In addition to taking the time to remember the sacrifice of men and women is service to their country on this Memorial Day (USA), I spent some time proof-reading through poetry written eons ago. Memories of past friendships, heartaches, and determination flooded my mind, rehashing emotions I'd pushed aside. The age at which I wrote some of this stuff shocked me. Amazingly enough, I actually made it through two poetry books I hope to release this summer with cover reveals not too long in coming. I'm considering a twin release. What do you think?
More details to follow.
5/30/16
4/16/16
Mddle School Student Review of "Buddy" by M.H. Herlong
A
very Sad Story.
“Buddy” was a very sad story about a
boy who lost his dog in hurricane Katrina. And When the boy got a new dog he
always tried to get Buddy (The old dog) back. Will he ever get his dog back?
I don’t really like this book because
it is a sad story through out. This book is riddled with things happening to
one family. I would not recommend this book to people who want a fun read.
Tai, 7th Grade
4/10/16
Battle in the Mind of an Author
Battle in the Mind of an Author
[Disclaimer: This
scene merely represents reality and is not an exact replay of what occurred.]
(Author is writing
scene for the first time with a male and female character.)
He kissed her. After a few moments, she pulled away.
“No. I can’t do this,” she said.
He frowned. “Why?”
(Author pauses her
typing.)
Female character:
I don’t know.
Male character:
You don’t know? We were just making out and you don’t know why you stopped me?
Female character: She
hasn’t written that yet.
Male character:
What? Who? What are you talking about?
Female character:
The author. She hasn’t written my history yet, so I don’t know why I can’t do
this with you.
Male character to
author: Why doesn’t she know?
(Author raises her
brow.)
Author: Well, she
hasn’t lived it yet.
Male character:
Well, hurry up and write it ‘cause I’m dying here.
Author: You don’t
understand. I can only write what you
do.
Male character: I
thought writers created the world their characters live in, like with outlines
and stuff.
Author: Some
authors do.
Male character: (shakes head) What kind of author are you?
Author: Panster.
Male character: A
what?
Author: I write
what you guys live out in my head. When I get stuck, like now, then I go back,
do some research, listen to music, or whatever else inspires me to think up a
history. For now, I’m just riding along wherever you take me.
Male character:
You’ve got to be kidding me. So, I have to wait until you’re inspired before I
can be with her?
Author: Well, uh,
not exactly. She gets to decide whether you can be with her, and right now, she
doesn’t want to, so…
Male character to
female character: Is that true? I thought we had something here.
Female character:
We do. I totally enjoy being with you, but I don’t want to do this right now. I
just don’t know why yet. Maybe it has something to do with my ex.
Male character:
What the-?
Author: Keep in
clean. I got young eyes reading this too.
Male character: (takes deep breath) Fine. I’ll wait, but
don’t take too long. I’m on fire here.
Author: Um. Will
see. Can you do me a favor?
Male character:
What?
Author: Could you
stay out of my head so I can, you know, work, take care of my family, and
stuff? I got things to do.
Male character:
Ha! No guarantees here. I’m eager to get going, and I’ve already waited three
years to see where this goes.
Author: My brain.
My rules.
Male character:
(sighs) I’ll do my best. Better not mess with the writer, huh?
Author: Don’t
worry. I won’t write you out of the story. I like you too much. I just need
time to think this out, okay?
Male character:
Okay.
Author: So, what
should I write next?
Male character:
Well, I’m frustrated, so I’m going to sleep on the couch. Write that.
Author to female
character: And you?
Female character:
I’m going to have me a good cry because I really hurt him.
Author: Got it.
(Author commences
typing and ends scene with...)
“Fine. I’ll sleep on the couch.” He opened the door and
stepped out.
Right when he shut the door, tears streamed down her cheeks.
(Author saves file and
walks away. She needs some time to recover from this battle. Problem is, the
war is far from over. The song “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley comes to mind.)
1/1/16
Happy New Year! 2016 is here!
Didn't 2015 just start? It's crazy how fast time seems to move along.
I'm glad to embark on a new year, though. 2015, a year filled with positive changes, was also dotted with painful farewells. I said good bye to one writers group and attended another, changed career direction, and quit a choir I've been a part of for over a decade. None of these were easy decisions and with those changes, I risked friendships, most of which have survived. There were even times I considered quitting this writing career, but so many of my readers stepped in to encourage me to keep going. I'm doing just that, one day at a time. I'm pushing past the negativity I've encountered both internally and externally, so I can embrace more. More what? Well, that's what starting a new year will show me, day by day, and I'm looking forward to it.
So, whatever challenges you're facing, don't give up. I've learned that sometimes the bigger prize is just over the other side of the rough-ridged mountaintop. Worse case scenario, I gain some wisdom via the painful process. For me, the prize was meeting a group of people so supportive, I think I'm in a beautiful dream. I know it's still possible to still encounter painful experiences, but I'm super grateful that there are more friends to help me through those times, and I can be there for them too.
Happy New Year!
12/17/15
Paranormal Romance Thursday Tour - Flossie Benton Rogers
Guardian of the Deep
by Flossie Benton Rogers
Moonspell Books
Genre:
Paranormal Romance (sensual heat level)
Blurb:
Forbidden
love in the fae realm…
The
Succubus Layla has one job: to pursue dreaming men. Although emotional
attachments are strictly prohibited, Layla has powerful feelings for the
Guardian of the Deep.
Samael
is a dark lord charged with maintaining order in his submerged domain. The
Guardian is enamored of Layla, and they fuel their passion in his undersea
home.
With
forces stirring against them, the fae world becomes dangerous. Samael suggests
a hideaway in the human dimension – a 1950 Montana ranch. Layla is thrilled.
They can escape the threat looming over them, and she can indulge her cowboy
fantasies with Samael.
When
Samael disappears before their rendezvous, Layla’s dream turns to a nightmare.
Peril is closer than ever. She must call on her deepest reserves and risk
everything for the truth to come out. Is her love strong enough to hold the
bond with her Guardian of the Deep?
Excerpt 1:
The
draperies swept open to reveal all the glory of the deep ocean. The
phosphorescence of seafae lit the waters.
And
there Samael glided, every bit as splendorous as the home of his heart.
Layla
moved to stand at the window and watch mesmerized as Samael cavorted among his
denizens. As happened when sea water covered him, his skin from chest downward
shimmered in vibrant jeweled tones—cerulean, purple, and green. The flecks in
his eyes sparkled, and his long dark hair with its burnished streaks streamed
out behind him. The lower half of his body had shifted to its undersea form,
that of tail and fins, a brilliant-hued merman in all his glory.
The
sight took her breath away.
Excerpt 2:
Her heart hammered at the thundering
sound of hoof beats in the distance. Over the rise came a creature she knew was
a horse, from pictures and her experiences in the dreams of men. She had never
seen a real one.
She blinked her eyes in disbelief.
Samael rode the horse. She whirled in excitement and smacked full into Bane,
who had stopped stock still.
The horse and rider headed straight at
them, a curl of rope and weapon hanging from the saddle, a rifle Layla thought.
What was Samael doing with a gun?
Relief flooded her. The best part,
other than seeing with her own eyes that he was not hurt, was her certainty he
would proclaim her innocent of any part in this abduction.
Samael would know she was innocent, wouldn’t he?
“Keep your mouth shut,” Bane hissed.
She couldn’t stand mute and let Bane
get in the first word against her. “Samael.” She rushed toward him, recoiling
when she encountered the energy field and immense bulk of his mount.
The startled horse reared up, knocking Layla
off balance. While Samael regained control of the beast, she tilted sideways
and fell into the edge of the water.
She struggled to get up but only
managed to plunk herself back down in the mud.
“Samael.” Her voice shook.
He halted the stallion within a few
feet of her as she lay sprawled in the shallow water. She flinched at the look
he tossed her from beneath his wide brimmed hat. It wasn’t the heated gaze he
usually gave her, the one that melted her insides and made it hard to breathe.
No, this was the distant stare of a stranger. A cold stranger with her lover’s
face.
Buy Guardian of the
Deep:
Barnes&Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
Connect with
Flossie:
Website: http://flossiebentonrogers.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/FrostFyre
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/Wytchfae
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6553203.Flossie_Benton_Rogers
Amazon author page: http://amazon.com/author/flossiebentonrogers
Carmen Stefanescu – http://shadowspastmystery.blogspot.ro/
Linda Lamont – http://lindalyndi.com/
Margo Bond Collins – http://www.MargoBondCollins.com
Adrienne Woods – https://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com/
Flossie Benton Rogers – http://flossiebentonrogers.com/blog/
Julie A. D’Arcy – http://juliedarcystoryweaver.blogspot.com.au/
M S Kaye – http://booksbymsk.com/
Kimbra Kasch – http://www.kimkasch.blogspot.com/
Penny Estelle – www.pennyestelle.blogspot.com
12/10/15
Paranormal Romance Thursday Tour - N N Light
Title:
Princess of the Light
Author:
N. N. Light
Genre:
Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense, Inspirational Fiction
Release
Date: September 2, 2014
Tagline:
Inspiring spiritual growth one person at
a time
Blurb:
Gabriel, the Archangel and Messenger of
God - yeah, that Gabriel - visits Mary Miller. He tells her, as the key, she is
destined to spread the Light and vanquish the Darkness. Her first assignment is
to restore the soul of the Walking Man. Sounds simple enough -- until she’s
thrown into the face of evil. And then, Joe Deacons enters her heart. This
battle just got a lot more complicated. She must complete her mission without
losing all she loves.
Book
Cover Graphic Artist Credit:
Illustration : streamy digital
Model : VictoriaAndrea
Photo : shutterstock/depositphoto
Excerpt:
Marie
furrowed her brow and softly interrupted, "André is the Walking Man?"
I
looked at Marie and asked, "You've heard of him?"
Marie
nodded. "Of course. He is a staple of the Downtown area. There are a few
groups I'm affiliated with that hand out food and clothing to those in need. He
never comes to these events so I leave them by the area where he sleeps."
She paused, thoughtfully. "I just can't believe that it is André."
Joe
cleared his throat and looked at his father. "What happened to
André?"
Alfred
sighed and after a moment said, "It really was the fault of that witch he
was married to. She and her family treated him horribly. She was a gold digger
and all she cared about was money and the prestige."
Marie
interrupted Alfred by saying, "I remember her. She was so mean to André
and all she cared about was looking
rich. Wealth is a gift—she just wanted it for a toy. She treated André so
badly... and his mother-in-law was the worst. She would put him down all the
time. In front of other people, no less."
Alfred
continued, "André was a good man and worked hard. He was working on a big
project for the city. He worked night and day on the project and told me it was
going to put Golden Lake on the map.
"He
absolutely adored his daughter, too. I remember that clearly. She was his
everything." Alfred paused, apparently lost in his thoughts. With a sigh
he said, "There was a scandal with the project, though, and André got
fired. Soon after, Dara left him, took Katherine with her and André fell apart.
He started drinking heavily and, without his daughter, his life fell
apart."
Joe
looked at me and I fought to keep from throwing my hand over my mouth. There
was purple fire in his eyes and I felt his anger. I already knew the story of
André and I tried to smile at him.
I smelled burning flesh. Joe
flashed in full armor fighting demons with a golden sword.
I
gasped at the vision and brought my hand to my chest in shock feeling the key
necklace, before I could stop the physical reaction. The necklace weighed
heavily as did my heart. He would be fighting at my side soon.
Marie
asked, "Are you okay, dear?"
Joe
turned to look at his mother. He nodded and only said, "I never knew any
of this."
Alfred
continued, "I am sorry, son, but you asked for the truth. This is what I
know. André was sleeping at the office and drinking all the time. He was
supposed to give a presentation to a client and was drunk. He got into a
scuffle with his boss and rumor has it, André punched him."
I
feigned shock and said, "Oh my!"
Than is to blame. I don't know
how I know or what happened but I vow to the Lord that I will make Than pay, thought Joe.
I
choked and almost spit out my drink. I
just heard Joe's thoughts! I had to set him straight and right away.
I
cleared my throat and said awkwardly, "Joe, I think I left something in
the car."
Joe
looked at me with eyebrows raised. "Excuse me, we'll be right back,"
I said with a smile.
I
walked outside and knew that Joe was right behind me. When I reached the car, I
whirled and said in a stern tone, "Are you trying to get yourself
killed?"
Joe
stopped mid-step and said, "What are you talking about, Mary?"
I ran
into his arms and whispered, "You cannot take on Than by yourself! I heard
your thoughts in there. Now, I don't know how you know that it was Than who
drove André to punching his boss but please promise me that you will not get revenge."
I
paused to catch my breath and remembered what Gabriel told me. "Joe, in
order to defeat the darkness and not become dark ourselves, we need to have a
pure heart. We are filled with the Light and our motives must always be to
speak the Truth and spread the Light."
Joe
took several deep breaths while he held me. He stroked my hair and whispered,
"I'm sorry, my angel. I didn't mean to frighten you and you are right. It was
just a momentary thought."
I
lifted my head and locked eyes with Joe. Tears filled my eyes but I was
determined. I bit at my top lip and then whispered, "Promise me you won't
put yourself in harm's way." Hot tears spilled down my cheeks.
Joe
wiped at them and said in a deep, reassuring tone, "I promise, Mary. I
promise I won't be a hothead and I won't be rash." Then, he laid his
forehead on mine and whispered, "Please don't cry, darling. Please."
I
nodded and whispered, "I would die if I lost you. Than will use you to try
to get to me. You are my love, my everything." My voice cracked. "I
would die if I lost you," I repeated.
Joe
shook my shoulders a little and looked deep into my eyes. "Listen to me,
Mary, you will never lose me! Do you hear me? I am by your side now and
forever."
Overcome
with emotion, Joe kissed me.
Buy
Links:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/469480
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/princess-of-the-light-nn-light/1120170709?ean=9781502438454
Amazon Canada: http://www.amazon.ca/Princess-Light-N-ebook/dp/B00N19FDKO
Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/5008419
Goodreads:
Website: http://princessofthelight.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/nnlight
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NNP_W_Light
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/nnlight
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/nnlight
Independent Author Network: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/n-n-light.html
Other authors participating in the tour:
Daisy Banks – https://daisybanks.wordpress.com/
Carmen Stefanescu – http://shadowspastmystery.blogspot.ro/
Linda Lamont – http://lindalyndi.com/
Margo Bond Collins – http://www.MargoBondCollins.com
Adrienne Woods – https://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com/
Flossie Benton Rogers – http://flossiebentonrogers.com/blog/
Julie A. D’Arcy – http://juliedarcystoryweaver.blogspot.com.au/
M S Kaye – http://booksbymsk.com/
Kimbra Kasch – http://www.kimkasch.blogspot.com/
Penny Estelle – www.pennyestelle.blogspot.com
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