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Whenever I start a new book I always research a couple of topics that I present in the book. Don’t get me wrong–I’m not the type to research so deeply that I’ll get everything write and double check I have named every piece of clothing correctly and got every street name right, but I do think embedding the truth into a work of fiction is very important for setting.

For example, before writing My Life At the MBRC–which revolves around Chicago–I did an extended tour of the city with a close friend of mine. The street names, restaurant locations, museum hours, and bus schedule are all real and based on the maps/schedules I found in 2009. For the two-parter Robyn Hood series I read the traditional ballads about Robyn Hood and some of the earliest fiction books written about him. (All the ballads except for the one Dan the Musician sings are all real Robyn Hood songs.) I also took an archery class so I had a rough�� idea of the shooting process. Additionally, most of my information on King Richard is historically accurate. All of the information I present in his capture and rescue (Including the fact that his mother hawked the Crown Jewels to free him) is real.

OK, OK, basic research�� is important for me, you get it! Why does that matter? Because I think it’s about to backfire on me. The heroine of one of my newest projects that I’m prepping for loves cooking and baking. Because I want to be able to properly express her what happens as she cooks I’ve been cooking too. Just recently I’ve made: Homemade bread, Creme Brulee, chocolate iced coffee (I’m addicted to this now), pumpkin soup, chocolate covered coffee beans, homemade chocolate, cookies and cream fudge, I really could go on but I’m starting to feel ashamed.

The problem here is that I have a major lack of self control, and fudge and creme brulee aren’t exactly light in the calorie area. I know this because my jeans are fitting distinctly tighter. I suppose I could balance it out by making my next heroine a fitness nut, but I feel like I need a lung transplant if I run for more than three minutes so I do not see that happening. Hopefully I will be able to tame�� it down soon, but in the mean time my pants will have to suffer.

Sometimes I come across a book or series that I love so much I have gloat about it on behalf of the author. is one of those books!

Etiquette & Espionage is a YA series by Gail Carriger. Here’s a brief description of book one via Amazon: It’s one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It’s quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.

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Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine’s, young ladies learn to finish…everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but the also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage–in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year’s education.

OK, so I love this series. Why bring it up on here? Because Etiquette & Espionage is a paranormal-historical-steampunk book. It takes place in Victorian England (Or thereabouts) and there’s gadgets and machinery and vampires and werewolves! It’s such a�� bizarre genre, but the book is absolutely fascinating. The marketing team behind this book probably pulled their hair out because pitching a book that is so specialized/niched can be difficult–but it works!

I love it. I applaud it. I hope we continue to see genre-busting books like this–they’re highly original and when well written they are a treat to read. That being said I should probably warn you I have no desire to make the next Sci Fi-chick lit-high fantasy book. Genre busting is fun, but I’m not certain I have the brain capacity–much less the nerves–to handle it.

How about you Champions? Have you read any good niche/genre crossover books?

I have a cold

It has made me bold

I act so stupid

I think I’m cupid

So here’s some advice from me to you

Take cold meds and you can be strange too!

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Today marks new heights (or depths) for my lack of talent in poetry writing. I really can’t make any excuse except to say “I don’t call them Bad Poetry Days for nothing!��

The poll results are in! King Arthur: A Modern Girl Rules Camelot has won! This news is long overdue,�� but as you may have guessed my cold has kept me from you all, dear champions. Now for the downside. Just like my two-parter Robyn Hood books, King Arthur will be based on the ballads/stories/legends of King Arthur. This means I have a lot of material to draw on, and I highly doubt I’m going to be able to limit myself to one book. So King Arthur: A Modern Girl Rules Camelot IS coming, it’s just going to be a few months before it makes an appearance. We’re probably looking at a fall release date for book one. (Yes, I promise I won’t leave you in such a horrible cliffhanger like I did for��Robyn Hood: A Girl’s Tale.)

Speaking of which, Robyn Hood: Fight For Freedom will be released in about two weeks. I’m aiming for less, but I like to give myself a margin. Just in case.

Thank you for stopping by, and enjoy your day!

Alright, so this year my goal is to release many, many more books for the kindle. (Because, I’ll admit it, I am hooked to reviews. I know lots of writers say that, but I’m being truthful here. I print off your reviews, and I file them. That is how much I love them.) Robyn Hood: A Girl’s Tale was just released this week, Robyn Hood: Fight For Freedom, the sequel, will be released in March. I have one other book that I will be posting on the Kindle, but it needs some editing before that happens. I’m hoping it will be ready for an April release. In the meantime, I need to start working on the new book(s) that I want to release. SO, I’m leaving it up to you guys! Vote for the idea you like the most. (Please, please, please vote. I’ll feel like a loser if you guys just read this entry and don’t vote.)

King Arthur: A Modern Girl Rules Camelot–All Britannica Arthurs wanted to do was explore Britain with her college pals in celebration of their recent graduation. Unfortunately she falls against a rusted sword in a graveyard and is transported back to the time of King Arthur. Merlin (who is surprisingly young and hot) finds Britannica and explains to her that she–having pulled the sword from the stone–is the rightful King of England…because the real Arthur ran off with a milkmaid.

God Forsaken: In a world that revolves around religions there is a yearly ceremony in which all 13-year-olds are dedicated to the gods. During the ceremony, gods choose their next generation of servants, who are tattooed with the god’s symbol. In this world, Magdalene Nobless because the first person in history to be not be chosen.�� No god chooses her as their servant, she is god forsaken.

Cat Tails: As far as magical abilities and super powers go, I’m pretty sure I got jipped. I mean come on, I have the ability to transform into a common housecat, and I live in an era where werewolves trot down the street, fairies dance in clubs, and sirens hold pop concerts in the park.�� I’m definitely a small fry as far as the magical community is concerned, which is good because it means that I–being a rare loner–can hide pretty well from the magical community. I guess it’s “was able to hide”��. because now lots of people know about me since I accidentally plopped down in the middle of a paranormal war that is centuries old.�� A word from the wise: Look out for the prettiest fairest–they’re always the worst.

The Free Lance: Abby, a freelance reporter, never signed up for murders. Mysteries weren’t her thing–it’s why she was part of a small town newspaper. School board meetings she could do. City board meetings were her favorite. Kidnappings, drug busts, burglary–nope. Not Abby’s calling. Unfortunately for Abby, her editor doesn’t agree. Dead body at the library? Yeah, he’ll send Abby.

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Thanks for voting guys, I do appreciate it! (Although be forewarned, if I am hit by a different truck of inspiration I may not select any of these projects as my�� next book!)

So I was talking with a friend the other day, complaining about the pacing problems in Robyn Hood. She suggested I just cut the book in half and release the first volume now, giving me ample time to fix those pesky issues that pepper the second half. So that’s what I did.

Oohhhh the cover is so pretty!

Anyway, Robyn Hood: A Girl’s Tale is available for FREE right now on Amazon! Click to download it! This book giveaway will last from February 19 to February 23, so download your copy before time runs out! A brief description of the book is found below, but before you start reading can I please, please assure you that yes, there will be a sequel? (Please don’t throw anything, I didn’t MEAN to leave you at such a cliff hanger at the end of this book, it just happened! Please don’t leave me my beloved readers!!)

Robyn Hood: A Girl’s TaleThe ballads lie. Robin Hood, the Bold and Brave Outlaw of Sherwood Forest, is cowardly, spineless, and a girl.

Robyn unwittingly starts the Robin Hood farce when she is mistaken for a male while saving her friend, Marian, from two foresters. Forced into hiding, Robyn unwillingly collects “Merry Men�� while grudgingly robbing from the rich fools that wander through Sherwood. What starts as small scale robbery blows up into complex heists when Little John and Will Scarlet join her team, and the idiotic Prince John and his legion of soldiers comes to town. However, Robyn can’t stop the theft—not when King Richard is being held ransom.

Cowardly Robyn’s best chance to raise money for King Richard’s release is to rob his brother, Prince John. Will she survive the heist, or swing in the gallows?

Lots of famous writers/authors/poets/song writers talk about getting coffee at their favorite coffee bar�� restaurant�� place, and curling up in a corner to write/create. So I thought I would give it a shot.

At the beginning of my Coffee Writing Experience I thought it had to be the dumbest idea ever. While my Iced Caramel Macchiato tasted fantastic, the store’s background music was not what I normally listen to, plus a little bell rang whenever someone entered the store–which was often. But after brainstorming and writing there for almost two hours�� I’m hooked.

I don’t know if the smell of coffee is magical or what, but my Coffee Writing Experience was charming and refreshing. It’s not like I was super creative, or like I got more written then usual, it was just loads of fun.

Plus my coffee was cup of iced goodness that cannot be replaced in my heart.

In all seriousness, it was also lots of fun to people watch. If you’re stuck on writing a story I highly suggest you attempt your own Coffee Writing Experience. Staying in a coffee shop for over an hour will mean a parade of vastly different people are going to traipse past you saying a wide variety of amusing/thoughtful/inappropriate things. It’s a great kick to your brain to get those creative juices flowing!

Oatmeal isn’t really a recipe per say because just about anyone can make it, but I’m such a dork I actually figured out what toppings the main cast from Princess Ahira would put in their oatmeal–which Azmaveth and Ahira have frequently for breakfast in Princess Ahira. Tonight I’m feeling a burning desire to share my dorkiness with you all, so we can eat Author-Obsessive-Princess-Ahira-Oatmeal together.

Here’s what to do if you don’t know how to make oatmeal. (Not that instant stuff in the little packets, I’m talking about actual oatmeal that you cook on the stove.)

1. Go to the supermarket

2. Buy a box/canister/container of oatmeal.

3. Take said purchase home

4. Read the directions on the container and make your oatmeal.

It doesn’t take long to make, although it does hit your stomach like a sack of potatoes. Still, with the right toppings it is delicious. As a side note I’m not giving you quantities on most of the oatmeal toppings, that’s because you’ll want to flavor them to suit your tastes. Anyway, without further ado, here’s how the Princess Ahira characters flavor their oatmeal.

Ahira: A simple recipe for a simple princess

Honey
Nuts (Pecans or walnuts are best.)

Azmaveth: For the fussy dragon in your life

Apple chunks (the smaller the better)
Brown sugar
dash of cinnamon
Granola (chocolate granola is the best)
Butter

Zerah: Because blue is always better

Regular white sugar
Raisins (He’s such a sour grape)
Blueberries
Blackberries
Milk (He likes his oatmeal soupy)

Aaron: Who cares how it tastes if it feeds ya?

Salt
Pepper
Nuts or sunflower seeds (Pine nuts or salted nuts apparently taste best with salt and pepper. Don’t quote me on that though.)

Yes, Aaron’s toppings are no joke. That is an actual way people flavor their oatmeal. Granted I think it is an excessively gross way, but whatever floats your boat. Please post any oatmeal ideas you have for the rest of the Princess Ahira crew to share with myself and your fellow Champions! (Can you imagine what Cinders would put in her oatmeal??)

I’ve been putting this post off for a while, mostly because I’m a wimp and I don’t like to deliver bad news.

The Valentines Day release date for Robyn Hood: A Girl’s Tale? Yeah, it ain’t happenin��.

There’s a few scenes I’ve decided I want to replace, so the editing process is going to be rather lengthy. I’m hoping for a March release date, but it will probably end up being April before Robyn Hood is out. (That title is still pending, by the by.)

So I figured what’s the best way to break this bad news? By giving you the work-in-progress-description! (Horrah for cruel twists of fate!)

Robyn Hood: A Girl’s Tale

The ballads lie. Robin Hood, the Bold and Brave Outlaw of Sherwood Forest, is cowardly, spineless, and a girl.

Robyn unwittingly starts the Robin Hood farce when she is mistaken for a male while saving her friend, Marian, from two foresters. Forced into hiding, Robyn unwillingly collects “Merry Men�� while grudgingly robbing from the rich fools that wander through Sherwood. What starts as small scale robbery blows up into complex heists when Little John and Will Scarlet join her team, and the idiotic Prince John and his legion of soldiers comes to town. However, Robyn can’t stop the theft–not when King Richard is being held ransom.

Cowardly Robyn might be Britain’s greatest hero…or at least the most terrified one.

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I’m not completely happy with that description yet, but book descriptions usually take me weeks to hammer out. Beyond that I’m working on consolidating my social media platforms. If all goes well I’ll soon post the various ways you can stalk find me in one of my next posts. Until then, my Champions!

I am dead tired

My brain has long expired

Oh bed how I love

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I didn’t really mean to make those first two lines rhyme, but they do so that is that. Rather un-haiku-like but that is me! Congratulations, you have witnessed the first “Bad Poetry Day Post!�� Let’s cheer!!! No, let’s not. Bad Poetry Days are a painful but necessary experience for everyone because they allow me to communicate exactly how quickly I am dying of exhaustion.

So I wanted to let you guys view my first official Bad Poetry Day, but I also wanted to let you know that because the stats of this blog have been rising I was filled with warm feelings for you all and updated/added some links on my links page. Today I added the writing section links. A lot of readers are future budding writers, so I figured I would nudge you down the path of knowledge by sharing some useful writing links. Or, I don’t know, maybe you’re a masochist and you enjoy rejection. Then you really should check out those links.

TA DA! It’s a Picture This entry!

Jeremiah, Raven, & Daire

The Page Turner

Ok this is like�� a historical submission to ��Picture This��! I had to go way back to dig this one out. This is actually for a story, The Page Turner, that isn’t available yet for purchase. It’s my entry for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award this year, and I’m not sure what I’ll do with it when the contest is over. If you’re a long time fan you may have read it. I released samples of it on the internet years ago, but that was the��original version. Three re-writes later I’ve gotta say the plot is a lot better and the entire story has changed. I cut some characters, added a bunch, ate some pudding, slashed and hashed the fight scenes, in fact pretty much everything about the story has changed except for the setting and some of the original cast.

Anyway, this is a drawing of Raven (center), the heroine of the story. Jeremiah is on the left, Daire are on the right. They’re her good looking superiors at the library she works at. In spite of the drawing I can assure you, they aren’t exactly pals. It was drawn for my by dduk, a deviantart artist who has since fallen off the grid, I believe. It’s a shame as dduk is a majorly talented artist!