Friday, 24 February 2017

Friday Fics Fix - Loki's Heart

I'm full of coffee, fanfiction is slowly restoring my faith in humanity, and I have an awesome FrostIron fic with a transgender Loki for you guys! Let's do this!





Fics Fix title image






(Fangirling notes:

FrostIron is where Loki and Tony Stark from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (y'know, the films) have a little something romantic and/or sexual going on.

If you're a regular DORA reader, you'll probably know this.

If you're new here/have somehow avoided my FrostIron obsession: ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE AWESOMENESS!!!!) 







'...fanfiction is slowly restoring my faith in humanity...' Click to Tweet








In the comics, Loki is all kinds of undefined in terms of both sexuality and gender (something they have resolutely ignored in the films.)

So fic writers, (who are more accepting than your average studio executive,) have, over the years, taken it upon themselves to explore the various avenues Loki's story could have taken.

And that is one of the reasons, my dearest nerdlets, that there is still hope for this planet!









This fanfic is written by a transgender man, about a transgender man - yes, there's such a thing as #ownvoices fanfiction... and it's glorious.

This fic is 18+ only by the way guys - there are sexy-times, and I don't want anyone's parents yelling at me.

Also, pay attention to the warnings the fic author gives, in case there's anything distressing for you in there.









This is written beautifully and honestly... and I just love it!

To be honest, any romance between Tony Stark and Loki has already won half the battle with me, but the college AU and the raw heart of this story is just... this is one I really adored, guys.













(Fangirling note: AU is Alternate Universe.)












'the raw heart of this story is just...' Click to Tweet













So, without further procrastination, this week's fic is:

Deliver It To My Heart (What Looks So Strong So Delicate) by lary








And that's this week's fic! More next week! :)










Like this post? Try some of these:









Thursday, 23 February 2017

Comics Wrap-Up - You're the Queen of Pain


Comics Wrap-Up title image






Film Trailers


This is more of a featurette maybe, but I'm putting it in the trailers section anyhow #DealWithIt 😎

This is an origin-type-thingy for X-23/Laura from the upcoming X-men film, Logan.




MASSIVE content warning: gore and self-harm.












Other Stuff




And here's some awesome-sauce links related to all things comics I've come across this week:















'Some awesome sauce links related to all things comics' - Click to Tweet











Like this post? Try these:









Tuesday, 21 February 2017

Really Mini Reviews! - 3 Contemporary F/F (Lesbian) Romances




It's funny isn't it, how there seems to be a lot more support for M/M romance than there is for F/F romance?

That's not to say that M/M romance doesn't deserve support (it totally does!) but F/F romance shouldn't have to linger by the wayside.





girls kissing pic





Now, I have a habit of reading... pretty much anything I can get my hands on, which includes F/F romances, of course!

But I also tend to go for cheap/on-offer, and free books where possible (I'm broke dammit!) - so in this post, I review 3 short (novella/short story) contemporary F/F books that I managed to snag as freebies. (Woo!)




All three of these books are classified as lesbian romances; there isn't an awful lot of non-lesbian F/F romance out there, which is another reason F/F romance needs more support!


Sunday, 19 February 2017

Nerd Church - It's All About The Money

Let's talk money, shall we?

With prices climbing, and incomes not doing the same, (plus an unstable global political climate, which often has a knock-on economic effect,) we need to be able to talk openly about all that awkward financial stuff.





pound coins image



Regular readers of DORA might be aware that I am regularly broke.

Don't get me wrong - thanks to the kindness and support of my parents,  and the country and time period I live in, I have a comfortable life that has plenty of privileges.






But I'm very much dependant on my parents. And in my 20s, with retired parents, that's not a position I thought I'd be in.

I work for myself, and if I ever get an additional part-time or temporary job, I'd need it to be the right fit for me because of my mental health problems. Money's nice, but being alive is a priority.






So when it comes to supporting all of the amazing and wonderful causes and creative people out there, I have to say 'no' time and time again.

And that feels bad. Because I would love to be able to give £5 to Cause A and £5 to Person B, but I know that I can't afford to. I donate and/or support when and where I can, and no more.

And I have to somehow convince myself that I have no need to feel guilty - that I have to come first, because otherwise I can't help anyone else.














So why, if my parents are supporting me, don't I have more spare cash?

Well, I'm saving - or trying to, it's not easy with business expenses, family/friends' birthdays, and low interest rates.

I'd like a house at some point in the future. And enough income to pay the bills for it. I'd also like to do a degree (probably with something like the Open University.)

I'd like to not feel like a burden on my parents, who've already had to help my brother get on his feet.

Basically - I'd like something that's mine. I'd like a future. 

And I know I'm not alone in that - it's a problem that we millennials are looked down on for, and it's a problem that's NOT of our own making.







And I know how tough it is to make money in today's world...

(...particularly when affiliate agreements may or may not have a clause that prevents you from coming straight out and saying 'please use my links to buy things.')

And even monetising your blog is difficult enough - especially if you're not so good with maths.

I'm currently looking into adding ads to DORA, but business things like that leave me totally baffled (thank you suspected dyscalculia,) which means I have to spend more time going through things and trying to understand them than other people do.







Some people think that any monetising of blogs is somehow dishonest. I sure as hell don't.

If you're a blogger, monetise as much as you want to. Because you deserve it.

If you find you've got enough cash to go around? Go ahead and support other creative people and/or causes with it. Because they need it too.













What am I trying to say in this post, exactly? I'm trying to say that it's ok.

It's ok to have to lean on others - no matter how uncomfortable it may feel; if you need it, then you need it.

It's ok to not be able to help and support other people when you want to - just do what you can, when you can.


  • Drop some change in the charity box by the supermarket till.

  • Buy the Big Issue (or whatever your local street newspaper is) instead of a gossip magazine

  • Do the free stuff - bring traffic to the websites of deserving people and/or causes, promote them online, etc.





And most of all, never feel guilty for having to put your health - mental or physical - first. You've got to have something left to give.





Like this post? Here's some more!:








Friday, 17 February 2017

Friday Fics Fix - Resist, Persist

(Flashing Images Warning: There are fast and not smoothly-moving gifs in this post which may cause problems to those with photosensitive conditions such as epilepsy or migraines.)




Fanfiction can save the world.




Friday Fics Fix title image




I know, that sounds like a big, idealistic, head-in-the-clouds idea. But f**k it, I'm a bookish rebel, and I believe in people who tell stories dammit!!!!

















Fanfiction does not fear Donald Trump.

(Actually, it comes up with porn involving Trump that would make the man himself wince, but let's ignore that section of the Trump-fics. Because I have to. Because that's just disturbing.)






Fanfiction sees Trump, and says, 'No. Way.'

So this week's fanfic is a double-feature - two fics for the price of one (don't worry, they're both still free,) double your pleasure, and all that jazz.

Two fics which take those shining symbols of justice and equality - the Avengers - and pit them politically against Trump.







Cos there's no way in hell any superhero would support that w**ker.

Also, there's some Loki-ness in there too! Which is awesome (and somewhat hilarious!)



















So, this week's twinned fanfics, written by fic-writer 'shethinksshesabard' are:





and











Keep things awesome - persist and resist! I'll see you next week for more fanfiction.












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Thursday, 16 February 2017

Comics Wrap-Up - Rusted From the Rain

Comics Wrap-Up title image









Film Trailers


Another li'l teaser trailer for you, from Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 2!















Other Stuff


First look at Avengers: Infinity War!!!!

Granted, this featurette feels a little pompous, and there's a lot of milking-it, (did she just dare to say that?! Yes, she did. #DealWithIt,) but still - as long as they don't let the hype out-do the film, it should be awesome!









divider





Do you guys remember the Team Thor vid that was released a few months back?

It was basically a hilarious mockumentary of where Thor and Bruce Banner were during Captain America: Civil War (UK - US).










Well there's now a part 2 - which once again is just awesome.










I love Chris Hemsworth - he needs to be in more comedies; like, really badly!

'Yay! It's settled. We're getting a servant!"









That's all for this week my nerdlets - more comics and superheroes next Thursday, as usual!














Like this post? Check out these:






Monday, 13 February 2017

Review Time! - Santa Muerte by Lucina Stone


**This post contains Amazon.com affiliate links, which allow me to earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.**

**Please only use my affiliate links for .COM purchases, as I do NOT earn from other Amazon sites**



Warning: This post discusses Depression and suicide


Title: Santa Muerte. Decoration: art deco style border






flower divider image



Title: Santa Muerte 
Image Source


Author: Lucina Stone

Genre: New Adult/NA, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Witches, Vampires*, Werewolves*, Historical Fiction*, (*ish) LGBTQ+

Series: The Daniela Story #1