Sara Stamey’s novel Pause is a triumph, a celebration of growth and perseverance. The protagonist, Lindsey Friedland, is the victim of a bullying father, Arlen, and an equally abusive ex-husband, Nick. She has learned to survive as a victim, but … Continue reading
Without preamble, here we go. Woke. This one is particularly irksome. High on the irony scale. “Woke” may have multiple origins, but the most contemporary one appears to be from early 20th century Black consciousness raising–”stay woke” appeared in a … Continue reading
My daughter, Kristine, reads constantly. The day I originally wrote this little essay, she was, in fact, sitting in the living room reading Lord of the Rings with a stack of history books and Jane Austen-related material next to her chair. She … Continue reading
“I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be … Continue reading
While I was fussing about what to write for my Sunday blog with no tangible result, the Saturday New York Times Crossword provided inspiration. Constructors: Adam Aaronson and Ricky Cruz Saturdays are the most challenging puzzles; long answers, obscurities, puns … Continue reading
I met Barb Monajem yonks ago, in The Cherries, Jenny Crusie’s fan club. I was Jen No Cherry (*long story) and Barb was Barbaric Cherry. In due course Barb became an award-winning writer, with more than 20 books to her … Continue reading
ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRY MEN: Maid Marian Strong women who are ready to defend themselves and their loved ones with mannish weapons are often called Amazons. Or a virago. In modern literature we call them kick-ass heroines. Enter Maid … Continue reading
A Hinky Universe Bundle Book 1 from three series: Hinky Chicago, Slacker Demons, Coed Demon Sluts by Jennifer Stevenson This bundle contains the complete first novel from three different series set in the same magical universe: The Hinky Brass Bed … Continue reading
Before starting today’s blog, I made a list. It helped me think about what to write, and it reminded me that I, as have millions of Americans and many more around the world, at one time or another subscribed … Continue reading
Deities like to send plagues to, well, plague us. God, the one with the capital “G”, has done a lot of things, but one act is clear, it’s this popular deity who sent 10 plagues to Egypt as payback for … Continue reading
