Oh Kim Harrison!

“It’s a bit quirky.” Those were the words I heard from author Kim Harrison herself, in regards to the first novel of The Hollows (also known as the Rachel Morgan) series. This of course came after I admitted fully to her that I was a new reader, or about to be one as I sat next to her at the book singing she had here in Grand Rapids back in March with my sister-in-law Mel - who is a big fan of Kim’s. On the way to the signing Mel had filled me in on bits and pieces with the series. Needless to say I became quite intrigued. I’m a fan of the Urban Fantasy genre. Upon arriving to the bookstore, my big sissy surprised me with buying me a copy of that first book to the series, Dead Witch Walking. So as I sat during the portion of the signing where Kim Harrison read a page from the latest book of the series that she was promoting, followed with her Q&A portion with the crowd, I sat in awe. I was completely excited not only to be getting to check out a new (or at least new to me) series, but having the opportunity to meet an author. To meet someone, who is standing in the position I dream of being in someday.

Meeting her was wonderful. I was totally upfront and honest that I hadn’t read any of her work yet, but I was definitely looking forward to it. She was so polite and so was her husband, who after hearing I was a newbie to the work of his wife said “We need to get a picture with the new reader for the website.” So yes, I am actually featured on her site in the post about that particular signing! It’s funny though, as excited as I was when I left there by the time I was able to pick up the book to start reading I had suddenly felt nervous. Here I was, silly me, having met the author of this signed book in my hands and I felt nervous. Mostly because I thought, what if I don’t like it? I was so glad to have squashed that question down right as I opened the book and began to allow myself to fall into the storyline. Harrison is a brilliant writer! I immediately felt the pull and enjoyment of how she wrote her story. I also, immediately found myself completely pulled into the plot and reading each night I cracked open the book until my eyes were burning from exhaustion! I had a hard time putting this one down.

In Dead Witch Walking, Rachel Morgan is introduced on the job for the Inderland Security (I.S.) agency. It is of course also noted that she herself is an “inderlander” due to her being a witch. She quits her job, right along with a fellow I.S. Runner, a living vampire (Ivy) whom the agency blamed Rachel for losing. A death threat gets put out on Morgan and it’s from there the earth witch’s adventures begin. She goes through quite the turn of events all the way through the book. It’s a definite must read if you’re a fan of the Urban Fantasy genre. Moran battles with fairies, demons and a Trent Kalamack - just to name a few. With Ivy by her side, along with her pixy partner and friend Jenks it certainly makes for a great read as Rachel Morgan has to face hurdles while trying to find a way to end the death thread on her life. Want to know how it plays out? Well, you’re just going to have to pick up a copy of the book and read for yourself. Harrison writes this story flawlessly in my opinion, in a way that can keep a reader on the edge of their seat and ready for more. I am most definitely going to have to pick up a copy of the next book and continue this series!

Oh Kim Harrison, you have earned yourself another fan and she’s recommending your book to everyone!

--XOXO, Jane

Cigarettes Stay Gone!

I woke up today with an old urge. As I lay back in bed trying to adjust my eyes to my own harshness of turning on the lamp beside my bed, I fantasized about having a cigarette. I could feel that old feeling of getting up out of bed, stepping out onto the back porch and perching myself on the top step. Pulling out the cigarette from a pack and pressing it between my lips as I fumbled sleepily with the lighter. I could full on imagine and remember the taste of it as I took that first hit via my morning fantasy. It was better with the second hit. However, after that second hit off the cigarette that I only was imaging quite vividly while still lying in bed, I shook myself back to reality.

As of just this past February it’s been two years since I quit smoking. I unfortunately smoked off and on for ten years of my life. More on then off, but regardless of that I did finally quit cold turkey. No patches, no candies, no electronic cigarettes to aid me through it. It was just a severely sprained right ankle that prevented me from being able to get around. I think I only kept my sanity (for the most part) during nicotine fits early on given I was at a point where I was ready to be done. I didn’t want an addiction controlling me. I wanted more control of my own life and aside from my ‘addiction’ to coffee; I didn’t want to feel some sort of substance had a hold on me.

Really I don’t think the craving will ever fully go away. Sadly, I do know people who quit well over twenty years ago and admit to still craving as well as dreaming about smoking. Oh yes – I do have the occasional surreal dream in which I’m sneaking off somewhere to smoke a cigarette. Or I’m telling myself that just one cigarette one hurt me; dreams that are indeed very lifelike causing me to wake up and actually smell my hair. You know, when your eyes finally open from a surreal dream and you lay there almost dazed questioning, ‘did that just happen for real?’ I always have to roll my eyes when I realize it was just a dream. I’m proud to say I haven’t cheated once since quitting.

Now while I’m not one of these “I quit smoking and so should you” types of people, I am definitely one that is glad to have broken away from the nasty habit. It’s funny, I do find myself breathing better now compared to when I first quit. Sometimes the smell of smoke actually bothers me and I don’t feel the nicotine fits like I used to. Naturally, if I have a really stressful day I’ll think about running up to the store and breaking down buying a pack. However, I am happy to say I continue to hold strong and remain smoke free. Despite all the stresses of life that have come my way over the past couple years. I quit for myself and I think that’s the only reason I have been able to go this long and continue this smoke free path in my life.

--XOXO, Jane