Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #7

Wow! Time for Challenge #7! These weeks seem to be flying by. I've been busy with school and work and home life, so these challenges have been a nice break from all that :).

This weeks picture prompt is brought to you by another wonderful blogger and fantastic flash fiction writer...Michelle! She steered me to a photo album she has on her facebook page and there were some fabulous pictures in there, it was hard to decide on just one, but this is the one that won for the first of others that would be fun to work with!

What do you think? I sense some Vampire tales for some Friday reading :).

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 :).


Sassy Sunday Story Starter

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Misery
by Amy C
Word Count - 294

When her shadow filled the alleyway, all laughter died. Laughter always died when she appeared. Not that she liked it. In fact, she hated it, despised and dreaded it. She found it to be quite tiresome to be so at odds with her gift, or rather curse, in her case. Perhaps there had been a time in her long existence when she feed off the sadness and pain of the humans around her. Vague memories of her reveling in their sorrow flittered momentarily through her mind.

As she walked down the alley, drawing closer to the group of young adults who had been laughing so joyously, were now standing as if defeated, as if the world around them had nothing to offer but despair and heartache. Not a single trace of happiness could be identified. The happiness that only moments ago filled them, surrounded them had vanished. She’d sucked it right out of their souls. That was her nature, the very essence of her being; forever cursed with stealing the bliss and content from those around her.

She knew the futility of trying to fight it, to give back what she took, and the impossibility of it. She’d tried. And she’d failed. If she could give it back, she would. To hear laughter, to see it shining and dancing in anther’s eyes for longer that a brief moment, she would give it all back.

But instead she only appeared before the humans when she grew weak, and then only took what she needed of the pleasures and delights from her victims to sustain her life. A tiny tear trickled down her cheek when she gazed into the eyes of one of the young men, for she saw her name staring back at her--Misery.

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Hmm, me thinks I am in a rather melancholic mood this evening. What do you think?

I forgot all about Sassy's Sunday Story Starter until Dottie reminded me!
Thank you, Dottie :)

Flash Fiction Entry #6

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge Entry #6

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A Passionate Farewell

By Amy C
Word Count - 422

“Please, my sweet, don’t be afraid.”

Lady Isabelle turned from him then, resting her hand on the cold stone wall, head tilted in sadness. How could she not fear for his safety every time he rode his horse through the castle gates into another battle waged by their king? But then she sighed. How could she stay focused on her worry for his safety when the heat of his lips, the warm press of his hands on her arm distracted her?

“Think of my touch, my love, while I am away, not of the harm that may befall me. By the sound of your sighs, I know how it pleases you.”

As hard as Lady Isabelle tried to hold back, another damning sigh of pleasure sounded in the small alcove. Sir Marcus chuckled. “We have time, let me feel the warm sweetness of your body sheathed around me,” he whispered wickedly.

Unable to resist the lure of his deep, masculine purr, Isabelle turned. “Here, my Lord? Where someone could easily see?” she asked, peering around her lover. A gleam of excitement lit the blue orbs of her eyes.

Not waiting for a reply, she stepped toward him, his arms a welcoming embrace. Their lips met, and they kissed as if they’d never find a moment such as this again.

In a frenzy of passion, they hiked her dress round her waist, adjusted his leggings so that his hardness sprang free. A mere heartbeat later, Marcus had her pressed to the wall, lifted her leg and claimed her passage. Coated with her wet, silky essence, they moved together; a give and take of equal measure. Striving for the ultimate release, they moaned as one at the pure ecstasy they found within the arms of the other. And when they each reached that pinnacle of pleasure, Marcus remained holding his Lady until he no longer filled her.

He kissed her slowly, sensually as he held her in his arms. Reluctantly he stepped from her, and after righting their clothes, they walked hand in hand out of the castle toward his awaiting troop. She prayed fervently with each step that they would find another victorious end in the battle they were moments away from seeking out.

Lady Isabelle leaned in and breathed near his ear, “Come back to me, my love, so that we can share in these pleasures of the flesh once more.”

With a teasing smile and a wink, he bowed his head and replied, “As you wish, my Lady, as you wish.”

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This one turned out quite nicely...a tryst fueled by desperation at the fear of never seeing the other again. Two lovers expressing their desire, their passion. It's a beautiful picture, caressing my need for some sensuality.

Thank you, Blodeuedd!

Looking forward to reading how you guys turn this picture into something gloriously dark and fantastical!

Next week's picture is brought to you by another wonderful and lovely lady...Michelle!

See you next week for Challenge #7!

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #6

Happy Monday Morning :)

It's time for another Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge!

This week's photo is brought to you by the wonderful and lovely, Blodeuedd! She's always displayed these magnificent pre-Raphaelite art pictures on her blog, so it's no surprise that that is a picture she chose! I'm excited to try this one. We haven't done anything historical yet, so it'll be interesting to see what we all come up with...and of course, to see who will go light or dark with this one!

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 :).

Hope to see you on Friday!

Happy Writing!

My Wee Lil Obsession...And I don't Mean Books

Devin asked to go to the bookstore this afternoon, and who am I to tell him no? So I didn't. I said yes :). He decided he wants to try reading the Halo books; books inspired by the video games that are all the rage right now with the release of Halo: Reach!

I'm standing there watching him look through the titles they have and I told him he needed to read the first page of one of them to see how he felt about the wording and such. He's never read from the adult fantasy section before. He doesn't really do much chapter book reading, but he's insistent that he will read these ones. So he made himself comfortable on the floor and began reading...and I began snapping photos (I wish I had a better camera on my phone!)

It's like candy to my eyes watching him look so serious at all those glorious books!

They didn't have the first one of the series, and like me, he doesn't want to read them out of order :). But I did order it for him before we left. I've bought him numerous chapter books over the years, and he's never really read them. I sure hope these ones are the ones that spark his interest in reading, and will make him see how fulfilling and rewarding it is to read a book. To use your imagination to create the worlds and characters that are described to us. He loves books because I love books...he just doesn't like to read them!

And now on to my wee lil obsession...On the way home from the bookstore I spied my car. Yes, MY car! At first it was behind me. I slowed down, hoping he would get in front of me as I had my camera all ready to snap a shot or two. Of course I was hoping to see some hot guy behind the wheel, but to my utter disbelief, some creepy lookin' dude was driving my synergy green Camaro! Is that not the coolest name for that green...Synergy, baby! I freakin love it! I think I have a tiny little obsession with this car. I told my husband about the creepy dude and naturally his reply had something to do with the creepy dude hoping it was his ticket to some pussy...MEN! I don't know...dude was really creepy! But hey, he could be a real nice guy :P...who happens to be driving MY car!

(Sigh...It's so pretty)

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 :).

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Denial
By Amy C
Word Count - 389

When the hair on the back of his neck raised and a shiver went down his spine, Edward was afraid to look behind him, for he knew that the darkness surrounding him would only alter his perceptions. He’d see things that weren’t really there, turning this shadow and that shadow into some terrifying monster out for his demise.

Edward continued his homeward path down the deserted alley; a shortcut to his second floor apartment. Why he continued to take this route after work he had no idea. The dark always made him feel as though he were being hunted. From the time he was a small boy he’d had this horrible sense that something hideous and horrifying was out to get him. And tonight those feelings only intensified. Perhaps it was due to the full moon hanging in the night sky.

Behind him, or perchance in front of him, he heard voices—quiet whispers and evil taunting laughter. His pace accelerated, as did the pounding of his heart. Only a few more feet and Edward would be in the sanctity of his sparsely furnished one bedroom dwelling.

Scraping sounds sifted through the night air, mingling with the low voices. He just wanted to be done with this night, lay in the comfort of his bed, closing out all the dreadful thoughts his mind conjured in the dark.

His hands shook as he gripped the old marred knob--cold under his sweaty palm. He turned it, opening the door. Quickly pushing it closed, shutting out the mocking cacophony of sound, Edward rested his body along the length of the aged splintered wood.

He released a calming breath, followed by another and then another. He attempted a derisive laugh at his foolish behavior, but it came out shaky and weak. This irrational fear of the dark would one day be the death of him.

Glancing at his reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall beside him, Edward gasped in horror as the sight of his glowing red eyes slammed unwanted memories into his mind--the blood, so much blood. He stared down at his hands as he turned them this way and that. Part of him wanted to scream in denial, but an evil, wicked laugh rumbled in its place. It wasn’t he who should be afraid of the dark.

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Tune in tomorrow for another edition of Monday Morning Flash Fiction! This weeks photo was submitted by the lovely Blodeuedd! And if you know her, I'm sure you can guess what type of picture it is ;).

Flash Fiction Entry #5

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Entry #5

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Final Thoughts
by Amy C
Word Count - 362

She held him in her arms, his head resting heavy in her hand. Screams of the wounded and dying surged like the violent flow of a river around her.

“Don’t leave me,” she whispered, her lips close to the gash on his forehead. Blood seeped into his hairline, between the fingers of her hand that held him close to her. His life-giving essence drained from him and there was nothing she could do--nothing to stop the flow of life that left only death in its wake.

Death. That’s all this war amounted to between her kind, the Magic wielders, and the latent dwellers. She’d never seen peace reign in her land, for as far back as she could recall, battles have been waged. Battles where loved one’s, friends, had lost their lives.

The magic of her people could not compare to the technologically advanced weaponry of their enemy; concoctions that launched both large and small projectiles from long distances. Magic wielders sought tranquility, while latent dwellers only sought their destruction. As her bonded mate lay dying in her arms, she knew that one day soon the latents would win this war as her people dwindled in number from each agonizing battle after another.

An anguished sorrowful cry ripped from deep in her gut as pain exploded in her back. She cradled her lover closer, weakness weighing her down. “Wait for me, my love,” she said softly, “I’ll be with you soon.”

She rested his head with care upon the ground, or was it the draining of her life that slowed her movements? Maneuvering down beside him, she eased her body so that she could lay her head atop his chest. No movement could be felt, no rise and fall of his lungs filling with air, no beating of his heart. Just a deathly silence.

Her breathing slowed. She wept silently for all the loss and pain. But then a sad, yet contented smile curled the edges of her lips as the still warm body of her lover lay beside her. She realized that as in life, she was not alone in death. He was with her, always and forever by her side.

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So there you have it, my entry for week 5! I wasn't sure how this one would work for me. But I think it might be my favorite that I've done so far. I really like the way this one turned out. I'm glad you guys seemed to really like this picture. It displays so much sadness. It would have been nice to add a little happiness to the end, but it didn't happen that way for me. Well, perhaps it did, in a way.

I can't wait to read the other posts for this one!

I think it's Dottie's turn for the next picture, unless Blodeuedd or Michelle have a picture suggestion!

Glenda Larke - The Last Stormlord

The Last Stormlord

(Watergivers book One)

by Glenda Larke

Shale is the lowest of the low-an outcast from a poor village in the heart of the desert. In the desert water is life, and currency, and Shale has none. But he has a secret. It's the one thing that keeps him alive and may save all the cities of the Quartern in the days to come. If it doesn't get him killed first...

Terelle is a slave fleeing a life as a courtesan. She finds shelter in the home of an elderly painter but as she learns the strange and powerful secrets of his art she fears she may have traded a life of servitude for something far more perilous...

The Stormlord is dying in his tower and there is no one, by accident or design, to take his place. He brings the rain from the distant seas to his people. Without a Stormlord, the cities of the Quartern will wither and die.

Their civilization is at the brink of disaster. If Shale and Terelle can find a way to save themselves, they may just save them all. Water is life and the wells are running dry...

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I stumbled across this book about a month ago browsing books online and wrote them down for my next trip to the bookstore. The very next day while I was visiting Saving My Sanity's blog, she had read it and gave it a 9 out of 10! That only upped my need to read it.

It took me several days to read it, but I finished it last night, and have not been so moved by the ending of a book like I was with this one in quite sometime. She made me waste precious water with the shedding of my tears. You see, this book is centered around a desert land, and water is a rare commodity, none is ever wasted, even through the shedding of tears. Its people require stormlords to produce rain clouds from the Giving Sea, a body of salt water. It is a very rare gift, and at the moment there is only one stormlord performing this life-giving feat.
The amount of time she spent getting to know each character only intensified the ending. She pulled me in, made me like this guy, hate that one, love this one, only to completely rip my heart out with such horrid perfidy, and betrayal. The characters were pulled along, creating one fascinatingly rich and full world.
Be warned, there is a nomadic people known as the Reduners who are despicable, blood-thirsty bastards. The brutality they are capable of twisted my guts numerous times. But I wonder if what they want, a time of random rain, is not perhaps what is necessary for the land? Maybe not what it was a thousand years ago, but something to that effect along with the help of the stormlord and the secret of who Terelle really is? I don't know. But something's gonna happen!
The final page left me with a foul, bitter taste in my mouth, as I thought, You fuckin Bitch! But then again, that is the course that must be taken to get the outcome needed to bring prosperity back to the land, right?
I loved this book! A time or two it was difficult, perhaps even painful to read regarding the Reduners, but I was completely entranced! So many things were left unanswered with one heck of a cliffhanger at the end. I have the second book, Stormlord Rising. Soon, very soon, I'll be reading that one. I need answers! I must know the fate of these people I've come to love...and hate!
Definitely a 5 star read for me :)!

High Hopes For a New Book!!

I was waiting around in the grocery store for some of their wonderful fried chicken (gotta have it fresh!), so I took a walk over to the books and I spotted this book. It reminded me of six years ago, right after Devin started Kindergarten. I had wondered what the heck I was going to do with all my free time while he was away learning all that fun stuff you learn when you're five, and decided I'd try reading.

So one day when I was grocery shopping, I stopped by the books and Anne Rice's Blood Canticle was sitting there. I was so excited because the blurb showed that it tied her Vampires to her Witches. I had read her Mayfair witches years ago, and loved them. But I hadn't yet read her Vampire chronicles. But after reading about Lestat in Blood Canticle, I devoured him and his Vampire pals. That day began my obsessive journey into the realm of reading.

Tonight, sitting on the shelf, was another Anne Rice book, Angel Time (the first book in a new series). I picked it up, thinking of six years past, and felt compelled to buy it! So I did. The blurb sounds promising. I haven't read anything new of hers since Blood Canticle, because she took a religious turn in her writing, and those couple of books didn't sound appealing. Even though there is religious undertones in this one, so too does it have supernatural elements.

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Anne Rice returns to the mesmerizing storytelling that has captivated readers for more than three decades in a tale of unceasing suspense set in time past—a metaphysical thriller about angels and assassins.

It’s the present day. Toby O’Dare—aka Lucky the Fox—is a contract killer of underground fame on assignment to kill once again. He’s a soulless soul, a dead man walking. His nightmarish world of lone and lethal missions is disrupted when a mysterious stranger, a seraph, offers him a chance to save rather than destroy lives. O’Dare, who long ago dreamed of being a priest, seizes his chance. Now he is carried back through the ages to thirteenth-century England, to dark realms where accusations of ritual murder have been made against Jews, where children suddenly die or disappear. In this primitive setting, O’Dare begins his perilous quest for salvation, a journey of danger and flight, loyalty and betrayal, selflessness and love.

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Is anyone else a fan of Anne Rice's previous work?

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #5

Happy Monday! I can't believe it's already time for Challenge #5. Seems like these weeks have been flying by, which is a good thing being in school now. I don't want the weeks to feel as if they are dragging by.

So, the other day when I went scavenging for a picture for this week's challenge, I came across this one down there! I immediately thought of Dottie, Blodeuedd, and Michelle. I thought, ohhh, what a great picture for their dark stories they like to write! I think this one is definitely going to challenge me :). So much for light and airy, eh?

I was also thinking that perhaps, Blodeudd and Michelle, you guys might want to submit a picture for a future challenge! If you do, let me or Dottie know. I'm sure I can speak for both me and Dottie in saying that we would love that :D.

Take a look at that picture. Looks a bit violent and dark :). I wonder what stories this one will invoke!

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!

Flash Fiction Entry #4

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #4

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Vengeance
by Amy C
Word Count - 390

Anger roared through him as fire spewed forth in a downward arc into the abyss beyond the jagged rock he stood perched upon. His soul cried out for vengeance. He would incinerate those who took what belonged to him to ashes.

The fierce dragon shifted, launching himself toward the castle that sat high atop the adjacent rock formation. Within those walls, held captive, was his mate, his heart, the source which calmed his ferocious nature. She tamed his beast. And now imprisoned, his human side was lost from him, buried beneath the anguish devouring him.

Andar shifted his massive clawed feet, spread his wings and plummeted off the edge. With great swoops of his wings, he closed the distance toward the foreboding structure. An unseen wall of wickedness nearly halted him in his flight, threatening to knock him from the sky. Fueled by his anger, Andar gathered all of his strength as he battled through the thick layers of corruptness until at last he burst through.

He circled the perimeter emitting great jets of fire. Screams echoed all around as the humans below scrambled around, attempting to seek cover and avoid the immense plume of flame. Some were not so lucky in their flight and Andar gloried in the knowledge. These bastards would suffer for their idiocy.

As Andar rounded the castle, he let loose a bellow so powerful the structure erupted in tremors. A figure caught his eye, gripping the edge of an open window. Elation at the sight caused another roar to rip forth from deep in his throat. Flying closer to the opening, he watched as his mate climbed up until she stood on the ledge of the opening. She raised her arms, tossed her head back, and leaned forward, free-falling out of the window. With amazing speed, Andar swooped down, catching her with ease atop his back. She rested against him as they flew away to safety.

Together they soared through the night. Andar landed in a secluded area, his mate slid graciously from his back. In the blink of an eye, he shifted to human form, and pulled her to him, holding her within the embrace of his arms. He closed his eyes, breathing in deeply her scent.

Andar’s vengeance was not yet satisfied. This battle might be over, but the war had just begun.

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The last two weeks I didn't think I was going to get my flashes done! But so far, so good! I guess I work okay under pressure :).

I did some browsing and I found a picture that I know you guys are going to love. I was going to find a picture that would hopefully allow for something more on the light side...clears throat...Dottie, Blodeuedd and Michelle...but it didn't happen that way. I think you guys are going to come up with some really great flashes with Challenge #5! I know I can't wait to read what your creative minds have to tell. I guess light and airy is just gonna have to wait for another day!

Thank you, Dottie, for finding this fabulous dragon picture! I had fun writing this one :D. I hope you all did too!

To anyone else out there, if you ever want to play along, please, feel free! We would love to have you join along.

Tune in Monday morning for another edition of
Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge!

Until then...

Homework...and my Blog!

If you'll notice on my side bar I have a poll :). It's a class assignment that I add one, nothing in particular, just that I add one. Voting isn't part of the assignment, but I would consider you most awesome if you did!

How fun that one of my homework assignments is playing with my blog!

Whew...

How the heck are you? Me? I'm a little tired! So not used to being this busy. I like it, but I'm still trying to get organized. Time just seems to wiz by and before I know it, it's another day and I'm trying to get organized all over again. My husband has a hard time understanding. He says he adjusted fine with his school and study time. You just have to do it, he says. Well, that is easier said than done. He's never had to think about the things that I have to. Such as getting Devin ready for school, dinner, dishes, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping. He helps and he is a good helper, but I still think about all those things and I still have to do most of those things. It's difficult to change my focus after being a stay at home mom for 12 years! And I have to work (he didn't have to!). Not that I'm complaining or anything :D. It's just hard when you have to rely on someone else to do the things you've always done. Makes me feel like I'm lacking...But Supermom I am not! One day at a time...

My baby started middle school yesterday! I can't believe it. I figure by the time he starts high school, I'll be graduating with my degree. That is so awesome. I have no pictures to share :(. I always take pictures of him his first day of school, but you see, yesterday I was not even home to see him off on the school bus! I had to leave half an hour before him so that I wouldn't be late for class. My mom was here though. He seems happy enough going to a different school. He told me this morning that he was actually looking forward to today. Gosh, that's like music to my ears! The last thing you wanna hear is them whining and crying about not wanting to go. Hopefully it stays that way :D.
I gave it some thought over the weekend about my major and decided to change it. I'm no longer in the Medical Assistant program. I don't know what I was thinking when I signed up for that. I don't much care for all that medical jargon. I liked my medical terminology class well enough. Very interesting what I learned, but overall, not for me. I changed over to Office Management yesterday. Luckily, there were open slots and I was approved for the add/drop of classes. And I have an online class now. This is definitely more suited to me, I think. I felt as if a weight had been lifted after I got my new schedule, so I think it was the right thing to do.
And one more big thing...my Guernsey book is now with Dottie in Illinois! When she's finished reading it, it will be on its way to Christine in New Jersey! Just amazing :D. You guys are all awesome!
I hope things are well with all of you!
Oh! And I must get to the bookstore soon...There's a new dragon kin book and I still don't have it! I must have it. Perhaps tomorrow...