June 2015 – Page 4 – M.C.V. EGAN ❧Defining Ways❧

Have you met CLANCY TUCKER?

Butchering the Sacred Cow: Why We Need To Laugh at Everything

Published on June 9, 2015 by mariacatalinaegan2 Comments

“In fact, not a single one of my 887 Facebook friends liked or commented on the article, except for my mother – a half-Jew who was actually born under the Nazi occupation, and whose parents concealed their own racial secret while hiding and smuggling Jews” …… I promise to Like and comment

Cold

I’ve often raised eyebrows among friends and strangers alike for my admittedly dark sense of humor. For me, nothing – and I really do mean that I can’t think of a single thing – is off limits. Not racism, not poverty, not cancer, not Alzheimer’s, not Nazis or Communists or Democrats or Republicans or religion – including my own Catholic faith.

I know that just the mention of these topics in anything but the most earnest, delicate voice leaves many aghast, and I definitely understand why there is a reflexive, negative reaction to what some call black humor and others simply call insensitive, politically incorrect humor.

But to me, black humor is deeply misunderstood.

I believe the hostility stimulated by farcical, often morbid jokes that make light of what are unquestionably very serious, painful subjects has to do with the misconception that the person making those jokes is somehow mocking…

View original post 1,259 more words

The Remington Kindle World

Published on June 8, 2015June 8, 2015 by mariacatalinaegan1 Comment

Continue reading “The Remington Kindle World” →

Joe Bonadonna an interview

Published on June 5, 2015June 5, 2015 by mariacatalinaegan1 Comment

Joe Bonadonna has published a number of short stories, and authored five novels, and five screenplays. He is a former board member of the Chicago’s Screenwriter Network, where he lectured on the history of science fiction, horror, and fantasy in films, as well as on writing screenplays.
Joe is also a former rock and roll guitarist and songwriter from the Golden Age of 1964-1984.

What is your book about?

While writing the six novellas that comprise Mad Shadows: The Weird Tales of Dorgo the Dowser, I never thought about that. I was just writing heroic fantasy tales, and trying to do something different. It wasn’t until I started proofing the manuscript that I saw the common thread, the theme that runs through each story: loss, the loss of wealth, friendships, lovers, and even self, and the death of friends and family. In spite of all that, there is a lot of humor in my stories . . . gallows humor, to be sure. Most of the humor comes through via the dialog and interaction between characters, although there are a few scenes of “physical” comedy.

Are your characters in the book based on anyone you know?

Oh, indeed! Five of the six stories are written in first-person, so Dorgo the Dowser’s character is very much me. A little girl in one story is based on a friend’s daughter —her mannerisms and the way she talks. Other characters are based on friends and family. Even my satyr and centaur are based on a couple of street-wise tough guys I know. As for the werewolf . . . the less said about him the safer I’ll be.

What authors inspire or influence your work?

Ah, far too many to name! Fritz Leiber, Raymond Chandler, and Dashiell Hammett are the main three. There’s a bit of Charles Dickens and Victor Hugo in Dorgo’s world, too. Many people have found it interesting that the heroic fantasy of Mad Shadows was also influenced by the Warner Brothers gangster films of the 1930s, and the film noir that followed in the 40s and 50s. There’s a lot of Humphrey Bogart in Dorgo the Dowser.

Favorite snack when writing.

Coffee. Lots of coffee. Then I make a Virgin Mary with 2 stalks of celery, three drops of green Tabasco sauce, and half a teaspoon of horseradish all tossed into a blender. This is, of course, followed by more coffee. Sometimes I’ll eat some oatmeal . . . when and if I remember to eat.

Do you have a Muse?

Yes. She won’t tell me her name, however. Maybe she fears that if I knew her name, I’d have some kind of magic power over her. She runs away quite a lot — I suspect she’s cheating on me with some other writer. But she is, after all, a very free spirit.

What project(s) are you working on now?

Besides working on two novels featuring Dorgo the Dowser, I am fortunate and very grateful to be writing for Janet Morris’ Heroes in Hell series, as well as having a story in her Heroika 1: Dragon Eaters. I really enjoyed killing and eating dragons. And I certainly have a helluva time writing in Hell, hanging out with my characters and letting them have their way with me. I think I’ve found a home in the underworld. As Mark Twain once said, “Heaven for the weather, Hell for the company.”

Where can readers find you and your book(s) online?

My other two novels are the space opera, Three Against The Stars, and the pirate-fantasy adventure, Waters of Darkness (co-written with David C. Smith.) All my books, including the anthologies in which I have stories and those I have edited for other writers can be found on Amazon, in both paperback and Kindle editions. Mad Shadows is also available in hardcover and Nook editions.

Mad Shadows: The Weird Tales of Dorgo the Dowser — Heroic Fantasy.

Three Against The Stars — Space Opera.

Waters of Darkness, (co-written with David C. Smith) — Swords and Sorcery.

Anthologies with Joe’s work : Azieran Presents: Artifacts and Relics — Extreme Sword and Sorcery. Sword and Sorcery tales, created by Christopher Heath. Published by Heathen Oracle. Featuring “The Book of Echoes,” by Joe Bonadonna.

Griots: Sisters of the Spear. Sword and Soul Heroic Fantasy. Created by Milton Davis and Charles Saunders. Published by MVmedia. Featuring “The Blood of the Lion,” by Joe Bonadonna.

Poets in Hell — Bangsian Fantasy, Volume 17 in the Heroes in Hell series, created by Janet Morris. Published by Perseid Press. Featuring “Undertaker’s Holiday,” by Joe Bonadonna and Shebat Legion, and “We the Furious,” by Joe Bonadonna.

Sinbad: The New Voyages, Volume 3 — Heroic Fantasy anthology, created by Ron Fortier, published by Airship 27 Productions. Featuring “Sinbad and the Golden Fleece,” by Joe Bonadonna.

Heroika: Dragon Eaters — Heroic Fantasy anthology, created by Janet Morris. Published by Perseid Press. Featuring “The Dragon’s Horde,” by Joe Bonadonna.

HEROIKA 1: DRAGON EATERS

COMING SOON:
Doctors in Hell, volume 18 in the Heroes in Hell series, created by Janet Morris. Published by Perseid Press. Featuring “Hell on a Technicality,” by Joe Bonadonna. BOOKS JOE HAS EDITED: (we excluded Erotica) Hello, My Name is Max and I Have Autism, by Max Miller. Published by Authorhouse. Essays and artwork written and drawn by 13 year-old Max Miller, edited by Joe Bonadonna.

2015 Reader Survey Results

Published on June 2, 2015 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

2015 Reader Survey Results.

The 2015 reader survey ran from April 23 to May 19 and reached 2033 participants from different parts of the world.

BRAVO M. K. TOD .

LOVE & LIGHT

Published on June 2, 2015June 2, 2015 by mariacatalinaeganLeave a comment

Kori Walsh knows plenty about the darkness in the world. After watching her mother succumb to illness, Kori sunk into a deep depression that she can’t seem to snap out of, no matter who tries to help her.

As the star pitcher on his college baseball team, Landon Grayson is enjoying life as a big man on campus, and all of the perks that come with it. He has plenty of girls vying for his attention, so why is he drawn to the moody, sullen girl who claims not to be interested but still keeps showing up to watch practice every day?

As he gets to know Kori, Landon is struck by how much they have in common and he sets out to cheer her up. Can Landon show Kori that there is light after darkness, and if he does, will love blossom?

Chapter One

~Landon~

Practice ends, and she’s sitting there on the bleachers, alone, watching. The girl with the reddish-blond hair. I’ve seen her before. She’s in my Psychology class, but I’ve never talked to her. She always sits in the back of the room and is one of the first people to leave when class is over. She keeps to herself and walks with her head down, as if she doesn’t want to bother with anyone else.

That’s why it intrigues me to see her watching baseball practice. I first noticed her two days ago, when the last of the snow finally melted and we moved out of the field house. Even though the weather’s improving and we’re using our regular field now, we don’t draw a crowd to our practices, so it’s kind of surprising she’s here again.

Instead of heading straight to the locker room to shower and change, I decide to stop by the bleachers. “Hi there,” I say.

She glances up, and I notice her eyes are green, a nice complement to the red of her hair and I wonder if she’s of Irish descent. “Hi.” She doesn’t smile.

“Are you a baseball fan?” I ask her, something that automatically earns anyone points with me.

She gives a shrug of her shoulders. “Not really. Why?”

“Just curious. I saw you watching practice the last few days, so I thought maybe you were a fan.” I give her a sheepish smile. “It’s nice to see someone out here. We don’t exactly get a lot of people to practice, as you might have noticed.” I gesture at the empty bleachers. “Especially since we just moved outside.” The snow may be gone, but it’s still not very warm, and I’m not sure a lot of people on campus even realize that we’re practicing at Panther Park now.

“I’m here because it’s something to do,” she says, “and my doctor tells me fresh air is good for me. He says it will make me feel better.” She laughs a little, and it’s a laugh that makes me think she doesn’t believe her doctor’s claim.

“Are you sick?” I ask.

“Not physically.”

The answer catches me off guard and all I manage to say is, “Oh.”

For the first time, her lips twitch in the slightest hint of a smile. “Have I scared you away now?”

“Do you see me running?” I counter. It will take more than that to scare me off. I happen to know a thing or two about depression, and not just because my stepmom is a shrink.

“Maybe you should,” she says.

“Maybe.” I shrug, unconvinced. The thing is, she’s just intrigued me even more. “I hope you keep coming to practice,” I tell her. “Or maybe a game sometime. We’re off to a good start this season.” I set my gym bag down on the ground and extend my hand. “My name’s Landon, by the way. I’m a pitcher.”

She makes no move to shake my hand. “I don’t recall asking.”

And, just like that, I’m shot down. I may be pretty good at baseball, but it doesn’t mean I’m smooth with women. “No, I guess you didn’t.” I pick up my bag and sling it over my shoulder. “Maybe I’ll see you around,” I add before I turn and walk away.

I’ve gone about ten feet when I hear her call something out to me.

I turn back around. “Excuse me?”

“My name,” she says. “It’s Korinne, but most people call me Kori.”

“Kori,” I repeat, liking the way it sounds on my lips. “Thank you. Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow, Kori.” I give a little fist pump as I run to the locker room.

~Kori~

I watch him jog away, and I wonder what he’s thinking. Is he happy he scored my name from our conversation, or does he think I’m a freak? I’m not sure why I gave it to him, other than it seemed like the polite thing to do. He’s cute and all, but I don’t want to send the wrong message. I don’t date jocks. I don’t want to date anyone right now.

Dr. Morris will be happy. I talked to someone. I had a conversation. He thinks it’s an important step for me in enjoying life again. That, along with the fresh air. I think it’s all bullshit and I’m not sure I want to enjoy life, anyway. Some days I’m not even sure I want to live.

I can’t try to end it, though. I won’t. It would be selfish and cowardly, especially after watching my mother fight for every last day on this earth. Even when she was in so much pain she could barely stand it, or was so weak she couldn’t get out of bed, she never gave up the fight. For that reason, I won’t give up either, even though it’s hard for me to enjoy anything since she’s been gone.

Maybe someday I will find enjoyment again. Maybe it will even be watching baseball.

I look around the empty bleachers, picturing them full of spectators on game day, cheering the players on. Landon said I should go to a game, but that seems like too much, too soon. Crowds? Cheering? People having fun? Definitely not my thing.

Practice, though, I think I can handle, and maybe I’ll have a friend in this guy, Landon. Maybe this is where it will start. The healing.

It’s hard to actually believe that, but I’ll be back again tomorrow anyway.

After Ten ~ Aggravated Circumstances ~ Finding Forever

Leap of Faith ~ The Art of Love ~ Starting Over

Tears and Laughter ~ Playing For Keeps

Heroes To Swoon For ~ Spring Into Love

Michele Shriver writes women’s fiction and contemporary romance. Her books feature flawed-but-likeable characters in real-life settings. She’s not afraid to break the rules, but never stops believing in happily ever after. Michele counts among her favorite things a good glass of wine, a hockey game, and a sweet and sexy book boyfriend, not necessarily in that order.

October 22-25, 2015 I will be in Minneapolis, MN at the Midwestern Book Lovers Unite. I will also be doing 3 panels at the event. Going to be a great time.