Cephalopod Coffeehouse & Do Ya Got Goals? [Jan.]

It's the end of the month, and so time to post for the Do You Have Goals? hop (hosted by Misha Gericke & Beth Fred) as well as the Cephalopod Coffeehouse Book Club (hosted by the Armchair Squid).

Fave book of Jan.

This month it's an easier decision than I've faced in some past months. I read four books in January and my favourite was by my blogger buddy and all-round-groovy chicka, Mina Lobo. Her book is called THAT FATAL KISS.

Here's a modified version of my GoodReads review:

First off, I love Greek mythology (I even studied it at uni), so THAT FATAL KISS, a re-telling of the Hades & Persephone myth, was a blast from the past. I thought it was interesting how Lobo treated Artemis, who has always been my favourite goddess. Artemis was basically a petulant, whiny little sister at times, which was cute, even if I do love the mighty huntress Artemis of myth.

Lobo portrays Hades as a delectable kind of sexy, brooding dude, but of course the brooding guys are always much better in fiction than in reality. ;) Still, I tend to leap right on that type in the fictional worlds I immerse myself in - and I'm perfectly happy doing so.

THAT FATAL KISS was humorous as well as sweet and romantic and, now and then, just a little bit steamy. I also just loved Lobo's writing, and having read a lot of 'meh' books, including some really frustrating self-pubbed titles, I was seriously glad to read a highly polished self-pubbed work. In short, I found pretty much every word pleasing.

Now for my DYHG? goals!

It's been a pretty lazy start to 2014, even though I did strike one goal off my list already - finishing the rewrite of my novella. But in terms of the goal I set myself for DYHG?

publish at least 2 novels in the next 4 years

... I guess I can't say I made any progress at all this month. Except to clear my work desk, so to speak, by getting that pesky novella out of the way!

During March I will be participating in NaNoEdMo, and I will complete at least 50 hours of editing on one of my two chosen novels. Because that's not till March, I really don't know what I'm going to do in Feb! I do know that I can't just sit around doing nothing, 'cause that's a habit I am trying to break out of. Still, at least I have March to look forward to. I'm not sure which novel I'll be revising then, but it'll be either SMALL TOWN or DAPHNE II.

Wish me luck with both making a decision and sticking with it! And on having a productive February! ;)

Deal-Breakers - Mina Lobo (THAT FATAL KISS tour)

Ohhh, it's that time at last - time for Mina Lobo to guest post on my blog as part of the mini-book tour she's doing for THAT FATAL KISS. Check out Mina's wares below. ;)

Deal-breakers by Mina Lobo

“Hermes is so immature. He lacks a certain authority. While occasionally amusing, I find his ceaseless tricks and jests belie a rather spiteful sort of nature. I find it difficult to consider him marriageable when he is constantly in search of some frivolous amusement or other. He is handsome enough, in his way…”  Persephone wrinkled her nose. “But, no. I want someone with whom I may share lighter moments, to be sure, but also someone who can turn his mind to more serious matters, someone who is capable of intelligent discourse.”

Athena thought again before suggesting, “Then what of Eros? He certainly is pleasing enough to look at and has all of those qualities you admire.”

“Yes, he is an excellent candidate,” Persephone said. “Unfortunately, I find him more suitable for the role of confidante than that of husband.” At Athena’s perplexed look, Persephone elaborated, “I regret to say that I feel no particular yearnings in his direction.”

“Ah!” the elder goddess exclaimed, in the tone of one who had finally come to the heart of a matter. “So you seek a male of authority, wisdom, depth and beauty, as well as one who can stoke your—ahem—internal fires. Well, that seems reasonable enough. Alas, I cannot think of a name to fit such a tall order.” But even as the Warrior Goddess uttered those words, her eyes widened and she became completely still.

The above excerpt comes from the second chapter of my fantasy romance, That Fatal Kiss, set in a mythical Greece. In this segment, Persephone's laying out for Athena what she wants in a mate. In this era, we call those "deal-breakers," right? These are the desirable qualities a person must possess before a more serious connection can be considered (or the undesirable qualities that will "break the deal" if they do exist). Poor Persephone hasn't had much luck finding a fella who fulfills her criteria, but Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, may have thought up just the right guy...too bad the right guy went about hooking up with Persephone in totally the wrong way. (Totally.)

About a year ago, I thought about what my deal-breakers were and came up with a list of things (incomplete, probably) that I don't want in a partner. To wit, I'm not interested in tying the knot with a dude who:

• Likes hot weather
• Prefers Pepsi products to Coke
• Is a political extremist
• Is a religious extremist
• Prefers white wine to red
• Prefers cats to dogs
• Is cantankerous
• Doesn't enjoy the absurdities in/of life as I do
• Doesn't enjoy my eccentricities
• Is a sheep (follows the mob)
• Isn't naturally compassionate
• Is a racist, or any other bad -ist
• Thinks the poor and unfortunate brought their conditions upon themselves

I do chuckle a bit when I look at this list (though I am completely serious about the white wine thing), but, you know, you gotta go with what feels right to you, eh?

How about y'all, what are your deal-breakers? An overabundance of facial hair? A penchant for wearing white off-season? Rudeness to waiters? (That last thing is massively uncool and, actually, will be added to my list.) Tell us your deal-breakers in the comments!

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About the Book
In That Fatal Kiss, life-giving Persephone seeks a mate but the goddess' mother frustrates her plans. Then Hades, King of the Underworld, spirits Persephone away to rule with him below, as his bride. Yet, even as she awaits rescue, Persephone aches to be consumed by the fire in the dark lord's immortal soul.

About the Author
Mina Lobo writes dark and whimsical romances, dodges the slings and arrows of her outrageous college-aged son, and feels compelled to do things in threes. She digs comedic horror, alternative rock, and Belgian chocolates. (See?)

Visit Mina's Web site, Some Dark Romantic, from September 24 - 29, for your chance to win an e-book copy of That Fatal Kiss!

Mina Lobo's THAT FATAL KISS {book cover reveal!}

Today I'm thrilled to be helping out my bloggy friend, the very sassy Mina Lobo, in revealing the cover of her debut novel That Fatal Kiss. Congratulations, Mina, your cover rocks!!

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Mina Lobo has long held a passion for Greek mythology. The story of the goddess Persephone's marriage-by-kidnap to Hades, Lord of the Underworld, has particularly fascinated her, and thus came about Mina's debut novel, That Fatal Kiss. Coming September 2013, the revisionist tale features a fiery and noble heroine, a handsome and broody hero, and some heated, earth-shakin' lovin'!

Given Mina's self-professed neurotic nature, it took her and cover artist Steven Novak a few go-arounds before settling on the cover design for That Fatal Kiss. It had to be curiously compelling, slightly spooky, and yet super sexy—and so it is!

The Book:

Feared by mortals for his inexorable power, and loathed by his fellow Greek gods for the same, Hades rules the Underworld alone. A stark eternity looms before him until he discovers Persephone. Struck by the youthful goddess’ beauty, kindness, and spirit, he must have her. But Hades believes Persephone could never love him, and so he conspires with his powerful brother, Zeus, to take her by force.

Persephone too seeks a mate but her possessive mother, the goddess Demeter, frustrates her husband hunting. Then Hades abducts Persephone, tearing her away from the Upperworld she loves to reign with him in the dank depths below. Though outraged, Persephone cannot deny the desire ignited within her by the dark lord’s touch. And even as she hopes that Demeter will unearth her, Persephone aches to surrender to the heat in Hades’ immortal soul.

The Teaser:

“Enough,” Hades said, closing the distance between them. “I have taken you with your father’s consent, as custom allows. You are in my kingdom, under my rule, and if you have any care for your continued well-being, you will get into my bed. Now.” And with the removal of the pins that held together the black cloth about his waist, he stood naked before her.

The anger warming Persephone clashed with another fire that roared to life within her. She choked on a breath and turned her face from him. “Be warned; I will resist you with the full force of my being, through violent means, if necessary.”

His large, unyielding hands encircled the soft flesh of her upper arms as he said, “If you must. Though your surrender to me would prove more satisfying to us both.”

The Author:

Mina Lobo has a lot of Scorpio action going on in her natal chart, which makes for a rather sybaritic and lust-driven Sagittarian. She aims for a wildly successful future as a writer of dark and whimsical romance while dodging the slings and arrows of her outrageous teenaged son, who's buggered off to college (hence the "Lite" in her Twitter handle, below). She enjoys comedic horror and alt rock, goth, & new wave music, as well as quality Belgian chocolates.

Mina invites you to keep abreast of updates regarding That Fatal Kiss, as well as the development of any new neuroses, by stalking her at her usual haunts:

Her blog: Some Dark Romantic
On Facebook: mina.lobo.1
On the Twitter: @GothMomLite
And GothMomLite Will Tumblr For Ya as well