The Sleeping Car Porter: Please Let This Man Sleep!

Historical fiction isn’t something I read often. But I enjoyed this book. Y’all, if you can get past the oddball formatting you’ll be fine. The author breaks many writing “rules”, and I loved it.

The Sleeping Car Porter is a fictional tale told from a single POV. Mr. Baxter. An overworked, underpaid, undervalued, TIRED porter. I found this story intriguing because I knew nothing about porters. As a Black millennial, I’m not shocked. There are many things we just never learned about growing up. This book though fictional, was a teaching moment. I looked into Pullman porters because of this novel. I watched documentaries about them on YT at two in the morning. They were IMPORTANT and completely overlooked during civil rights discussions. If you don’t know of their hand in our community please, do yourself a favor and learn about them. They changed Black labor unions forever and paved the way for those who needed it most.

Not only was this book a look into the lives of porters but also it shone a light on the struggling gay man. Relationship troubles, loneliness, and the hunger for connection filled the page.

The world still ain’t perfect and our community still needs support, but being a Black gay man during the 20th century was isolating. My heart broke for Baxter. By the end, I wanted him happy, well-rested, and fed. I think (I’m choosing to believe) that he moved in with his “friend” the doctor, and became a successful dentist.

My Favorite August Reads

I made it, I’m here y’all! Six days late but here we are. I’m still getting the hang of this blog thing. Anyway! August was DARK! I read a ton of horror that involved darker themes such as murder, death, and trauma. An honorable mention is Briardark, but it didn’t quite make it on the list. Now, before I crown my number one pick let me tell you to read all content warnings. If you’d love to read Library At Mount Char but have triggers i will give you a heads-up. Intense acts of violence, violence against kids, murder, gore, blood, death, assault, SA (caught me off guard)

i don’t have triggers and don’t read them, so I just grimaced and turned the page. LAMC is a horror book. I know some will say it’s dark sci-fi fantasy but there are horrific moments )in my opinion) that catapult this into the horror genre. It’s by no means extreme horror but it toed the boundary.

Midnight Rooms is another you must understand from the beginning, it is gothic horror darning on the jagged rim of Dark Romance. Which remember, is seldom healthy. If you don’t read said sub-genre great, move along. The other two are light romance reads I thoroughly enjoyed. No complaints. There might be one or two acts of violence in each book but nothing heavy.

I adored these books for my emotional response. Each novel pulled a visceral reaction from me and that’s what I call good storytelling. It’s my type of glorious word weaving. I will say the ending in LAMC left a sour taste on my tongue, and maybe that’s what the author wanted, I have no idea. I wanted blood-stained justice and didn’t get it. BUT! My expectations are a me problem, not an author problem.

With the talking bits done, I wanna give that five outta five, number one spot to Midnight Rooms. I have to! I was smelling mold and drinking down honey thick tea. it was a terrific dive into a surreal fantasy world with many secrets and some were left shrouded in mystery. Whatever this author writes i will buy!

What To Expect From Patchwork and Pitchforks

Set in the fictional town of Indigo Plains, Patchwork and Pitchforks is a paranormal romance serial with splashes of adventure, horror, and mystery. The main couple and cast will encounter strange happenings in the rural town. Magic and mayhem will ensue but just know, romance is the plot. Please do not misunderstand, I write romance. Kissyface and smashing will be the bread and butter of my stories. I love love, intimacy and smut. You will get all of that and more.

You may find throughout this serial supporting characters get some air-time. Yes, there will be sidequests! I love them, I’m so sorrrry. Serials are about ensembles, right? Can’t say who will get what and when, but I will read comments on this.

I am a planster. I know the characters and the setting, that’s it. I will give ocntent warnings as I go.

I know a few straightaway and they are:

Patchwork and Pitchforks

Be prepared for fluff, steam, romance, and paranormal happenings!

After Jasper Marrow relocates to Indigo Plains she’s prepared for paint, hammers, and broken nails. What she finds on moving day is more than she cares to deal with. Busted pipes, growing mold, and an eager-to-please married couple offer too much excitement for one night.

All Jasper wants is her new-ish house fixed and perhaps exorcised. When the happy duo extends a helping hand and free temporary housing, she has no choice but to accept.

This isn’t close to what I normally write, but I wanted something cute on Whitney Houston’s internet. I’ve been trying to do light and fluffy for months. And I don’t know, I thought why not put it out there.

Daily writing prompt

List 30 things that make you happy.

View all responses

I love many mannnnny things. This is so easy. It might seem kinda plain, but, this is true happiness in my book.

My Sons
Movies
Books
Writing
Videogames
Nachos
Headphones
Stickers
Funko Pops
Novelty Items
Dogs
Birds
Music
Star Wars
Tiny Houses
Forestry
Minerals/Crystals/Gems/Rocks
Bread
Tea/Coffee
A Clean House
Graphic Tees
Venom/Deadpool/Vampires
Rugby
Peanut Butter
Traveling By Train
Adult Coloring Books
Handmade Items
Socked Feet
Amusement Parks
A New Pen

Silver in the Wood

This book wrapped me up in a warm hug and fed me snacks. I found Silver in the Wood to be a comforting read. I loved it. I adored it. Will rec often. Keep in mind, if you want spice, steam, and heat, you will get nothing. That’s not what this sweet-pea romance is about. I’m someone who💗LOVES💗 spice, smut, and erotica, but I don’t NEED it.

Steam is not a requirement for me. Character development and story matter here. If a romance is closed door or light with glimpses and kisses, fine, but the story had better come together.

Silver in the wood did just that.

There was life in this book and much of it. I thoroughly enjoyed the lore and world-building. I’m sooooooo excited to read the next book. It’s on hold at the moment so I’m counting the days!

Horror and Heartstrings

I had a great time this month! And as you can see it’s a mishmash of romance and horror. Two genres I hold dear. I will say, the horror reads were fairly light, nothing too creepy or bleak.

Though, hold up, How to Sell a Haunted House?
Pupkin was a fucking menace and a horrible twisted thing. I know what he truly was but STILL, come onnnn, he was a maniac. He moved mean and did it because he wanted to, because the lil shit thought it was funny.
I woulda tossed his rabid and ratty ass in a WOODCHIPPER! Time to play! Fuck you! And don’t even get me started on the Juggernaut puppet. Holy hellscape, this book was more funny than scary. A bit unnerving if you hate dolls, puppets, and the like. Folks terrified of Slappy from Goosebumps might throw this book across the room and flee in terror.
As for me? It takes something more to rattle my bones. Eg. The Ritual, War of the Worlds, The Willows, and Kane Pixels Backrooms made my guts bubble. I didn’t wanna go to sleep after reading/watching that shit. I don’t want it on my brain, feeding sleep demons or whatever.
Because, you know, like a normal person, I love consuming horror media right before bed.
What a dimwitted badass!
Anyway, liminal space, alien invasion and folk horror give me absolute chills. Creature features, cursed/haunted objects and such, are a good time, I love reading them.
With that said, I rec most of the books here. If you love vampires and monsterfuckery then PLEASE, I implore you to devour Velvet Steel. And if you enjoy lighthearted alien romances, Contagion is delightful. Oh! And if mm is more your jam, The Stallion Ridge series is a fantasy western with spurs, saddles and heart. Give it a shot.

Killing the Art of Sexual Intimacy

Puritan culture is going to kill the arts. Sterility is what they seek and I loathe it. To say this generation is more sexual than the last is not only ignorant but false. To speak on sex in novels without having any knowledge of old works of fiction is absurd. I can understand if you’ve read every book on planet earth and have facts to back your claims. Then I’d say good day, sir, ma’am, ENBY you have stunned and stumped me.

But nah! Hell nah.
Most who recite these points on intimacy in literature and film haven’t read enough. They haven’t researched enough or cared to. They have a ‘me’ mentality about it. ‘I don’t like this so I don’t think it’s called for’. SAD! Please, go sit down and open a book which has what you crave within those pages.
There are too many novels and movies out there w/out sex for them to complain and gripe. If you wanna nitpick about the resurgence of sexuality, genitalia and nudity then fine! Has if ever occurred to them, some may be squeezing in these sex scenes out of spite?!
I have written my fair share of sex scenes because of this. I have made certain in my recent works to make those characters fuck! I can’t take a world filled with this evangelical approach to all things linked to passion and carnality.
Sex will sell! Nothing you can do will stop it. Even if these bible thumping Neanderthals ban erotica and ‘displays of intercourse’ it won’t put an end to this.
Sex and art have ALWAYS been and will always BE one!

A Break from the Norm

Oh my! I have had quite the writing day. I started at 4:30 and ended at 2.6k! Every day isn’t so great and that’s okay. Yesterday was a bust, and I don’t care. This book was fun to write. I’d be on schedule if I kept to the 40k goal, but I’ll be going over by 20k.
Listen, it’s still a feat for me. At 60k this is the shortest novel I’ve ever written. When you’re used to 100k+ this feels like a snippet. But again, it was fun. And I plan on writing another cozy, low-stakes novel at some point. There was no pressure. A TINY external conflict, autumn vibes and romance.
The spice factor sits around 2/5. Normally I keep things piping hot at 4-5/5. Three to five sex scenes. Two quickies and three sessions are where I most comfortable. My WIP had none of that, but it feels good. The amount of sex and intimacy fits the story. Do I miss the nasty, thigh soaking sex scenes and drama? Yes, yes, I do.
I will not give up my high stakes/spice, thick plot books. I can’t quit gritty paranormal romance, but I’ll return to these cute, fluffy waters at least once a year. If only to give my dark mind a break for a spell.

“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
Albert Einstein

Fear, My Best Buddy!

For years and years annnnnd years, I’ve let fear run amok. It’s controlled many parts of my life, I threw away huuuuge opportunities because of such cowardice. My lack of spine, and lack of faith in self! I let doubts and impending criticism hold me back from sooo much.
But sis, bro, them!I am so over it. I have been a writer for seventeen long arse years. I have written scripts, poetry and scribbled ideas on napkins, journals and receipts. I have finished 16 MS! No one, has read so much as a word. Not one person, why? Cause I scarwed, or was. I was terrified of someone saying, “yo, this is garbage.” After I’ve just spent months pouring my whole soul into 120k words.
I was polarized and mortified by the mere thought of criticism. Not that I think I’m above it, absolutely not. No, it’s someone looking at my work and thinking I’m no good, cause I wanna be good, I wanna be a published author. And, I think I’m good, I do. I think I’ve got a knack for it, but what if someone disagrees?! That’s the scary part. Thing is, with age, I’ve grown less concerned with what others think of me, what I wear, or how I choose to live my life. For the life of me, I can’t find those same set of balls when it comes to writing.
Letting strangers read what I’ve written is exposing! I think that’s what it boils down to. People get to see what’s inside my dark, dank, attic which some would call a brain. It strips me bare for all to see, and perhaps that’s what I’m fearful of most. But by gods of Olympus, I’m sick of it y’all, I am done! Ya girl is fresh out of excuses. If I want people to read what I have, even ten sets of eyes, I will mush on! I want someone to see this world full of vampires and demons that reside in my head for weeks on end.
I feel it’s time you know, to throw caution to the wind and say, F it! Some will hate it, I am not delusional about this, there will be folks who will give it one star. But, that comes with the territory. Life as a storyteller isn’t easy, but if I can write it, I can publish it.