Two Words: Johnny Cash

Kris Reisz is absolutely right about this: "Why America is Awesome" - Two words: Johnny Cash.

First Chapter of THE HOLLOW

"It was funny. At a time like this, wasn't I supposed to be thinking serious thoughts of eternity, and the afterlife, and all that? As I glanced around me at the small groups of people huddled around the room, it seemed like that's what they were all thinking about. Each somber face reflected their pious thoughts, but all I could think about was the hair-dyeing incident.

It was funny."

...read more here: http://jessicaverday.com/html/chapters/The_Hollow_Chapter_1.pdf

Kitteh HALP Needed!

I know what you're thinking... all these posts from me! What's going on?? But this one is for a good cause, I promise!

Amanda over at celticmistress.livejournal.com/218942.html had a super cute NINJA KITTY sneak into her house and she's found a new loving home for her, but the poor kitteh needs to go to the vet. Can you help Isis? Five dollars, ten dollars, whatever you can afford. Every little bit helps!

Please email celticmistress@gmail.com for her address/more details.

Also FYI, I was able to find my Abbey through the kindness of some LJ folks who banded together and helped take care of her in much the same way. So do it for the kittens. For the love of GOD, think about the kittens... Abbey and I thank you.

(Abbey)

One of These Things Is Not Like The Other...

Where's Waldo? Er...Abbey. (Congrats to Sarah Rees Brennan on her latest release: THE DEMON'S LEXICON!)

"Can't Keep Visit Secret" ...?!

I keep my blog very deliberately away from anything political or polarizing as offenses (intentional and unintentional) can happen pretty damn quickly online, but the article linked below has me really pissed off.

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/06/09/michelle-obama-and-daughters-in-london-impossible-to-keep-visit/?icid=mainhtmlws-maindl1link4http%3A%2F%2Fwww.politicsdaily.com%2F2009%2F06%2F09%2Fmichelle-obama-and-daughters-in-london-impossible-to-keep-visit%2F

The title says: "Michelle Obama, Daughters in London; Can't Keep Visit Secret"

Um, EXCUSE me? Just reading that alone made my eye go all twitchy. Wait, wait. Stop for a moment. We are talking about the First Lady here. Show a little respect. Secondly, she went to Harvard Law School. I'm pretty sure that she knows damn well how to keep a secret.

Then there's the "code" that this title sends: Oh, you WOMEN. Always gossiping. Can't keep a secret!

To which my other eye starts going all twitchy.

Upon further reading of this article, it looks to me like it was a mini family vacation combined with work (because really, when you're married to the President, work follows you everywhere), sightseeing, and probably some celebration for Sasha's upcoming 8th birthday. To boldly insinuate with just the title alone that in some way our First Lady can't "keep secrets" is absolutely mind boggling to me. With the fragile state of affairs and economy our world is experiencing this just smacks to me of trying to undermine the President and his family.

How about next time we exercise some responsible journalism here and give our First Lady the respect she so obviously deserves? The meaning behind this title is a very large and powerful and negative one. And it is not one that women of any standing deserve.

5 Star Review!

THE HOLLOW received a 5 star review from Christy at GoodReads.com! Quoted below:

"The Hollow by Jessica Verday was well written and a very readable story. The atmosphere was deliciously creepy and I loved every detail. From the setting of the story in the town of Sleepy Hallow to the Halloween Prom this book had me hooked with its originality and carefully crafted suspense.

This is the first novel I have ever read where the graveyard setting felt both romantic and comforting. It might seem odd to some to have a main character sharing a graveside eggnog on Christmas Eve with a dead author but not in this story. Abbey is a very likable character and her grief for her dead friend is realistically portrayed as is her confusion over her feelings for the mysterious Caspian that has come into her life during one of her darkest moments. Adding lines from the original Legend of Sleepy Hallow was a great touch and will most certainly attract new readers to the story. The suspense in this story just kept building and building and I loved every moment. The only complaint I have is that I will have to wait for the sequel."

Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2998814.The_Hollow?rating=5#other_reviews

Thanks Christy!

THE HOLLOW at BEA

Although I couldn't make it to BEA this year, THE HOLLOW did. Special thanks to Michael Bourret and Michelle Zink for taking pictures! (And, um, for letting me borrow them)