AVATAR - Official Teaser Trailer (HD)

Looks awesome!

Con-Version Report

Okay, I’m finally fulfilling my promise of Con report and photos. I should have done it before, but I was too busy to do so. I apologize for the delay. Back to the Con: As usual Con-Version was a lot of fun. Lynda Williams and I arrived Thursday, and so did Robert J. Sawyer, who joined us in the hotel lounge for a chat and a drink.

Friday, I attended several panels, reunited with friends, Adria Laycraft and Ron Friedman, and met Tanya Huff. She’s awesome!



Later that evening, I went to the Con Cabaret. Val King and her friend made us laugh with a fun number.

Tanya sang too.

After the cabaret, Bundoran Press Publisher Virginia O’Dine, author Hayden Trenholm, his lovely wife Liz, Roy Fisher, Rob Sawyer and I gathered in the hotel bar and stayed there until the place closed down.

Saturday, I met more friends, Jennifer Rahn, Publisher Brian Hades and his wife Anita, Cliff Samuel and Eileen. I also made a new friend, Sherry Peters. And, oh yeah, I signed some books. The three Guests of Honor together: Terry Brooks, Robert J. Sawyer and Tanya Huff. The panel’s subject was the author’s life: From the art to the business of writing for a living.

Randy McCharles and Terry Brooks joking before a panel.

At the masquerade, my favorite costumes belonged to the steampunk gang.

Sunday, I bought some books at the Sentry Box, which I later had signed by Terry and Rob. By the way Terry Brooks is the most charming man I’ve ever met. My favorite panel: Dave Duncan and Terry Brooks talking about building engrossing fantasy worlds.

A group of Medieval knights shopping for weapons.

The Con ended in beauty with a big dinner with the members of IFWA (Imaginative Fiction Writers Association)—Mmmm, “bronto ribs”! And to cap everything off, someone gave my friend Virginia The Clap and E.Coli; she was really happy about it. You are probably scratching your head right now, wondering how can anyone enjoy getting The Clap and E.Coli? Well, if they are Giant Plush Microbes, one does. ;)
Those infectiously cute germs were sold at the convention.

New Review

I’ve just noticed that there is a new review of The Princes of the Golden Cage over at Static Multimedia. Reviewer Chris Chaisson gives it 3.5 stars out of 4. Yay!

Here’s what he says: “With the complex characters as well as the social landscape of Telfar in The Princes of the Golden Cage, Mallet portrays a convincingly volatile environment. She combines the internal strife of the characters with the external strife of the kingdom, creating an enjoyable, multi-dimensional story.”

The King’s Daughters Contest Winners

Graeme over at Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review has announced the winners of THE KING’S DAUGHTERS. And they are:

Joe Scanlon, WI, USA
John Millheim, FL, USA
Gef Fox, NS, Canada

Congratulations guys! The books will be sent to you this week. And a BIG thank you to Graeme for holding the contest for me! :D

Getting ready for Con-version 25

I’m leaving for Con-Version 25, Calgary’s premier science fiction and fantasy convention, tomorrow morning, and I won’t be back until late on the 24th. Con-Version is always a lot of fun, and the Guests of Honor are amazing this year: Terry Books, Tanya Huff, Robert J. Sawyer and Alina Pete. Sweet! : ) I can’t wait to get there! I’m so looking forward to seeing friends, going to panels, and watching the musical they put up every year. Well, I hope there is one this year; I couldn’t find any info about it on the Con’s site. :/ Please, please, please let there be a musical--my fingers are crossed. In any case, expect my next post to contain a detailed account of the Con, and, of course, there will be plenty of pictures too. Now if only I can manage to stuff all I need for this trip into one suitcase, I’ll be happy. Wish me luck.

District 9

I saw District 9 this weekend, and I really enjoyed it. It’s dark, gritty and quite gross and gory at time. It is also filled with apartheid’s references. For instance: the aliens are kept separated from the humans and confined in a sort of shanty town, and are labelled with the derogatory term “prawn”. I wonder if this is due to the fact that the action is set and filmed in South Africa, or simply a coincidence. In any case, it is a brilliant portrait of human nature at its worst, and at the end I found myself rooting for the “prawns” and geeky Wikus.

Giveaway Contest

Over at Graeme's Fantasy Book Review, reviewer Graeme Flory has graciously agreed to host a contest for autographed copies of The King’s Daughters. The contest ends next August 23rd, so hurry up, guys! :D

Enduring Romance Review

Over at Enduring Romance, Kimber An has written a very amusing review of The King’s Daughters.

Here’s a serious excerpt: “Ms. Mallet successfully dragged me this way and that and I didn't figure things out on my own because I was too swept up in it all. As much as I read, I'm rarely surprised by a story. So, when I am surprised by a story, it's a wonderful treat.”

Check out the review. It’s really fun. Here.

Events

Today, author Joylene Butler, Trelle Morrow, and I will be at the Library’s booth in the PGX Heritage Lane from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Come chat with us.

Later this evening, there is going to be a Creatives meeting at Books & Co., starting at 7:00. I hope to see everybody there.

Critical Mass Review

Over at Critical Mass, author and reviewer Don D’Ammassa has posted a nice review of The King’s Daughters which he concluded with this, and I quote: “Mallet reminds me a bit of Dave Duncan at times.” I’m quite flattered right now. :D

Writer Wednesday

This Wednesday, I’m going to be the guest writer at Tia Nevitt’s Fantasy Debut for her now regular feature called Writer Wednesday. The topic is going to be “Voice”. So stop by and leave a comment. :)

Book Launch

Come meet me at Books & Company Saturday, August 8, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. We’ll have a chat. I’ll sign books. It’ll be fun…I promise. :)

Alternative Worlds Review

Accomplished reviewer Harriet Klausner wrote a great review of The King’s Daughters for Alternative Worlds.

Here’s an excerpt: “The story line is fast-paced and the cast solid as Nathalie Mallet paints a brisk vivid picture of the hero, before and during his “quest”, adapting though bewildered to the icy reception of those he hopes will be one day soon his in-laws.”

Read the entire review here.

SciFiChick Reviews The King’s Daughters

Angela Schuch (a.k.a. SciFiChick) has posted a great review of The King’s Daughters.

Here’s an excerpt: “I became engaged in this story even more than the last…. I love the character of Amir. While he is a prince and a bit spoiled and biased, he has a kind heart and can’t stay away from a good mystery. With a climactic ending, the story is still left with promise of new adventures to come for Amir. And I, for one, can’t wait.” Read more.

I love that you love Amir, Angela! Thanks! :D

B.C.Day

Have a great B.C. Day everyone!

Black Petals

My friend Anne Stickel, editor at Black Petals—an online magazine of horror and science fiction—wrote a few words about The Princes of the Golden Cage in issue # 48.

"I found the scholarly but hot-blooded Prince Amir quite an appealing character, even though he’s occasionally impetuous, too quick to judge, and supercilious about his fighting skills. This one, featuring the princes looking over the palace wall on the cover, definitely earns 4 stars out of 5"

Wheeler Review

Harmony Wheeler wrote a lovely, detailed review of The King’s Daughters for Static Multimedia.

Here are some excerpts: “Her characters are lovable, believable, and easy to relate to. One character named Diego proclaims himself a “dandy” and resembles the famous literary hero The Scarlet Pimpernel in both his wit and his charm.”

“A page-turner for young-adults, adults, and fans of fantasy and mystery, The King’s Daughters delivers big time. Unlike its story, the book’s success will be no mystery.” Read More.

This is a very good review, (I especially love The Scarlet Pimpernel comparison) so please check it out!

Bookgasm reviews The King’s Daughters

Here’s an excerpt of what Mark Rose at Bookgasm wrote about my book and me:

“Most of her main characters are succinctly drawn, with real motivations and realistic behaviors. She has a jeweler’s eye for scene settings and color, and her pacing is just right.She’s not the kind of author who would write a 600-page tedious doorstop of a book; her style is much more suited to the quick series installment in paperback that we all used to love about fantasy fiction back in the ’70s and ’80s...” Read more.

Nice, hey! :D