never more than forthright…
Details will always win my heart. In a certain city, at a certain mall, there is a fountain rimmed in botanical mosaics (and identifying plaques). So even though I was out-and-about all day yesterday, my thoughts were taken up by the stories waiting for me at home. ::twinkle::
It gets quiet around here when I’m “between books.” Tamiko and the Two Janitors doesn’t release until summer, but stuff is happening behind the scenes. For instance:
Every year during the holidays, I get a whole slew of reviews, DMs, and PMs from readers who’ve just finished their annual reread of Counting the Hours, a S/K AU that’s sitting at 2 (very long) chapters. Sweet compliments. Gentle reminders. A bit of groveling. Hoping, hinting, haggling for more.
Truth be told, there is more planned. Two more chapters, in fact, which are both named and (sketchily) outlined. But that story’s on my “someday” list because my RL publishing schedule is jam-packed. So here I am, hoping, hinting, haggling for patience. Because when you believe in HEAs as much as I do, someday always comes! ::twinkle::
Random Aside. Do you know HOW HARD it is to type “Ginko” (the main character in Mushishi) when your fingers are used to typing “Gingko” (a main character in the Amaranthine Saga)???
…I think I corrected them all in today’s installment.
AUDIO BOOKS ARE COMING SOON!
narrated by Travis Baldree
· · ·
Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox – February 26, 2019
Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal – March 19, 2019
Always & Ever by FoxOfTwilight
a.k.a. “Headphones Challenged”
• • •
I’m collecting prompts for the fandom stories currently underway. Add to my options:
Mood Stripes | Savvy | Lord Mettlebright’s Man
• • •
Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox (Amaranthine Saga, #1) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal (Amaranthine Saga, #2) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Tamiko and the Two Janitors (Amaranthine Saga, #3) – JULY 22, 2019
Marked by Stars (Songs of the Amaranthine, #1) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Followed by Thunder (Songs of the Amaranthine, #2) – MAY 4, 2019 [pre-order]
• • •
Want fanart? Try the Cast Portraits and Fanart tags.
I survived! Which means I am allowed to play with some of those fanfics that have been lulling. Looking forward to some relaxing reading & writing right on through December. ::twinkle::
Enamel Pins. For someone like me, traditions just sort of start, seemingly all on their own. One thing leads to another thing, and suddenly, it’s a Thing. A good example is a recent gift from the same person who bought me a forget-me-not pin to celebrate Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox. I now have a lovely chrysanthemum pin to mark the publication of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal. ::twinkle::
And of course, I’m now seriously tempted to have my own pins made for the series.
Not on the List. When fans shop, seemingly random items can make their way into the cart for no better reason than … squee factor. Case in point: on a recent stroll through the international aisle at a local grocery store, a line of fancy-schmancy pasta caught my eye. But it was the name for this particular variety that secured a purchase.
Arcobaleno = Rainbow
…but to this fangirl, Arcobaleno = Reborn!
Katekyo Hitman Reborn! is a one of those long-running shonen series with the sort of running jokes that I associate with gag anime. Everyone has their schtick and their catchphrases, so the entire character introduction phase (more than thirty episodes) gets a little … repetitive. But Akira Amano is laying the groundwork that becomes the foundation for an amazing storyline. It’s such a favorite of mine that even though the anime is more than 200 episodes long, I’ve watched it all the way through three times. (No surprise, since it encompasses some of my favorite themes: friendship, kinship, and mentorship.)
Have you ever bought a random thing for its fandom significance?
Still staying on top of my #NaNaWriMo goals, so let’s have another snack. Couldn’t resist the little angel dude on LONELY GOD Potato Twists – Seaweed Flavor. And a melon ramune, which is the flavor I reach for if Blue Hawaii isn’t available (it usually isn’t). Japanese melon flavor is sort of … honeydew (hence the green), although some brands remind me of cantaloupe.
“Miyabe-kun!”
Mr. Fujiwara beckoned her over to the window at the front of his shop and its brightly-lit glass case. Making a big show of looking both ways, he passed her a steamed bun.
“Are you sure?” she asked. The glossy white bread was hot against her palm.
Mr. Fujiwara pointed knowingly at the bags looped over her arms. “Sweets aren’t strength, and you’ll be needing yours.”
“Thank you!” Kimiko broke the bun in half, releasing a fragrant cloud of steam.
—Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal (Amaranthine Saga, #2)
• • •
Hot Stuff. Steamed buns are wonderful because they’re hot. This time of year, I like to indulge because the barbeque pork buns from the local Korean market’s take-away counter are just the right size to wrap two hands around. Varieties range through savory and sweet flavors. I’ve tried the classic barbeque pork, ginger pork, chicken and vegetable, and a breakfast version with sausage and egg. Sweet versions usually involve red bean or mung bean, and seasonal fillings like chestnut or (as shown in the photo above) taro. Both the bread and the creamy filling in these buns are tinted lavender. Bold snacking, indeed! (And pretty alongside green tea.)
