The Perfect Magical Fantasy for the Holidays

I'm participating in a number of writer challenges on Instagram. One recent challenge asked: Why is my story important? To answer this question, I focused on EOLYN, Book One of the Silver Web Trilogy. What drew me into Eolyn’s story was the immense courage and strength she demonstrates when confronting a brutal system intent on … Continue reading The Perfect Magical Fantasy for the Holidays →

A New Look for EOLYN

I mentioned in an earlier post that I've commissioned new cover designs for The Silver Web Trilogy. Autumn M. Birt, ecologist, author, AND artist, is hard at work on the project now. I'm so excited about what she's put together! I can't help but give you a little hint of the new look - with … Continue reading A New Look for EOLYN →

SWORD OF SHADOWS Kindle Countdown

https://videopress.com/v/62bufi58?preloadContent=metadata Dive into the darkest moments of Eolyn's magical journey in Sword of Shadows. The Kindle edition is on sale through the end of next week. Sword of Shadows can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel or as Book 2 of The Silver Web Trilogy.

Free Read Fridays: Brothers in Magic

I'm testing the waters with some video content on my Instagram account. Called "Free Read Fridays," each episode will include a brief (1-minute) reading from a randomly selected page in my novel EOLYN. I will occasionally cross-post here, but the best way to catch Free Read Fridays is to follow me on Instagram. This week's … Continue reading Free Read Fridays: Brothers in Magic →

First Goals and Aspirations for 2020

Avila University started its regular spring semester about two weeks ago. Seems I've hardly drawn a breath, and the month has already slipped by! After some worry that I might be teaching an overload again this spring, I managed to negotiate with the powers that be so that my teaching obligations remain within contract. This … Continue reading First Goals and Aspirations for 2020 →

Kirkus Reviews ‘Daughter of Aithne’

I was excited (and nervous) last week to receive Kirkus Reviews' assessment of Daughter of Aithne, the third and final installment of The Silver Web Trilogy. Nervous before I read it, excited afterwards. All three novels of The Silver Web have received positive reviews from Kirkus, but Kirkus seemed to like Daughter of Aithne best of all: "Thankfully," the reviewer writes, "[Gastreich] ends her series with the … Continue reading Kirkus Reviews ‘Daughter of Aithne’ →

The Inquisitor

For a second, Carlos wonders what this man would look like under torture, whether his face would retain the same luminous quality. The thought excites him - the execution of power always does - and his sense of inferiority fades. - Tobsha Learner, The Witch of Cologne For a while now, I've been promising a series of … Continue reading The Inquisitor →

Not-So-Benevolent Sexism

The night I watched Hillary Clinton accept the Democratic nomination for president, something shifted inside of me. More than shifted; there was movement of seismic proportions. A complete re-ordering of my internal universe. Until that moment, part of me believed that this was impossible; that as long as I lived, a woman would never be nominated … Continue reading Not-So-Benevolent Sexism →

The Un-Success Story

A couple months ago, I watched a documentary about the life of Jim Henson on PBS. I grew up with the Muppets and always admired the artistry and imagination of Henson's enterprise. It was interesting to have this behind-the-scenes look at Henson life, and to learn about the personal and professional struggles he dealt with. … Continue reading The Un-Success Story →

About those women characters…

This post is inspired by three seemingly unrelated events this week. One was an article by Renee Asher Pickup about the feminist implications of the story of Ted Bundy. The other, a reflection on a Tumblr blog about Joss Whedon and the ever-elusive female heroine. (This latter post has been on line for over a year now; … Continue reading About those women characters… →