Books - Carmen Fox

January 10, 2016 Books 1 Comment

NEW BOOK RELEASES 2016

Have you set your reading challenge yet? To make matters easier for you, let me introduce a few releases you absolutely cannot miss.

Rock star — **Flashback**

*Rock Star Romance*

It’s 1985 and Percival Vane is the hottest thing in music.

Release Date: January 15, 2016

Click here to discover more.

**Tempting the Dryad (The Fada Shapeshifters, #3)**

*Paranormal Romance*

**His dark Gift…**

Tiago, the youngest brother of Rock Run’s alpha, is hiding a dark Gift, one so powerful it could make him a pariah in his own clan. To make things worse, he desperately wants the beautiful sun fae queen—his own brother’s mate. The temptation to use his Gift to make his darkest fantasies come true is almost irresistible. The only good thing in his life is his friendship with the dryad Alesia.

**Her shifter mate…**
Alesia is a wild, solitary fae who lives on an uninhabited island in Rock Run territory. She spends her days tending to her woodland home, but her nights are lonely—until the day she meets the sexy Latino river shifter. Now they’re best friends, but she longs for more.

**A clan’s fate at stake…**

Then Tiago makes a move—and everything changes. But just as the two realize they may be mates, a den of rogue shifters threatens to bring war down on the entire Rock Run clan—and Tiago and Alesia are caught in the middle.

Can Tiago’s terrifying Gift save them? Or will he lose his mate as well as his soul?

Planned release date: 13 January, 2016

Click here to discover more.

**The Mediator**

Paranormal Romance (Menage Novella, explicit)

That Kerry’s birthday falls on the most romantic day of the year sucks. That she’s set up on a date with both an angel and a demon sucks worse. But she’s about to discover that being trapped between good and evil makes for one hell of a good time.

Mike and Cal, angel and demon, are reluctant business partners. To help them get along, Cupid sends a mediator called Kerry, but rather than working on a truce, the guys are soon locked in a different battle, this time over Kerry’s smoking curves.

Release Date: FEBRUARY 2016

purchase details to follow

GLIMPSE ETERNITY

SWEET CONTEMPORARY NOVELLA

Kasey Griffin is determined to prove Multiple Sclerosis isn’t going to define her life. Dedicated to her sister, her pets and her bookstore, she has everything for a full and satisfying life–the daily challenges of MS notwithstanding.

Then musician Ben Salem rolls into town. Ben’s subtle charm quickly reminds Kasey she is more than a woman with a disease, she’s a woman with a heart. And Ben wants it.

Will Ben still desire her once he learns the details of her condition?

Release Date: FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Click here to discover more.

July 2, 2014 The Write Path 5 Comments

THE WRITE PATH with Jules Court

Jules Court

In this series, guest bloggers tell us about finding their way through the writing landscape. My guest today is Jules Court, author of Rescuing Love. A short blurb from her website: “The last thing recently fired attorney Becca Lynch wants is a man, but Coast Guard rescue swimmer Alex Petrov might be just what she needs.”

Writer or not, you’ll be able to find much of yourself in her answers.

Jules has graciously agreed to give away a

FREE eBOOK of RESCUING LOVE

to one of my readers.
Leave a comment (at the top, where it says X comments), and on July 9, she’ll pick a name out of a hat (real or metaphorical I’ll leave to Jules).

Let me hand over my mic. The next voice you’ll hear belongs to Jules.

1. What made you want to be a writer?

I’ve been an avid reader my entire life. I remember starting school already knowing my alphabet; I’d forced my older sister to teach me what she was learning. I was also a born storyteller and a bit of a tyrant. I’d demand that my friends act out with our Barbie Dolls these elaborate scenarios I created, and Heaven help anyone who went off script. No ad-libbing in my productions.

Throughout my childhood, I scribbled stories, and even had a brief flirtation with poetry in high school (the angst was great in this one). So, when it came time to pick colleges, I informed my parents that I would be attending a certain pricy liberal arts college and majoring in Creative Writing. They weren’t having it. Instead, I attended a large state university on a partial scholarship and majored in something more “practical”. (Full disclosure- I mostly majored in Beer and Boys.)

After college, I joined the working world and my writing dream just kind of drifted away. I laughed at my childhood delusions about being a writer. I lived in the real world now. That probably would have been it for writing and me, if I hadn’t made a spectacularly terrible life decision.

I went to law school.

It was a soul-sucking, self-esteem crushing pit of despair. I turned to reading to escape. But not reading my casebooks like I should have, no, I discovered Romance novels. My prior concept of the genre was: all bodice ripping, all the time. But, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Plus, romances contained two things I desperately needed: hope and a guaranteed happy ending. They kick-started my dormant imagination. Soon, when I was supposed to be briefing cases for class, I was pounding away at my own romance novel, instead.

I did graduate from law school (and, surprisingly, not at the bottom of the class), and I even passed the Bar. But I knew, I wasn’t a lawyer. I was a writer.

2. What is the toughest part about writing?

Facing the blank page. I like editing, I like tinkering, but I hate that blasted blank page. It leaves too much room for doubt to slither in. That little voice in the back of my head whispering that I suck, that I’m not really a writer, that everything I write is trash. Whenever I’m unsure of where my story is going, I feel like I’ll never have another idea. That’s it. We had a good run, but it’s over.

Once I make it through that first draft, it’s still not all golden words dripping from my pen. I have good and bad days, but at least I know I can finish a story. My advice to new writers is never abandon a story. You have to prove to yourself that you can finish something, even when a new, shiny idea that you haven’t screwed up yet is beckoning. Resist and keep wrestling with the pig you’ve got.

3. Have you experienced an aha moment, a piece of advice or a moment where something fell into place?

Recently, I picked up a story I’d relegated to the bowels of my computer, because I thought it was an embarrassment. But, reading it with fresh eyes made me realize two things: 1) Yeah, it wasn’t great, but it could be fixed, and 2) (more importantly) I couldn’t tell the difference in the writing between what was written on a day each word was chipped out of my brain with a pick axe, and what was written on a day the words flowed like honey, and little birds twittered about and braided my hair, while a unicorn farted rainbows. So on a difficult writing day, keep going. It’s not as bad you think; it’s just your perception.

4. Whose style do you admire, or is there a line you wish you’d come up with?

I’m a huge fan of Dorothy Parker. I’m always pushing The Portable Dorothy Parker on people, because it contains her short stories as well as her poetry and reviews. She’s mostly remembered for her wit now, but her short stories are masterpieces of tight, sharp writing. You could cut yourself on her prose.

Within the Romance genre, I’m an unabashed Meljean Brook fangirl. She writes some the smartest, tightest plotted paranormal/steampunk books out there, and she still manages to put a satisfying and deeply characterized romance into each one. Also, Courtney Milan writes some seriously intelligent, well-crafted Historical Romances.

5. Describe your ideal reader. Who do you write for?

This probably makes me sound more egotistical than Tony Stark, but I’m writing for me. I write (or try to write) the books I want to read. My ideal reader likes romance books with heroines who have a spine and heroes who aren’t abusive jerks but are actual nice guys- not fedora wearing, friend-zone whiners, but men who like and respect women.

A big thank you to Carmen for giving me the space to spout off my many opinions. I’ve got a Contemporary Romance entitled Rescuing Love available from Bookstrand Publishing at www.bookstrand.com/rescuing-love and Amazon. You can also check me out at www.julescourt.com.

BLURB

Recently fired attorney, Becca Lynch, only came home to Cape Cod, Massachusetts to strap on a bridesmaid dress and accompany an old friend down the aisle. Just one week of pretending that her life’s great and she’s not secretly falling apart.

A complication of the male variety is the last thing she wants. But a blistering encounter with a handsome stranger in the employee bathroom of her hometown bar might be just what she needs.

As a rescue swimmer for the United States Coast Guard, Alex Petrov doesn’t think twice about jumping from a helicopter into raging seas if lives are at stake, but off the clock, he prefers calmer waters.

Hooking up with a stranger, who turns out to be his roommate’s sister, just isn’t something he does. Until Becca.

But passion doesn’t worry about bad timing, and love can prove a more uncontrollable force than any ocean wave.

June 30, 2014 Books, Urban Fantasy Post a Comment

15 URBAN FANTASY AUTHORS YOU SHOULD READ

15 Urban Fantasy Authors I Love

I prefer Urban Fantasy to Paranormal Romance, although Urban Fantasy typically also contains a generous helping of romance. In fact, the line between the two genres is so smudgy, writers, aka me, get confused about where to place themselves. Since my focus is on the ‘fantasy’ plot rather than the ‘boy-meets-girl’ plot, I declared myself an Urban Fantasy Author years ago, and I’ve stuck with it since. This is the definition on which I based this article.

Last month, I published a short list of my five favorite urban fantasy authors. Of course I realized my mistake quickly. How can you possibly distil a whole world of exciting plots and delicious characters to five lousy entries? It just won’t do. So in full awareness that this collection is not complete either, here a more exhaustive attempt at introducing some of my favorite writers, in no particular order, together with my favorite series. Among them you will find some of the most popular Urban Fantasy writers, and hopefully a few names you haven’t yet read, but are eager to check out.

Patricia Briggs Her Mercy Thompson series is an exercise in smart, interesting urban fantasy. She has also published other series, but Mercy Thompson was the first of hers that got me hooked. You can’t beat werewolves, can you?

Kim Harrison Kim’s series The Hollows got me started in Urban Fantasy. Her quirky characters, intricate relationships and heart-pounding plots make her books a real joy. Witches, vampires, demons, werewolves — there’s no need to choose just one. To date, The Hollows is still one of my favorites.

Darynda Jones When Darynda came on the scene, I was stunned. Here was finally someone who wrote like me. An immodest thought, but one borne out of deep admiration. In all fairness I should say I want to write like her. Her main character, Charley Davidson, can see ghosts and helps them cross over. It’s fun, original, and with plots that keep you interested.

Jim Butcher Jim Butcher’s wizard Harry Dresden is a flawed and therefore all too likeable character. The plots are highly imaginative, and the characters as quirky as can be. What’s not to love?

Jennifer Rardin’s Jaz Parks series is a winner. Yeah, I know, some people like their Urban Fantasy sexy and serious, but if you’re after sexy and snarky, you’re at the right address. Sadly, Jennifer Rardin passed away in 2010, but her books are as readable as ever.

Laurell K. Hamilton Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series, at least the earlier books, are must-buy reads. Anita Blake raises the dead and is a licensed vampire executioner. She’s tough, funny, and very sexy. Halfway through the series, Laurell changed the genre from Urban Fantasy to, I guess, Erotic Paranormal. I don’t mind sex in books, but plots always come first, and hers were getting a little thin in that department. That said, anyone who likes Urban Fantasy should give her books a go.

Amanda Bonilla Amanda’s Shaede Assassin series is a breath of fresh air. I was hooked from book one. Here we have fantasy that didn’t involve werewolves or vampires or any other creatures from lore. Nope, Amanda made up a whole new world for us, with the main character being an assassin. Hey, a girl’s gotta eat, right?

Jennifer Estep Jennifer’s Elemental Assassin series features Gin Blanco, the feared ‘Spider,’ an assassin not to be trifled with. As a rule I never trifle with assassins, but Gin Blanco knows her stuff, that is to say her elements, which makes her all the more dangerous. Really fun read.

Rachel Caine Another writer who steps away from the more traditional mythologies. Joanne Baldwin is a Weather Warden who always seems to be running from or toward things. There’s never a dull moment when she’s around.

Jaye Wells Jaye Wells gave the old witches and vampires genre a fresh twist with her Sabina Kane series, and although I adore the main character, her mischief demon Gigul steals the show every time.

Mary Buckham Mary’s Invisible Recruits series took me unawares. I’m an avid reader and my favorite authors simply couldn’t keep up with my demand. I was always looking for new stuff. Mary’s a great teacher, so out of curiosity, I gave her books a try. Well, I love, love, love her character, Alex Noziak. Talk about kick-butt. With twisted plots that keep you guessing, Mary’s books make her another author to add to my must-read list.

Kate Griffin Kate Griffin’s book A Madness of Angels stole my breath from the very first paragraph. Matt Griffin is a 21st century sorcerer of urban magic. I don’t want to give too much away, but it is one of the most stunningly beautiful Urban Fantasy books I’ve ever read. And as I mentioned, I read a lot.

Keri Arthur Keri Arthur’s Guardian series with Riley Jenson is fresh and littered with three-dimensional characters. Riley is no prude, thanks to her werewolf genes. The same genes that make her such a powerful investigator. With each book, Riley’s personal circumstances get more complicated, and the plots more twisty and turny. Isn’t Urban Fantasy great?

Faith Hunter Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock is a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who makes her living hunting vampires. Something about Jane, and her alter ego Beast makes her an incredibly compelling character. Perhaps it’s her wit, or her no-nonsensitude. Definitely worth reading.

S.J. Day Sylvia Day’s Marked novels immediately sucked me in. Eve Hollis is Marked, which means she can identify infernals (demons) and, if need be, eliminate them. She’s constantly torn between Abel and his brother (your guessed it) Cain, and there’s enough intrigue and mystery to keep me interested. Sadly the series is quite short.

I’ve also read some fantastic new authors recently, but the above is a compilation of the crème de la crème IMHO. Clearly I’ve missed out authors whose books I devour, some because they’re outside what I call the Urban Fantasy genre, some because their names escape me for the moment (I apologize). All of them have helped shape my writing, in terms of plot, style and humor. More than that, through their delicate relationships, vivid characters and solid plots, they still make me read as a reader and not as a writer. I hope I’ll never lose that ability.

June 24, 2014 The Write Path Post a Comment

THE WRITE PATH – Cora Maxine

Cora Maxine

In this series, guest bloggers tell us about finding their way through the writing landscape. My guest today is Cora Maxine, author of Choices: Make Me Paranormal.

So let me hand over my mic. The next voice you’ll hear will be Cora’s.

1. What made you want to be a writer?

I love to write. That’s one thing that got me through writing my first full-length novel, Choices: Make Me Paranormal. I knew that even if no one bought a copy, I had fun writing it and wouldn’t regret the time spent. I’ve been creating stories for several years, but it was only in the past couple years that I got serious about putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, as the case may be.

2. What is the toughest part about writing?

Waiting for reviews. An author can go crazy waiting to see what readers think about their finished product. I obsess over what readers are going to think and check for reviews several times a day after publishing.

3. Have you experienced an aha moment, a piece of advice or a moment where something fell into place?

The moment I realized that it doesn’t take years to write a novel. I worked as a freelance writer for almost 8 years and it’s nothing for me to turn out a few thousand words per day. I knew if I could put just half of that time into fiction, I could write a novel every couple months.

4. Whose style do you admire, or is there a line you wish you’d come up with?

H.P. Mallory is the biggest inspiration in the writing world for me. She started as an indie author and got picked up by a big publisher; it’s the story that all writers dream of. Also, she was one of the first urban fantasy authors I read. She’s inspired me in so many ways.

5. Describe your ideal reader.

My ideal reader is someone just like me – female in her 30s who loves the paranormal. When I write a novel, I’m writing something that know I would want to read, something with paranormal elements and sexy male characters.

Links:

www.coramaxine.com
www.facebook.com/coramaxine
www.twitter.com/cora_maxine
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6541045.Cora_Maxine

Author Bio:

Cora Maxine lives in Western North Carolina and uses the towns around her as inspiration for her urban fantasy novels. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found reading, baking, and spending time with her amazing boyfriend and houseful of pets.

June 19, 2014 The Write Path 6 Comments

THE WRITE PATH – Matthew W. Harrill

Matthew W. Harrill

In this series, guest bloggers tell us about fighting their way through the writing landscape, from their early beginnings to where they are now. My guest today is Matthew W. Harrill, author of Hellbounce, which has just been released.

So let me hand over my mic. The next voice you’ll hear will be Matt’s.

1. What made you want to be a writer?

That’s actually a quite difficult question. I don’t necessarily consider myself a writer as such, more someone who has a job but has written a few stories. I have a way of storytelling that people seem to be agreeable with. My first novel, ‘The Focus Stone’ (available on www.lulu.com) was the extension of a short story that just never finished. I’m quite creative naturally, and I have read a LOT of fantasy books, enjoying the larger series (I love being immersed in a world). I also have a brain awash with so many pointless random facts. It looks like I was always destined to put pen to paper.

2. What is the toughest part about writing?

Spelling, grammar, uncertainty as to whether the audience will suspend their disbelief and buy into the story. For me with Hellbounce, the most difficult part initially was proceeding with a much smaller word count per chapter. My Epic Fantasy series ‘The Tome of Law’ had chapters ten thousand words long. My goal, as set by my mentor David Farland (www.davidfarland.net) was to go between 2-2500 words per chapter, about 12 pages of text in standard editing format (12pt courier, double spaced lines etc etc – it helps give you an idea of what will be showing on the final pages). Initially, I was stumped, but having a word count in mind actually helps one focus on what is important, and as such I have found that my story flows a lot better, the hooks are easier to place. I have heard thus far from many different people that once they get started, they can’t put Hellbounce down. You can’t ask for more than that.

3. Have you experienced an aha moment, a piece of advice or a moment where something fell into place?

The moment of epiphany:

No, but the idea is fun!

Dave

Quoting “Harrill, Matt” :

Dave,

I was just wondering, have you ever come across a story whereby hell
is literally freezing over? I was wondering if the concept of the
inhabitants of hell coming back up to earth for help because they
are under attack from something that is taking that cliché literally
and trying to destroy the realm had ever been used before. I thought
it could make quite a story.

Matt

That’s where it all started, with a simple email and a unique selling point that became the book below:

4. Whose style do you admire, or is there a line you wish you’d come up with?

I have a bizarre and varied list of people I count as influences on what I have written. Obviously David Farland has been crucial in my development as a writer. He has always been there for me to bounce ideas off of, and as a writing guru of great magnitude, he has helped me make many right choices regarding style and content. I admire his books greatly. They are so easy to read. I am also a massive H P Lovecraft fan, and initially I wanted to create something Lovecraft-esque for Hellbounce. However it evolved into something that I can only describe as quintessentially ‘me’. Oddly, I do count the fictional author Hank Moody (from the TV series ‘Californication’) as an influence. Writing can be that fun.

Is there a line I wish I had come up with? The funny thing is when my publisher asked for teaser quotes, and I had my editor go through my story, she came back with some absolute gems, even to the point that I did not believe I had written them. I think I’m happy with my own creations:

5. Describe your ideal reader.

I think somebody who is prepared to think out of the box, is prepared for a surprise, a bit of a shock, a smidgeon of romance would be my ideal reader. I never started out writing this series with a target audience in mind. There is so much science to writing: marketing, audience research etc. I had an idea and I did my best to get it down on paper. There is no way I am the finished article, so in my opinion things can only get better with every book that is out there. My next book, Hellborne: The ARC Chronicles Part 2 is in editing and will be out soon, so anybody that has read book 1 won’t have long to wait. Book 3 – Hellbeast – is in my research phase. I go into great detail compiling notes, maps, scenes etc. I write each scene as if I am there, visualising it. I have been told my story has a movielike quality. It’s not text to me. It’s screen already.

I hope to keep everybody involved when my website, blog and mailing list all go live, hopefully within the next couple of weeks at www.matthewharrill.com. Anybody interested in Hellbounce can find it on Amazon at www.amazon.com/dp/B00KNLZO4S/. I find myself privileged to be surrounded with an excellent team as I undertake this journey. Faith Bartow my publisher, Rebecca Cartee my editor, Clarissa Yeo my cover artist and Michael Lowndes my marketing advisor are all top people. This is a team effort. I’m just the point man!

May 28, 2014 The Read Path Post a Comment

THE READ PATH – with Home.Love.Books.

In this series, guest bloggers spill all about their roles as gatekeepers between the two sides of the book world. They review books on blogs, websites, podcasts or booksellers’ webpages, influence buyers and connect with authors. My guest today is Kate, owner of Home.Love.Books.

Let me hand over my mic. The next voice you’ll hear will be Kate’s.

Hi everyone. My name is Kate and I am the owner of Home.Love.Books., a book review site, as well as a freelance book editor. I spend most of my days curled up on the couch reading books, hanging out with my six rescue dogs, or doing DIY projects on my husband and I’s new house. I have been a reader since before I can remember (thanks Mom), and thankfully my love of books only got stronger as I got older.
Home.Love.Books. (www.homelovebooks.com) is a review site that primarily reviews romance, new adult, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and the occasional mystery book. You will find mostly traditionally published books on the site, but I do accept indie books, so you will find a few indies in the mix as well. I hope you will check it out, it’s one of my favorite endeavors I have embarked on.
I want to thank Carmen for inviting me to be a guest on her site, I’m happy to be here, so without further ado, here are my answers to some fantastic questions.

1. Why did you start a book review site?

So Home.Love.Books. (HLB) is not my first book review site. My first site was Urban Fantasy Reviews, and I loved that site so much. It was my baby. I started the site because I was graduating from college with my bachelors degree in English Literature, and since I was going to have more time to read than I had in the past (college does tend to load you up on textbook reading assignments) and I knew I was going to miss writing about the things I was reading, a book review site seemed like the perfect fit for me. At the time I was basically an exclusive reader of urban fantasy and paranormal romance books, so I made a very genre-specific site. After two years with Urban Fantasy Reviews I realized how much I was missing out on by only reading one genre, so I needed to branch out, but my blog title kind of locked me in. And the need for a new site was born.
I decided on Home.Love.Books. as a title because those are the three most important things in my life, and I think a lot of people can relate to that. It’s a much more genre-open site than my old site, but I have to admit that lately I have been on a romance kick. Anything with romance in it is my cup of tea.

2. What’s the best aspect of owning a book review site?

This question is hard! I do absolutely love the free books. With the amount of books I read I can’t imagine how much money it would be to keep my book habit fed. But really I love talking about books and connecting with authors. And more than that I love helping authors find an audience. Even if I don’t like a book, I always try and include a potential audience for the book at the end of the review. I have such respect for authors, and the time and effort that goes into producing a book, that I honestly believe it’s part of my job to help them find an audience for their books, and nothing makes me happier.

3. What’s the worst aspect?

Giving bad reviews. Hands down the worst part. When I come across a book I genuinely don’t like and I know I am going to write a bad review, I feel so bad about it. I know how hard it is to write books. I work with authors every day as an editor, and I feel so bad when it’s time to write a bad review about a book. Also I think authors believe if their book didn’t get a 4 or 5 star review then it is a bad review, which isn’t accurate. A 3 star review is still a positive review.
I have really only had one truly bad experience with my review sites. I once wrote a review, I believe it was a 3 star review, and the author was so upset she started e-mailing me. A lot. And let’s just say she was not writing to say how much she liked me. It went on for a long time, and I was unbelievable happy when it stopped.

4. Why should readers check out your website?

You should check out my site (www.homelovebooks.com) because I do my best to write honest and upfront reviews, as often as possible. It’s a place where you can go and you know you will come across at least a couple of books you want to read. Also if you don’t have time to read every review, my menu makes it easy to click on reviews based on the rating they got, so if you want to see all my five star reviews, all you have to do is click “Loved It” and you will be taken to the books I completely fell in love with, so if you are short on time check it out.

5. Out of all the books you’ve read, which two are your top must-read recommendations?
My must-read recommendations are constantly changing. I like to update them with my most recent books that I loved. So that’s why this question is so easy! I have completely fallen in love with two books lately, One Tiny Lie by K.A. Tucker and Whisper to Me by Christina Lee. They are both new adult books, which is easily becoming one of my favorite genres, and the authors both have such amazing voices that it felt like I was having a conversation with an old friend as opposed to reading a book. You have to check them out if new adult is your cup of tea.

May 21, 2014 Books, Urban Fantasy Post a Comment

Angel Fiction Needs Overhaul

According to a survey by the ICM, and an earlier survey by Yougov, roughly 40% of Brits believe in angels. In the US, an AP-GfK survey reported nearly 80% of people believe in angels. Oh yes, even among non-Christians the notion angels exist is widespread. Heck, even some who do not believe in some form of god trust in angels.

Wha-at?

I’m flabbergasted the numbers are so high.

Could this be why there is so little variation on the theme in fantasy or urban fantasy books? Angels are typically portrayed as warriors locked in eternal battle with demons, and humankind might become a casualty of war. Until an angel falls in love with a human and comes to understand how wonderful we are. Even outside the romance genre the angel as warrior theme persists. At best, you’ll get guardian angels, who are a specific type of angel with their own given traits.

I’m not dissing the genre. I love angel books. Different plots, different characters, different writing styles keep the genre fresh. Ish. But where is the overhaul?

Vampires, werewolves/shifters etc. are continuously being reinvented. The way they die, the way they are made, how they survive, how they love, their jobs, their living situations, … I can’t count the variations I’ve encountered over the years.

What about angels as supernatural detectives investigating infractions of the ten commandments, especially murder? Or how about angels as bureaucrats who once a millennium descend onto Earth to ensure humankind’s morals haven’t become too corrupted?

Feel free to steal these ideas. I’d really love to read about an angelic Veronica Mars.

Hey, I look forward to being proven wrong. Seriously. If you’ve read or written a book that explodes the traditional angel mold, please, please, please let me know.