Tag: books

  • Did I Really Do All That Last Year?

    One of my non-writing goals for 2025 was to work through my “to be read list.” There are still many books in that pile, but I did read 36 of them.  

    Here are the ones I finished in the order they were read .

    You may notice some repeated authors.

    Everything Changes: An Anthology of Climate fiction – Angie Dell

    The Collapsing Empire – John Scalzi

    Autonomous – Annalee Newitz

    In Our Own Worlds: 4 Novellas by Margaret Killjoy, Ellen Klages, Kai Ashante Wilson, and Jy Yang. My favorite was Passing Strange by Ellen Klages.

    Dark Touched: Book 1 of the Glass Star – Elle Lewis

    A Language of Dragons – S. F. Willimson

    Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy – Tui T. Sutherland

    Dragonfruit – Makiia Lucier

    Wings of Fire: The Dark Secret

    Daughter of Darkness – Terry Brooks

    Wings of Fire: The Brightest night – Tui T. Sutherland

    Wings of Fire: Moon Rising – Tui T. Sutherland

    Burning Down the House – Jean Marie Ward

    Artificial Condition – Martha Wells

    Gold Dust – Catherin Asaro

    Sister of Starlite Seas – Terry Brooks

    The Calling – Ken Altabet

    Ink & Bone – Rachel Caine

    Song of Silver, Flame Like Night – Amelie Wen Zhao

    Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White – Amelie Wen Zhao

    Maus: A Survivor’s Tale I – Art Spiegelman

    Maus: A Survivor’s Tale II – Art Spiegelman

    Wings of Fire: The Hidden Kingdom – Tui T. Sutherland

    The Wings Upon Her Back – Samantha Mills

    The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood

    Lilith’s Brood – Octavia Butler

    The Study of Storms & Magic – Maria V. Snyder

    Stain of a Nation – Bishop O’Connell

    A School for Dragons – Amy wolf

    For the Good of the Realm – Nancy Jane Moore

    The Death of a Maven – Kathryn Johnson

    Rogue Protocol – Martha Wells

    Exit Strategy – Martha Wells

    Fugitive telemetry – Martha Wells

    Manufactured Witches – Michelle Rene

    Network Effect – Martha Wells

    I also:

    Participated in 7 Conventions/Conferences.

    4 Book Festivals/ Markets

    1 Podcast

    Published 2 books

    I think that’s a pretty fine literary year.

    Don’t forget to check out these books:

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    Dragon’s Hanukkah

    It’s Hanukkah, and Dragon is helping his family celebrate.

    Have you ever made latkes or played dreidel? Come join the fun as Dragon makes latkes and lights the menorah. Then play the dreidel game and see where it lands!

    MARK OF THE GODDESS

    Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.

    Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.

    HUMMINGBIRD

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

    One step toward understanding.

    One stride toward survival.

    One leap toward flying free from the past.

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • Parking for Dragon’s Hanukkah Book Launch

    For those of you coming to the book launch today, there is a pubic parking lot off of Main street.

    Turn up on Center Street.

    Take the staircase down to Main Street.

    The Last Word Bookstore is across the street. (116 Main Street, Mount Airy, Maryland)

    Looking forward to seeing you from 4:00-5:00.

    There will be munchkins and sparkling cider to celebrate.

    And of course, a chance to vote for having sour cream or applesauce with your latkes!

    I will also have some of the original paintings with me.

    See you soon!

  • More Fantastic Reviews of Dragon’s Hanukkah

    More Fantastic Reviews of Dragon’s Hanukkah

    Here are some more reviews of Dragon’s Hanukkah

    Dragon’s Hanukkah

    It’s Hanukkah, and Dragon is helping his family celebrate.

    Have you ever made latkes or played dreidel? Come join the fun as Dragon makes latkes and lights the menorah. Then play the dreidel game and see where it lands!

    Elisabeth Lang

    5.0 out of 5 stars 

    A happy story and includes the recipe to make latkes together – recommend

    Loved the sweet drawings and the inclusion of the recipe, so can use with the book to make latkes together. A happy story on building family traditions.

    Ruth Glick

    5.0 out of 5 stars 

    Charming Hanukkah Guide

    A little dragon takes us on a charming journey through the fun and serious aspects of the Hanukkah holiday. I loved the author’s appealing drawings and I was glad to have her recipe for the potato latkes at the end of the story. If you want to have your own Hanukkah celebration, this picture book tells you everything you need to know.

  • Come to the Shuk December 7, 2027

    Come to the Shuk December 7, 2027

    Looking for a great holiday gift?

    Come to the Hanukkah Shuk at Temple Isaiah

    I’ll be there with my books, jam, and other fun stuff

    December 7, 2027

    9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

    12200 Scaggsville Rd.

    Fulton, MD 20759

    Dragon’s Hanukkah

    It’s Hanukkah, and Dragon is helping his family celebrate.

    Have you ever made latkes or played dreidel? Come join the fun as Dragon makes latkes and lights the menorah. Then play the dreidel game and see where it lands!

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    HUMMINGBIRD

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

    One step toward understanding.

    One stride toward survival.

    One leap toward flying free from the past.

    MARK OF THE GODDESS

    Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.

    Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • Introducing……

    Introducing……

    Dragon’s Hanukkah!

    It’s Hanukkah, and Dragon is helping his family celebrate.

    Have you ever made latkes or played dreidel? Come join the fun as Dragon makes latkes and lights the menorah. Then play the dreidel game and see where it lands!

    I had a great time not only writing this little story, but illustrating it with watercolors as well.

    Get your copy of Dragon’s Hanukkah here!

  • Here is another hint

    Here is another hint

    Put the pieces together.

  • Looking for something to do November 23rd?

    Looking for something to do November 23rd?

    Come to Books and Brews

    Union Craft Brewery

    1700 W 41st St #420

    Baltimore, MD 21211

    Over 18 wonderful local authors!

    Grab a drink and buy some books.

    Or a bite to eat from Carroll and Son Fine Foods.

    I’ll be there with books and fig jam.

    Both make excellent gifts.