BY HER GRACE
![BY HER GRACE BY HER GRACE](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/blog/2022_09/proportion/Untitled_design_2_1024x819_w140_h140/Untitled_design_2_1024x819_04280128.png)
Sep 30, 2022 by HL Bernabe
I wrote a novella! It's called By Her Grace. It ties into Cooking Up Magick, the book I have set to launch next year, and the novella is a prequel.Halfling chef Paisley Dell lives in Aspenwood, a small town at the confluence of two major trade roads. The Dells own the Rosebud Inn and are pillars of the halfling community.
Paisley is happy, but... something is missing. She feels unfulfilled and restless. On her Becoming Day, she gets sucked into the intrigue of a mysterious young human, pregnant and on the run, and through her Paisley glimpses a world she desperately wishes she could know. A world of spice, elves, and exotic, faraway places.
As their friendship grows with every...
Cat Snuggles Round #386
![Cat Snuggles Round #386 Cat Snuggles Round #386](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/blog/2022_09/proportion/20220910_205428_scaled_w140_h140/20220910_205428_scaled_04280128.jpg)
Sep 23, 2022 by HL Bernabe
Meli Kitty
As we have established, Meli loves to snuggle me under covers. I'm trying to get some work done on Canva, and she is making it incredibly difficult, because her body is blocking my access to my keyboard. But you know the rule, once a cat is on you, you aren't allowed to move her. (Who makes these rules?)
She is really more on the desk than on me, but still. She's purring! When Meli is purring, I really don't want to move her. She is too adorable and sweet. So to get any work done, I have to hold up my keyboard in one hand and type with the other. It's ridiculous.
I think my fellow cat owners will...
As we have established, Meli loves to snuggle me under covers. I'm trying to get some work done on Canva, and she is making it incredibly difficult, because her body is blocking my access to my keyboard. But you know the rule, once a cat is on you, you aren't allowed to move her. (Who makes these rules?)
She is really more on the desk than on me, but still. She's purring! When Meli is purring, I really don't want to move her. She is too adorable and sweet. So to get any work done, I have to hold up my keyboard in one hand and type with the other. It's ridiculous.
I think my fellow cat owners will...
VACATION, HERE WE COME
![VACATION, HERE WE COME VACATION, HERE WE COME](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/blog/2022_09/proportion/20190704_113016_scaled_w140_h140/20190704_113016_scaled_04280128.jpg)
Sep 19, 2022 by HL Bernabe
Oregon Coast Highway 101
For the first time in my life, I am taking a vacation that is longer than nine days. I could have taken a longer one before, but I usually opted to break it up into smaller mini vacations. Not this time, though. This time, I have 16 days off in a row.
Whoo! Road trip, baby! My daughter got their vacation request approved as well, and now we're going to hit the road tomorrow. My 20-year-old kiddo and I will be in the car, singing Queen, AC/DC, and Rammstein at the top of our lungs on a rockin' road trip. Destination: sunny Los Angeles, California.
We are going to have SO MUCH FUN! I feel so blessed that...
For the first time in my life, I am taking a vacation that is longer than nine days. I could have taken a longer one before, but I usually opted to break it up into smaller mini vacations. Not this time, though. This time, I have 16 days off in a row.
Whoo! Road trip, baby! My daughter got their vacation request approved as well, and now we're going to hit the road tomorrow. My 20-year-old kiddo and I will be in the car, singing Queen, AC/DC, and Rammstein at the top of our lungs on a rockin' road trip. Destination: sunny Los Angeles, California.
We are going to have SO MUCH FUN! I feel so blessed that...
Fall Into Fantasy 2022
![Fall Into Fantasy 2022 Fall Into Fantasy 2022](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/blog/2022_09/proportion/image0_673x1024_w140_h140/image0_673x1024_04280128.jpeg)
Sep 16, 2022 by HL Bernabe
Sneak peek at the beautiful cover of the new anthology, courtesy of Andrew Farrell
I tend to write big. Like 350K+ words and still not done with my epic fantasy big. The idea of condensing a story into 5,000 words is crazy to me. So I've been trying to read more short stories, trying to figure out the magical mystery of what makes a good one.
Somehow I stumbled across Andrew Farrell of Cloaked Press and Fall Into Fantasy. I agreed to do an ARC read (that's an advanced reader copy) for the 2022 edition. From what I have found on Amazon, Cloaked Press has put out an anthology of short stories every year as far back as 2017. ARC readers...
I tend to write big. Like 350K+ words and still not done with my epic fantasy big. The idea of condensing a story into 5,000 words is crazy to me. So I've been trying to read more short stories, trying to figure out the magical mystery of what makes a good one.
Somehow I stumbled across Andrew Farrell of Cloaked Press and Fall Into Fantasy. I agreed to do an ARC read (that's an advanced reader copy) for the 2022 edition. From what I have found on Amazon, Cloaked Press has put out an anthology of short stories every year as far back as 2017. ARC readers...
3 Day Novel Writing Contest
![3 Day Novel Writing Contest 3 Day Novel Writing Contest](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/blog/2022_09/proportion/Untitled_design_3_1024x819_w140_h140/Untitled_design_3_1024x819_04280128.png)
Sep 10, 2022 by HL Bernabe
I looked JUST LIKE THIS.
So I did this crazy thing. It's called the 3 Day Novel Writing Contest. Anvil Press holds this contest over the three days of the Labor Day weekend. The idea is to write a novel in three days. Contestants get 72 hours to write a complete draft of a story. You know, with engaging characters, snappy dialogue, conflict, good pacing, an interesting plot, and so on. In 72 hours. In order to do that, the writer must unleash those creative juices, massage the brain, imbibe a shit-ton of java, prop their eyeballs open with toothpicks, and not die. Oh, and of course, write their ass off. Did I mention this was over the course of only...
So I did this crazy thing. It's called the 3 Day Novel Writing Contest. Anvil Press holds this contest over the three days of the Labor Day weekend. The idea is to write a novel in three days. Contestants get 72 hours to write a complete draft of a story. You know, with engaging characters, snappy dialogue, conflict, good pacing, an interesting plot, and so on. In 72 hours. In order to do that, the writer must unleash those creative juices, massage the brain, imbibe a shit-ton of java, prop their eyeballs open with toothpicks, and not die. Oh, and of course, write their ass off. Did I mention this was over the course of only...
The Box Says It All
![The Box Says It All The Box Says It All](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/blog/2022_08/proportion/20211130_085500_1024x887_w140_h140/20211130_085500_1024x887_04280128.jpg)
Aug 26, 2022 by HL Bernabe
Kitty in a box. Tribble just can't help herself. Amazon scores a win on this one.
Forward Progress
Aug 19, 2022 by HL Bernabe
I received my developmental edits back for my epic fantasy book, Cooking Up Magick. Overall, my editor had very positive things to say, so that was a relief. Of course, every manuscript has things to work on, though. So, I let it percolate in my brain for a couple of weeks, and then my kiddo was gracious enough to brainstorm with me about my editor's notes to come up with solutions and ways to improve the book.
(I swear my kid is my muse. In the ideas department, they are amazing. I'm so blessed to have such an amazingly creative kiddo. I love you, sweetie! You have my undying gratitude!)
I have been plugging away at them ever since. I'm about...
The Sidekicks Initiative Audiobook Review
Aug 12, 2022 by HL Bernabe
read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B07DR42DXT&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_PNZRPPDWA9MY78ZEVXWM
Oh, my goodness. This book, y'all. I couldn't stop laughing. Now, just so you know, it is really hard to get me to laugh out loud while reading a book, even a funny one. Usually, I smile and nod, or maybe I'll do a small chuckle once in a while. But this book made me guffaw, snort, and laugh out loud—sometimes hysterically. And it did this to me many, many times over the course of the book.
Part of the hilarity comes from the premise of the book. The government comes calling on retired sidekicks after their heroes get murdered by an unknown villain of incredible power. The three sidekicks are: Sam (aka Kid Random) whose power is to change reality...
Oh, my goodness. This book, y'all. I couldn't stop laughing. Now, just so you know, it is really hard to get me to laugh out loud while reading a book, even a funny one. Usually, I smile and nod, or maybe I'll do a small chuckle once in a while. But this book made me guffaw, snort, and laugh out loud—sometimes hysterically. And it did this to me many, many times over the course of the book.
Part of the hilarity comes from the premise of the book. The government comes calling on retired sidekicks after their heroes get murdered by an unknown villain of incredible power. The three sidekicks are: Sam (aka Kid Random) whose power is to change reality...
Why Buy Expensive Cat Toys, When Cats Are Content with Bags and Boxes?
![Why Buy Expensive Cat Toys, When Cats Are Content with Bags and Boxes? Why Buy Expensive Cat Toys, When Cats Are Content with Bags and Boxes?](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/blog/2022_07/proportion/cropped_pic_of_girls_in_bag_boxes_1024x943_w140_h140/cropped_pic_of_girls_in_bag_boxes_1024x943_04280128.jpg)
Aug 05, 2022 by HL Bernabe
Have you ever spend money on kitty toys to keep your furry friend active and happy, only to find them ignoring them? And then, they play with things that were seriously cheap or even free?Witness the grocery tote. I bought some of these reusable box-like bags for grocery shopping, and I swear, every time I come home from the store, my cats must immediately climb inside them. It doesn't matter if I haven't finished unloading the groceries or not. They must try the bag-box out for size. It's a bag! It's a box! It's kitty temptation times 3000! Right after I took this pic, they decided each other's box-bag was better, and switched sides.
And then there are the packing...
And then there are the packing...
Squee! A DnD Movie!
Jul 29, 2022 by HL Bernabe
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiMinixSXII
This looks like so much fun. I'm sure purists will point out all the things that are wrong that they see in the trailer (it's a reaaaally bad idea to jump into a gelatinous cube), but I really don't give a rat's ass about that. I don't care if a druid isn't supposed to turn into an owlbear. I believe rules are just guidelines in any RPG. For me, the story is the most important aspect. If someone turning into an owlbear makes for an excellent spectacle and adds to the story, then whee! Let's do it. The whole point of roleplaying in fantastical worlds is using one's imagination. Your world can be whatever you make it.
The actors cast...
This looks like so much fun. I'm sure purists will point out all the things that are wrong that they see in the trailer (it's a reaaaally bad idea to jump into a gelatinous cube), but I really don't give a rat's ass about that. I don't care if a druid isn't supposed to turn into an owlbear. I believe rules are just guidelines in any RPG. For me, the story is the most important aspect. If someone turning into an owlbear makes for an excellent spectacle and adds to the story, then whee! Let's do it. The whole point of roleplaying in fantastical worlds is using one's imagination. Your world can be whatever you make it.
The actors cast...
Rayleon Whipclaw
Jul 22, 2022 by HL Bernabe
A Legend Is Born
Thanks to David Selbert and Pexels for the image.
I hadn't played DnD in years, since my hubby and I usually played the White Wolf system. After he passed away, I missed gaming, and I checked into the local DnD meetup group. I went to a few of those and joined a campaign shortly before the pandemic started.
I played Rayleon Whipclaw, an Aäriadri Tabaxi (a house-cat sized cat-person). She had to be a rogue, of course, and she was a ton of fun to play. Think Puss-n-Boots, with a ginormous cavalier hat, and short cloak. Through my lucky rolls, she constantly dodged death, and saved her teammate's asses repeatedly. Her head got pretty darn big as a...
Thanks to David Selbert and Pexels for the image.
I hadn't played DnD in years, since my hubby and I usually played the White Wolf system. After he passed away, I missed gaming, and I checked into the local DnD meetup group. I went to a few of those and joined a campaign shortly before the pandemic started.
I played Rayleon Whipclaw, an Aäriadri Tabaxi (a house-cat sized cat-person). She had to be a rogue, of course, and she was a ton of fun to play. Think Puss-n-Boots, with a ginormous cavalier hat, and short cloak. Through my lucky rolls, she constantly dodged death, and saved her teammate's asses repeatedly. Her head got pretty darn big as a...
Legends and Lattes
Jul 15, 2022 by HL Bernabe
Book Review
Hey, all! I wanted to share with you this book I read by Travis Baldree. It's about a half-orc named Viv, who has been a barbarian mercenary for most of her life. She's tired of the killing, and she's very aware that the next adventure could kill her. She's had enough. Viv has a plan for her early retirement, though. She opens a coffee shop in a city that doesn't even know what coffee is.
This book is about her "adventure" in starting up her business when she has absolutely no business no-how. She hires people--a hob, a succubus, and a rattkin--with a few more clues than her, and the entire gang of characters are wonderfully written and interesting....
Hey, all! I wanted to share with you this book I read by Travis Baldree. It's about a half-orc named Viv, who has been a barbarian mercenary for most of her life. She's tired of the killing, and she's very aware that the next adventure could kill her. She's had enough. Viv has a plan for her early retirement, though. She opens a coffee shop in a city that doesn't even know what coffee is.
This book is about her "adventure" in starting up her business when she has absolutely no business no-how. She hires people--a hob, a succubus, and a rattkin--with a few more clues than her, and the entire gang of characters are wonderfully written and interesting....
Cuddle Bug Meli
![Cuddle Bug Meli Cuddle Bug Meli](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/blog/2022_07/proportion/20220622_184639_scaled_w140_h140/20220622_184639_scaled_04280128.jpg)
Jul 08, 2022 by HL Bernabe
This is one of Meli's favorite places to be. She's a happy kitty!
I'm always cold at my desk, even in the summer, so I often have a blanket. Meli likes to burrow under it and snuggle with me. It makes working at my desk a challenge... But it's hard to tell a happy, purring kitty no.
Where's My Breakfast, Lady?
![Where's My Breakfast, Lady? Where's My Breakfast, Lady?](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/blog/2022_07/proportion/20220701_143821_1024x713_w140_h140/20220701_143821_1024x713_04280128.jpg)
Jul 03, 2022 by HL Bernabe
Tribble staring at me as I prepare for the morning in the kitchen. Apparently, I'm supposed to feed her as soon as I wake up, not twenty-five minutes later. How dare I make her wait!
Cooking Up Magick
![Cooking Up Magick Cooking Up Magick](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/blog/2022_06/proportion/pexels_matheus_bertelli_799420_w140_h140/pexels_matheus_bertelli_799420_04280128.jpg)
Jun 19, 2022 by HL Bernabe
After many beta readers and about a billion pass-throughs, my book, Cooking Up Magick, is in developmental editing. I eagerly await the feedback, so I can wrangle it into its final form.
Thanks to Pexels and Matheus Bertelli for this image.
What's it about? Well, think Rachel Ray meets The Lord of the Rings. Here's a blurb:
Paisley Dell dreams of traveling the world, meeting new people, and learning how to cook their food. When two friendly dwarfs offer to escort her through orc territory to the dwarven city of Garastrade, the bubbly halfling chef jumps at the chance.
During her travels, she makes new friends, including a mysterious elven ranger, a magickal cat that only talks to her, and a handsome half-orc....
Thanks to Pexels and Matheus Bertelli for this image.
What's it about? Well, think Rachel Ray meets The Lord of the Rings. Here's a blurb:
Paisley Dell dreams of traveling the world, meeting new people, and learning how to cook their food. When two friendly dwarfs offer to escort her through orc territory to the dwarven city of Garastrade, the bubbly halfling chef jumps at the chance.
During her travels, she makes new friends, including a mysterious elven ranger, a magickal cat that only talks to her, and a handsome half-orc....
Kitty Corner
![Kitty Corner Kitty Corner](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/blog/2022_06/proportion/Copy_of_Copy_of_Summer_time_photo_collage_5_w140_h140/Copy_of_Copy_of_Summer_time_photo_collage_5_04280128.png)
Jun 19, 2022 by HL Bernabe
Who doesn't love kitties? I have two, and they are furry, loveable, cuddly, sweet little assholes.
This post honors them and how they have worked their way into my book. I have a cat character named Rayleon Whipclaw in Cooking Up Magick, and many of her character quirks come from observing my own cats.
Behold, meet Tribble the Terror. Named such because she was an eight week old fluffy ball of trouble when I brought her and her sister home.
And this is her sister Meli, the Eldritch Horror. So named because as a kitten she was like a bee, buzzing around the room. The photos below are before and after taking growth serum. She makes it very hard...
This post honors them and how they have worked their way into my book. I have a cat character named Rayleon Whipclaw in Cooking Up Magick, and many of her character quirks come from observing my own cats.
Behold, meet Tribble the Terror. Named such because she was an eight week old fluffy ball of trouble when I brought her and her sister home.
And this is her sister Meli, the Eldritch Horror. So named because as a kitten she was like a bee, buzzing around the room. The photos below are before and after taking growth serum. She makes it very hard...