Blood Type: An Anthology of Vampire SF on the Cutting Edge

The latest book from Nightscape Press was released today,   Blood Type: An Anthology of Vampire SF on the Cutting Edge. This is a charity anthology with all net proceeds going to The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, "the only UK-wide charity making a daily difference to the lives of people with cystic fibrosis, and those who care for them."

Check out the striking cover from the talented Gary McClusky:

The table of contents is as follows:

The Undying by William F. Nolan

Taxing Youth by Rebecca Brown

The Souls of Stars by Amelia Mangan

Evergreen by Peter Giglio

Reptile House by Stephen Graham Jones

Accommodation by Michael R. Collings

A Little Night Music by Mike Resnick

Predators of Tomorrow by Michael Kamp

Mountains of Ice by Jilly Paddock

Occupation by James Ninness

Orientation Day by Peter Watts 

The Pilot by Jason Duke

Unperished by S.R. Algernon

Eudora by James S. Dorr

A River of Blood, Carried into the Abyss by John Palisano

Better for Burning by H.E. Roulo 

I Was There... by Tarl Hoch

Strays by Robert S. Wilson

Damned to Life by Essel Pratt

Happy Hour by GN Braun

Temporary Measures by Jay Wilburn

I, Vampire by David N. Smith & Violet Addison

Slave Arm by Laird Barron

Gods and Devils by Taylor Grant

17 by Jonathan Templar

Chrysalis by Jason V. Brock

Data Suck by Benjamin Kane Ethridge

Sun Hungry by Tim Waggoner

Wet Heavens by Brian Fatah Steele

Some major names in the world or Science Fiction/Horror as well as some relatively new talent to keep an eye on! At only $4.99 for a Kindle version (or $4.99 for EPUB or PDF on our website if you don't have Kindle) for over 130,000+ words going with net proceeds going to charity, it's a great deal!

Meal Planning

When I would visit my brother and sister-in-law, I was always impressed by the fact that they meal plan.  On the one hand, it clears up the, "What do you want to have for dinner?" question -- often a time stealer at our house. On the other, it can clear up time in general, if you purchase groceries and cook ahead as well. In an effort for full disclosure, I think in the three or four years since I have witnessed them in that practice, I have attempted meal planning four times and successfully meal planed maybe twice.  OOPS!

That is changing this week. As I'm looking over our finances, it seems as though there may be a little extra month at the end of our money.  So, it was helpful to try and stretch our grocery budget as much as I could to make sure food was covered and then deal with everything else.  So, I went for meals that were 1) well received in the household 2) easy 3) low-cost 4) at least somewhat healthful.  This is my meal plan for dinner for the next seven days (in no particular order, because that's still a little beyond me ;-) ):

Chili (w/peanut butter sandwiches)
Vegetable soup (w/grilled cheese)
Tacos (w/rice & [homemade refried] beans)
Chicken (w/salad & vegetables)
Loaded baked potatoes (w/salad)
Spaghetti (w/salad & bread)
Chicken stir fry (w/rice)

Lunches will be made up of leftovers, as I'm going to make sure there will be enough "extra" at least for my husband and I (as the kiddos will be eating lunch at school, except for the upcoming weekend).  I did have some "staple" items on hand like pasta, flour, seasonings, and the like, but all other items needed for the meals were purchased from Kroger for $56.  Not bad for a week's worth of meals.  Obviously this doesn't account for breakfast, but we do have some eggs, bacon, and oatmeal on hand.  Also have cereal, but will need to account for at least a gallon of milk.  And all in all, pretty decent on nutrition/calories.  Bought a bag of dried beans and long-grain rice, which I hadn't before.  Should be interesting and I'll try to report back on how things go.  And if it all works out, will definitely post again on recipes/cooking ahead/et cetera.

Nightscapes: Volume 1

Nightscapes: Volume 1

From the depths of the soul to the depths of hell. From the shadows of your most frightening dreams to the shadows lurking in the corner unseen and waiting. Darkness is painted across the palette of every nightscape. And it’s waiting for you… In this new anthology from Nightscape Press, we bring you 24 tales of bitter loss, jaded love, obsession, murder, cannibalism, hauntings, voodoo, black market horrors, demons, leprechauns, zombies, deadly mysteries, and much more!
Table of Contents:  A Dry Spell in Parnell County by Ed Kurtz  Still by Charles Colyott  A Taste of Green Voodoo Healing by Peter N. Dudar  Vision by Megan N. Moore  Autumn's Gifts by Jeremy Terry  Game Changer by Peter Giglio  Corruption by Lisa Mannetti  Worldly Possessions by Richard Salter  Village Green by Boyd E. Harris  Angel Killer by Lisa Morton  Fly by Jonathan Templar  Wee Ones by C.W. LaSart  Mary Kelly's Face by John Forth  How to Save a Life by Chris Marrs  In the Halls and on the Stairs by Brad C. Hodson  Surprise Inside by Tonia Brown  Chopper by Bryan Hall  House Hunting by Ray Garton  Deviant Colors by Benjamin Kane Ethridge  Guadalupe's Tamales by Shane McKenzie  Whispers in the Trees, Screams in the Dark by Taylor Grant  The Big Dream by J.S. Reinhardt  The Rag-End of Dreams by Trent Zelazny  Skins by Richard Wright Available now from Nightscape Press in paperback and Kindle format at Amazon!