Monthly Archives: August 2010

Weird & Wonderful: The Vespa

Posted on August 31, 2010 by

Vespa: Italian for wasp. My SO says the best way to pick up girls in Manhattan is to walk the dog. “They can’t help themselves,” he says. “They have to stop and cuddle.” Out here in PA the best way … Continue reading →


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Posted in Announcements | 6 Comments

Marion’s Oatmeal

Posted on August 31, 2010 by

One of the unexpected joys of being a family guest at Greenwalls, Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Berkeley home, was learning new kitchen strategies. I say strategies, not recipes, because when Marion and I said we cooked “with book in hand,” neither … Continue reading →


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Posted in Writing life | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Severe Clear: A Very Short Review

Posted on August 30, 2010 by

In common with practically the entire American movie-going audience, I don’t favor films about the Iraq war.  I also have difficulty with the type of movie filmed with hand-held video cameras — the motion makes me carsick.  Nevertheless, there I … Continue reading →


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Posted in Announcements, Reviews | 3 Comments

Writing Nowadays–Personality Tests

Posted on August 30, 2010 by

I’m not a big fan of personality tests.  To me they’re on the same level as horoscopes–usually wrong, with mixed-up personality types.  When my wife and I were going through the adoption process, our agency insisted that we take a … Continue reading →


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Posted in Writers on Writing | 5 Comments

The Romance of the Regency: Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, and Silver Fork Novels

Posted on August 29, 2010 by

I discovered Georgette Heyer in high school, after reading an entire issue of the fanzine Niekas devoted to it, somewhere around 1967-8. At that time I hadn’t yet read Jane Austen, though I’d loved historical novels ever since I checked … Continue reading →


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Posted in History, regency, romance, Writers on Writing | Tagged , , , , | 39 Comments

Really Old Houses

Posted on August 28, 2010 by

Following on from last week’s post about ancient French chimneys, I thought I’d continue the ancient building theme with a look at a medieval French house. What’s left of it. It’s the oldest building on our property and dates from … Continue reading →


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Posted in Announcements, History, Travel | 3 Comments

New Books For Me!!!

Posted on August 27, 2010 by

The long-awaited cover for Blood Lite 2: Overbite has been released, so here’s the official announcement – it will be on sale September 28, and you can order it from Amazon here. If you want to find out what type … Continue reading →


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Win a Free Copy of C.F. Bentley’s ENIGMA

Posted on August 27, 2010 by

In celebration of the rerelease of her novel, ENIGMA, (penned under the name C.F. Bentley) Phyllis Irene Radford is giving away three copies of the print book to random Book View Café readers. ENIGMA, the sequel to HARMONY sends High … Continue reading →


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Spirits of Place: Chicago

Posted on August 27, 2010 by

Paper plates, sides of beef, and barrels of beer were shuttled to restaurants from warehouses and distribution centers into the Loop on little rail cars running on narrow-gauge rails in low tunnels, many of these tunnels dug right alongside the subway system tunnels. Continue reading →


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Posted in Announcements | 3 Comments

Why Do I Earn So Much as a Writer?

Posted on August 26, 2010 by

Last week, “Shiv” asked me on the BVC blog:?”… for non software products there is a guarantee of 1 year which claims if you encounter any problem within 1 year, product will be replaced…but if I am using a software … Continue reading →


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Posted in Blogs, Writers on Writing, Writing life | 2 Comments