Cats in a Dreamspell: The Cat’s Meow

Cats in a Dreamspell: The Cat’s Meow

By Jacqueline Seewald


The first thing I noticed about CATS IN A DREAMSPELL is the exceptional artwork. I’m not talking just about the clever cover art both front and back but also the fact that each of the twelve short stories in this anthology has its own unique cat photos. This is appropriate because each story is different and makes its own individual impact.

The first story in this anthology is by Mark Rosendorf, who has written several well-reviewed novels in The Rasner Effect Trilogy. “Cat in the Cockpit” is clever magic realism. The story has shadings of Twilight Zone but still manages to be fresh and original—okay maybe kind of weird. Mike and Joe want to be pilots and are in the cockpit of a 747 plane with the pilot and co-pilot, who one after the other leave and don’t return. There is also a cat in the cockpit. Mike is unsettled by this and goes in search of the pilots. Everyone else appears mesmerized by a movie, including the flight attendant who soon also disappears. Joe sees no problem in flying the plane, after all, he’s got a copy of the manual. Theatre of the absurd? Perhaps. Yet it works because the reader is inclined to suspend disbelief, completely sucked into the story and wondering what will happen next.

“Dog Matters” by D. Nathan Hilliard is another unique and original story. Minke the cat tells this story in first person point of view in a lively manner with a distinct personality and voice. He has lived in harmony with Chipper the dog since they were kitten and pup. But something evil has flown into the birdhouse. Chipper warns Minke and then tries to protect his human family from harm but he fails tragically. After that, although Minke is warned that this is a matter for dogs, not cats, he decides to fight the monster. A story worth reading.

“Chronicles of a Cat Woman” by Cathy Noonan is a psychological horror story. It begins with Bethany Stevens, a young reporter assigned to interview Muriel Whethorford, “the cat lady.” As they talk, Bethany discovers a disturbing coincidence. Both she and Muriel suffered great tragedies in their lives. Bethany had repressed hers. The story becomes eerie and frightening with a shocker of an ending.

“A Cat Named Ginger” by Laurel Lamperd is the story of Gordon Smith whose wife had died. Gordon missed her cooking most especially and was delighted when he met Gladys Dobson who loved to cook and bake. Her Rose Cottage seemed like paradise. But Ginger, Gladys’s cat, had other ideas. Thus begins an interesting tale with subtle humor, dark insights into human nature, and interesting twists.

“Investigator Incarnate” by Christy Tillery French is a mystery told from the cat’s point of view. However, this is no ordinary cat but a police detective who has been reincarnated as a cat. He returns to his old police station and decides to help two rookies solve two murders while encouraging a romance between them as well. This story keeps the reader engrossed from beginning to end. It has wit and charm.

“Mystery, Mischief and Mayhem” by Teresa Leigh Judd is the story of Janet Spaulding, a computer software analyst who has two cats, Mischief and Mayhem. Mischief drags in a soiled garden glove. Next, the cats uncover a human hand in the pile of dirt behind Janet’s house. The mystery of the body buried in her backyard gives Janet a chance to meet a very attractive police detective. This is a well-written, engrossing and enjoyable story.

The next story is one that I have written, “Just the Three of Us.” I won’t comment since that might be self-serving.

“The Purrsistant Cat” by Teresa Leigh Judd (yes, you saw her name before) wrote a story about Shannon whose cat Smoky has a sixth sense and knows the house Shannon has rented is dangerous. This is a horror story, a tour de force, and I doubt you will guess the ending.

“Mal’s Bounty” by Neal Levin and Darren W. Pearce is something of a fantasy, mystery, horror story combined. It’s unique, different. Carravale is a city in which a thief named Weaver Finch steals at night. She is aided by a telepathic cat named Mal. Weaver intends to rob Old Man Crowshaw’s Manor. Entering it, she discovers much more than she ever bargained for.

“Amelia and the Better Path” by Tony Williams is a quaint mystery story set in England. Amelia’s cat Ivan is missing. Stephen, her grandnephew, offers to help the wizened spinster in her search. Amelia knows her village and is soon able to find Ivan and fix some other problems as well.

“Chester’s Treasure” by Linda Houle is the story of how Chester the cat locates an amazing treasure in a house with a history. Chester’s owner is Valerie who has married a vampire named Andrew. It is Andrew’s house that Chester explores. An enjoyable story well worth reading.

“Smokey and Bandit” by Randy Rawls is a clever cat story. The tale is told by Smokey, a cat, one of two who allow Josh, a South Florida PI, to share their home. They even help him in his work and protect him from harm. A very entertaining mystery story.

Research into Norse Mythology

Finding sources for research into historical topics takes more than just reading novels set in that era. For my next novel, a historical fantasy set in Norway in the 1400s, I'm not only involved in the clothing worn in that era, but also in the weather patterns, geography and topography, historical events and the old Norse religion. On my personal blog http://dianadriver.blogspot.com/   I write about one of my favorite books on runes.

Come on over and see the picture of Lokken and then check out the runic symbols and the book on Northern Magick by Freya Aswynn.

Diana

Radine Nehring

Radine Nehring visits my blog today and talks about how she makes her plot fit her place. Come over and read how she does it!

wwww.sylviadickeysmithbooks.wordpress.com

Syl

weigh in on Arizona illegal immigration law

The Federal government is the one who SHOULD be enforcing our immigration laws. BUT they are not doing it. The illegal (CRIMINALS) immigrants, while doing work here are not paying income tax, are a burden on our hospitals and schools and guess who gets to pay for it? YOU DO! Then there is crime. A large number of the CRIMINALS in our jails in the boarder states are illegal immigrants. This mess is costing the immigrants who are here legally (welcome) and the citizens of this country a lot of money. It comes in the form of higher hospital bills, higher insurance (auto and medical), welfare, etc al. See the following:

 IF YOU CROSS THE U.S. BORDER ILLEGALLY (you are a (CRIMINAL), YOU CAN GET:

 1 - A JOB,

 2 - A DRIVERS LICENSE,

 3 - SOCIAL SECURITY CARD,

 4 - WELFARE,

 5 - FOOD STAMPS,

 6 - CREDIT CARDS,

 7 - SUBSIDIZED RENT OR A LOAN TO BUY A HOUSE,

8 - FREE EDUCATION,

9 - FREE HEALTH CARE,

10 - A LOBBYIST IN WASHINGTON

11 - BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS PRINTED IN YOUR

LANGUAGE

12 - AND THE RIGHT TO CARRY YOUR COUNTRY'S FLAG WHILE YOU PROTEST THAT YOU DON'T GET ENOUGH RESPECT

 I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I HAD A FIRM GRASP ON THE SITUATION. 

This is a slap in the face of all the immigrants who come here legally and to Americans. Mexico is against this law and why? Because the illegals send back to Mexico billions of dollars. 

Do we need to stop this? YES. Do we need tighter control of our boarder with Mexico-YES and I think we should use the army and Marines to help do it. Should we give amnesty to the illegals here? NO. They are criminals and should be caught and punished. If we grant amnesty that will send a message to others to come over and ignore our laws. It happened the last time we did it and it will happen again. 

NOW, how about Arizona? I think what they did is within the law. The feds haven't done a good enough job and the citizens of AZ are upset and have taken matters into their own hands. Good for them. I'm also tired of the hispanic community trying to play the race card when something they don't like happens. Arizona should question suspected people and ask for ID. If you are here illegally, you are a criminal and should be arrested. Arizona can enforce the immigration laws in parallel with the FEDS and more of the boarder states, including Texas and California should do it too. IAM IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE NEW ARIZONA LAW. OTHER STATES SHOULD DO IT QUICKLY. MAYBE SOMEBODY IN WASHINGTON WILL GET THE MESSAGE. 

THE POD STIGMA

There have been times in the past when I’ve been in conversation with an author published by a large, traditional (read New York) publisher – some being well-known, others not — and when I would mention my books are POD, their expression made me wonder if they were about to cross their fingers in front of their face and fling holy water on me while backing away. Their subsequent comments conveyed bias against POD and I’m not sure if this is as a result of naïvete or lack of knowledge.

Due to misconceptions and misstatements, POD has become a tainted term, so let’s set the record straight about what it really means. I’ll use my own book as an example, published by an independent publisher. Bear in mind, not all small and independent publishers will have in place the same policies as my own and I would caution authors to research extensively before signing with a publisher.

Print on Demand, or POD, is a publishing technology which simply means my paperback book is printed as it is ordered utilizing digital equipment.

POD does not mean my book is self- or subsidy published, although it is utilized in these venues. Small and independent publishers, as well as those who offer subsidy publishing and authors who choose to self publish, rely on this technology.

POD does not mean my books are of a poorer quality or are not professionally edited. Many small and independent publishers produce professional, viable books on par with those offered by the big-six NY traditional publishing houses.

POD books are pragmatic and cost feasible. No warehousing is required, thus, no overhead for rental space or warehouse employees, and no trucking or logistics costs.

POD is environmentally friendly: According to Linda Houle, publisher and author of The Naked Truth about Publishing (http://tinyurl.com/2dzb6jr) estimates show that approximately thirty million trees, or ten billion dollars, are wasted on print-run books subsequently remaindered (returned as unsold).

POD books, like print-run books published by large, traditional publishers, are returnable.

POD books are distributed by the two largest book wholesale distributors: Ingram and Baker and Taylor.

POD publishers, like large traditional publishers, send out ARCs (Advanced Review Copies) to professional reviewers and promote the book upfront. As with all publishers, even the big-six as pertains to their authors who don’t receive the mega-bucks promotional team, the vast majority of promoting lies with the author.

POD publishers offer the same standard discount to bookstores as do the larger traditional publishing houses.

POD publishers continually expand their lines as opposed to the large traditional publishers who replace titles. In other words, books aren’t pulled from shelves or discontinued, offering authors time to build readers.

POD publishers usually offer both print books and Ebooks (electronic books).

POD books are larger than paperbacks and smaller than hardbacks. They are generally 5.5”x8.5” or 6”x9”, and are called soft-cover trade paperbacks. Many readers find this size preferable.

POD books are virtually available forever. Unlike print-run books, with a limited shelf life, a POD book allows the author time to build a readership base.

POD books are now available instantly. The Espresso Book Machine is currently in use in selected bookstores across America. Readers can choose the book they wish to purchase and within minutes it is printed and bound and ready to take home.

POD is now being used by large, traditional publishers. Although, on the surface, they seem to shun POD technology, they have begun utilizing it for select books.

The onset of POD and Ebooks has brought about a major flux in the publishing industry. Although the large, traditional publishers have been slow to acknowledge and utilize these changes, they are beginning to come on board. In a perfect world, all modalities of publishing would be considered on equal terms. We haven’t gotten there yet, but I believe it’s not too far in the future. Authors now have the option of choosing how their book is published, and it is hoped they will be treated with respect and not be subject to derision or an elitist attitude concerning their choice if it falls outside of what was once considered the publishing standard.

Book Video Trailer: Tattered Justice

THE MYSTERY OF THE GREEN MIST

I just completed reading the rest of the short stories in THE MYSTERY OF THE GREEN MIST, an L&L Dreamspell anthology, and want to offer some brief comments and thumbnail reviews.

“Between Friends” by D. Nathan Hillard is a unique story. It’s as much quality literary fiction as mystery genre. From the descriptive language and natural dialogue in this story, you feel as though you really are in a small Texas town in the 1940’s. Cotton Turner’s death isn’t a simple who-done-it. Did one of his friends kill him? If so, why? The why of Turner’s death is significant. This story has a spare, understated writing style that packs real power.

In “The Scent of Blood” by Cherri Galbiati,” Lisa Linder visits her best friend Bella who has moved from Houston to Vermont to run a bed and breakfast. Unfortunately, there’s a serial killer lurking about committing bizarre murders. Lisa is not alone; she has her German shepherd, Norggin, certified Search and Rescue worker in finding cadavers, to discover the murderer. This is a well-written story with interesting characters and an original plot.

“Reservoir of Death” by Sylvia Nickels is set in Central Georgia. Madeira Hart had every reason to hate Theo Wellington. But she didn’t discourage her daughter Sissy’s friendship with his daughter. After Maddy discovers that Sissy has witnessed Theo’s murder, their lives are put in jeopardy. This is a well-paced, suspenseful story, a real page-turner.

“The Mystery of Moonstone Manor,” by Randy Rohn, is the last story in the anthology.
Like the first story, “Mystery of the Green Mist,” it’s particularly well-suited to young adult readers. Sixteen-year-olds Kristen and Kurt decide to sell candy to whoever might be living at creepy Moonstone Manor. Kurt isn’t eager because the house is reputed to be haunted. Kristen, however, forges right ahead. She meets three strange elderly people: Pamela, her weird brother William, and Mabel, the spooky housekeeper. Kristen realizes there is a mystery that needs solving here. Are there actual ghosts? Worth reading to find out. New spin on a traditional story.

I believe you'll enjoy this anthology if you decide to read it. There’s certainly an interesting variety of mystery stories awaiting your reading pleasure.

Comments anyone??