So...my first novel was published.

So in the six+ months I've been away from this blog, my first novel was published and I've been reviewed/featured on a few book blogs. :)

Blog Tour:
September 4--Babbling About Books and More
September 3--Amethyst Daydreams
August 21--Beauty in Ruins
August 20--World of Diversity Fiction

Reviews:
Beauty in Ruins--Terror Temptation and Tentacles--it's Tuesday Apocalypse
V.C. ~Author of LGBT Erotica, Glitterotica, and Wicked Romance--Book Review Tuesday Apocalypse

You can buy my book on Amazon and also directly from my publisher, Storm Moon Press. 

Is my vibrator ruining my relationship?

Is my vibrator ruining my relationship?

A wonderful article about jealous boyfriends and the legendary Hitachi Magic Wand. Like the author of this article, my boyfriend has also expressed resentment for this toy. Even as I type this sentence, my steadfast electronic stallion is winking at me from my nightstand and my boyfriend is trying not to roll his eyes. 

I can't say enough about the Hitachi Magic Wand. This vibrator can make me cum in less than 20 seconds flat. And I wish I was joking. 20 seconds or less and I'm soaring on an endless train of orgasms. I'm multi-orgasmic and can achieve a dozen or more orgasms in rapid succession. Sometimes I squirt. Sometimes I see colors. More often than not, I just scream, lol. Annoys the neighbors and makes my boyfriend red-faced jealous. 

So it is understandable men might find this vibrator threatening. My boyfriend actually BURNT my Hitachi Magic Wand while I was out of town once! I'm sure it was unintentional...but I can't help but think there was some passive aggression involved. 

Hee! Ladies, do yourself a favor and BUY THIS TOY! You can get it on Amazon for 50 bucks. I haven't run into any clitoral desensitization but I also don't use it every day. The Hitachi is (without question) my most FAVORITE clit vibe! Maybe it'll be yours too? 

Have a smexxxy weekend, minions! ;) 

Django Unchained

So with all the hullabaloo surrounding Quentin Tarantino's latest movie, the boyfriend and I decided to see it yesterday. And you know what? Although there was a stupid amount of violence, rap music, and slow-mo dog-mauling montages, I liked it. Admittedly, blood splatter doesn't offend me. After a certain point I did find the gun shooting scenes monotonous and uninspired. However if I had to pick my favorite aspect of the film, it would be Samuel L. Jackson's oily "Uncle Tom" performance. Leonardo DiCaprio did a great job as the villain and Christoph Waltz genuinely surprised me as the good guy. All in all, I think the movie was well-acted and provocative. The use of the "n-word" didn't faze me. After all...this is a movie about slavery. 

And that's where my movie review ends and my philosophic musings begin. Feel free to stop reading at this point because I can feel a rant simmering inside me.

I chose to open this blog post with Spike Lee for a reason. I think he's being a little ridiculous for trashing a movie he openly admits to never seeing, but he also has a point. I just happen to think his point is short-sighted. My beef is with America's obsession with racial politicking and also our knee-jerk reaction to gun violence. The lastest American tragedy in Connecticut has everyone up in arms about the wrong issues. Censuring Tarantino simply because he has violent gun scenes will not fix America's gun problem. Just like censuring the "n-word" out of books like Huckleberry Finn will not  fix America's racism problem. C'mon people! Think BIG PICTURE! 

I'm annoyed. We're so quick to "blame the media" for every little thing rather than sitting down with lawmakers and community leaders to discuss the weaknesses in our legislature, mental healthcare, and educational system. I guess it's easier to point our fingers at artists rather than implement responsible, mature policies that might actually make a difference in our national and state governments. This problem is so much bigger than a few stupid scenes in a movie like Django. We need adult conversations about change. Not knee-jerk reactions or scape-goating. 

Smexxxy Friday (Glass)

I've always wanted to publicize my love for glass toys! Glass toys are really like works of art. My most favorite, beautiful piece in my toy chest right now is the Dichroic Wrapped G-Spot dildo from Phallix Glass. (Review) Set me back $179 but it is well worth the price! Sooooooo pretty! It sparkles like a unicorn horn!

 Glass is unique because you can experiment with temperature play. Warm it up or cool it down. Me likes it either way! Also, the texture of glass is so much harder than anything you will ever put in your body (unless you play with steel or ceramics!) What I love about glass toys from Phallix is the artistry in each piece. The quality of the glass has weight to it. When inside it feels like you're fucking something really thick, hard and powerful. Oooowaaaaaah! My little unicorn horn makes me so happy!

This next toy is my very first glass purchase. Not as beautiful as my toy from Phallix, but what it lacks in flash, it makes up for in functionality. It has double-ends so I get 2 toys in 1. My most...erm...juicy orgasms have been with this toy. Also the curve is much more pronounced and I think it cost me less than $30. Unfortunately, this line has been discontinued. So I can't provide a purchasing link. Which is a shame because it is has the perfect size and G-spot curve! 

Meet Big Betty from Don Wand. I think my boyfriend bought this toy as a joke. It is 12 inches long and is the biggest fucking toy I have ever seen! Also, my first experiment with textured glass. See those little blue nubs? Yeah, ouch. The size is fine...the nubs are not. I might venture into textured glass again with something a little less intimidating. It was $100 but they have a smaller one that is only $40 on their website.


I got more toys in my toy chest but I'll save those for later! I hope this blog post has at least piqued your interest with glass. It really is an under appreciated toy, but for those who love glass, it is a staple! I don't think I'll ever use any other type of dildo! Glass is a breeze to clean since it is non-porous and can't trap odors, bacteria. And it won't break down like silicone, jelly, or other plastic substances. People think glass is fragile, but yeah no, not pyrex glass! If you buy glass, make sure it is PYREX! And no matter how strong it is, dropping it will ruin the toy. But other than that, glass is very low-maintenance and wonderful to use! Check out the glass on EdenFantasy if you're still curious. :) Have a great weekend, minions! 

8/12 Media of the Month: Z for Zachariah

I adore this novel. Truly and passionately love it. Z for Zachariah is one of those books that will sit forever in my permanent collection. I will buy a hardcover soon (I borrowed it from the library 2 weeks ago and read it in one day) Some of you may be more familiar with Robert C. O'Brien's popular 1971 children's novel, "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH." (aka Secrets of NIMH) 


Z for Zachariah was published posthumously in 1974. Robert C. O'Brien is brilliant. His scenes are so TIGHT. He weaves so much tension into this story and his characterization is perfect! I respect good writing and this novel is masterfully done. 


Z for Zachariah is a YA dystopian about the last two humans on Earth. Sort of a twisted reinterpretation of the Adam and Eve idea. The whole novel is told in a series of journal entries written by the main character, 16-yr-old Ann Burden. She believes she is the last person on Earth until a man arrives on her farm in a green radiation suit. Mr. Loomis, the controlling 30-something scientist is so perfectly characterized. Ann Burden is appropriately vulnerable but not helpless to Mr. Loomis' force. His paranoid need to conquer Ann is what wracks up the tension in this book. Ann's terror is palpable in each chapter. I was glued to the edge of my seat, shivering with excitement, as I turned the pages. The conclusion is stunning. I'm still haunted by it. It will perhaps linger in my brain forever. Doomed and or ambiguous endings are my favorite! 


Religion vs. Science and Femininity vs. Masculinity are the main political themes here. Even the title of the book is a Biblical reference. Robert C. O'Brien shows his skill in the way he delivers his message. He does not preach. He does not lecture. He presents both characters in an uncomplicated, sympathetic and mature way. I am always awed by male writers who "get it" when it comes to feminism. Z for Zachariah is brilliant. I wish Robert C. O'Brien had written more before his untimely death. At any rate, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will probably read it more than 5 times before the summer is done. Hands-down, the best book I've read this year. Engaging YA is always a joy to find! Adults and middle-school kids will enjoy this book! 

Smexxxy Friday (Fifty Shades of Grey)

This lovely Jamaican lady is Nerissa Irving. She is a playboy model and is also one of my favorite loc'd goddesses ever. But that's for another Smexxxy Friday post. Anyway,  Nerissa Irving recently filmed her mom talking about the book Fifty Shades of Grey and put it up on youtube. What her mom has to say about E. L. James is absolutely hilarious. Perhaps the BEST review I've ever seen/heard. I was literally tearing up and bellyaching as her mom got into it, LOL. Enjoy.  

The Last of the Mohicans

Remember when this movie came out? All you '90s kids better raise your hands! *cheesy grin* You can watch this movie for free on Netflix. Anyway, I watched this film for additional "research/inspiration" for my novel. Although this story takes place in 1757 and mine in the 1690s, I took quite a bit from this movie. I wasn't aware until just recently that this movie was based on a book series from the 1820s. Pretty awesome. Too bad I can't say the same for the movie itself, LOL! 

I'm not going to lie, minions. This movie is meh. Just meh. Can we say WHITE WASHING please? I hate how whenever there's the "last" of some threatened ethnic group, it is always some white person. Or the white person becomes the main character in a story that SHOULD be about people of color. "The Last Samurai" was Tom Cruise. "The Last Mohican" was the "I WILL FIND YOU" dude. "The Last Airbender" was...well...you get my point.   

For those interested, the "I WILL FIND YOU" guy's name is Daniel Day Lewis, and he co-starred with Winona Ryder, in "The Crucible." However, the only character I really liked in "The Last of the Mohicans" was Magua. Keep in mind I'm a cannibal, so when Magua cuts out that one dude's heart and eats it, I was thinking: "Oh yeah...gnarly and sexy at once!"

Anyway, the movie was OK. Worth a watch if you're into Daniel Day Lewis, I guess. But I fell in love with the soundtrack. Gawd. I can't express how beautiful the music is! I found myself rewinding parts of the movie just so I could go back and listen to the track again. My favorite is "I Will Find You" performed by Clannad. The whole album is lush and gorgeous...so definitely check that out the next time you're trolling around on iTunes. 

Books I'm Reading: The Bluest Eye

"The Bluest Eye" written by Toni Morrison. This book destroyed me. It really did. And I don't often say that about a book, but good gawd, when I got to the final chapter I was bawling my eyes out. I cried so much I had to start drinking whiskey just to comfort myself. Then I got so drunk I passed out. And all over a book. 


In my last post, I talked about "Sister Citizen" and the John-Henryism effect. "The Bluest Eye" deals with beauty (or the lack thereof) in the black community. There's also sexism, colorism, feminism, incest, violence, and poverty. Morrison shows us these horrors by streaming it through the eyes of a little girl named Pecola. Pecola, who wishes for blue eyes and blonde hair. Pecola, who is abandoned by her mother and raped by her father. Pecola, who is seen by everyone, shamed by everyone, and utterly ignored by all. Little Pecola. 


Gawd, she destroyed me. When Pecola finally becomes undone, I found myself unraveling just the same. I wanted to tear my hair out. I thought of all the Pecolas of the world who would never be seen, never be saved. And I got so angry because I guess I saw a little bit of myself in her too. 


Reading books like these just makes me want to become a better writer. Toni Morrison's writing is next to godliness. I am jealous but happy to read a book by such an awesome storyteller. She inspires me as a black female writer, to really push myself and do something great. I may never be able to write like Toni Morrison, but good gawd, I will try to learn from her if I can! Highly recommend this book. 


Happy reading! 

Go see "Tangled!"

It's a good movie. :) Even better in 3D. Mandy Moore is off the charts adorable! 

The Brain That Wouldn't Die (Review)

Cheesy black and white horror films are an acquired taste, I know. But I love them! Especially if I can watch for free on YOUTUBE.

This movie was made in 1962 and pretty much runs like its title. A mad scientist crashes his car, thus decapitating his fiancee and killing her. He brings her back to life by taking the head to his secret lab and injecting it with a serum that allows it to talk, think, and perform telepathic powers (unbeknownst to him).

In search of a body to attach his would-be wife's head, the mad scientist prowls strip bars and bikini model contests. When he finally selects a victim to perform the transplant, his fiancee conspires with a mutant creature locked in the cellar to thwart his murderous plan. The climax concludes with more decapitation and severed limbs and the fiancee screaming triumphantly within the flames: "I told you to let me die!"

*Grins*

If I had to grade this movie? C+ But it's bloody good fun and something my boyfriend and I could watch together while he was away. I admit, I laughed a few times throughout the film from its absurdity...but that's the beauty of these retro films.

Author Interview: Charisma Knight!

Hello fabulous readers! Today I have a special treat for you. Paranormal/Erotic author, Charisma Knight, has graced us with her presence! *waves hello*

I recently won a copy of her new novella, Spirit Walker, on her blog contest. It was most certainly an interesting read. Fairy Queens, Vampire Witches, Scottish Highlanders, and Astral Projection Fuck Fests. Yes, you read right. Astral projection sex. And quite hot too, I might add.

Certainly packs a punch, lol! I read it in one sitting, hahaha! So now as we're all very curious about her, let me ask you a few questions, Charisma. That is, if you don't mind.

First, if you could describe yourself in three words, which words would they be and why? CK: Energetic, Stubborn, Strong. I'm energetic because it is the only way for me to achieve things I want out of life. If I lose my energy, then I lose my drive as a "go-getter." I'm stubborn because if I truly want something, I'll go through hell and highwater to obtain it. If I don't want to do something, I'm not going to do it. I don't like being forced into something I don't want. I can't stand authority. I'm stubborn when it comes to that, I suppose. I hate intimidation tactics. I'm told by a supervisor at work that we have cameras. My attitude is "yeah, and??" If corporate big brother wants to spy on me, let them. As long as I'm doing my job, what can they say? I'm strong because I refuse to be weak. It is a mindset I've had since my early twenties. I refuse to let grass grow beneath my feet. By the grace of God, when I'm old and gray, I'll be traveling the world. What genres do you write and why? Why interracial romance in particular? CK: Paranormal erotic romance is my first love. I love the explicit details of what goes on between two consenting adults. I grew up reading behind closed door stories, and of course, my dirty little mind craved more info than what was given. There are other genres I will pursue by the beginning of next year. I have started some stories for young adults. I write interracial romance because it is something I can identify with, since I'm a black woman who has often been involved in interracial relationships. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon the ebook industry 3 1/2 years ago and discovered these fabulous books! In the future, I hope to see interracial romances on the stands in Walmart, Target, Barnes N Noble, etc. I know they won't be erotica, but that's okay. I believe the interracial romance books are small in comparison to other genres, but to my understanding it has come a long way baby, and still growing!! I'm happy to be a contributor to that! ; ) Who are your publishers? Where can readers find your work? CK: My publishers are Amira Press, Sugar and Spice Press, Eirelander Publishing, and XoXo Publishing. My BDSM story, My Dark Lord and Master was recently accepted by XoXo, and is now in the first stages of the editing process. http://www.amirapress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=98 http://sugarnspicepress.com http://xoxopublishing.com What inspires you to write? Is there anything you want your readers to get out of your stories? CK: Well, just about anything can inspire me to write. Some of my stories evolve around some forbidden tales of interracial love in the times of slavery. You know, as a teenager, some of the tales my great-aunts spun were intriguing to me, and piqued my curiosity. Unfortunately, in the times of slavery, there weren't many, if any happy endings. So my little mind kind of re-spun these tales. I've worked spirits, dragons, demons, vampires and werewolves into these tales, the heroines and heroes are souls who are caught up in the cycle of reincarnation. Reincarnation is another intriguing factor of the paranormal, and I believe in it with all my heart and soul. When people read my stories, I want them to be able to escape a little from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Honestly, my writing is to help me escape, this is how I wind myself down, like when I read a good book. Also, I want for folks to know that the color of skin is nothing and people should be accepted for who they are and what they have inside them. Interracial loving is something that is beautiful and should be placed on a pedestal, in my opinion. My reason for feeling this way? Well, because there have been many people who stood up for what they believed in years ago, even centuries ago and were persecuted for simply loving someone of another race. How cruel can that be? So when you're not writing, what other hobbies do you enjoy? CK: Well, I enjoy healing and relaxation therapy. Although not a hobby, I enjoy meditating and dealing with chakras and auras. There is a certain level of divination I must achieve before I can reach my true destination of my higher self. I enjoy listening to music. My tastes vary, with heavy metal and rock being my first love. I enjoy Blues, R & B, some Rap; mostly old school, classical, symphonic metal, classic rock, and New Age. Very interesting! OK, one last question and I'll let you go, I promise, lol! What is one weird fact about you that you'd like to share with us? CK: I am not a pack animal, but a solitary creature who is not fond of crowds. While I enjoy people, I'm no social butterfly. When invited to family reunions, I opt to stay home by myself. Well, unless my daughters drag me kicking and screaming, then I'll warm up after I've been there a while. That's just me in a nutshell. I enjoy my solitude. ; ) Well there you have it folks! Charisma Knight is most certainly interesting, don't you think? Check her out at her publishers and give her a go! Leave comments or questions if you have any! That concludes today's interview and thanks for sticking around! :D Oh and...if you missed yesterday's post you can catch her at her BLOG and this WEBSITE. Have fun browsing! TK

Join us tomorrow!

I'll be having my first author interview ever with paranormal author, Charisma Knight! We'll discuss her latest book and other sexy, juicy goodness you don't wanna miss! You can sneak a peak at her website here:

http://charismaknight.yolasite.com/

And don't forget to join us tomorrow so you won't miss out on all the fun! We'll be waiting for you! ;-)

Kindred Review...Sigh.

Before I post my review (which is also posted on Goodreads) let me tell you what this book is about.

Kindred is about a young black woman named Dana who time-travels from the 1970s to meet her slave ancestors. In order to ensure that she is born, she must save the life of her ancestors' unstable slave master, named Rufus. Rufus is a little boy when she first meets him, but grows into an adult as the story progresses. As he ages, he becomes more ruthless with the slaves and with Dana.

Conveniently enough, Dana is also teleported through time with her conveniently white boyfriend, Kevin. Conveniently their love is tested by racism and conveniently, albeit predictably, Kevin and Dana end up separated in time (I love writer's conveniences, don't you?)

Together, they must re-live the worst of American history all so Dana can actively assist her white slave masters in the rape, torture, and killing of her ancestors. Hurray! By the end of the book, she loses her arm and stabs Rufus to death so Kevin and Dana can go on with their passionless marriage in the 1970s. Spoiler alert, sorry.

But lovely setting, right?

As I posted on Goodreads...

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I really wanted to like this book. I really really did. For one, I am a black female sci-fi writer (like Octavia Butler) so just out of fellowship alone, I WANTED to LOVE this book. And like Dana, I am in an interracial relationship with a white man. So I was stoked when I heard about this book. I really wanted to treasure it.

Unfortunately for myself and for Ms. Butler, I just couldn't get past the sloppy, disjointed sentences, her uninteresting, lukewarm characters, and the overall far-fetched plot. It just felt hackneyed. Contrived. Plot holes everywhere. It read like the author was hitting me over the head--dumbing it down so that I should look away from the weaknesses in her characterization, plot, and syntax and focus solely on the graphic ways the slaves were treated. Which would be a great reminder of American history and racism if I was white. But I'm not. I still feel the residual effects of slavery, as does any black person (in America, anyway) so I don't need to be reminded how hard it was for the slaves. Hell, it's still hard now! As a black person reading this, I felt "talked-down" to...spoon-fed. This book wasn't for me, but for white people who had forgotten history, folks who assumed "stuff like racism" no longer existed in this world. That being said, I am/was less likely (than a non-black person) to forgive the flaws in this book.

For such a profound subject matter, the author chose to rush through the plot--there was no character development I saw (except for Rufus, who, by far, was the most thought-out character in the entire novel!) Poor Kevin was used simply as a plot device, as was the time travel aspect of this story. There's no explanation as to why Dana and Rufus can go through time. No explanation for why her arm gets stuck in the wall. It took Dana to 3/4 of the book to finally get around to Alice, but seeing how Alice is brutally raped repeatedly throughout the story, it makes no sense for Dana to assume she is needed for the birth of Hagar.

At times, I literally wanted to throw the book at the wall and not read it anymore. It was just too much! It made me angry because the characters were all so useless and stupid, and the dialogue so stunted and repetitive, that I stopped caring whether Dana would get back to Kevin--I was almost hoping she wouldn't because she kept saving Rufus when he continued to abuse her and the others. Her character was too flimsy to hold up to the author's narrative. She fluctuated as heroine and victim, but mostly, remained a victim by her own choosing throughout the book.

But...I will say that the IDEA of this story is amazing. The author knew how to draw us into the book, into the story. It is the EXECUTION of her storytelling that falls short for me. I give it 2.5 stars out of 5. It is an imaginative story--unique and one-of-a-kind. But the fantastical elements are not enough for me to overlook everything else. I am a writer, myself, so I can't forgive the technicality of it all.

I would recommend this book to high school students.

View all my reviews >>