A Dog Person in a Cat World

Posted by on Jan 31, 2021 in Fun Stuff | Comments Off on A Dog Person in a Cat World

The following is a bit of silliness from a recent newsletter, inspired by my Night Traveler Series… Cats and dogs: an age old conflict that’s been around since we started sharing our campfires with them. And though it’s fine to claim to love them both, I’ve found that most folks favor one over the other. Myself, I’ve always fallen on the dog side of the continuum—which brings me to my current situation. Since the passing of my Jack Russell Terrier, I’ve spent the last few years in a cat exclusive household. It’s been a bit of an adjustment for me. For example, if I drop a piece of food on the floor, I have to pick it up. The dog would have snapped that morsel out of the air before it hit the ground, but the cat just looks at me with disdain. I’m not sure if she doesn’t care for the lump of barbecue sitting on the linoleum, or if she thinks I’m slob. Then there’s the social distancing. With my dog, if you were stationary for more than a few seconds, he was snuggled up beside you, but the cat has practiced keeping her distance long before COVID-19 got here. There have been many occasions where we’ve searched the house, trying to find her, only to discover her napping just out of sight, ignoring us. I’m sure she thinks humans are terrible at the game of hide and seek. Now before my cat-loving friends get upset with me, this is all tongue-in-cheek. We have a wonderful cat and I’m very fond of her. But the fact remains that I really don’t get cats. Perhaps that’s why the main characters in my Night Traveler series are canids and their perplexing adversary is a jaguar. I guess it’s just a case of write what I know. So how about you? Which side of the cat-dog continuum do you fall on? If you’re a Facebook user, you can check out some pictures of Jack Russell on this post on my page. As for our cat… <–  The picture shows her option of this...

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Character Interview: Perseus

Posted by on Jun 6, 2019 in Fun Stuff, Iron Souls | Comments Off on Character Interview: Perseus

It’s almost release day! Caught in Crystal, the anthology that includes my novella Iron Tears, goes live tomorrow. So I’ve got time to squeeze in one more character interview. As promised, Perseus is next up for the hot seat. Our Scourge warrior doesn’t say a whole lot, though he has warmed up recently. Hopefully, he won’t be too quiet today. Without further ado, I give you Perseus. Becca: Do you have a last name or title I should add? Perseus: No. Perseus is fine. Those who know me don’t require more. Becca: (smiles) It is a unique name and you do seem to have a certain reputation—within the ferromancer race and beyond. But with regard to the name, you’ve admitted you’re immortal and— Perseus: If it’s all the same, I’d rather not go into that. There are those I haven’t been open with and if word got back that I told you… Becca: Um, you can’t be open with me? Perseus: It was my understanding that this conversation would be made public. Becca: Yes, that’s right. Perseus: (nods and settles back in his chair) Becca: (clears throat) Okay. We’ll skirt your distant past, but you have admitted that being immortal has left you hesitant to form close friendships. How is it that you’re working with a partner? Perseus: It just made sense. Our talents compliment each other. Kali and I make a good team. Becca: (waits for elaboration…) Perseus: (lifts eyebrows) Anything else? Becca: Apparently not. (sighs and turns to question list) Kali’s sensitivity seems to surprise you at times. John would like to know if her talent is unique? Perseus: She frequently surprises me. I’ve never worked with someone so sensitive. I only wish she had some training so that she could better understand the things she senses. Becca: That’s right. She grew up outside the ferromancer world—which leads into the next question. A few people were curious about how you and Kali met. It had something to do with her ferromancer father, right? Perseus: That’s correct. I was hunting him and he was hunting her. Becca: And? Perseus: Kali came through in a big way. She impressed me. Becca: Her talent? Perseus:...

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Alternative POV Scene: Zach in Ferromancer

Posted by on Oct 23, 2018 in Fun Stuff, Iron Souls | 2 comments

A few weeks ago, I asked folks over on my Facebook page to suggest an Iron Souls scene they’d like to see from a different point-of-view. Mandy suggested a look through Zach’s eyes during/after being healed in Ferromancer. Intrigued by the idea, I decided to give it a try. Hope you like it! Warning – If you haven’t read Ferromancer, there are spoilers here. … Finding the Words   Zach knelt on the deck beside Grayson, but could only watch as he pulled his knees tighter to his stomach, whimpering in pain. The movement caused the metal spines protruding from his upper back to glint in the sun. The sight was disturbing, but Zach had grown used to it over the course of the night. Unlike the stomach churning split in the skin over Grayson’s shoulder blades, exposing even more metal. The emergence of that metal had been painful enough to wake Grayson from his near comatose state a short while ago. Captain Briar knelt across from Zach, looking as lost as he felt. He wished he could offer some words of encouragement to her, but even if he could speak, he didn’t know what to say. “Miss Briar?” Eli said from above them, his voice soft and uncertain. Grayson cried out and a stream of blood ran from one nostril. Zach gripped his shoulder, feeling helpless with his inability to offer anything but comfort. Still, he knew how important that contact was. After the fire that had taken most of his family, he’d lain for weeks, slipping in and out of consciousness, fighting fever after fever and unimaginable pain. His cousin had sat at his bedside, as helpless as he was now, but she hadn’t left him alone. She had held his hand and talked to him through those long days and even longer nights. That was why, when he saw Grayson writhing in pain and delirium, he had silently vowed to stay with him—even though he couldn’t talk him through it. “Whatever’s happening,” Jimmy said, softly, “I don’t think he’s going to make it.” “Lock?” Briar said. The strange response made Zach look up and he saw that she had pulled a...

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Character Interview: Molly

Posted by on Aug 20, 2018 in Fun Stuff, Iron Souls | 8 comments

A while back, I interviewed several characters from my Final Formula Series (you can find them here: FF fans). Those were so much fun that I wanted to do the same with my Iron Souls Series. I polled folks over on my Facebook page and they selected Perseus and Molly—much to my surprise. I decided to interview Molly first and save Perseus for after the release of Book Four. So be thinking about your questions for Perseus. Corroded: Iron Souls, Book Four releases on August 31, 2018. Let’s get started… Here’s Molly Rose, newest crew member of the Briar Rose, and by all accounts, a wonderful cook. Becca: Thanks for taking time away from the stove to talk with us, Molly. Molly: I honored to be here. (looks around) It’s so much cooler. (her gaze settles on the computer) What is that? Some kind of ferromantic device? Becca: Um, no. Think of it as a typewriter. Molly: (doesn’t look convinced) All right. Becca: (clears throat) Moving on to the interview… Let’s begin with your position on the Briar Rose. It must be a bit of a culture shock to go from what you knew before to your life now. Do you miss your high society parties? Did you have to leave any friends behind? Molly: Parties in Mr. Rose’s household were a source of anxiety for me. Everything had to be perfect. Attending another’s party wasn’t much better. As for friends, I was only permitted those that Mr. Rose judged as acceptable—and they were never the sort I wished to spend time with. Becca: I can imagine. I wouldn’t like Andrew choosing my friends either. (turns back to question list) Janet would like to know if you expect to cook for the foreseeable future and if you really enjoy it? Molly: Those who knew me before seem to have a hard time believing that I enjoy being part of a canal boat crew, but it’s the truth. I’ve made some wonderful new friends and discovered that I enjoy cooking. Becca: Isn’t it a lot of work? You had servants before. I would think— Molly: I’ve never minded work. I’m the sort of person who...

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December Book Fair

Posted by on Dec 2, 2017 in Fun Stuff | Comments Off on December Book Fair

The authors of the Dominion Rising Boxed Set are hosting a book fair that runs through December 15th. With over 100 fantasy and science fiction books for just 99c or free in Kindle Unlimited, it’s a great opportunity to do a little holiday shopping for yourself. You can find this super sale on Lisa Blackwood’s website here. Happy...

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A Halloween Sale and What’s Coming Next

Posted by on Oct 29, 2017 in Fun Stuff | Comments Off on A Halloween Sale and What’s Coming Next

Happy Halloween! I must admit, this is my favorite time of year. The trees have started to turn, the temperature is dropping, and we get to celebrate a holiday dedicated to all things creepy. And if you know me at all, you know that I like the spooky stuff.  😉 In honor of the holiday, Blood Gifts, my Final Formula prequel story is on sale for $0.99 until November 5th. This novella offers a glimpse into the early years of fan favorite, Ian Mallory, and also includes the short story, Lords of the Dead. (I originally posted Lords of the Dead on my website here.) If you haven’t had a chance to grab a copy of Blood Gifts, now’s a great time to get it cheap. Here’s the cover, blurb, and retailer links: Seventeen-year-old Ian is used to pressure. Born into a necromancer family, he and his twin brother Lex exhibited uncommon magical potential at an early age that led their father to expect great things—from them both. That is until Lex’s blood gift fails to manifest. Or so everyone believes. For the past five years, Ian has been keeping a secret. A secret that—if it got out—would see his brother shunned, or worse. Lex does have a blood gift, but not every gift is a blessing, and not every recipient can manage the talent in his blood. As Lex’s sanity begins to slip, Ian knows the responsibility to raise his family’s fortunes is on his shoulders, and his alone. When he is offered an apprenticeship with one of the most influential men in the necromancer community, Lex convinces Ian that the connection would offer their family even more if Ian were to marry his elderly mentor’s “spinster” niece. Ian’s plan takes an unexpected turn when he discovers that Isabelle is not a spinster. She’s a young, beautiful, intelligent woman who, unfortunately, wants nothing to do with him. Now Ian must find a way to win her over before Lex attempts to elevate their family, his way. Pick up a copy here: Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple … If you missed my recent post on Facebook, I’m currently busy writing the next two novels in my Iron Souls series. I...

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