Tag: humor

Categories
Fiction Author Virtual Book Tours

RIFTMAKER blog tour & author interview #steampunk

Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Legend of the Boy, In the Window, and Other Short Stories, and today I have a treat to share. A while back, I had the pleasure to interview a wonderful author named, Phoebe Darqueling. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down.

Be sure to stick around at the end to learn how you can get a FREE copy of The Steampunk Handbook.

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Toi: Hi there, Phoebe! Good to have you here at the ToiBox Blog. I’m very excited to learn more about you and your work.

Phoebe: Glad to be here, Toi. I’m ready to share.

Toi: So tell me, who is Phoebe Darqueling?

Phoebe: I’m a globe-trotting vagabond who currently hangs my hat in Freiburg, Germany. I write curriculum for a creativity competition for kids. I work with authors and academics as an editor. I love Steampunk and write/blog my obsession on SteampunkJournal.org and give talks at conventions. I was part of a collaborative novel called Army of Brass and I’ve published some short stories. My first solo novel, Riftmaker, came out 2/14 from Our Write Side, followed by No Rest for the Wicked 3/28 from Black Rose Writing. And yes, releasing 2 novels in 6 weeks is it’s own brand of insanity…

Toi: Well before we dive into your special message today, let’s get to know you, the person inside the author.

IMDB

Toi: What makes you geek out?

Phoebe: I’m a HUGE fan of space operas and futuristic settings. The Expanse, Altered Carbon, Star Trek (except for Discovery, not a big fan of that one…), Star Wars, Firefly, Dark Matter… I love them all. I am sure I will get around to writing my own someday.

Toi: What was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?

Phoebe: A Wrinkle in Time and The Giver both had a big impact on me as a kid. My mom also read Jurassic Park to me and my brothers on a road trip. Much of it went over my head, but I think that helped spark my interest in science and science fiction.

Toi: Now that we know a little more about you, the person, let’s learn about you, the author, and dive into your special message.

Amazon

Toi: So whacha got for me today?

Phoebe: Riftmaker is the story of a boy and his dog, only their roles get reverse because they travel through a rift in space and time that spits them out in different bodies. The world on “the other side” never discovered fossil fuels, so they land in a steam and clockwork powered city. They are separated, and Buddy the dog, now in a human body, has to find his boy. There’s lots of strange creatures that only exist in that world, but just like in our world, people are the real monsters…

Toi Thomas: So who’s starring in this 2-dimensional script read of Riftmaker?

Phoebe: Buddy’s mind is expanding throughout the story as he becomes more human, but his unique point of view can sometimes lead to accidental wisdom, and the change gave him quasi-magical powers. He meets Adelaide the first night, then accidentally throws her life into chaos when he reveals a secret she’s kept her whole life. The secret effects her best friend Jeremy the most, and as with many an angsty teen, he doesn’t handle the situation very well. Unlike the rest of the cast, Olivia has lived a privileged and sheltered life, but she yearns for independence and adventure.

Toi: What’s so special about this story that’s going to reel in the readers?

Phoebe: There are lots of books about shapeshifters, but it’s always humans to become something else. Riftmaker offers a different twist on this trope by having an animal who becomes human. It’s also urban fantasy that doesn’t have the usual suspects involved. So anyone looking for a fresh take on fantasy in an urban setting will be in for a treat.

Toi: Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?

Phoebe: Riftmaker poured out of my brain completely organically. I only knew about Buddy and Adelaide when I started, then the world was populated by the people they met and who they needed in their lives to tell their stories. In my more recent series, Mistress of None, I am using real history as my backdrop, so I am a lot more detail oriented. The world of 1871 USA is all accurate in No Rest for the Wicked and my WIP, which is Book 2 in that series. On the other hand, ghosts are real, so it’s got supernatural elements, but I use historically accurate “science” (AKA crackpottery) to explain it.

Terry Pratchett Amazon

Toi Thomas: What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?

Phoebe: I’d say when it comes to using a fantasy scenario to address social issues, Terry Pratchett definitely influenced me for Riftmaker. In No Rest for the Wicked, I think all of the Joss Whedon shows I’ve watched played a role because there’s comedy folded into the drama. Now, I can’t imagine writing something that doesn’t have some banter in there.

Toi: Now this is where the questions get a little kooky; are you ready?

IMDB

Phoebe: Cool beans.

Toi: If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Phoebe: That’s a tough one, but I think I’d have to say The Fifth Element. I already rewatch it regularly, so it’s not much of a stretch to imagine only watching it forever. It’s a great story by a great cast, and the soundtrack and cinematography are both fantastic.

Toi: When the soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee and what songs bring out your rage?

Phoebe: I sing to myself pretty regularly, so in a way, I do have a soundtrack. I did a lot of musical theater in my teens and early 20s, so I sing show tunes and songs that I used to audition. In terms of music I listen to, most doesn’t have words. I LOVE Lindsey Stirling, Beats Antique, & Caravan Palace, which all mix old and new styles and world music.

Toi Thomas: What’s the most fun experience you’ve ever had, to date?

Phoebe: It’s a little cliché, but I think I’d have to say my wedding. We had days of events leading up the ceremony, like my husband’s family came out to our lake cabin to mingle with my family, and we a dance lesson for the wedding party on my parent’s driveway with hors d’oeuvres and wine. Everyone got along so well and we laughed together so much, that I was completely relaxed and able to have a wonderful time at the reception. There were so many memorable moments that week, it’s impossible to choose just one.

Toi: Last question of the day; here we go.

Toi: Not that you can see into the future, but in your opinion, what does the future hold?

Phoebe: I’m in a strange position that makes actually planning things nearly impossible. Chances are good that I’ll be in Germany for a while, but it all depends on my husband’s job prospects. As an academic, he has to go wherever the jobs happen to be at the time he’s looking, so I have to be pretty flexible. Which is why being a writer is so perfect!

Toi: Thank you so much, Phoebe, for spending time with me today.

Phoebe: Thanks for having me, Toi. It was fun. Before you go, be sure to get a FREE copy of The Steampunk Handbook by signing up for my author newsletter.

Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. For more from Phoebe Darqueling, check out these great links:

Website: PhoebeDarqueling.com

GoodReads: Phoebe Darqueling

Facebook: Phoebe Darqueling

Twitter: @GearTurns

Instagram: @phoebedarqueling

Purchase links for Riftmaker: Books2Read | Amazon

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Categories
Excerpts Fun Hops

In Too Deep #WEPFF Challenge No. 6 featuring Anybody, Save Me #amwriting #flashfiction

This time around, I took the writing prompt to heart and made sure to actually include the words in my story. I hope you find this piece amusing and will consider the request I’ve posted at the end. So glad to be back in the WEP challenge again. It’s the best writing challenge I’ve come across.

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Anybody, Save Me

How can my throat be so parched when I’m surrounded by water? No matter how hard I try I keep gulping down pounds and pounds of sharp grains. Throbbing constricts my efforts to push forward. My nostrils blister as the particles scratch and burn my nasal passage. The notion of weightlessness is but a faint, cruel, memory now. My feet are lead; my hands are clawing nubs. Coarseness rushes to my lungs and punches out any remaining air leaving behind only a saline sludge. Stabbing blindness and stinging deafness are also claimed by the sludge and I know now, I’m in way too deep. This must be what it feels like to drown at sea.

But, wait. There’s something pulling me. It’s pulling me down even further than I thought possible, aiding the death that lingers in my final thoughts. No one should have to experience their last seconds of existence so vividly. Why – am – I – not – dead – ye…?

>Ping<

What was that? Where am I? Why aren’t I dead?

>Ping. Ping.<

Wait. I can see. I can hear. What the heck? I can breathe, but I’m still under water. Wonder if I can talk?

Yep. I must still be pretty deep. All the colors are somehow a bit grey. But… it’s not cold. At least I don’t feel cold. He he he. I do feel weightless though. I feel like I could float, maybe even fly. Ha ha he he. There’s no reason I should be feeling this good. Pretty sure I just drowned to death, but …

Whoa, am I seriously bound? What the effen heck is happening? Why am I chained to the – the – I guess, the sea floor?

>Ping. Ping. Glur glur. Glur glur. Wooosssssssshhhhh.<

“Ah, there you are. You’re awake.”

Did I seriously just see a green fish person whoosh up to me? “What the holy heck are you?”

“Oh, my love. My sweet mortal. I am your savior?”

“Uh, no you’re not.” Are its eyes fluttering at me? “You’re some magic welding sea monster who brought me back from a death I was just beginning to accept. Please, I beg you. Send me back to my doom?”

“Aren’t you silly. I know this will be quite an adjustment, but once you acclimate, everything will be fine. You’ll see. You’ll be happy here with me.”

“No. This isn’t right. I died. I should be dead.” I sure as heck shouldn’t be trapped by a sea monster. “I’m guessing you’re a nice sea monster and all, but I’m pretty certain what’s dead is supposed to stay that way.”

“First of all, I’m not a monster; just because I look different from you. Secondly, you died a horrible death and I saved you. Would you really rather go back to being a bloated sinking corpse?

A bloated corpse sounds terrible, but if I’m dead, it’s not like I’ll know. This situation, on the other hand, is downright scary. “Sorry, you’re right. I had no right to call you a monster. It’s just that I’m not used to talking to creatures with scales and green skin. Oh, is creature offensive?”

“No, creature is fine. Besides, you’re my favorite creature in all the world. That’s why I saved you.”

“But, don’t you see. You didn’t save me. You brought me back to life. Why would you do that?”

>Ping. Ping.<

“Oh goodness me. I’m so glad I set these alarms. We’ll be late if we don’t hurry.”

“Late for what? You haven’t told me why you brought me back. And while you’re at it, why can I breathe underwater now?”

“Oh you, silly guppy. We’ll have our whole lives to learn about each other. We really must hurry.”

“What do you mean we have our whole lives? Please, for all that is decent in this crazy world, will you tell me what’s going on?”

“Fine. If you must know, I’m Fae of the sea. I grant wishes from time to time. And your wish was irresistible.”

“My wish? What wish?”

“Your last dying request. ‘Somebody, anybody, save me! My lover’s trying to kill me! Save me, please! Save me! I’ll do anything to repay you!’”

“Wait. I didn’t say those words to you. I was pleading for my life. I was being thrown overboard. I wanted someone to pull me out.”

“Well, I heard your plea, and unfortunately I can’t pull people out. I can only pull them down. I also can’t restore human lives, but I can reshape a mortal soul into something else. You have been given a second chance. A new life among the merfolk. A life you will spend wed to me.”

“Wait, merfolk? Wed? What the holy…” I can’t believe a scaly webbed hand just mushed my face.

“Sorry, we don’t look like your human fairy tales. But when you live this deep, what do you expect?

~

816 words in progress– Anybody, Save Me 2018 Copyright © Toinette J. Thomas

So, I tried something a little different this time. I wanted to be as descriptive as possible while not using any gender-specific words. I was hoping to tell a story where the reader could decide for themselves the sex/gender of the characters, but I’m not really sure if I pulled it off. I’ve seen other writers try to use gender-neutral pronouns, but most of these efforts have left me feeling disconnected from the story. When I thought I didn’t like romance and could never write it, I challenged myself to dive in and do it. While the work I produced may not be award-winning, it’s not too bad and it’s made me appreciate the genre and those who write it so much more. So that’s what I’m trying today. I’m diving in to see if I can write a gender-neutral story and have it actually make sense. Please let me know if this worked or not; this really is a learning experience for me.

Updated 2/28/18

I’m so honored to receive this recognition!

If anyone is interested in the finale to my five-part series, Music My Muse, head over to A Small Gang of Authors to check it out.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Categories
Books

The Cephalopod Coffeehouse #Review: The Abduction of Rupert DeVille #humor #book

The idea is simple: on the last Friday of each month, post about the best book you’ve finished over the past month while visiting other bloggers doing the same. In this way, we’ll all have the opportunity to share our thoughts with other enthusiastic readers. Please join us below.

Title: The Abduction of Rupert DeVille
Series: NA
Author: Paul White
Genre: Humor, Contemporary
Pages: 235
Reading Level: Adult
Content: R (language, violence, crime, adult and mature situations, comedic nudity, strong sexual content)

This is a very British dark comedy and I thoroughly enjoyed it, though I was disturbed a bit at times. This book takes you on an emotional journey, traversing every possible feeling, sometimes with no transitions or segues to ease the mental whiplash. Yet, somehow it all worked together, in the end, to make the story wonderful it a very specifically dark, funny, and unique way. And, don’t get me wrong; the writing is impeccable, almost lyrical at times. It was an easy and engaging read.

This emotional adventure starts with Rupert early in his day, contemplating the step-by-step (literally) plans he’d made for his special evening. Then he’s snatched off the street and the story begins. As the description explains, there’s a girlfriend and an employer worried about Rupert’s disappearance, and after you get to know him, you can totally understand why they’d worry so only after a few short hours.

Attempting to avoid spoilers, none of the characters in this book are quite what they seem. While Rupert is definitely mild-mannered, he’s also calculating, considerate, and most definitely a lover (not a fighter). George is probably my favorite character in this wacky tale of random events that all fit together perfectly, actually making sense in the larger scheme of things. He’s older and calmer than Rupert and Carla, but he might also be a bit scary (in the best possible way). Carla’s a simple girly-girl on the surface, but after taking a peek into her past, you learn that her perfect simplicity is hard-earned.

There are moments in this story that made me blush, made me feel a bit queasy, made me laugh out loud, and even made me feel sentimental. I imagine that it was like reading the screenplay of a Guy Richie modern adaptation of a classic whodunit. There was violence, sex, mystery, and all the complexities of family dynamics.

This is definitely an adult only read; perfect for fans of dark humor, British humor, tales of calamity, and upbeat characters in odd and sometimes violent situations. I hope this author has more stories like this.

I give this book a 5.

Please stop by and see what others have read. 😀


Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords