I also share posts here from my blog: (follow me there and never miss a post). Dracula's Best Crossovers. Tuesday is World Dracula Day, when we celebrate the anniversary of the first publication of Bram Stoker’s vampire classic Dracula. Over the 123 years he’s been with us, The Count has encountered all sorts of other characters, some more memorable than others. Here are some of my favourite Dracula crossovers… Dracula vs. King Arthur After making a deal with Lucifer to become a vampire, Lucifer then decides to send Dracula back to Arthurian times to take over the world.
Hi-jinks ensue over the course of this comic book’s four-issue run. It’s maybe not the best-executed crossover (Lucifer wants to send Dracula back in time to before vampires existed so the Count can start turning humans and spreading evil– so why send him back to the time of legendary heroes? Dracula vs. As two of the most popular monsters, it’s no surprise that Dracula has faced off against Frankenstein*. *Yes, Frankenstein is the doctor, not the monster. Dracula vs. Dracula vs. Dracula vs. Happy Dracula Day! Aspasía S. Quote of the Day 149. Poll: Please take a second to vote. Whenever I read anything related to having a website as an author, or about marketing our books, I’m told again and again to start a newsletter.
The thing is, I’m not convinced people want newsletters. Are they required reading, or just more filler for your spam folder? Please take a second to answer my poll. Thanks! If you have any comments about newsletters and what you think of them, please share in the comments! Cheers, Aspasía S. Love Lies Bleeding Bleeding Heart Blood Magic Tooth & Claw (Links take you to all available stores.
Dracula's Cousins: Vampire Bats. Do you remember finding out vampire bats were real? I’m not sure how old I was, but it was a shock to learn that these terrifying creatures from cartoons and movies really existed. And being the overly imaginative, overly anxious kid I was, I decided they were an imminent threat. Along with quicksand, termites, and the Bermuda Triangle. I’ve written posts on vampire finches, mosquitos, and even vampire squid, but for Hallowe’en, I’ve decided to write about the ultimate real-life vampire: the bat. Do You Need to Worry? The first thing you should know is that vampire bats are not coming after you. There are three species of bats that feed on blood (known as hematophages/sanguivores or hematophagous or sanguivorous animals): the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), the hairy-legged vampire bat (Diphylla ecaudata), and the white-winged vampire bat (Diaemus youngi). They also don’t attack the neck, or drain their prey.
What About Rabies? Which Vampires Came First? Fun Facts About Vampire Bats. 11 Awesome Literary Embroideries. I think I’ve mentioned before that I’m a huge fan of embroidery (AKA needlepoint, although it’s not quite the same thing). It’s not only that I find the results visually appealing, but it’s one of my favourite pastimes, as well. I was taught tapestry needlepoint when I was five, after which I forgot about it until I was a stressed university student and decided to take it up again.
I’ve since tried other types of embroidery, including cross stitch, but tapestry is still my favourite; I’ve completed at least a couple of dozen over the years. It occurred to me that embroidery and writing have a lot in common. In both cases you put together small units (stitches/words) in a precise and harmonious way over the course of weeks and months (sometimes years) until you’ve created a completed piece that tells a story.
Whatever the case, books have definitely provided all kinds of inspiration for the embroiderers of the world. This next piece came from an article on embroidered book covers. 5 More Vampires You May Not Have Heard Of. Chances are when you think of vampires you’ll think of Eric Northman, Drusilla, Barnabas Collins, or any of the other fanged creatures-of-the-night that populate modern culture, including Mara from Love Lies Bleeding. The vampires we’re familiar with are (generally) human looking, powerful, often charismatic and attractive, with a thirst for blood and a dislike of stakes. But that wasn’t always the case. History and folklore are full of vampires that are nothing like what we’ve come to expect. Here are five examples… Vetala Also known as vetaal or baital, the vetala is a blood-drinking demon in Hindu mythology that haunts burial grounds and crematoria, hangs upside down (like a bat) from trees, and possesses dead (or occasionally living) humans or animals.
Revenant There’s some debate about what revenants actually are. Draugr Draugr (or draug, pl. draugur, AKA aptrganga) is essentially a Norse revenant. Izcacus Guaxa Have you heard of these vampires? Further Reading Love Lies Bleeding Cheers, Give from Your Heart (Vampire Approved) Considering how much of it exists in the world, it’s surprising (or maybe not) that blood banks are perpetually short of their key product. Blood and blood components do not have a long shelf life, yet are needed daily to help people with various medical conditions (including those with blood cancers), for surgery, and for emergency situations, like during childbirth or after a car accident. When there isn’t enough blood to go around, the consequences are devastating. So today’s post is to ask you to please consider donating blood, if you can– it takes only about 30 minutes.
You’ll be rewarded with the warm sense of having done some good in the world (and a treat). While you’re at it, ask about donating platelets–there’s a major need for platelet donors, as not everyone qualifies. If you can give, please consider doing so. Your local vampires would approve 🧛 For more information on donating blood/Platelets: Canadian Blood Services: Wishing you a bloody good weekend…
Book Tag: Spring Cleaning Book Tag. Those of us staying home the past couple of months have probably had more than enough of our living spaces. I know I have (especially since we were ready to move before everything shut down and left us stuck). Spring cleaning is usually a good time for a fresh start, and we could all use a fresh start right now. In that spirit, I snagged this book tag from Bookmark Your Thoughts, who got it from Between the Shelves. 1. I’ve been wanting to read the Discworld series for ages and finally started. 2. I always have been, and ever will be, a proponent of organizing alphabetically. 3. Marion Zimmer Bradley was a well-regarded fantasy author, and I had a few of her books. 4. 5. This is a tough one. 6. Sadly, my shelves are all packed (if only I’d known…) I do have a small TBR pile, and the fifth book down is Gods Behaving Badly, which will be a re-read when I get to it. [Update: It was still good after the second read ♥) 7.
I’m not looking forward to any particular new release, actually. 8. Review: Supernatural "Time for a Wedding" [Trigger warning: person forced into a relationship against their will, and forcibly confined.] So, Dean has this friend. The friend’s little brother lost his mind not long ago, and the friend’s been waiting on tenterhooks for things to hit the fan.
Only, they haven’t. The friend’s brother seems to be going back to normal. Getting better, even. At least, that’s what Dean tells the nice waitress at the strip club where he’s starting this episode. Waitress: “Well, that’s a good thing, right?” I like her. When Dean gets to the little church, something definitely feels off. Wedding. Sam’s wedding, to be precise. Obviously something is wrong with this scenario, especially with how Sam just happened to run into Becky during the boys’ annual Vegas week, and how Sam keeps insisting they’re in love.
Bringing these things up doesn’t impress Sam, who leaves with Becky for her home in Delaware. Later, as the newlyweds clink glasses over dinner, Sam suddenly gets a searing headache. Sam: “Becky. Mara and Dominic? Quote of the Day 147. Quote of the Day 14. Short Story: Umbra's Wake. Vampire's Garden: Blackthorn. Love Lies Bleeding‘s readers know that main character Mara is both a vampire and a botanist. Trained when she was still human, she continues to study plants and have a garden. This post is 20th in a series exploring Mara’s plants. Are you interested in botany, gardening, or plant lore? So are some vampires… Please note: Medicinal uses are given for informational purposes only. Always consult a medical professional before diagnosing or treating yourself or anyone else.
Botanical Name Prunus spinosa Common Names Blackthorn, prunella, prunelle, sloe bush, prickly plum, thorn plum, wild plum, wishing thorn, épinette Language of Flowers Meaning Adversity, followed by renewal and transformation History A member of the rose (Rosacea) family, blackthorn is native to Europe and Asia, and has become naturalized in parts of North America and New Zealand. Cultivation Zones 5 to 8. Caution: The thorns are long and thin, and can stay embedded in flesh for months, leading to inflammation and infection. Uses. 11 Craft Projects for Book Lovers. I’m a big fan of crafting. When I’m not reading or writing (and sometimes when I am) I can often be found working on a project, usually needlepoint, but also crocheting/knitting, jewellery making, sewing, or something else along those lines.
I get inspiration from all kinds of places: my own tastes, magazines, Pinterest, friends and family–but why not combine forces and get inspired by books? Not craft books, but actual novels? Well, other crafters thought the same thing and have come up with some great literary-inspired projects. Here are some of my favourites: Amigurumi Little Prince You can’t go wrong with The Little Prince. [Update: pattern is no longer available, but you can watch the creator’s video tutorial…in Turkish.] Asymmetric Hunger Games Cowl Perhaps not the most practical item of clothing for the non-archers among us, but still a pretty cool project.
[Update: there are also videos available asymmetric Katniss-style cowls. Bookmarks Still using old receipts as bookmarks? Magnets. Quote of the Day 146. While I have your attention, I have a request. Please click the following link and request that my book Love Lies Bleeding be made available at your local library: Every bit helps and is much appreciated! And if you’d like to buy any of my books, you can get them here: Love Lies Bleeding Bleeding Heart Blood Magic Tooth & Claw (Links take you to all available stores. Cheers, Aspasía S. Article: My Best Way to De-Stress. I think it’s pretty safe to say that literally everyone is stressed right now. Most of us are worried about ourselves and our loved ones getting sick or dying. There’s also the not insignificant stress over losing jobs, paying bills, shortages of necessities, keeping kids happy and educated, and being stuck inside for long periods of time (even the introverts are getting stir crazy).
Meanwhile, a very special group of people aren’t bothered about any of that because they’re too busy stressing over their stock portfolios. Priorities. I’ve always been a worrier. I have anxiety and a tendency to get emotionally invested in the world’s problems, even when I can’t do anything about them and they don’t necessarily affect me. Being stressed all the time isn’t fun.
Then I found something that actually helps. Because my life’s been in a holding pattern for a while now, I’d stopped planning anything. Figure out what to plan for Pick something you can do right away Make lists Cheers, Aspasía S. Vampire's Garden: Garlic. Love Lies Bleeding‘s readers know that main character Mara is both a vampire and a botanist. Trained when she was still human, she continues to study plants and have a garden.
This post is eighth in a series exploring Mara’s plants. Are you interested in botany, gardening, or plant lore? So are some vampires… Please note: Medicinal uses are given for informational purposes only. Always consult a medical professional before diagnosing or treating yourself or anyone else. COVID-19 Note: Read more of the WHO’s coronavirus/COVID-19 advice here. Botanical Name Allium sativum Common Names Ajo, Allium, Clove Garlic, Camphor of the Poor, Poor Man’s Treacle, Stinking Rose, Serpent Garlic, Spanish Garlic, Common Garlic History Native to Central Asia, garlic has naturalized in many areas and can even be a weed in some places. Language of Flowers Meaning Courage, strength, or as a ward against illness or “evil spirits” (unwanted suitors). Cultivation Perennial.
Uses Some popular garlic recipes include: Pesto. Haiku: Inexorable. Quote of the Day 11. Book Tag: Rapid Fire Book Tag (Updated) How is everyone holding up? It’s funny how as soon as you know you shouldn’t do something, you suddenly want to do it. As an introvert, self isolation isn’t too far from how I live anyway, but now that I know I shouldn’t leave the house– well, the world outside my door suddenly seems so much more enticing (not to worry– I’m staying home). I’m keeping busy with reading (The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett), writing/editing, playing games, packing (even though the move is on hold until…?) , crocheting, and spending way too much time on Netflix and YouTube. It’s been a while since I’ve done a book tag, so I grabbed this one from A Geek Girl’s Guide. 1. Physical books for collecting, but an e-reader for reading.
[Update: Paper pages also dry out my already dry hands! 2. Paperback for reading, hardback for collecting. 3. Online. [Update: I’m back to physical stores, as much as possible. 4. Don’t care as long as the story is still good. 5. A complicated hero. 6. Mine, of course. 7. 8. 9. 10. Writing Collab: Moving (Aspasia S. Bissas & Peter Wyn Mosey) Finding time for writing has been difficult these days, as I’m packing and preparing to move (and still looking for a new place too– yikes).
But I did manage this quick collaboration with Peter Wyn Mosey. What do you think? Moving Moving, always moving, from place to place. Accumulating more but never keeping it, never keeping anything of value. She kept looking for something, something true, something worth staying for. Something she would never find.
Moving to escape the lonely places, but they always followed. Read Peter’s response piece here. Cheers, Aspasía S. My Books Love Lies Bleeding Bleeding Heart Blood Magic Tooth & Claw (Links take you to all available stores. IWD: Taking Credit. Writing Collab: Passing By (short fiction) How to Move a Book Collection. A Vampire's Face Reconstructed. 10-Word Story Challenge. Vampire's Garden: Bloodweed (AKA Giant Ragweed) How much can you trust what a vampire says? How to Get Books Cheap or Free. Night of the Vampires: 30 November. Mosquitoes: Vampires that Really Suck. Vampire's Garden: Bleeding Fairy Helmet. Vampire Dinner Party. The Things You Miss. Mara & Lee, Love Lies Bleeding. 52 Must-See Vampire Movies. Vampire's Garden: Chamomile. Quote of the Day 2. The A to Z Bookish Survey. Vampire's Garden: Dock.
My Other Writing. Vampire's Garden: St. John's Wort. Last Meal for a Vampire. Vampire's Garden: Lavender. Vampire's Garden: Comfrey. Vampire's Garden: Love Lies Bleeding. §. Review: Blood Magic. Literary Perfumes. Review of Love Lies Bleeding by Vamped.org. Review by Taliesin Meets the Vampires. My website. Love Lies Bleeding by Aspasia S. Bissas.