Small fandom pleasures
Apr. 15th, 2026 10:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sholioI had a need for fluff and so I wrote me some (plus banter and a smidgeon of angst and sex) from my nebulous Babylon 5 post-canon fixit future: A Nice Little House on Narn.
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Today I discovered the existence of Murderbot Maladies, basically a whump / h/c event for May, but the list of prompts is AMAZING and I am going to reproduce it under the cut. As someone who has participated in h/c events basically since they have existed on LJ and similar, I can only say that this is perhaps the best prompt list I've seen, mixing as it does a number of serious h/c staples with such glorious inventions as "harpooned", "inhaled a drone", and "accidentally called Mensah 'Mom'".
( The prompt list )
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Today I discovered the existence of Murderbot Maladies, basically a whump / h/c event for May, but the list of prompts is AMAZING and I am going to reproduce it under the cut. As someone who has participated in h/c events basically since they have existed on LJ and similar, I can only say that this is perhaps the best prompt list I've seen, mixing as it does a number of serious h/c staples with such glorious inventions as "harpooned", "inhaled a drone", and "accidentally called Mensah 'Mom'".
( The prompt list )
FIC: The Moment We Knew (1/1)
Apr. 16th, 2026 01:01 pmluthienHey, look - there's more! (One WIP down; three to go.)
The Moment We Knew (4049 words) by Luthien
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov
Characters: Shane Hollander, Ilya Rozanov
Additional Tags: Interviews, Post-Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), Transcript Format, Shane Hollander Loves Ilya Rozanov, Ilya Rozanov Loves Shane Hollander, Minor Original Character(s)
Summary: Hi Yuna,
Please find attached the edited transcript of the interview I conducted with Shane and Ilya yesterday as part of our The Moment We Knew series.
I am, of course, more than happy to address any questions, changes or clarifications that they (or you!) may wish to raise with me before I start work on the article that will appear on our website.
Everything remains subject to the terms of the NDA until final clearance is provided in writing, as per our formal agreement.
Regards
The Moment We Knew (4049 words) by Luthien
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov
Characters: Shane Hollander, Ilya Rozanov
Additional Tags: Interviews, Post-Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), Transcript Format, Shane Hollander Loves Ilya Rozanov, Ilya Rozanov Loves Shane Hollander, Minor Original Character(s)
Summary: Hi Yuna,
Please find attached the edited transcript of the interview I conducted with Shane and Ilya yesterday as part of our The Moment We Knew series.
I am, of course, more than happy to address any questions, changes or clarifications that they (or you!) may wish to raise with me before I start work on the article that will appear on our website.
Everything remains subject to the terms of the NDA until final clearance is provided in writing, as per our formal agreement.
Regards
Hayley Rhodes
Lifestyle Editor
Guardian News, North America
Down the path.
Apr. 15th, 2026 07:21 pmhannahI got the date wrong on an appointment. I knew I had something on the 22nd, as well as the adjacent week, but I'd forgotten it was the week of the 29th, not today. I understand how I made that mistake and I'm not sure what to do to keep it from happening again, other than writing it down in a dedicated weekly planner instead of on a post-it note.
But, I ran a couple errands I'd wanted to get done. I found that swings got installed at Lincoln Center for the summer and rode one for a few minutes, and now I know they're around for another sunny day sometime soon. I was able to visit a grocery store near where my appointment would've been held and got a few things there on discount - a couple dollars less than the prices at my usual store, and while the leftover dollars went to fancy coconut water, it about balanced out. Walking downtown, someone I met at a party recognized me from the street and called out my name and we had a nice little chat. I took the time I would've spent at the appointment, went home, and got some good writing done ahead of going out tonight.
So all in all, I'm not upset about how things went today.
But, I ran a couple errands I'd wanted to get done. I found that swings got installed at Lincoln Center for the summer and rode one for a few minutes, and now I know they're around for another sunny day sometime soon. I was able to visit a grocery store near where my appointment would've been held and got a few things there on discount - a couple dollars less than the prices at my usual store, and while the leftover dollars went to fancy coconut water, it about balanced out. Walking downtown, someone I met at a party recognized me from the street and called out my name and we had a nice little chat. I took the time I would've spent at the appointment, went home, and got some good writing done ahead of going out tonight.
So all in all, I'm not upset about how things went today.
Write Every Day: Intro
Apr. 15th, 2026 04:36 pmsanguinityWhat Is Write Every Day?
A roving writing support community, with a bias toward encouraging a daily writing habit. It's a decentralized community, without moderators or a fixed home; hosting duties are passed around among members of the community.carenejeans hosted the first half of April; I'm hosting the second half, starting on the sixteenth. (By my time-zone: tomorrow.) zwei_hexen keeps a list of who volunteered to host when.. No one is yet scheduled for May -- it could be you!
( FAQ )
Housekeeping
As host, I'll be publishing daily check-in posts, distributing encouragement in the comments, and keeping a tally of who checked in what day. I'm in Pacific Daylight Time (UTC -7), and plan to post the daily check-in during my evening. (About when this post went up.) I know my proposed posting time is very late for many people, so don't feel you have to wait for the new day's post -- just check in on the most recent post whenever is convenient for you. Whatever post you use, please include what day you're checking in for, so I can keep the tally straight.
I'll also be using a consistent tag for these check-in posts ("write every day") so feel free to block or follow that, depending on your interest.
If you have any questions, or wish to check-in ahead of tomorrow's post, the comments are open! Welcome!
A roving writing support community, with a bias toward encouraging a daily writing habit. It's a decentralized community, without moderators or a fixed home; hosting duties are passed around among members of the community.
carenejeans hosted the first half of April; I'm hosting the second half, starting on the sixteenth. (By my time-zone: tomorrow.) zwei_hexen keeps a list of who volunteered to host when.. No one is yet scheduled for May -- it could be you! ( FAQ )
Housekeeping
As host, I'll be publishing daily check-in posts, distributing encouragement in the comments, and keeping a tally of who checked in what day. I'm in Pacific Daylight Time (UTC -7), and plan to post the daily check-in during my evening. (About when this post went up.) I know my proposed posting time is very late for many people, so don't feel you have to wait for the new day's post -- just check in on the most recent post whenever is convenient for you. Whatever post you use, please include what day you're checking in for, so I can keep the tally straight.
I'll also be using a consistent tag for these check-in posts ("write every day") so feel free to block or follow that, depending on your interest.
If you have any questions, or wish to check-in ahead of tomorrow's post, the comments are open! Welcome!
Critical Role
Apr. 15th, 2026 07:14 pmsettiaiI've finally started my rewatch of the early episodes of CR4 so that I can properly get caught up on Critical Role. Actually starting it has been the hardest part, so I'm hoping that now that I've begun I can stick to at least one episode a day and more if possible.
It's definitely easier to keep track of things in the early episodes now that I actually know who everyone is and what's going on. Having advance knowledge of just what groups everyone will be splitting up into shortly seems to be helping as well, as I have a better idea of what's really important to focus on and what's not. I'm also picking up on some smaller details that I completely missed the first time around just because I was already struggling to keep track of who was who and such.
I'm hoping that this rewatch will help it keep my attention better than it was the first time around. 🤞🏻
It's definitely easier to keep track of things in the early episodes now that I actually know who everyone is and what's going on. Having advance knowledge of just what groups everyone will be splitting up into shortly seems to be helping as well, as I have a better idea of what's really important to focus on and what's not. I'm also picking up on some smaller details that I completely missed the first time around just because I was already struggling to keep track of who was who and such.
I'm hoping that this rewatch will help it keep my attention better than it was the first time around. 🤞🏻
Happy National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week!
Apr. 14th, 2026 09:35 pmozma914It's Photo Wednesday! Which I just made up. Only it's not--in this case it's Meme Wednesday, which I also just made up, although I'd imagine I'm not the first. Somebody should make a meme about that.
So instead of my photos, I'm posting images about what I like to call Dispatchers Week, because National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week really doesn't roll off the tongue.
I spent over three decades as a full time dispatcher, and now I'm a part time dispatcher until our books start pulling in, oh, five figures. Should happen any minute now.
I think most of my coworkers are glad to have me back, so I can teach the newbies about puns and inappropriate humor. Or, it could be because we're shorthanded at the moment. It turns out we're supposed to do this job 24 hours a day--who knew?
When I first started in the emergency services, some 45 years ago, I was told I'd never make it in the business if I didn't drink coffee. In the time since, I've had exactly one cup of coffee, at a winter mobile home fire when the temperature was below zero. I'd have drunk antifreeze, if it was hot enough. These days, most of the other dispatchers don't drink coffee either. I have no explanation for this, although when you pick up a 911 call and someone immediately screams in your ear, that tends to keep you awake for awhile.
This is exactly why our moods, like our shifts, can veer in any direction in an instant. Except when we have visitors. When people are watching, nothing happens.
It's one of the most important jobs there is, because we're the first first responders. If we don't take the call, none of the other first responders know to respond. Unless there's a fireball on the horizon, or something.
So thank you for your dedicated work, dispatchers! With you in mind, there's a minor character in my Storm Chaser series who is, indeed, a night shift dispatcher. You can tell by how grouchy he is.
Fires and other emergencies tend to pop up a lot in our books, both fiction and nonfiction. Check us out!
· Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0058CL6OO
· Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/"Mark R Hunter"
· Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4898846.Mark_R_Hunter
· Blog: https://markrhunter.blogspot.com/
· Website: http://www.markrhunter.com/
· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ozma914/
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkRHunter914
· Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrhunter/
· Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkRHunter
· Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkRHunter
· Substack: https://substack.com/@markrhunter
· Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/ozma914
· Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ozma914
· Audible: https://www.audible.com/search?searchAuthor=Mark+R.+Hunter&ref_pageloadid=4C1TS2KZGoOjloaJ&pf
Remember: People who read are much more likely to remember the number for 911.
The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Wednesday, April 15
Apr. 15th, 2026 11:06 pmveronyxk84 posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
su_herald
WILLOW: So scabby demon got away?
BUFFY: Scabby demon number two got away. Scabby demon number one, big check in the slay column.
WILLOW: I don't like this whole no mouth thing. It's disquieting.
BUFFY: Well, no mouth means no teeth. Unless they have them somewhere else...
BUFFY: Scabby demon number two got away. Scabby demon number one, big check in the slay column.
WILLOW: I don't like this whole no mouth thing. It's disquieting.
BUFFY: Well, no mouth means no teeth. Unless they have them somewhere else...
The Sunnydale Herald is looking for at least one new editor. Contributing to the Herald is a great way to get your Buffy on! Find out more here.
[Drabbles & Short Fiction]
- Silent Night (Buffy, PG) by badly_knitted
- [COLLECTION] Rare Kink Buffet 2026: A Prompt Fest | 2 works for AtS (various ships, E) by unrevealed creators
- [COLLECTION] Rare Kink Buffet 2026: A Prompt Fest | 4 works for BtVS (various ships and ratings) by unrevealed creators
- A Watcher doesn't panic. (Giles, Jenny, Buffy, T) by NorbertoMcFlirto
- Old News, But a Revelation All the Same (Angel/Spike, G) by xaeyrnofnbe
- A coke with a cutie (Buffy, Dawn, G) by Gohstface
- Reminiscense (Drusilla/Buffy, E) by Severina_Blue
- Drabbles 30 – Tilted Mirror (Buffy, Willow, Giles, Xander, G) by Aadler
- One last goodbye (Drusilla/Buffy, G) by Severina_Blue
- this certainly won't bite him in the ass (Angel/Spike, G) by Chaotic_Wag
- It was Tuesday. (Buffy/Spike, T) by Pomegranate_oolong
- Good Girl (Angel/Fred Burkle/Spike, E) by Kittenwritings
[Chaptered Fiction]
- Moments, Chapter 6/? (Buffy/Giles, M) by KatyAmberAuthor
- First Light, Chapter 2/? (Giles/Jenny, Giles/Ethan, M) by jannacore
- A Stake In The Family, Chapter 17/? (Buffy/Spike, M) by voidslayerworks98
- Infinitely, Chapter 97/? (Willow/Tara, M) by Laragh
- The Seal of Solomon, Chapter 4/? (Buffy/Giles, E) by Cosmic__Cowgirl
- He used to be Mine, Chapter 15/15 (Buffy/Spike, not rated) by DeamonQueen
- Summers and Winters, Chapter 1/? (Buffy/Spike, HP xover, G) by PensivePensieve
- Always and Forever, Chapter 16/? (Willow/Tara, M) by storiwr
- A Bloody Tricky Tale, Chapter 2 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by Willow25
- And no net ensnares me, Chapter 7 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Sirabella
- Restructuring Reality [Series Part 3], Chapter 21 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Ragini
- the adventures of Ciri and Boots, Chapter 5 (Buffy/Spike, G) by flootzavut
- A Very Dangerous Game, Chapters 20-21 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Maxine Eden
- Everyone And their Mother, Chapters 3-4 (Buffy/Spike, R) by Tikiriaaa
- And no net ensnares me, Chapter 7 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Sirabella
- the adventures of Ciri and Boots, Chapter 5 (Buffy/Spike, G) by flootzavut
[Images, Audio & Video]
- Artwork: DO YOU THINK THEY’LL LET YOU? (Spike, mildly suggestive) by rabbitmotifs
- Crafts: An old repurposed paint box with some plastic creatures because I was reminded recently this bag of Buffy’s exists (worksafe) by thegothicalice
- Gifset: Spike’s Tracking Chip Removal | 4x13 The I in Team (Spike, Scoobies, worksafe) by victorfreakenste1n
- Pixel Art: [Spike as a pony] (worksafe) by derpidydooo
- Pixel Art: Willow! A classic look from Willow in a pair of overalls and a very rustic red sweater (worksafe) by dglsmcmffnpnts
- Artwork: art of Drusilla incredibly focused on Kendra’s scar (worksafe) by sideartblog999
[Reviews & Recaps]
- 5.01 Buffy vs Dracula | 5.02 Real Me by boatshoesbreadsticksandbastards
- Btvs s5-7 rewatch liveblog!! 5.03 The Replacement by boatshoesbreadsticksandbastards
- Btvs s5-7 rewatch liveblog!! 5.04 Out of My Mind by boatshoesbreadsticksandbastards
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer S3E18 "Earshot" Recap & Review (Major Slayage) by Major Slayage - A Buffy Rewatch Podcast
- Old School Bangel Comic by CandidateHefty329
[In Search Of]
- ISO: does anyone know what shirt [Buffy] is wearing in the musical episode? requested by Zestyclose_Ice_5279
[Fandom Discussions]
- Angel for the character ask game? by lycanpunk666
- Kinda sad when you think about Buffy and Giles’s relationship pre s6 and post by lxvespxffy
- Anya for the ask game by lycanpunk666
- your character ask game: Cordelia (Chase, ofc) by evanescence-ep
- Willow? [Ask game] by evanescence-ep
- Ask game: Dawn or Anya!! by evanescence-ep
- Tara for the ask game by n1-adora-fan
- Willow for the character ask game? by rebornautumn
- ok actually cordelia is such a badass from day 1 by thread-bare-theoretician
- I feel like Maggie Walsh would’ve been a way cooler and effective villain than Adam by beatriceoverwall
- For the character asks… Cordelia Chase! by lycanpunk666
- rewatching buffy & enjoying the fact that the first guy buffy dates in the show is in fact not angel but owen by july-19th-club
- spike phrased everything weird as hell during his soul retrieving quest by deathlesshate
- Giles should have had a past as an alchemist rather than as a wizard by victorfreakenste1n
- BUFFY!! [Ask game] by evanescence-ep
- Faith having the best storylines on Angel by IntelligentPumpkin74
- When to watch Angel? by pythonisssam
- A New Buffy Comic is Coming by AndrewHeard
- Angel is Coming to Tubi (Next Month) by Remarkable-Law-5902
[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]
- CONVENTION: James Marsters to Attend Paris Manga 3-4 October 2026 by dontkillspike
Two final Hungarian politics links...
Apr. 15th, 2026 07:44 pmdolorosa_12... and then I'll stop, I promise!
This lengthy essay gives a blow-by-blow account of the staggeringly overwhelming non-stop series of shenanigans (autocratic regime and its external autocratic patrons) that voters had to deal with during the lengthy lead up to Sunday's vote. (This included: nonstop antisemitic propaganda campaign claiming the democratic opposition were stooges of Zelenskyy, recycled from a previous nonstop antisemitic propaganda campaign claiming the same thing about Soros, ham-fisted false flag attacks from Russian intelligence on an oil pipeline in Serbia which they tried to spin as a Ukrainian sabotage, intelligence operations targeting teenage opposition IT specialists, attempts to charge independent investigative journalists with espionage, etc.)
Plus:
As the author of the essay said, Hungary under Orbán was 'not a democracy with flaws, but an autocracy with elections.'
It took a lot to overcome that wall of horrors, and this thread by a Hungarian academic summarises it well.
What they were up against was unbelievable, and I am so immensely impressed. No wonder everyone took to the streets and partied as if they'd just won the World Cup.
This lengthy essay gives a blow-by-blow account of the staggeringly overwhelming non-stop series of shenanigans (autocratic regime and its external autocratic patrons) that voters had to deal with during the lengthy lead up to Sunday's vote. (This included: nonstop antisemitic propaganda campaign claiming the democratic opposition were stooges of Zelenskyy, recycled from a previous nonstop antisemitic propaganda campaign claiming the same thing about Soros, ham-fisted false flag attacks from Russian intelligence on an oil pipeline in Serbia which they tried to spin as a Ukrainian sabotage, intelligence operations targeting teenage opposition IT specialists, attempts to charge independent investigative journalists with espionage, etc.)
Plus:
systematic vote-buying: bribing people with bags of potatoes, cash, even drugs; local strongmen threatening to fire them from their jobs if they don’t vote Fidesz, or call child services on them; thugs accompany citizens into the voting booth — a full logistics chain of stealing the election.
As the author of the essay said, Hungary under Orbán was 'not a democracy with flaws, but an autocracy with elections.'
It took a lot to overcome that wall of horrors, and this thread by a Hungarian academic summarises it well.
What they were up against was unbelievable, and I am so immensely impressed. No wonder everyone took to the streets and partied as if they'd just won the World Cup.
Dreadnought, by April Daniels
Apr. 15th, 2026 11:00 amrachelmanija
Danny is a 15-year-old closeted trans girl in a world where superheroes are real. She's across town from her home and her transphobic abusive father, hiding in an alley and painting her toenails with polish bought in a shop as far from her home as she can manage, when America's strongest superhero, Dreadnought, gets in a fight with a supervillain, crashes at her feet, and passes on his powers to her, since she's the only one there to receive them, before dying.
His powers automatically reshape her body into her mental ideal. So now she's physically a very pretty, very strong girl with superpowers... who now has to explain this to her abusive transphobic parents, everyone at her school, and the local superheroes, one of whom is a TERF. Not to mention that the supervillain who killed Dreadnought is still out there...
This is basically exactly what it sounds like: a superhero origin story for persecuted trans teenagers. It's very earnest and has absolutely no subtext. My favorite parts were the bits where Danny gets her gender affirmed by new friends and a sympathetic superhero, which are genuinely very sweet, and when Danny finally proclaims herself the new Dreadnought, which is a great stand up and cheer moment . But overall, I'm too old to be its ideal reader.
Content notes: A LOT of transphobia and transphobic slurs.
What I'm doing Wednesday
Apr. 15th, 2026 11:45 amwriterlibrarianHealth
I took a dive in the outside steps on Sunday. My right knee was scratched a whole lot. The shock was brutal. I'm better, yea! for chiropractor and Polysporin cream.
Teacher stuff
Last week of online class, I still have to write one text for next Monday. Then they have to do their last term paper due on the 30th. By May 10th it's done.
I really enjoyed the experience. If the opportunity is offered again I'll take it.
Work stuff
I might take a short term replacement job at my old library. One of the librarian is out on sick leave. I'm just the back up if she doesn't come back mid May and only part time (3 1/2 days) and only until June. That's a lot of only. We will see.
Reading
April is a slow month reading wise I'm still reading Katabasis by R. F. Kuang. I'm up to 21% and it's interesting. But I'm more into reading fic this month. It's Rough Trade first writing challenge of the year. The theme is Complications : competence/alternative universe. I love reading the stories as they are written. I have two this time I'm following : Bone Deep it's a Harry Potter Master of Death AU and (How to) Save a Life also Potter fandom but with a focus on Draco being the main character. Often I end up rereading some stores that were posted through the challenge and published months later. I am rereading Keira Marcos Fusion/AU Potter/Tolkien: The Arda Exodus. It is still very entertaining and a comfort read.
Watching
Pursuit of Jade is on pause because I'm not in a historical drama mood but I'll go back to it eventually. I am watching Sunsets Secrets Regrets a noir, crime, undercover, police drama. So far (10/28), it's keeping me watching. Rebirth was a no go, I watched the first three and nope.
Hockey
The battle of Pennsylvania Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia. Redux. Go Pens. Starts this week-end.
Crafting
My red fox in the forest is done.
I took a dive in the outside steps on Sunday. My right knee was scratched a whole lot. The shock was brutal. I'm better, yea! for chiropractor and Polysporin cream.
Teacher stuff
Last week of online class, I still have to write one text for next Monday. Then they have to do their last term paper due on the 30th. By May 10th it's done.
I really enjoyed the experience. If the opportunity is offered again I'll take it.
Work stuff
I might take a short term replacement job at my old library. One of the librarian is out on sick leave. I'm just the back up if she doesn't come back mid May and only part time (3 1/2 days) and only until June. That's a lot of only. We will see.
Reading
April is a slow month reading wise I'm still reading Katabasis by R. F. Kuang. I'm up to 21% and it's interesting. But I'm more into reading fic this month. It's Rough Trade first writing challenge of the year. The theme is Complications : competence/alternative universe. I love reading the stories as they are written. I have two this time I'm following : Bone Deep it's a Harry Potter Master of Death AU and (How to) Save a Life also Potter fandom but with a focus on Draco being the main character. Often I end up rereading some stores that were posted through the challenge and published months later. I am rereading Keira Marcos Fusion/AU Potter/Tolkien: The Arda Exodus. It is still very entertaining and a comfort read.
Watching
Pursuit of Jade is on pause because I'm not in a historical drama mood but I'll go back to it eventually. I am watching Sunsets Secrets Regrets a noir, crime, undercover, police drama. So far (10/28), it's keeping me watching. Rebirth was a no go, I watched the first three and nope.
Hockey
The battle of Pennsylvania Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia. Redux. Go Pens. Starts this week-end.
Crafting
My red fox in the forest is done.
Jesus
Apr. 15th, 2026 12:00 pmconulyJust went to the store, spent over $90 for half a week's groceries just for me.
This is not sustainable, but it's not going to get better any time soon.
I could eat at work, but let's be clear, I don't much like the housekeeper's cooking, they rarely have in stock what I'd need to make my own food the way I like it (other than eggs), and also I have some weird food issues around... I don't really know. Eating other people's food? But not at a restaurant where it's okay? Maybe it's smelling the food? I honestly do not know, that's what makes these issues weird. (But even if I didn't, she boils the poor vegetables to death.)
This is not sustainable, but it's not going to get better any time soon.
I could eat at work, but let's be clear, I don't much like the housekeeper's cooking, they rarely have in stock what I'd need to make my own food the way I like it (other than eggs), and also I have some weird food issues around... I don't really know. Eating other people's food? But not at a restaurant where it's okay? Maybe it's smelling the food? I honestly do not know, that's what makes these issues weird. (But even if I didn't, she boils the poor vegetables to death.)
Just One Thing (15 April 2026)
Apr. 15th, 2026 08:19 amnanila posting in awesomeersIt's challenge time!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished! Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished! Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
Book 33, 2026
Apr. 14th, 2026 09:54 pmchez_jae
A Twist of Demon by S.E. BabinMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
View all my reviews
I finished reading A Twist of Demon by SE Babin last night. It’s the first in the urban fantasy series “Cocktails in Hell”. The main character is Violet Swan.
Violet is an Apothecaire (a Brewer of potions) of extraordinary ability, which she tries to keep under wraps. She owns a bar with books, where she uses her brewing acumen to serve up unique drinks to humans and paranorms both. Violet keeps a low profile. If her true identity were known, she would be killed. However, she’s forced to out her abilities when a group of demons attacks her and she must defend herself. Now she’s garnered the attention of one of the Fallen who wants her to take over as the guardian to one of the portals of Hell. Violet seeks the assistance of another Fallen, her foster father, Azrael. When the bar is attacked by another, larger group of lesser demons, it seems the only way for Violet to remain safe is to accept the job, which would put her under the protection of Lucifer himself.
This was fast-paced and interesting. I liked Violet as a character. She got a little cocky with her abilities at times, but she was quick to accept help when she realized she was in over her head. While the characters were all portrayed well, I got the feeling this is a spin-off of another series…?
Favorite lines:
♦ I wasn’t anti-tentacle or anything, just anti-tentacle on top of my bar.
♦ I’d bet my left tit, and that one was my favorite.
♦ No one ever got my Buffy jokes which told me most paranorms took themselves way too seriously.
♦ If you couldn’t screw the devil over, were you really making a deal with him?
Enjoyable book peopled with interesting characters and combining action and humor. Four stars.
