Author Archives: Val

Spot Writers: The Vase

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This week the prompt is to have a character explain why they stole something.  Today’s contribution comes from Catherine MacKenzie. Her most recent publication, BETWEEN THESE PAGES, is a compilation of 18 short stories. The … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Val

I’m on a “kick” of reading or re-reading dystopian-style novels, including 1984, We, Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead, and Brave New World. It’s interesting that they all have so many themes in common. Certainly, the later dystopias have been influenced … Continue reading →

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Spot Writers: Stealing Time

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Val

The following tale is told by Abigail, the main character in Val Muller’s work-in-progress. It’s a post-disaster sci-fi tale in which Abigail struggles to keep a barren earth from falling into a complete wasteland. You can learn more about Val … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Tenth Power (Chanters of Tremaris, Book 3) by Kate Constable

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Val

I’ve previously read and reviewed book one and book two in this trilogy. This review of the third and final book in the series will contain some spoilers, though I’m trying to hold back. Where we left off, Calwyn, a … Continue reading →

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Mordle on the Shelf

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Val

Have you ever heard of Elf on the Shelf? It’s that game where parents buy an elf and then arrange it at night doing weird things—which the kids can then find later on. Well, my husband has created his own … Continue reading →

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Thirty Days of Thankful

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Val

Thirty Days of Thankful As Thanksgiving comes around once again, many people have been posting one thing to be thankful for each day in November. I’ve decided to condense mine to a list of 30 things I’m thankful for. I … Continue reading →

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Spot Writers: The Confession

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This week, the prompt is to have a character explain why they stole something.  Today’s contribution comes from RC Bonitz, author of A LITTLE BIT OF BLACKMAIL, A LITTLE BIT OF BABY, and A BLANKET … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Val

It’s fitting that my birthday is surrounded by two reviews of books by Ayn Rand. Rand is an author I greatly respect, despite her tendency to be verbose. Yes, Atlas Shrugged breaks the 1,000 – page mark. I won’t even … Continue reading →

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Spot Writers: The Holiday Miracle

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers segment for this week. This week’s contribution comes from Deborah Dera. The prompt for the past few weeks has been “magic brew,” and Deborah found it challenging to work the theme into her piece so … Continue reading →

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The Best Gift

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Val

I had a dream early this morning in which a voice told me I did not appreciate my job enough. It was not an indictment, simply a fact. The voice told me that today I would be reminded. Today, my … Continue reading →

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