Book I Have Read

Okay this is not going to be an assigned thing. I may decide to do it instead of a normal weekday post, as I am this week…or I might drop it in randomly as I feel the desire. The Fae Corps Blog Does a Saturday TBR and they are not always books that we have read, but ones that look good amongst the recommendations we get. These are all going to be ones I have read, and This will be my clear thoughts on them. Now as I sometimes sign up to be an ARC reader, I will not always have the link for you to buy the book…but I will try to post when any I do miss the link on are live.

I have always been a voracious reader. I go through a trade paperback in about 4 hours. Since I have started publishing, finding time to read seems like a bit of a luxury. Not because I don’t read now…on the contrary. I am always reading things that people send me to publish, to edit, just to get opinions on. So reading for fun just seems like something I really don’t get to do as often as I would like. I have thousands of books on my kindle. And enough paperback and hardback books that it often causes fights. (My boyfriend’s of the opinion that if I am not reading them I should donate them). I keep the ones that I am willing to re-read. That means that eventually I will pick them back up.
But the last few books I have indulged in…Ones I sought out for personal pleasure that had nothing to do with publishing…I found myself taking a couple of days to read. Simply because I was enjoying them, so I would put them down and stop for a couple of hours to do other things before coming back to them. So I realized that maybe beyond the Goodreads/amazon/and the like reviews…maybe I should take the time to tell you guys about these books.

I see hundreds of ARC opportunities. I have so limited time. I sign up for the ones that Really catch my mind. The latest one was a group of books that were all interesting looking mostly because one of my favorite authors was a part of the group. I will be getting a new book once a week until Halloween (as I understand it.) The first one came in a few days ago. I forced the issue of being able to get to read….something that is such a luxury anymore.

The first one is a Cinderella meets King Midas retelling titled Cursed by Gold by Jamie Dalton . Cinderella is named Scarlett. Midas is King Remme. The characters are strong. The imagery is immersive. The romance is there without being borderline erotica. I found this one to be a nice action packed tale. I did feel like the timing could have been a bit better, some of the story dragged while others felt rushed…but it could be a personal issue based on the interruptions at the moment I was in each place. I really do recommend it. I enjoyed the story.

I will probably be doing the next one in a few days as I just got the ARC today.

Thursday Thoughts

FAQ

My child is going to check out a very possible house this week and I am going to be going with them to look. By the time this posts we will have seen it.

I am planning for a new desktop upgrade -which is a fairly involved process. files need to be sorted .

my current pos tried to die on me so the desktop has to be dealt with . we got it back but it has a limited time…

Wednesday whisper

Poetry

Sirens lullaby

By

Serena Mossgraves

Blood in the street,
youth for the reaper to greet.
regrets pour from the end 
of the gun like just another rainstorm .

Perhaps the community is so used
to playing the game,
oh well that's just fireworks again...
and the reaper's approach 
will go unnoticed.

Or the sirens will be the lullaby
the infants remember 
because of how oft they have 
heard them .

Tuesday Tunes

A day for me to discuss music

Lyrics –

But I’ve had one too many cigarettes burning up my lungs
Had the taste of one too many lips hanging of my tongue, oh, oh
Sunday morning getting high, drinking here alone
Thinking up a brand new alibi for not coming home, oh, oh
And I’m sorry I lie so much
I’m not a saint, but I could be if I tried
Lord knows I’ve got habits to break
I’m really good at being good at goodbyes
I’m gonna give you fair warning that I
I’m not a saint, but I could be if I tried
Lord knows I don’t learn from mistakes
And I’m not here unless I’m here by your side
I’m not a saint, but I could be if I
Sover up and settle down, give a little talk
‘Bout how I can’t keep from runnin’ ’round
Say it’s such a fault, oh, oh
And I’m sorry I lie so much
I’m not a saint, but I could be if I tried
Lord knows I’ve got habits to break
I’m really good at being good at goodbyes
I’m gonna give you fair warning that I
I’m not a saint, but I could be if I tried
Lord knows I don’t learn from mistakes
And I’m not here unless I’m here by your side
I’m not a saint, but I could be if I tried
Oh woah, oh woah, oh
Oh woah, oh woah, oh
Oh woah, oh woah, oh
I’m gonna give you fair warning that I
Will be the reason for the tears in your eyes
I’m not a saint, but I could be if I tried
Lord knows I’ve got habits to break
I’m really good at being good at goodbyes
I’m gonna give you fair warning that I
I’m not a saint, but I could be if I tried
Lord knows I don’t learn from mistakes
And I’m not here unless I’m here by your side
I’m gonna give you fair warning that I
Oh woah, oh woah, oh
Oh woah, oh woah, oh
Oh woah, oh woah, oh
I’m not a saint, but I could be if I tried

My 2 cents –

Things are starting to calm down a wee bit. I am starting to get back to working on my own personal self and the stuff I need to do. I’m looking forward to planning for the next step .

Publishing Demystified

The purpose of this one is simple. Most likely everyone here knows I run Fae Corps Publishing and I have been doing this in the background for a while now. I plan on talking clearly about the tools I use for publishing, and the way that each one works. Demystifying what I do. Is that to say that I will be making my own self unnecessary? No, because my experience is valuable. I just feel like so much of the process is made out to be harder than it needs to be.

I see quite a few small presses come and go.

The publishing industry is not an easy one.

Some of the ones that have seen remain are run by decent people who are in the industry because they honestly believe in their authors.

I end up trying to get authors that I want to read to publish.

I have to read everything that I publish, and I enjoy it.

I will leave on the bottom of the post the upcoming calendar. I feel like that will help. As You can see this changes slightly each week. Things get adjusted because Authors are not ready or I get a book that I had promised space.

September –

6th – The Fall by Mariah Lynde

20th – The Magick Saga Collection by Ashira Datya

27th – Human Shaped Verse by Patricia Harris

October –

11th – Fighting Ignorance by Patricia Harris

18th – My Gothic Angel by Laj & Khoury Hawkins

25th – Anthology – Nightmare Whiskers

November-

8th – Thoughtfish by Ruan Bradford Wright (2nd Edition)

15th- Would You Like Fries with That By Mariah Lynde

23rd- The Crypt Keeper’s Notebook by ZyhrenSong

December –

1st – unknown by Raz T Slasher (middle grade) (*though I don’t normally have an unknown in my list of release dates… from a couple of authors I will take the chance for “kids week” and save the spot. If I don’t get the book from them I will just have an empty spot for the day. But I think that they are worth it.)

2nd – Where’s my Sugar by Patricia Harris

3rd – Pip 4: Pip that is not Yours! By Patricia Harris

4th – Anthology Fae Recipes

5th – Unknown by CM Snow

6th – Spoiled Naughty Ponies by Capri Summers

7th – MG: The Grim Face of Reality by Sean Armstrong

8th – Hood of Sedna by Mina Skye

13th – Anthology Honesty in Verse

2025

I will get those listed closer. I feel like if I were to put them on the blog it would put too much pressure. I have “penciled” in dates for several authors for 2025 already.

Monday Poetry

Poetry

Welcome Back

By

Patricia Harris

The door was closed
So long ago on who
We were, forgotten children
Pretending to be human
In the world turning us into
Monsters.

Taking away the idea
That were allowed to
Play, allowed to be
Happy…

Welcome back
To the forgotten places
Where childhood stows.

Friday Share

Friday Share

So you found a new book?

Or maybe you just published one?

Did you find a new webcomic that you like?

Or a song you think everyone should hear?

No need for explanation…Just Share it.

You find a good deal that you think we should all see? Just share!

Or hey even a joke you think too fun not to share, Just share it.

Post links in the comments.

Occasionally I will too.

Thursday Thoughts

FAQ

So, I have said that my family is falling apart.

In some ways it has been doing that for a while now. My Boyfriend and my youngest child have finally decided that they cannot stand each other. Father and child have reached the point where the child has grown and has been for a few years but the father could not see it. There are other factors…but this is the gist of my current situation.

The child called my parents to generally see about getting advice/help. And left out context. So my parents were worried. My father decided that he needed to scream at me. So I am stepping back from contact there.

My eldest is having family issues of his own. Nothing that I can help with, Though I ache for the pain he is feeling.

So, I am struggling with the ties that family bring. I am about to have an empty nest as my youngest child is looking at moving out. Which is not a bad thing for them, but I will miss seeing them most days. While they do not get along with their father, We are close.

I don’t know how the next few months are going to be for me mentally. I am trying to look at the brighter side of this.

My studio will be moved inside to my child’s former room. This means I will have electricity in my studio. (The current one does not have electric, which means I am limited on the time I can be in it.)

My Boyfriend’s room will be moved downstairs. That means My bedroom can be moved into his current room. My current bedroom will be turned into a full office space for me. Allowing me to have more space. The Bathroom upstairs is in his room. So I will have an easier access to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

I will be able to have time with my child without the normal irritation that comes from the interaction they have with their father. I am just going to have to drive to them. Perhaps that is going to be a minor vacation once a month. I am planning to spend the weekend once a month at their house…so I may end up having a late blog one week out of the month. Though I don’t Know. If I can gather a laptop that might not be a thing.

Wednesday whisper

Wednesday whisper
Poetry

What the Dead Know

By

Serena Mossgraves

Regrets add weight 
To the soul,  
Leaving knowledge 
Of what life has been  
Stripped away 
From all that was  
Worthwhile.  

 Instead of fighting with 
What the Dead know,  
The living should be  
Thinking about how  
To live instead.

Tuesday Tunes

A day for me to discuss music

Lyrics –

I remember daddy’s hands folded silently in prayer
And reachin’ out to hold me, when I had a nightmare
You could read quite a story in the callous’ and lines
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind

I remember daddy’s hands how they held my mama tight
And patted my back for something done right
There are things that I’d forgotten that I loved about the man
But I’ll always remember the love in daddy’s hands

Daddy’s hands were soft and kind when I was cryin’
Daddy’s hands were hard as steel when I’d done wrong
Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle but I’ve come to understand
There was always love in daddy’s hands

I remember daddy’s hands workin’ ’til they bled
Sacrificed unselfishly just to keep us all fed
If I could do things over, I’d live my life again
And never take for granted the love in daddy’s hands

Daddy’s hands were soft and kind when I was cryin’
Daddy’s hands were hard as steel when I’d done wrong
Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle but I’ve come to understand
There was always love in daddy’s hands

Daddy’s hands were soft and kind when I was cryin’
Daddy’s hands were hard as steel when I’d done wrong
Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle but I’ve come to understand
There was always love in daddy’s hands

My 2 cents –

More family issues. I am still trying to deal with the fallout. Sometimes Knowing that someone loves you is not enough to allow them to mistreat you. I recently had to cut off other family because at 49 I am still struggling with that idea. I no longer have space for those who can not respect my boundaries… No matter who they are. It does make me sad though.