In writing milestones, I’ve finished the next novella in the Temple of Vengeance series and it’s off to my editrix. Once she’s had her way with it, the ebook will ship to YOU and to my lovely and talented narrator to produce the audio book for those of you who prefer them. Novellas are partContinue reading “Barely Controlled Chaos”
Category Archives: Updates
Tentacles, Yeah, but Beware the Bite
As heroines go, Askari isn’t the most lovable—she’s downright antisocial sometimes. But in a world where megafauna rule the day AND the night, humans have to stick together. Even when they don’t like each other much. Zero sexy times in this YA action romp, despite the opportunities presented by the titular tentacles and/or teeth. FunContinue reading “Tentacles, Yeah, but Beware the Bite”
Something a little different: My favorite reverse harem (so far)
The author, Naiya Bladesinger, has inverted and subverted the reverse harem cosmos and its tropes as we know them in a delightful and satisfying way. (Be warned! It’s not my normal grimdark fare. This book might make you laugh out loud—it will certainly make you smile.) The Kitchen Is Always Open is (ironically) a clean,Continue reading “Something a little different: My favorite reverse harem (so far)”
It’s always Wednesday. In my heart.
My love for Wednesday surprises no one. Yet…it should. For all its neu-retro gothic vibe, the Netflix series—like its source material—isn’t grim or dark. Not really. While its humor might be, but the superb writing, the lovely cinematography, and the primary plot are all… Dun dun dun! A cozy mystery. (Specifically, it’s a para-cozy: paranormalContinue reading “It’s always Wednesday. In my heart.”
Smackdown: Grimdark vs Horror–Is There a Difference?
“Ernest Hemmingway once said: ‘The world is a good place, and worth fighting for.’ I agree with the second part.” William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) in Se7en The last line of this horror movie, in my humble opinion, can sum up the philosophy of grimdark, if there’s any to be had down here at the bottom.Continue reading “Smackdown: Grimdark vs Horror–Is There a Difference?”
Pregnancy in the Grimdark
Like a lot of writers, I have tons of random interests and a head full of useless facts. One of those is Egyptology. It’s given me a lot of fodder for the grimdark stories I weave, from priesthoods and monarchies to architecture and the afterlife. That said, I’m scrolling through the internet, and what doContinue reading “Pregnancy in the Grimdark”
Viva La Resistance in the Grimdark
Resistance and rebellions in the grimdark aren’t an episode of Star Wars. There may be plucky teenagers who blow up important military bases, and those bases might be able to destroy whole planets, but unlike the Rebels in Star Wars, they’re not going to save the day. As in real life and Mistborn, at best,Continue reading “Viva La Resistance in the Grimdark”
Women in the Grimdark: Surviving a Cruel World
In a world where might makes right, you’d expect the protagonist to survive if he’s brawny, muscular, and can outfight and out-Machiavelli his opponents. But … what if the protagonist isn’t a brawny beefcake that can cleave anyone in twain with a battle axe or a claymore? What if they’re not in the position toContinue reading “Women in the Grimdark: Surviving a Cruel World”
Daddy Issues in the Grimdark
Merry Paternal Unit’s Day weekend! Get your dad a pen and a tie or bake him that cake he demands every year, or else… Anyhoo, today’s a great time to talk about fathers in the grimdark. There’s a plethora of examples. Some are great, and these guys are usually axed too soon. However, let’s beContinue reading “Daddy Issues in the Grimdark”
Weird Real, Grimdark Schools
If you like to escape by jumping headfirst into a dark fantasy read, you’ll know that your trip to faraway lands is always too short. Far sooner than you’d like, you’re back to the prosaic reality of dishes in the sink, yardwork you’ve been postponing, and the knowledge that tomorrow will be exactly the sameContinue reading “Weird Real, Grimdark Schools”