Editor note: I wanted to take a few posts and tell Darkcargo readers a little about these different authors whom I am very fortunate to have writing for this blog.

Darkcargo is a team effort comprised of five different folks, three on the East Coast and two Out West. We’re all heavy readers and fans of speculative fiction and the culture derived therefrom.

nrlymrtl

Say it out loud.

Try again. It is Nearly Mortal, not Gnarly Myrtle. Avid reader, part farmer, paid investigator, professional egg-thief.

For some reason, when Beth asked in 2010 if I wanted to write about these silly bits of my life, oh and books too, for Darkcargo, I said Yes! I love books, and I love all the convention info and pics on Darkcargo. I thought there were really only a handful of us nerds, until I went to my first scifi convention (Dragon*con 2010). Through Darkcargo I have met many others and read their posts and comments.

This year, I started my own book review blog, Dab of Darkness. Beth had been encouraging this for some time, not because she was tired of my ramblings on Darkcargo, but because I have some need for capturing my thoughts on books. In detail. (editor note: it’s because she’s damn good at reviewing books and I felt that her savvy and snarky insightful reviews deserved their own dedicated space.) Dab of Darkness is a bit more….serious, perhaps, and mostly in blue. That’s it. Blue Seriousness. Some of my favorite authors include Jacqueline Carey, Patrick Rothfuss, Jim Butcher, Octavia Butler, N K Jemisin, Karin Lowachee, Ken Follett, Guy Gavriel Kay, and others. A bit of an eclectic reader, you can catch me reading non-fiction, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, and every once in a while humor. I discovered audiobooks back in 2010 and that has broaden my horizons and the number of books I can read a year. Audiobooks make commuting, folding laundry, and scrubbing floors bearable. www.dabofdarkness.com does accept ARCs and review copies.

My Main Man and I also live on a small farm with goats, donkeys, chickens, cats, and a dog. Oh, and a muskrat that M3 spotted at the pond last week. So, I started Round Table Farm to keep friends and family up to date on our farm antics. We have a quarter-acre garden and might join the local farmers’ market this year. I’m also a knitter and an aspiring spinner, goat milker, Titan Quester, and cook. Turns out the small farming community is extremely friendly and supportive in the blogosphere. Stop by and air-kiss a goat.

Still here? Ok. Here’s a cool story for you:

Lady Darkcargo and I go back to when I was….. 18. College years. She has been my best friend for some time, alternately getting me into and out of trouble. The blessings of her friendship far out way any negatives, such as crank calls at 3AM. She went to highschool with my man. After a series of failed and embarrassing blind dates, I swore off men until I had a degree. Lady Darkcargo, after insisting I had to meet a certain dude (and I not being interested), threw a party inviting my soon-to-be better half. I ignored him all evening. He was smoking on the back porch when Lady Darkcargo grabbed my arm and threw me into the backyard, locking the door behind me. There was Mr. Perfect. I decided to go with Blunt as men will usually be flustered or appreciate this quality.

‘She thinks we should date. How do you feel about that?’ Long silent pause as he holds a drag in, contemplating. I think.

‘OK.’

I then turned, knocked on the door and yelled that we were now dating and could I come back in to tend to my rapidly warming beer? We’ve been married for 11 years.