Christine Smith

{Book Review} Dark is the Night by Mirriam Neal

Post published:October 21, 2019
Post category:Reading
Post comments:19 Comments

Synopsis Skata only has one goal in life—to seek out the vampire who turned his wife and kill it. When he finally tracks the vampire to the small nowhere town of Salvation, South Carolina, he realizes he has stepped foot into something bigger than himself. He's going to need help—and that help may come in many forms. Between the vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, and an unusual preacher, Skata may be in over his head. Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle) | GoodReads | Author’s Website Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time, many years ago, I discovered a…

The Genie Can Dance {A Faylinn Short Story}

Post published:October 14, 2019
Post category:Prompts Writing
Post comments:32 Comments

I have a new Faylinn short story, and this one may be my favorite yet! For Newcomers: Each month Arielle posts a prompt on her writing blog that goes along with Fairy Tale Central's featured fairy tale. I’ve been writing prompts for it of a continuing story about a wingless fairy and banished prince, Raylinn and Finn, or “Faylinn” as is their designated ship name…and their tag along sassmaster, Zayd. The Previous Stories: Deal or No Deal (A Rumpelstiltskin-inspired story and the first introduction to these characters) Let Down Your Hair? (A Rapunzel-inspired story) It Ain't Easy Having a Genie…

Know the Novel Part One: Introduction – A Writers Linkup

Post published:October 7, 2019
Post category:Writing
Post comments:61 Comments

Happy October! It is officially the month before NaNoWriMo! *muffled shrieking* And in honor of “preptober” (a.k.a. NaNo plotting month) I’m bringing back…Know the Novel! “Um, you’re bringing back what now?” some of you may be asking, after you finish screaming at the reminder that NaNo is lessthanamonthawayWUT. No fears! I shall explain all. Read on, my dear writerly frens! Introducing… KNOW THE NOVEL THE INFO Know the Novel is a 3-part writers linkup series, one for each of these last three months of the year. I first created it last year and it went over really well. I’m…

{Book Review} The Book of Secrets by M.L. Little

Post published:September 30, 2019
Post category:Reading
Post comments:12 Comments

Synopsis After Gabriel Draven smuggles home the Stone of the Seven Realms, his fear of facing consequences launches him and his oddball family on a rollicking run for their lives across the world they only thought they knew. As his journey takes him out of his realm and into another, Gabriel discovers that the deepest mystery lies at the heart of his own family, and he must do whatever it takes to find his way back home. Strong and unapologetic, full of vivid, well-timed simile and lilting rhythm, bright with humor, at times bursting into a depth of pure…

The Silmaril Awards 2019 Awards Ceremony: Least Competent Henchman

Post published:September 23, 2019
Post category:Reading
Post comments:30 Comments

At last the day has arrived! You sent in your nominations, you made your votes, and, finally, it is time to see who will walk away today with the prize! Welcome to the awards ceremony for the Least Competent Henchman! *trumpets and fanfare* The buzz of the great crowd echoes from inside the…warehouse? I frown as I step up onto the stage, or what’s supposed to be a stage, but, in reality, is nothing more than a bunch of boards nailed up on top of some slabs of stone. What suspiciously looks like bed sheets hangs behind the “stage”, posing…

That’s Definitely Not Granny {A Faylinn Short Story}

Post published:September 16, 2019
Post category:Prompts Writing
Post comments:31 Comments

And I am back with this month’s edition of my Faylinn stories! For Newcomers: Each month Arielle posts a prompt on her writing blog that goes along with Fairy Tale Central's featured fairy tale. I’ve been writing prompts for it of a continuing story about a wingless fairy and banished prince, Raylinn and Finn, or “Faylinn” as is their designated ship name…and their tag along sassmaster, Zayd. The Previous Stories: Deal or No Deal (A Rumpelstiltskin-inspired story and the first introduction to these characters) Let Down Your Hair? (A Rapunzel-inspired story) It Ain't Easy Having a Genie (An Aladdin-inspired one,…

The Silmaril Awards 2019 Voting: Least Competent Henchman

Post published:September 9, 2019
Post category:Reading
Post comments:16 Comments

Welcome, welcome, to the 74th annual Hunger Gaaames! …Oh. Wait, wait! *squints at card* Whoopsie. Totally read that wrong. Let’s try this again. AHEM. Welcome to the next round of The Silmaril Awards! Which is a much nicer game, I promise. Last week we asked you to nominate and second your favorite fantasy literary characters in ten categories and, boy, did you amazing people deliver! We got a ton of nominations. I absolutely loved seeing the enthusiasm for so many great fantasy characters (and being reminded about how many fantasy books I’ve yet to read but desperately need to *cough,…

The Silmaril Awards 2019 Nominations: Least Competent Henchman

Post published:September 2, 2019
Post category:Reading
Post comments:87 Comments

NOMINATIONS CLOSED! Come back Monday (Sept. 9) to see and vote for the top 5 nominees! I have some super, ultra, ubertastic, frabjous newssss! I HAVE JOINED THE SILMARIL AWARDS TEAM. Annnnd, as of today, The Silmaril Awards have BEGUN! *cheers and fanfare* Alrighty, let me back up for just a sec because you may be tilting your head thinking, “What???” What are The Silmaril Awards? Back in 2016, Jenelle Schmidt and DJ Edwardson, being the brilliant, magical wizards they are, created a new type of awards ceremony. Not one for the best actors, singers, dancers, sports players,…

{Book Review} Deadwood (Crockett and Crane #2) by Kyle Robert Shultz

Post published:August 26, 2019
Post category:Reading
Post comments:20 Comments

Synopsis It’s not the people in this town you have to watch out for. It’s the buildings. Monster hunter and part-time centaur Todd Crane didn’t ask to be sheriff of Deadwood. For one thing, he’s never had an easy time staying on the right side of the law. For another, he’s too busy trying to find a dangerous sorcerer who nearly destroyed the United States of Neverica. But some men—and centaurs—have greatness thrust upon them. Not only is Todd the reluctant defender of the peace in Deadwood, he’s the only one who can thwart the schemes of a powerful…

Frogs and Bears Make Great Boyfriends {A Short Story}

Post published:August 19, 2019
Post category:Prompts Writing
Post comments:25 Comments

It is time for the fourth addition of my ongoing “Faylinn” short stories—a series of short stories inspired by Fairy Tale Central's featured fairy tale! For Newcomers: Each month Arielle posts a prompt on her writing blog that goes along with FTC’s featured fairy tale. I’ve been writing prompts for it of a continuing story about a wingless fairy and banished prince, Raylinn and Finn, or “Faylinn” as is their designated ship name. The Previous Stories: Deal or No Deal (A Rumpelstiltskin-inspired story and the first introduction to these characters) Let Down Your Hair? (A Rapunzel-inspired story) It Ain't Easy…