Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #3

Happy Monday!

It's time for another Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge AND my first day of college. I'm sure I'll post more on that later :D. Thank you, Blodeuedd and Michelle, for doing this with me and Dottie. I hope this picture inspires you both once again. Everyone is welcome to join in. We would love to see what you might come up with!

Now on to week three's picture prompt...Hmm...what do you think?

The Rules...Monday's we post a picture prompt. If you feel inclined to write a story inspired by the prompt, post it to your blog on Friday, then post a link to me and Dottie in a comment so others out there can enjoy your creativity! Max word count is 350...however, there is no penalty for going over or under :).

Happy Writing!

Sassy Sunday Story Starter...

Over at Alternative-Reads, Sassy Brit hosts a 'Sassy Sunday Story Starter'. This Sunday was another line prompt and here is my contribution for this week :).

Thank you to author, Angelika Devlyn, for submitting this weeks line prompt!

Basement of SecretsBy Amy CWord Count - 438

Simone opened the door to the basement and peeked through into the darkness. 'Who's down there?' she shouted, sounding more confident than she felt. When no one replied she switched on the light and tip-toed down the creaky stairs to investigate. Please let it be that damn cat from next door!
Halfway down the stairs, the lights flickered, and then all went black. Simone stopped her decent, hand gripping the railing as she struggled to see with her eyes. Not a hint of light pierced the pitch-blackness that surrounded her.
She attempted to draw herself back up the stairs, but a force blocked her incline. Her heart pounded frantically in her chest. She struggled for calmness, but a power of strength compelled Simone to continue down the stairs obliterating any sense of composure she sought to gain.
No matter how hard she tried, she could not break free from the compulsion that drove her further into the darkness of the basement. Tears formed in her eyes. She tried to scream, but as soon as her mouth opened, Simone felt a pressure against her lips, as if a hand had been placed over them.
The air around her grew cold, the musty odors that wafted around her intensified. What was happening? Many times she’d been down these steps and nothing ever occurred out of the ordinary.
Out of the darkness, a purring penetrated her ears. Everything seemed louder when all she had was her sense of sound. The feel of soft fur rubbed against her leg. A loud snap rang around her, immediately followed by the subtle glowing of numerous candles placed everywhere around a strange, unfamiliar room. This was not her basement. Where the hell was she?
Two cloaked figures stepped into the muted lighting. Each of them bowed their heads and lowered the hoods that obscured their faces.
“She is the one. I sense it in her spirit,” one of them spoke in a quite, yet eager tone.
“Yes, she will be perfect,” the other replied, equally enthusiastic.
The one? What was she talking about? Simone looked around frantically, and that’s when she noticed the hard slab of concrete—just the right size for someone of her stature to lie upon.
Again, the unseen force carried her toward the slab, and unable to resist, Simone found herself lying on her back atop the hard, cold concrete bed. The two figures approached her. Her eyes widened in horror at the sight of a dagger carried in one of her abductor’s hands. Sickening fear skated throughout her entire body. Her mind screamed one word over and over again.
Sacrifice.
Sacrifice.

Where in the World is the Guernsey Book?

As of a few days ago, my Guernsey book that I sent out on a journey more than a year ago is now making its way over the ocean from England to Illinois. What a truly amazing and remarkable adventure this book has been on...From Finland to the US, to Canada and Ireland, then England and now back to the US! This book has been in so many wonderful friend's hands. I am honored, delighted, overjoyed, and I thank all of you who participated, and are still waiting to participate, in making this book something special.

I never set a time limit as to how long each person should have the book, but I never thought it would take this long to be passed around. However, it doesn't bother me, if anything, it will make the journey all the more rewarding when it's finally over and the Guernsey book can find its final resting place among the shelves of other much loved and treasured books that I own.

I had the overwhelming pleasure of seeing the book back in January before it made its way over to Ireland. The book was definitely beginning to show signs of wear...or rather, Love...I wonder how much more loved it's going to look like when I get it again :).

And the passage from the afterward that brought about the idea for sending this book on a journey amongst friends...

"...Its members are spread all over the world, but they are joined by their love of books, of talking about books, and of their fellow readers. We are transformed-magically-into the literary society each time we pass a book along, each time we ask a question about it, each time we say, "If you liked that, I bet you'd like this." Whenever we are willing to be delighted and share our delight, as Mary Ann did, we are part of the ongoing story of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society."

THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #2 Entry

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #2

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Just Another Day of Training

by Amy C

Word Count - 278

With his hand on his forehead, he glared up at her; his vixen in matching black leather clothing. She tested his strength. Not just with the physical aspects of her training, but with the tantalizing sway of her hips, the thick fullness of her lips, her silky smooth skin. She was good, a quick learner, and soon she’d be a force to be reckoned with, even against him.

“Oh, don’t be such a baby,” she said as she looked down at him with a teasing smile. Her hand rested on her cocked hip. She thrust her other hand out to him. Suppressing the urge to smile, he was damn proud of her progress, well on her way to being one of the best fighters he’d ever trained, and she’d need that quality in order to squash the dark evils that walk the night.

Finally he reached for her hand, but instead of rising, he pulled her down to him. Without hesitation, she straddled his hips. Her hands splayed across his chest. His cock swelled at the delicious weight of her ass atop him. She wiggled her hips and he groaned in response.

“Baby? I think not,” he growled, and with amazing agility he flipped her.

Now beneath him, her hands pinned above her head, he smiled down at her wickedly, before his lips sought out her own. Their tongues danced to a different battle drum--Hips grinding to a silent tempo of desire. Her prowess in battle always sparked a hunger of need to have her, feel the hot wet heat of her body enclosing the hard length of his cock.

Training could wait. Sometimes pleasure took precedence.

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Tune in on Monday for another Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge!

I wonder what we'll have awaiting you to get the creativity flowing.

Michelle(Awesome entry! Love that it's fantasy!)
Dottie(Another wonderful tale to sink your teeth into! *wink*)

Thank you, Kathryne Kennedy ...

...For another wonderfully fascinating book. I didn't think it was ever going to happen, but it did. I finished The Fire Lord's Lover in record time, or at least record time for what my recent track record has been...three days, instead of three weeks.

Man, did it feel good to finish a book so quickly. I felt like my old self again. I've been following Kathryne Kennedy since her release of Enchanting the Lady, book one in the Relics of Merlin series. I fell in love with her fairy tale-like magical England in that series, and The Fire Lord's Lover has another fascinating magical England that I couldn't help but lose myself in.

And thank you, Anna, for the book!

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #2

It's Monday again and time for another installment of Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge. This weeks prompt me and Dottie decided on one that Dottie sent me. Neither of us has ever done a flash using an anime picture prompt before, so we thought it would be interesting. Not to mention, he's half naked, and his pants appear to be undone :).

The rules again...Monday's we post a picture prompt. If you feel inclined to write a story inspired by the prompt, post it to your blog on Friday, then post a link to me and Dottie in a comment so others out there can enjoy your creativity! Max word count is 350...however, there is no penalty for going over or under :). And as Dottie says...

On your mark...Get set...Create!

Happy Writing!

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #1 Entry

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #1

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Compulsion

by Amy C

Word Count - 374

Fog settled eerily around the old dilapidating house. I shivered as the uncanny sight settled under my skin. The boarded up windows, the overgrown shrubbery, and the fog, made me cringe.
A jarring whistle of wind pulled me from an unspeakable sense of a lost soul. This house was more than the aged, run-down heap of creepiness that appeared before me this early morning day. Beyond the broken, boarded up windows resided something terribly sinister. Something wicked slithered within the walls of this place.
I walked up the moss-covered concrete steps. Images so terrifying whipped through my mind. My stomach threatened to revolt, twisting and knotting up as disturbing reflections of the past overwhelmed me. Yet I could not turn away.
My hand shook as I reached for the knob. I turned the old rusty handle, pushing the door open. The screeching of the dried and decaying hinges seemed amplified in the darkness beyond. I stepped inside--one, two steps--and a musty odor clogged my nostrils.
The door slammed shut behind me, followed by a distant, raspy voice echoing in the silence, “Welcome, my precious.”
I couldn’t move as my fear trapped me to the spot. My skin prickled as if bugs crawled over me. What was I doing here? I thought as my dread continued to weigh me down. Always a compulsion to enter this house rose to awareness when I walked my morning walk. But never did I falter and veer down the over-grown path…Until this morning. Now paralyzed with terror, I wanted to cry or scream, but I could do neither.
A sickening touch from phantom fingers caressed my cheek, down the side of my neck, to beneath the layer of my shirt. Then suddenly my fear loosened its grip on me. I turned with lightening speed, threw open the door, and ran as fast as my legs would carry me. I ran until there was no breath left.
I have never walked past that old dilapidating house again, but the memory of my experience has remained ever vivid and hauntingly real, forever etched in my mind. And sometimes, in the dark of night, I feel those phantom fingers upon my flesh, and the raspy voice whispering in my ear.

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Okay, now I have to wait! As soon as I get links for other entries, I will be sure to add them here!
Blodeuedd
Dottie
Michelle
Both Dottie and Blodeuedd have fabulous endings! I love them :D. I think these things are so much fun to read. They each captured something different from the prompt! And now Michelle has been added to the list with another awesomely good and twisted ending! You ladies ROCK!
Come back over on Monday to check out week two's picture prompt for the next Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge! Until then, enjoy your weekend! I'm off to see Lea and Mary tomorrow :D.

Everytime I Post Now...

This song pops in my head!



Now I just gotta get back in the saddle of reading! LOL

I am almost finished with the book I started at the beginning of the month. Uh, yeah, that was 19 days ago! :D And it is such a great book! Book 4 in the Crosspointe Chronicles by Diana P. Francis. It's a series I look forward to reading. Fantastic writing, great characters, and an engaging plot! And there is even some romance :). I really love these books. And great covers too.

Later today is Devin's Open House at the Middle School! I've never been there, so this ought to be exciting for both of us.

Happy Thursday :)

Bad Poetry Day

I just discovered a short time ago over on Facebook that today, August 18th, is Bad Poetry day. Borders Books has a thing posted about it, asking those to reply with a bad Haiku. I thought I'd see if anyone would like to try their hand at some bad Haikus :). I was reading through some that were posted, some were a little silly, in a bad way!
Here's mine...
Books, books, lovely booksMy reading is in a slumpAnd mean people suck
You're turn!
Haiku's are easyJust remember the line rulesFive Seven Five, go!
Good or bad, doesn't matter. Would love to see what you all might come up with!

Skinny People Scare Me...Huh? :(

Yesterday, someone said to me, "Skinny people scare me, no offense." And that I needed to eat more. I understand he was joking (in a way), and I don't remember exactly what the conversation was about that he said that, but needless to say I was flabbergasted at his comment and analysis of me, and skinny people in general.
It made me wonder, if I were fat and instead he said, "Fat people scare me, no offense, but you need to eat less." Of course, he wouldn't have. Because that would be offensive and hurtful. But why do people think that commenting on a skinny person in the same manner is not hurtful? That it doesn't create a sense of rejection, regardless of one's weight?
I had one lady say that she runs skinny people over in her car...again, how would she have felt if I said I run fat people over in my car?
Or to be looked at up and down and asked with a sneer, "How do you stay so skinny?" And again, it made me want to return the stare and ask, "How do you stay so fat?"
I don't understand why people think that it's not harmful if you make a derogatory comment like that to a skinny person. It's not less hurtful. Whether one is skinny or fat, we are all still people and just want to be who we are without any judgement placed upon us.
It just really bothers me, and those comments make me feel as though I have no leg to stand on regarding the emotions they generate. "Oh you're skinny, get over it." But we all still have the same feelings.

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge

Good morning and Happy Monday!

I have something really exciting to share this lovely morning. Dottie, from Tink's Place, and I had talked about doing our own Flash Fiction writing awhile ago, choosing our own pictures and sharing them with each other, but we never followed through with the idea...probably my fault :P. The other day we did a Flash Fiction entry over at the Deadline Dames blog and we began collaborating, coming up with our own weekly challenge (which Dottie wonderfully named)...Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge! I'm so excited to be doing this little bit of creativity with her, and of course, who ever else would like to join in and participate.

Every Monday we plan to post a picture (hopefully it inspires a few words) and then Friday post our Flash Fiction story, but you may post yours any day you like. Just leave us a link so that we may add it to our Friday post. We decided on a 350 max word count. A kind of middle of the road number. These things are so fun to write. They're quick and short, and so great to read! You can go dark or light, funny or sad, let your mind wander. Who knows what these pictures might inspire if you look at them long enough! If anyone is interested in participating, you can use the handy little button Dottie and I came up with and the picture prompt below...and have fun and let your creative juices flow!

Week 1 Flash Fiction Challenge Picture...

Happy Writing!

Sassy Sunday Story Starter...

Over at Alternative-Reads, *Jedi Sassy Brit* hosts a 'Sassy Sunday Story Starter' post. Sometimes it's a picture prompt and other times it's a story line prompt. This Sunday happened to be a story line prompt and I had never done a flash fiction using just a line prompt before. Thought it would be fun, so here is my contribution to this weeks 'Sassy Sunday Story Starter'!

* * * * *

It was an ordinary Sunday. We were reading the papers and drinking strong coffee. And then Kate said something that changed everything. My mouth fell open in shock as I listened. Seventeen years of marriage and I never knew, never suspected this of my Kate, my beautiful, shy Kate.

Two words played over and over in my head as the silence of her revelation settled around us…Another planet. Kate claimed to be from another planet.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came forth. My Kate left me speechless. There have been many occasions that she has done this, many passion-filled moments, but this has left me wondering if my Love is crazy, lost her mind to some untouchable delirium.

My gaze remained fixated on her as I attempted to find some clue that she was merely joking. But the seriousness etched upon her face lent no sign that she was hoaxing me. It almost appeared that there were tears forming in her eyes. The longer I stared upon her, and she remained quiet, panic welled inside me at the possibility of the truth of her words, or at least at the possibility that she believed them to be truth.

My Kate, my wife, could not possibly be from another planet—an alien.

I waited, continuing to search her face for a flicker of a smile, for her lips to move and say, “Gotcha ya!” But instead a tear slipped from the ever growing pool of liquid and trailed down her cheek.

“I am sorry, Henry. I only tell you this because I cannot stay much longer. My people are coming for me."

And with that a bright flash of light overwhelmed my sight. I raised my arm to shield the intensity of it. And when the room transformed back to its original ambiance, I moved my arm only to find that my Kate no longer sat before me. Her newspaper and coffee mug remained, but my Kate had vanished.

16 More Days...

In a mere 16 days I will be an official college student. Holy shit! Is that not a scary thought? I suppose I am one now, but my first day of class is in 16 days, on August 30th. But I'm psyched! I can do this...that picture of that sweet ass car over there says so. It's my motivation. My prize when I'm done. I'm determined to see this through. This is something I've been talking about for a year now, and I can't believe the time is finally here.

It's strange to think that when I do my kid's back to school shopping in a few days, I will be buying my own school supplies too. It's been a very long time since I had to do that. Seventeen years, as a matter of fact. Backpack, folders, notebooks, pens, pencils...oh my! Maybe even some back to school clothes? A new pair of shoes? All the things that mark a new school year! :)

Speaking of a new school year, my baby is entering middle school this year! OMG! Middle School!! I wonder if I'm going to cry his first day of school? We've been doing this for years now, but it's a NEW school, with lots of new kids! How am I ever going to handle that? But more on that later. I don't want to think about that right now...my baby's growing up, sometimes it seems way too fast :(.

One other thing that is coming up that I'm really excited about, next weekend, I will finally be meeting a fellow blogger, Lea! She's been following my blog since I started posting my chapter days of Spirits Unveiled. Such a great supporter, that Lea! Love her. I'll be driving across the border to Canada. And Mary G is coming along also! Two super great ladies that I am very much looking forward to spending a few hours with talking about books and whatever!
Is there anything coming up that you are looking forward to?

Flash Fiction Entry...Thanks, Dottie!

A fierce rumble overhead startled her. Restlessly, she sat forward in her chair looking into the distance. She stared intently at the dark clouds. Another storm would soon overtake the land. Not just any storm, this one carried with it terrible, violent magic, just as the last several have, destroying everything in its path. The ominous mood engulfed her, causing goosebumps to raise the fine hairs on her arms, the nape of her neck.

A subtle breeze blew the delicate lace of her dress that lay draped around her legs. She tucked them in closer to herself, fighting off the chill. Nothing she did stopped the coldness as it seeped ever deeper under her flesh.

This would be the final storm. She knew it, and she’d embrace it. She would let it take her. Something inside the magic called to her each time it passed. Yet each time she hid, denying the call, terrified. Not this time. This time she waited, leaving herself open for its power.

Her breath caught in her throat as the brutal force of magic swamped her body. The gentle breeze turned violent around her. If she tried to conceal herself again, she knew it would destroy her.

She closed her eyes, giving herself over to the wickedness she sensed in the pervasive magic. She began to laugh in utter bewilderment. The magic no longer felt aggressive, threatening. Love and warmth surrounded her, consumed her as the storm of magic carried her away.

Home was her final thought.
Click here if you'd like to check out the picture that inspired this flash fiction and to read other entries :). Due to the authors' request, we are not allowed to repost the original picture. And it is a good one.
Thank you, Dottie, for posting about this. It felt good to lose myself for a little while. Now I must get ready for work :).

Coming Soon - By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Amanda McIntyre

Coming August 16, 2010

Amanda McIntyre's

By the Light of the Silvery Moon

HOPE FLOATS MEETS TWILIGHT...

Can infatuation lead to love or just a howling good time? Jerome Hinkle has had his eye on pert little Shelly Bane since the days he lusted after her in high school. Now Shelly's all grown up and Jerome has returned to Landon where his passion for her is rekindled just as Shelly discovers a family secret that could take a bite out of their relationship.

Heat level - 3

Genre - Contemporary, paranormal romance

Cover art by Sahara Kelly

Excerpt -

“Have you noticed the hair is thicker?” Her mother sighed and brushed back a lock of silvery hair from her temple. Her ebony gaze stayed focused on the children playing in the yard across the street.

Shelly studied her mother’s profile, not realizing until now how finely chiseled her features were. She was still quite beautiful. Shelly remembered how her father and mother adored each other and never tried to hide it from her and her brothers.

“Yes, that too.” Shelly picked up her fork and twirled it nervously between her fingers.

Her mother’s eyes turned to hers. She waited for Shelly to continue.

“Look. I can’t keep my legs shaved clean.” Shelly hiked up her pant leg, the evidence of a five o’clock shadow apparent on her calf. “It’s becoming a bit ridiculous, really.”

Her mother’s dark gaze remained steady, undaunted by Shelly’s obvious concern. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.” Her mother folded the towel, neatly creasing its edges. “You’re almost twenty-five now, and to be frank, I was a little worried, with you being the youngest of the litter that your change would be later in coming than it was for your brothers.”

Shelly remembered how she suffered through the classes in school regarding body changes and hygiene, but not once did she recall the teacher lecturing on whole body shaving.

Did she say litter?

“Our family is a little different than most, my dear.” She averted her eyes from Shelly’s again. “We always joked it was just a family curse, but it’s more of a rite of passage into our family tree I guess you could say.”

decadentpublishing.com

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I've been out of the loop for so long I wasn't aware this was coming out until the other day. I'm very curious to read a little paranormal by this lovely lady :). I haven't purchased an ebook in months...and months...I'm looking forward to this one.