Posts
Things are busy, busy, but...
Here's an amazing video on the progression of technology. Who did we ask all those questions to BG (before goohle) anyway?
Also, Happy Relese Day to Kim Harrison who's book White Witch, Black Curse, Book Seven in her Hollows series comes out today. I can't wait to read it.
Happy Tuesday.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Urban Fantasy Covers
At my critique group yesterday we were discussing book covers. This you tube video came up -- a hysterical primmer on UF covers (all in fun of course.)
We recently had a discussion on the good, bad, and ugly in UF cover art over at the Barnes & Noble Paranormal Book Club. If you've never been there and enjoy paranormal/UF books, it's a great place to check out.
I have to say, my absolute favorite book cover right now has to be the French Version of Richelle Mead's Succubus Blues.
I'd frame that and put it on my wall. Seriously. It's done by a French fantasy artist named JS Rossbach. I know authors don't have much imput of cover art, but I'd love for him to do the cover for Interfluit, since my MC, Kat, is really into fantasy art...
We recently had a discussion on the good, bad, and ugly in UF cover art over at the Barnes & Noble Paranormal Book Club. If you've never been there and enjoy paranormal/UF books, it's a great place to check out.
I have to say, my absolute favorite book cover right now has to be the French Version of Richelle Mead's Succubus Blues.
I'd frame that and put it on my wall. Seriously. It's done by a French fantasy artist named JS Rossbach. I know authors don't have much imput of cover art, but I'd love for him to do the cover for Interfluit, since my MC, Kat, is really into fantasy art...
Friday, February 13, 2009
Flash Fiction Friday -- Musing on the Beach
This is another character I’ve been playing with and goes with last week’s story...enjoy.
Musing on the Beach
© 2009 Suzanne Lazear
Edward Logan did one last sweep of his farm. Willow Beach Worm Farm was the fulfillment of his father’s dream to move to the big island and raise worms. It was too bad his father wasn’t here to see it.
After his sweep, he stepped out onto the beach to enjoy view. Tonight the stretch of beach outside his little home and farm were empty, but already the little town was filling up for the annual Willow Beach Summer Festival. The highlights included a street fair, a surfing contest, and the “sexiest man of Willow Beach” contest where men came from all over the world to vie for the title.
That was what he was looking least forward to. Having lost a bet with his annoying little sister, Rosie, he was now a proud entrant in said contest. There were many things he’d rather do than be on display for the entire town—a town he lived in year round—but a bet was a bet and Rosie was all he had...now.
Taking a deep breath he inhaled the salty tang of ocean air and felt the pleasant nighttime breeze on his face. Something flew across the sky, illuminated by the moon and the porch light. A bird? He caught another glimpse of it before it disappeared. What it looked like was a bat with something around its neck.
Edward sighed. Bats didn’t wear things around there necks. He needed more sleep. But the worm farm—and taking care of Rosie—was a big job. Too big for one person.
“Brooding again?”
He turned around to see Rosie standing on the back porch in bare feet and a pink nightgown covered in glittery stars. “Shouldn’t you be in bed?”
“Shouldn’t you?” She rolled her blue eyes dramatically. Rosie was fourteen going on forty. Her long hair, currently pink, was worn back in a braid. Other than that, she was the epitome of their mother. “Besides, it’s summer vacation.”
The only good thing about summer vacation was that she was free to help him more. Summer was their busy season.
“But I need you up early, we have to pack up all the mail orders to mail them out first thing.” He walked towards the porch of the little wooden house.
That got him a sigh. “I know. I saw a bat with a purse around its neck and wanted to come down for a better look.”
“Purse, Rosie?” He put an arm around her.
She shrugged. “That bat had something around its neck.”
“Come on, I think we both need more sleep.” He was not about to admit that he’d seen that bat too. After all, what kind of bat carried a purse?
Musing on the Beach
© 2009 Suzanne Lazear
Edward Logan did one last sweep of his farm. Willow Beach Worm Farm was the fulfillment of his father’s dream to move to the big island and raise worms. It was too bad his father wasn’t here to see it.
After his sweep, he stepped out onto the beach to enjoy view. Tonight the stretch of beach outside his little home and farm were empty, but already the little town was filling up for the annual Willow Beach Summer Festival. The highlights included a street fair, a surfing contest, and the “sexiest man of Willow Beach” contest where men came from all over the world to vie for the title.
That was what he was looking least forward to. Having lost a bet with his annoying little sister, Rosie, he was now a proud entrant in said contest. There were many things he’d rather do than be on display for the entire town—a town he lived in year round—but a bet was a bet and Rosie was all he had...now.
Taking a deep breath he inhaled the salty tang of ocean air and felt the pleasant nighttime breeze on his face. Something flew across the sky, illuminated by the moon and the porch light. A bird? He caught another glimpse of it before it disappeared. What it looked like was a bat with something around its neck.
Edward sighed. Bats didn’t wear things around there necks. He needed more sleep. But the worm farm—and taking care of Rosie—was a big job. Too big for one person.
“Brooding again?”
He turned around to see Rosie standing on the back porch in bare feet and a pink nightgown covered in glittery stars. “Shouldn’t you be in bed?”
“Shouldn’t you?” She rolled her blue eyes dramatically. Rosie was fourteen going on forty. Her long hair, currently pink, was worn back in a braid. Other than that, she was the epitome of their mother. “Besides, it’s summer vacation.”
The only good thing about summer vacation was that she was free to help him more. Summer was their busy season.
“But I need you up early, we have to pack up all the mail orders to mail them out first thing.” He walked towards the porch of the little wooden house.
That got him a sigh. “I know. I saw a bat with a purse around its neck and wanted to come down for a better look.”
“Purse, Rosie?” He put an arm around her.
She shrugged. “That bat had something around its neck.”
“Come on, I think we both need more sleep.” He was not about to admit that he’d seen that bat too. After all, what kind of bat carried a purse?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
This week is Random Acts of Kindness Week!
The good folks over at the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation have declared this week Random Acts of Kindess Week.
What will you do this week to celebrate? Put change in meters? Pay for the person after you someplace? Leave some books (lemons, cookies) out to share?
With Valentines day around the corner there are ample (and cheap) ideas out there, ranging from making some handmade valentines and brining them to a hospital or nursing home, to leaving a single flower for someone who needs a little cheering.
Spread Change is a great blog on "budget philanthropy." There some great ideas on how to make a difference for little or nothing. A good deed a day has a suggestion a day for those who want to do something but can't think of anything. 365 Days of Goodness is another inspiring site.
What will you do this week to celebrate? Put change in meters? Pay for the person after you someplace? Leave some books (lemons, cookies) out to share?
With Valentines day around the corner there are ample (and cheap) ideas out there, ranging from making some handmade valentines and brining them to a hospital or nursing home, to leaving a single flower for someone who needs a little cheering.
Spread Change is a great blog on "budget philanthropy." There some great ideas on how to make a difference for little or nothing. A good deed a day has a suggestion a day for those who want to do something but can't think of anything. 365 Days of Goodness is another inspiring site.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Flash Fiction -- Escape
Here’s some new characters I’ve been playing with, inspired by a story the tot told me.
Escape
© 2009 Suzanne Lazear
Anna’s breath shortened and her stomach tightened as a familiar—and unwelcome—sensation overcame her.
He’d found her.
Again.
Crap.
Fear filled her. She’s barely escaped last time and she’d had to crash her Mercedes to throw him off.
Bubbles was the nastiest Vampire she’d ever met. So nasty that no one even thought of making fun of his name. Together the two of them had ruled over Atlantic City in a reign of terror, fear, and hedonism.
But no longer.
After the events three weeks ago, Anna, a mean and nasty Vampire in her own right, had a change of heart.
A change Bubbles and their people would never accept.
That was why she, Annika Antonescu, was no longer a hunter, but one of the hunted.
He would never stop until he possessed her once again.
She could never allow that, not with what she knew now.
There was no time to pack, no time to flee the conventional way—not unless she wanted to be caught. Bubbles had the reputation of being the best tracker in America for a very good reason.
He was.
Quickly, she opened the window of the seedy motel room in the small Midwest town she’d stopped at for the night. As much as it pained her to leave the few precious memories she had behind, she had to.
Opening her purse, she grabbed a few necessities – ID, money, and the like, and stashed them in the zippered pouch on a string she kept for one reason.
Next she tore her clothing off and kicked off her shoes. Wresting off her ring, she left that on the table with her watch. It would send a clear message. Not that it would keep him from chasing her. Once he was on the chase, he wouldn’t stop until he had his prey.
A hand went to the necklace around her throat – that was something she was loath to leave behind.
Next time.
Taking the pouch she put it around her neck, tightening it until it was nearly a collar, the blue nylon rubbing against her naked skin.
Now her keen hearing picked up footsteps. He’d brought reinforcements this time. All Vampires, by their scent. The rickety wooden door was locked, but it wouldn’t hold him. At least he wasn’t a teleport.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and shifted. Not all Vampires could shape shift, Bubbles had other abilities. This trait ran strongest in the Romanian lines. But once, long ago, she’d called Romania home.
In an effortless motion that was as natural as breathing and as quick as a heart beat Anna was gone and all that was left was a black bat who was ironically wearing a necklace and a blue nylon pouch. The bat flew out the window without further hesitation.
No sooner had she flown out of sight of the window, but the locked door burst open.
###
Anger filled Bubbles as he looked around the ramshackle room in some cheap motel off the interstate in some godforsaken Kansas town.
Empty.
But she had been here. He’d felt her, smelled her. He still could.
His eyes focused on the opened window, then on the pile of clothes on the floor.
Eyes flickered to the dresser and the small hatbox that sat on it. She must have been desperate to leave that behind.
She’d been running from him for three weeks now. It was surprising she’d lasted that long, but then again, she’d had an excellent teacher—him.
The problem was, he had no idea why she’d run.
Anna had always been able to talk to him and the fact that she wouldn’t hurt. He needed to find her, talk to her, and bring her home where she belonged. There people missed her. He missed her.
“She’s gone.” He said this to their second in command, Lucian. “Take the box and her things and have someone take them home.”
“Of course.” Lucian looked around the room. “She flew the coop.”
“She did.” It was a remarkable talent, one from the old world that was nearly gone. He crossed over to the little table which looked like it would fall over any second. Gently, he picked up her designer handbag—she was fond of finery and frippery. Her driver’s license was gone from her wallet as was all her cash. She’d left her credit and back cards behind. He put the purse down.
That was when he saw her watch – a diamond crusted Rolex he’d given her on her last birthday. It was when he picked up the dainty watch that usually graced her slender, pale wrist that he saw what else lay on the table.
Before Lucian or any of his other men could see, he palmed the ring and put it in his pocket.
Dammit.
That was a message if it ever was one—a deliberate one. Usually she just tucked it into her pouch.
There was only one reason she’d leave it on the table like that, and it wasn’t because she’d forgotten. She never forgot her ring. She was turning her back on him. On them. It there would it was an unforgivable sin. One punishable by death.
But why? What caused this?
He had no idea.
Her running away could be excused—as long as he caught her. She’d be punished, of course, but he wouldn’t be too harsh.
But this—this was betrayal. No one betrayed Bubbles Lodestar and lived.
He hurled the diamond Rolex into the wall of the cheap room so hard it shattered. Curling his hands into fists, he stalked out of the room.
Escape
© 2009 Suzanne Lazear
Anna’s breath shortened and her stomach tightened as a familiar—and unwelcome—sensation overcame her.
He’d found her.
Again.
Crap.
Fear filled her. She’s barely escaped last time and she’d had to crash her Mercedes to throw him off.
Bubbles was the nastiest Vampire she’d ever met. So nasty that no one even thought of making fun of his name. Together the two of them had ruled over Atlantic City in a reign of terror, fear, and hedonism.
But no longer.
After the events three weeks ago, Anna, a mean and nasty Vampire in her own right, had a change of heart.
A change Bubbles and their people would never accept.
That was why she, Annika Antonescu, was no longer a hunter, but one of the hunted.
He would never stop until he possessed her once again.
She could never allow that, not with what she knew now.
There was no time to pack, no time to flee the conventional way—not unless she wanted to be caught. Bubbles had the reputation of being the best tracker in America for a very good reason.
He was.
Quickly, she opened the window of the seedy motel room in the small Midwest town she’d stopped at for the night. As much as it pained her to leave the few precious memories she had behind, she had to.
Opening her purse, she grabbed a few necessities – ID, money, and the like, and stashed them in the zippered pouch on a string she kept for one reason.
Next she tore her clothing off and kicked off her shoes. Wresting off her ring, she left that on the table with her watch. It would send a clear message. Not that it would keep him from chasing her. Once he was on the chase, he wouldn’t stop until he had his prey.
A hand went to the necklace around her throat – that was something she was loath to leave behind.
Next time.
Taking the pouch she put it around her neck, tightening it until it was nearly a collar, the blue nylon rubbing against her naked skin.
Now her keen hearing picked up footsteps. He’d brought reinforcements this time. All Vampires, by their scent. The rickety wooden door was locked, but it wouldn’t hold him. At least he wasn’t a teleport.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and shifted. Not all Vampires could shape shift, Bubbles had other abilities. This trait ran strongest in the Romanian lines. But once, long ago, she’d called Romania home.
In an effortless motion that was as natural as breathing and as quick as a heart beat Anna was gone and all that was left was a black bat who was ironically wearing a necklace and a blue nylon pouch. The bat flew out the window without further hesitation.
No sooner had she flown out of sight of the window, but the locked door burst open.
###
Anger filled Bubbles as he looked around the ramshackle room in some cheap motel off the interstate in some godforsaken Kansas town.
Empty.
But she had been here. He’d felt her, smelled her. He still could.
His eyes focused on the opened window, then on the pile of clothes on the floor.
Eyes flickered to the dresser and the small hatbox that sat on it. She must have been desperate to leave that behind.
She’d been running from him for three weeks now. It was surprising she’d lasted that long, but then again, she’d had an excellent teacher—him.
The problem was, he had no idea why she’d run.
Anna had always been able to talk to him and the fact that she wouldn’t hurt. He needed to find her, talk to her, and bring her home where she belonged. There people missed her. He missed her.
“She’s gone.” He said this to their second in command, Lucian. “Take the box and her things and have someone take them home.”
“Of course.” Lucian looked around the room. “She flew the coop.”
“She did.” It was a remarkable talent, one from the old world that was nearly gone. He crossed over to the little table which looked like it would fall over any second. Gently, he picked up her designer handbag—she was fond of finery and frippery. Her driver’s license was gone from her wallet as was all her cash. She’d left her credit and back cards behind. He put the purse down.
That was when he saw her watch – a diamond crusted Rolex he’d given her on her last birthday. It was when he picked up the dainty watch that usually graced her slender, pale wrist that he saw what else lay on the table.
Before Lucian or any of his other men could see, he palmed the ring and put it in his pocket.
Dammit.
That was a message if it ever was one—a deliberate one. Usually she just tucked it into her pouch.
There was only one reason she’d leave it on the table like that, and it wasn’t because she’d forgotten. She never forgot her ring. She was turning her back on him. On them. It there would it was an unforgivable sin. One punishable by death.
But why? What caused this?
He had no idea.
Her running away could be excused—as long as he caught her. She’d be punished, of course, but he wouldn’t be too harsh.
But this—this was betrayal. No one betrayed Bubbles Lodestar and lived.
He hurled the diamond Rolex into the wall of the cheap room so hard it shattered. Curling his hands into fists, he stalked out of the room.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wednesday assortment
Sorry for the raido silence. I've been deep into some edits, and a giant work project, but I'm surfacing to bring you some goodies.
Urban Fantasy Land announced the winners of their book awards. There's some good stuff there. Go check out the winners, and congrats to all who won.
Authoress announced the guidelines for her next Secret Agent Contest. These are very cool. You submit the first 250 words and you get alot of great feedback. This month they're looking for finished manuscripts in romance, women's fiction, commercial fiction, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, and YA/middle grade. Entries open at 9 am (EST) on Monday the 9th and are open for 24 hours or the 1st 50 entries (I think it filled up in 3 hours in January).
A really great book came out recently. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. by Beth Fantaskey. It's YA and hysterical.
I'm very excited about the fourth book in the Mercy Thompson series. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs. I can't wait to pick it up.
Another book I'm excited about is White Witch, Black Curse the sixth book in Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series. It comes out on 2/24. Harper Collins has finally posted an excerpt. Great stuff. Can't wait to read it.
Have a great week everyone. Happy reading.
Urban Fantasy Land announced the winners of their book awards. There's some good stuff there. Go check out the winners, and congrats to all who won.
Authoress announced the guidelines for her next Secret Agent Contest. These are very cool. You submit the first 250 words and you get alot of great feedback. This month they're looking for finished manuscripts in romance, women's fiction, commercial fiction, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, and YA/middle grade. Entries open at 9 am (EST) on Monday the 9th and are open for 24 hours or the 1st 50 entries (I think it filled up in 3 hours in January).
A really great book came out recently. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. by Beth Fantaskey. It's YA and hysterical.
I'm very excited about the fourth book in the Mercy Thompson series. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs. I can't wait to pick it up.
Another book I'm excited about is White Witch, Black Curse the sixth book in Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series. It comes out on 2/24. Harper Collins has finally posted an excerpt. Great stuff. Can't wait to read it.
Have a great week everyone. Happy reading.
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