|
Literary Lunes Magazine |
2011 |
F
eatured
in this issue:
Author’s Responsibilities
Outlining
Poetry Palooza
Story Time
Mind Fog Reviews
Behind the Scenes
Wacky Writers
Literary Lunes Magazine, September issue
Beth Ann Masarik
Copyright 2011 by Beth Ann Masarik
Smashwords Edition
Letter from the editor
Dear Readers,
Thank you very much for picking up this month’s issue of Literary Lunes Magazine. I sincerely apologize for getting it out so late. Unfortunately, my town was impacted by Hurricane Irene, and I was forced to evacuate my home. Since this was my first hurricane, I was afraid, and unsure of how to react. Therefore, I was set back a few days.
I want to thank everyone for their support and hard work. I truly do appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm regarding the magazine.
I also would like to take the time to update you all on the anthology submissions for CCMC. Submissions are closed, and we received an overwhelming amount! I will be contacting everyone (if I haven’t already) by the end of the month who submitted. Thank you to all for your participation! We have received over 30 submissions to date! Wow!
Without further adieu, please enjoy this month’s issue of Literary Lunes Magazine.
Sincerely,
Beth Ann Masarik
Table of Contents
I’m Published! Now What?................................................................pg. 5
Everyone Outlines…………………………………………………..pg. 6
Wacky Writers………………………………………………………pg. 9
Poetry Palooza………………………………………………………pg. 10
Story Time…………………………………………………………..pg. 13
Mind Fog Reviews………………………………………………….pg. 20
Behind the Scenes…………………………………………………..pg. 32
The Staff……………………………………………………………pg. 37
Our Partners………………………………………………………...pg. 38
I’m Published! Now What?
By Beth Ann Masarik
Some people may be thinking, “Okay, I’ve got the publisher, my book has been released, my job is done, right?” WRONG! Now that you are a published author, your work is only beginning. I had a conversation with my soon-to-be mother-in-law a few weeks ago about my author career, and she raised a very good point…as an author, we have certain responsibilities not only to ourselves, but to our fans as well.
Now that our dream of being an author is a reality, it’s time to take a step back, re-evaluate yourself and ask the all-important question: “What do I do next?” While that is a very large, and difficult question to answer, it is a very important one indeed. You need to make sure that you keep up your image on social media websites, and you need to watch what you say. This is especially true for new authors just starting out in the field.
Whether you want to believe it or not, your fans, friends, family, and even your coworkers are now buying and reading your book. They may even be silently following your Facebook posts, your Tweets or even your blog posts. The bottom line? Watch what you say and or do online. You may post something that you don’t think is offensive, but somebody else could misinterpret a post you write, and it could cause unnecessary drama. This drama can not only make the person offended look bad, but you look bad as well. From what I have learned from my own personal experience, is that it is better to leave posts about politics and religion off of your author pages, and blogs. (Unless you like the heat and drama, then by all means, go for the gold!). I suggest making a separate page for your fans and your personal life to avoid any such issues. But, that’s only my suggestion. You do what you feel is right for you!
Everyone Outlines
By
Jim Miller
Not according to tons of people out there in writingland. They all swear they don’t outline. And if you’re one of them, I think that this little essay may make you rethink the whole concept.
Here’s a sampling of a few definitions of an Outline:
a. A general description covering the main points of a subject: an outline of American literature.
b. A statement summarizing the important points of a text.
c. A summary of a written work or speech, usually analyzed in headings and subheadings.
4. A preliminary draft or plan of a piece of writing.
As you can see, based on these definitions, everyone has a mental idea of what they will be writing about. That’s really an outline. So why are so many scared of the term ‘outline’? It’s the basic building block of everything we do. Getting up in the morning you run through a series of things you want to get done today. That’s a plan, or a list, or a set of goals, or an agenda and yes, it’s an outline.
We were taught a kind of outlining way back in high school and it has probably done more to scare tons of writers off the notion that an outline can be helpful than any other reason. And Microsoft Word copied it. You know the one, where you get to modify it so that the outline points can show up as numbers, letters or even roman numerals. One drawback with Word’s outline I found was that it’s impossible to use the outlining feature in any kind of practical manner. It’s just too cumbersome to use.
By the time you read this article, I’ll have participated in the 3 Day Annual Labour (It’s Canadian, eh?) Day novel writing contest for the 5th year.
I found it can be a grueling, hellish way to spend a long weekend. But, I also found it to be one of the most productive, inspiring periods of my writing life. The difference between the two is…right. THE OUTLINE.
If I do a good outline my story flows. My fingers dance along the keyboard, words, sentences, paragraph pour across my screen. If I only do a half-assed outline then I’m struggling for 72 long and painful hours. The letters stumble onto the screen in a disjointed series of uncoordinated finger taps. In this kind of marathon writing you can’t sit and daydream through your plot, configuring ideas as you go. You need to have it thoroughly mapped out. That’s an outline.
And remember, you’ve done your outline on expendable paper printed with vegetable inks. It’ll compost nicely. But it’s not hand-carved out of a chunk of pine by lumberjacks with chainsaws. As you move through it, you change it to suit yourself.
Here’s a simple and very quick outline:
1. An idea for a story.
2. A character for the story to happen to.
3. A setting for the character to play in.
And that’s a simple outline. I go on from there and imagine problems to bedevil my character. I want him to be likable, but I’m sure not going to be kind to him. I’m going to be mean and my outline helps me be mean in a logical sequence. I start off with my shopping list (outline) of the all problems I can shove at my hero, pick one and throw it at my hero. He gives it the old college try and defeats the problem, then takes a breather. And just when he’s under the impression that life is cool, I slam him with another, bigger problem, plucked from my plan (outline) and he’s rocked back on his heels once again. When he gets through my agenda (Yep, outline) the story is over.
And now I think that with that out of the way I can sit back and relax because I’ve done it. I’ve written a novel. And it’s too bad that I’m now about to be treated like my hero. I’m going to be slammed with another problem. This is just a first draft. But because I have a series of steps (an outline), I know that a first draft is just problem number one. My outline on how to write a novel from blank paper to published novel extends all the way through a list of things I have outlined. So there’s two examples of outlining for two distinct purposes. One to write a novel and the second to get through the entire publishing process. I hope this helps.
If you want an example of my 3 day novel entry where the outline was solid before the contest began, here it is on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XMZXX0
No, it didn’t win the 3 Day. My point is that an outline got me onto Amazon.com.
Wacky Writers
This month’s Wacky Writer’s column was inspired by Hurricane Irene. I don’t know about you guys, but Irene definitely impacted me and my family. It impacted me to the point where I was evacuated from my own home…for the first time in my entire 27 years on this planet. Needless to say, I was afraid…very afraid. I was afraid not only for myself, but my friends, family and neighbors as well. My entire neighborhood had to be evacuated because we were just below sea-level. Anyway, now on to this month’s wacky writers:
If you were forced to leave your home, where would you go and what would you take? What if you could only bring a few items? What would you take with you? Where would you? How would you react?
Poetry Palooza
"Crimson River"
By Jamie Danzer
A crimson river
Flows through the hearts
Stains the memories
Of those who lost someone
To this never ending battle
A crimson river
Remembrance of those
Who braved the desert
So that we may remain
Home and free
"Time"
By
Martin Danzer
Time,
A
precious item to many,
Managed
by some
Wasted
by others
It
flies at amazing speeds,
Or
it can drag slower than a turtle
It
is all around the world
But
it occupies no real space
If
time is the
Answer
to all questions,
Is
the length of time relevant
To
the length of the question?
“No Need To Speak”
By DiAnne Ebejer
There
is no need to speak right now
There isn't much to say
I'd
rather sit here silently
Watch the waves just roll away
In
the silence I can close my eyes
And see that I could
fall
Into a world of make believe
Enclosed within a
wall
That's why I'd rather sit here
Watch the waves go
out to sea
It sort of serves to take
The plastic pieces
out of me.
“Fire Of Love”
By
Denny E. Marshall
Heavy
with fire
Flames
shoot out
In
no certain direction
Like
arrows in flight
With
the heat
All
around me
Run
to the cold
In
the pits of my soul
I
still find
Her
liquid
Igniting
over and over
All
around me
I
know now
Her
glow is eternal
Her
spark penetrates
And
needs no fuel
I
will burn
In
her forever
A
fire of love
In
a heart scorched
Never
to cool
Permanent
combustion
Like
ghost fingers
All
around me
Buster the littlest hobo
By: Steven Bergeron
Once upon a time on the lower eastside of the village lived a shy boy named Davey. Daye’s parents gave him everything a little boy ever wanted. Davey’s lack of friends sent him on a journey for a lifetime companion.
The littlest hobo had always been Davey’s favorite program. Just one day he hoped to find a hobo of his own. Down the road there he was about to link into Davey’s life. As Davey rounded the corner he saw a small brown nosed miniature German Sheppard limping on his wounded paw in search of a lonesome soul to aid him of his predicament. Davey proceeded with caution as his father always warned him.
“Be cautious when approaching stray animals. You never know where they’ve been.”
As Davey looked deep into his eyes he knew no harm was to be had. They were instant companions; Davey even went as far as naming him Buster - simply because he looked like a Buster to him. His father had come up with numerous reasons why Davey ought not to get too attached to Buster. The best being.
“There might be another little boy missing Buster as we speak.”
Weeks had now past as no one ever made an attempt to claim Buster as their own. Davey loved Buster, Buster loved Davey. Whenever Davey was not in school they’d stick like glue, their best pastime being sitting there enjoying their peanut butter cookies.
During the summer months, they’d spend time down by the lake. They couldn’t go as far as placing a single piece of luggage into the car without Buster wagging his tail in excitement. By the lake they’d go boating, fishing, hiking, hunting – about very adventure a little boy could get himself into. One winter though Davey was sure Buster was a goner. Upon waking up one morning after a record blizzard Davey looked out, to his amazement all he saw was the tip of Buster’s house. Davey ran out shovel in hand and began shoveling like never shoveled before. As he reached Buster’s house he opened the carpeted flap and looked in amazement, and he found Buster all curled up in the corner keeping himself warm until Davey’s arrival.
Years had now passed as old age and arthritis got the best of Buster. Davey remained living alone in search of his lifetime soul mates. Many of pets had come into Davey’s life but none seemed to click like Davey and Buster.
Pretty Boy Floyd
By Brandon Bergeron
Once, a long time ago, there was a young man, his name was Floyd. He believed that love could overcome anything. Every now and then, after work, Floyd would take the bus to the downtown restaurant called, “Bus Terminal”. Although the food here was delicious and appetizing, it wasn’t the real reason why Floyd would come to the restaurant. No, there was another reason, which had nothing at all to do with food. The waitress, Jeannine, always served the customers who came into the restaurant, she always served Floyd, she wouldn’t want to admit it, but he was her number one customer. Jeannine’s brilliant mind and beautiful face caught Floyd’s eye. When Jeannine would ask Floyd what he’d like, Floyd would end up tripping over his words and somehow end up saying silly things, like “Baked Potato with T-bone roses and lovable honey – garlic kiss sauce please”, he would quickly correct himself and try to ignore Jeannine’s confused expression.
One day, Floyd had an idea. He decided to be cheap, or in other words “flirt” with Jeannine. After Floyd paid her the money, as he was walking out the door, Floyd took a penny out of his pocket, placed it on the table and started to walk out. Jeannine stared at the penny in disgust, picked it up from the table, and threw it at Floyd. He kept a short smile, and walked out heading home. He didn’t pick up the penny, because he had given it to her.
Months passed, Floyd was still going to the “Bus Terminal”, same as always, but Jeannine pretended to forget about what had happened, but couldn’t help but show a small smirk. The next day, Floyd decided to go the “Bus Terminal” again. A sign of disappointment stroke his face, as Jeannine wasn’t here. Ok…. He figured: She must have called in sick, everybody gets sick sometimes. To be friendly, Floyd bought a bouquet of roses, and told one of the other waitresses to give it to Jeannine when she got back.
Weeks passed, Jeannine still hadn’t returned, surly it couldn’t have been because of the penny tip, could it? That was months ago, Floyd had no idea Jeannine was in trouble. “Floyd! Floyd!” a waitress called. “Yes?” asked Floyd. “There’s a note for you on the counter, it’s from Jeannine” she said. Floyd rushed over to the fresh piece of paper sitting on the counter, Jeannine’s beautiful neat handwriting said, “Floyd! I need your help! Indians have taken me away to a faraway island; I don’t know where it is! Please help me get out of here! Hurry!
Love, Jeannine.”
Floyd rushed down the streets of Cornwall, right down to the river. There was an abandoned boat nearby, he hurried to it and hopped inside. The little canoe rocked a bit, but Floyd decided he would do whatever it takes to rescue Jeannine from the Indians. Floyd slowly drifted away from shore, into the wide-open blue. At first, it wasn’t so bad; but slowly, it began to get worse. Floyd heard the crackle of thunder, the waves got bigger and stronger, and lightning stroke. It rocked the boat back and forth, side to side, eventually, the boat kept on tipping, until finally, it flipped over, Floyd was alright, but his boat was torn to pieces, he grabbed the closest broken board he could find. Floyd climbed on to it, shivering; he kicked his feet, finally approaching shore. The land was full of trees, in some areas flat, and there was light in a distance. Floyd approached the commotion, holding back his fear he jumped out of the bushes to see strange men with no shirts or shoes on. They were dancing around a fire pit. There was one lady, with brown hair, and a very pretty face, but a very frightened expression. She was tied to a pole by the fire pit. It didn’t take long for Floyd to realize who this woman was. The woman who caught his eye for months, being sacrificed by a group of Indians, was the one and only, Jeannine.
Floyd hesitated to approach the group, but suddenly had an idea. An Indian’s set of clothes was lying on a large rock. He quickly snatched the cultural garments and headed into the bushes. He came out looking like a real Indian; he started dancing like them, and decided it would be a good idea to sing as well. The chief of the Indians stepped into the circle and approached Floyd.
“Who are the? Me no see before” asked the chief. Floyd almost talked normal, but soon corrected himself:
“Me traveler, me lost, and me want to join culture!” answered Floyd. Jeannine stared at Floyd; she couldn’t make out whom he really was, until Floyd gave her a short wink.
“What you wink for?” asked the chief.
“Me not lost! Me angry! You steal poor lady!” shouted Floyd.
“You come to rescue me sacrifice? No!” shouted the chief. “Yes! I refuse to let you sacrifice such a beautiful women! Now please give her to me!” said Floyd.
“No! Never!” said the chief. All the Indians stared at Floyd and came closer and closer to him until he was surrounded.
“Me no scared! Me brave!” shouted the Indian.
Floyd wasn’t about to give up, instead, he said to the chief:
“Me no scared, me pretty boy Floyd!”
Floyd screamed at the group and pushed through them until he was free in the circle. He kneeled down at Jeannine, “You’re safe now Jeannine, I have never seen any other woman more talented and incredibly beautiful then you” said Floyd, holding Jeannine’s hand. She hugged Floyd and kissed him on the cheek. Floyd froze; he blushed, knowing he’d won Jeannine over the Indians. The two of them rushed through the crowd of Indians to the beach. The chief and his group were chasing them to the shore. They were too late, for Jeannine and Floyd saw a nearby boat, it wasn’t the best, but it would do, they put it into the water and began drifting off to the big blue.
When Floyd and the beautiful Jeannine returned home, Floyd asked Jeannine to marry him. How could she possibly refuse? In no time at all, they married, had two children named Connie and Steven. Later on, they had an adorable grandson named Brandon. The couple lived together happily for many years, and their love for each other would stay very strong, for years to come.
No More Regrets
by Erin Danzer
Thunder crashed overhead, rattling the windows and effectively shaking me out of my stupor. What was I doing? Why was I sitting here? My heart raced in my chest as I jumped to my feet. Something black and white fluttered to the carpet at my feet. I bent down to pick it up and felt a stab of loss in my chest as my eyes scanned the tear stained letter once again. I’d found the letter an hour ago, though its contents were twenty years in the making.
I loved you then and I love you now… I will love you until my last breath leaves my body… We’re both free to pursue whatever we want… what I’ll never understand is how you can say you’ll never want me.
Tears burned in my throat as my mind conjured a picture of him. Thick dark hair I knew was as soft as it looked; vibrant green eyes that always held a smile; full lips that left fiery trails wherever they touched on my body. I knew him better than myself. I loved him more than I loved myself – and that was why I had to let him go. I couldn’t be with him when my life – my heart – was still so messed up.
I crumpled the letter in my hand as I collapsed to my knees on the floor. Why had this happened? How could I be given this gift – to be reunited after twenty years only to be kept apart again? I looked up above the fireplace in front of me, my eyes searching for those of my dead husband, as they had been searching for him since that fateful night two years ago. His smile in the large picture seemed mocking, as though he was happy wherever he was but I never would be. Anger swelled within me but then dissipated just as quickly. That wasn’t right. How many times had Tom and I talked about the possibility of one of us dying before the other? In fact, Tom had even teased me about seeking out Ryan and spending the rest of my life with him – the same man I was now letting get away. I straightened my shoulders and held my head high as I continued to look at Tom’s picture. His smile now seemed encouraging, almost teasing like he was asking what I was waiting for. I clambered to my feet, thankful my parents had taken the kids for the weekend as I realized what I had to do.
“I love you, but you never wanted me to live this way,” I told the picture and dashed across the room towards the door. I yelped as my eyes fell on the clock on the microwave. 4:28. I had an hour to get to the airport and find Ryan. I grabbed my purse, slid my feet into light brown moccasins and ran out the door, barely remembering to lock it behind me.
I jumped into the car and pulled on my seatbelt as I started the engine – the last thing I needed was to miss Ryan because I’d been pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt. I backed out of the driveway and sped down the street, heading towards the interstate. I turned on my wipers to clear the windshield, surprised to see the rain had stopped; the weather forecast had called for thunderstorms all afternoon.
I sped through town and finally made it to the interstate. I was down to forty-five minutes to get to the airport. Panic settled in the pit of my stomach as I prayed I would get there in time. I had to tell him he was wrong. I had to tell him I loved him and I needed him. I needed him to stay with me.
We sat on the couch in my one-bedroom apartment just off campus. I pulled away from the kiss with a sigh. Ryan was the most wonderful man; why couldn’t I have met him first?
“I love you,” we said at the same time, both of us smiling. My smile faltered as my eyes wandered to the engagement ring on my left hand. In a few days time, we would both be married to other people. Only Fate would be cruel enough to put our weddings on the same day.
“It should be us,” he stated seeing where my eyes were. My hand automatically went to my stomach.
“But Tom and I -”I began.
“I know,” he interrupted grimly. “I just wish it was us.”
Us having the baby or us getting married? I wanted to ask but I was afraid I already knew the answer. Both. The worse part about that realization was that I wished it was us, too. I sighed and Ryan reached up to lift my chin so my eyes met his.
“Someday it might be us,” he promised and I sadly nodded. Both of us knew that would never be possible.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as the memory faded from my mind. That day had finally come and if I didn’t get to the airport in thirty-five minutes, that day would be gone. I had to get there. I pressed down on the accelerator and gripped the steering wheel tighter. I swore a moment later when blue and red flashing lights appeared in my rearview mirror. Cursing my luck and the inevitability of missing Ryan at the airport, I signaled and pulled over to the side of the road. I fished my registration out of the glove box and my license out of my purse while the officer made his way to my window. I looked up and blinked in recognition.
“Well, hi, Emily, where you off to in such a hurry?” Officer Ken Brody asked with a smile. Ken and I had gone to college together; in fact, he’d known about me and Ryan. Hope began to blossom in my chest; maybe this was a blessing in disguise.
“Hi, Ken,” I greeted him with my most ingratiating smile. “Sorry I was going so fast. The truth is that I’m trying to get to the airport to stop Ryan McCormick from leaving me again.”
“The guy you had the thing with in college?” he asked and I nodded. I glanced at the clock on the dashboard.
“I have half an hour to get there,” I told him. That seemed to make up his mind about my punishment. He nodded as a dazzling grin split his face.
“Then we’d better get you there fast,” he declared and jogged back to his car. He yelled for me to follow him and I waved out the window to indicate I had heard him.
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as erratically as my heart pounded in my chest. Ken put on his siren and pulled out into traffic. I immediately followed him, keeping as close to his back bumper as I could without hitting him. I watched him radio something in and prayed he was calling the airport to delay Ryan’s plane. I couldn’t miss him again; I just knew this was my last chance.
We pulled up to the airport terminal and stopped with a screech of tires. I jumped out of my car and yelled my thanks to Ken as I ran into the building. I didn’t even know what gate Ryan’s plane was boarding from. I stopped at the arrival/departure board and saw the only plane leaving for Phoenix was boarding at gate ten. I had no idea where that was! Panic settled heavily in the pit of my stomach as I looked around for someone to ask. I saw a person in a black and white uniform and grabbed her arms.
“Please, where’s gate ten? I have to get there. I have to stop him,” I pleaded. The woman’s eyes widened and she pointed a shaking hand behind me. I thanked her and tore off in that direction. I dodged people and ran over the ones who wouldn’t get out of the way. All the while, I could only think that this was my last chance, my only chance to finally be with the man I loved. I had to stop him from getting on that plane.
I ran through the security gates without stopping, ignoring the yells from the officers. I didn’t have time to stop. I had five minutes to find Ryan’s gate and get him off the plane. God, how was I going to do that? What could I say to get him off the plane? The only thing that came to mind was the most implausible. I gritted my teeth and decided I would deal with it when I got there.
I skidded to a stop at gate ten. My heart plummeted to my toes as I took in the empty seats and the plane moving away from the terminal outside the window. I had missed him. As a last ditch effort, I ran up to the woman still behind the counter of the gate. She looked up, startled as I barreled straight for her.
“Please, you have to stop that plane. The man I love is on that plane and he doesn’t even know it,” I gasped.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I can’t do that. You’ll just have to call him and beg him to come back,” she told me and moved away from the counter. Despair washed over me as I realized I had missed him. He was gone and he would never know how much I loved him. Tears flooded my eyes and I sat down in a nearby chair so I wouldn’t stumble blindly through the airport. I covered my face with my hands and sobbed, not caring if anyone stopped to watch and wonder what had happened.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Ryan’s voice asked sometime later. I gasped and my head shot up, my eyes as big as saucers as I took him in sitting next to me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked. I blinked and he didn’t disappear; he was really here. A grin stretched across his face.
“I could ask you the same thing,” he countered. I shook my head and ran a hand through my hair, trying to understand.
“But your plane is gone; you’re supposed to be gone. What – Why are you here?”
I’m sure I looked silly floundering for words, my hair and face a mess, but Ryan didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he just kept grinning at me.
“I knew it was you the moment the pilot announced we were delayed for a last minute passenger. I went to the front and explained to the pilot and stewardesses that I would get off so they could depart on time.” He laughed. “They must’ve thought I was crazy.”
“But -” I swallowed hard, afraid to ask this but compelled to ask anyway. “What if I hadn't shown up?”
He looked into my eyes as his hands came up to rest on my shoulders. My heart stuttered as my breath caught in my throat.
“I would’ve gone to your house; I would’ve begged you to be with me,” he declared fervently. “I love you, Emma Fitzgerald; I’ve loved you for twenty years. I let you go once but I’m not going to lose you a second time.”
“You won’t lose me; I’m not going anywhere,” I replied. I wrapped my arms around him as our lips came together. My heart soared as love washed over me and for the first time in nearly twenty years, I was without any regrets.
TITLE: Doing Love Right
AUTHOR: Diana DeRicci
REVIEW: In Doing Love Right by Diana DeRicci we find out that RJ, after having drunken nights, spots someone in his bed that he doesn’t remember. Julian, who has had an infatuation with RJ since his Julian’s sister’s wedding and saved RJ from being a victim of an assault and driving home drunk. Julian is determined to show RJ that he loves him and that two people who love each other make a family.
I felt that Doing Love Right was an okay book. I would have liked to have seen more of a background on Julian and although I realize that this is a sexual book I actually would have liked Ms. DeRicci to do a little less sex and more storyline. I don’t know if there is much of a market for this type of book, but with a little work this could be made into a well-written novel. For the men that need a hot, sexy book, Doing Love Right will be the perfect book for them.
3 bookmarks
Laura Matthews, Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews
TITLE: The Forget-Me-Nots
AUTHOR: Ginger Simpson
REVIEW: The short story The Forget-Me-Nots by Ginger Simpson is a delightful story of a woman named Sarah who, while going through her mother’s things after her death, finds a keepsake called The Forget-Me-Not with her mother’s name, a date and a man’s name she does not recognize. She embarks on a journey to find out more about this keepsake.
This is one of the better shorts I have read in a long time. It has a well written plot, believable characters and a wonderful ending. It isn’t like many of today’s short stories where you find something missing like a plot or character development. If you need a small break from a long day and want a book with a feel good ending, The-Forget-Me-Nots is a keepsake of a story.
5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews
TITLE: Ghost Ship’s Cry
AUTHOR: Dawn Luedecke
REVIEW: In Ghost Ship’s Cry by Dawn Luedecke we find that Laura’s brother’s ship wrecked and he didn’t come back with the rest of the crew that survived. All of Laura’s pleadings to the Lighthouse Keeper Alston to keep looking for her brother has fallen on deaf ears. Her mother comes up with a plan to make Lighthouse Keeper Alston look for Laura’s brother. Does the plan work and is Laura’s brother still alive?
Ghost Ship’s Cry was a fast read and at times it went a little too fast. Don’t get me wrong it has a good plot and the characters are well written. I did, however, feel the need to have a little more romance in this storyline. Being that this is a short story this is to be expected and one hopes to see characters more developed in a novella should the author make more of this storyline. I would have liked to have more time with Wade Alston and Laura in a romantic situation. Also I would have liked to have seen more scenes with them finding Laura’s brother.
Still it’s a great escape for 20 minutes when you are overwhelmed by your day and need a break that is enjoyable. I would not sink this author’s ship as she did not leave us high and dry with this short story.
3 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews
TITLE: I Heard the Bells
AUTHOR: Dawn Luedecke
REVIEW: I Heard the Bells is the second in a series by Dawn Luedecke. Abigail lives at the Lighthouse and Gavin is part of a lifesaving station where he saves lives to those lost in the “Graveyard of the Pacific”. Both love each other but can’t force themselves to tell each other. When Abigail’s brother is lost during his boating trip she and Gavin begin to realize that they love each other.
I found I Heard the Bells to be a delightful short story. It had a “Hallmark” feeling to it and was just a romance story not a sexual one for which I applaud Ms. Laedecke. She knows how to write an awesome short story without sacrificing the plot or character development. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author.
3.5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews
TITLE: The Locket
AUTHOR: Ginger Simpson
REVIEW: The Locket by Ginger Simpson centers around a locket that seems to cause people to murder. The story starts in 1940 with a woman giving it to a priest after she killed someone and the story follows the locket through the years. Can a simple locket cause all these women to kill or is it just a coincidence?
I am a big fan of Ginger Simpson and I am surprised to find a different type of book from her than her romances. I have to say she shows with The Locket that she can write just about any genre. I found this to be as enjoyable as or maybe more than her other books. She definitely has talent.
3.5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews
TITLE: The Officer’s Journey
AUTHOR: Eric J. Obmann
REVIEW: The Officer’s Journey by Eric J. Obmann tells us a fantasy that came to life for Captain Lloyd Players, Commander of the 37th Calvary Division of the British Army. In a middle of a battle he suddenly finds himself being pulled into another dimension/ world called Holihand, where the people are fighting someone from the future of Earth’s time. Will Commander Players be able to help them? Will he be able to return to Earth and his own time?
The Officer’s Journey, I felt was a different take on time travel. Captain Players didn’t just time travel, he traveled to a different world, which I thought was interesting. Another thing I liked was the character of Captain Players was true to himself throughout the whole book. He didn’t change who he was in a different world/time.
The one problem I did have was with the second half of the book. I don’t want to give away the ending of the book as it does have merit. I felt the second half went way to fast and could have been more developed.
I know some hard core fantasy readers that would love this story and I will be recommending it to them.
3 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews
TITLE: The War of the Dead: Andy’s Story
AUTHOR: Brian Kittrell
REVIEW: The War of the Dead: Andy’s Story is the second in “The Survivor Chronicles” by Brian Kittrell. In this story we get Captain Andy Mackenzie’s view of the events leading up to warlord General Mumbatu sending missiles with the virus Revelation a/k/a Kemper-A. Andy’s point of view is from the beginning of when the crisis started, from the Army getting samples of the virus so they can find a cure to the actual missiles landing on US soil.
I was fortunate to be the one who reviewed the first in this series The Dying Times. As with the first novel, Mr. Kittrell does a large amount of research in this story. The characters are well formed and the background given helps the story come alive. You can actually feel the dislike the Captain has against General Sparey and how much he hated it when his country started gunning down a person in a helicopter who was trying to escape the virus that turns the dead into zombies.
It seems lately all I have been reviewing is zombie stories. However, I feel that out of all that I have reviewed, Mr. Kittrell’s’s stories out do them all. I can’t wait for the third book in the series called Prisoner and Survivor: William’s Story.
4 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Review
TITLE: BloodBleeders: Living in Darkness
AUTHOR: Robin Renee Ray
REVIEW: BloodBleeders: Living in Darkness by Robin Renee Ray is a wonderful vampire novel. When Martin Vigee Lebrun enters Renee’s life, things happened that
she would never have expected to happen. Martin is a vampire and desires Renee. Before she knew it she became a vampire and has to leave the life she had. Renee has to figure out how to live the life of a vampire and find out whom she can trust and who she can’t. Will Renee figure out the good vampires from the evil ones? Will she learn to trust not only others but herself?
I normally am not a fan of vampire books however this book had me from the first chapter. Before I knew it, in about four hours, I had the book almost done. Ms. Ray made the BloodBreeders: Living in Darkness come alive and the characters almost felt real to me. The only problem I have is that she left me wanting more of the story as it is one part of a 5 part series. I hope that I am the lucky one that gets to read the next one called BloodBleeders: The Revenge.
4 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews
TITLE: Hunting Season
AUTHOR: J.E. Taylor
REVIEW: Hunting Season by J.E. Taylor is the sequel to Vengeance. Steve William is doing everything he can to find Kyle Winslow, the man who killed his baby daughter and put his wife in a coma. After the death of his partner and boss Steve receives help from the partners father, Chris Ryan, who is a former criminal. Chris uses his expertise in hacking and knowledge of the underworld to help track Kyle. Can Chris and Steve find Kyle fast enough or will Steve’s wife and Chris’ wife be killed before they can?
Sequels are not usually as good as the first book. I am very pleased to say that Hunting Season is as good or even better than Vengeance. Ms. J.E. Taylor finishes the story completely, however she left herself some wiggle room for another book if she should chose to do so. I loved the characters in Hunting Season, especially Chris Ryan’s wife and son C.J. I can honestly say that it will be a shame if people don’t read Vengeance and Hunting Season by J.E. Taylor as it’s a fantastic read to escape the bad news of the world.
4.5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews
TITLE: Isaac Newton’s Apple
AUTHOR: Aaron Majewski
REVIEW: Aaron Majewski’s Isaac Newton’s Apple is a short story that shows a love scene between Gloria and Jack. It is a cute, flirtacious scene that made my heart smile.
The author says this is a short story whereas I think it’s just a love scene as I found it lacking in plot. I also kept wondering why they were meeting where they did meet. Aaron Majewski has great talent and he really could turn this “short story” into a fantastic novel if he persued it.
3 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews
TITLE: Dark Reckoning
AUTHOR: J.E. Taylor
REVIEW: In Dark Reckoning by J.E. Taylor, Steve William is an undercover FBI Agent investigating a series of murders and there is a link to the college. While being a fraternity brother he meets Billy and his girlfriend Tracy. Billy and Tracy try to set up Steve with Tracy’s friend Jennifer Curtis. Will Steve find the murderer at the college and what do Billy and Jennifer have to do with it? You have to read it to find out.
J.E. Taylor’s Dark Reckoning is the best crime novel I have ever read. I was hooked at the first few pages when you find out that Jennifer and Steve grew up together and they wanted to “teach” Billy and Tracy a lesson about setting people up. The ending (I won’t give it away) leaps off the page and you feel like you are witnessing it firsthand. Dark Reckoning has a little bit for everyone, action scenes for the guys and love scenes for the gals. Seriously…it would be a crime not to read Dark Reckoning.
5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews
TITLE: My Son’s Wife
AUTHOR: Shelia E. Lipsey
REVIEW: My Son’s Wife by author Shelia E. Lipsey, we find Rena and Francesca were friends from the moment Rena started high school. Rena’s family and Francesca’s family become very close when Rena’s family joined Francesca’s father’s church. When Francesca revealed at the age of 15 that she was gay and was attracted to Rena, Rena had trouble believing that Francesca is gay as they both grew up in a Christian household. Rena tells Francesca that Frankie can practice on her which is how their relationship began.
Years later when Frankie’s brother, Stiles, returns home he has decided to help his father run the Holy Rock Ministry. While Frankie spends some time in jail Rena and Stiles fall in love and plan to get married. When Frankie gets out of jail, she tells Rena that if she doesn’t tell Stiles the truth that they were in a relationship she will. Will Rena tell Stiles the truth? How will Stiles and his family react?
I enjoyed the My Son’s Wife because it takes a situation and tells it from a Christian point of view. The characters feel very real and you can feel the emotions that they are feeling. I believe that Ms. Lipsey tells the story that shows how sin can take over your life and can lead you down a path of self-destruction. As a Christian, I myself, have sinned and has seen first-hand how hard it is to stop and how you want to bury it and not face the consequences of your actions. If you are a Christian who desires a book that is raw, real and well written then My Son’s Wife fits the bill.
4 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews
Behind the Scenes: An interview with Jacob Drake
By Beth Ann Masarik
What is your name?
Jacob Drake or just Jake. I’ve been called lots worse.
How long have you been writing?
Quite a few years, but professionally about a year and a half.
How did you know that writing was going to be your profession?
I didn’t. I just enjoy tapping my fingers on the keyboard of my computer and seeing what comes out. It’s always something different than what I expect.
How many books have you written and published?
Ah, under my name I think thirteen. Altogether about twenty-five.
Who is your publisher?
Crescent Suns eBooks. Actually, I started that up myself and other people have contacted me about being published by CSeB. All I really do is help them with their writing process, edit, proof their work, make covers if they want me to. It all costs a little, but it helps them and me.
Have you won any awards?
Nope. Haven’t entered any contests. I’m more interested in what readers think. In my whole life I have never chosen an author to read because he or she won an award. I never even look at that aspect.
What genre do you generally write in?
Yeah. lol I write whatever story is in my head. Sci-fi, Horror, Fantasy, Erotica…all of them are equal in my writing.
What are your stories/novels usually about?
People and their lives. Seriously. I get an idea and think, “Hey, I can make a Horror story out of this,” or Sci-fi or whatever works best.
What prompted you to sign with your current publisher?
I started the business. Wouldn’t look right if I wasn’t published by my own online publishing company, would it?
What is your favorite food to eat while writing?
I don’t. Don’t like getting anything on the keyboard. Stuff gets between the keys and can be hard to get out. This means sometimes I go very long times without eating during the day, because I hate to stop my writing for something as mundane as eating.
What is your favorite drink to have while writing?
Morning – coffee. Night – whiskey. Jameson if any readers are interested.
Do you listen to music or watch tv while writing? If so, what do you listen to/watch?
No. My brain is too over-active. If something is making noise I key into it and it distracts me. I’m one of those total silence people. I got lots done just yesterday because no one else was home. Right now I’m having a terrible time concentrating even on these questions because my wife is home and thinks she can actually hold conversations with me while I’m writing. Damn woman, anyway. Gotta love her.
What is your muse?
Life. I do normal things and life takes hold and gives me ideas and inspiration. I guess that means if I ever stop living I’ll stop writing, but until then…
Where is your favorite place to write?
Kicked back on my end of the recliner sofa with my feet up, my head back and my laptop actually on my lap. So much easier on my lower back and I can sit here for many hours writing without moving. Unless my whiskey glass is empty. Damn thing, anyway. When’s it going to learn to refill itself?
Do you have anything else you might find useful to add?
Writing is life. Writing is my soul, my passion, my greatest love. Everything and everyone else can drop off the face of the Earth, but as long as I have the means to write, I’ll keep doing it.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers who are trying to get into the world of publishing?
Just do it. In today’s online – internet world there’s no reason to not be published. Don’t take no for an answer. Kick the b*st*rds in the teeth and publish anyway.
What is your name? Elizabeth Jane Van Amelsvoort, known by many as E.J.
How long have you been writing? I first started seriously writing, back in 1993, however I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. As a child, I used to write on an old note pad I kept under the mattress in my room. I would write short stories, poetry and had many pen pals, I wrote to weekly. Writing has always been something I enjoyed and some would say, my greatest passion.
How did you know that you wanted to be an author? I’ve always loved both reading and writing. As a teen, I would babysit around the neighborhood and then go out and buy books to add to my collection. At one point, I was reading 4-5 books per week and had a dream, to someday write books of my own. I had many short stories I’d written and kept, hoping to someday, see one in print. Whenever someone would ask me, what I wanted to be when I grew up. I answered “An Author”
How many books have you written and published? I have 12 books in total, consisting of 3 teen novels, 2 poetry collections and 7 children’s books. The children’s books consisting of the Inspector Claus series and the Edwin E. Bunny Tales, which is my latest series and one that is dear to my heart.
Who is your publisher? I work with a private publisher in Winnipeg Manitoba, Art Book Bindery. It’s basically a self-publishing company, who has a team of designers and editors who work personally with you, to make sure your work is released only at its best. Making the Author, also the books publisher. My first 4 releases however, were published by Essence publishing, in Belleville Ontario.
Have you won any awards? Back in 2003, I received a writers guild award, for my first Children’s book Inspector Claus and the case of the missing toy.
What genre do you generally write in? I prefer, young adult and children's fiction over any other genre. Children are our future and keeping them interested in reading is a key element in how successful today's youth will be in the future
What are your stories/novels usually about? My teen novels, are mainly about real life issues. I prefer, telling teens “how it is” rather than sugar coating the realities of life. When it comes to my children’s books, I write about things that come to mind, while watching little things my children do, or become interested in.
Do you have an agent? No, I’ve actually looked into agents, but here in Canada, literary agents are one in few and finding an agent in the US, is not an easy task, when you’re Canadian.
How long did it take for you to find your publisher? Working without an agent, makes finding the perfect publisher, a never ending battle. After 10 years of searching, I chose to become my own publisher.
What is your favorite food to eat while writing? I actually don’t eat while writing.
What is your favorite drink to have while writing? Coffee, while writing a piece, I may go through a pot or two all on my own.
Do you listen to music or watch TV while writing? If so, what do you listen to/watch?
Oh yes, for sure. I need music to write, some writers find it odd, being most prefer total quiet to work. I however need my music, from the moment I begin writing until I have completed a piece, I have music playing alongside me. Music is another great love of mine and I find listening to the songs I love most, helps me to do my best work. I personally prefer country music, but at times it doesn’t matter what type of music is playing, as long as it’s on.
What inspires you to write? Real life issues, things that happen around me, that prompt a story in my head. My greatest inspiration is my children and those closest to me. The little things that happen in our everyday lives, the things that “make you think”
Where is your favorite place to write? I can write pretty much anywhere. Being a mom of ten, life is always busy, so I’ve adapted to being able to sit down and write, pretty much anywhere. Whether it be outside, while watching them play in the yard, or in the kitchen while cooking dinner. I don’t need to be anywhere specific to write, I just write where ever and whenever a story comes to me.
Do you have anything else you might find useful to add? I have used the same illustrator for each of my recent children’s books. Tiffany Rudd from Guelph Ontario. My latest children’s series “The Edwin E. Bunny Tales.” is one series, that has truly brought out Tiffany’s great talent. The characters in the story, have been brought to life, in the hearts and minds of children of all ages. The story was inspired by my dearest and closest friend, Paul Larocque of London Ontario. He is a singer and musician, who is forever doing character voices, especially the voice of a duck, making him a true “Paulie the duck” Though a male character in the story, the character of Edwin E. Bunny, is based on myself and my friendship with Paul. It all began, when my twin daughters, Mackenzie and Gracelyn, went on a mission, to find the Easter bunnies missing tail and were certain, that Paul was hiding it. After the day’s events, the story of Edwin E. Bunny and Paulie the duck was born. The Edwin E. Bunny Tales, is a series I hold dearest to my heart and also goes right along with my other passion, country music. I’m just a true country girl at heart. In a way this series is like my 11th child, my true baby in the way it is something I am deeply passionate about. I would love to see this series, possibly become a children’s television series in the future and hope that it goes the distance. I would also love for a large publishing company, to take me on and get this series moving and off the ground.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers who are trying to get into the world of publishing? Basically just keep at it and never give up. If you have a dream, follow that dream and work for it, with all you have. It isn’t always easy to make into the writing and publishing world, but it’s definitely a road worth travelling.
The Staff
Beth Ann Masarik, is the founder and chief editor of Literary Lunes. She created this magazine, because people are always coming to her for literary advice, and she wanted to be there for all aspiring writers. She is the author of her debut novel, The World Among Us, a young adult, urban fantasy novel. Her book will be released on August 19, 2011. In addition to running Literary Lunes, Beth also runs her blogs, Writer’s Advocate, and Hallowed Writers. For more information about Beth, you can visit her full website at www.bethannmasarik.webs.com
Amy
Judd, is the graphic designer for Literary Lunes. She currently lives
on her families working ranch in Oklahoma with her pet Pekingese
Kikyo. As an artist, she spends hours painting the roses red and
reading idyllic prose and old novels nobody bothers to remember. She
is currently working on publishing her first novel after receiving
various awards in art, literature and poetry.
Jen
Whitten, is the editor and proof reader here at Literary Lunes
Magazine. She is a professional writer, editor, consultant and
positive living ninja. She also creates the most darkly delighting
cookie recipes known to man. Learn more about her work at
http://writerjenwhitten.com
Ashley
Laura is dedicated to giving writers a voice outside of their work.
For Literary Lunes, she assists with the accepting of article
submissions and the formatting of the magazine. Outside of Literary
Lunes, she is also the Muncipal Liason for Memphis National Novel
Writing Month (NANOWRIMO).
Literary Lunes would not be made possible without the extra support and efforts of the following people:
September 2011 Page 38