Gunslingers and Ghost Stories

A few weeks ago I shared the cover for a forthcoming anthology, "Gunslingers and Ghosts Stories". One of the contributors, J.A. Campbell, shared an excerpt from her story, and some information about the book, with me but didn't have a complete listing of the authors or stories. Well, she emailed me recently with that information, so, for your enlightenment and reading pleasure, a complete listing of the stories.

Blurb and Author Lineup For Gunslingers and Ghost Stories:

Ghosts are not just found in haunted houses. They have a disturbing
tendency to turn up where you least expect them: like saloons,
brothels, Indian ruins–and sometimes even in the middle of a gunfight.
Saddle up for a haunted ride through the Wild West. Featuring spooky
stories by Joel Jenkins, Dana Bell, Laura Givens, Henrik Ramsager, Kit
Volker, Kenneth W. Cain, Adrian Ludens, C. J. Killmer, Darla Upchurch,
John Howard & J. A. Campbell.

1. Old Mother Hennessy - Joel Jenkins
2. The Ruins - Dana Bell
3. Chin Song Ping and the Hungry Ghosts - Laura Givens
4. Gentleman Caller - Henrik Ramsager
5. Smoke People - Kit Volker
6. Avenged - Kenneth W. Cain
7. Ghost Soup - Adrian Ludens
8. The Empty Holster - C. J. Killmer
9. Forever in Oro - Darla Upchurch
10. Mountain Man - John Howard
11. The Saloon of Doom - J. A. Campbell 

Publisher: Timescape Books, an imprint of Science Fiction Trails
Editor: David Riley
Release Date: December, 1st 2012
Formats: Print, possibly ebook

Only a month to go until it's released!

Hades for President Giveaway

Here in the US, it's time for us to elect a new president. Though only two candidates, Mitt Romney and President Obama, get the bulk of the coverage, there are in fact other names on the ballot and one who wants to be. Who is that you wonder? Why Hades, Lord of the Underworld and star of the Sirenz series by Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman. Now, why he wants to rule a country when he already has the entire underworld and the dead, I can't fathom. But hey, he's a Greek God and, well, they're known for being bugnuts. :D

Still, Hades wants to be president and he's even playing by the rules and running a campaign instead of using his powers to steal the presidency. As part of that campaign he had some swag made up and he's generously shared some with me on the condition that I share it also. I suspect a trap as he didn't make me hand over my soul or set any other conditions. But, if you're willing to take your chances, enter below.

How do you enter? Decide if you're voting for or against Hades and then enter via the appropriate rafflecopter widget. You MUST choose one; if you enter both, both entries will be disqualified. Now, unlike the real presidential election, there will be 2 winners. I'll choose one from each side. Each winner gets the prize shown below.

Spotlight & Excerpt: Healing Notes by Maggie Jaimeson

Today I have an excerpt from Maggie Jaimeson's romantic womens fiction novel, "Healing Notes". Maggie writes romantic women’s fiction and romantic suspense with a near future twist. She describes herself as a wife, a step-mother, a sister, a daughter, a teacher and an IT administrator. By day she is “geek girl” – helping colleges to keep up with 21st century technology and provide distance learning options for students in rural areas. By night Maggie turns her thoughts to worlds she can control – worlds where bad guys get their comeuppance, women triumph over tragedy, and love can conquer all.

Find her online:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter 

Healing Notes
Author: Maggie Jamieson
Publisher: Windtree Press
ISBN: 978-0983594321
Format: paperback, ebook
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Womens Fiction
Length: 360 pages, 468 KB
Release Date: July 26, 2012
Series: Sweetwater Canyon #2
Buying Links:   Amazon    Barnes & Noble

Book Blurb (from author):  

Forgiving yourself is the first step, but helping others forgive may be just too hard. 

Rachel Cullen grew up in Scotland with a fiddle in her hand from the age of four. She couldn't imagine life as anything but a musician. When her husband brought her to America she was immediately embraced by the Celtic and Bluegrass communities. But after her divorce, Rachel's life is a mess. 

A year of trying to prove to herself that she's woman enough for any man, and then a vicious rape while on tour with the band, leaves Rachel reeling. When she meets Noel Kershaw, an English teacher who is poetry in motion, she is definitely attracted. But he has a young child and he's suffering from his own divorce. The last thing Rachel needs in life is more baggage. 

First, Rachel must reconcile who she is, what she wants, and how to get there. Maybe then she'll know how to be a part of the family she's always wanted.

************************************************************************************************************

Excerpt 

Claire crawled onto a stool on the other side of the island and smiled.  Neither of them talked for several minutes as they listened to the water in the pot heat.

“When I grow up, I’m going to play with Sweetwater Canyon all the time.”

“Are you sure you want to hang out with all us old folks?”

“You’re not all old. Well maybe a little old. But Kat isn’t old.”

Rachel smiled. “That’s true. She’s only seventeen.” And going on twenty-five it seemed sometimes.

“Oh, seventeen? That is old.” Claire put a finger to her lips and furrowed her brow. “How old do I have to be to play in the band all the time?”

“Probably at least eighteen.”

“But, you just said Kat—”

“Kat is different, because her mother plays in the band and can watch her all the time.”

“Well, you can watch me all the time. You can be my mother.”

Rachel gulped.

“Well, can’t you?”

“Can’t she what?” Noel walked in the room and lifted Claire off the chair in a big hug, swinging her around the room. “Can’t she what? She can do anything she wants.”

“See,” Claire leaned forward and looked at Rachel over Noel’s shoulder. “See, even Daddy thinks you can be my mother.”

“Whoa.” Noel set Claire back on the stool. “I’m not sure what I walked in on here.” He sent an accusing glance to Rachel. “You already have a mother, Claire.”

“I know. Not my real mother. My second mother. You know, like my friend, Megan. Her mommy and daddy got divorced and her daddy married a new mommy. So, Megan has two mommies now.  See?  Rachel can be my second mommy. Okay?”

************************************************************************************************************

 

Maggie will award one autographed cover flat to a randomly drawn commenter at each blog stop. In addition, she will award a $25 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner's choice) as a grand prize to one randomly selected commenter on this tour. You must leave an email address to be entered into any of the drawings.

Follow Maggie's tour:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/09/super-book-blast-healing-notes-by.html

Dusty Reads Link Up

Dusty Reads is a meme started by Giselle at Xpresso Reads featuring a book that has been sitting unread on your shelf for some time. Books don't have to be 'x' years old. If you've had the book for a few months without reading it, it's dusty! :D You can post on any day but Giselle and I usually post or put up a linky on Tuesdays. If you don't use the button, try to link back to this post or Giselle's so others will know how/where to link up. You can use the above button, the one below or create your own if you prefer.  

New Signed Limited Edition of The Shining by Stephen King

Subterranean Press announced they are publishing a Signed Limited Edition of Stephen King's seminal novel, "The Shining". The luxurious hardcovers will be published in three formats and will feature over 40 illustrations by acclaimed artist Dagmara Matuszak. The signed editions will be signed by Stephen and the artist. These special editions are not cheap by any means; if you're a hardcore Stephen King fan, they might be worth it. I'm a mild fan at best so I won't be buying any of these but I will say that I've ordered other books from Sub Press and been  pleased with the quality.

Signed Limited Edition of 750 numbered copies, housed in a custom traycase: $450
Signed Lettered Edition of 52 copies, specially bound, housed in a custom traycase: $2,500
Gift Edition of 1500 unsigned copies, cloth bound, housed in a custom slipcase: $95

Preorders for these books will begin in January 2013. News regarding preorders will be sent first from their newsletter, "Notes from the Underground".

The cover, as shown in their email:

Review of The Purple Shroud: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stella Duffy

Publisher: Penguin Books
Format Read & Source:  Trade Paperback from Penguin Books
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Buying Links:  Amazon    The Book Depository   Barnes & Noble

Book Blurb (from goodreads):  

Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore, Stella Duffy’s chronicle of this amazing woman’s early years, delighted readers with its exquisite blend of historical detail and vivid storytelling. Now, The Purple Shroud chronicles Theodora at the height of her power, bringing the ancient world alive in another unforgettable, epic saga.


Theodora and Justinian have been crowned Emperor and Empress, but ruling an empire is no easy task. The two factions of Christianity are still battling for dogmatic supremacy, the Empire’s borders are not secure, and Theodora worries about the ambitions of Justinian’s two best generals. But the most pressing concern is close to home: Constantinople’s two factions, the Blues and the Greens, are beginning to unite in their unhappiness with rising taxes. When that unhappiness spills over into all-out violence, thousands are killed (including someone very close to Theodora) and many of the City’s landmarks are destroyed, including Theodora’s beloved Hagia Sophia. In the aftermath of the riots, Theodora guides Justinian in gaining back the love and trust of the people, her unerring instinct for what the people want proving invaluable. Justinian promises to rebuild the Hagia Sophia to be even more spectacular than before. Theodora comes to realize that being the Augusta is simply another role she must play, though the stakes are much higher and there is no offstage. It’s a role she was born to play. 

Quote:

 
Justinian went on, ‘I will not lose you, Theodora.’

She whispered, ‘No.’

‘Nor,’ he added, loosening his grip just a little, stroking his thumb along her fingers, ‘do I want to lose you to Narses’ idea of what a good wife should be.’

‘The eunuch likes his ladies to be quiet.’

‘It was the eunuch who brought me a grown woman in the first place. We had no call for a malleable girl. Perhaps he has forgotten that. The dutiful Theodora is too placid for our Palace and, I admit, less useful. I miss my adversary, my cohort. I need your mind and your energy more than I need your wifely obedience.’

Theodora smiled then. ‘But you do require wifely obedience?’

Justinian was not smiling when he answered, ‘Yes. A little.’

Reviewed By: Bea

Bea's Thoughts:

Just as the blurb says, the first book was a marvelous blend of storytelling and historical fiction. Historical fiction is not my usual genre but the title and blurb caught my eye so I gave it a try. I was glad that I did; I didn’t want the story to end and knew I wanted more; I was delighted to hear Duffy was working on a sequel.

The Purple Shroud picks up about ten years after the first book. Justinian and Theodora’s marriage is still strong but there are problems in the empire.  The religious schisms are not lessening, there are political problems internally and externally, and even their closest advisers are a source of conflict. Theodora is less trusting than Justinian, which sometimes creates problems but Justinian is always Theodora’s first priority. Justinian values Theodora’s viewpoint and encourages her to think for herself even, and especially, when they disagree.

The first book focused on Theodora, her life, her struggles, and her emotions; this book is focused on Justinian and Theodora as a ruling couple. The story is told from Theodora’s point of view except for the very end. There’s a stronger emphasis on the religious and political struggles and oh, the political intrigue! I’m not usually a fan of books high in politics but Duffy has an engaging style and I was captivated the whole way through. Duffy doesn’t forget the personal side of Theodora’s story and she succeeds in making her real. Theodora wasn’t always likable, she made personal and political decisions that I found to swallow. In some respects, she is no longer that little girl who was an acrobat and actress, no longer the teenager who whored to provide for her family; she converted to Christianity, not out convenience but out of strong belief and those beliefs and her passion for her Church drive her actions. However, like many rulers, sometimes her religious morals are subjugated to her political beliefs and political necessity as well as her intense desire to protect Justinian. She does what she believes is necessary and believes that the end justifies the means. Her acting skills are useful as a ruler and she often thinks of her job as a role, a belief that sometimes creates problems for her.

Since this is fiction, Theodora’s emotions, motivations and behavior are a mix of fact and Duffy’s invention. Duffy does an excellent job of bringing Theodora to life and shining a light on this little known ruler. The writing is complex and the story captivating. “The Purple Shroud” is a fascinating and enjoyable blend of love story, political intrigue, and a look at early Christianity.

This review first appeared at BookTrib.

I received this book for review from the publisher.

Sunday Book Share #8

 

I'm participating in both The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Each meme allows book bloggers the chance to share books they've received, and different posts and events at their blog.

I went back to work week and was tired, not surprisingly, but it went well until Friday morning when I had an asthma attack. Ooops. I'm recovering from that, and feeling much better. Of course, life can never be easy and Hurricane Sandy aka Frankenstorm is heading my way sometime in the next day or two. So, I've been working on this week's posts and hope to finish them today. Yesterday I did practical preparations - bought non-perishables, located my candles and flashlights, stocked up on water, etc. So, if I go offline this week, my power has gone out and I'll be back as soon as I can. 

The blog was busy this past week, there was a lot going on. I currently have 2 giveaways going on so be sure to check them out.

Reviews:  Until There Was You by Jessica Scott

Ashes and Wine by Taryn Elliott

Excerpts: Paradise Hops by Liz Crowe

Style Me Sexy by Tara Chevrestt

Interview:  Romance author Samantha Kane

Giveaways: Naughty and Nice Blog Hop

Ashes and Wine by Taryn Elliott

The Devil's Thief by Samantha Kane

Cover Reveals:  Loki's Wolves by K.L. Armstrong & M.A. Marr

Omens by Kelley Armstrong 

Discussion Post:  Anthropomorphism: Genre or Style?

BOOKS

Library

Bought

Review

Unbelievably, I had NO Kindle freebies last week. O_o I know, my jaw almost hit the floor when I realized it. Partly, there were none that interested me and partly it was because I was back at work and had less time for browsing.

Don't forget to leave a link in as part of your comment, and if you're also in the path of Hurricane Sandy,  I hope you'll be safe.

Anthropomorphism: Genre or Style?

After my post last week talking about urban fantasy, a reader emailed me asking if I knew the name for the subgenre of books told from a dog's perspective.

I had to think about it at first. I emailed an author friend of mine who's a regular here on the blog, J.A. Campbell for her thoughts. Turns out, we were thinking along the same lines.

First, what is genre? For the purposes of this post, I'm using this definition from Merriam-Webster's online dictionary:

1: a category of artistic, musical, or literary composition characterized by a particular style, form, or content

2: kind, sort

3: painting that depicts scenes or events from everyday life usually realistically

I'm pretty sure it's not a sub-genre but more of a style. Technically, I think it would be anthropomorphism, which Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines as

": an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics : humanization

— an·thro·po·mor·phist noun"

For instance, "Black Beauty" by Anna Sewell is told from the horse's perspective, just as if a human were talking and thinking. Rita Mae Brown uses this device in her cozy mystery series, Mrs Murphy, where the cats and dogs belonging to the main human engage in their investigations into the murders that occur and talk to each other as well as other animals e.g. horses, owls, etc. Speculative fiction author J.A. Campbell also uses anthropomorphism in her Doc Vampire-Hunting Dog short stories. There are plenty of other stories and series that use anthropomorphism but those were the first ones to pop into my mind.

There are different ways of using anthropomorphistic animals. Disney even has them talk like humans (pick the Disney movie of your choice for an example :D). Sometimes, as in the examples I mentioned above, the story is told from the animal's perspective, complete with human style thoughts but they talk normally i.e. barks, meows, neighs, etc. But always, they have been endowed with human characteristics in some fashion.

It's a style that works in different genres - mysteries, mythology and fairy tales, fantasy of most varieties, etc. There's a part of me that would like to see stories told from a dog's perspective as a separate sub-genre, especially as it sees to be occurring more often these days. But at this point in time, I think stories told from a dog's perspective are a style not a genre or sub-genre, and are anthropomorphism.

So, have you read any stories told from a dog's POV? What do you think, is it a style, a genre...? What do you think of it, do you like it? Is there another existing term besides anthropomorphism that would be applicable?