Who Is Mistral Dawn?

Mistral Dawn is a thirty-something gal who has lived on both coasts of the US but somehow never in the middle. She currently resides in the Southeast US with her kitty cats (please spay or neuter! :-)) where she works as a hospital drudge and attends graduate school. Taken By The Huntsman is her first effort at writing fiction and if it is well received she has ideas for several more novels and short-stories in this series. Please feel free to visit her on FaceBook or drop her a line at mistralkdawn@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 402


Hey Everyone! :-)

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal


Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)
Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Four-Hundred-Two:
My hominid-servant has recently installed a tree on the inside of my domicile. I find this choice to be decidedly odd, however, I do admit to enjoying the opportunity to explore at least one example of local flora in minute detail. Unfortunately, my hominid-servant does not seem to understand the opportunity presented by this tree.  Every time I climb up into the branches to more closely examine the structures of the plant, she exclaims quite loudly and chases me away from the tree.

I am further frustrated by the fact that, instead of transplanting the tree with its root system intact, she has instead chosen to cut the tree near its base and place it in a container of water to extend the amount of time it remains fresh. However, the tree is still undeniably dead and it is just a matter of how long it will take for the corpse to decay. Which, of course, impacts the validity of any observations I may manage to make despite my hominid-servant's interference.

To make matters worse, all of the flora and fauna that normally colonize a living structure as large as a tree have, for the most part, been removed. Oh, there are some, small areas where lichens still grow on the trunk and branches of the tree. And I have certainly made records of those areas and continue to monitor them. But, for the most part, the tree makes for disappointing study. I do not know if my hominid-servant intended the tree to be compensation for her refusal to facilitate my out-of-doors explorations but, if so, I must say that her efforts have fallen flat.

Poor Agent Thoth. Hominids can be so unreasonable. ;-)  You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. ;-)  Happy reading, everyone!


Tuesday, November 29, 2016

#Mysteries, Bargains, And #Secrets, Oh My! ;-)


Hey Everyone!

I'm back with another look at what Petri is up to. Take a look... :-)

Excerpt from book two of the Petri Dish Chronicles:
Petri opened her eyes to the same stark, white room she had spent so much time with the Arcanum in, but right away she knew she was dreaming. The dimensions of the room had changed considerably and the space around her seemed to go on forever; an endless sea of glowing whiteness. She turned around, trying to find a reference point; anything in that empty space that would let her know why she was there and what was going on. But there was nothing.


As she completed her circuit, the lead Arcanum appeared before her. It was alone, but she could feel the pressure of the Collective surrounding them. Watching them.

"What's going on?"

"You shut me out of your mind, child, this is the only way I can reach you."

"What do you mean?"

"You would not let me past your shields, and I did not want to risk damaging your mind by forcing my way through them. This is easier."

"I don't understand. I told you I wanted to sleep."

"Yes. It is easier to access your memories while you rest."

She could sense the alien testing the edges of her barriers.

"It should be easier, but your defenses are still in place." It cocked its head and seemed to regard her quizzically. "You should not even be aware of my presence. Odd. You are a conundrum, child."

"I told you I don't want you sifting through my mind without my permission. Would you let me do that to you?"

"You are being impertinent, child."

Petri just lifted her eyebrows. She could feel it when the Arcanum reached out to the rest of the Collective and wondered if she had made a mistake.

As if in answer to her silent fears, the Arcanum continued, "Many in the Collective wish to make an example of one of your pets to gain your compliance."

Petri tensed, but the Arcanum held up a hand before she could respond.

"I feel this would be counterproductive, and they are willing to bow to my greater experience associating with you. I have seen some of your memories and understand that much of your life has been spent making transactions with others. Since that is what you are familiar with, I will attempt to find common ground with you that way. I wish to access your memories, what would you ask in return for granting me such access?"

Astonished, Petri chewed on her lip as she considered. "Let my friends go?" she tried.

"I understand enough of these transactions to know that it must be something of equal value. That is not."

"I don't want you just wandering through my mind wherever you feel like it. That's a pretty damn big thing to me."

The Arcanum seemed to consider. "There is specific information I wish to gain from your memories. I could explain my needs and you could provide me with the memories that contain that information."

"Why not just ask me questions and let me answer them?"

"Because I want to see the memories for myself. I do not want them filtered through your perception of what is important from them; I want to see the entire experience."

Petri thought about it. "What memories."

"Your interactions with the being called 'Vlad.' I wish to understand what this being is and what occurred during your interaction with it."

"I don't know what he is."

"Which is one of many reasons why I wish to see the memories for myself."

Chewing her lip, Petri stared at the Arcanum. "Why do you want to know about him?"

"Several reasons. This being may be the answer to a problem."

"What problem? What aren't you telling me?"

"There are many things I have yet to share with you, child. Some you would not understand, some would not be relevant to you, and some I am not certain you are ready for."

"You evaded my question. You've been hiding something important from me, I can tell. I want to know what it is."

"And that is the price you would ask for opening your mind to me?"

Petri shook her head and smiled. "It's the price I ask for sharing my memories of Vlad with you."
She got the feeling that the Arcanum was both amused and grudgingly approving at her correction. It was quiet for several moments and she could feel it as it reached out to the other Arcanum. What that communication contained wasn't clear to her, but she didn't want to lower her barriers in order to hear it better.

After several minutes, the Arcanum's eyes brightened and it said, "The bargain is acceptable. We have an agreement."

"So do I need to wake up, then?"

"There is no need. Make yourself comfortable, child. I will tell you a story."

Startled at the familiar turn of phrase, Petri regarded the Arcanum suspiciously as she settled herself onto the floor with her legs crossed over each other. Had it heard that expression in her mind?

Seemingly oblivious to her suspicion, the Arcanum spoke. 

Hmm... Seems like some secrets are about to be revealed. I wonder what they are. ;-)  Thank you all for stopping by today, I hope you enjoyed this little peek and that you'll check back tomorrow to see whats new in Mistral Dawn's Musings. Have a fantastic day! :-)


Monday, November 28, 2016

Something Worth Watching?



Hey Everyone!!

I'm back with another video for you today.  This one is from the Jimmy Dore show and it focuses on a speech by Harry Belafonte and his thoughts about US politics and the Democratic Party, in particular. It's a moving speech that references several notable figures in American political history, people who fought for, and achieved, real and meaningful change.  One thing that really stood out to me was his description of a meeting with FDR that highlights how vital it is that The People make their voices heard through activism in order to push politicians into action. I found it to be a powerful reminder about the real seat of power in this country, and I definitely think it's worth listening to.



Sunday, November 27, 2016

#CoverReveal: The Secret King: First Contact By Dawn Chapman!



Genre: Science fiction thrilling adventure 

Book Description FIRST CONTACT.

With their journey from planet Letháo fraught with peril, the Aonise finally arrive at what they hope will be a new home. Earth offers a new start for the displaced race, and Kendro, King of the Aonise, desperately seeks a peaceful end to their voyage. However, once they make first contact, not all is as expected. Some humans are not as welcoming to the alien species, and their resettlement onto Earth is faced with resistance from splinter groups determined to drive the Aonise away from their planet. Coupled with internal strife, can Kendro appease all, or will greater misfortunes come to pass?

Excerpt

A loud ringing echoed through the house. Prime Minister Robert Walker bolted upright. His wife, Christine, still slept, her chest rising and falling in even breaths. Is that… the...
His heart pounded in his chest, as the ringing stopped. Silence. No…
Glancing at Christine, he let out a breath seeing she hadn’t stirred. The chemo from yesterday had wiped her out. They were trying to rest, and now, he was terrified what little rest they’d had at their country holiday home would be ruined. As the phone rang again, Walker threw the covers off, and reached out for it. Damn, this will wake her.
Monday, 23rd Sept 2041 – 1:14 AM flashed on his clock.
Picking up his phone. Walker hit answer, and slid out of the warm bed into the cooler air of their hallway.
“Hello.”
Christine murmured, turning over, and searching blindly in the bed for him.
“Robert?” The Chief of Defence’s adrenaline-pumped voice almost screamed across the line. Walker listened to words he never thought he’d hear. “We’re at Threat Level Critical. A copter is on its way. Suffok will meet you at the nearest hotel conference room.”
What? Critical? The UK hadn’t issued critical status ever. What on Earth is going on?
“I’ll be right there.” Then, Walker thought of Christine. He couldn’t leave her alone. Not tonight. Phoning his sister-in-law, he asked her to come over and stay with Christine.
There were highly trained nurses stationed in the house, but they weren’t family. Guilt clutched as his conscience, as he headed back to the bedroom and dressed.
Christine had settled back, and he perched on the end of the bed, stroking the back of her head. “I’ve got to go out. Ani is on her way. She’ll stay with you tonight.”
His wife turned to face him. “At this hour, seriously?” The annoyance on her pale face and bloodshot eyes spooked him.
Walker sighed. Christine knew his job came before lots of things. “I’ll see you for dinner.” He kissed his wife gently on the forehead.
Christine didn’t respond. She turned her head away from him. Concern filled him, as he gave her one last look before hurrying to the door. He had no way of knowing if he would be home for dinner today, or next week.



About the Author

Dawn Chapman has been creating sci fi and fantasy stories for thirty years. Until 2005 when her life and attention turned to scripts, and she started work on The Secret King, a 13-episode Sci Fi TV series, with great passion for this medium.

In 2010, Dawn returned to her first love of prose. She’s been working with coach EJ Runyon who's encouraged her away from fast paced script writing, to revel in the world of TSK and Letháo as an epic prose space journey.
Dawn has also had success with a web series, co-written with 'Melvin Johnson', produced by Nandar Entertainment.
This year her experience of working with Producers/Directors from the US and AUS has expanded. From Drama, Sci Fi to Action, Dawn's built a portfolio of writing, consulting and publishing.



Books by Dawn Chapman

The Secret King, Lethao  
The Secret King Lethao – audio book
The Truth Hurts –  novella audio book
Bree’s results – novella audio book
https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Chapman/e/B014A0RUBC


Coming soon

First Contact book 2 of The Secret King scifi series - Release 20/12/2016

The Secret King – anthology TBA


How to find Dawn Chapman

Face book fan page -
https://www.facebook.com/TheSecretKing
Twitter TSK - https://twitter.com/
Twitter Dawn Chapman - https://twitter.com/kanundra



Saturday, November 26, 2016

Rudolph's #Reads #Holiday #Giveaway! $120 #Cash #Grand #Prize! #Free To #Enter!


Hey Everyone!! :-)

There's a new giveaway for the holiday season!  Please take a moment to check out Rudolph's Reads Holiday Giveaway!!  There are lots of awesome books and prizes!! :-)  It's free to enter, there are over 100 prizes, and the grand prize is $120 cash payable through PayPal!! :-)  Now isn't that worth taking a few minutes to check out? ;-)   Here are all the details:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  And don't forget to check back tomorrow for the next installment of Mistral Dawn's Musings! :-)





Friday, November 25, 2016

5 #Star #Review From #Paranormal #Romance #Guild For #Captivated By The #Winter #King!



Hey Everyone!! :-)

Guess what?!?  Captivated By The Winter King earned a five-star review from the Paranormal Romance Guild!! :-)  Check it out here:


Pretty cool, right? ;-)  If you'd like a peek at the story that earned that review, keep reading below. :-)

Excerpt from Captivated By The Winter King:
Kate opened her eyes, confused about where she was. Looking around, she saw the remnants of a fire glowing in the fireplace and a large expanse of well-muscled chest. Raising her eyes, she saw Ankou's face still relaxed in sleep and the memories of the night before came back to her.

They had started her recitation of her history on opposite ends of the sofa, but when she told him about the first time Erik beat her she hadn't been able to control her tears. Ankou had moved closer to comfort her, and it had felt so good she hadn't moved away. Somehow, the horror of the past few years seemed more distant when she was in his arms. She didn't remember falling asleep, but it seemed they both had.

Thinking about that, Kate realized she wasn't upset about it. It was nice to wake up next to someone and not be afraid. And she wasn't. It took her a moment's reflection, but she determined that she felt relaxed and content. The absence of fear in another person's presence was a heady sensation, and it made her feel bold.

For a long time, she had craved a connection with another person. She had always wanted to be close to someone who would stand by her and love her for who she was. Such a relationship had eluded her for her entire life, but she still yearned for it with a desperation that often left her breathless. Her doubts lingered, but she hoped that Ankou might be that person for her. He claimed they were soulmates. Did a deeper understanding of another person exist? Maybe, finally, she had found someone she could trust.

Ankou's full lips were just out of her reach, but by stretching just a little bit she could meet them with her own. Did she want to? Did she have the courage? Her desire for touch and affection burned within her, and she decided the answer to both questions was yes. Reaching up, she grazed his mouth with her lips and inhaled his scent. He smelled sweet and spicy at the same time.

Feeling warm and relaxed, Ankou came awake to find his Anamchara's mouth hovering over his own. He waited to see what she would do, not wanting to rush her to do more than she was ready for. When her eyes met his, he saw the question in them and silently gave her consent to proceed if she wished; leaving the decision in her hands. The moment she made up her mind, her lips met his in a gentle caress and he groaned his approval.

The teasing brushes of her mouth against his caused his body to react, and he was aware of every point of contact between them with painful acuity. The feel of her lying against him, her body melting into his, made him want to tear the clothes from her and explore every inch of her delectable form with his tongue. But he knew he couldn't do that. If anything had been made clear during Kate's description of her relationship with the odious human male who had tried to claim her, it was that this woman needed to know her needs would be considered and her limits respected. A precipitous coupling would not give her that reassurance. So he would be patient and proceed at her pace.

The gentle butterfly kisses she gave him progressed to soft nips and firmer contact between their mouths. After some hesitation, she eased her tongue between his lips and he met it with his own. As their kissing deepened, she began to run her hands experimentally over his body. He mirrored her actions; careful only to follow where she led. In time, his patience was rewarded as she moaned in satisfaction and shifted so that the contact between their bodies increased.

Changing the angle at which his thigh lay, he pressed it between her legs and was delighted when she rubbed herself against it. She slid her hands under his tunic, and he shivered as her slender fingers teased his nipples. Moving so as to be able to raise his shirt higher, she was thwarted when it caught under his body. Ankou moaned in ecstasy and shifted in an effort to make it easier for her to remove his clothing.



Thursday, November 24, 2016

#APC #Spotlight: Crimson #Kisses On A Cold #Winter's Night By Raven Blackburn!


Hey Everyone!! :-)

Today, I've got Raven Blackburn in my APC spotlight!  Raven is an active and supportive member of  the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and her paranormal romance novel, Crimson Kisses On A Cold Winter's Night, looks intriguing! Here's the description:
Two lonely souls come together on a cold winter's night - one a hungry vampire, the other a lovely redhead with a dark secret.
If you think it sounds as interesting as I do, you can grab your copy here:


Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)



Wednesday, November 23, 2016

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 398


Hey Everyone! :-)

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal


Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)
Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Three-Hundred-Ninety-Eight:
My hominid-servant has taken to wearing coverings on her feet that I find quite distracting. These foot-coverings have large, fuzzy ornaments on the front of them that bob and dance as she walks. The movement of these ornaments causes an overwhelming need in me to chase and pounce on them.

This would not be a problem, except that my hominid-servant vociferously objects when I engage in this activity. She has even gone so far as to push me away from her and pound her feet against the floor of the domicile when she notices that her foot-covering ornaments have caught my attention once again.

Every attempt I have made to explain the situation to her and persuade her to either discontinue the use of these foot-coverings or accept my need to dismember these ornaments has met with stubborn misunderstanding on her part. I have to believe that her refusal to understand is purposeful because at other times she seems quite astute, so I know that she is intelligent enough to grasp clear attempts at communication. As evidence of this, she has even taken to hiding her tempting foot-coverings in a small room when she is not wearing them and obstructing my access to them by closing the door to the room, which of course has a handle that I am unable to manipulate.

This deliberate lack of comprehension seems to be the strategy she uses anytime she wishes to avoid a topic, which is something I find both frustrating and endearing. This reaction on my part concerns me, as it does not seem entirely rational. Perhaps my own psychological equilibrium is being affected by my association with the hominids.

*sigh* I can resist anything but temptation too, Agent Thoth. ;-)  You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. ;-)  Happy reading, everyone!


Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Something Worth Watching?



Hey Everyone!

I'm back with another video I think you all should see. This one is from the Lakota Standing Rock Tribe's vigil over where the Dakota Access Pipeline is desecrating their land, destroying their ancestral burial grounds, and threatening to pollute the water they drink.  Journalist, Erin Schrode, was interviewing one of the water protectors when she was shot by police with a rubber bullet.

This is something we should all be concerned about for several reasons. First, it's a blatant attack on our First Amendment rights to free speech, freedom to assemble, and free press.  For months, the Energy Transfer Partners corporation has been ignoring US laws and trampling the rights of US citizens. And they've been doing this with the aid and support of the police and the corrupt North Dakota state government.  What's worse, the institution which is supposed to curb such abuses, the Federal government, has been largely silent and at times supportive of these outrages.

Now, before anyone jumps in with Trump this or Trump that, yeah, I'm sure he won't do anything to make it better. But, right now, and through this whole thing up to now, it has been President Obama at the helm, and he has done jack shit to help these people. Why?  Because he's been bought and paid for by the same corporations who are backing the pipeline.  And that, my angry friends, is a large part of why Trump was elected.

Since pictures are worth a thousand words, I'll let the video speak for itself from here on out. But I do hope you'll consider what this means for the future. Because if the government allows corporations to take away the rights of these citizens now, what makes you think you won't be next?




Monday, November 21, 2016

#Fantasy #Worlds #eMag #November2016!


Hey Everyone!! :-)

Fantasy Worlds eMag is back this month with a new and final issue chocked full of free stories, articles, reviews, fantasy art, and more!! And guess what? Agent Thoth is back and you can get an advance peek at what will be posting in the next couple weeks on this blog! ;-)  I hope you'll take a few moments to download and enjoy this awesome magazine! You can find it here:


You might even find a surprise or two! ;-)  Happy reading!

Sunday, November 20, 2016

What Is #Patriotism?



Hey Everyone!!

I've been hearing from a lot of people that it's my "patriotic duty" to support President-elect Trump, to keep my mouth shut if I don't agree with him or his policies, and to bow to the authority of the government. Well, guess what? I'm an American citizen, and it is absolutely not my "duty," patriotic or otherwise, to do any such thing.  Don't believe me?  How about the Founding Fathers, will you believe them?  Here's what they had to say on the subject:

“For true patriots to be silent, is dangerous.”—Samuel Adams

"It is the duty of the patriot to protect its country from its government."—Thomas Paine

“If ever the time should come, when vain & aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.”—Samuel Adams

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."—Thomas Jefferson

"It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority."—Benjamin Franklin

“Equal laws protecting equal rights—the best guarantee of loyalty and love of country.”—James Madison

"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."—George Washington

"When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."—Thomas Jefferson

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."— Benjamin Franklin

"Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day."—Thomas Jefferson


And that's just a few. If you think I'm wrong, try reading some of the writings of the Founding Fathers. These were men who took up arms against their "lawful" ruler and created a new country, a new government, after burning the old one to the ground.  These were radicals. Literally, they were revolutionaries. 

I'm certainly not saying the Founding Fathers were right about everything. Historical perspective illustrates some rather glaring examples -- slavery, for one -- that they were simply dead-wrong about.  But as far as who they would consider a patriot, it would certainly not be the people who bow to authority and remain silent about their dissent.

So, what does this mean for us?  Well, first, I'll be clear that I don't think violent resistance is the answer. Things have changed quite a bit in the last 240 years, or so, and violent protest is generally more harmful than helpful to a cause now.  What I do believe in, quite strongly, is exactly what those quotes advocate for. Educate yourself, become involved in the process, and speak up if you have something to say.

Part of speaking up might involve non-violent protests, demonstrations, and civil disobedience. It might involve running for public office, supporting political candidates you agree with either through donations or volunteer efforts, writing articles, giving speeches, blogging, vlogging, discussing your thoughts with friends and family, boycotting companies and institutions that engage in practices you disagree with, becoming involved with political organizations that support or oppose specific issues, etc.

As you see, there are lots of ways to become involved.  I'm not going to tell you what to think or do, that would be exceedingly un-American.  But I will say that if you want to be effective at whatever it is you do end up doing, then you need to make sure you have your facts straight, that the "facts" you learn come from sources that can be relied upon -- not just that you agree with the sources but that they are reliable and base their information on reality, sometimes the best place to learn about a person or issue is from their enemies -- and that you understand the issues you support or oppose thoroughly.  You also need to understand the opposition's point of view and their reasoning, if you hope to have any success at convincing them that your side has merit.  And that all comes back to education.

So, what is patriotism?  Patriotism is being informed and engaged. It's standing up for what you believe is right, no matter what anyone else says or thinks about it. And it's giving everyone else room to do the same.  That doesn't mean you don't challenge ideas you disagree with, but it does mean you don't attempt to prevent others from speaking just because you don't agree with them.  Discussion, debate, and even argument, is patriotic. Censorship is not.

That last is not easy.  It takes quite a bit of self-control and faith in one's own convictions to be able to tolerate people who you disagree with vehemently being allowed to take the mic and make their arguments. But it's vital to do so if you want to maintain a free and open society. Remember, if freedoms can be curtailed for others, they can be curtailed for you too. The only way to truly be free is if everyone is allowed to be free.

In fact, nothing about patriotism is easy.  It requires time, effort, determination, and constant vigilance against complacency and apathy. It isn't possible to be weak or lazy and remain patriotic.  Now, the question you have to ask yourself is, do you have the strength and stamina to be a patriot?  Here's hoping we all do.



Saturday, November 19, 2016

Rudolph's #Reads #Holiday #Giveaway! $120 #Cash #Grand #Prize! #Free To #Enter!


Hey Everyone!! :-)

There's a new giveaway for the holiday season!  Please take a moment to check out Rudolph's Reads Holiday Giveaway!!  There are lots of awesome books and prizes!! :-)  It's free to enter, there are over 100 prizes, and the grand prize is $120 cash payable through PayPal!! :-)  Now isn't that worth taking a few minutes to check out? ;-)   Here are all the details:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  And don't forget to check back tomorrow for the next installment of Mistral Dawn's Musings! :-)





Friday, November 18, 2016

#November2016 #IndieBooksBeSeen #Indie #Author #Books #Monthly #BookReview!


Hey Everyone!! :-)

It's the 18th again and you know what that means! :-)  It's time for my monthly #IndieBooksBeSeen indie author book review! Enjoy! :-)

Snowburn by EJ Frost:

Hale Hauser (aka. Sandringham Snow), a freelance pilot and smuggler, and Kez, a runner who never ditches a job, no matter how hard or messy it gets, are two people who have been beat up by life. Experience has taught them both that other people can't be trusted, and the only way to survive is to look out for number one.  But emotions don't always listen to reason and logic, and it doesn't take long for these two to figure out that neither one of them wants to be alone anymore. But the rest of the universe doesn't become a kinder, gentler place just because a couple of lonely nobodies find love. And the question they both end up having to answer is how much is each of them willing to sacrifice to keep the other?

I really liked this book. It's reminiscent of the Riddick movies, with a dark, gritty world and hard-bitten, cynical characters. The world-building is rich and detailed to the point where I was pretty sure I could smell the spicy, fried seaweed that is such a favorite of the main characters and feel the soft fur of Kez's bunnies. Snow is a great misunderstood bad boy who's really a good guy with a hard exterior. Kez is an interesting character with enough backstory and history to make her seem real.  Both main characters are secretive, so it takes a while to get to know them, but the journey is worth it and the plot moves forward steadily throughout the book.  This isn't a fast read, characters this complex take time to develop and there are a few twists and turns in the plot that need to be explored, but it is a fun read and well worth the time. Five stars, and I really hope there will be a book two! :-)



Vigilante Annie Scarlotte by Robert Kimbrell:

What would you do if you found yourself with an uncontrollable need for blood? A need so great that you would die if you didn't consume the blood of others? And, compounding your problem, you have to drink so much blood, your victim won't survive. So what's a girl to do? Why, feed on those who deserve to die, of course! And that's just what our heroine, Annie Scarlotte, does.

I had mixed feelings about this book. There are a lot of familiar themes, such as the feeding on evil doers a la Anne Rice, and the inevitable death of victims. Granted, the vampire trope has been explored ad nauseum, so it's hard to come up with completely new material, but there were things in this story that I thought had been done before by others and better. For instance, why couldn't the heroine drink a little blood from multiple people, thereby gaining the ability to feed without killing? This is only the first installment of the story, so these questions may be answered later, but this book left them hanging.

Still, the relationship between Annie and her love interest, Marcus, was interesting. There was an entertaining dynamic between the two of them that I think has the potential to become even better as the story progresses. Also, the spin the author put on who was deserving of his vigilante's special brand of attention was interesting. There is a strong theme of Libertarianism that runs throughout the story, which I find a bit nonsensical. But, hey, it's a vampire novel, a little nonsense and the need for the suspension of disbelief is to be expected. And the twist it lends to who the villains are in this piece is fun. Overall, it was a quick, entertaining read.





Thursday, November 17, 2016

#APC #Spotlight: If #Wishes Were #Horses... By Tim Hemlin!


Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got Tim Hemlin in my APC spotlight, today!  Tim and his wife, Valerie, are active and supportive members of  the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and Tim's cozy, mystery thriller novel, If Wishes Were Horses..., looks pretty good! Here's the description:
Book 1 in the Neil Marshall Mystery novel series -- Murder, Betrayal and Illegal Horse Breeding -- Neil Marshall is a graduate student in the University of Houston's creative writing program and a promising young poet facing a financially and emotionally draining divorce. So, to make ends meet, Neil works as a chef for a high-society caterer.
Just when Neil's life seems bleakest, his oldest friend, racehorse breeder Jason Keys, is murdered. And Neil becomes the prime suspect. To avenge his friend, clear his name, and rescue a missing championship thoroughbred, Neil infiltrates the dark underworld of horse theft and illegal breeding. Neil's friends — his attractive writing teacher, his cooking colleagues, and a freckle-faced teenage horsewoman — offer their support. But their cheers quickly turn to gasps when Neil becomes the hunted.
Sounds pretty interesting, huh? :-) If you agree, go ahead and grab your copy here:


Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)



Wednesday, November 16, 2016

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 384


Hey Everyone! :-)

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal


Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)
Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Three-Hundred-Eighty-Four:
I have found that there are instances during my hominid-servant's sleep-cycle when the time seems to drag. Clearly, this is a purely psychological phenomenon, but it still makes my assignment on this planet difficult to endure at times. I believe this challenge could be solved if my hominid-servant slept in shorter, more frequent intervals, as any civilized being does, since it would enable her to help keep me occupied.

To assist her towards this goal, I sometimes undertake to wake her up multiple times during her sleep-cycle. This can be quite challenging, as she does not seem to appreciate my assistance in this matter. In fact, she sometimes becomes quite hostile and raises her voice when addressing me!

I have attempted to curb these outbursts by sitting on her head and engaging the P.U.R.R., but for some reason the P.U.R.R. seems less effective in these circumstances. I would have thought that obstructing her access to oxygen in conjunction with the soothing effects of the P.U.R.R. would have a pacifying effect, but apparently hominids do not respond well to this combination.

In spite of the difficulties I have encountered with this experiment, it at least has the advantage of keeping me entertained when the domicile is otherwise too quiet. I will continue my studies in this area and report on my findings as the data comes in.


Ha! I know this hominid doesn't respond well to such tactics ;-)  Okay, it looks like the results are in and Agent Thoth is a gray/silver tabby Maine Coon. I'll be looking for a picture that fits and once I find one I'll change the picture at the top of these posts. So be looking for that change to happen soon! ;-)  Happy reading!


Tuesday, November 15, 2016

What Makes People Do The Things They Do?


Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back today with another peek at what Petri is up to.  Take a look. :-)

Excerpt from Book Two of the Petri Dish Chronicles:
"This is an individual mind meld?"

"It is one form that such a meld might take. Melds can occur at multiple levels with differing amounts of intimacy. This is the most superficial form of a meld and can be used if you do not wish to engage with another a deeper level."

"Why?"

"Why, what, child?"

"Why meld like this? The melding in the ocean seemed faster and easier."

"In the collective, all individuals maintain a certain amount of shielding. You did not do so, because you did not know how. But the others did, and their shields protected you. It is only with individual melds or melds between a few selected individuals that all shielding might be dropped. As I said, it is a form of intimacy, and so only done with those one trusts and wishes to be intimate with."

"You mean, like sex?"

"The copulation activities of inferior creatures do not approach the intimacy of a deep meld."

Petri could hear the disgust that tinged the Arcanum's mind at the thought and she was struck by a startling idea. "Do you not have sex?"

"Arcanum reproduction does not require copulation."

"Having kids isn't the only reason to have sex."

"Since we reproduce asexually, we do not possess the anatomy to allow sexual contact."

Distain dripped from the Arcanum's tone, and Petri found herself getting annoyed. "Then if you've never done it, how do you know how intimate it is?"

 "I have spent thousands of years observing the behavior of lesser creatures, including their incomprehensible preoccupation with copulation. I have also sampled your mind and have noted several occasions when such activities were entirely impersonal for you."

When the meaning of the alien's words hit her, Petri gasped. It was all she could do to keep from slamming closed the opening she had made in her barrier. "You rifled through my memories?" she screeched.

"I have examined some of them, not all of them. Why does this surprise you?"

"How dare you rummage through my past without my permission?"

"You were created, in part, so that the Collective could benefit from the unique perspective of individuals who have lived among the inferior creatures. Why would I not take advantage of the opportunity to do so?"

Breathing hard, Petri fought with the rage that threatened to overwhelm her. "Stay. Out. Of My. Memories!" she bit out. She felt the amusement that answered her demand, which only made her angrier. But before she could think of something scathing enough to say, the Arcanum spoke again.

"If you don't consider melding to be an intimate experience, why do my actions trouble you so much?"

"I didn't say it wasn't intimate," Petri growled. "I just said that sex is intimate too."

The Arcanum withdrew from her mind a bit, and Petri tried to get her feelings under control. She could feel the alien turning her words over in its mind; she thought it might be considering what she had said.

 "Perhaps, child, though your own experiences indicate this is not always the case. But perhaps copulation has more than biological implications, at times. It would explain why some of the lesser creatures form deeper attachments to those they copulate with frequently, even when their efforts fail to produce offspring. It is an interesting hypothesis and warrants testing."

The way the Arcanum said that gave Petri pause. "What do you mean that it warrants testing? What are you going to do?"

"All hypotheses must be tested, child. It is only through study that one can understand the universe and all its workings."

"Are you going to hurt someone?"


Hmmm...  It seems like Petri is finding out how much a person's experiences color their world view, and that when people have very different experiences in life, they may have very different ideas about how the world works. And that those who think differently than us often arrive at conclusions we don't agree with, even when operating with the same set of information.  Which sometimes results in dangerous actions being taken.  And that's something it wouldn't hurt us all to remember. ;-)

Thank you all for stopping by today, and don't forget to check back tomorrow for another edition of Mistral Dawn's Musings!! :-)


Monday, November 14, 2016

Something Worth Watching?


Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back with another video today. And, for once, it has absolutely nothing to do with politics whatsoever...at least not politics on Earth. ;-)  Instead, it's me indulging my inner nerd. I hope you find it as funny as I do! :-)



See, told you it wasn't political. ;-)  Have a fantastic day, everyone, and don't forget to check back tomorrow for the next installment in Mistral Dawn's Musings! :-)



Sunday, November 13, 2016

Why Did This Happen And What Do We Do About It?



Okay, this post will probably piss off about 75% of the people who read it. So, if you don't want to risk being offended, my advice to you is to stop reading now. Because Trump hasn't yet managed to repeal the First Amendment, and I'm about to exercise my right to speak freely. If you do read it and feel compelled to respond in the comments, go ahead. If your response is to challenge my assertions, assumptions, or analysis of the issues, I'll happily take up the gauntlet. If you follow my blog at all, you know that I'm not the least bit shy about engaging in political debate. If your response is to name-call and hurl insults, I'll ignore you. Fair warning.

For the last couple of days, I've been seeing a lot of posts and articles about how Trump's victory is due to White Supremacy making its last gasp. That it is only due to rampant racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and other forms of bigotry that Trump has won. Well, that's not entirely true. Oh, Trump, himself, is certainly a bigot. Either that, or he's a supremely talented method actor who plays one on TV. And, uh, yeah, that last was sarcasm. Trump is a bigot, no argument. And there are certainly plenty of people who are also bigots who voted for him because of his bigotry. Hell, he was endorsed by the largest, most successful, racially motivated, domestic terrorist group in United States history, the KKK. To say that some people supported him because of his and their shared bigotry is just stating the obvious.  But there are also plenty of people who aren't bigots who voted for him. And that fact seems to be largely ignored by some people.

Now, are the people who voted for him who aren't bigots more comfortable with and tolerant of bigotry in others than is healthy for an inclusive society? Yeah, a lot of them probably are, but that's a separate problem and a different discussion for another day. The point of this post is, there's another issue here, and ignoring it won't make it go away.

The other issue is Neoliberalism and Neoconservatism and the havoc they have wreaked on this country for the last 35 years. No one who has taken even a cursory look at the data can argue that a massive shift in wealth has taken place since the early 1980s, and that all that money has been going to those at the top of the socioeconomic ladder. Why? Because Neoliberal and Neoconservative economic policies -- which are astonishingly similar, by the way -- don't work for creating a healthy economy or a strong middle class. The only thing they work for is to concentrate all the money in the hands of the already rich.

After 35 years of these policies, the middle class in this country is hurting. And when people are in pain, they tend to get angry at anyone they think is causing that pain. Now, begin the primaries for the 2016 Presidential Election, and you've got anti-establishment wild cards on both sides of the aisle. On the left, you've got Bernie Sanders, a self-proclaimed social democrat who has been fighting the establishment and corruption since he was arrested with Civil Rights protestors in the '60s. And, on the right, you've got Donald Trump, a draft-dodging multimillionaire who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but who talks a good game.

Both of these candidates took on the might of the establishment and faced other candidates who were beloved by that establishment. Both had more success in their bid for the nomination than anyone, even themselves, could have possibly predicted. But, ultimately, the Democratic Party establishment proved to be better cheaters than the Republican establishment, and it was only Donald Trump who secured his party's nomination. Much to the chagrin of the party's leadership.

Now, enter Hillary Clinton, the ultimate establishment insider, who embodies everything that many people in this country hate about our political system. To be fair, she's not solely responsible for the state of affairs in this country, there are many, many others who share the blame, but she certainly became a symbol of all that is wrong in this country.

And, after the wide-spread cheating and election fraud committed by the DNC on her behalf, what did Hillary Clinton do? With her entire progressive base and all the other Independents who had flocked to Sanders, because of his refreshing brand of populism and honesty, up in arms over the fact that Bernie Sanders, their special darling, had not been given a fair shot at the nomination, Hillary turned her back on them and told them to eat shit, smile, kiss her ass, and say, "Thank you, m'lady, for your generosity." Surprise, surprise, they didn't like that too much.

So, what did all these angry, hurting people do? They told her, "You first!" and went to find their own solutions. Some of them went to Jill Stein, some of them went to Gary Johnson, some of them went to Trump, and a large majority of them said, "Fuck this shit, I'm not going to waste my time voting." And why did all these people think that voting didn't matter? Could it possibly be because the DNC proved to them during the primary that their votes didn't matter because the system was rigged against them?

Now, all the people who aren't bigots who voted for Trump, they were just practicing the Golden Rule of capitalism, "Look to thine own ass, first." To them, Trump represented a way to buck the establishment, which they hate, and he said he'd put a stop to the trade deals and outsourcing that have landed them in poverty.

Because, as much as the Democrats love to point at how many jobs have been created under Obama, they always seem to conveniently forget the fact that those jobs are not an equal trade for the jobs that have been lost under the Neoliberals and Neoconservatives. And Obama is a Neoliberal, which is why he's been pushing the TPP so hard.

The jobs Obama has "created" are mainly low-paying, service jobs, many of them part-time and/or temporary. People need three of these jobs just to keep a roof over their heads, and a lot of them still have to decide between putting food on the table or buying the medicine their kid needs. The jobs Trump promised to bring back are well-paying, manufacturing jobs that people can depend on and support a family with. So, like the good little capitalists they're supposed to be, a lot of people said, "Fuck it. I know he's a douche who will hurt others, but I'm not on his list and he'll help me get mine back." Which brings me to the part that's going to piss off the other segment of the people who are reading this.

If you voted for Trump and you're a bigot, then, yep, he's your candidate. Congratulations on being a despicable human being, you and Trump deserve each other. If you voted for Trump and you're not a bigot, well, m'dears, you've done been took! How could you, even for one moment, imagine that a man who calls a million dollars a "small loan," who outsources the labor to manufacture his own products, and whose tax plan is the same tired, trickle-down Reaganomics bullshit that helped create the problem in the first place could possibly have any intention of helping you out? How much do you want to bet Trump will rename the TPP and pass it at the first opportunity? Yeah, you've all been snookered by a talented con artist. I guess P.T. Barnum was right when he said there was a sucker born every minute, because you've all just proved that point.

Oh, I don't expect any of you to agree with me, yet. Trump hasn't had time to do his damage, and no one likes to admit they were wrong.  Especially, when they are as wrong as you guys are. But, in a year or so, when Trump has broken all his promises, remember, I told you so. Is that rude and condescending? Yep! Pissed off? Aww, I thought y'all liked honesty and blunt speech. Guess not when it applies to you, huh?

The reason I've gone on this long-winded tirade is because we've got a serious problem in this country, and you can't fix a problem until you've properly diagnosed it. If you try to fix a problem before you know what it actually is, you do things like elect Trump as President.

All you Hillary supporters need to stop pretending that she was a good candidate. Because she wasn't. She was awful. You need to stop defending the Democrats because that's "your party," because the Democratic establishment won't get out of the way for the changes that need to take place unless you make them.

A few days ago, I posted a, relatively, optimistic prediction of what will happen over the next few years on my Facebook wall that a lot of people said made them feel better.  I said that the next two years are going to massively suck, and there's not much we can do about that.  Trump and his cronies will destroy the economy, we'll have another recession, if not an outright depression, and he'll get us into more stupid wars. But, in two years -- when the economy has imploded, there's even more unemployment, and the people realize what a mistake Trump is -- the House and Senate will both flip to overwhelming Democratic majorities, and then Trump will be stalemated. He won't be able to get anything done, and Congress won't get much done either. Oh, they might use their super-majority to get a few things through by overriding the Presidential veto. But, by and large, nothing will get done for two years.  Then, four years from now, Elizabeth Warren, or someone like her, will win the Presidential election by a landslide, the Democrats will keep the House and Senate, and together they'll be able to undo some of the damage that will be done over the next two years.  At that point, we might be able to move this country forward into the 21st century and join the rest of the modern world in terms of quality of life and social equality.

But that, admittedly mixed, prediction is entirely predicated on the notion that the Democratic Party will use that time to revamp itself into the progressive, populist party that people want. If they fail to do that, then all that happens is Trump gets validated and reelected.  Because change is always scary, and the worse things are, the scarier any change seems. When things are really bad, and they will be two years from now, if people aren't convinced a change will be for the better, they'll almost certainly pick no change over change.  And if this election has highlighted anything, it's that the people of this country do not consider Neoliberalism a hope for positive change.

And all you people who voted for Trump but aren't bigots, you need to realize that unless you throw your lot in with the rest of the people in this country who are hurting financially because of the robber barons, you not only won't get any of your own back, you'll lose even more of what you have. Because the Trumps of the world don't give a good god damn about you or anyone other than themselves.

We need to work together, people, to get big money out of politics, so our voices can be heard again. We need to work together to break up the Good Ol' Boys club in DC and replace them all with candidates who actually represent us and what we want. And we need to do it soon. Because, if we don't, there won't be anything left to fight over.

So, what am I going to do? I'm going to volunteer with organizations that are working to make that happen. I'm going to make phone calls, write letters, blog, tweet, knock on doors, and generally be a big ol' pain in the establishment's ass in any way I can think of. How about you?


Saturday, November 12, 2016

Rudolph's #Reads #Holiday #Giveaway! $120 #Cash #Grand #Prize! #Free To #Enter!


Hey Everyone!! :-)

There's a new giveaway for the holiday season!  Please take a moment to check out Rudolph's Reads Holiday Giveaway!!  There are lots of awesome books and prizes!! :-)  It's free to enter, there are over 100 prizes, and the grand prize is $120 cash payable through PayPal!! :-)  Now isn't that worth taking a few minutes to check out? ;-)   Here are all the details:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  And don't forget to check back tomorrow for the next installment of Mistral Dawn's Musings! :-)





Friday, November 11, 2016

#Animal #Rescuer's #Guide To #Staying ( #Relatively ) #Sane! #Free! :-)



Hey Everyone!! :-)

Just a reminder, for those who haven't checked it out yet, I've collected all my animal rescue/care posts together and published them as a small book.  If you'd like, you can download the book for free from Amazon, Smashwords, B&N, Kobo, and iTunes.



Thanks for stopping in today, and don't forget to check back tomorrow for the next installment of Mistral Dawn's Musings! :-)


Thursday, November 10, 2016

#APC #Spotlight: #Lullaby Of The #Dead: Every #Ghost Has A #Story By Lynn Lamb!


Hey Everyone!! :-)

Today, I've got Lynn Lamb in my APC spotlight!  Lynn is an active and supportive member of  the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and her psychological horror novel, Lullaby Of The Dead: Every Ghost Has A Story, looks awesome! Here's the description:
Are you willing to entertain a different vision of the afterlife? Landry Sinclair has a story to tell—listen carefully.
I played the professional career woman. Beneath the façade, I was lonely and ashamed. My plans for upward mobility were squashed when I fell into the hands of a ruthless serial killer. I became entangled in his rich web of heinous acts. After he slipped a date-rape drug in my drink, then brutally tortured me, I awakened to an inescapable nightmarish realm on the wrong side of the mirror.
And I was not alone.
Will I be forced to idle here for an eternity, peering through the mirror into my former world, helplessly watching as a homicidal monster butchers woman after woman?
We watch life through windows, mirrors, and doors—pay attention.
I know because I sing the opus of the dead.
I don't know about you, but I'm intrigued! :-)  If you agree, go ahead and grab your copy here:


Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)



Wednesday, November 9, 2016

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 376


Hey Everyone! :-)

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal


Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)
Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Three-Hundred-Seventy-Six:
There is a very small, flying avian that has apparently decided to test my ingenuity. Every day, this creature comes to one of the glass portals and sits on the ledge outside it. There, it hops about and makes high-pitched squeaking noises until it attracts my attention.

Once it is certain that I am observing it, the avian spreads its upper limbs and fans out the modified scales that enable its flight, and it screeches at me until I become bored and leave. I believe it is testing my problem-solving abilities by challenging me to find a way through the portal. Perhaps, this is the dominant form of life on this planet?

I must confess, I am tempted to take the creature up on its challenge. It looks rather tasty and I believe I would enjoy an experiment to determine its compatibility with the digestive system of a DPCIL agent.

Uh oh! Seems like Agent Thoth is getting some of his own back. ;-)  Okay, it looks like the results are in and Agent Thoth is a gray/silver tabby Maine Coon. I'll be looking for a picture that fits and once I find one I'll change the picture at the top of these posts. So be looking for that change to happen soon! ;-)  Happy reading!


Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Something Worth Watching?



Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back with another video that I thought was worth sharing. Yes, this one is also political. No, not all of them will be, but, hey, it's Election Day, what did you expect? ;-)

You may have already seen at least part of this video. It's by Michael Moore and he's talking about why he thinks a lot of people are voting for Donald Trump. Part of this video has been flooding Facebook, and if you search for it on YouTube you'll find a bunch of right-wing loons, like Alex Jones, with selectively edited clips from it talking about it on their channels. But I thought it was important for people to hear the whole video, including the end that the right-wingers always seem to leave off, so I'm linking you to the video that's posted on Michael Moore's YouTube channel.

But first, I want to tell you my opinion about the video.  I think that Michael Moore is 100% spot-on with this as far as why a lot of people support Trump. Trump is popular where I live, and I know a lot of people who think this way. The problem is, they're wrong. Trump is not anti-establishment. He is the establishment. But he's not secure in his position among the the establishment. He's not establishment enough to buck the establishment.

Donald Trump is second-generation nouveau riche, which makes him insecure and desperate to fit in among his "betters." He longs for a seat in the Good Ol' Boys club, and he'll do anything to earn the approval of the establishment.  If he's given power, he'll use it to please the big-money interests so that they'll let him play ball with them.  He's like an unpopular child at school hanging around the fringes of the "in group" hoping they'll notice him and let him into their clique.

Right now, he lacks that power to command the attention of the establishment.  All he is to them is a joke, and he knows it. Instead of earning their respect by being competent and resourceful, he's chosen to act like a two-year-old and throw a tantrum to get them to pay attention to him.

As Michael Moore says, yes, if Trump is elected it will feel good...for about five minutes. Then he'll start kow-towing to the establishment and do all the things his voters were afraid Hillary Clinton would do. What's worse, since he has the emotional maturity of a toddler, he may also start WWIII because someone tells him he has small hands.

Trump is not the Fuck You people are looking for. If you want to tell the establishment Fuck You for real, vote for Jill Stein or Gary Johnson. The establishment hates them just as much, or more, than they hate Trump and they actually are radicals. Both Jill Stein and Gary Johnson have policy positions that are an anathema to the corporate interests that have a strangle-hold on our political process. And, unlike Trump, both of them have records that support the notion that they'll pursue making their policy positions into political reality if given the chance.

I you really want to tell both major parties and the corporate oligarchy Fuck You, then don't vote for the clown they distracted you with while they slipped in their puppet candidate. Instead, vote for one of the candidates that scares them so badly they did everything they could to hide them from you. Trump might talk a good game, but he's lying, and I think you know it. Vote for a candidate who is more than just talk.

This video doesn't allow embedding, so all I can offer you is the link, but it's definitely worth clicking on and checking out.