A Mish-Mash Monday & A Possible New Logo

I hit this Monday with a whimper. Even though I didn't do very much at all over this past weekend I find myself without much to say and feeling a trifle blah.  I am reading a book I find ho-hum and I continue to read it hoping it will redeem itself. Its Ho-hum-edness is probably what is making me feel this way. I will write more about it later because I am going to slog my way on through and now you are wondering what it is are you not?

So, in checking the web I find I was admitted into Book Blogs and I have been looking around.

 I found a very interesting place, the Book Drum.  It is filled with special ideas that allow the expression of a book by "...combin[ing] photography, maps, video and music to go beyond the pages of the books we love." http://www.bookdrum.com/

I can see this in what authors are doing with their websites and by offering play lists and tours; Karen Marie Moning is a particularly good example. Her site offers some good map-like aspects to bring The Fever Series' Dublin to us in a way a plain map could not.  She also offers play lists.  Her link appears in my link list. If a book makes you want to do more to it, to bring your feelings for it out check this site.  If you have ideas that are aural or visual about books, or just want to see a different and very creative approach to books, check it out! (Contest previously discussed is over so I have removed that info)

What would I like today (other than calorie free ice cream that is as good as regular without artificial seeteners)?  I would really like to know what your favorite books, characters and sub-genres are. What puts you off of a book and/or what makes you write to an author and beg for a sequel -- to be published immediately?

Myself, I like books with strong women characters and relationships that have more than sex. I like plot to be central, with character growth also important.  Maybe I never left books with morals to them - I like worlds that are consistent within themselves, but without the added burden of a new language or the changing of a term just to be different.  I prefer PNR and UF  written by women. Probably sexist , but I find it more respectful, and more from a woman's POV.

I like the characters to have the aforementioned relationship before they fall into bed and I am wary when the characters go from animosity to hot monky loving in less time than it takes to make a cup of espresso.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the potential new logo at the top of the page.
So, if you want to be heard and don't feel like getting your own blog, make a comment!

Want to remind you (if you need it) that the new season of True Blood begins NEXT SUNDAY! Are you excited?
I have to get over to the YMCA and work out because they haven' come out with that ice cream yet!

Eclipse Clip

As the epoll survey learned last week I don't watch MTV [I  did when I was younger but just don't now -- possibly accounting for my total lack of knowledge about who is "hot" musically]. But I do get almost constant Twilight updates (what will these people be into after Breaking Dawn II?).  So, if you follow this link it will take you to an exclusive clip with a surprise ending and a synopsis of sorts.  There is some allusion to an almost smooch between Rob and Kristen. (Valley Girl Voice: OMG!!!).

http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2010/06/06/eclipse-mtv-movie-awards-2010/

I am in certain how long it is up - they mention  a time limit so click quick!

Check out this great authors' event with Mary Janice Davidson and Cat Adams -- hurry though, it is tomorrow.
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=25385

Short Second Life of Bree Tanner - Are YOU Biting? Free-Bree June 7

www.stepheniemeyer.com
     How do you feel about this novella from Stephenie Meyer?  I am unsure as to whether I want to buy it, or read it.  I think short and second-life are a bit telling that it doesn't turn out any better than it did in the back story.  Plus I am a bit ticked hat the Kindle version is more than the hard cover ($9.99 kindle vs $6.99 hard cover).  On June 7 it will be free at breetanner.com starting at noon.  Stephenie said [apparently on March 30]  emphasis mine:

There was one thing I asked for: since this story had always been an extra for me, and was meant to be released with the Guide, I wanted to be able to offer it to my fans for free. You all have bought a ton of my books, and I wanted to give you this story as a gift. My publisher was awesome and embraced this idea. We still wanted to also produce a physical book with a cool cover (see below) that you can add to your set if you like, but starting at noon on June 7th until July 5th, it will also be available online at www.breetanner.com.  www.stepheniemeyer.com

It is only 192 pages so should read in a couple of hours.  Hmmmm - what do you think?  Have you read it yet? And, if you did what did you think? I think I will wait for the free download.  If I can make it to June 30 for Eclipse, I can wait until Monday for a free-Bree!

Strong Woman, Strong Witch, Dangerous, Bad Boys ****Spoiler Potential****

For about the past month I have immersed myself in Kim Harrison's The Hollows, or The Rachel Morgan Series.  Much in the same way with all series, if I like a character, a storyline or a way of writing I will read straight through and be very agitated when I am done.  I miss those characters - maybe I think of them as friends or wish I were them.  I am not sure and refuse to pay for therapy when I could use the money to buy books.

So the Hollows series begins with the book Dead Witch Walking in a post-biological apocalyptic world that I have had a hard time placing in time.  In this world Napoleon used magic to win Waterloo and instead of the moon shot we had the Turn where supernatural races came out of the broom closet when humanity was hit by a virus from a genetically engineered tomato. Now 99.9% of humans are tomato terrified and the only places serving tomato-based foods like chili or pizza are in the Inderlander neighborhoods where all the supes (called Inderlanders) live.  And, talk about variety: Pixies, elves, fairies, Vampires (viral), demons, witches  and were-creatures -- there is probably something else lurking out there who knows.  Each species, it turns out, has quite a pedigree and each also has a neurosis of some type: hiding their origins, pretending they don't exist, hating another species because of some long forgotten disagreement - sounds as if they are all somewhat human. And, I just finished the most recent book Black Magic Sanction (Hurry up Kim!).

The Vampires are the hardest to understand and the hardest to fit in.  Vampirism is viral, so does not have the same truly supernatural origin as the other supes. But, it is the species most in power, after the humans, in this world.

So, Kim Harrison does a great job creating this universe -- and it is pretty darn consistent.  It is not caught up in language that is just annoying, or really strange behavior.  I think each species is a metaphor for some aspect of humanity; after all, that is one function of fantasy literature: it uses the created world to point stuff out about ours. It is easy to lose site of that when there is a lot of sex and people who have extra appendages and such, but by making it part of another species it brings something about us into relief without it being as threatening as directly pointing out a strength in our nature, or a flaw.


Harrison has done her research on different aspects of witch craft and other species.  One thing that is very cool is that different species have different scents. I asked her about that and the scents of the species is her invention.

But, what I think I really found attractive  about the series is that is has four main strong female characters, all of whom have a different brand of strength and a different set of struggles.  There is Rachel - about 26, a witch, kind, talented to a degree that has been hidden from her and with a genetic heritage that makes her unique in the world.  She lives with a "Living high-blood" Vampire, Ivy who Rachel loves but with whom she is not in love.  This is a problem as Ivy is IN love with Rachel, and would like her to be her permanent blood donor. Her s trength is in her ability to love and to overcome the training of her master vampire.  Ceri comes along several books into the series.  She is an ancient creature who has been kept captive in "Everafter" where demon-kind is forced to live. Her strength iss in her ability to use the forbidden in a primordially justifiable way. And, there is Rachel's apparently flighty, wacky, ditzy mom who turns out to be non of those things.


Rachel, as the focal character serves as both protagonist and antagonist  or, maybe it is her body that is her own worst enemy.  A witch with a heart of gold, a veritable magical, female Jack Bauer, she is constantly getting herself into deep doo doo trying to do the right thing, using methods that are not only supposedly not possible but anathema to her species understanding of itself. No good deed goes unpunished, right? She picks out the worst guys, except for one but he is like the old car in an action series (old car, cliff, big boom).

So, like all series, some of the volumes are stronger than others.  There is some sex but it is not there to carry the series as we often find (hey, let me punch this up with some sex).  When someone has sex it advances the story.

What is my point.  The women in these stories make mistakes, but they are good and try. Each learns about her strengths and shares that with the reader, sometimes it is Rachel learning it and shares it with us.

Give it a read, I think you will find it good quality Urban Fantasy and PNR and well worth your time.

Except for the first in the series, which was a free download onto Kindle, I purchased all of the series myself.  Book covers courtesy www.kimharrison.net

I FORGOT THE HOP

Let's go to the hop at Crazy for Books!Every week this generous blogger shares her space with a slightly under 200 people for a sort of book lovers and bloggers party.  So grab your saddle shoes and bobby sox and check it out!

PART 3 Discontinuous Elements in Vampire Romance -- a response from Queen Betsy's authorplus some treats I found

             Releases July 6
 

I knew I should have given her more time -- today I woke up to an email from MaryJanice Davidson's assistant Tracy Fritze in response to the note I sent Tuesday titled "Scholarly Question) Hi Ms. Davidson,

    I L-O-V-E Queen Betsy so I am not picking on you with this question but I have got to ask for my blog, where I discuss, non-salaciously, things I wonder about because I read too many PNR’s.
Trust me, I thought this was a unique question until I began to research it. People are quite freaked out by the inconsistencies in vampire “life.” I like to think I am looking at these questions almost, academically.
  
Betsy talks along about not having bodily functions,  how she could could cry if she had functioning tear ducts,  how her pee, or lack thereof wasn’t anyone’s business (Undead and Unwelcome), can’t have kids, doesn’t get periods, etc. So at one point [in Undead and Unreturnable] she causes Sinclair to have an orgasm and “spurt[ed] all over the sheets.”

So you know the question that is coming, right?  How is this one form of body function retained and not others?

I am unable to recall an instance where you explain this phenomenon, but if you have, I apologize.

Stephanie, Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust

This was the response I received  and I have to say it made me feel pretty good, which given a large part of the remainder of my day is a plus!

 Stephanie:  Here is MaryJanice's response:

...I have NO memory of a) writing something that crude in the first place, or b) Sinclair ever losing moisture from his body.  Argh!  Because you're right, there shouldn't be any visible evidence on the sheets or otherwise.  Those two shouldn't even need a Kleenex for a runny nose!

I'm not afraid to use profanity (as you prob'ly noticed), but I do try not to be too crude, so I'm sort of horrified that I wrote about Sinclair spooging anywhere.

In a nutshell:  Stephanie rules, MJ drools.

Thank you for your observation and question.  If you could tell me which book it's in, I'll send a correction to Berkley.  :-)

Tracy

Tracy Fritze
Assistant to MaryJanice Davidson

So, that is pretty cool.  I know, I still get excited when I hear back from an author even after working for one[as a volunteer forum moderator]  for quite some time.

The last True Blood Minisode

Watch the The Twilight Saga: Eclipse trailer on #Fandango

Watch the The Twilight Saga: Eclipse trailer on #Fandango

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Clip 1 1080p

'Introducing Bree Tanner' - 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' official featur...

Discontinuitous Elements In Vampire Romance: Part 2 A Wedding Is But The Stuff of One Day -- The Marriage WIll Matter More

Discontinuitous Elements In Vampire Romance: Part 2

I should probably give her more time, but I have been waiting to hear back from MaryJanice Davidson, author of the Undead and Un*, Queen Betsy Series. If I do hear from her I will post the information she sends.

I was commenting on the consistency issue in invented worlds in terms of body fluids produced by male vampires in sexual acts.  In the eponymously titled books, Queen Betsy talks a lot about not having bodily functions,  how she could could cry if she had functioning tear ducts,  how her pee, or lack thereof wasn’t anyone’s business (Undead and Unwelcome), can’t have kids, doesn’t get periods, etc. So at one point she causes Sinclair to have an orgasm and “spurt[ed] all over the sheets.”

So you know the question that is coming, right?  How is this one form of body function retained and not others?  What is the content of his ejaculate?  In Charlaine Harris' books and others Vampires cry tears of blood, but MaryJanice's vampires don't seem to have anything in the way of body function. 

The point of this is that a world has been created where there is a discontinuous element that bursts the bubble of acceptance of that world to the fantasy reader.  Not, then, that I stop enjoying the story but that little inconsistency bats at the stuff of my mind the way one picks at a loose thread. My mind says, wait a minute, there are no body fluids where is that coming from and what is it?! 

If you write a world which has two suns there ought to be two shadows.  If you write a world where the sun emits a different light spectrum then things should be a different color. 

If you write a world where Vampires exist and have no body fluids then they should have no body fluids. 

I guess I am saying to authors "keep it real!" But, since I am discussing PNR or Fantasy or Vampire Romance, that really makes no sense.  How about "Keep It Consistent!"

 

 A Wedding Is But The Stuff of One Day -- The Marriage Will Matter More

Pardon my obvious anachronism as I direct this to brides and not grooms.  

Via the Twilight Saga.com site, wedding ideas that will make any Team Edward-bride rush to the florist! http://www.casasugar.com/Twilight-Themed-Wedding-Ideas-8050289 But wait!  There's more ways online, way more.  Considering Bella and Edwards wedding is not yet in view, these are all quite speculative:

tarastwilightparty.blogspot.com

Here's one I featured a while back:  Hostess with the Mostess Twilight Inspired Wedding

and another article A Twilight-themed Wedding

Brides.com has some good articles but they run a dark bar with no "close-this-stupid-thing-so-I-can-read-the-article" down the center of the story.

This has some great information and visuals:  http://blog.myjeanm.com/2009/11/jean-m-creates-a-twilight-fantasy-wedding-theme.html

including gorgeous invitations.

But, really - you don't need me to tell you how to Google "Twilight themed wedding."

What I like about the sites I found is that they are inspired by Twilight not replications of what we think the wedding will be.

There are ways to do this that would make a lovely and memorable event, and there are some massively tacky things one could do that will cause your children to shun your wedding album. Think of what it is that would make you want a wedding inspire by Twilight:  Is it because Pattinson is really hot?  If that is why then I would rethink my engagement because he won't be showing up as your groom unless you are so delusional you are a danger to yourself and society. If it is because of the romance around the relationship Edward and Bella have; based in love, acceptance, loyalty and redemption.  Or maybe you are drawn to the deeper significance of eternity and love lasting throughout time then you should carefully go ahead with that in mind. 

Or maybe you really groove on the Gothic in which case think about whether you are going to be Goth when you are 50 (maybe yes, but probably not) -- we change as we get older -- after all do you still want to marry your Ken doll?  I certainly don't want to rain on your parade; I know you believe you will always want to be Goth and while you may retain some piercings and ink, you're probably going to at least moderate the look over time.  You know how it feels when your parents show around the photo from when you were (Insert age here) on the (insert embarrassing moment here), or when your parents talk about how they found you playing doctor with .....  If you do this whole wedding fully goth or fully Bella and Edward  you will be embarrassed to show your wedding photos around.  Think of the individuality that attracts you to Goth, let that inspire you.

It goes beyond the Goth thing -- if you replicate Twilight in your wedding versus taking inspiration from it it will not be the shining moment of your life.  It will be the shining moment of Bella and Edward's life and they are not you! And, if you have a Goth inspired wedding versus a Goth wedding you'll be happier with the memory in five years. 

Here's a start on things I would not do:

• No fangs, costly or cheap. 
  
• No life size cut outs; I would say no pictures from the movie at all -- it is the theme behind the story  from which you are taking inspiration, not a celebration of Kristen and Rob, or Bella and Edward (unless, of course, those are your names as well).  This is your day. 
• 
  
• If some element feels tacky then it probably is.  If you don't want to listen to your mom or his mom find an adult whose advice has helped you in the past

• If you want to go pale that can be beautiful, but skip the black lipstick and if you want a smokey eye go for something lighter than heavy black rims.

Things movie related you might be able to pull off (I have excellent taste after all):

A red cloak for you and possibly the brides maids.  Leave the hoods off unless it is snowing.  And no white fur ruffs, you will look like Santa Clause wannabes.  Unless these capes are high quality it won't work and you and the bridesmaids will look like Little Red Riding Hood. Maybe we should forget the capes.  Another cool choice could be lovely applique cardis like Bella wears at her Junior prom.  I think this look is good for slimmer girls and a vintage look, or it can be Talbotsy. My friend Nan  at Cherry Belle makes applique sweaters like the one at right. 

Certainly, older style formal wear will look good on a man.  Keep in mind the groom's body shape.  There is no reason to ignore the fashion rule of highlighting the best of your groom's physique, and that  also applies to fashion choices for you and your bridesmaids as well.  If, for example, the women's physiques are not like stick-insects avoid bias cut satin. It is hard to pull that off for thin women and it probably accounts for the rise of Spanx!

Look, it's your big day, but the wedding is only a day -- what is really important is the next 75 years -- so make sure this day belongs to you and your groom; not Bella and Edward.

If you do go this route I would love to see pictures.  You can send them to steph@fangswandsandfairydust.com .

Other Sites I Like

Gosh,  I have not yet heard back from the other author on Part Two of yesterday's topic. SO to be a little different I want to share a few of my fellow bloggers by more than just "hey lookie at those links down there." These are not ALL the blogs I follow (I also follow cosmetics blogs!). I think bloggers follow other bloggers: we share the same interests. And, even though I read a a lot (A LOT), I can't get it all, and it is great to have friends helping us to separate the grain from the chaff (I am gluten free so I wouldn't be separating wheat from chaff).

 Fantasy 4 Eva -  A fun site from a very generous and helpful person; lots of followers. Gave me a boost in the blogosphere today by writing about me.  Speaking her mind, Aly reviews Music, Movies, Books and sometimes a little gossip.  She is studying to become a teacher, a wicked important job -- one teacher can truly change a child's life. Stop by to see her.

I JUST saw this today! Pure Imagination's Twilight Takeover brings you an entire blog about much, much more than Twilight (although there is not a thing wrong with a blog devoted entirely to Twilight!), but it is a great place with insightful info and reviews.

I adore Mara  Acosta's Vampire Wire.   The  accomplished writer of the Casa Dracula series, Marta still gives her followers tons of free reads, and reviews, info and news. As Grace Coopersmith she just released Nancy's Theory of Style.

Cynthia Aguirre is a stay-at-home mom (another of those seriously important jobs) who loves books! SHe likes YA --  paranormal and mythical creatures and also enjoys adult fantasy and paranormal. The name of her blog,  A Blog about Nothing, makes me think of a Jerry Seinfeld episode.

In Germany, Sabrina is a twenty-something who loves to read, especially romances, romantic suspense, YA, Chick-lit and erotica. She is on Team Vampire Lumberjack (Vampires, Chainsaws - who could resist?) at about happy books.


Jessica's Vision is a beautiful site with great artwork.  She is writing her own book and love to share her views, read, watch movies, cook, and anything with Supes!

A beautiful design sets up The Allure of Books from Allison at the U of OK studying for a degree in English.  And, she writes great reviews that make me want to run over to Amazon and download right now!

The Daily Snark!  The name alone makes me check it out.  That it's from Chloe O'Neill makes it more interesting.  I have her on my list to read and this blog pushes her up that list.

So, if you didn't make it today, don't despair. I will do this again soon.

Today I am reading  Kim Harrison's Black Magic Sanction.  At $12.99 it is expensive for Kindle and Amazon tells us the publisher set the price.  Probably part of its ongoing battle with various publishers.

I will let you know more when I am done with it.  But I think I like the series because it is filled with strong female characters.   hmmmmm

Thank you for stopping by wonderful folks!

Discontinuitous Elements In Vampire Romance: Part 1.

Most do not breath, pee, poop, eat, or cry tears. However, and I am examining this in the spirit of intellectual curiosity and not trying to be salacious, how is it that male vampires ejaculate?  And,  Charlaine Harris' vampires cry blood, does their ejaculate share the same property?

Aside from the Kate McAllistair's Dark Ones, Midnight Breed, Love at Stake (where they insert dead DNA into live sperm), the Argeneaus, and most strangely, Edward from Twilight most male vampires seem to lack the ability to inseminate females. Indeed, most vampires of either gender seem to lack reproductive function.

I have heard the argument that As a seventeen year-old  (or is it eighty?) virgin Edward would have still had the original sperm he had stored up at  the time he was turned. In that case there would be little half-vampires running around regardless of what the Volturis wanted.  Also, why then, if a person would be in the state they were in whilst being turned an ovulating female vampire would not continue to perpetually ovulate?

Yes, these are utterly ridiculous questions but the suspension of disbelief granted when reading fantasy comes with a certain need for continuity in variable elements; and adherence to vampires being one way or another.  Within the fantasy, our minds are seeking a logical consistency withing the universe invented by the author.

As Tracy Cooper-Posey, award winning author of more than thirty novels says in her blog on March 12 of this year in regards to Charlaine Harris' vampires:

Fact is, if vampires are the undead, then an erotic author writing vampire stories should probably answer this theoretical question and set up her vampire universe properly before she starts writing. Ejaculate is part and parcel of sex scenes, after all. I don’t think it matters which way an author answers the question and sets up her vampire universe, as long as the theory makes sense, and the stories remain consistent with that theory. (http://tracycooperposey.com/vampires-and-body-fluids-i-was-just-wondering/)

On her website Charlaine Harris responds to a question on her FAQ page:

Q. Are you aware there are inconsistencies in the books?
A. Gosh, no, no one’s ever pointed that out before. Actually, yes, I do know that, and most of these inconsistencies were simply mistakes on my part as the mythology and cast of characters got beyond my control. I’ve hired a continuity editor to help the publisher catch those errors. Of course, some of them are deep, complicated, plot twists . . . well, a few.  (http://www.charlaineharris.com/faqs.html)

So you see, while this looks like a question about sex it is really about consistency.  A reader's mind amy only allow a certain suspension of disbelief before they determine the book was not very well thought out.


I am waiting on a response from another writer for part two of this thrilling series.


In the meantime, check out the lists for team werewolf or team vampire at Ex Libris See link in links section .

If You Thought Vampires Were Scary:

The Twilight Saga THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE MyPlash Teen Prepaid Card is here! Carry your very own card and the Eclipse Cast with you www.myplash.com/eclipse

(source: http://www.facebook.com/twilight)