Thursday, December 20, 2012

Mistletoe Magic from Sarka

Image Credit: AKarmine

If you’re in the northern hemisphere, today is the Winter Solstice—also known as the first day of winter. If you’re in the southern hemisphere, your summer officially begins today and you’re not to talk to me until I can feel my toes again. The heat’s broken in my office and nowhere else, and don’t think I haven’t gotten wise to certain family members’ efforts to make me socialize during the holidays (I’m looking right at you, Sage and Cemil).

Ahem.

But the solstice is a time of forgiveness and rebirth, and since it’s warmer out here by Myron’s computer, I’ve offered to do our Yule blog post. At great personal inconvenience, I might add.

Many religions celebrate holy days this time of year, a time of family, friends, and gift-giving that can be traced back thousands of years. And even secular celebrations touch on the traditions we know and love. One popular decoration you’ll see is mistletoe.

Especially around here, and did no one think of how badly that could end up when some of the guests see the rest of us as Meals on Wheels?

The tradition of kissing under this (poisonous!) plant comes from embracing to show you were friend. Legend says that Vikings, upon meeting a foe under mistletoe, would lay down arms and meet in peace. But did you know that mistletoe is for more than just kissing? In ancient times, it was called heal all, and many people today still believe in its uses in treating heart conditions, convulsive disorders, and even cancer. But don’t go out and start tinkering with it yourself! Mistletoe is toxic, and has been known to cause seizures in children. Always consult your healer before adding any potions to your health care.

Luckily, there are many ways to use mistletoe in magic that don’t involve my special potion-making skills. For example:


  • Hang a sprig of mistletoe over your door to bring peace and friendship to your house (and to protect against lightning!).
  • Burn some mistletoe to banish evil.
  • An amulet carved from mistletoe wood will promote fertility.
  • A sprig of mistletoe under your pillow or hanging from the headboard will promote restful sleep and peaceful dreams.
  • Share a kiss with your lover under the mistletoe and your love will endure.

And many more.

Mistletoe is such a useful plant, I have plenty in my stores no matter what time of year. If you have need, please come see me in the main Haus.

I’ve got to go now. We have a whole group of young vampires coming in for the next week, and I think that's my cue to hex my heater into submission.

A joyous and peaceful Yule to you all,

Sarka

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Christmas Wishes... at the Wiccan Haus



Ah yes Christmas at the Wiccan Haus is always festive, there is bound to be someone who celebrates everything here on the island.




Our Holiday Wishes to you from the staff at the Wiccan Haus

Sage~ May you be blessed by the bounty of the earth.

Cemil ~ May you find your inner peace.

Cyrus~ May you and your family be safe and together.

Sarka ~ I wish someone would turn on the heat in my office.

Myron ~ May the cards be good to you and yours.

Rekkus ~ You don't really expect me to say something do you?  Go ask Trixie.

Dana~ May everyone find the happiness that my mate and I have. (I swear he really is a big pussy cat)

Trixie~ May peace be with you in every breath you take.

Serena~ May you find the love of  your life against all odds.


And from all the authors of the series. May you have a blessed and prosperous new year.  Thank you for the support you have shown us this year.


Get to know the series... though they are stand alones for those of you who like to read in order here they are....



Shifting Hearts (The introduction to the series) by Dominique Eastwick
A Man Worth Fighting For by Sara Daniel
An Apple Away By Kate Richards
Siren's Serenade by Dominique Eastwick
Physic Lies by Sara Daniel
Shifter's Dance By Vanessa North


If you are new to the series let us know and we can get you started with the first book for free just follow us here. One winner will also win the book of their choice to read!!!!!  To enter follow us here and comment :)





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Monday, December 3, 2012

Musa Publishing Announces Deal With Author Gary K. Wolf For Third Roger Rabbit Novel





(Lancaster, OH) Musa Publishing, an independent digital-first publisher, has announced today that they
will publish Who Wacked Roger Rabbit? by author Gary K. Wolf, the third book featuring Wolf's iconic character,
Roger Rabbit, and the denizens of Toontown.
"When I first got a submission in the inbox from Gary K. Wolf, creator of Roger Rabbit, I must admit that
I didn't take it seriously. After all, why would such a well-known author be coming to Musa?" confesses Musa
Editorial Director, Celina Summers. "But after I read his submission, all my doubts were erased. No other author
in the world has that distinct narrative voice. Rather quickly, we accepted two novels from Gary—The Late Great
Show! and Typical Day—and Gary became part of the Musa family. But even then, I never expected he'd bring us
a Roger Rabbit novel. "
Who Wacked Roger Rabbit? is the culmination of a twenty year wait for fans of the world that Wolf
first created in his 1981 Hugo-winning Who Censored Roger Rabbit? The third installment in the series has been
promised to fans for a long time but never released. Now, with the 25th anniversary of Who Framed Roger
Rabbit? on the horizon in 2013 and rumors of a 3-D reissue stirring up excitement among Roger Rabbit fans, the
collaboration between Wolf and Musa is coming at a significant time.
"I could easily have published Who Wacked Roger Rabbit? through a major print publishing house.
Instead, I choose to make this the first book of the Roger Rabbit series to be published digitally," Wolf
states. "That decision evolves directly from the way I work, from the core philosophy of what I write and why
I write it. I always push the boundaries in my writing. I invent worlds that nobody else ever thought about. I
create unique characters and situations. I try to always be at the forefront of my craft. That includes the way my
writing is presented to my readers. Digital publishing is clearly the future. It’s the way books are headed, so I’m
heading that way, too."
With his first book at Musa, The Late Great Show!, released in October and his second novel, Typical
Day, coming out on December 7, Wolf is no stranger to the Musa system. "I especially like the way Musa has
taken digital publishing into areas that I never thought of. Using proprietary software, I’m able to interact with
them electronically in real time. My editor, the publicity department, the art department, and everybody else
involved with my work all have instant access to everything I submit. And vice versa."
Wolf isn't the only well-known author bringing his works to Musa. USA Today bestselling author Sharon
De Vita has a multi-book deal with the publisher, and her romantic mystery The Estrogen Posse has been
increasing in sales since its release in October, 2011. Science fiction up-and-comer Gini Koch's serial—The
Martian Alliance—is being published by Musa, along with new and backlisted works from well-known authors
like Cindi Myers, Vella Munn, Helen Hardt, and Julia Bell. In addition, Musa is responsible for the Homer Eon
Flint project, where the entire body of work of this lost American science fiction author is being saved from
crumbling 1920s pulp magazines and disintegrating newspaper copy and published as e-books.
"Even two or three years ago, it would have been thought impossible to lure these writers to a small,
young publisher," Summers explains. "But because of our author-friendly policies and transparent business
model, small publishers like Musa are able to release books like Who Wacked Roger Rabbit? digitally, with both
a better product and prices far below what traditional publishers set for their e-books."
Both Summers and Wolf are optimistic about the prospects for Who Wacked Roger Rabbit? The novel
reunites all the old fan favorites—Eddie Valiant, his fuzzy sidekick Roger Rabbit, Baby Herman, and Roger’s va-
va-voom mate Jessica, who continue their madcap human and Toonian adventures. This time, Eddie is hired to

bodyguard for Gary Cooper and Roger Rabbit, the stars of a new movie to be shot entirely in Toontown.
"Musa is thrilled to publish the next installment in the Roger Rabbit world," Summers says. "Toontown
and e-publishing are destined to work well together. Gary has such an innovative mind. He takes risks daily with
his fiction—he enjoys taking creative risks. He can do that comfortably at Musa because we encourage all our
authors to reach further, to attempt things they normally wouldn't. E-publishing is all about trying things that
traditional publishers might be uncertain about."
With the release of Who Wacked Roger Rabbit? set for November of 2013, Musa and Wolf are
poised to gratify millions of Roger Rabbit fans across the world. The entertainment franchise is worth over
$500,000,000 and the fandom is as eager as ever to follow their beloved Roger Rabbit and Eddie Valiant into
new adventures—including e-publishing.
"Digital publishing is the wave of the future, and I’ve always been a wave of the future kind of guy," Wolf
states matter-of-factly. "For me, going digital wasn’t in any way a last resort. It was a necessity."

Gary Wolf is the NYT Bestselling author of numerous book, articles, and short stories including Who
Censored Roger Rabbit?, Who P-P-P-Plugged Roger Rabbit?, Space Vulture, and The Late Great Show! His
screen writing and credits include Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Typhoon Lagoon, and—coming in 2014—The
Resurrectionist and Killerball. Awards for Wolf’s work include the Hugo Award, British Science Fiction Award,
SF Chronicle Award, and 4 Academy Awards. Wolf is an avid Yoga enthusiast and lives in Boston where he is a
full-time author, screenwriter, lecturer, entertainment consultant, and consummate “grown-up kid.” Look for
his next Roger Rabbit installment to be released November, 2013 by Musa Publishing.

Website: http://www.garywolf.com/

The Late Great Show! and Typical Day is available through Musa Publishing, www.amazon.com,
www.barnesandnoble.com and e-tailers worldwide.

More information available from Musa Publishing at www.musapublishing.com and
www.musapublishing.blogspot.com .