Reflection's Edge

Wintertide Surprise by Ann De Carrasco (science fiction/fantasy)
It's a disaster. Or it will be, if the family's Wintertide Surprise doesn't make it there on time. But Gary and Ethel find they may have to make a rather unethical bargain with the family clones if they want their Wintertide to go as planned - resulting in some very unexpected holiday events.

The Lunar Balloon by Shaylen A. Maxwell (fantasy)
       She’s been a lonely orphan for 4.4 million years, but she’s determined not to remain one for much longer. She has concocted the perfect plan - and all she needs are a few helium balloons and an outfit fit for a trip to the moon.

Desert of Sharp Sorrows by Michael Kelly and Jonathan William Hodges (dark fantasy)
       Myra has been dying all her life. Perhaps that's why she's come to the desert at last, brighter and stronger than any death she could bring to it. And with the decision to depart from her normal life she's encountering so much more - not least a mysterious man with an equally mysterious gift he insists on her taking.

A Winter Solstice Sun by Daniel Ausema (fantasy)
       It has been so long since Puu has seen the sun, felt its warmth with his tired branches. In search of its missing light, Puu decides to make his way to a distant place where it might yet shine - only to find very different company, of a goblin sort. With relentless questions and promises of a better way to the sun, the goblin leads him on.

The Cave of the Winds by Joanna Gardner (fantasy)
       The winds have been calling her for a very long time - destroying her sleep, her relationships, and any sense of peace she once had. But her arrival at the cave takes her to a far stranger path than she expected, where she will give and gain unexpected gifts.

At the Alter of Pan by A.C. Wise (horror)
       It's not hard to be fearless - not if you haven't time to fear: not between the worries of germs, accidents, gray hairs, cancer, and every smile a cavity waiting to happen. But now, with her handsome lover, if she can just love him deeply enough, ignore the magic strongly enough, and evade the growing horror long enough, perhaps it will all go away...

Queens, Dreams, and Merry Fiends, a review by Mathilde Madden
Cruel Enchantment, Janine Ashbless’s little-known collection of twisted faery tales and paranormal romance, is revisited by Mathilde Madden in this enthusiastic review.

Also check out the Book Reviews section.

No new resources this month, but check back soon for more interviews and articles on writing craft. For previous nonfiction articles, see our extensive nonfiction archive.

And finally, RE's livejournal is here.