Don’t Like Confrontation? 4 Situations Not to Ignore

Don’t Like Confrontation? 4 Situations Not to Ignore

Avoiding confrontation is the best way to keep the peace when you want to maintain a relationship more than you care about being right. This approach makes sense when you’re having a disagreement with a friend, but it’s not always the best approach in every situation.

If you don’t like confrontation, that’s understandable. However, it’s worth reconsidering your position when faced with the following situations.

1. You’ve been injured in a truck accident

After being injured by a commercial truck or semi-tractor trailer, you’re going to have extensive medical bills on top of physical pain. Depending on your injuries, you may need to take time off work, or you might not be able to return at all.

When the truck driver is at fault, it’s in your best interest to hold them accountable by filing a personal injury lawsuit. The consequences of letting this situation go are immense.

Unless you’re exceptionally rich, you won’t be able to pay your medical bills. While you’re off work, your household bills will pile up and you might be forced into bankruptcy.

Not wanting to deal with confrontation is understandable, but after a truck accident injury, the damage will be ongoing if you don’t seek compensation.

2. You’re being stalked

On social media, tons of people talk about “being stalked” by people who send them unwanted direct messages, but that’s not actually stalking. Being genuinely stalked is a frightening experience.

You can easily ignore unwanted messages. However, if someone is calling you, driving by your house, or following you around town, your life could be in danger.

No matter how much you want to believe your stalker is annoying, but ultimately harmless, don’t give them the benefit of the doubt. Most stalkers are attempting to gain control or create a sense of terror in their victims.

You don’t have to confront your stalker directly, but you should tell someone what’s happening. Make sure your friends and family know who’s stalking you so they can keep an eye out. Also, file a police report as quickly as possible. Your stalker won’t necessarily be arrested on the spot, but it’s wise to create a paper trail to establish a record.

3. Someone has threatened your life

Anytime another person threatens your life, take it seriously. You have no way to know if they’re being serious or just blowing off steam, and it’s not your responsibility to guess. If you don’t act on a threat to your life, that person might actually be planning to follow through.

The problem with threats is that most people brush them off and don’t take them seriously. Ignoring threats has enabled many people to carry out plans of murder, including mass shooters who often make threats that go ignored.

Don’t let it slide if someone threatens your life or threatens to hurt you in any way. Like a stalker, you don’t have to confront the person who made the threats directly. You can file a police report and be on alert for any further alarming behavior.

4. Someone is taking financial advantage of you

When someone is exploiting you for money, that’s a serious problem. It doesn’t matter if it’s a friend or a family member – your hard-earned money doesn’t belong to anyone you don’t want to share it with.

If you’re being financially exploited, stand up for yourself and don’t let anyone take advantage of you. If you have to confront someone you care about, you can do it in a polite, calm manner without being accusatory. However, don’t be soft. Just be direct.

For example, if you’ve been financially supporting someone sleeping on your couch for the last six months, give them a deadline for getting a job to contribute to the household. Once you give them a deadline, hold them to it and don’t make any exceptions. If they refuse to contribute financially, give them a formal eviction notice and file a lawsuit with the court if that’s what it takes.

If someone is taking advantage of you financially, they aren’t a true friend, and they aren’t someone you need in your life, so don’t worry about losing them. However, if you really care about the person and you want to support them, be tough now and support them once they’re no longer able to exploit you.

Avoiding confrontation can be a good a strategy

Ultimately, avoiding confrontation when you’re being taken advantage of is a bad idea. However, if you can escape harm by avoiding confrontation in the moment, then it can be a good strategy. The key is recognizing when it serves you and when it doesn’t.

Best Gifts for TV Lovers this Holiday Season

Best Gifts for TV Lovers this Holiday Season

When the weather is gloomy outside or people just want to hang out at home, watching TV is one of their go-to pastimes. This has been true since the earliest days of television nearly 75 years ago. 

Technology has provided people with many options for TV viewing since then, from streaming their own movies to watching shows with closed captioning. As television technology continues to grow, the holiday gift options for TV lovers grows along with it.

Anti-Glare Protector When Watching TV on a Computer

Gone are the days when watching movies and TV shows meant gathering around a large television in the living room. As we enter into 2022, it is much more likely for people to watch media on their laptop computer or smartphone than an actual television set. 

While convenient, these options present one problem that the typical television screen did not. Glare from the sun can make it impossible to see the screen. An anti-glare screen that fits specifically to the gift recipient’s device can be the ideal solution.

Headphones with Bluetooth Capability

This gift can be perfect for someone with hearing loss because it enables them to watch TV without disturbing others in the household. TV headphones can also be a great gift when only one person in the house wants to watch something on TV.

Family members and roommates can pursue a quieter activity since only the person wearing the headphones can hear sounds coming from the television. Bluetooth capability gives users the ability to use the headphones while watching TV. The headphones operate on a battery that people will need to charge regularly to enjoy uninterrupted use.

Roku Ultra

This device makes it simple for gift recipients to upgrade their TV and movie streaming experience because it supports up to 4K of UHD streaming. Additionally, users can convert 1,080 HD footage into 4K Ultra HD quality for improved picture and sound. 

People with a large library of media content are sure to appreciate the voice activation search feature that saves significant time trying to locate what they want to watch.

Stay Warm with a Heated Massage Cushion

Blankets and quilts are warm and cozy, but they are not always enough to remain comfortable while watching a long program on TV. A heated massage cushion allows people to get the warmth they need while remaining comfortably in place. Convenient hand controls allow the user to control the temperature and massage pressure at all times.

Wedge Pillow for More Comfortable TV Viewing

Getting into a comfortable position on the couch or in a chair can be challenging, especially when sitting for several hours watching TV. A wedge pillow with memory foam supports the head, neck, and back to avoid discomfort while sitting for an extended period of time. 

For people who like to lie down when watching TV, placing a wedge pillow underneath their knees allows for elevation and increased comfort. The memory foam feature means that the pillow adjusts to the user’s body and becomes more comfortable with each use.

These gifts for TV lovers are sure to be popular, so shoppers should order or buy them as soon as possible to avoid disappointment this holiday season.

Arrested For Drug Possession: What You Need To Know

Arrested For Drug Possession: What You Need To Know

Getting arrested for drug possession can happen in so many scenarios. Plenty of people have had people ditch drugs in their car when being pulled over then took the charge due to being the driver. You should not admit that any drugs are yours as this can make your case easy to prosecute. Using your right to remain silent is not something that you are going to regret in the future. The following are things you need to know after being arrested for drug possession. 

You’ll Need A Criminal Defense Lawyer

Finding a Raleigh criminal lawyer can be tough when you have to sift through all of the options. You want a firm that frequently takes on drug possession cases. These firms will understand all of the options you have and what can be offered to a prosecutor as an alternative sentence. The last thing you want to do is spend time in jail for a personal drug possession case. 

Plea deals are what happens the most when it comes to cases with less than concrete evidence. The right attorney is going to get the best plea deal possible. You then have the choice of whether to take the deal or take the case to trial. Trial experience is so important in a criminal defense lawyer as the risks of going to trial can be immense. 

Diversion programs are given to a number of drug cases for first-time offenders. Expunging the arrest could be the most attractive part of this option. Having a spotless record can help some people find employment in a far easier way. You can also get the substance abuse treatment you need during these programs if this is one of the conditions. 

You Can Get Help On Your Own

A judge is going to look favorably on someone that started attending a substance abuse program of any kind. Proactive approaches can lead to lighter sentences and the dropping of charges. A person that consistently tests negative for drugs if required to do drug testing during the pretrial release will be looked at in a positive light. There are some judges that might take an inpatient rehab stay in lieu of a jail sentence. Your attorney can work this out with the judge if this is the avenue you’d like to take. Be careful though, if you are kicked out of a program you could be sent right to jail. There are some judges that are more patient than others but it is not wise to test their patience. 

Drug possession arrests can be very serious as possession of some drugs is an automatic felony charge. Marijuana possession for personal use is a simple fine in some states while in others it is an arrestable offense. You should research local laws on things like marijuana and firearms before traveling. You could find that your firearm has too many rounds to be legal in a state like California. Gun cases will usually note which states a gun is legal in. 

Explore the Story of A Tomato Grows in Brooklyn

Explore the Story of A Tomato Grows in Brooklyn

What if we told you that an award-winning chef can help you make his finger-licking Italian recipes in your kitchen? “A Tomato Grows in Brooklyn” by David Ruggerio is all you need to recreate the magic and make each meal extra special. Here’s a candid chat with the renowned chef and author where he spills the beans about his latest cookbook and more.

What was the purpose of writing A Tomato Grows in Brooklyn

It was for a few reasons; first and foremost, I wanted to return to my roots and share with my grandchildren and future generations a taste of what it was to grow up in Brooklyn in a very different era. My generation was still recognizable to my parents and my grandparents–we have now entered a period that is extremely different than my childhood. My time was colorful and raw, a period when the family got together often to share great food, long-tenured traditions, and pass on our culture. Lastly, at a time when the Italian culture is under assault in this country, I wanted to stand tall and express my pride for being Italian.

Who is your inspiration?

The women of my family. I was orphaned when I was five, witnessing my pregnant mother’s death. I went to live with my grandmother and my great-grandmother. These were women who hailed from Sant’Angelo Dei Lombardi, a storied village outside of Naples. They epitomized being Italian in Brooklyn. Like Brooklyn itself, they were extraordinarily resilient while sharing their heritage, customs, and of course the food. At our kitchen table, fresh pasta was made, homegrown vegetables were preserved, and stories were told. From that table, I understood what it was to be Italian.

Will beginners find recipes they can cook from A Tomato Grows in Brooklyn?

These recipes are straightforward, home-grown dishes that any person who wants to experience the Italian American cuisine can enjoy and get a taste of what it was like in the neighborhoods of Brooklyn.

What’s your favorite recipe from the book? What makes it unique?

“Pasta’ Ncasciata,” which is a “Baked Pasta with Eggplant with Caciocavallo.”

I adore this recipe. This was brought to Brooklyn by Sicilians. It is traditionally made with annelli pasta, or ‘little rings,’ dressed in a meaty tomato ragu made with spare ribs (It can be made with beef, pork, or even sausage). My grandmother added tiny meatballs to the ragu with the spareribs-though I thought it a bit much for the recipe. It is emblematic of what made Italian American cuisine in Brooklyn so special—that Sicilians lived next door to Neapolitans, who lived next door to Calabrian’s, who lived next door to Abruzzese. Over years, they shared recipes and they progressively melted together to create our own cuisine.

Do you grow your own vegetables in your backyard in Brooklyn? What’s your tip for the readers?

I grow nearly all the vegetables that we eat during the year. My garden is alive and producing twelve months out of the year, with not only the holy trinity-tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants- but also figs, apples, pears, blueberries, lettuce, escarole, cardoons, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, onions, potatoes, and of course, garlic! My tip was best expressed by my great-grandmother, Antoinette Quagliarello Pesce. She taught me that we don’t grow vegetables, we grow soil. By enriching the soil with many long-held traditions and tricks developed by the Southern Italians, that marvelous land made extraordinarily tasty produce that fed us throughout the seasons.

You’ve won so much recognition for your work. What do you enjoy writing the most, horror or cookbooks?

I love them both and do them both nearly every day. I work till late into the night, and during those dark, late hours, my imagination wanders into dark, scary places that make writing horror quite easy. During the glorious days, wandering in my garden or hand making cavatelli pasta on a wooden board, or making pizza in my backyard brick oven with my grandchildren, my heart burns Italian, writing about food is easy and consoling. 

What has been the highlight of your cooking career? What about your writing career?

My professional career was spent in glorious French kitchens. There are two highlights in my career. The first was as a teen finding myself at the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountain, where I found an elf-like chef, Michel Guerard who taught me how to spell magic. He was the greatest chef of the twentieth century who changed me as a person. The second, was when the famed fashion designer put me in charge of his restaurant; Maxim’s, and I garnered three stars. 

Time for our rapid-fire round. Here are your questions:

David Ruggerio

Pasta or pizza

Pasta! I can eat it every day

Cooking or writing

I was created to cook!

Jazz or classical music

Come on, I was raised in Brooklyn during the 70s! Disco!

Patio or Candlelight dinner

Outdoors on my patio, with my family

What’s your favorite cheese?

Pecorino Romano, I can put it on everything!

One dish you love

Linguini with Clams

One restaurant you frequent

I adore Di Fara’s in Brooklyn when Dominick, an old friend and the owner, is cooking. The best pizza in America

A Fun Encounter With a Stay at Home Dad and Author of Project Adventure

A Fun Encounter With a Stay at Home Dad and Author of Project Adventure

Taking parenting and writing to the next level is the “Project Adventure” series’ author, David Konrad. David is the author of adventure books for middle-graders and anyone who’s a kid at heart. His books are loved and adored by children worldwide. But how does he manage to juggle these hats and make time to enjoy an active outdoorsy lifestyle with his sons? Let’s find out.

Why did you decide you wanted to write children’s adventure books?

Because these type of books is what made me fall in love with reading and books in the first place. Besides, I started writing when my twin boys were 5 years old, so I hoped they would appreciate the stories and the adventure.

It looks like you draw inspiration from the expeditions you go on with your kids. What has been your favorite adventure together?

Being a stay home dad with twin boys is an adventure on its own. The three of us used to fly a lot together, ever since they were 3 years old, so that always made for some interesting adventures… Also, we always love to take a boat out on the Adriatic Sea to find cool and remote places. 

What are the strengths of each member of the Project Adventure kid-detective agency?

Ethan is a go-getter. He’s very curious, and that, paired with never endless energy, often gets him into trouble.

Matt is a thinker. He’s quiet and doesn’t talk much, but he’s always alert and acts as balance for Ethan,

Lisa is the glue that makes the trio tick. She’s a brilliant organizer, very pragmatic and able. 

Although it sounds like choosing your favorite child, we’d like to know which of the four books from the “Project Adventure” series is your favorite and why?

I would have to say the “Heart of the Island”. It was not just the first book of the series, but also my first book ever! As much as I like my other books, this one will always have a special place in my heart. 

What’s one of the most heartwarming messages you’ve received from your little fans? 

A mother once emailed me to tell me her daughter is completely hooked on my books, and can’t wait for the next one. That was after she’d read books 1 and 2, so safe to say she continued being a fan of mine… J

Growing up, what were some of your favorite books? 

I always loved this book about King Arthur and the knights of the round table, but I’d forgotten who the author was. But I still remember it clearly. And I loved Karl May’s Wild West stories, Winnetou and such.

What is your number 1 parenting tip for adventurous kids?

Pack light, but don’t go anywhere without water, snacks, and band-aids.

Let’s do a quick round of rapid-fire questions. Ready? 

David Konrad

Hikes or Swimming 

Hikes

Games or Movie night

Games

Laundry or Dishes?

Both. I’m a stay home dad, after all.

Coffee or Tea

Coffee during the day, tea in the evening. But coffee, if I have to pick one.

Your favorite board game? 

Risk

The theme of your next project? 

Art

One topic that you can talk about endlessly.

Basketball

An Exclusive Interview With the Author of Our African Unconscious

An Exclusive Interview With the Author of Our African Unconscious

Our African Unconscious by Dr. Edward Bruce Bynum uncovers all aspects of our human evolution. It sheds light on how the arts, sciences, philosophy, and religious roots originated in Africa. Author Edward Bruce Bynum, Ph.D., ABPP is an award-winning psychologist and former director of the behavioral medicine program at the University of Massachusetts Health Services. If you want to learn more about Dr. Edward and his fascinating work in the field, here’s your chance.

Hi Dr. Edward, how do we all share a common origin? How do we all come from Africa?

I sought to create a modern medically and scientifically sound understanding of our unity as a species that was also a complete vision absolutely undergirded by the great spiritual traditions of both East, West, and Africa. Thus a good deal of anthropology, m medical genetics, ancient history, and the living history of religions. 

Why did you decide to write Our African Unconscious: The Black Origins of Mysticism and Psychology?

It was a natural evolution from an earlier book called DARK LIGHT CONSCIOUSNESS: Melanin, Serpent Power and the Luminous Matrix of Reality. It dealt, as a clinical psychologist, with the effect of this deep hidden bodily and spiritual energy better known in classical literature and practices of meditation and yoga.

What’s the best way to truly appreciate our shared consciousness and identity as a species?

A meditative discipline you are drawn to plus a deep love for another person beyond what you can explain to yourself.

What are your thoughts on the varied different ethnicities that exist? How can we thrive in today’s world?

This is a complex question. However, as a species at war with itself, we have come to the point in our development as a species on this volatile planet of vast changes and rapid changes that we either learn to love each other despite our difference or we die !! It is that simple and uncomfortably true.

Would you say one of the predictions made by George Washington is yet to come?

Yes, 2 of them have already occurred. He predicted the American civil war and a great civil confrontation yet to come involving Africa and the notion that ‘all men are brethren”. Is that not where we are today in the USA?

Could you share one fascinating piece of information that you came across during your research for the book?

Yes. That America’s first war over slavery was not our civil war but about ‘white slavery,’ the war with the Barbary Coast pirates of north Africa that far arose soon after the founding of the republic. They were raiding ships at sea and stealing white women to sell to the harems of the sultans.

How do quantum mechanics, string theory, and relative physics weave into the book?

They are all part of the emerging new paradigm in science that takes us past Einstein.

Could you answer some of these rapid-fire questions for your readers?

Dr. Edward Bruce Bynum

The most peaceful place for you…

On the deck at home on a warm summer afternoon or in my meditation setting in the early morning at home.

A book that made a significant impact on you

Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramansa Yogananda and also The Phenomenon of Man by Teilhard De Chardin

Dusk or dawn

Both actually, but perhaps dusk most

Jazz or country music

Jazz but I also like  classic country music by the greats like John Denver

Podcasts or documentaries

Documentaries

What’s your next project?

I am also a published poet with an equal number of texts in psychology/psychiatry as in poetry: I am finishing up a long poem that is 7,777 words in length titled “If I Trusted Poetry Completely”

Tell us one thing about yourself that we likely don’t know

I was an altar boy as a child.

Options You Have When Your Marriage Is Falling Apart

Options You Have When Your Marriage Is Falling Apart

Marriages can be a challenge that can be very healthy for decades then hit a rough patch then end in divorce. People grow apart if the only aspect they share in their relationship is their children. This happens a number of times where kids are out of the house and a couple has nothing else in common. People truly change over the course of time so staying close truly matters. Marriage has changed immensely over the last few decades which has empowered all parties. The following are options that you have when your marriage is falling apart. 

Counseling

Marriage counseling can be important for couples that don’t understand how to communicate in a healthy manner. Some people model their behavior after their parents which can be very toxic. Not all parents have a relationship that is worth modeling after. This can be extremely expensive but divorces are going to be far more expensive when dividing property. A relationship worth saving should be attempted although sometimes things are not meant to last well into the future. 

Immediate Divorce

There are some circumstances where an immediate divorce is essential. There could be a hidden family or another number of secrets. People could have secrets that could completely change the way you view them and end the relationship in your mind immediately. You should always consult legal representation in the case of a divorce as some people try to take it out on their partner one last time. 

Cohabitating Until The Divorce Is Finalized

There is a chance that neither of you is going to be able to move out until money is given out. Finances could be frozen due to the fact one or both parties are going to try to drain joint accounts. A divorce lawyer consultation is going to be imperative so you know the next steps going forward. This needs to be done peacefully and putting up cameras can be important. A false accusation could be used as leverage in order to get property a spouse wouldn’t have after the divorce. This happens more than you would imagine as false accusations of abuse or threats are something that happens daily. You might not think your ex will stoop to these levels but it is more than possible so it is important to protect yourself.  

Taking A New Job Opportunity In A New City

Leaving the city that you live in after a divorce can be a completely new start. The last thing you want to do in some cases is to run into mutual friends and talk about the divorce. A new location can allow an individual to reinvent themselves over the course of time. The best revenge is a life that your ex is jealous of which is something you can attain with a new job in a new and improved city. You won’t be the person at work that just went through a divorce but rather the employee that made a move to an exciting new city. 

Balancing Work and Family Life

Balancing Work and Family Life

Balancing Work and Family Life

Many working parents struggle every day and wonder how they manage their household, take care of their kids, and work. It seems like they have to please everyone. Father George Rutler stresses the importance of balancing work and family life. What do people do? How is the person expected to handle everything? These questions will be answered in this context.

Switch to a More Flexible Option

Switching to part-time work will allow more family time. For a family that cannot afford a drop in income, then they need to talk to their boss about switching their schedule to a more flexible one. For example, working from home would be a change in pace. People won’t miss out on family parties or any upcoming events starring their children.

Commit to More Family Events

Mark upcoming family events on the calendar. This way people know the dates they need off, and they can let their boss know. It’s important to have that time with family even if it’s doing things they don’t want to do. Committing to birthday parties, family reunions, or special occasion dinners will allow people to separate business from pleasure. Most employers will allow their employees to have that time off as long as they know well in advance.

Do Not Bring Work Everywhere You Go

Do not bring work to family gatherings or other events. People need to learn to put it away and go back to it later. They need to do whatever work they can before they have family obligations. People need to be sure they have time for themselves too and take a breather now and then. For the people that work outside the home, they shouldn’t bring their work home with them. Work should stay in the office.

Just Say No

Some people say yes to everything they’re asked to do, which means they don’t have time to finish their work. If they work from home, they may think it’s easy to say yes and go back to working later. If that happens, things never get accomplished and work gets pushed back. When that happens, people can get overwhelmed and stressed.

Quit Working Altogether

Many people find that quitting their jobs would make things easier because they can spend more time with their families. If the other parent in the household is working full time, then it can be done. People would have to cut back on their spending. It doesn’t have to be permanent; be a stay-at-home parent for a few years and see where it goes. If it doesn’t go over very well, then look for a new job with flexible hours.
Father George Rutler would suggest all working families follow these guidelines because living in a healthy environment is important. Working all the time leaves families feeling as though they are not important, and it becomes a stressful place instead of a happy place. These guidelines will help families learn to separate the two so they can live in a stress-free environment.

A Chat With an Award-winning Author About Her Latest: A Plague of Flies

A Chat With an Award-winning Author About Her Latest: A Plague of Flies

Award-winning YA author, Laurel Anne Hill returns with her latest historical fantasy, A Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits,1846. Needless to say, it’s going to be an unforgettable adventure you don’t want to miss out on. Laurel explores her family history and finds a fantasy-filled story of a brave sixteen-year-old, Catalina. Read more about her experience and your soon-to-be-favorite book, A Plague of Flies.

Hi Laurel, you released your latest historical fantasy last month, A Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846. Could you tell us about it? 

Available on Amazon

In 1846 Alta California, Catalina Delgado daydreams about her future: roping cattle, marrying Angelo Ortega, and raising children. But now, invaders from the United States—the Bear Flaggers—have declared war against Mexico, her country. Bear Flaggers have imprisoned one close friend of her family and murdered others. What fate might befall her parents, grandfather, and younger brothers? And what about her best friend, a Costanoan servant girl? How can Catalina, only sixteen, help protect all those she loves?

The spirits provide Catalina with answers, but not the ones she wants. Plus she fears the strange spirit man who rides a black Andalusian stallion through the sky. For the sake of all she holds dear, Catalina must risk her reputation as a chaste young woman, her future with Angelo, her life, and her very soul. When hopes and dreams clash with cold reality, Catalina finds the fortitude to accomplish what only she can do.

Why did you choose to write about 1846 Alta California?

At the time I made the choice, I still believed my paternal great-grandmother, Hipólita, had lived there during the 1840s. I thought my Mexican family had lost their land to the United States as a result of the Bear Flag Rebellion in 1846. Then I discovered they’d not come to California until the late 1850s or early 1860s. Once in California, they’d been taken advantage of in some other manner, possibly by one of the US railroads.

What is the one thing about Catalina Delgado that your readers are instantly going to fall in love with?  

Catalina, a young mestiza, has ideas of her own about her personal future, including who she wants to marry. Without sisters, she competes with her four younger brothers for approval. She is not afraid to ride astride (instead of sidesaddle) and can rope longhorns almost as well as her father’s vaqueros do. Regardless, Catalina remains closer to being a sixteen-year-old woman of her time than to becoming some bigger-than-life kick-ass heroine. She wishes to honor members of her family—even when she doesn’t agree with them—and her Catholic faith. Yet she finds herself questioning aspects of both her faith and her family. 

What can you share about the Spirit Man that your potential readers don’t know yet?  

Spirit Man is a complicated being, far more than just a scary character. He has taken the shape of others in the past, and presumably, will do so in the future. Spirit Man has the capacity to serve as a loyal friend or become a terrifying opponent. 

Is there a heart-warming review or comment you received for A Plague of Flies that you’d like to share with us?

Kirkus Reviews, November 1, 2021: In her second YA novel that’s set in a magical-realist 19th-century California, Hill gives readers a wonderfully imaginative, unsettling view of events leading up to the 1849 gold rush. Many narratives emphasize the excitement of this time and California’s newfound wealth, population growth, and influence, but this book foreshadows the disasters—starvation, slaughter, dispossession—inflicted on Indigenous people. It’s a theme that could become heavy-handed, but Catalina’s passionate teenage energy gives propulsion to the dramatic plot.

At what point during the research of A Plague of Flies did you have the sequence of the story plotted? 

Not until I finished the first draft, over ten years after starting my project. Please understand, however, that the hiatus between finishing the first half of draft number one and starting the second half amounted to five of those ten years. I wrote the second half of the initial draft in three months. 

What do you enjoy writing the most – historical fantasy or science fiction? Why? 

Historical fantasy. I love to delve into the history of a setting, and fantasy gives me a fair amount of freedom in world-building. Besides, I worked most of my adult life in the field of science or science technology. Although I write occasional science fiction or science horror stories, doing fantasy returns me to a special place I loved as a child.

Rapid Fire time. Answer the following questions with the first thing that comes to your mind. 

Laurel Anne Hill

A preferred writing snack:  

Morning: Coffee with caramel-flavored creamer.
Evening: A glass of wine.

What was the last soundtrack you heard?  

The opera, “Mefistofele” (by Boito), with Luciano Pavarotti singing the role of Faust.  “Mefistofele” is my go-to inspiration when I need “big sound” to deal with one hell of a challenge.  

Countryside or the beach:

These days, the countryside. For most of my life, the beach.

Tea or coffee: 

Coffee with caramel-flavored creamer.

Kittens or puppies:

Puppies. I love kittens, but cats interfere with my ability to breathe. (Ah-choo!)

Your biggest pet peeve is…:

Spam telephone calls.

Your favorite movie of all times:

The original “Star Wars!” 

Dames Handsome Brings You the Fairy Knights

Dames Handsome Brings You the Fairy Knights

If you’re a parent or teacher of middle graders, you’d know how challenging it is to get them to read. Equally difficult is finding books that can entertain and inspire kids to grow into empathetic human beings. We met with an author who writes stories that kids love reading to not only have fun but to learn from. Dames Handsome is a father, teacher, and excellent author of the most-loved book series, the Fairy Knights. Here’s Dame’s story in his own words.

Hi Dames, how does one come up with such a cool name as Dames Handsome?

From my students! Here in Korea teachers are addressed by their last name and then the word teacher. My actual last name sounds a lot like Handsome so they started to call me Handsome Teacher. And then the Dames part is an old high school nickname so when it came to me making my pen name I found that really it had already been made and it was just waiting for me to pull out and dust off to be made official.

Why did you decide to write children’s books? 

I didn’t haha. All of this started when I sat down with my wife and son to play a role-playing game that I’d made. It was an awesome time and afterward, I realized that I wanted to remember it all forever. So I wrote it all down. And then after it was down I decided to make a story out of it for my son. I adjusted this and that to make it into a real kids’ story. One that I also torqued to teach him a lesson, as all good kids stories do. I read it to him and he loved it. Then it sat on my computer for months. I shared it with some people here and there and they loved it as well. So, finally, I decided that I should “make it real” and publish it. And so it all began.

How did Fairy Knights come to life? 

When I asked my friend Warwick, who teaches people how to be Kindergarten Teachers, to read it and how much it would cost me for him to make a cover for me. He read it and got back to me and asked if he could make pictures for the inside as well. I really can’t imagine the series without him. Our partnership really makes these books snap and I’m so happy to be working together.

What are the unique “superpowers” each of the Fairy Knights possess?

I’ll start with everyone’s favorite, Hamster Rick. He’s a hamster pet that my son named after one of his teddy animals. But rather than being all fat and round like most hamsters, he is super strong and he is incredibly chiseled. A handsome hunk of hamster.

The viewpoint of the series so far has come from Ching Goo and his school’s specialty is changing shapes. Depending on how much Magic Mana he uses, he can become about anything he can imagine. And he has a few more magic tricks up his sleeve as well. He can make himself travel very quickly, he can become super strong, he can make people believe that he is famous, and he can be very lucky. He has to be careful, though, because all of those spells cost mana and if he runs out he can’t cast any more magic for the rest of the day.

And of course, we have Oma Bell, the responsible voice of reason. She is an arcane spellcaster which means she can do powerful spells if given enough time to cast them. But more often she uses her fairy dust to create small but immediate magical effects. She can fly and she also has a mean right hook so you don’t want to mess with her. She has some more spells as well that are more specialized. Her super-smart spell makes her twice as intelligent and she can use magic to become about the cutest kid you’ve ever seen or talked to.

How have Ching Goo, Oma Bell, and Hamster Rick grown from one book to another?

At the very start of the series, Ching and Oma were just besties who liked to hang out, and Rick was Ching’s familiar, an animal pet that bonds with their owner to become something very special. But by the time the fourth book has come, we see that Rick has become a full-fledged hero in his own right and is even enrolled at Boogie Elementary School. Oma and Ching have gone through a lot together and Ching has become more mature, responsible, and kind. He has overcome the fear of being no-good, the complexities of jealousy in friendship, and he has more realistic expectations of himself and his friends. He is no longer quite so silly and headstrong. And Oma has let herself loosen up a bit. She has learned that while her ideas and plans may be brilliant, they are always better as a team. It is actually a lot of fun to chart out their lives as they go from book to book, and yet a little sad at the same time because they grow alongside my son, and each little success and every little bit of maturation means he himself is getting that much older and wiser, and that much less of my little baby boy. 

Could you share one heart-warming comment you received from a reader recently?

A father told me that his daughter was all excited about the series and kept talking about how she was going to be super good so she could level up and be a hero. That really made me laugh and smile.

What is the one lesson you’d like your little readers to learn from the Fairy Knights books?

That it is okay and natural to feel anxious, scared, and not as good as the others. And that everyone else feels that same sense of doubt and unworthiness. It is a natural part of growing up and it is okay to feel it and to talk to people about it.

Rapid Fire time! Answer the following questions with the first thing that comes to your mind. 

Dames Handsome

Morning person or night owl

Night owl

Kindle or audiobook

Kindle

Panda or koala

Panda

A preferred writing snack

Sour gummies

Your favorite movie of all times

Free Guy

Do you still have your favorite book from childhood? 

I don’t but that’s because it wore through!

What’s next?

Warwick has told me that the next one needs to be something special and different. So we are working on an anthology of 5 stories told by different characters within the series. But that won’t be out until at least January due to the Holidays.