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Call for Submissions: Stories of Seattle (an Anthology)

September 21, 2015 by rachelauthorbarnard in Local Authors and tagged anthology, Seattle, submission

Call for submissions for a Seattle Anthology: Stories of Seattle (working title)

This anthology will feature what Seattle is best known for, the places and the people and the feeling of being here. The purpose of this anthology is to showcase Seattle from an insider’s perspective. The stories should center around the ‘destination’ you choose such that the reader will gain a deep understanding of what it’s like to visit that place. Any person who has never been to Seattle should be able to imagine living here from the stories. The stories do not have to be true and they can be any genre.

Stories should be approximately 200 to 1500 words each. You may submit up to three stories.

Consideration will be given first to submissions received before October 31st, 2015.

You may choose from the below destinations or pick your own that is an iconic Seattle or Seattle area destination.

Please also answer the following questions to include with your submission. We will be using some or all of the answers in the backend matter of the anthology or/and within your ‘about the author’ section at the end of your submission(s). If you would like, you can provide a short (under 100 words) author biography and a black and white author photograph to be included in your ‘about the author’ section.

What do you like most about Seattle?
What do you like least about Seattle?
What is your favorite restaurant/café?
What is your favorite book or movie that features Seattle?
What is your favorite local product?
What makes you a Seattleite?

If you would like to help with copy editing or provide editorial help for this anthology, please let me know.

Send to rachel(dot)author(dot)barnard@gmail.com, the author name you wish to have credited for the story, the Seattle location you chose, answers to the ‘about the author’ questions and any additional about the author information you would like (up to 100 words) as well as your submission (up to three stories). Please also sign and return This anthology-Author Contract.

Possible destinations:

Alaska Way Viaduct	Market Ghost Tour
Alki Point	Microsoft Campus
Archie McPhee	Molly Moon
Argosy Cruise	Museum of Flight
Ballard Locks	Northwest Trek
Bellevue Strawberry Festival	Olympic Sculpture Park
Benaroya Hall	Pacific Science Center
Beoing Factory Future of Flight	Paramount Theatre
Bill Gates’ House	Pike’s Place
CenturyLink Field	Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Chihuly Garden and Glass	Ride the Ducks
Costco	Seattle Aquarium
Dick’s Drive-In	Seattle Great Wheel
Discovery Park	Seattle Pinball Museum
Elliot Bay Book Company	Smith Tower Observation Deck
EMP	Snoqualmie Casino
Fremont Troll	Snoqualmie Falls
Frye Art Museum	Space Needle
Gas Works Park	Starbucks Original
Hat N’ Boots	Teatro ZinZanni
Jimi Hendrix Grave Site	Twin Peaks (North Bend)
Lake View Cemetery	Underground Seattle
Lake Washington	Unicorn
Lighthouse at the Lime Kiln State Park	UW
Lunchbox Laboratory

Book Review: Al-Kabar: a novel of Ilauris by Lee French

September 17, 2015 by rachelauthorbarnard in Book Review and tagged A Novel of Ilauris, Al-Kabar, fantasy

Al-Kabar: a novel of Ilauris by Lee French

A Fantasy Novel published by Myrddin Publishing (9/18/15)

Summary:

Fakhira’s home and almost all the people she knew were slaughtered in the middle of a war for power between two power-hungry men. Fakhira is devastated, but when she is chosen as the Champion of the Waters, she will rise to the challenge and the call to help those who can’t help themselves. What begins as hope for revenge will only end when Fakhira learns who she is and how she can lead a people to peace.

Keywords:

Fantasy, Arabia, 900’s, Female Main Character, Powerful Female, Gender Identity, Mysticism, Myth, Power, Leader, War, Fighting, Protection, Love, Weakness, Revenge, Rape, Help

My Review:

This story sucked me in from the very first page. There was such great detail and the tone and environment of a culturally inspired Arabia in the 900’s was eloquently developed from the very beginning. The first page and then first chapter and then rest of the book were so very excellent. The time period and culture and writing style reminded me of the Women of Genesis series by Orson Scott Card. French did an amazing job of putting me exactly where her setting was and making me feel like I was there in the middle of the action.

The story was more about Fakhira then about the time or the place. Fakhira is one of the role models for females. She is able to take things as they come. She is a strong character even in situations where she cannot do anything but control her impulses and not let herself get caught. I love how clever, thoughtful, and logical she is. Ultimately Fakhira was strong, yet still human.

French featured the most interesting and twisted love triangle I’ve ever encountered in a book. French plays with gender fluidity and sexual preferences. Though, due to the time and place of the book, a woman would most likely never be a leader, French also shows us Jannat, a strong woman warrior. French shows us the possibilities in a society where there are few chances and few possibilities for females to be their true selves if that true self is a leader or fighter with Al-Kabbar, Fakhira and Jannat.

This novel was published by Myrddin Publishing on September 18th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.00

Links for more information:

Lee French on Facebook

Lee French on Twitter

Wildlife Wednesdays: How Does Your Zuchini Grow?

September 16, 2015 by rachelauthorbarnard in Wildlife Wednesdays and tagged corn, garden, zucchini

This is my 500th post!

Don’t mind my adorably unfashionable fuzzy socks and shoes…

How did your garden fare this season?

Unfortunately most of our bountiful looking plants did not product much in the way of edibles, but we will try again next year. Check out that whopper of a zucchini!

Book Review: Burn (Salem’s Revenge) (Volume 3) by David Estes

September 15, 2015 by rachelauthorbarnard in Book Review and tagged Burn, David Estes, fantasy, paranormal, Salem's Revenge, YA

Brew (Salem’s Revenge) (Volume 1) by David Estes

A YA Fantasy/Paranormal Novel published by Amazon Digital Services (01/26/2015)

Summary:

Now knowing the secret of Martin Carter, Laney decides to try to see if she can do something about his curse because she loves Rhett Carter. She and Bil Nez are captured though and it will take all of their combined efforts to find a way out of their predicament. On the other side is Rhett, who is desperately trying to keep the peace between the magic born and humans before the all-out battle he knows will happen in three days’ time.

Keywords:

Witches, Warlocks, Wizards, Paranormal, World Domination, Power Struggle, End of Humanity, Death, Violence, Evil, Hero, Challengers, Revenge, Hunting, Killing, Grudges

My Review:

I didn’t think the chapters from the POV of Hex or Grogg were necessary. Grogg reminded me of Lord of the Rings’ Gollum in many ways. Grogg also reminded me of Perry in the Dweller Saga, whose function in the story I also did not get.

This third and final book in the trilogy was super exciting and full of action in the all-out final battle while still leaving the story open as a world to play in for further books.

What I loved the most about David Estes’ writing is the characters. He sums them up and their relationships with each other himself in this book, “Laney Harris, the Master of Witty Comebacks and Love of my Life, Tillman Huckle, the Surprisingly Brave Gamer and Weapons Seller, Hex, the Wonderdog (and so much more!), Grogg, the Master-less Mud Troll, Floss, the Pierced Non-Witch-Hunter, Trish, The Breaker of Curses and Bringer of Hope, Rain Carter, The Prodigal Daughter, Martin Carter, My Dad, and yes, even Bil-freaking-Nez, who hasn’t had a blackout in months, and the Reaper, who’s not such a bad guy after all.”
Estes is able to build an entire world and an entire cast of characters without losing any understanding of who is who and what is what. He layered the story and the characters perfectly throughout the books so that I knew each and every one.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services 01/26/2015 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 4.50

Links for more information:

Book Review: Boil (Salem’s Revenge) (Volume 2) by David Estes

September 15, 2015 by rachelauthorbarnard in Book Review and tagged Boil, David Estes, paranormal, Salem's Revenge, YA

Brew (Salem’s Revenge) (Volume 1) by David Estes

A YA Fantasy/Paranormal Novel published by Amazon Digital Services (10/01/2014)

Summary:

“You can’t make yourself a hero,” I say. “You have to be born one. And sometimes the least likely heroes are the ones this world needs the most.” (Kindle Locations 4972-4973).

Rhett, after joining the side of the witch hunters, is bent on revenge. He thinks he now knows who is who and what is what in this battle between human born and magic born. There are three warring factions and Rhett is seeking out the New American Government to fight on their side for the humans. Laney is supportive until Rhett wants to use Trish, Laney’s sister, to help them. When they go their separate ways, it will take magic and their feelings for one another to bring them back together. Rhett’s anger has pushed him this far, but will it be too much? Will it cloud his judgement in the moment when he needs clarity, or will it prompt him forward past the point of bravery?

Keywords:

Witches, Warlocks, Wizards, Paranormal, World Domination, Power Struggle, End of Humanity, Death, Violence, Evil, Hero, Challengers, Revenge, Hunting, Killing, Grudges

My Review:

Second books in series with romance always seem to see the potential partners separated for one reason or another and Boil is no exception. Laney and Rhett have their differences, but so far it hadn’t kept them apart, but when Rhett wants to use Trish in his plan, that’s the last straw for Laney.

I like how Laney sticks by her convictions. So does Rhett, but in a world where it’s difficult to tell who’s on what side and where allegiances lie, convictions can only get you so far.

The brooding/boiling romance that was hinted at in book one is on fire in book two! David Estes writes such great budding/building romances in books. They aren’t just one and done or love at first sight. They are built on the stuff all great relationships are built on and Estes builds them up slow and steady to get a real heartbreaking relationship.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services 10/01/2014 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information:

Book Review: Brew (Salem’s Revenge) (Volume 1) by David Estes

September 15, 2015 by rachelauthorbarnard in Book Review and tagged Brew, David Estes, fantasy, paranormal, Salem's Revenge, YA

Brew (Salem’s Revenge) (Volume 1) by David Estes

A YA Fantasy/Paranormal Novel published by Amazon Digital Services (10/01/2014)

Summary:

“Let me teach you how to fight witches,” (Kindle Location 655).
What if the Salem Witch Trials actually did capture and kill witches? What if, many many years later more witches were discovered and hunted and killed? What if the witches banded together to wipe out all of humanity? Cue Salem’s Revenge and David Estes’ series about witches. Brew begins with Rhett Carter, your slightly off average black football playing book lover with a soft spot for others and a penchant to avoid violence. Add in his best friend who’s gay, Xavier and Beth the girl Rhett loves. When their world falls apart at the beginning of the Revenge, Rhett will do anything to find his two best friends, even learn to hunt and kill witches from his neighbor.

Keywords:

Witches, Warlocks, Wizards, Paranormal, World Domination, Power Struggle, End of Humanity, Death, Violence, Evil, Hero, Challengers, Revenge, Hunting, Killing, Grudges

My Review:

I don’t read books about witches. I stopped reading books about wizards when I was in high school but I had confidence in David Estes that he could write a book that I would love. I was right. Estes has a knack for building a story that anyone would love, even if the parts aren’t normally what you want to read. Witches. Sure. Wizards. Certainly. The main part of the story is the main character’s journey, how Rhett Carter exists and survives in this world of chaos and paranormal. His story is written well and his relationships with his friends, so briefly shown in the beginning, and the developing relationships between Rhett and Laney and Rhett and his new dog Hex are what brings the reader into the story and makes the story alive.

The first book in the Salem’s Revenge series sets up the main characters and the goal: to save themselves and humanity in the fight between witch gangs to end humans. Brew, the first in the series has an awesome end of the book battle that answers and raises questions to be answered with the continuation and conclusion of the series.

This book is told from Rhett’s point of view, but the reader gets a real good feel for Laney and many of the other characters. I loved all of the characters and felt that their strengths and their weakness brought them to life.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services 10/01/2014 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 5.00

Links for more information:

Miscellaneous Mondays: Costume Potential?

September 14, 2015 by rachelauthorbarnard in Ataxia and the Ravine of Lost Dreams, Miscellaneous Mondays and tagged costumes, MC | 3 Comments

How do you make your character costumes?

I was thinking of using something like this as the base for my MC Cube costume, whaddya think?

Apple/Pear/Grape Cider?

September 11, 2015 by rachelauthorbarnard in Foodie Fridays and tagged apples, cider, grape juice, pear cider | 2 Comments

At our 3rd annual Barnard Cider making extravaganza we made cider from all local apples/pears/grapes.

Anyone in the area know a great fruit tree we can pick from for next year? We’re always looking to source good trees.

Here is the finished product. It took us two juicers, one vitamix, and one apple press to get the job done. How do you make apple cider?

Book Review: Flip (The Slip Trilogy Book 3) by David Estes

September 10, 2015 by rachelauthorbarnard in Book Review

Flip (The Slip Trilogy Book 3) by David Estes

A YA Sci-fi/Dystopian Novel published by Amazon Digital Services (03/02/2015)

Summary:

“No one’s good,” she says. “We’re all just different shades of bad.” – Destiny (Kindle Location 3153).

The Destroyer should be called the Invincible, because although he can’t manage to catch Benson or keep Harrison in captivity, he does manage to survive again and again, becoming more and more cyborg with each act of violence. Benson and Harrison Kelly, along with their friends will try to stop Pop Con for good, but in a race with the Lifers and their more violent methods, who will shut down the branch of government enforcing deaths first? And how many will die to accomplish this shutdown?

Keywords:

Dystopian, Technology, Population Control, Allies, Rebels, Breaking Rules, Big Brother Government, Resource Management, Violence, Hate, Growing Up with Lies, Family, Friendship, Leadership, Fate, Weapons, Anger, Living on the Edge

My Review:

After reading David Estes’ Country Saga and Dweller Saga, I think the Slip Trilogy is far superior. I also think it is one of the best dystopian trilogies out there (and it’s one of my favorite genres so I’ve read a lot of them). The Slip trilogy is well written, highly interesting, focusses on the right parts of the plot and characters at the right times, will hold your attention throughout, and incorporates just the right amount of rebellion and uprising and government bullying.

Flip was a great ending to the trilogy, tying up all the loose ends with a satisfying finish. Everything makes sense in the bigger picture of the story and the smaller subplots between characters. For once I actually liked the epilogue Estes included for a year beyond all the main action.

I like how Estes communicates something positive through all his books, and the Slip Trilogy was no exception, “No one should have to feel like they’re not wanted, hated simply for being born. In the end, we’re all just humans, connected by things we can’t touch, like laughter and love and our fear of being left behind. Our fear of death. Of not being included in something we think is important and great but don’t really understand.” (Kindle Locations 4650-4652).

My only negative comment is disliking the plot element/helper introduced seemingly at random with Lola the dog. She was sprung on us for apparently no reason but was instrumental in moving the plot and accomplishing certain things plot wise.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services 03/02/2015 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 5.00

Links for more information: