I’m pulling the strings over at the CHICAS today.

As a general rule, I don’t do book reviews on this blog. I’m not a reviewer, and not comfortable about doing them (especially since I decided to become an author, ha-ha).
There are exceptions, such as plugging the work of a friend, blog buddy, or colleague with a new release, IF I know that book is good.
This is one of those times.

When Bernita Harris, a lovely lady and fine, talented writer, announced the release of her short story, “Stonechild” in an anthology of short stories called WEIRDLY, A Collection of Strange Stories, I had to check it out (having read snippets of it on her blog).
I was not disappointed.

As a fan of well-executed occult/paranormal/horror short stories, I was EXTREMELY happy with this book. The only thing missing was Rod Serling standing by, cigarette in hand, directing me to the next selection.

There are 25 shorts in the collection, too many for me to comment on individually, but I can say I wasn’t disappointed with any of them.
“Those Who Won’t Be Missed”, with its unrepentant priest;
“The Country Faire”, both disturbing and horribly satisfying;
“The Beekeeper”…short story extraordinaire. a moving, creamy sauce of a short that will linger on the taste buds long afterward.

And “Stonechild”, by Bernita Harris, which exceeded my expectations and then some. Very few bloggers have the command of the language that she does, and here she uses it in a story featuring ghosts, paranormal hunters, and mythical creatures with a haunting reality, good to the last drop. (I want more of the heroine, Lillie!).

An e-book from Wild Child Publishing.
Good stuff.

The bad news is that the publication of my book, THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, contracted by Samhain, has been moved back a little from the projected February date.
Yes, it’s going to be published…but I think I’ll wait a bit before announcing the new date. Just to be on the safe side.

The good news is that I’m blogging at the CHICAS site today—and the alien abductors won’t like it one bit.

Dear Internal Editor~~

I know we’ve had our differences, and I know I’m not your favorite person in the world right now.
But I’m pleading with you. Please come back.

You have every right to be upset with me. I’m flighty. Stubborn. Unreasonable. And yes, unfaithful. I’ll desert you for the hot hand, fall into the arms of the rogue fast draft for weeks at a time. I confess—I’ve been his whore. I’ll lie in his bed, relish the quickies, let him use me any way he will, pull all-nighters, humping away at his command. Anything to get what I need from him, as long as it’s passionate, in the moment, hard-driving and rough.

But I always come back to you. You know I always will.

I haven’t been able to reach you since I returned from my last fling. You’re not returning my calls. You can’t do this! I need you!

Please come back…be stern with me once again.
I keep your whip on my nightstand, and your thesaurus beneath my pillow.

Regards,
~Raine

This twelve-week old Macaque monkey, found abandoned by his mother and near death, was rescued and taken to an animal sanctuary in China. He was nursed back to health, but seemed listless and without spirit, without the real will to live.

However, since striking up a close friendship with this white pigeon, he has a new lease on life and the two are nearly inseparable.

Everybody needs love—and the occasional shoulder for comfort when you’re just plain weary.

And if you happen to be one of those people who don’t really believe that animals have emotions, that they don’t feel longing and need, loneliness and joy, and most of all love, please take a moment to look at the expression on this monkey’s face.
It’s one of the most touching things I’ve ever seen, and says a great deal more than my poor words ever could.

I’m blogging at the CHICAS today, with a few…sexy men?

S/he is THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD.
You know them. You’ve met them. You see them every day.
They’re THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD.
A lonely title, perhaps, but there it is. Somebody’s gotta do it.

S/he is the person who blocks the whole aisle in the supermarket with their cart—because s/he is the only person in the world.
They’re the person who takes up three parking spaces right in front of the store with their huge, gas-guzzling car.
They’re the person who plays their hard-driving music at a deafening volume, and rolls the windows down for all to hear.
S/he is the person at the front of the line ordering food, who doesn’t know what they want, has to ask a million questions about what’s available, and then call five different people on their cell phone to check with them while the line behind them grows to resemble the Great Wall of China.
S/he is the person who talks VERY LOUDLY on their cell phone, no matter where they are. And they’ll call you at indecent hours that are convenient for them—because they’re THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD.
They’re the people who’ll change their minds about something they promised to do and neglect to tell anyone.
They’re the people who’ll slow down traffic for half a mile back because they’re lost/looking for an address/talking on the phone.
S/he is the person who doesn’t have time to listen because they’re busy talking—usually about themselves.
S/he has problems that are worse than anyone else’s. Always.

You know them. You see them, work with them, live with them every day.
They’re THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD.

Personally, I’d support legislation that would require them to be restricted to THE ONLY ISLAND IN THE WORLD on THE ONLY PLANET IN THE GALAXY in THE ONLY GALAXY IN THE UNIVERSE.
And then blow it off the map with THE BEST BOMB EVAH.

Petitions to be circulated shortly…