Book Review: Ghost Radio by Leopoldo Gout

When I received Ghost Radio by Leopoldo Gout in the mail for review, I looked forward to reading a chilling ghost story.   The glorious blurb by James Patterson found on the back cover of the book, comparing Ghost Radio to the early work of Stephen King, promised great things.  Perhaps this unrealistically high expectation contributed to [...]

Santa Claus vs. God

One of the most recent questions posed by my five-year-old daughter:
“Who has more magic — Santa Claus or God?”

Book Gift Exchange

For our annual end of the year party, my writers’ group went green (and economical) for our gift exchange.  Everyone brought one book from their existing collection all wrapped up to pass along and share with someone else.  I passed along A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett, and I brought home The Seamstress by Frances De [...]

Book Review: The Illustrated Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

Are you still shopping for that last minute gift on your holiday list?  If so, I’d recommend going straight to your nearest bookstore and picking up a copy of the recently released The Illustrated Wee Free Men written by Terry Pratchett and illustrated by Stephen Player.  Buy one for yourself, your sister, your nephew, and anybody [...]

Muppets Banned

I find it interesting to discover the types of things that get banned and the reasons behind them.  Did you know that “The Muppet Show” was banned in Saudi Arabia because one of its starring characters was a pig?

Writers’ Critique Group

I am snowed in and skipping my monthly writers’ critique group tonight.  It looks like my writing project this evening is going to involve drafting my annual Christmas letter.

No Fair Princess

Today my daughters built a large building with multiple towers out of blocks.
“Is that a castle?” I asked.
“Yes, it is a castle, and this is the plank,” replied my five-year-old while pointing to a long horizontal section jutting off the top of a tower.
“Oh, your castle has a plank?”
“Yes, and people who walk the plank fall into [...]

Early Winter Weather

Winter weather has solidly set in earlier than usual here.  We experienced a range of winter precipitation all day yesterday, from freezing rain and sleet to snow.  I was snowed in most of the day, too wary to brave my steep S-shaped driveway covered in a layer of ice and snow.  It sounds like it was for the best because [...]

Book Review: Paul of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

While I was a big fan of Frank Herbert’s original Dune series, I find the later continuation books by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson to be a bit inconsistent.  I imagine that this would be true of almost any series where new authors with different writing styles take up the torch and try to write the same characters [...]

Electronic Gadgets Hate Me!

It’s true.  I love technology, and I own quite a few gadgets.  I’m totally dependent upon them, regardless of the fact that they seem to break the minute I touch them.
It started with watches when I was just a girl.  Most people say that their watches last for years.  I can buy a nice watch from a [...]