Category Archives: writing

Now Available on Itch.Io!

Check me out on Itch.io! The entire Refuge series is now collected there and available for purchase!

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Welcome to Refuge!

This is the official website of writer Victoria Janssen, author of A Place of Refuge, is science fiction #hopepunk following three former guerillas who lose their fight against a fascist empire but escape to a utopian planet. They’re figuring out … Continue reading

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#TBR Challenge – Once More With Feeling: Territory by Emma Bull

Territory by Emma Bull, in the fantasy sub-genre now called Weird West, was published in 2007. I bought it immediately in hardcover because I loved previous books by Bull…but then it sat in the TBR because I wasn’t very interested … Continue reading

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Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

I did a lot of experimenting with grilled cheese sandwiches this month. I learned some things! Colby-Jack melted a lot more smoothly than cheddar, my previous go-to cheese when not using processed “American” slices. For this rather excellent sandwich, I … Continue reading

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Updates on My Kalikoi Novellas

Finding Refuge received a lovely review at Phoebe’s Randoms: “Janssen has laid the ground floor for what could be an exciting series about PTSD, life after war, human and non-human relations, and just personal relationships in general.” Sapphic Book Club … Continue reading

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#TBRChallenge – Festive: Cotillion by Georgette Heyer

It’s true! I’ve never read Cotillion by Georgette Heyer! Until now. This book was published in 1953, so I felt free to include spoilers in this post. I found the novel charming, with typical Heyer character types, plotlines, and shenanigans, … Continue reading

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My October Reading Log

Fiction: Scandal in Babylon by Barbara Hambly is a reworking of her fantasy novel Bride of the Rat God as a straightforward historical mystery set in 1920s Hollywood. I was always sorry there weren’t sequels to Bride of the Rat … Continue reading

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Smashwords Interview

I recently interviewed myself via Smashwords, which was sort of fun!

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#TBRChallenge – Unusual Profession: Set This House in Order by Matt Ruff

Set This House in Order: A Romance of Souls by Matt Ruff won the 2003 James Tiptree, Jr. Award, now renamed the Otherwise Award, which “celebrates science fiction, fantasy, and other forms of speculative narrative that expand and explore our … Continue reading

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Chickpea/Barley/Spinach Soup

Chickpea/Barley/Spinach Soup Heaping tablespoon of ghee 2 or more large cloves of garlic, put through the press 1/3 cup white vinegar, or a good sploosh good pinch of cayenne 4 cups chicken stock, divided in half, or water with bouillon … Continue reading

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