Review: Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris

Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The positives: An interesting cast of characters, including exactly one vampire (with brief appearance by a few other supernatural creatures), a psychic, a witch, and a talking cat.

This new series seems to be set in the same world as Harris's other books, with references to Lily Bard and Harper Connelly (I haven't read those series, only the Southern Vampire Mysteries). Interesting female characters, including Fiji, the witch, who is a curvy/average-sized woman (I like that every single heroine doesn't have to be skinny), and Olivia, who seems to be some kind of trained warrior/assassin.

This small, exceedingly quirky Texas town is not without its charms, and there are enough plot twists and turns to keep the reader interested. I engaged with these characters, and I'll look forward to the next book in the series.

The not-so-positives: There is exactly one Black woman in Midnight, Texas, and she is in a perpetually bad mood. To be fair, if I were the only Black woman in town, I would probably be a bit bummed out myself. However, Harris not writing the story's one woman of color, Madonna, as a likable person is part of a larger pattern in Harris's writing. Maybe in future books she can expand on Madonna's character and give us some other sides of her personality.

Another thing is that the victim in this murder mystery is not well-liked around Midnight, specifically for the reason that she was famous for flirting with every man in town. Shaming women for their sexuality is another negative pattern in Harris's novels, once again rearing its ugly head. There's even a whiff of blaming the victim for her own murder.

Charlaine Harris isn't unproblematic, and I'm not defending the flaws in her characterization. Still, I miss Sookie Stackhouse, and I'm willing to accept Fiji Cavanaugh, Olivia Charity (I keep imagining her being portrayed by Olivia Wilde), Bobo Winthrop et al. as a substitute.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

This is a book I checked out from my local public library. I was not obligated to review it in any way.

Erin O'Riordan's Movie Review of 'Beautiful Creatures'

I'm getting really embarrassed by how many movies I've seen lately based on books I did not read. I didn't read Cloud Atlas, Warm Bodies, The Silver Linings Playbook or Beautiful Creatures, but now I've seen all those movies. The next thing in my Netflix queue is the version of Mansfield Park with Jonny Lee Miller, and it's one of the Jane Austen novels that I haven't read. (Which is most of them. I've only read Pride and Prejudice thus far, unless you count Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.)

I do read, I swear. I just can't read everything.

To be honest, when I went to watch Beautiful Creatures, I hoped for a sort of gender-reversed Twilight, with the young woman (Lena) being the powerful supernatural being and the young man (Ethan) being the weak, helplessly enamored mortal. There was some of that in this movie.

It's a dark, sad, beautiful movie with an intelligent, delightfully sass-mouthed heroine and a hero whose pastimes include reading books that have been banned from his small Southern town's library. They can't be together because her supernatural powers are dangerous and she's afraid she might kill him. Beautiful Creatures isn't a Twilight knock-off, though.

Lena is a witch, but she prefers to be called a caster. When she arrives at the single high school in Ethan's town, her classmates accuse her of being a devil worshiper. One of them starts a loud prayer in the middle of their public school classroom, and the windows shatter - for which everyone immediately blames Lena. She's in danger of being kicked out of school.

The actors playing Ethan and Lena are fairly unknown, although the actress's mother is the famed director Jane Campion. Beautiful Viola Davis plays the woman who acts as a foster mother to Ethan since his bio mom died. Jeremy Irons plays Lena's foster parent, her uncle Macon. Macon is a dark caster, but he chooses to be "light" for Lena's sake. Male casters have a choice; female casters are Claimed for either the light or the dark on their sixteenth birthdays. Lena's 16th birthday is rapidly approaching.

Lena's bio mom, Serafine, is played by Emma Thompson. Serafine is supposed to be the most powerful dark caster, and she's convinced Lena will be Claimed by the dark. It seems all the women in their family have been claimed by the dark since an ancestor used forbidden magic to bring her lover, killed in the Civil War, back from the dead. Thus, the family is cursed.

If we've told you once, we've told you a million times, kids: do not use magic to bring a loved one back from the dead. Douglas Clegg told you so in Isis, and J.K. Rowling did again in the three brothers' tale within Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. What has been claimed by death is meant to stay dead, because that is way nature works. When our loved ones die, we wish them safe passage to the other world, commend them into the arms of the Goddess and, most importantly, do NOT try to bring them back. Lesson learned, kiddos?

Emma Thompson could tell you that; she was, after all, Sybill Trelawney in the Harry Potter movies. She was also in Sense and Sensibility, in the lovely version with  Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, and Severus Snape -er, Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon. Furthermore, she was Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing before Amy Acker took over the role. This all makes her sound very British, but Emma Thompson has some surprising American accent skills.

Jeremy Irons is very good in this, as the loving but imposing Uncle Macon. My favorite Jeremy Irons movie is still The Man in the Iron Mask (loosely based on a Dumas classic I have not read), and in my all-time favorite episode of The Simpsons, "Lisa's Rival," Lisa is challenged to form an anagram of "Jeremy Irons" that describes the actor. (It's much harder than it seems. The best option Wordsmith.org comes up with is, "Jeer, sir? My, no.") Lisa's best guess is "Jeremy's iron."

Uncle Macon thinks of a way to undo the curse, but only at the cost of a great sacrifice. For this reason, although she loves Ethan dearly, Lena is unwilling to be with him anymore. She makes him forget the two of them had ever met. It's heartbreaking stuff. (Yeah, it's a little bit like when Edward abandoned Bella in New Moon.)

The ending only served to make me want more. I liked this a lot, more than I liked Warm Bodies or Silver Linings Playbook. May I have the sequel now, please?

https://amzn.to/463lIJD - this is an affiliate link

Blue Monday ~ El Dia de los Muertos

Hopping by from the Coffin Hop? See THIS POST.

Okay, El Dia de los Muertos and All Soul's Day are still almost a week away. Still, in place of Blue Monday, I present a collection of pins from my Skullduggery board, all appropriate for the Christian holiday honoring all the souls of the departed. Here in North America, it's been grafted onto native ways of honoring deceased loved ones - the Day of the Dead.

A good source of basic information about Dia de los Muertos comes from The Pagan Book of Halloween: A Complete Guide to the Magick, Incantations, Recipes, Spells and Lore by Gerina Dunwich. (It's only 175 pages, so I'm sure it's not completely complete, but it's a good start.) It says:

"In Mexico, the Festival of the Dead begins at midnight on November 1...With skulls and skeletons as its motifs, this holiday honors the dead and is celebrated as a joyous fiesta...



"Bread of the Dead (known in Mexico as panes de muertos) is a traditional food served on this holiday. Shaped like people or animals, these curious little loaves are decorated with brightly-colored icings and sprinkled with colored sugar, and beloved by both children and adults. According to tradition, each loaf represents a dead soul.

"It is a custom for Catholics in Mexico to prepare special suppers for the spirits of their deceased loved ones. The food is set out as ofrendas (offerings) and blessed by prayer. After the dead have appreciated the honor and partaken of the food in spirit, the family happily feasts on what remains...

"Each year on El Dia de Muerte (the Day of the Dead) celebrated on November 2, Mexican fairies known as the Jimaniños...are said to come out of hiding and take to the streets, where they dance merrily and delight in playing harmless pranks upon unsuspecting humans. They can also be found roaming through graveyards where they travel in troops...

"Many Witches of Mexican heritage invoke the Jimaniños on the 31st of October when they celebrate their annual Sabbat of Samhain and perform rituals designed to pay homage to their ancestors. Many Wiccans south of the border believe that these playful, seasonal fairies assist their Goddess and Horned God in the turning of the Wheel of the Year."

How will you celebrate the end of harvest season? Perhaps you'd like to rock this sugar skull-motif dress.



Need a handbag to go with that?



Maybe the neon colors are a little loud for you, though. Maybe you'd rather have an accessory that's a bit more understated.



And finally: let me call you street art

Please welcome author Lorrieann Russell to Pagan Spirits

My name is Lorrieann Russell.  I am the author of the novel By Right of Blood, which has just been released in Kindle and eBook format by Edin Road Press.  I’d like you to meet one of the characters, one that's very near and dear to me. Her name is Laurel, and though she’s just a slip of a girl, she is far from weak — or meek. This evening we seem to have caught her in the middle of an important encounter.  We can just sit quietly and listen.  I’m sure she won’t mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh, hello.  I just came by to feed Lucy, and put my feet up for a little while.  I dinnae realize I had company. Oh, please dinnae give me that look. I’m only jestin’.  Of course I know YOU are always there, even when you’re being so quiet I think you’ve abandoned me. 

No, I’m not going to be more careful! Not because I’m being careless, but because I am already being as careful as I can be.  Elinor worries far too much. If she would only listen for a moment, she’d know that I am fully ready, willing, and capable of teaching Will some of more. . . mystical lessons.  After all, she is the one who taught them to me, isn’t she? So why is it not right that I teach Will?  She trusts him as well as she trusts me, or she would not have started the lessons to begin with.

There, now, Lucy.  Some nice turnip shoots for you.  My goodness, you certainly eat a lot for a wee mouse.

Aye, I’m paying attention. I told you, I came in to feed Lucy.  She cannae very well feed herself. What did you want to tell me?

Me?

But I’m simply Laurel. I’m not anyone’s savior, especially his! He’s a nobleman, and I’m . . . just Laurel May McCary, maid servant to the house of Stonehaven. I dinnae have the power to put anyone onto their proper journey.  You must be daft.

Nio forgive me.  Of course I didn’t mean. . . I know you are not. . .but me? I know we share lessons but. . . could you mean that I should be teaching him the mystical lessons?

Elinor will never approve.

You have?

She already knows?

Which charm would you have me cast then? And what shall you ask me to give in tribute for your blessing?

Lucy? My little. . .

So mote it be, Mother. 

If you’d like to know what the task that was given to Laurel by “Mother”, you’ll need to read By Right of Blood.  Check it out in the Amazon's Kindle store, and on Smashwords.com.

 

Thank you for reading,

Lorrieann   

By Right of Blood

By Lorrieann Russell

Ebook ISBN: 9781452421841

Paperback ISBN: 9780615645704

Editor: Jesse V Coffey

Cover and artwork: Lorrieann Russell

Cover Synopsis:

William Fylbrigge is ill prepared to claim what is his, by right of blood, and his place among the powerful clan he has been born into. His older brother Thomas doesn’t want to share what he thinks is rightfully his, secretly arranging to have the young lad killed in a convenient “accident.” William could lose everything, including his life. 

Sean Wilbrun, the son of a common groomsman, transcends the barriers of his class and station when he is elevated to the esteemed ranks of guard for Lord Edward, Duke of Stonehaven. His first assignment, however, is not to wield a sword to protect his duke, but instead to attend to the newly arrived foster son. 

William and Sean soon form an unlikely duo and a lasting bond as together they face Thomas’ accusations of murder and treason. 

Short Synopsis

William Fylbrigge is ill prepared to claim what is his by right of blood, and his place among the powerful clan he has been born into. His older brother Thomas doesn't want to share what he thinks is rightfully his, secretly arranging to have the young lad killed in a convenient "accident." William could lose everything, including his life.

Author photo:

Author Bio:

Lorrieann Russell has written three books (so far) chronicling the life and times of William Fylbrigge: By Right of Blood, My Brother’s Keeper, and In the Wake of Ashes.  She has also published several short stories, and has been a featured guest on Edin Road Radio.  She is an accomplished artist, illustrator, photographer and designer.  A native New Englander, she spends much of her time in the mountains of New Hampshire, hiking and taking pictures of the landscape.

Author Contact and Websites

Home page: http://lorrieannrussell.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LorrieannRussell

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/LorrieannTweets

Email: lorrieann.russell@edinroad.com

 Excerpt:

He leaned against the stall, scooping up a piece of hay to chew on, noticing a slight movement near the wall. He dropped down, sitting cross-legged with his back to the pile.

“Must have been some ride you had. I know the Causey Mounth road from Aberdoir can be quite a fright along the cliffs,” he said casually and paused to listen. The rustling stopped. “The ruts are so close to the edge, if the horse makes one bad step, och! ‘Tis fearsome. Is that what’s frightened you, lad? The road?” He risked a glance over his shoulder. “I wouldn’t blame you if it did. I surely don’t like riding Causey Mounth – especially after it’s rained like it has.”

Still no reply.

Frustrated, Sean idly scanned the barn until he spied a basket of early apples not far from where he was sitting. “You don’t mind if I do m’ chores? I need t’ feed the horses, you see.” He stood and scooped up a couple of apples and headed to the first stall occupied by an animal. “This is Hawk. He’s a yearling. Not quite broken yet but he’ll be a fine mount one day.” He pulled a sharp dirk from his belt and sliced one apple in half, holding one half flat-palmed for the horse. “I’m hoping he’ll be mine. He suits me.” Another glance over his shoulder and he caught sight of a pair of wide green eyes peeking through the straw. There you are. Papa’s right, you do have big eyes. He moved to the next stall.

“This one is Ceres. No one has ridden him yet. He’s full of fire, this one.” He stroked the horse’s nose, then offered the other half of the apple. “Do you like horses?”

The straw moved slightly and Sean could see an entire face now. Small and staring, the boy looked no more than eight years old. I thought Edward said he was twelve?

Sean gave him a smile in greeting, then turned his attention back to the horse. “There’re more to feed; would you like to help?”

The boy did not answer but Sean saw him peek out a little more, looking toward the other stalls. He sliced another apple and moved down. “Hello, Gallant, are you hungry? Aye, I see you are. There’s plenty … there you are.”

A moment later, Sean felt someone standing close behind him. He did not turn but kept to his task of feeding the horses. When he’d run out of apples with two horses left to feed, he turned to reach into the basket for more. Instead, he found the lad holding out an apple with one hand. Sean smiled and took it from him, slicing it in half. “Thank you.”

The boy nodded, then stood back, half concealing himself behind a post. Sean fed one half of the apple to the horse in the stall, then held out the other half toward William. “Star may like this one.”

William stared at the apple, then up to Sean, then back to the apple.

“Go on, she won’t hurt you. Just hold it like this, with your palm flat.”

William took it and held it to the filly in the stall he stood next to. She nickered and chomped it down, shaking her mane in gratitude. Sean saw William’s eyes widen and the trace of a smile cross his face. He also noticed something else – ghastly purple marks encircling his fragile looking wrists. He quickly averted his sight, so as not to startle the lad. He’s been bound! Good God. What am I dealing with here?

“She likes it,” William whispered.

Sean forced a smile, somewhat shaken by the dark hollows under William’s eyes when the lad turned to look at him. “Would you like to give her another one?” he asked, making an effort to keep his tone as gentle as possible.

Just as William was about to answer, there came voices from outside. It was Laurel speaking to Arthur. William spun on his heel and, without warning, dove back into the hay.

“Lad … wait, there’s nothing to …” Sean stopped and gasped at the sight before him. He hadn’t seen the boy’s back before now and he stopped, astonished. The shirt was flayed open in crimson-stained shreds, the flesh beneath caked in dried blood. He stood for a moment, not finding anything to say to the boy but knowing something needed to be done. Sean turned and headed toward the door. He’d have to let Edward know what he’d seen, and to let him know that he’d have to wait a while longer to meet his new foster son.          

Reviews

Author Lorrieann Russell has used great imagination and artistic creativity in By Right of Blood. Her talent shines through the characters she has so lovingly created and this talent spills over into the world of the reader, allowing them to walk with the characters through the streets of the market, to the cliffs above the ocean. Feel their fear as they run through the woods, and into the meadows escaping hunters and those that would do them harm, only to prevail in the end. Experience their happiness and their sorrows, as they fight to make their mark in the world surrounding them.

I give By Right of Blood five stars *****

Nora Chipley Barteau
Reviewers Helping Authors

http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

* * *

 A real page turner, this novel captures you from beginning to end. You seem to become part of the adventure as you join the characters on their journey. Russell's descriptions of places and characters make it easy to picture these things as you read. I absolutely loved this novel and look forward to anymore work by this wonderful and talented author. If you have not read By Right of Blood by Lorrieann Russell, I strongly suggest you pick up a copy. This book is full of drama, action, romance. All the things that are needed to make a wonderful work of Fiction for readers to enjoy. An excellent novel. I won't hesitate to read anything with Lorrieann Russell on the cover.

J. M. Barfield

Reader review

***

There is one essential element that stories must have in order for me to be fascinated. They must have a conflict. I can honestly say that Lorrieann has succeeded here.  The conflict was immediate. Right from the beginning in the first two pages I knew I was going to read all the way to the end. By the time 10 pages had passed, I was emotionally bonded to the characters. When you can step into a story and consider someone your brother or sister, the author has done their job. I would recommend this book to anyone high school and above. 

Linda Horne

www.ebookitreviews.com

Top 3 Delicious DIY Foods for Halloween

Today, April 24th, is St. Mark's Eve. St. Mark's Eve is one of three traditional "Spirit Nights," along with All Hallows Eve (Halloween) and St. John's Eve (Midsummer Eve). The spirit nights are all associated with divination - the veil between the seen and unseen worlds is at its thinnest. In that spirit, I present this early Halloween guest post.

Now, without further adieu, your guest blog post by Katherine Cao:

Each time when Halloween approaches, kids will be too impatient to wait. They will put on colorful costumes and fantastic masks. They carry Jack O' Lantern and ask gifts from adults. Here, some unique DIY foods for this festival are collected. Designers are concentrated on their appearance and also taste. To delight your kids, why not try a DIY food? It will undoubtedly enhance the atmosphere of the festival :D!

Top 1: Grimace Biscuit

Required materials: one egg, granulated sugar (40g) and some starch.

Step 1: break the egg into a certain container.

Step 2: add a few starches. Then, pour granulated sugar into the container three times. Blend them.

Step 3: a pastry tube is needed here. Squeeze out above mixed item onto the baking paper via the pastry tube. Since the food is designed for Halloween, you need to squeeze the mixed item to be round and ghost-shaped. How large should the biscuit be? Of course, this depends on you.

Step 4: preheat the oven to be 100 degree and bake the biscuit for 70 to 80 minutes. Actually speaking, you won’t bake the biscuit, but dry them by hot wind.

Step 5: after baking, draw ghost or any other evil on each biscuit by chocolate. Certainly, you can also draw various patterns lover by your kids. Moms, just explore your mind.

PS: biscuit after being drawn with ghost should be stocked in a refrigerator because it easily absorbs moisture. Aside from this, it may become soft and sticky when the temperature rises. At last, kids are not recommended to eat too many these biscuits because they have too much sugar.

Top 2: Pumpkin Porridge

Required materials: shrimp meat, green pea, two eggs, two pumpkins, salt, starch, soup stock, pepper powder and sesame oil.

Step 1: wash the shrimp meat and wipe it. Add two spoons of egg white, salt and starch. Pickle it for about 10 minutes.

Step 2: cut off the top of the pumpkin and use the cut part as the cover later. Draw out all seeds and cover it via a plastic wrap. Put them into the microwave over and heat them for 4 minutes.

Step 3: three bowls of soup stock will be needed. Boil them and put in green pea. After boiling, put in shrimp meat and boil them.

Step 4: break the egg into the soul and add starch. Then, salt, pepper powder, chicken powder and sesame oil need to be put in too.

Step 5: scoop out the boiled item and load them into the pumpkin.

PS: while heating the pumpkin, be careful about the temperature in the microwave oven. If you are not sure about this, heat it gradually please.

Top 3: Witch Finger Biscuit

Required materials: unsalted butter (220g), berry sugar, one egg, almond extract, vanilla extract, flour, baking powder, salt and almond (it’s used to make the nail. There should be one almond for each finger. It’s okay to use skinless almond or almond tablets.

Step 1: the unsalted butter should be softened under room temperature. After softening, add sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla extract. Use a stand mixer to blend them.

Step 2: mix flour, salt and baking powder. Then, pour them into the butter. Since the machine is in service, you can adjust the speed to be low. Sure, you can do this by hands too. Just mix the flour with butter. But you will need to knead the dough arduously.

Step 3: take out the mixed item from the container and load them into taker-bag. A paste forms then. Put it into the refrigerator for over 30 minutes. In this case, the paste will become hard and form.

Step 4: take out the paste from the refrigerator. Get the almond ready and find a small spoon.

Step 5: scoop a small spoon of paste and twist it to be a long strip, which should be as long as a finger. You are suggested to make the strip slimmer than a finger since it will become larger while being baked.

Step 6: get an almond and embed it into the finger. So, the nail is finished.

Step 7: pinch the nail slightly. It’s better to use a knife or spoon to make some “ruffles” on the nail.

Step 8: when all nails are completed, put them into the ovenware with baking paper.

Step 9: preheat the microwave oven to be 165 degree. And bake the biscuit in it for about 20 to 25 minutes.

To scare your friends by a biscuit with a ghost face on it and then invite them to enjoy your DIY food is absolutely a good idea. Do you also like it? Katherine shares you many other food or costume ideas on her site. Pay her a visit now?

Producing The Hit Broadway Show 'Wicked'

Stopping by from Reading-Romances.com's Romancing the Valentine Giveaway Hop? Please find the giveaway post HERE.

The Vampires for Valentines giveaway post is HERE.

____________

A Guest Post From Brynn Alexander:

By now, most people have heard of the hit Broadway musical Wicked. Since its debut in 2003, Wicked has taken America by storm and entertained thousands of patrons around the country with its magical sets, inspiring story, and memorable songs. The Oz-ian tale of two witches (based on L. Frank Baum’s original characters of Glinda the Good Witch of the North and the Wicked Witch of the West) has found appeal in both adults and children, and continues to entertain theatergoers each night in venues around the world.



The story behind Wicked is loosely based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which itself is a parallel novel and prequel of sorts to the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and Baum’s original material. It sees two witches - Elphaba, whose emerald-green skin and fiery disposition sets her apart from the other residents of Oz, and Galinda, the beautiful, ambitious and popular blonde witch - develop an unlikely friendship. Throughout the story, the two witches struggle through opposing viewpoints and compete over the same love interest. As the plot unfolds, Elphaba becomes increasingly ostracized for opposing the corrupt government in Oz, while Galinda remains headstrong and is embraced by the people of Oz.

(Stacie Morgain Lewis and Kristy Cates in a Chicago performance of Wicked)

When interviewed in El Paso about her role as Galinda, Katie Rose Clarke described her character’s arc: "She starts out as a young girl going to school for the first time, away from her comfort and her family and then going through just difficulties of life." What follows is a tale of friendship between Galinda (who later becomes Glinda, the Good Witch of the North) and the misunderstood Elphaba. "I think it's known to be life-changing. People very much relate to the story, everyone can," said Katie Rose.

One aspect of the production that has received widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike is the sets. Galinda’s now-famous magic bubble is one of the key props, while other props, equipment and lights that feature onstage all come together to give a sense of magic rarely seen in other stage productions. It is because of this high level of production that fans have wanted to come back time and time again to see this spectacular show.

The costumes, too, are quite fantastic. With a reported $2 million spent on this part of the production alone, no expense has been spared in producing the best outfits for the cast. Describing the fitting process, Katie Rose said, "All the characters have the costumes made for their bodies. We go in. We get measured, so it's a work-intensive process to get costumes for every company." And what happens when one of the cast members becomes sick? “We try to get better hopefully before we do the show that night. And if not, then we have understudies that are amazing and they rehearse just like we do.”



Wicked tickets are available from various online outlets, including at the show’s official website. New dates have recently been announced for Salt Lake City in July, and further dates are expected for 2012 in locations around the US.

New 'Heartache' anthology out from eXcessica; sale at Melange Books

I'm pleased to announce the eXcessica Publishing's semi-annual erotica anthology is out, and once again it contains an Erin O'Riordan. This original, never-before published story is called "The Witch's Tale." It has a witch - and werewolves! The anthology's title, and theme, is Heartache.

A snippet of "The Witch's Tale:"

...At the darkest hour of the night, all the wolves seemed to go away. Except one. His howling kept me awake. I went to my window and looked; it was a big brown male with honey-colored eyes.
I went to the door and opened it. "Come in, Milos," I said.

The big wolf trotted in and lay on the rug in front of my fireplace, whining. I brought him the remains of the bread I’d eaten for dinner (unlike the wolves, I ate no meat). He ate the bread. I sat beside him and stroked his fur until he fell asleep.

I fell asleep stroking the wolf. I awoke to find the fire had died out, and I was lying on the floor with only a naked, sleeping Milos to keep me warm.

"I was lonely," he said when he woke up. "I am alone in my den now. You were always kind to me and my people."

"You’re welcome to visit," I said, staring hard at the pattern on the rug and trying not to see his well-muscled body.

"I want to stay," he said.

"I don’t think you should," I said, drawing my conclusions about his intentions. "Milos, you’ll find another mate. One of your own people. A woman who can give you children that are like you."

"I know," he said. "But it will be many seasons before another single female becomes mature. I can’t wait that long. I got too used to Svjetlana, and then the babies, lying beside me. I won’t stay forever. Only let me stay for a few nights."

He lifted my chin so that I stared into his honey-colored eyes. They were both innocent and wild, sad and hopeful. I wanted to comfort him, especially after all the times I failed to help him. Still touching my face, he brought his lips to mine.

The gesture stunned me; in truth, it was my first kiss. I’d devoted so much of my life to aiding the sick and injured on this strange isle, I’d neglected finding a mate of my own. Milos, however, seemed to know exactly what he was doing. His thumb stroked my cheek as he kissed me, his tongue begging entrance into my mouth. The effect of his naked body, so near to me and so affectionate, was dizzying. I wasn’t thinking straight; it was as if I’d swallowed one of my medicines. Milos wanted more…and so did I. I parted my lips.

The official blurb: "Erotic, romantic, poignant and wistful, this anthology collection from Excessica authors will thrill you, touch you, and stay with you. These stories dare to explore the pleasure and pain of a lover gone, the one that got away, the forbidden affair, a true love existing on borrowed time. These are tales of passionate affairs that cannot last, but they are exquisite gems while they do, and like the star that burns brightest, these stories burn fast, dazzle and smolder in the memory."



Heartache is my 6th anthology with eXcessica. I also wrote stories in:

Divine Matches



Happy Endings



Love Bound



Strange Love



Wonder



Sale at Melange Books: For the month of January, take 10% off every e-book at Melange Books, in honor of the publisher's first anniversary! That includes books by Erin O'Riordan: the crime thriller The Smell of Gas and the Hearts of Tomorrow anthology, which contains my take on the French fairy tale of Melusine.

To get the e-book discount, use the promo code 4P096350 at check-out.

Pagan Spirits 2011 in Review

Today, while I chill out from last night's party, visit my great-aunt and spend some time with my mom, please enjoy these highlights of the Pagan Spirits book blog over the past year.

January - "The Journal of Rosa and Bella" Pt. 1, by Shah Wharton

February - Amber Chen's Hottest Sci-Fi Couples

March - The Forgotten Saints of Ireland

April - Crime thriller The Smell of Gas by Erin O'Riordan and Tit Elingtin

May - Day of Revenge by Deanna Proach

June - 5 Jewish Dudes I'd Most Like to See Lewd

July - The erotic art of Christopher Chamberlain

August - The Science of Writing Science Fiction

September - For the first day of fall, books about Persephone

October - Love Spells From the Witch of Umbria

November - The Best Parts of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Pt. 1

December - The Witches' Yuletide Ball

Happy New Year! May 2012 be the best year of your life so far. I'm looking forward to more guest posts and more great books in 2012. And Breaking Dawn Pt. 2, of course.

Jakob Dylan image: Mike from Boston
The Odor of Pomegranates by Zaida Ben-Yusuf, 1899, is in the public domain

Bittersweet Romance, Shiny Objects, and Satan's Cheerleaders

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I Finished the First Draft of MIDSUMMER NIGHT

When my first novel, Beltane, was released by Eternal Press last month, I let all of my readers know that Beltane was going to be the first in the 12-part romance series I'm calling Pagan Spirits. Tonight, I've finally completed the first draft of the second novel in the series. I'm calling it Midsummer Night.

Now the real fun-editing-begins!

Midsummer Night continues the story of Zenobia "Zen" Van Zandt. When we last left her, she was falling in love with handsome graduate student Ramesh Sudra. She was also embarking on a new career as a midwife, incorporating her knowledge of Pagan and witchcraft tradition with Western medicine. The love between Zen and Ramesh will be tested, however, first by her year-long vow of celibacy, then by a undergraduate student who comes between them, and finally by Ramesh's tradition-minded family. Will their story be one of happily-ever-after, or only might-have-been?

Find Beltane at www.eternalpress.ca/beltane.html. If you enjoy red-blooded romance and write reviews, I would sincerely appreciate some reviews of Beltane. You can read more of my writing, including links to many free stories, at www.aeess.com (recommended for readers 18+ only).

An Interview with the Author of BELTANE

Question: Beltane is a Celtic, Pagan holiday, an ancient name for May Day. Do you have personal experience with dancing around the maypole? Are you a Pagan, like Zen and Allie in the novel?
Erin: I actually had a very conventional upbringing. I was educated in Roman Catholic schools all the way through college. I’ve always been attracted to the feminine side of the religious experience, though. Goddess mythology is very much a part of my spirituality.

Q: Beltane is a very sensual, erotic novel. How did you get started in the erotic romance genre?
E: I wrote my first novel, Whip (unpublished) in 2006, and in Whip I was determined to show the characters as they really are, at their finest and worst moments. That included writing honestly about their sexuality. My first published short story was an excerpt from Whip, and it happened to be a scene of intimacy between Brigid and Leander. From there, I felt I had found my niche as a writer.

Q: In your acknowledgments, you dedicate Beltane "to my foremothers," and list a number of influential women writers: Emily Dickinson, Madeleine L’Engle, Barbara G. Walker, Joan Borysenko. Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?
E: I named women whose writing I just adore and return to again and again. I just finished re-reading Wuthering Heights, and now I wish I had included Emily Bronte in my acknowledgments. But actually the one woman who has influenced my writing the most is my mother, Andrea. (Thanks, Mom!)

Everand (Scribd): https://www.everand.com/audiobook/1039689816/The-Sisters-Bronte

Kobo, Walmart: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/sisters-bronte-the?sId=6a01a41a-6954-46e2-92b7-715ecb984101&ssId=rkt46HsVt7MIaCMsbQc2V&cPos=1

Q: How did your mother influence your writing?
E: My romantic partner has always been my biggest supporter when it comes to writing, but my parents always encouraged me. They were the ones who read me stories as a child, and I’ve never outgrown that love of storytelling. It was my mother, specifically, who got me started on reading paranormal romances, though. She introduced me to Charlaine Harris and J.R. Ward, and reading them introduced me to Kate Douglas. It was a great honor for me when Kate Douglas wrote, about my review of one of her books,"I enjoyed your writing every bit as much as the subject matter, if that makes sense. It’s very well done."

Q: Beltane launches the "Pagan Spirits" series. What is your vision for the series?
E: "Pagan Spirits" will be a 12-part series, each with a different Pagan holiday theme. I’m finishing the first draft of the second book now, and its tentative title is Midsummer Night. It will continue to focus on the Van Zandt sisters, Zen and Allie. Starting with the third book, Zen and Allie will still be featured, but we’ll also see some unexpected facets of the supporting characters, like Zen’s assistant witch Gillian.