New Review of Threshold

There are a number of great reviews on Amazon and GoodReads of "The Threshold Child," and I am always excited to see what people think (good or bad). One of my friends told me about a blogger that does book reviews, so I sent her a copy of my book and asked if she would write a review for it. If you would like to read it, here is the link:

http://www.dorolerium.com/?p=4079

If you have a blog or website that does book reviews (or if you know someone who does), please feel free to contact me. I would be happy to send a free copy of the book in exchange for a review (and more exposure to readers)!

Milestone: 1000 Downloads

As of yesterday, 1000 copies of my book have been downloaded (and there are even more today)! I never could have dreamed that it would be doing so well in such a short amount of time. There are several great reviews that have been posted on Amazon and GoodReads, and I've been getting a lot of really good feedback. Not just compliments, but ways I can improve (which I really appreciate). I am so excited to have reached this milestone, and I am so grateful for everyone who has helped me to get here.

Happy Holidays!

Heart List: John Denver & The Muppets

This is my very favorite Christmas album. It is the music that always kicked off the Christmas season when I was a kid. My Mom would play it first as we decorated the tree, and we would all sing along as loud as we could. Now that I have a family of my own, I have been continuing that tradition. I love the Christmas season, and I am so happy to share it with those that mean the most to me.

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Threshold Trivia: L'avan Magic

New feature! Fans like trivia, right? And you guys are my fans, right? Well, at least, you humor me...which is almost the same thing. So, here is my new idea for keeping my blog interesting. I will occasionally post trivia about my book, "The Threshold Child," for anyone who cares to read it. There are a lot of aspects about that world that I know as the author, but they didn't necessarily make it to the book (or they weren't spelled out clearly). Now you can know those things, too! Oh, the excitement! Also, feel free to ask questions. If it isn't a spoiler, I would be happy to answer.


The L'avan are a race of magic-users, and each person has eyes that indicate what kind of magic they can use. All of the eye colors have a metallic sheen, but here is the breakdown of each kind:

* Gold: Energy--life force can be taken or given, physical energy can be increased, etc.
* Dark Orange: Force--kind of like telekinesis.
* Red: Manipulation (Illusion)--they can only create the appearance of change.
* Dark Red: Manipulation (Physical)--they can change physical properties, alter the flow of air or water, etc.
* Light Yellow: Harmony--healing, melding things together (like making two stones into one), etc.
* Purple: Focus--this can intensify other powers.
* Dark Blue: Density--when increased the wielder can become invulnerable, when decreased they can pass through solid objects.
* Light Blue: Gravity--like the others, this can be increased or decreased.
* Dark Green: Insight (Physical)--they can sense the world around them, even if they can't physically see it.
* Light Green: Insight (Spiritual)--they can sense the emotions and intentions of others.

Most L'avan have two eye colors (the main color is the stronger ability, and then there is a supporting color/ability), but occasionally a L'avan will only have one color. No one has ever had more than two colors. 

What kind of magic would you want to have?

Sequel to "Threshold Child"

There have been several people asking if there will be a sequel to "The Threshold Child." I am happy to announce that the answer is: yes! I am hoping to see it released by the fall of 2013. A lot of that will depend on how much writing I can get done in between chasing after my little one.

I will keep you updated as I go, though. There will be special announcements and maybe even excerpts posted periodically, both here on my blog and on the Facebook page for "Threshold Child." Thanks again for your support and interest in my writing!

Heart List: Hamachi Nigiri

I have mentioned before that I love sushi, and hamachi nigiri (yellowtail) is my favorite (of what I've tried, at least). It is simple, elegant, and very delicious. My sister says she likes that it doesn't taste too "fishy," so that's a plus if you aren't into really strong flavors. I could probably eat a whole plate of just hamachi. Just looking at this picture is making me hungry. :) So, if you're ready to try something slightly more adventurous than sushi that contains mainly tempura shrimp or crab salad, I would highly recommend hamachi nigiri.

Evil Overlord: Part 2

Things I will Remember if I Ever Become Evil Overlord

* Shooting is not too good for my enemies.

* I will not gloat over my enemies' predicament before killing them.

* I won't require high-ranking female members of my organization to wear a stainless-steel bustier. Morale is better with a more casual dress-code. Similarly, outfits made entirely from black leather will be reserved for formal occasions.

* If my trusted lieutenant tells me my Legions of Terror are losing a battle, I will believe him. After all, he's my trusted lieutenant.

* I will keep a special cache of low-tech weapons and train my troops in their use. That way--even if the heroes manage to neutralize my power generator and/or render the standard-issue energy weapons useless--my troops will not be overrun by a handful of savages armed with spears and rocks.

* If I absolutely must ride into battle, I will certainly not ride at the forefront of my Legions of Terror, nor will I seek out the hero among his army.

* My five-year-old child advisor will be asked to decipher any code I am thinking of using. If he breaks the code in under 30 seconds, it will not be used. Note: this also applies to passwords.

* When I create a multimedia presentation of my plan designed so that my five-year-old advisor can easily understand the details, I will not label the disk "Project Overlord" and leave it lying on top of my desk.

* No matter how well it would perform, I will never construct any sort of machinery which is completely indestructible except for one small and virtually inaccessible vulnerable spot.

* I will never build only one of anything important. All important systems will have redundant control panels and power supplies. For the same reason I will always carry at least two fully loaded weapons at all times.

* I will design fortress hallways with no alcoves or protruding structural supports which intruders could use for cover in a firefight.

* Bulk trash will be disposed of in incinerators, not compactors. And they will be kept hot, with none of that nonsense about flames going through accessible tunnels at predictable intervals.

* The hero is not entitled to a last kiss, a last cigarette, or any other form of last request.

* If an enemy I have just killed has a younger sibling or offspring anywhere, I will find them and have them killed immediately, instead of waiting for them to grow up harboring feelings of vengeance towards me in my old age.

* To keep my subjects permanently locked in a mindless trance, I will provide each of them with free unlimited internet access.

* I will see to it that plucky young lads/lasses in strange clothes and with the accent of an outlander shall REGULARLY climb some monument in the main square of my capital and denounce me, claim to know the secret of my power, rally the masses to rebellion, etc. That way, the citizens will be jaded in case the real thing ever comes along.

* I will not attempt to kill the hero by placing a venomous creature in his room. It will just wind up accidentally killing one of my clumsy henchmen instead.

* I will not make alliances with those more powerful than myself. Such a person would only double-cross me in my moment of glory. I will make alliances with those less powerful than myself. I will then double-cross them in their moment of glory.

* If the hero runs up to my roof, I will not run up after him and struggle with him in an attempt to push him over the edge. I will also not engage him at the edge of a cliff. (In the middle of a rope-bridge over a river of molten lava is not even worth considering.)

* If I am fighting with the hero atop a moving platform, have disarmed him, and am about to finish him off and he glances behind me and drops flat, I, too, will drop flat instead of quizzically turning around to find out what he saw.