A lot of the time when I play, it’s like my brain shuts off. Later, I kind of wake up in the middle of a song and I can remember everything that has been going on, but it’s almost like someone else was doing it. I don’t realize it when I’m slipping into that state, but when I come up sometimes it’s a cold shock and I hate it. This rehearsal was a lot like that. We got grooving right away, everything so bright and real while it went on, but then I was coming up to a solo, and there was Ziggy with this crazy maniac’s grin on his face, like he was waiting for me to deliver the note that would drive him over the edge, and as I started that first pick up note, I came to. I was walking toward him at the time, like I was going to do something, but what I don’t know since suddenly real life flooded back and I not only flubbed the note, I physically stumbled.
I went down on one knee and kept my eyes on the ground. Bart had stopped playing but the drum machine droned on. Ziggy took a step toward me — are you okay? –but I pulled away, getting to my feet and stamping on the pedal that shut the drum machine up. It was quiet now, but my head continued to pound. The other two were staring at me.
Read the rest over at Daron’s Guitar Chronicles.
More squee
I promise one of these days I’ll stop squeeing about reviews. But NOT YET!! Book Wenches, who reviewed book one of my Magic U series, has now done a review of book two in the series, also! And loved it, too! Yesss!!
prime quote: “The second installation in the Magic University series was just as interesting as the first. I would even say that it was actually more enjoyable than the first.”
and
“Kyle’s character evolves in this book and makes him even more memorable. His newfound abilities are more than interesting. His relationships are complex as are his sexual magical studies. This is not your typical magic book.”
The review in its entirety can be found here:
https://www.bookwenches.com/march10reviews.htm
Wheeee!!! Rose and Bay Awards announced!
WE WON! Yes, Daron’s Guitar Chronicles has won the 2010 Rose and Bay Award for crowdfunded fiction, and I say WE won because it’s not just me but the community of readers who voted for the project and who are a part of it who won.
I’m humbled to realize that means DGC outpaced some much better known projects (like Shadow Unit) and some more critically lauded writers than me who are also no slouches when it comes to social networking.
The support means a lot to me, and by support here I mean your enthusiasm for the project. Love and validation are more important to my muse than money (although money is nice, too).
There’s lots more to come in the Chronicles. The tension between Daron and Ziggy is just starting to ratchet up. Thanks for coming along for the ride.
Squeeing time!!
Book Wenches reviewed Magic University, Book One: The Siren and the Sword and loved it! 4.5 stars!
Some choice quotes:
“I went into this book not knowing what to expect, and I was pleasantly surprised. Initially it put me in a Harry Potter frame of mind . . . until the sex started.”
“The characters are interesting with a depth that makes them memorable. I enjoyed the secondary characters almost as much as the main characters.”
“Ms. Tan has done an outstanding job of feeding my Harry Potter obsession in a very adult fashion.”
The reviewer also thought my magic was innovative and liked the storyline. Bwaaaa! *runs around the office like a maniac*
You know, reviews of my literary books never made me half this gleeful…
The entire review is here: https://www.bookwenches.com/february10reviews.htm
Art?
I’m starting to really want an icon for The Prince’s Boy. My budget is of course next to nothing, but it occurs to me there might be some appropriate H/D art out there that could be adapted for the purpose, if the artist was amenable, of course? What’s appropriate payment for an icon illustration… $10?
Ideas? Thoughts?
Do I need one icon for Jorin, and one for Kenet? Since they alternate chapters? Hmm…
The Prince's Boy: 32
(Continuing the weekly serial by Cecilia Tan! Need to start at the beginning? Click here.)
Part 32: Jorin
When next I woke, I found Kan lying next to me, propped up on one elbow, as if he had been watching me sleep.
Much like Kenet used to. And will again! I told myself, but at that moment he felt very far away. And who knew if Seroi had somehow changed him by now?
These thoughts must have shown on my face. Kan stroked my hair in sympathy. “You’re not alone anymore,” he said. “You’re a Night Rider now.”
“Kenet is alone,” I said. “His only ally is his childhood guard, but even he cannot keep him safe from the Lord High Mage. I fear for him.” Judging by the light coming through the tent’s canvas, the sun would soon be rising. “Seroi was training him for his coming of age ceremony. I fear he has dark designs on the prince.”
Kan’s eyebrows knitted. “Tell me what you know.”
Continue reading →
Magic U on sale!!
Ravenous Romance started a sale category and they shift titles in and out of it. This week, the first book in my MAGIC UNIVERSITY series, The Siren and the Sword, is on sale for only $1.99! (Regular price $6.99)
if you’ve been meaning to start the series now that book two (The Tower and the Tears) is out, now’s a good time to pick it up.
https://www.ravenousromance.com/fantastica/magic-university-book-one-the-siren-and-the-sword.php
People Are Strange When You're A Stranger
Another shiver ran through my shoulders, and I wondered if I should put my jacket back on. I wondered if I should just sit here and see what attention I might snare, or if I should be out hunting more aggressively.
I had stumbled my way through the bar ritual before in Providence. The last time had been one night I had talked my way into the No Name. I ended up at a dorm room at Brown University, where my pickup convinced his roommate to go to his girlfriend’s room while I hid my face in the bathroom. We used condoms he’d gotten out of a candy dish in the bar. An hour later I was on my way home, all the while worrying his roommate recognized me from the two gigs we’d done on the campus. As I was leaving I saw two people I knew from the Copa in the hallway and never went back there again.
The man in the leather vest stood up, putting down his beer glass with a loud thump. His eyes passed over me like searchlights. He had the same mustache as the bartender. A pair of mirrored sunglasses rested at the center of his shirt collar, dragging it down to show a tuft of chest hair. He circled around behind me and I shivered again, feeling like a diver in a shark cage. He looked rough, gruff, and tough, like a drill sargent or a prison guard. If he touched me or spoke to me I wondered what I would say, or if I would just flee like the prey his attention made me feel like I was. Perhaps I would merely be transfixed by him, unable to refuse. The very thought made me want to get up and leave, but I didn’t.
Continue reading →
Final 30 minutes of voting?
Woo hoo! Just checked the voting page for the Rose & Bay Awards and it says voting is now closed!
Thank you everyone who voted! The official votes are being tallied, including those left as anonymous comments which didn’t show up in the poll graph results. I will post as soon as I have the results!
Final stretch on the Rose & Bay Awards!
Down to the last three days of voting for the Rose & Bay Awards!
The excitement is killing me. I’m in 1st place by a few votes! If you haven’t voted for your favorite crowdfunded fiction, the Livejournal poll is here: https://community.livejournal.com/crowdfunding/164346.html
If you don’t have an LJ account you can comment anonymously with your vote. My project is “Daron’s Guitar Chronicles” but please vote for *something* even if not that one? (Though your vote would be appreciated.)