T12:58:00.000-05:00

"The only phone on the island. I looked over at it--it was the kind that had a door you could pull shut for privacy, like the ones you see in old movies--and realized with dawning horror that this was the Grecian orgy, this was the raging frat party I had been connected to when I called the island a few weeks ago. This was piss hole."
I am a third of the way through this marvelous story written by Ransom Riggs. Based on what I have read so far I highly recommend it.

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read.
2. Open to a random page.
3. Share two 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page.
4. Add the title and Author's name too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR pile.

TV Round Up

2011-09-26T09:34:00.003-05:00

So much tv, so little time. I am not one of those people who doesn't watch television. I watch it and love it, especially during new fall line up. So what did I watch in the past week?

Monday:
Two and a Half Men- I admit I am little more than a gawker here. I didn't really watch the old one except in reruns, but I was curious how they were going to get rid of Charlie. Parts of it were funny and it might be able to pull it off without him, but I personally think they lost a lot of the charm the show had before. I probably will not be returning to it.
2 Broke Girls- This made me laugh several times, especially love the part when they were talking about her boyfriend abs as making smart girls stupid. I will definitely be DVRing this one.
Castle- I love Castle. When it first came out I didn't want to watch it because it was another cop show, but I am glad I did. It is such a good show and I love that Castle is 1. Nathan Fillion and 2. a writer. The premiere this season was so good. It picked up nearly where it left off last season with Beckett getting shot. I was really curious through the first ten minutes or so what they were doing with Castle and Beckett, but by the end of the episode I was once again happily enthralled.

Tuesday:
The Ringer: I watched two episodes of this this week because I never watched the one I DVRed from the previous week. Sarah Michelle Gellar returns to play twins. I wasn't sure about it after the first episode, but the second one pulled me in more. It already promises a lot of twists and turns and I am curious where it is going to go.
Unforgettable: This is another cop show (I know, I know) with Dylan Walsh (Nip/Tuck) and Poppy Montgomery (Without a Trace). It was okay. I don't know if it will pick up a coveted DVR position. It is about a former detective and current gambler who seems to have perfect recall. It reminds me a bit of that older show the Profiler (which I loved) except without the extreme crimes and intensity. Anyway something happened in her past which she cannot recall that haunts her. She teams up with her ex-boyfriend and cop Dylan Walsh to solve the murder of one of her neighbors. I will watch it a second time, but I am on the fence.

Wednesday:
Up All Night- Will Arnett (Arrested Development <3) and Christina Applegate lead this sitcom about two new parents dealing with a baby, work, and each other. Parts were funny, but I didn't connect. Maybe because I don't have kids. I wanted to like it so much too. Sigh. I will give it another chance.
Modern Family- The premiere might have been my favorite Modern Family show ever. It was hilarious beginning to end. Could this cast be anymore perfect? Seriously, love it.
Criminal Minds- This was an interesting episode that brought back what we lost last season. I am glad they wrapped up that story line. I honestly watch Criminal Minds for the serial killers so I would like to get back to that.

Thursday:
The Mentalist- I actually watched this last night. It was a good episode and Jane is hard not to love. The end disappointed me slightly, but not enough to make me not want to watch his shenanigans.
Prime Suspect- I have been very interested in this BBC remake. I didn't mind the first episode, but I haven't set up a season pass yet (probably will this week). I like Maria Bello. I like that she wasn't a super woman. She gets her ass kicked, no one wants her to be there and it hurts her, and her love life isn't perfect. I am interested because it seems more real than most of what is on tv.

Friday:
Haven: *This will contain spoilers* Squee! I love Haven, especially Nathan and Audrey. I am so happy they finally refer to their feelings (they didn't actually talk about it but that's okay) and they finally kiss. With the Rev gone and tensions getting tighter it is only a matter of time before the wire snaps. The episode make serious headway into the confusing life of Audrey and into Duke's back story as well. I can't wait for the finale this week but at the same time I have the sneaking suspicion they will cliffhanger me and I HATE that.

What I missed-
A Gifted Man: Really wanted to see this one too. Must check On Demand.
Archer
The New Girl
Person of Interest
Supernatural: Never fear though, I have this one recorded. The only reason I didn't watch it is because I wanted to watch the finale from last season before I watched the new episode, but haven't had time. I will definitely catch up before this Friday. P.S. I miss Supernatural being on Thursday.

That's what I have so far. What have I missed? What did you watch that I should check out?

Halloween decorations

2011-09-24T14:02:00.001-05:00

Well, four blisters from the hot glue gun later I have all my Halloween decorations up and photographed. Now all I have left is to write the article about how I did the decorations and how they compare with what the magazine said. I will link to it when that is up, but for now I have pictures. Woohoo!

The front porch

I used a pie rack, leaves and some gourds to make a kitchen decoration.

This has my favorite decoration in it. It is the hand-craved witch I bought when I visited the Black Forest in Germany. Beneath I made a cauldron of poisoned apples. Muahahaahha

On top of the piano I have my spider pumpkin tea light holders I made.

The Poe display might be my favorite one this year.

Interview with Jeremy Bates!

2011-09-24T07:00:00.004-05:00

Author, Jeremy Bates, stopped by Bat Country today to chat with me his process. #amwriting His book, White Lies, comes out May 7th, 2012. Check his very cool web site http://www.jeremybatesbooks.com/ and book trailer.

White Lies blurb- While driving to a charming village tucked away deep in the Cascade Mountains of eastern Washington, where she is to begin a new job teaching high school English, Katrina Burton picks up a young hitchhiker who turns out to be drunk and predatory. Fearful for her safety, she lies about her destination in order to get him out of the car. But when she later discovers that he is a teacher at the same school, she finds herself feeding that initial lie with more lies.
Then Katrina meets a mysterious man. Handsome, charismatic and strong, he is exactly what she needs to extricate her from the expanding network of lies, now spinning out of control. She falls fast and hard for him.
But her perfect solution soon becomes a nightmare that lands her in the middle of a grisly murder. And Katrina’s problems don’t stop there. She must decide whether to betray her new love or to cover up the murder and hope for the best…until she discovers that the choice may not be hers to make.

Now let's get started!

What genre do you write in?

I write suspense/thriller. More specifically, I call the kind of books I write "situational thrillers." Regular people in bad situations. Sort of like Scott Smith's A Simple Plan. What would you do if you found four million dollars?

What is your process? (do you plan, outline, let the characters guide you, research before or during, etc)

Once I have an idea, I'll let it sit in my head for a couple weeks. Then I'll jot down a few pages of notes outlining a very general plot and info on the main characters. But after that I just go with it. Any research that comes up I do as I write.

How do you get into your character's frame of mind?

I think that just happens naturally. The characters are pretty thin when I start out. But after I get into the story, they sort of find themselves. Then I'll often have to go back and fix them up in the beginning, once I know them better.

Do you listen to music while you write? What is your favorite song for emotional scenes?

Definitely! I have no favorite song for any kind of scene. I could be writing an emotional scene and listening to AC/DC! Whatever is coming through the headphones at that time. Funny enough, if I mention a song in a novel, it's usually what I was listening while I was writing.

What have you published and what are you currently working on?
My debut novel is called White Lies. It will be released by Oceanview Publishing on May 7, 2012. I’m currently working on the next novel (still untitled at this point!)

What is your favorite book?
Tough question! There are so many. But I really like The Shining by Stephen King.

What is your favorite movie?
Again—tough to choose just one! The Talented Mr. Ripley (great book too!)

Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
I don’t have a specific favorite. But in general I tend to like the villains. They’re always fun to write and you can get away with a lot of stuff with them that you can’t with the heroes (like shooting people, doing drugs, whatever).

PROUST Questions:

What is your favorite word?
Okay.

What is your least favorite word?
No.

What turns you on?
Women.

What turns you off?
Camels.

What sound or noise do you love?
The ocean.

What sound or noise do you hate?
Car horns.

What is your favorite curse word?
Fuck.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
A rock star!

What profession would you not like to do?
Acting.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Here’s the key.

Thanks!

Weekend Reading: This Brilliant Darkness by Red Tash

2011-09-23T07:00:00.001-05:00

Hello all! My #amreading book this weekend is This Brilliant Darkness. The author, Red Tash, was kind enough to come to Bat Country to do a guest post. Enjoy!

Liz, thanks for hosting me on your blog this Friday for Weekend Reading. I love the Halloween theme you’re rocking!

First of all, I have to confess that I, too, am a Scorpio, and autumn is my favorite time of year. Halloween is definitely Red Tash’s favorite holiday, if I do say so, myself (in the third person).

I just released my first novel (into the wild), and to celebrate, I’m having a huge Trick or Treat Bash over at my blog. Here’s the link: http://RedTash.com/bash I do hope some of your readers will enter my prize giveaway, because there’s a new Kindle up for grabs, Amazon gift cards, and well over three dozen novels from some of today’s most prolific authors. w00t! The lucky winners are going to be reading for free for months.

So, let me tell you a little something about This Brilliant Darkness. It’s a short novel, and fast-paced, yet it still manages to tell a story of good versus evil as events unfold through the viewpoints of multiple characters. It’s a book for people who don’t like being talked down to—hey, I’m smart, and I assume my readers are, as well. I don’t spend a lot of time pandering and hand-holding, but there is a cast of characters at the beginning of the book, and an online map, if you’re into those.

In This Brilliant Darkness, we take off running, and each chapter ends with a cliffhanger.

Along the way, we get to know:

· Christine, our quirky heroine--a young professor on Indiana University’s scenic campus. She loves her morning coffee, her hunky hippie boyfriend (mostly), and hanging out with the local Buddhist monks. She hates modern technology, and the feeling she’s being watched. Will she realize she’s being stalked in time to save herself?

· Greachin, the ages-old entity too damaged to realize he’s his own worst enemy, obsessed with Christine and intent on doing her in. Although he’s harnessed the power to mutate organic matter into any form he can imagine, will he triumph over his own darkness? Does he even want to?

· Among the rest, the charmingly odd, smallish-urban town of Bloomington, Indiana stands out as a character of its own. Populated by cosplaying environmentalists & street-person barbershop quartets, you never know what you’re going to run into next on the streets of B-town. Especially when you dare to take a shortcut through Greachin’s woods.

Our main character Christine is born on Halloween, and she’s all decked out in her costume for the annual town parade on the night of big throwdown between her and the evil Greachin. She’s such a coffee junkie, she naturally finds a Juan Valdez get-up for her birthday shindig. But will she make it to the party alive?

This Brilliant Darkness is just $.99, and currently available on Amazon, Smashwords, and the iBooks store. It’ll be in a few other places soon, so check my site if you’re loyal to a store not listed here.

http://RedTash.com My site

http://redtash.com/ThisBrilliantDarkness More about the characters from TBD, and links to purchase

Supernatural Thursday: Dead Silence

2011-09-21T22:13:00.001-05:00

In my waxing poetic about horror movies someone recommended to me a movie called Dead Silence. I will watch any horror movie, naturally, I promptly added it to my Netflix queue and received it last week. On Saturday I had the house to myself and a horrible headache so I decided not to write for a day and indulge myself in a whole day of scary movies.

Dead Silence started with this couple Jamie and Lisa Ashen in their apartment being a generally cute couple. Then there is a knock on the door but when they answer there is just a package on the floor made out to Jamie. Inside this package in a suitcase like box containing a creepy ass puppet doll, Billy.

Now had this been me, I would have put that doll back in the box and then outside in the dumpster... or possibly sold it on ebay since it looked like an antique--what, someone out there would want a creepy doll. Here we find out Jamie is afraid of dolls and his wife recites some nursery rhyme about a lady named Mary Shaw.

Beware the stare of Mary Shaw

She had no children only dolls

And if you see her in your dreams

Be sure to never ever scream.

Then Jamie leaves to get take out and his nutty wife sets the doll up on the bed in the bedroom under the cover to scare Jamie. Of course this wakes up the crazy in the dolls and the thing annihilates her. Jamie comes home and find his dead wife and entered Donnie Walberg, the somewhat annoying detective that refuses to believe that the doll has something to do with the murder (okay so maybe that is reasonable, but whatever). Jamie is naturally mad he is a suspect and tells the detective he will just solve the case alone.

He goes home and lots more happens with creepy dolls, Mary Shaw, his family, and the town. All in all I like it. It was creepy and kept me interested. It wasn't overly shocking or gory, but it didn't need to be. If you like creepy movies with dolls, add this to your October lineup.

Inside Writer Studio: Stephanie Nelson

2011-09-21T07:00:00.004-05:00

Hello! Today I am talking to the author of Craved, Stephanie Nelson. I read her book a few weeks back and loved it. If you like paranormal romance or just fun magical worlds you will love it too. Stephanie was kind enough to chat with me about her book last night (I do mean a literal chat) enjoy our sometimes tangenty talking.

Liz Schulte- Hello, Stephanie Nelson!

Stephanie Nelson- Hello, Liz Schulte

Liz- Stephanie is a friend from my writer's group who agreed to do this interview with me last night at 9:30 because I need a post for today. She is an awesome person and writer, but I will let her tell you about who she is.

Stephanie- I'm a simple girl from Illinois where I live with my wonderful husband. A lot of people ask me if I always wanted to be a writer. The truth is, I hated reading when i was younger. I would occasionally read Goosebump books by R.L Stine but even those couldn't hold my interest for very long. Aside from writing notebooks full of poems, I disliked everything written. It wasn't until I picked up Twilight by Stephanie Meyer that I understood how someone could fall in love with a book. The Twilight sage ignited my love of books that quickly grew into an addiction. Before I had owned maybe two books, and now I own over 200. I have since moved on from sparkly fangless vampires but I will always be thankful to Mrs. Meyer for writing such an incredible series and instilling in me a love of books.

Like every other addiction, mine grew. Reading countless books just wasn't enough for me, I needed to create my own. The story of Gwen formed in my head a little over 4 years ago but at the time the story was drastically different. The vampires still had an addiction for witches blood but I hadn't mastered what I was trying to say, so I gave up. Writing was a lot harder than I had imagined and I often grew frustrated and discouraged. I continued to write different stories, only to abandon them and start another. Eventually, I gave up all together. I was certain I couldn't become an author and that it was only a pipe dream. A year later, I sat at my computer and began to type again. I may have felt beaten by the writer's world but I was determined not to give up forever. I began writing a book and got to around 68,000 words (a normal novel is 80,000) and then the story of Gwen and the vampires who were addicted to witches blood, popped into my head and I gave up on my almost finished novel to write it. Craved was a story that was insistent and wouldn't leave me alone until I finished writing it.

It took me 7 months to finish Craved and once I was done I was so proud of myself for actually completing a book. I didn't plan on publishing any of my work, i just wanted to write for the fun of it. It wasn't until H.P Mallory invited me to her writer's group and I started learning from fellow writers about self-publishing. I talked with my husband about publishing and he was gun-ho from the beginning. I, on the other hand, was as extremely nervous. I had put so much heart and work into finishing Craved. I worried no one would like it and was apprehensive about sharing my story with the entire world.
I finally decided to publish in July 2011 and the acceptance that Craved has gotten is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Praises from my readers is the best reward I could ever get and will be forever thankful for those who've supported it.

If you have an imagination, anything is possible = )

While I'm not writing, which is hardly ever, I spend entirely too much time on Facebook, watch movies, try to read, play with my furry children, and spend time with my family. I'm a very down to earth girl who just happens to be living my dream.

Liz- Please tell us about your book?

Stephanie- Craved is about Gwen Sparks, a witch who is able to read the memories of the dead. She's unaware that the power has a darker meaning and is a learning a little about it as she goes. She reads a headline in the newspaper about a witch that was found drained and know's her power could help the local police in catching the murder, but that means having to work with her ex boyfriend, Micah, who dumped her for not being a wolf. Together they search for clues in finding out who is responsible and Gwen soon learns that witches are being drained for the magic in their blood--brew, as the vampires refer to it. She goes to Aiden Blake for help but ends up falling for his charm and becoming involved with the vampire who's been chasing her for the past 2 years. It's a mixture of suspense and romance.
Sorry, I'm horrible at describing my book lol

Liz- It is a very good description! I read it, I know.
Have you always been interested in witchcraft or is this where the story took you?

Stephanie- Yea, I've always been interested in witches. When I was younger I loved Hocus Pocus and Charmed. I just love the thought of magic, it's so much more interesting than the regular supernaturals in my opinion. When I began writing 4 years ago, I knew I wanted my lead character to be a witch with a rare power.

Liz- I loved Charmed too! Who was your favorite?

Stephanie- I like Phoebe's personality but I loved Prue's power, it's be cool to move things with your mind and astral project

Liz-Prue was my favorite.
In your book the vampire, Aiden, is pretty wonderful--team vampire here--what was your biggest concern writing him?

Stephanie- I was worried that his jealousy would come off as annoying to the readers. He's been waiting to claim Gwen for 2 years and now that he has her it's caused a bit of worry of losing her. In book 2, his personality will be more confident and stronger. I have my character's personalities in my head and know them almost as well as a real person, but writing them is difficult because the reader interrupts them in their own way. Aiden is a little cocky, flirtatious, and possessive, so I hoped he came across that way when I wrote him

Liz-I completely agree! I talk about my characters like they are real because they do feel real which makes it hard to hurt them, but that's our job.

Stephanie- Exactly, I'd love to write their lives where they live happily ever after, but life is dirty and people get hurt, Aiden and Gwen's lives are a little messier so it's hard to write that.

Liz- It is a good for them, it makes them stronger. Ahaha that's how I justify it.
This is the first book in a series. How many books are you planning in this world?

Stephanie- I'm writing Hunted right now, which is the second book in the series and I already have the plot for the 3rd book, Coveted. But I haven't set a limit for how many will be in the series. When I'm done writing the 3rd I'm hoping another adventure pops into my head and I'll be able to write a 4th.

Liz-Who do you think was the biggest influence on you taking up writing?

Stephanie- It may sound strange but, Stephanie Meyer. I never liked reading and never understood how someone could be obsessed with a book. I bought Twilight on a whim, because even though I didn't like reading, I wanted to, so I still bought books here and there. I'd heard a lot about Twilight and gave it a shot. It was the first book I'd ever fallen in love with. After reading her saga, I went out and searched for more books. After falling in love with the paranormal romance genre, I knew I wanted to write my own story. The first 20 attempts were horrible and I gave up for almost a year, but the story wouldn't leave me alone so I continued to try and write it.

Liz- That is awesome. I am not a Twilight fan, but if it could awaken that spark in you then that is wonderful.
What was your biggest obstacle in completing Craved?

Stephanie- Having confidence in my writing. I started around 20 different stories when I first started writing and always gave up on them because I thought my writing was horrible. My husband was the only one I'd ever let read my books and even though he said they were good, I thought he was just saying that because he's my husband lol. So when I got serious about finishing Craved, there were times where I'd leave it for a few weeks at a time because I thought I was kidding myself with wanting to become an author. I eventually gained confidence once I let my critique partners read it and that helped drive me to finish it.

Liz-Well I am glad you did, your book was such a fun read!

Stephanie- Aw, thanks Liz

Liz-Okay now it is time for the Proust questions. Good luck

Stephanie- uh oh lol

Liz- What is your favorite word?

Stephanie- sassafras, no other reason other than it's fun to say lol

Liz-What is your least favorite word?

Stephanie- hmm, the only ones that come to mind are a few dirty ones lol

Liz- You have to choose

Stephanie- eek, okay, i hate when someone says XXXXX **cheeks are red** lol

Liz- Ahahaha! Awkward segway to...
What turns you on?

Stephanie- When a man has confidence and knows what he wants, a great pair of eyes and lips don't hurt either.

Liz- What turns you off?

Stephanie- immaturity and liars

Liz- What sound or noise do you love?

Stephanie- music in general, it's the best therapy

Liz- What sound or noise do you hate?

Stephanie- dogs barking, drives me nuts

Liz- What is your favorite curse word?

Stephanie- son of a bitch, use it way too much

Liz-What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Stephanie- I always wanted to be a photographer or digital artist

Liz-What profession would you not like to do?

Stephanie- fast food, been there done that and it sucked

Liz- Last question, I hope the interview wasn't painful... If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

Stephanie- I told you I existed

Liz- Ahahaha! Love it. Thank you very much.

Stephanie- Lol Thank you, that was a fun interview!

Be sure to check out Stephanie's book Craved. You won't be disappointed.

All I needed was an excuse...

2011-09-20T13:22:00.001-05:00

to decorate for #Halloween! I was asked to write a post for an online magazine A Time 4 Mommy. If you haven't seen it or checked it out, do--lots of great coupons, book reviews, articles, etc. Anyway I will be testing out some fun DIY Halloween decorations this week and weekend for the article. I'll make sure to post a link here too. So much fun, can't wait to have all the Halloween stuff up. Yay!

Music Monday

2011-09-19T11:26:00.002-05:00

Pandora now has workout stations. I don't know how long they have been around but I am so excited about them. I am always on the lookout for new workout music because once I am too familiar with a playlist it ceases to keep my mind off the fact that I can't breathe and my legs feel like lead. The music is a magical distraction that allows my mind to do more important things than worry about breathing like plot scenes and characters. Their lists are as follows:
Pop and Hip Hop Power Workout
Rap Strength Training
Hark Rock Strength Training
80's Cardio
Dance Cardio
Pop Fitness
Electronic Cardio
Alternative Endurance Training
Classic Rock Power Workout
Country Fitness
Yoga
Yoga Workout
I am listening to the Alternative Endurance Training while at work today. So far they haven't played anything wouldn't play on my other lists (White Stripes, the Cure, Harvey Danger, etc), I might have to switch to Pop and Hip Hop to find some new songs. But check the stations out, you never know what you might find. I will share my current list though some of the song I would never admit to liking in person. :-)

Current Running Playlist on my Ipod:

Paper Planes- MIA

Are You Gonna Be My Girl- Jet

Oh My God- Ida Maria

G6- Far East Movement

Boom Boom Pow- Black Eyed Peas

Tik Tok- Kesha

Shake- Michael Franti

Tonight I'm F**king You- Enrique Iglesias

Higher- Taio Cruz

Percussion Gun- White Rabbits

Kiss With A Fist- Florence and the Machine

Breakfast of champions

2011-09-18T09:30:00.003-05:00

I talk a lot about green monsters here so I thought I would share my morning green monster with you this today as I sit on the patio enjoying a beautiful 50-something degree start to the day. Mine is made with spinach, chia, strawberries, blueberries and pomegranate juice. Yum!

Fall in the House of Liz

2011-09-17T09:06:00.000-05:00

I know technically it isn't fall yet and given how crazy our weather has been this year it could just as likely be 102 on Monday, but it has pretty much been in the sixties all week for me and I am loving it. Sixties and rainy gives the air that certain bite and smell that makes me think fall. It's my favorite season and it always leaves too soon, so maybe I am as bad as those people who rush Christmas with rushing fall. I decided to do a list (you know how I love them).

The Best Things About Fall:

1. Halloween- What is more fun than dressing up, seeing others dressing up, eating candy, and watching scary movies? Nothing is the correct answer

2. Apples. I love going to the orchards and getting apples. Fresh, homemade apple pie is the only kind of apple pie I like.

3. Carving pumpkins. I love the smell, the gooey mess, and the creativity.

4. Going to haunted houses- This was taken people we went to go on a haunted hayride where we got to shoot zombies with paintball guns. Yep, we were practicing our mean zombie faces just in case we had to hide among the natives.

5. College football- Mizzou may not always be good, but they are my team for better or worse, and I will be watching the game.

6. My birthday- Enough said

7. Zombieland premieres on October 16th. What, what!

8. The sound of leaves crunching beneath my feet.

9. Leaves changing

10. Getting to wear all of your new and old fall clothes. Hello boots.

Well I must get back writing, I have a busy day of soccer and football ahead of me.

L

Random Friday Story

2011-09-16T12:21:00.004-05:00

Okay, so Random Friday Story isn't really one of my blog days. Normally on Friday I do my weekend reading, but I have no weekend reading this week. I have nieces that I have to help get to soccer and editing and writing coming out of my ears, so instead you get a random story about my life. If you guys like this segment, it may come around, but if I am over sharing about me, that's fine too.

Last night I was babysitting for my three nephews. They are unruly like most boys are, and they all talk to me at once, increasingly getting louder so their story can be heard over the other ones. I expected the older two to get on the Wii and ignore me and the youngest child until their parents came home, but that wasn't how it worked out. First, we all bowled with the Fisher Price bowling set. Then one decided it was more fun to run through the pins then to bowl thereby making the other two angry which in turn made everyone scream. Then we settled down and watched Backyardigans and Tom and Jerry, but as soon as the movie was on everyone was hungry. We took the big group trip up to the kitchen to scavenge for food. The youngest wanted apples and blueberries, so sweet. The older two wanted ice cream. I was scooping out their bowls of ice cream when I notice the middle child standing next to his chair.
"Caden, what are you doing?"
"Smashing an M&M."
"What?!?! Stop it! Why would you do that?"
"Because it's chocolately."
"Well stop, pick it up."
*waves hand in air dismissively* "The dogs will get it."
Needless to say he did pick up the M&M and we carried on. I sit down at the table with my ice cream and the youngest tells me now he wants ice cream too. So I get him a bowl, now all three want a drink so I get that too. I sit back down, my tasty red velvet ice cream half melted and begin eating. The youngest looks at me,
"Thank you for getting us ice cream, Aunt Liz."
And Aunt Liz is officially a softy.

Supernatural Thursday: Firefly

2011-09-15T08:55:00.002-05:00

A few years back I heard about this show called Firefly. I didn't watch because it seemed too spacey and I don't do space. It looked a little too Stars Wars to me, and I flat out had no interest. None. I was wrong.

Flash forward to now and I continued to hear about the show and its awesomeness so I bought the season. I watched about two episodes then it fell to the side again. Too spacey, I told myself. Well, this past Sunday there was nothing on TV, and I think I have watched every BBC TV show Netflix has to offer so I pulled it back out. I restarted the series and finished it last night.

First, I totally get what everyone was talking about it is amazing. Second, it just freaking ends, nothing is resolved. Gah! Tonight I will have to watch Serenity because you just can't leave me like that. So not cool. Third, it is a space western (I love the Magnificent Seven like episode), but don't let that scare you. The plots are solid, the character arcs are engaging, and the dialogue is witty. Fourth, the cast is awesome. I may not know all of them by their real names, but I swear I recognized most everyone. The ones I do know Nathan Fillion (Castle, Two Guys a Girl and a Pizza Place), Adam Baldwin (Chuck), Alan Tudyk (Death at a Funeral- the British one. If you haven't seen it, get it immediately), Gina Torres (Suits) and of course Mark Sheppard (the best guest star from everything most recently Supernatural--Crowley--and Leverage).

If you are like me and you haven't given it a shot, do. It is streaming on Netflix, check it out!

Time is of the essence

2011-09-13T09:33:00.000-05:00

Okay so this post isn't about writing, reading, music, or anything scary. I know, I know I'm feeling fine I swear. I have been been trying to get back into my workout routine which slips through my fingers as I became busy with publishing and editing and working 40 hour weeks and my family, etc. Time just seems to slip away from me. I was doing yoga and running nearly everyday before I let the excuses and guilt about the time I was wasting take over. But no longer. I will start doing it again. It is no longer 9000 degrees outside, the wonderful smell of fall is nearly in the air, there is no reason not to make the time to exercise, right?
So I started my morning off right with a green monster (if you don't know what a green monster is check out this site, I highly recommend them. They are an addition. http://greenmonstermovement.com/). I will get back into my strictly organic food and exercise. I will! I will aim for the December Jingle Bell 5k again, though it was so freaking cold last year. No more excuses... well maybe a few more, but I will try not to let them slow me down.

Music Monday- Music vs. Lyrics

2011-09-12T11:09:00.000-05:00

I'm a lyrics girl. I don't know if there is a great debate between the two camps and obviously both are important to the song, but for me it is the lyrics of a song I connect with, so it always surprises me when I suddenly realize I have no idea what the song I am singing along with is about.

This happened on my way to work this morning. I had a mellow playlist going (because I am in a mellow part of my writing), and I am singing along to the Avett Brothers song, I and Love and You. I absolutely love this song, have since the first time I heard it. It squeezes my heart and makes me feel a little sad, though I can honestly say I don't know why. Is Brooklyn a person or a New York borough? What exactly is happening in it?

Don't get me wrong there are good lines that make sense to me, You’re dreams that catch the world the cage/The highway sets the travelers stage/ All exits look the same.I think I get that, but as for what the overall song is about, I haven't a clue. Nevertheless, I love the song and will continue to sing along to it as loud as I can in my car because I can and no one can stop me.

For those interested here are the lyrics, all theories of meaning are welcome.

Load the car and write the note.
Grab your bag and grab your coat.
Tell the ones that need to know.
We are headed north.
One foot in and one foot back.
But it don’t pay to live like that.
So I cut the ties and I jumped the track.
For never to return.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Are you aware the shape I’m in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
When at first I learned to speak.
I used all my words to fight.
With him and her and you and me.
Ahh, but it's just a waste of time.
Yeah it’s such a waste of time.
That woman she’s got eyes that shine.
Like a pair of stolen polished dimes.
She asked to dance I said it’s fine.
I’ll see you in the morning time.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Are you aware the shape I’m in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Three words that became hard to say.
I and Love and You.
What you were then I am today.
Look at the things I do.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Are you aware the shape I’m in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Are you aware the shape I’m in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Dumbed down and numbed by time and age.
You’re dreams that catch the world the cage.
The highway sets the travelers stage.
All exits look the same.
Three words that became hard to say.
I and Love and You.
I and Love and You.
I and Love and You.

Weekend Reading: Chosen by Jolea Harrison

2011-09-09T07:00:00.001-05:00

Blurb:

For everyone else in the world, getting stabbed in the heart means instant death. All it does for Dynan Telaerin is send him to hell.

In Chosen, Jolea M. Harrison transports us to a world on the cusp of destruction, caught in a thousand year cycle of ever repeating time, trapped between the warring Gods and the demon, Belial, with one young hero chosen to save not just the world, but the Gods themselves.

Dynan finds himself on a corpse-strewn hillside, uncertain if he's dead or alive, charged with saving the soul of his ancestor, the most powerful telepath to ever exist. Dynan has telepathic powers of his own, only he doesn’t know how to use them. With monsters and minions trying to eat his soul, the demon’s lair isn’t a place conducive to learning anything except how to run and how to hide.

Can Dynan find his ancestor before the fabric of time is torn beyond repair? Will courage alone be enough to face the greatest evil to exist? Will he lose his soul to save everyone else?

The running starts, and doesn't stop to the end of this action packed adventure of a young man coming to terms with his life while he's barely a spirit, through horrors he thought existed only in dreams.

Author BIO -

Jolea was born in Washington DC and has lived outside the Nation's Capitol most of her life. She spent many a summer roaming around the museums on the Mall, watching fireworks and concerts. Her older sister started a children's theater and they put on plays, ala Rooney and Garland, for a number of summers. They even took their shows on the road, locally, and made something of a name for the little troupe, Ateow Children's Theatre or ACT! People came out of their way to see their shows, which they put on in the side yard of the family farm, running extension cords out for the sound equipment. When the Concord jet went over, the actors had to 'freeze' in place until it was gone. Ateow’s crowning achievement was producing The Hobbit at the Dogwood Dell in Richmond, Virginia. The production drew HUGE crowds and according to the author, was a huge amount of fun to be involved with. It so happens that J. R. R. Tolkien is Jolea’s favorite author.

After a little bit of moving around, Jolea landed back in Virginia and has been there ever since, residing in her childhood home, a 200-year-old Civil War era farmhouse. A doctor lived there during that terrible conflict and treated troops at a number of field hospitals in the area, as well as right there at the house. The bug to move around is no longer present for Jolea, so she doesn’t believe she’ll be moving again.

Jolea began writing when she was in middle school and hasn’t stopped since. She is now working on the second book in the GOtW series, Myth. She loves writing, is passionate about it and would love write above all other things. It would be a dream come true to be able to make a living making stuff up!

For more information about the author, you can read her blog at http://jm-harrison.com, follow her on twitter @joleab and on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/JoleaMHarrison

Supernatural Thursday: Clowns

2011-09-08T12:27:00.000-05:00

Clowns are one of those things where no one was scared of them until some magical switch was flipped and nearly everyone recognized them for the creepy bastards they are. But what was the switch? What turned them from fun-loving entertainment for children to sinister, maniacal embodiments of evil?

I never liked anything in a mask. I don't trust people who feel the need to hide their face. Combine that with a painted on smile and constant laughter and the creep factor goes through the roof. FACT: No one who is up to any sort of good is that happy, ever.

However, I think for many Poltergeist had a huge influence on the clown hatred of Gen X and Y. Who can forget that scene of the clown doll, who was just creepy throughout the movie, pulling the kid under the bed. Not okay, Steven Spielberg. Stephen King's It wasn't too bad in the fear factor either (well up until the ending it was solid at least) and Timmy Curry completely sold Pennywise the clown as the stuff nightmares are made of. And let us not forget the real life killer clown, Pogo, or more commonly known John Wayne Gacy.

Honestly, it is a wonder clowns remained as innocuous as they were for as long as they did.

Still Catching Up

2011-09-07T13:21:00.000-05:00

I have come back from Dragon Con with so many thoughts and ideas about projects I want to do and stories I want to create that I may never get to them all. I have new series plotted out in my head, I have some new writing methods I learned that may make the process faster and more efficient, and definitely looking into providing the more complete experience for my readers. Exciting times are ahead of us all friends. It's time to buy the ticket and take the ride.

I will have a Dragon Con post with pictures, but right now I am still catching up on everything. I submitted my short story last night, wish me luck, and I am doing the finishing run through on Secrets before I pass it off to my editor. Once that is done then I need to start preparing myself for NaNoWriMo. Lots of books and stories to get out into the world and so little time to do it.

Music Monday- Scary Music

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

Fall is in the air, even if it is 900 degrees outside. We had our first football game over the weekend, school is back in session, and I just saw a ton of crazy costumed people all weekend. Makes me remember October is right around the corner and my favorite holiday, Halloween (candy, horror movies, and no forced family time what is not to love). So in honor of my fall type mood you get the list of my top five scariest songs.

5. Nightmare on my Street- DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince- Okay so not a good start. Not scary at all but the part where Freddy talks could totally startled someone.

4. Paint It Black- The Rolling Stones- This song just makes me think of serial killers. I love it.

3. Theme from the Shining- This just makes me picture Jack Nicholson. Enough said.

2. Theme from Psycho- I love how startling the eek eek eek part is.

1. Theme from Halloween- BEST horror movie music of all time.

What song scares you? And don't forget to stop by day three on the blog tour of doom! http://goyay.blogspot.com/

Your editing questions

2011-09-04T08:00:00.002-05:00

I will start this with a disclaimer- I do not edit my blog posts at all. I do not even reread them, so you have been warned. This is just me rambling.

This post is designed to give you some self-editing help. Everyone has doubts about what they thought they knew while they are editing their own work. That is just the way it is. One second we are positive and the next moment "prominent" looks like it is spelled wrong even though spellcheck says it is okay. So I have some helpful sites you can use as a quick reference. (For the "prominent" problem I would suggest a dictionary. Mine is always next to me when editing or writing.)

Dialogue Punctuation- http://www.be-a-better-writer.com/punctuate-dialogue.html

Lay vs Lie, and basically any question you can imagine http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/

Comma refresher complete with quizzes http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm

Capitalization- http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/capital.asp

Repeating words- http://thesaurus.com/

What are your favorite sites for grammar rules?

Happy editing!
Liz

Short Story Collection

2011-09-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

Still at #DragonCon, but today's blog is about short stories. I haven't written many. I have one coming out in an anthology, Dream On, this fall. And I am about to submit to another anthology that if selected will come out in October, but that is all that I have written. However, while writing my latest short I had an idea. What if I wrote a series of short stories that built on each other like a television show? They would all be stand alone stories but as you read them it would like watching the next episode on television. They wouldn't be published separately (because I sort of think that is a rip off) I would compile a collection of them into a book (like a season on dvd). Anyway that is the idea I am kicking around right now. I wonder if there would be any interest.

Weekend Reading: Craved by Stephanie Nelson

2011-09-02T08:00:00.005-05:00

Hello from #DragonCon. Make sure you stop by my 2nd stop of the EPIC blog tour and leave a comment so you can enter to win the awesome prize pack http://www.deanabarnhart.blogspot.com/

I will not actually be doing any reading this weekend but I will share with you a new book I read this past weekend by a good friend of mine, Stephanie Nelson. Her book Craved is a story completely immersed in its own supernatural world that exists within our world, though not completely unknown to humans just segregated. In the supernatural town of Flora there lives a witch and our main character Gwen Sparks. Gwen finds herself quickly thrust into all kinds of problems from her good intentions of helping the police discover who has been draining witches. There are several delicious characters and it is a fun, entertaining read.

Blurb:
When Gwen Sparks reads the headline she knows just who to call, Detective Micah Reynolds, her wolfy ex. She'll have to use her rare power for reading the memories of the dead if she hopes to lead the police to the culprit. If it were only that easy... Gwen soon learns that witches blood is what the vampires call brew and it's the hot new drug amongst the vampires. In her search for justice Gwen is being haunted by an unsettled spirit that pulls her into the ghostly realm and a sexy but frustrating vampire who wishes to claim more than her blood, he's after her heart.

You can pick up Craved for .99 on Amazon!

Supernatural Thursday: Dragon Con

2011-09-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

Today I am leaving for #DragonCon and it is the first stop on my blog tour, http://momma-money.blogspot.com/ (stop by and sign up to win!).

I signed up to do the DragonCon writing seminars with a friend of mine a few months back when we were trying to plan some sort of fun writing trip we could do. I have been so so excited about this. I mean there are authors I like, television shows I watch, celebrities I like, and writing. I mean all awesome things I love. What is there not to be excited about? Here is a rundown of the seminars,

Writing Seminar Program for Michael A. Stackpole and Aaron Allston:

Seminar 1: The Rules of Writing

Seminar 2: Tools of the Trade

Seminar 3: Writing Careers in the Post-Paper Era

Seminar 4: Providing the Experience

Seminar 5: Characterization

Seminar 6: 21 Days to a Novel

Seminar 7: Style and Mood

Seminar 8: Writing a Successful Series

Seminar 9: Ruining Your Career Before It Gets Started

Seminar 10: Twenty-One Ways to Kill Your Novel

Seminar 11: Plotting

Seminar 12: Plot Analysis

Seminar 13: Edit to perfection

Seminar 14: Showing Off Your Manuscript

Like I said exciting and fun for a nerdy writer like me. So yesterday I start talking to my friend about what I am going to wear. We start looking at the pictures of people attending Dragon Con and hoo-boy! I can tell you now it doesn't matter what I wear (I'm talking casual normal everyday clothes people because I don't really do the costume thing) I am going to stick out if I am not dressed like Princess Leia. Suddenly I am a little nervous, but I am taking my camera and I promise pictures and fun tales when I return.

Inside Writer Studio

2011-08-31T08:52:00.000-05:00

I don't have an interview this week for my book studio, too busy. Instead I have news. Woohoo! I have a huge, massive epic blog tour starting tomorrow. Make sure you stop by the varies stops and comment. Any comment will enter you to win a prize pack including: a signed copy of Dark Corners, a signed copy of my November release Secrets, $20 gift card to Amazon AND Barnes and Noble. The blogs and dates are listed under the "Liz on Tour" page.
In other news I finished my short horror story and will be submitting it for consideration to a Halloween anthology. Wish me luck. If they don't take it I have much bigger plans for the story that I will share with you later. This was without a doubt the creepiest story to research. Abandoned carnival, bloody disappearances, and killer clowns, oh my.
Liz