Romance Book Wyrm

The Journey is over...

2011-12-23T12:09:00.000-05:00

For now anyway...(:

I received The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society in the mail last week from the last person on the journey! I was so flippin excited to finally have the book back and to read through all the letters that you guys were so kind enough to write. This book means so much to me, and because of you all, it's a treasure that I will hold dear to me forever. I'm so thankful to all of you that participated.

I wanted to thank you all so much for doing this with me. It seems like so long ago that I started the Guernsey Journey...well, I suppose two and half years ago is a long time. Now that I have it back, I don't want to send it out anywhere else, but it has one more journey to go on...back up to New York, it must travel. My dear friend, Barb, who I always used to take books to to read has not read it yet. I had planned on driving it to her when I did get it back but at the time I had no idea I would not be living in NY anymore. So it must make its way back into an envelope and journey once more.

I am usually so anal about my books always keeping that new book appearance. However, with this one, I am so happy that it has that well-read, worn look to it. It's perfect!

Sometime last year, I was in Pier 1 Imports and I found this book box and thought it would be the perfect thing to store this book in.

And the reason I decided to mail this book out and start the Guernsey Journey was because of the final paragraph in the Afterward...

--It's 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 like that, I bet you'd like this." Whenever we are willing to be delighted and share our delight, we are part of the ongoing story of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.--

Thank you all, again, so much for being part of this "Guernsey Journey" with me.

Miss my blog and yours...

2011-12-07T09:04:00.004-05:00

Hello, my fellow blogging friends! I've attempted to post on several different occasions, but I always end up deleting it. I moved down to TN a few months ago. Didn't quite work out so well, and now I'm living in Bowling Green, KY with my aunt and cousin. So many life changes over the last year has sort of put me in mood. I always think how nice it would be to find that routine I used to have, perhaps someday.

I spoke on the phone with a friend the other day, met her online several years ago in an author's forum. She knows what to say to lift my spirits and encourage me to believe that I can do what I have to do, that I'm a strong person. Thank you so much, Christine. I've cried to you on the phone through some rough times (On Father's Day one year, no less, and you let me!) But I'm not going to cry anymore...only happy tears now. I figure things can't get any worse, only better. And there is another lady that no matter how distant I get, she never fails to remind me that her friendship is always there. Your packages in the mail, Anna, mean so much to me. I made some amazing friendships over the last few years blogging and discussing books and just whatever was going on in our lives. I miss it. Dottie, Lea, Linda, Tracy...you guys are always in my thoughts, among many others.

A few weeks ago, I was having a bad day, and decided to go on a long road trip back home to NY for a few days. Damn, it felt good seeing the familiarity of home, visiting my mom, and my other 'mom'. But I realized that that is not my home anymore. I was on the phone with my cousin one night when that reality hit...I was driving home. Not back to my mom's apartment, but home to my house. When I realized what I had done, I felt like I got punched in the gut. It was not a pleasant feeling at all. I needed it though, to realize that what was my home for 11 years was now someone elses home. Imiss it, but I have a new place to call home now.

(Not my home anymore, but it sure felt like it the first time I drove by.)

I just wanted to post, and say Hi to you all and hope that you are enjoying the holiday season!

My Very Own Book Wyrm!

2011-07-10T11:23:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago I finally decided it was time to get another tattoo. I had an idea of what I wanted for the past couple of years...a book wyrm. Went back to the same guy that did my other one and Bob hooked me up yesterday! I printed up a couple of pictures, told him what I would like and he did the rest! And boy, did he do an amazing job drawing exactly what I wanted. His rendition of my ideas totally blew me away! He is one very talented dude :). I could not be more happy with my Book Wyrm. He persuaded me very nicely into adding color. Originally, I wanted mostly black and grey shading, with a little bit of green on the body. I think what he did is perfect.

I was so worried whether or not I could sit through several hours, since he had told me when I made the appointment that it would be about 5 hours and since we're moving to TN next Wednesday, I couldn't split it into two sessions. But luckily it only took him little over 3 hours. Only took one break after the outline for a few minutes.

Now that this one is done, I've been inspecting the rest of my leg thinking about all the empty space where I can add more stuff...hahaha!! And then there is the other leg...

I absolutely love my dragon! I couldn't have asked for anything better...I wonder what he's reading...perhaps some smut?? :P

Well, we have 10 more days and we'll be heading down to TN...it seems so crazy how fast this has all happened. These last few days are going to fly by and I feel like I have so much to do, people to see and say my good-byes to. I'm really going to miss it here. Not the area, but the familiarity of it, and the friends that I have. But I figure I'm trading that for something else wonderful...I will be close to my dad for the first time since I was ten. The last time I seen him, I was 13...almost 23 years ago. We both are so excited for this reunion. And then my aunt Judy and cousin Angie are down there too, in Kentucky. They are planning on moving to Nashville in September...totally psyched about that.

I hope things are well with all of you and you are enjoying your summer! One good thing about TN, the summers last a heck of a lot longer than they do around here :)

Flash Fiction Entry #??

2011-06-23T14:28:00.001-04:00

Monday Morning Flash Fiction

Free

By Amy C
Word count - 401

Skeletons of long ago lay in mocking silence behind her. She wept from the injustices of a past she could not change, a present she felt trapped within, and a future unable to see.

Her tears no longer comfort, no longer ease the loneliness that haunts. Pain and sorrow define her. The shattered pieces of who she is drift farther and farther apart. Lost and aimlessly traveling, searching for that safe haven that will heal the broken soul she harbors.

Hovering in front of her are the scattered remnants of herself. Trembling as waves of fear crash into her, she reached, slowly extending her arm. Her fingers hesitantly gripped one of the floating frames. Her eyes watered as she gazed at the moving image etched within; a child, carefree, laughing and smiling, without the weight of the blackness that would one day rip her apart. Cradling it against her heart, eyes closed, willing herself to feel that lightheartedness, the piece slowly melded into her. She gasped at the sensation.

Encouraged and empowered, she reached for another. This one burned where it touched flesh. Forcing her eyes to view the image, she reeled back at the faceless man she saw. Horrible feelings of hurt and bleakness, loneliness and despair threatened to taint the previous reflection. Her skin crawled and her stomach revolted, twisting and knotting, ready to spill its contents.

She took a deep breath, drawing strength from the carefree child that was her. “No more,” she shouted. “I will live no more with the torment of you and your wicked deeds.” With all her might, with every ounce of courage she possessed, she flung the frame from her, watching it shatter against an invisible wall. The dark tendrils that had so expertly wove around her heart, breaking her, fortifying the layers of her shield, allowing nothing in, dissolved. No longer would they bind her to a past that caused so much pain and tears, a sense of self lost and outside of reality.

She reached for another piece and another, hugging them preciously close until each found their place. Ones that she thought too far from reach began to drift closer toward her. Her heart grew lighter as memories of contentment and love penetrated the unraveling layers. So long she’d lived in broken shambles. Her soul mended, yet fragile, she wept with joy of the wholeness she now felt within herself.

* * * * *

Been quite awhile since I did one! Great image Dottie and Michelle...

Flash Fiction Entry #36

2011-04-24T10:45:00.001-04:00

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #36

Dream of Loneliness

By Amy C

Word Count - 333

I lie here, surrounded by a mist of loneliness. The satiny cloth draped over my body, a lover’s caress. I cannot move from this stasis I find myself engulfed within. Tendrils of emptiness constrict around my heart, trapping me, keeping me from breaking free and taking that which I long for most. A bit of happiness.

I long for his touch, the gentle melody of his voice. My emotions betray me, forever wanting to reach out and connect.

“Why do you not let me in? Embrace the love I offer?” I whisper through the haze.

“We are not for each other. I have no love to give you in return.” The sorrowful words shatter my emotional control. My soul cries out, for inside me, my love, my passion, is for him and him alone.

“You’re heart has been broken, betrayed. Let me mend it for you. Gather it in the warmth of my devotion, keep it safe.”

“I warned you, don’t get attached. Your emotions are not welcome.”

I felt his presence dissipate, leaving me in hollow silence. I plead with the tears seeping from eyes for him to stay, to comfort me, to love me. But he is gone.

I stir from a warm pressure upon arm. My eyes open, surrounded by a pool of liquid.

“Hey,” a soft voice whispers near my ear.

I turn, rolling onto my back, and gaze at the face before me. “Hey,” I whisper back, a smile curves my lips. Profound relief eases the grip of loneliness that moments ago had been knotted around my heart. His palm rests lightly upon my cheek.

“You were dreaming. What were you dreaming about? It must have been sad. You were crying,” he spoke softly, concern in his eyes, love in his heart.

I snuggle closer to him, pressing my face into his chest, his embrace tightening around me, comforting me. “Nothing,” I answer back. “You’re here with me, and that’s all that matters. It was just a dream.”

* * * * *

It's late...but I finally did one :). It's a bit melancholic, but happy nonetheless.

Thank you, Dottie, for continuing to post images every week. I'm glad this weekly challenge is still going strong. Maybe week 37 will be inspiring also!

Flash Fiction Entry and other news...

2011-04-06T19:20:00.004-04:00

Has it really been since the end of February that I posted last? Time seems to be going by so fast with this new job. Only having a few hours in the evening makes it hard to find time for everything.

I did manage to write my Flash fiction for last week! I meant to post it Friday night, but I was pre-occupied with a trip to Cleveland. I had intended to go alone, just to get away, but my cousin ended up meeting me there. Got drunk and had to drive home the next day with a hangover...it was awesome! LOL We've already made plans to do it again!

The new job is going great. I thought it was going to be too much for me, but now that it's been two months, it isn't so bad! I did quit the mall :(. As much as I hated going in there after working all day at Ingram, I miss it terribly and it's only been a week! But it's knowing that I won't be going in anymore, at least not to work. I was in there yesterday for a few hours to hang out :). It's hard to stay away.

Anyway, here is my flash for last week!

Flash Fiction Entry

Untitled

By Amy C
Word Count - 363

She ran, her feet carrying her to a future she dreamed so often of. If only she could make it to the gates of deliverance before her body gave in to the gnawing need to rest.

She stumbled, falling an endless downward spiral to the hard and brittle earth. Her heart sank with the weight of her exhaustion. Tears gathered in her eyes, spilling forth a trail of her loneliness. Failure. Always a failure.

He promised he’d be there waiting on the other side where the lushness, the beauty held such an intense contrast to the desolate scenery she knelt within. His voice called to her, whispering in her mind, encouraging her to rise.

She struggled on shaky legs to stand, gathering what strength remained. His remembered touch enticed her; the gentle press of his lips, the warm embrace of his arms around her. He was everywhere, yet nowhere.

One step, two steps, but her fatigued muscles would carry her no further. She collapsed mere feet from the gates entrance. She wept silently, for she possessed not enough energy for more. Body trembling, she drifted into darkness.

She stirred as something tickled her consciousness.

“Rise, my sweet. Come to me.”

That voice. She knew that loving, melodic caress. But she could not bring herself to full awareness. If she lay here a little longer, renew her strength then she could continue.

The peaceful chirping of birds woke her. She stretched, yawning, expecting pain in every muscle, surprised when she felt no hint of strain. How long had she laid there sleeping? She collected herself and rose. Her no longer tired feet carried her body the last few steps through the gate. Her heart expanded as the man she sought entered her mind. Soon they would be together, his promise lingering.

She searched, gazing this way and that. Where was he? He should be here awaiting her arrival. Desperation stole the steady beat of her heart. And then realization struck, as all around her only an empty silence existed. No more did she hear the caress of his voice.

“I could wait no longer,” a distant memory of words echoed in the hollow stillness.

*****

Sucker Punch - March 25, 2011 (And a few others)

2011-02-26T08:50:00.001-05:00

In this mind-warping action thriller, Baby Doll (Emily Browning), a girl slated for lobotomy in a 1950s-era asylum, leads a group of young female inmates in an attempt to escape both their mental fantasy worlds and the actual institution where they are prisoners. To accomplish her plan, Baby Doll must steal five objects -- but is the man who's trying to stop her real, or a figment of her imagination?

I saw previews for this movie when we went and seen The Rite a few weeks ago, and it looks totally awesome! I can't wait to see it!

Anyone else looking forward to this one?

And while looking up Sucker Punch, I discovered Red Riding Hood. I think I already knew about this one though. It seems familiar, just something I forgot about. But it looks so good too! It comes out in March also. Looks like I'll be making some trips to the theater!

.

And then Dottie mentioned this movie, Beastly. I hadn't heard of it, but did some looking and I do believe I want to see this one too! A remake of the Beauty and the Beast. Not sure though if it's a theater movie or a TV movie. Do you know, Dottie?

.

Flash Fiction Entry #28

2011-02-25T06:30:00.000-05:00

Monday Morning Flash Fiction #28

Acceptance
By Amy C
Word Count – 396

What do you see when you gaze at me? Do I frighten you with the angry look upon my face, the claws protruding from the tips of my fingers?

Come a little closer. Let me run my nails along your flesh. A trickle of blood wells in their wake as flesh parts. Your fear feeds the beast inside me. I do not want your fear. I desire your acceptance. Your touch. Help me tame the beast inside me.

Kiss me. Hold me. Love me. Take away that which haunts me.

My clawed fingers continue along the skin of your chest, and as you relax, accustoming yourself, my razor-sharp nails recede ever so slowly. The angry look upon my face diminishes. I sigh in relief at the transformation. I feel the beast whither into the darkest part of my being. There I want it to stay, forever trapped and lost from me.

Silently I beg you to continue your acceptance, continue to help me banish the evil residing within.

I rise to the tips of my toes, seeking the warmth of your lips. You flinch, and sensing your apprehension steal through you, my once retracted claws begin to lengthen. Anger, that ever present anger, eats away at my control. I try to fight it, to grab hold and shackle it. I press my lips harder against yours, seeking, demanding you give what I want. When my actions prove fruitless, the animal overpowers me. Unable to contain it, my nails lengthen, thickening. With a will not of my own, I plunge with savage intent into the flesh of your belly, slicing through tissue and organs.

Your imminent death lingers in the now putrid-smelling air as your life oozes from the gaping wound. Scream after long, pain-filled scream echoes in my head. I feel a slight lift of my lips. The vile thing inside me revels at its brutality.

Resigned and disappointed, I step back and sit upon the ground. I raise a bloodied claw to my lips, licking the sweet nectar of your life, as I watch your now lifeless body fall before me. The beast, content and sated, for it has won once again, lies in wait for the next soul to wander into unbidden territory that I call my home. Perhaps that one will be the one to break this curse of evil that binds me.

* * * * *

I really loved this image. It's nice when you look at one and something comes to you almost immediately. She kinda creeped me out, hence the bloody ending :). I'm quite pleased with this one. Looking forward to reading yours later, probably tomorrow since I work at the mall tonight also! Ugh, it's going to be a long day :).

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #27

2011-02-14T06:50:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day! And Happy Monday!

This week Dottie has chosen this lovely prompt for challenge #27. It should inspire some great stuff from you guys!

Good luck and Happy writing!

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 :).

Friday Flash Fiction Entry #26 on Saturday

2011-02-12T07:56:00.001-05:00

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #26

A bargain Made
by Amy C
Word Count - 312

I stood alone contemplating the predicament I now found myself in. The aggressive, angry waves crashed around me, taunting my already turbulent thoughts, silent words reminding me of my obligations. How did I get myself into this? But there was no going back now. I had made my choices, and I must accept them, for there was no other way.

The tether of my dilemma tugged at me, inching me toward my fate, the control I once had lessening as the moments passed. Time was drawing near. I pondered my decisions, regret lashing through me. I realized in that instant I had chosen poorly, yet it was too late for my change of heart. My destiny was no longer my own.

I had made a deal, a bargain if you will, for riches and power. At the time, the price had been irrelevant, yet now that payment was demanded, I found myself scared and terrified, not ready to fulfill my promise. But promises made in blood with the devil could never be ignored.

So there I stood on the rocky shores overlooking the mysterious dwelling of my future home. It stood shrouded in a misty blanket. My heart pounded profusely. Invisible shackles clamped round my ankles.

“It is time. Come to me.” The disembodied voice cut through my frightened thoughts, and I was yanked from where I stood. Yet I did not plummet into the vicious water before me. It all happened instantaneously—one second I was standing on the rocky shore and the next, I was standing upon a set of moss covered stairs, leading up to a massive door. It stood ajar in eerie welcome. My stomach threatened to revolt at the sudden shift of locations.

A phantom hand caressed my cheek. I shuddered at the lack of warmth it possessed. My fate was before me now—the Devil’s bride.

* * * * *

Well, I managed to sit down this morning, after reading all of your wonderful flashes, and do mine. Ya'll inspired me :). I had started it the other day, only had a paragraph written. My thoughts for the idea were to reflect my feelings toward my new job and the overwhelming amount of information I need to learn. The devil in this case would be my lovely manager! HAHA! She is evil for getting me into this. I had asked myself a few times at the beginning of the week just what the hell had I gotten myself into! But it's all good. I will learn it, and be good at it! I'm determined.

No Friday Flash :(

2011-02-11T06:41:00.003-05:00

Things have been really busy round here this last week with this new job and working full time. I tried to write something, honestly I did, but it just didn't happen. And then I am now stuck with a cold! UGH!

My new job is going well. An overwhelming amount of information to learn, but I'm told I'm catching on nicely. I don't know! I know I'll enjoy it, once I figure it all out, but until then...

I'll be around later this evening to check out your flashes! Looking forward to reading them and seeing if one of you went the Steampunk route :). And I'm really excited that there is a new lady joining in...Irena from This Miss Loves to Read!

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #26

2011-02-07T06:30:00.000-05:00

Good Monday morning to you!

It's time for Monday Morning Flash Fiction prompt #26, and today is the first day of my new job! So far I'm not nervous, but that could change in a little while :).

I found this prompt from Michelle's lovely collection she has. I love the picture and hope it inspires some wonderful ideas for Friday.

(Sorry I didn't get back with you last night with a picture, Dottie! I sorta fell asleep earlier than I had anticipated, but driving all day does that to you.)

Good Luck!

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Prompt #26

Happy Writing!

Anne Bishop Signing!

2011-02-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

WooHoo! It's almost time for my annual Anne Bishop signing!

Barnes & Noble
Saturday, March 26, 2011:
1 to 3 p.m.
1565 Niagara Falls Blvd.
Amherst, NY 14228

I don't think I'll be waiting til then to pick up her new release, however. I did that last year but didn't like the feeling of having not read the book. This year I'll have it read before me and my mom go :).

Twilight's Dawn
March 3, 2011

Winsol Gifts

Daemon, the Black Jeweled Warlord Prince of Dhemlan, is settling into his first year of married life with his Witch Queen Jaenelle. But as the thirteen-day celebration of Winsol draws near, Daemon finds himself being pulled in too many directions as he plays host to his formidable family…

Shades of Honor

Still recovering from the ordeal that left her wounded and angry, Surreal returns to Ebon Rih on the orders of Prince Lucivar. And when her former lover Falonar ruthlessly challenges the rule of her family, Surreal may finally succumb to the darkness burning inside her…

Family

When someone lays a vicious trap for Queen Sylvia and her sons, the fallout completely disrupts the lives of the ruling family of Dhemlan. Now, they have to uncover the identity of the warlord known only as No Face, before he returns to finish what he started…

The High Lord’s Daughter

After losing the two most important people in his life, Daemon has assumed his father Saetan’s role as High Lord of Hell and built a wall around his heart. But when he inadvertently forges a new connection, will it be enough to break him free from his loveless life?

* * * * *

Totally looking forward to this new collection of short stories set in the Black Jewels world!

Last year Anne had mentioned that she was going to revisit the world of Ephemera (Sebastian and Belladonna) I wonder if that is still true :). Those two books were quite awesome and I would love to see more written in that broken and strange place!

Flash Fiction and Book Cover #2

2011-02-03T15:57:00.000-05:00

This is the second time now that a prompt has been used and it seemed awfully familiar :).

This one is from a book that I did read. It's been several years though.

I still haven't come up with anything for this one :(.
Not sure if I will by tomorrow either.

I'll be by to read yours though!

Witches and Dragons and Faeries, Oh My!

2011-01-30T09:05:00.003-05:00

I recently discovered Nene Thomas art and figures! Aren't they so pretty?

And very sexy!

I'm thinking those would look stunning in my library room with all those amazing fantasy books that I own :).

And then there are these two...

We are also redoing our bedroom and these wall plaques I think would look perfect on the walls. They are 8x10 and hang from a silky ribbon.

I could spend lots of money on these...so pretty!

What things do you like to collect? When I was younger I was fascinated with carousels. I had a ton of them. But when I was 18 and moved up to New York I had them shipped here and sadly several of them were broken when they arrived. I sort of lost interest after that. I also think that as I got older, they didn't seem very adult-like to collect :). For awhile we were buying Seraphim angles. I have about 7 of them upstairs in the hall. They are very pretty, but also were a bit expensive and we just stopped buying them. I suppose these figures are no less expensive, but oh, they are so pretty!

Flash Fiction Entry #24

2011-01-28T07:00:00.002-05:00

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #24
The Wedding Night
By Amy C
Word Count – 447

“Follow me. I can show you things the likes of which you’ve never seen.” The mysteriousness of his words lingered in the space around her as his form drifted away, through the old and rusted gate. Where that way led she knew not. She was expected to put her trust in him, this man she barely knew but was now wed.

Indecision kept her rooted to the spot. However, she gazed on in fascination at his retreat. The full black cape he wore disrupted the peaceful slumber of leaves underfoot, swirling them in an eerie dance in his wake.

Temptation ate away at her. The thrill of what he might show her lured her body in motion. As she passed through the gate onto the grounds of his estate, the air whispered a different tune, smelled curiously sweet.

Her inexperience and virgin mind had no way of anticipating what she may expect on her wedding night. The rudimentary knowledge she had gained in no way prepared her for the picture that played out before her very eyes once she stepped foot over the threshold of her new residence.

Men and women in all manner of undress were scattered about in sexually explicit poses she’d never have been able to conjure in her mind. Embarrassment and fear coiled inside, yet she found herself curious and unable to look away. Instead her eyes roamed the spacious room. One man knelt between the spread thighs of a woman, while another gripped the hips of a woman bent over the arm of a chair as he filled her. A tightness squeezed low in her belly. Desire, perhaps? As her gaze traveled, the eroticism of the scene taking place had her heart racing, her breathing shallow.

“Do you like what you see, my sweet?”

She nearly jumped at the husky words spoken in a hot, seductive whisper near her ear. His warm fingers trailed enticingly across the exposed flesh of her chest. She wanted to shake her head no, attempted to voice her denial, but instead she found her head tilting in acknowledgment. Truth be told, she liked what she saw, hoped that her new husband would soon engage in these wicked acts of sensuality with her.

“This is only a taste of the pleasures I have to offer you.” His body was now pressed behind her, his breath warm on her neck.

“Show me more,” she sighed and leaned into him, giving in to the titillating sensations spiraling through her, intensifying the growing hunger for his touch.

He laughed quietly then inhaled deeply her fragrance. “I will show you a lifetime of pleasures.”

And of that she had no doubt.

* * * * *

Well, this one went in a direction I had not anticipated :). Definitely much lighter than most of the last ones I've done. Perhaps it's a mood thing.

* * * * *

Last night I got a call on my cell, these people had called last month but I never called them back. You see, when I went to visit my cousin in November we filled out entry forms to win this awesomely cool Dodge Challenger. I didn't win the Challenger, however, I did win a 3 day cruise for two to the Bahama's. I never called back becasue I assumed there were plenty of fees that would make it not worth it (such as the roundtrip airfair).

There are a few catches. The first, we have to drive to their nearest office to pick up the cruise package...which is in Wilkes Barre, PA! And we have to pay port fees and taxes, which is about $200 per person. That doesn't seem so bad though, considering the package is worth $1200 (It does include airfare!) So it seems we will be driving down to PA in two weeks! It's about 5 1/2 hours away. We were going to drive down to the southern tier for the weekend anyway, we'll just go there instead :). We have a year to use it, we're thinking maybe in October/November. Never been on a cruise before.

The lady is supposed to call back on Wednesday so we can set up a time with her. I'll have to make sure there are no other catches when she does.

I start my job in one more week! I'm gonna be workin my ass off soon. Two jobs? What have I got myself into?? :)

Have a great weekend!
See you Monday for the next Monday Morning picture prompt!

Redecorating

2011-01-26T07:30:00.001-05:00

My husband has been indulging me lately! I have some amazing new additions I've added to my library room. They are so awesomely cool. I loved the way the room looked before with all my framed author goodies, but I also like to change things, especially when it's with something as cool as these are. I am so completely fascinated with Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, so to have these things just makes my room all the more special to me.

Harry Potter's and Lord Voldemort's wands! Along with Gandolf the Grey plush that Anna sent me! And shortly before Christmas I purchased that Harry Potter movie book. Some fabulous little things in there to browse through!

These are two of the swords from The Lord of the Rings. Frodo's sword, Sting and Aragorn's sword, Anduril. There are still two more that I'd like to add! Anduril doesn't sit snug in the case for mounting on the wall, but Shawn is going to take care of that...somehow :).

There are so many other things that I want to add from the Harry Potter line and The Lord of the Rings line at Noble Collection...Someday :)! And then this summer, the end of June, we are planning a family vacation down to Universal Studios in Orlando! OMG, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!! How freakin amazing is that going to be? I can only imagine what I will bring home from there!

While I was cleaning and reorganizing the other day, I came across a photo of me and my sister that we had done when I went to visit her almost 13 years ago. I don't know why it was put away, but I thought I should hang it up.

I love this room. It's definitely a reflection of who I am and what I love most and hold dearest to me!

The Journey is Once Again Underway!

2011-01-24T09:25:00.000-05:00

I was informed the other day that The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society book is once again on it's next journey! Thank you, Dottie!

Christine, it should be arriving this week!

I can't believe that I sent this book out May 22, 2009, and it is still lingering out there, traveling around. I get so excited when I know it's headed to the next person, but then nervous that this is going to be the time it gets lost in the mail! I would be so sad. It's been all over the world, in the hands of many wonderful ladies. But I know it'll be fine. It'll make its way back to me in a much loved, and well-read condition! :)

It was this passage from the afterward that made me think it would be a wonderful idea to send this book out on a journey to my book-loving 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 much for participating!

Flash Fiction Entry for Deadline Dames

2011-01-22T17:19:00.002-05:00

I happened over to the Deadline Dames blog this afternoon and found myself browsing to see if there was a flash fiction challenge going on and there was. I wasn't sure about the image, but I guess if you stare at something long enough, something will come to you :).

The image I have here is not the image from the Dames' blog, since they ask that you do not repost, but I found this one and I believe it still represents my flash, perhaps even better? You can see the image here...and perhaps even try your own flash for the prompt!

Deadline Dames Flash Fiction Challenge

Loss
by Amy C
Word Count - 341

Nightmares haunt me of a past I cannot forget. They mock me, taunting me. Weakened and tired from the onslaught, I am lost in the dark confines of my mind, fractured and broken. My nightmares rule me.

Small fingers tug my sleeve. A tiny voice drifts to my ears. I look down and gaze into a set of eyes, eyes that reflect my own, eyes no longer sick with disease. I see my past within the deep blue orbs. There is no censure, no longing for that which is now gone. I wrap my arms around the petite child before me. She is the root of all my nightmares.

“It’s okay, mama. I love you,” that little voice croons in my ear. If only I can believe her.

Wetness soils my lashes, my cheeks. This tiny little package of a child comforts me. I squeeze my arms tighter, trying with all my might to hang on to my precious baby girl. But my nightmare takes over and she vanishes, slips without a trace from my embrace.

I could not protect her, and she is lost from me, always and forever. I am at a crossroad. I want this nightmare over, to have my baby girl back, but I know not which road to walk.

I feel the warm press of her tiny little hand curl itself against my palm. I clutch my fingers gently, holding on. “This way, mama. Walk with me down this road.” She smiles up at me lovingly—my little flower.

I fear the potholes of guilt which I have stumbled over along the road behind me. Yet as we walk, the road becomes smoother, the holes growing smaller and smaller, until the guilt is mere minuscule cracks under my feet.

As we travel, broken rays of light shine through the canopy of branches and leaves overhead. I come to the end of the road and realize I am alone. I don’t know when she left me, but when she did, I didn’t feel that terrible, heart-wrenching ache.

* * * * *

Flash Fiction Entry #23

2011-01-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #23

The Seeker
By Amy C
Word Count – 641

My salvation lies within sight. If only my tired feet can carry me into the shadows. I run, heart pounding, breath sawing in and out of my lungs. The pain of my exhaustion causes my feet to falter, nearly tripping. But determination drives me. I must not stop. I must reach the darkness of the tunnel. There I can conceal myself from the evil thing chasing me, blending in the dimness until there’s no trace of my being.

How did my life come to this, forever on the run? Evil corrupts this world far more than I ever could have imagined. Now it seems this wickedness will finally get the better of me, for I am trapped if I cannot reach the shadows.

So close. It’s there within my grasp, yet still so far away. I try to gain speed, pushing my weakened body to the edge.

I close my eyes for a brief moment as my legs continue to propel me further. Fear grips a tight hold, I want to look back, but I know it’d be fruitless. I would see nothing, because there is nothing to see. But I can feel its despicable presence. I sense it gaining ground, closing the distance.

Have my feet slowed unawares? Oh, please, let me make it to the darkness of the tunnel.

Cruel laughter echoes in my head, disrupting the steady beat of my pounding feet. One single, tiny heartbeat away from being swallowed into the shadows, a wrenching pain stabs into my shoulders. Thick heavy fingers dig in, snatching me solidly off the ground away from my safe haven. I try to scream, to fight, but cold weight silences my screams, sucking, feeding off the life inside me—draining me. I can’t see the evil that has me in a death-grip, only sense its presence. I dangle a few feet from the ground, hovering, waiting for the end.

Deep resonant words filter into my consciousness. It takes a moment to decipher the meaning. “Do not fear me. Come out of the shadows and walk in the light.” It says to me. “You are one of the lost souls trapped in the In-between. I can help you. I am a hunter, a seeker of those lost.”

I struggle and struggle, attempting to loosen the tight hold it has upon me. I hear the pleas over and over, but unable to comprehend the meaning. Lost soul? Trapped in the In-between? I have always walked in the shadows. It is my place, my home. This evilness knows not what he speaks.

I feel a soft tickle of breath against my ear, and my struggles lessen as I feel my tension ease. “Do not think of this as your death, but as your rebirth,” the phantom voice whispers. And then that dreadful pressure forms once again upon my lips, pressing against my breast as the life is sucked from me.

Moments pass, waiting…waiting for my death, yet still I breathe. The moment never arrives. I hear a voice encouraging me to open my eyes. I feel different sensations whirling inside me. They nearly overwhelm me with their magnitude. With all the courage I possess, I manage to crack my lids a fraction, knowing in the pit of my stomach that my captor had changed me.

What I could not see before, I can see now, however hazy. My subjugator holds me in his arms. I can not move, can barely breathe as my vision focuses on his form. He readjusts me, attempting to stand me on my own two feet. The shock of my transformation, or as I recall him saying, my rebirth, is more than I can handle. I feel myself slipping away, but before all goes black, I see him smiling warmly down at me and for some strange reason I feel safe.

* * * * *

I sorta went over the word count with this one. Usually I'm under. This one was kinda different, but I like it, and I hope you did too :).

Have a great weekend!

Life is Good...

2011-01-16T11:00:00.000-05:00

Especially if you have a banana...Oh, wait, that's not my post...I blame Lea! I've had bananas on the brain since I read her post that she was going to do a post on Banana Eating Etiquette! Hmmm, I can only imagine how entertaining that one's going to be to read!! :)

Anyway, on to something more serious (as if the art of eating a banana is not serious!) It's official! I faxed back my acceptance letter for the full-time position at Ingram Micro! I have a real job! I'm gonna be a Reconciliation Specialist. I'll have my very own desk space, where I can have my own personal items cluttering it up! How cool is that? I'm pretty darn excited about it.

I've heard the statement for years when it comes to employment..."It's not what you know, but who you know"...and I have to say that in my case that is so very true. I have no experience other than the reconciliation I do at home with my personal finances, and the reconciling I do with the cash drawer at the mall. The lady who is going to be my manager at Ingram is a co-worker at the mall and she saw the potential in me, and is now giving me this wonderful opportunity! And I am so grateful for that.

I'm still going to stay at the mall two days a week, but school will be put on hold. I'd like to try to take one night class or an online course a semester starting in the Fall, since Ingram does reimburse based on your final grade. I really enjoyed going to school everyday, and there is one fabulous lady I met my first week. I was looking forward to the next semester and passing the time between classes with her again. I'm going to miss those moments of immaturity with her! I never laughed so much

Speaking of school...my first semester I got all A's! None of them were very difficult classes, but I'm still extremely happy that I did so well.

So life is good! And now I'm off to work...have a wonderful Sunday!

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Entry #22

2011-01-14T08:46:00.000-05:00

It's Friday and I have a Flash Fiction to share :)!

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #22

A Truth Revealed
By Amy C
Word Count – 412

The old grounds were known for its haunting eeriness. Mournful sounds of a lady lost have been reported for many years. I walk the corridors of the disused convent seeking some hint of paranormal activity. A tale long forgotten lingers within these walls, waiting for its moment of retelling.

When I was younger, I used to roam the stairs and hallways shortly after it closed, drawn here by an uncanny force. We lived not far, a short hike through the woods of our backyard. I was forbidden to walk these grounds, but my feet carried me here as if tied to this mystery somehow. Sometimes, when the mood struck me just right, I felt a terrible loss. My eyes would water, my heart would ache from an unknown pain, a pain not my own. Now an adult, I wander these corridors seeking answers I was once too young to ask for.

As I reach a series of archways overlooking a set of uneven and crumbling stairs which lead to an overgrown garden, I imagine the beauty it once held. Blooms of a variety of color through Spring and Summer. Now it only holds a vague reminder of its once splendor in the tangled weeds.

A mist forms within the weeds, traveling up the old stairway. My eyes follow and there, an ethereal beauty stands. Deep within my heart I feel the tethers of her story weave together, forming an account that weakens my knees. Perhaps the truth of her tragic life will set her free from her endless sorrow. So I gather my courage and settle down to listen with my inner mind. And what I learn unnerves me, squeezing my lungs with the anguish encompassing my body, for the tragedy is now known to me in clarifying detail.

Agnes was her name, sent to the convent a disgrace to her family, her belly growing round with the seed of a man she loved profoundly. And thirty some years past, she died in childbirth—alone and heartbroken.

Her hand rests on her belly. Intense warmth passes over my entire body. Tears form and spill down my cheeks. I know with certainty I cannot explain, that this lady of mist is my mother. The story told, the truth revealed, the apparition fades from sight, a smile upon her beautiful face as her lingering spirit vanishes. I rise slowly, letting the knowledge of her tale envelope me, and smile a smile of my own.

* * * *

Come back next week for another installment of Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge!

Flash Fiction Prompt and a Book Cover

2011-01-07T11:51:00.004-05:00

I knew there was something about the picture that was chosen for this weeks flash fiction challenge that seemed familiar, and I finally found out why today! It happens to be the cover of a book I have (but have not read yet). The man's face is a little different and a different backdrop, but overall it's the same!

I did attempt to read the book last year, maybe? But I put it down and never picked it back up. Perhaps I should try again?

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Entry #21

2011-01-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Good morning! Its Friday and I have a flash fiction to post. I'm looking forward to reading what you guys have for this one. I miss doing that.

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Entry #21

Revision
by Amy C
Word Count - 331

My story, my life, is written within the pages I hold upon my lap, altered to suit the regretted choices of my faltered decision-making and the tragedies I harbor. Isn’t that the way of stories? When pen touches paper, we can be who we choose to be. The simple changing of a word can alter a feeling, a moment, a choice.

I live a sad and lonely life; my father an abusive drunk, my mother dead.

I live a happy and content life; my father proud and honorable, my mother doting and kind.

Now I ask you, how can you know which is a truth, or a lie? If I told you the former is true, you would believe it, but the latter is what I’d prefer to reflect back on, and in writing my story, I have changed my perception of who I am and the state of my existence, and if I read it enough times, perhaps then I will believe the lies I’ve written, believe that in fact I truly have had a content and harmonious life.

As the words of my life flowed from my mind onto paper, I wore a mask. While hiding behind my disguise, I created the man I want to be, the man I have always wanted to be. But I still find that when I remove the crafted plate, I am unchanged. The loneliness and regret remain living inside me. Yet I sit here against this tree, the silence of the night soothing me, as I prepare to hide behind my disguise and read my story once more. Perhaps this time I will feel a change inside me, a start to the revised life I long to believe in.

I turn the final page, and slowly remove the mask. I weep into the darkness. I might be able to fool my mind, but my heart, my ever broken and blackened heart, knows and refuses the lies of which I have carefully crafted.

* * * *

Looking forward to seeing what Monday's prompt is going to be, and the stories it inspires.

Have a great weekend!

Flash Fiction by Devin C!

2011-01-06T08:33:00.000-05:00

Devin has been wanting to do a Flash Fiction with me for awhile now, but the pictures that are chosen for Monday's challenge, well, he finds them to be mostly too girly for him! He browsed last night and found this action packed photo, and his little mind began spinning.

We worked on this together last night and this morning. All of it was his idea, I just tweaked and revised. It was fun, but most importantly, it was something we did together :). I love seeing him so into something that isn't video games.

You're comments would be most appreciated, encouraging him to keep writing and using his imagination! I hope you enjoy Devin's Flash Fiction!

So without further ado, I present to you, The Great Wooly Wolf by Devin C!

The Great Wooly Wolf
By Devin C
Word count-392

The year was 2145; Gabriel gathered four mutant transformations, Mark, Luke, Brian, and Jacob, to go hunting for the giant woolly wolf.

Deep in the bowels of the catacomb, Jacob saw a mysterious looking torch, so he reached for it, but as he removed it, the walls around him began to collapse. Rubble and debris fell all around them as if dropping from the sky.

“Help me!” yelled Jacob, cowering down with fear, his lobster claw trembling.

“What’s wrong this time” Brian asked impatiently, his bow at the ready.

“Look on the floor. That’s not debris that fell.” Jacob replied with a quiver in his voice.

The five of them looked around and realized they were in the cavern of the wolf. For lying all around them was not debris, but bones of the victims that failed at the task of defeating the giant wooly wolf before them.

Mark scanned the area around him, his shot gun locked and loaded. Slowly he raised the barrel up the catacomb’s destroyed walls. A deep low-pitched growl echoed around them.

Mark’s eyes widened as he saw the great wooly wolf, jaw opened wide. “Guys!” Mark screamed. “There it is. It’s the wolf up on the ledge.”

They all looked up in the direction Mark aimed his weapon.

“Brian,” Mark yelled. “Open fire!”

The wolf leaped down as gun fire and bolts flew at it. With not a single hit the great beast landed mere inches away from Mark.

“This isn’t happening, this isn’t happening.” said Jacob in great fear.

“Everyone on me, I have a plan.” said Luke.

“Yeah, and what might that be?” Mark asked, blasting shotgun shells at the wolf.

Luke got his chainsaw ready, and everyone fell in line behind him, all but Gabriel. “Gabriel, shine your flashlight in its eyes.” Luke demanded.

Gabriel raised her arm; the bright beams of her flashlight momentarily blinded the great beast. In that brief moment Luke charged the wolf with his chainsaw but only managing to cut through its fur. Then with a great gasp of breath Luke slashed his chainsaw and sliced clean through its neck, killing the beast.

“Now we can leave, but don’t forget to take the pelt. It’s worth millions.” yelled Gabriel with excitement.

“Hooahh, another mission accomplished,” Brian exclaimed, and then placed his shotgun in the holster on his back.

* * * *

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Entry #16

2011-01-05T09:07:00.007-05:00

I know, I'm really, really late for this entry, but I have some time, my work schedule is back to normal and school is out until January 18th, so I thought maybe I'd go back and do some of the previous challenges that I missed. There were some really awesome pictures that you guys picked out, and this one seemed to catch my eye first :).

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #16
Irony
By Amy C
Word Count – 317

Desolation is the path in which I walk. Lonely and troubled, my feet carry me down the twisted and gnarled road. And what do I spy with my saddened eyes, but three crows. I pondered their significance. Is it my death? Or is an omen of bad luck in my future? I recollected an old rhyme I’d heard my mother say while she fiddled around the house about these mysterious black birds. Her sing-song voice streamed into my head, and I found my own voice repeating aloud the words to the rhyme:

One for sorrow, two for mirth,
Three for a wedding, four for a birth,
Five for silver, six for gold,
Seven for a secret not to be told.
Eight for heaven, nine for hell,
And ten for the devil's own sel'.

Three for a wedding. I laughed derisively at the thought of a wedding. But as I mused over the idea, I observed a lightness to my step. I began to fancy the idea of a wedding. Of course, I would need a man first, but that was neither here nor there. I never thought my heart could swell with such jubilation at the thought of a wedding—for me.

I smiled up at the crows as I passed under them along the darkened path, and all of a sudden I found myself free-falling toward the hardened earth. At first, I lay there stunned, unfeeling, but then an agonizing pain splintered through my head, zinging through every nerve of my body.

I smelled the pungent odor of blood, felt the cold embrace of death. I angled my head slightly, peering up at those three damning black birds, which now flew in circles above me, squawking a mocking squeal of triumph.

I closed my eyes, reflecting on the irony of my situation. The only marriage I’d be celebrating is that of my soul to the afterlife.

* * * *
Better late than never, right? :)

Monday Morning Flash Ficton Challenge #21

2011-01-03T08:52:00.000-05:00

Is it really challenge #21? Have I really missed 11 challenges?

November and December seemed to pass by in a blur, but I hope to find my Monday Morning Flash Fiction groove again. I love the picture Dottie posted this morning (Isn't it a fabulous picture prompt?). Immediately an idea came to me and I began writing...

Here's an update also...I completed my first semester with all A's! Unfortunately, my GPA is only 3.929 rather than 4.0 because one of my A's is an A-. But that's okay! I'm totally happy with that :). Next semester starts on the 18th. Hopefully this one goes as well as the first.

I did have an interview for a full-time position and if for some crazy reason I get hired, I'll have to withdraw from school, but that's okay, since it's a great job and what I'd be looking for when I did finish school.

I hope things are well with all of you, and you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T07:45:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

I can't believe it's already Thanksgiving! Soon it'll be Christmas and then a whole new year. It amazes me how fast time goes by as you get older.

My reading has been pretty sparse, but I did manage to read the final Tairen Soul book! I have to wonder though why it was marketed as romance rather than fantasy. I loved it, reading as Ellysetta grows from meek and timid into a powerful, strong woman. A fine conclusion to a beautiful series! Well worth the wait.

This past Saturday, we saw the new Harry Potter movie! I'm going to be so sad when there is no more to look forward to. Over a decade of my life has been spent anticipating the next book, or the next movie. How sad it's going to be for all of us Harry Potter fans come July when it wraps up and there is nothing left to look forward to. But it certainly has been one fabulous journey!

This semester is nearly over. Registration for next semester is the 29th, and I've decided to take 18 credit hours! That's four more than this one. I think I can do it. This semester has been a fairly easy one, since most of my classes are computer programs, and I was already familiar with them. I averaged up the grades in my computations class and if I can get above a 90% on my remaining two tests, I can get an A in that class. Which means an A in all my classes! Not sure if I can, but I'm gonna give it my best. But a B is good too :).

I hope you all have a fantastic day today, feasting on all the fine foods you're going to cook up!

Zombiefied!

2010-10-31T16:08:00.008-04:00

It's almost time for the little kiddies to leave the safety of their homes and haunt the neighborhoods in search of those delicious treats and of course to scare away the ghouls and ghosts that would seek to reek havoc on the other side of the veil as it thins! With kids like mine out there, I think the scary monsters need to stay right where they are now that Devin has transformed into a terrifying, flesh-eating zombie!!

I took these pictures with my cell phone. They didn't come out the greatest, but I did finally get the good camera out and took a couple pictures of the end result!

Transformation into a Flesh-Eating Zombie!

Stage One: Apply a layer of liquid laytex, followed by a layer of light gray face paint, then a darker gray.

Stage Two: Apply some liquid laytex and then a piece of toilet paper for the ripped flesh wound look. Then layer with more latex.

Stage Three: Apply gray paint over wound, along with a little bit of black and then a nice amount of red! And don't forget to loll the tongue. There is no smiling! Once the make-up in stage one is applied, all smiling ceases! Zombies DON'T smile!!

Stage Four: Add fake blood...or is that real blood??? *Insert Evil Laugh here--Buhahahahaha!!*
Then pretend you are dead! Should I be worried that my kid loves this disgusting stuff so much??
The end result! Now he's ready to do some serious trick-or-treating! But first I must feed him!

With a full belly of brains and intestines, now he's all set!

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T08:00:00.002-04:00

I hope you all have a wonderful and spooky Halloween!
Not sure if I'm gonna make it trick-or-treating with Devin this year. It's been so cold and windy, and I have a hard time controlling the shivers in weather like this :(. Makes it no fun for me.

I'll share pictures of Devin later this evening of his terrifically scary make-upped face! He's experimented a few times. He loves giving himself these disgusting gashes and burns on himself!! It's great :).

And also, thank you all so much for the wonderful Birthday comments over on Facebook yesterday!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

10 Things That Sound Dirty On Halloween, But Aren't...

1. So...What'd you get in the sack?

2. Once you get under the sheet, start moaning and groaning!!!

3. Just hop on that broomstick and ride it!

4. Those small suckers are gone in a few licks!

5. I got the best piece from that house.

6. Quit screwing around on the porch!!!

7. Stick your hand in and guess what you're feeling....

8. It was so filled and heavy, I had to use TWO hands!!

9. They'll suck you dry if they get their teeth in you.

10. I bobbed and bobbed, but couldn't get my mouth around it!

Flash Fiction Entry #9

2010-10-15T07:30:00.000-04:00

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge Entry #9

* * * * *

Serenity
by Amy C
Word Count - 476

Death, Emma thought, as she lay in a state of lost consciousness atop the hard slab of rock. The voices called to her, swirling, dancing, enticing her to embrace them, leave behind the sad bleakness of her life. Louder and louder they grew, encapsulating her in the power of their song. Weak from torment that her life had become, she found herself trapped within their machinations. Trapped and lost from who she truly was. Peace was her objective; a little bit of serenity her goal.

As her life blood dripped from the slash on her wrist, coldness seeped under her flesh. A gentle tug pulled her away from the menacing cacophony of voices, followed by a warm comforting whisper, so full of love Emma nearly wept in her dazed state.

“Emma, child, please, you must look for the light in your troubled darkness. It is there, if only you can see past your pain and loneliness.”

Emma struggled to force words past her lips, but barely audible, she replied, “But as I lay here, I can feel the ache of my loneliness fade, as my life fades.”

“No, Emma. What you feel, the voices you hear are in the darkness. They lie. Once you join them they will only leave you to desolation more powerful than you could ever wish to experience in life.”

A tear did trickle out of her eye then, wetting the concrete beneath her, as a sense of truth rang in the softly spoken words.

“Trust in me, Emma, I will show you how to find the light. There is love waiting for you. But you must be strong in your pursuit of it. Believe in yourself. Trust in yourself. Do you trust me, Emma?”

Emma tried to block the whispered words, but fear gripped her as she struggled for truth within the different voices haunting her. Light and dark. Truth and lies. Confusion snaked through her.

“Emma, please, I beg of you. Take my hand. Let me heal you and guide you. Open yourself to me and I will forever be with you.”

An apparition so bright appeared before Emma. She squinted even in her nearly non-existent, weakened state. The love that radiated from the phantom light filled her with such an overwhelming intensity. She drew in her breath, knowing that soon it would be her last.

But the peace and serenity she experienced in the light caused her soul to cry out as she fought the nature of the dark malevolence that promised nothing but lies she could now see. Her hand inched toward the corporeal figure, the one that dripped her life away in a slow, cold embrace.

“That’s it, Emma. Always remember you are never alone.” A tender touch caressed over her wound, and the last thought Emma had before she slipped away into a peaceful slumber was…Life.

* * * * *

This one pretty much came to me as soon as I looked at the picture. I saw her outstretched arm and imagined blood dripping from it. Even in the dark, there is still light :).

I'm looking forward to reading what you all come up with for this beautiful picture!

Have a good weekend :)

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #9

2010-10-12T07:37:00.004-04:00

I know...It's Tuesday. I'm kinda late posting the Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge. Dottie picked an excellent picture prompt this week. Already got my creative juices flowing and I have something already put together. It's a little moody, but still has light in the darkness. Perhaps it reflects my mood. I don't mean to be morose, but sometimes it happens. I think this picture has a lot to tell. What direction will it take you in?

See you on Friday!

Corn Maize!

2010-10-10T18:09:00.000-04:00

How the heck are you? I seem to be falling behind on my blogging again. Trying to keep up with everything is sometimes very difficult. I feel awful that I didn't do my flash fiction this past week :(. I did mention to Dottie that maybe I need to cut back to every other week, and I think I will, but you guys can still do it every week! I don't want to let this challenge slip away. I love doing it with you all.

But I did manage to get a day away with Devin! I asked him while we were eating lunch this afternoon when the last time we did anything, just the two of us, and I think it was our trip to Erie, PA. That was back in August! Today me and Devin went and explored some corn mazes! And it was a much needed outing, just the two of us, and our first time doing a corn maze (Did you know that maize is another word for corn?)

There were three mazes, each one more difficult than the next. Oh, and in the first one, you find these little signs and you mark a color on your finger. There's a color for each finger. When you get done with the maze and you're all colored, you find your combination on the chart and it tells you your fortune...Devin's said he was AMAZING! I already knew that! Mine said that I take life too seriously! Ha! Ya think? LOL Not me!

The last one we kinda got lost in :). But there were maze cops walking around to help you in case you should need any. And he steered us in the right direction. I think it took about an hour and a half to do all three. Devin was so cute when we were leaving, saying how fun it was and that he was having a good day, but then of course, I realized it was because he was butterin me up for his next request...Lunch! Who am I to say no to someone else cooking for me? :)

There is one more thing left for us to do before Halloween! The Haunted Houses at Fright World!! Oh yeah, I so love this time of year for that night out. Nothin like being scared! Devin says that they changed two of the houses. I'm curious to see if they are scarier than one of them that is being replaced. It was clowns, and it so was not scary. I hope the new ones are! It'll be nice to have something different to wander through :).

And then it's trick-or-treating! Devin wants me to attempt to make him look like a zombie. He's fascinated with those flesh-eaters! It's kinda creepy :).

How are things with all of you?

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #8

2010-10-04T07:30:00.002-04:00

Good Monday morning to you! Aren't Monday's supposed to be the least looked forward to day of the week? Well, not for me, because it means another Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge!!

Put on your thinking cap, sit down with your favorite drink and let this fabulous photo take you to another world! I think this is a great picture supplied by Blodeuedd. A lot of things going on. Hmm, I'm not seeing any 'light' in this one! 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!

Failure is not an Option...Flash Fiction Entry #7

2010-10-01T14:55:00.002-04:00

* * * * *

Unspoken Desires
By Amy C
Word Count – 636

She stood alone, mesmerized by the lightening illuminating the sky, the claps of thunder exploding in a rage around her. A flock of bats in the distance brought about fanciful imaginings of vampires and their sensual nature. Her hands caressed her neck as her thoughts lingered on a handsome man nuzzling her, sniffing out that one sweet spot where he could sink his fangs and drink of her nectar.

She sighed and turned more fully into the lashing wind of the storm that lent an unnatural ambiance to her castle home on the edge of the sea; a place she felt forever trapped, isolated, living within the guidelines that her parents saw fit, a virtual prisoner in her own home. It was nothing unusual for her to have fantasies of a beautiful man swooping in and stealing her away.

Her hands skimmed down her chest, cupping her heavy breasts as she thought of the mysterious vampire, of his mouth fastened to her slender neck. Imagining they were his hands holding her, caressing her, she squeezed her breasts gently. Arousal whipped through her and her moans of pleasure were drowned out by the roar of the wind.

She grew achy with need as her mind swirled around the idea of a vampire embracing her, but vampires weren’t real. But oh, how she wished they were—how exotic, and utterly incredible it would be to have a vampire doing to her all the things her mind whispered—Touching, caressing, loving her in the most delicious of ways.

She sighed and rested her hands on the wooden balustrade. The flock of bats caught her attention once more. With effortless grace, the bat flying in the lead disbanded from the rest and flew toward her. She tilted her head, watching with curiosity as the lone bat drew nearer. When he hovered mere feet in front of her, she thought she’d scream. But in the blink of an eye, the bat vanished, and in its place, stood a man.

His eyes lingered on her. He seemed to be near bursting with his own curiosity. Of course now she really wanted to scream, but he had to be the most beautiful man she had ever seen. And besides, her throat had completely closed up, not a sound could escape. She even found it difficult to breath.

Finally the strange man spoke, his voice a warm touch upon her flesh. “You called to me.” He sounded awed by that fact. Hell, she was in awe with these events as well. He stepped closer, his hand reaching up to cup her cheek. “Your thoughts were so powerful in my head. Erotic and arousing.”

“Who are you?” she managed to whisper.

His lips were now a breathe away from her own. “I’m a vampire,” he softly spoke. The subtle shifting of air across her skin sent a whirlwind of longing through her. He smelled sweet. If she didn’t taste him soon, she felt as if she would starve from her growing hunger.

He chuckled, that sense of wonderment still lingering. “I can hear all of your thoughts.”
She couldn’t help the heat that crept into her cheeks. Ending the torment his nearness created, he gently pressed his lips to hers. His tongue traced her lips, encouraging her to open. And when her tongue met his, and the glorious taste of him filled her, she melted against him…lost and delirious.

He nuzzled her neck, just as she had imagined, sinking his fangs into her tender flesh. An explosion of the most intense pleasure consumed her.

He released his mouth from upon her throat. She was unable to decipher how long he suckled, mere moments, or hours, she didn’t know. Weak from desire, she barely recognized his words when he whispered into her ear, “You’re mine now.”

* * * * *

So there you have it! My interpretation of that beautiful picture supplied by Michelle!

I really should have been doing a little studying for my test, but I just didn't like the idea of failing :).

What do you think, Dottie? Did I do the vampire thing okay? :)

Fail...

2010-10-01T12:20:00.003-04:00

I failed this week :(. I have no flash fiction. I got a little busy with school, work, and home.

But I did get a 90% on my math test from last week, and I feel extremely confident that I will get a 100% on my final for my Powerpoint class! I have another test today for my online class that I feel I'll score in the 90's on also.

So I may have failed with my flash fiction challenge this week, but I am doing really well with my school work! And the picture that Michelle submitted for us to work with was such a beautiful one too!

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #7

2010-09-27T07:30:00.000-04:00

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 :).

Sassy Sunday Story Starter

2010-09-26T19:30:00.001-04:00

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

* * * * *

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.

* * * * *

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

2010-09-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

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.”

* * * * *

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

2010-09-20T07:14:00.000-04:00

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!

Hope to see you on Friday!

Happy Writing!

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

2010-09-19T14:55:00.003-04:00

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

2010-09-19T10:00:00.002-04:00

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

* * * * *

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.

* * * * *

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

2010-09-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

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.

* * * * *

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

2010-09-15T08:10:00.001-04:00

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...

* * * * *

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!!

2010-09-14T18:30:00.000-04:00

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.

* * * *
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.

* * * *

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

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #5

2010-09-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

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!

Flash Fiction Entry #4

2010-09-10T07:12:00.000-04:00

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.

* * * * *

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!

2010-09-09T16:05:00.002-04:00

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...

2010-09-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

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...

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #4 (Happy Labor Day)

2010-09-06T07:50:00.001-04:00

Is it Monday again already? That's what the calendar says, so it must be. And that means it's time for another installment of Monday Morning Flash Fiction. Dottie picked out this lovely picture...A dragon with a castle in the background! I can't wait to see what stories this one inspires.

Happy Writing!

Flash Fiction Entry #3

2010-09-03T12:45:00.002-04:00

I nearly didn't get this one written. I wrote it while I sat in the Doc's office this morning...more on that at the end of my flash fiction.

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #3

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The Choosing
by Amy C
Word Count - 280

The howling grew louder. Drawn by the seductive sound, I found my wandering feet pulled in a direction not of my choosing. Tall grass tickled my exposed ankles. Moonlight shimmered down, casting a radiant glow on all it touched.

I twirled round and round. A bubble of laughter rose from deep within. Throwing my head back, I celebrated my laughter as it burst free, reveling in the joyous occasion this night would bring. The howling stopped, and my feet halted with the silence. Crickets and other unseen nightly bugs penetrated the quiet around me. Glancing around at the silhouetted trees in the distance, I searched for the creature responsible for the beautiful melody I no longer heard.

A large muzzle pushed at my leg and I gasped in surprise. My hand immediately reached down to twine my fingers within the softness of his fur. The wolf tilted his to the side, his blue eyes gazing intently into my own. The time was here. This night, this moment marked something special, a momentous occasion, far surpassing that of any other.
I knelt before the beast. I closed my eyes and calmed myself. The change was upon me. This was my night of choosing, and this beautiful male chose me for his mate.

I changed with ease, and now before him on all four legs, I placed my muzzle aside his and breathed in his scent. His smell sent a shiver of longing and need through me. Pride swelled my heart at the low rumbling sound he made as he approved my action.

My wolf, my mate turned and, with an air of pleasure, I followed him into the night.

* * * * *

Don't forget to check out Dottie's and Michelle's and Blodeuedd's entry!

I almost didn't make it in time. I only just wrote this one this morning. I'm having some serious back issues that school has brought about. Between carrying a backpack and sitting in the chairs there, my back problem has flared up with a vengeance, and it's wearing me down. Went to the Doc this morning. He sent me for x-rays (first time in eleven years since I've had this issue). My physical therapist had said years ago that it sounds like a bulging disc, but they never went any further than that to make sure. But since it is continuing (duh!) he wants to look into it further, because it isn't going away. This is the second time this year, heck second time in a matter of months. It's depressing, frustrating, and it makes me mad as hell to be so limited. It's extremely emotionally stressful. I can't tell you how many times I've cried in the last three days. I'm so tired of it getting in my way of living life and doing normal daily activities. I left work early last night because I couldn't do my job, and trust me, my job there is so not hard. It just makes you feel incompetent. And I hate that.

I hope you all have a wonderful labor day weekend. I'm going to drink excessively tomorrow...LOL. I think I need it!

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #3

2010-08-30T07:30:00.003-04:00

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?

Sassy Sunday Story Starter...

2010-08-29T16:30:00.004-04:00

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?

2010-08-29T09:50:00.001-04:00

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

2010-08-27T07:30:00.002-04:00

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #2

* * * * *

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.

* * * * *

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 ...

2010-08-24T13:15:00.000-04:00

...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

2010-08-23T07:00:00.000-04:00

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

2010-08-20T07:22:00.004-04:00

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #1

* * * * *

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.

* * * * *

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...

2010-08-19T07:18:00.002-04:00

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

2010-08-18T12:29:00.008-04:00

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? :(

2010-08-17T08:43:00.000-04:00

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

2010-08-16T09:18:00.005-04:00

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...

2010-08-15T10:31:00.008-04:00

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...

2010-08-13T22:30:00.007-04:00

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!

2010-08-09T15:22:00.004-04:00

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

2010-08-09T12:13:00.004-04:00

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

---------------------------

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.

Cave of the Winds

2010-08-06T08:30:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, me, Devin and my mom went up to Niagara Falls. I've lived half an hour from the Falls for the past 16 years, been there numerous times, but Thursday was the first time I did the Cave of the Winds. I watched my mom and Devin do it last summer, but this time I had to try it! I can't believe I never did it before. Un-freakin-believable! It was the most amazing thing when we got right up under the Bridal Falls, feeling the incredible rush of water pounding down on you...WOW! Simply an amazing experience! I can't wait to do it again next year. And I think we are going to add the Maid of the Mist to the agenda :).

Me and D! The Journey begins!

Looking up at the Falls! The small one on the right is the Bridal Falls that we are working our way too!

Mom and D...That's Canada in the background...Hi Lea and Mary :)

A nice spot if your feeling like you need to cool off!

Looks like we decided to cool off!

Holy Cow! What an amazing rush to stand under all that pounding water. It feels amazing on your back :). Not sure why we bothered with the rain coats. We were soaked!

Look at all that water! I can't wait to do it again!

And the three of us back up and dripping wet. Thanks to some tourist for snapping this photo for us!

Good times!

Whatever Wednesday!

2010-08-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

I was browsing through old posts the other day and I discovered a Whatever Wednesday post. I think it was something I was going to start doing on a regular basis but apparently, I did not :). I am going to try again though. So welcome to my Whatever Wednesday posts. Maybe I'll do one every Wednesday, or maybe not...Whatever! :P

Would you care to join me for some delicious jammin jelly donuts or perhaps some tasty escargot?

Or perhaps you'd like to try some outstanding atomic buffalo wings made right here in the Buffalo area!

I am still crazy addicted to Cafe World on Facebook! Been playing that game everyday since the end of January :). It takes no skill, you just have to remember to serve your food when it's done!

I think this is the real reason I don't get any reading done anymore :). Damn Cafe World!

I did a look to see who my wait staff is and thought I'd share a few of them...

Anna
Eva
Anna's Book Blog
andAmanda McIntyre!

Sorry, Anna! I didn't realize I had you workin double time...:P. You guys are doin such a tremendous job! Perhaps y'all need a raise?

I'm currently reading The Hollow Crown by Diana P. Francis! I have very much enjoyed this fantasy series. Thank you, Christine, for being so kind and sending me a copy :).

Road Trip: Erie, PA

2010-08-02T09:05:00.000-04:00

Saturday me and Devin took a little road trip to Erie, PA. The beginning of July I went to my cousin's in Columbus. Just me! No kid, no mom, no husband! Of course, Devin wasn't thrilled about it so I told him we would do a road trip, just me and him. But it had to be no more than 4 hours away from home :). His first choice was Philadelphia! He wants to see the liberty bell. I told him he was nuts if he thought I was driving there! That's a big city. Maybe someday!

Erie on the other hand, is a nice little town/city. We were just there back in April when we took Devin and his friend to Splash Lagoon for the day. We got directions for the zoo and the mall. I printed them thinking we would hit the zoo first and then the mall, but Devin decided he wanted to do the mall first. From the interstate I had no idea how to get there so I drove to the zoo first and then back tracked to the mall. I only had to turn around once :). Funny thing, when we pulled into the zoo parking, I spotted two ladies and I thought maybe they would know how to get to the mall. I walked over and asked, and wouldn't you know, they drove down from NY also! They weren't helpful :). I really need to invest in a GPS! I will have have one by next summer.

When we got to the mall I was elated with the store I spotted first...Borders Express! Oh, man, do you have any idea how good it felt to walk into that store? I miss mine terribly :(. And believe it or not, all I did was browse for a few minutes. I didn't buy a single thing. It's been so long since I paid attention to new releases that I had no idea what to look for. It just felt really nice to walk into that Borders Express :).

And then Devin, he was so darn cute! We went into Aeropostale and I let him get a few shirts. His excitement made me so happy, finally he is big enough to get the small size in normal grown-up clothing stores. He was so happy thinking how cool he is now! He tried to talk me into a hoody, but some things are still just way too big for him, even if their smalls. I love it when he is genuinely happy about something :).

We had lunch in the mall and then drove back to the zoo. It was a cute little zoo. I don't know if it's bigger than the Buffalo zoo, but the set up was really nice, and there were some animals we don't have, such as the Orangutan and the Kangaroos! I just love the pic of the Kangaroo. He looks like one cool dude!

Our next outing is Niagara Falls! We're going to do the Cave of the Winds...and this time I am going down too! Devin has done it twice, once with my mom and once as his fifth grade field trip. How neat would it be to stand in all that rushing water?

Have you any of you done anything fun this summer? Any road trips? Vacations?

An Update

2010-08-01T15:49:00.005-04:00

Summer's half over, and I haven't blogged in over two months. I wasn't sure if I would again. I was browsing new releases this afternoon on Amazon, looking for some new fantasy novels in upcoming months and before I knew it, I was saving covers and adding them to my side-bar--something I haven't done in months and something I always loved to do. I love browsing book covers. I found a few new ones and discovered a few books coming out by authors that I read :).

I was at work the other day, showing a co-worker my blog and I realized how much I miss it, but I don't know how to find that groove to begin blogging again :(. I use to love reviewing books, buying books, talking about books, but something happened and I lost it! I don't even like to talk about books with my mom anymore. How sad! I think it's because I hardly read anymore. It's not that I don't like to read anymore, because I do! I don't even know. I can't explain it.

Maybe I need to go back to the way I started blogging, back when it was more personal. Such as things me and Devin do, places we go. Not focus so much on books and reading.
I think the last time I posted I mentioned that I was hoping to get a job at the mall again. I did get hired! I've been working the Mall Services desk (customer service) for two months now, and I love it! It's an easy, laid back kinda job and I work with some really wonderful ladies :). One of them has been tremendous in listening to my woes :).

I start school in the Fall, only four short weeks away! I'm excited and nervous, but I think it's going to be a really great thing. You see, I have this goal...I'm going to go to school, get my degree in a few years, get a nice job and buy me one of these...

Is that not a sweet ass car? OMG, I am in lust with those new cameros!! That picture is on my cell phone so that I can ogle it anytime I want and remind myself of my goal :). And yes, I want THAT one! Green with black racing stripes!

I am going to try this blogging thing again, without all the book talk on my end :).
Me and Devin went on a road trip yesterday to Erie, PA. I'll post about it tomorrow! That's non-book related, however there will be a small tiny mention of the bookstore, I think :).

I hope things have been well with you. I think things are getting better for me.

Emergency rooms and Stitches, OH MY!

2010-05-18T21:04:00.002-04:00

The joys of being a parent! I had my first emergency room experience today...yay me! It's like a milestone in parenthood. I breezed through it with flying colors, well, nearly flying colors. I'd say I get an E for effort at least!

Let me back track a bit. I was standing in the store when my husband called, telling me that the school just called and Devin needs to go to the emergency room. Huh?? He said that his little fingers were smashed in a door. I didn't really panic. I thought how bad could it be? I quickly paid for my stuff since I was done anyway. Drove 2 minutes to the school and rushed inside. Upon entering I hear little voices saying, "Look, it's Devin's mom." I guess I've spent a lot of time at his school over the years he's been there :). I walked in the nurses office. Devin was lying down, not looking so good. I saw the blood on his shirt and that's when I began to panic. The nurse carefully peeled away the gauze and, oh my goodness, my poor little baby's finger was a gnarled mess! Or at least to my eyes it was. Called the husband back immediately to tell him to meet us at the hospital. It was so cute, but Devin was embarrassed! The nurse wheeled him out to my car in a wheel chair :).

We drove to the emergency room, Devin had a few moments of panic, telling me that he hated his life. That he wished he could just live in a little box so that he never got hurt again. My baby :(. I hate when I can't take his pain away. But he was a trooper. I'm so proud of him. He may have had some moments where he cried as he imagined what the doctor would do to him. And I had no idea if stitches were needed. When the doc said he would need them (four total), Devin lost it all over again :(. And then again when he said that Devin may lose his fingernail! But whenever the doctor or nurses were around, Devin stayed strong through everything they did to him. He didn't even flinch when they stuck the needle in his little finger to numb it.

I can't say the same for myself however. When the doc was done, Devin sat up and that's when I began to feel queasy. I don't know, all of sudden my skin began to tingle. I got that sweaty sensation. I thought I was going to pass out. The doctor looked at me and told me to lay down. I grew extremely pale. The doc brought me a cup of water. That didn't work. One of the nurses came back in and she took one look at me and asked if I was okay. She got me a big glass of apple juice, and that did the trick. I think with the trauma of seeing my son going through something like this for the first time, and the fact that I was hungry caused me to go into a little bit of shock. When we were leaving the room another nurse who we hadn't seen was entering and she looked at me and asked I was going to be okay. Everyone kept saying how pale I was. It was the most bizarre thing to react that way to my son's injury. But we are home, and Devin is in good spirits.

We told Devin that this was like a rite of passage to manhood! That and hairy balls! Okay, that last bit is from Devin. I think it's a boy thing, the obsession with his balls :P. Sometimes I wish I had a girl...:).

On to other things, I'm one step closer to being enrolled in school this fall! The Medical Office Assistant program. I'm so excited about that. And then, last Thursday I hurt my back at work. I had already given them my notice, but gave them a few extra weeks to make sure that the girl replacing me was trained enough. I would have stayed on another week, but my damn back. It's doing better now, just have to watch how I move and what I lift. But it's okay, because I have an interview tomorrow at the mall working at mall customer service. I would love to be back at the mall. I really enjoyed working the calendar kiosk, seeing the people and interacting with them. It was fun and I loved going to work. I go to the mall and I miss working there. So I really hope I get this job.

Anything new and exciting going on with you?

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T07:30:00.002-04:00

Happy Mother's Day

to all of you!
Wishing you all a Beautiful day full of love and laughter!

Devin doesn't have much patience, so I didn't have to wait until today to get my lovely bag full of goodies from him! I think my child knows me better than my husband! Everything was entirely his idea, and he did such a great job :). The perfume is Lucky You, and I sure am lucky. Devin thought it was the most appropriate named 'pretties' (as we call it) to get me for Mother's Day. And I couldn't agree more. And then the Scottish shortbread cookies...yeah, my kid knows me! The James Patterson book, well, Devin has never forgotten how emotional I got when I read Suzanne's Diary For Nicholas, since I was bawling my eyes out when I got to 'the part'. He was only like 8 when I read it, so for him to pick out Sundays at Tiffany's, I thought it was pretty darn wonderful that he remembered! He does love me :)! And the card, it's one to treasure forever, or as long as the battery holds out. When you open it, it's a voice message from him wishing me a Happy Mother's day! You ain't gettin' any better than that, or at least not for me. It was perfect! My child is my sun, my heart, my life.

I love you, D!

Do you have any plans today? We don't do much, just go out to dinner somewhere :).

Happy Saturday!

2010-05-08T08:53:00.004-04:00

Wat up, homies?

lmao...my son says this to me in emails!

Happy Saturday! I hope you enjoy this Mother's Day Weekend :)

You and Me Could Write A Bad Romance...

2010-05-05T06:30:00.003-04:00

I have discovered over the last week or two that I like Lady Gaga! It actually took me awhile to accept this. My son was even shocked...calling me a traitor! But I have a strong suspicion that he is not far behind me in accepting the truth...I think he secretly likes her too :). When I told my husband that she has finally grown on me, he admitted something to me...He went out to his car and handed me one of her CD's! He never told me he had it! It was too funny!

Anyone else a fan of Lady Gaga?

April Reading List and a Few New Releases!

2010-05-03T15:30:00.001-04:00

So, I thought I'd post my April reading list too. Are you ready? It's a big one...gonna take me awhile to list them all...

1. Erin Grady - Whispers

Hmm, I guess it wasn't all that long! That's right, just one book for the entire month. But oh, it was a really good book! A dark and twisted tale of ghosts and curses. I looked forward to the moments that I actually had time to sit down and read. Erin Grady, aka Erin Quinn, is a favorite, a must read author. I love the eerie mood of Whispers, and how she shifted from the past to the present with two different stories until the end, pulling the mysteriousness of Diablo Springs and the characters together. Another fabulous read! Unfortunately, the book is out of print. I'm still trying to figure that one out!

I guess this is Erin Quinn day here on my blog :). Two posts about her books in one day! It feels good mentioning books that I have truly enjoyed.

Don't forget...Haunting Warrior releases tomorrow, May 4th. It's such a pretty cover, how could you not want it sitting on your shelf? :D

And while I'm talking about Haunting Warrior releasing tomorrow, there is one other book that I'm really looking forward to getting tomorrow also. The next Jennifer Fallon book, Gods of Amyrantha, book two in the Tide Lord series. I read the first one, Immortal Prince in March and loved it! Terrific fantasy novel, with a tiny dose of romance.

Haunting Warrior by Erin Quinn

2010-05-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

Haunting Warrior
by Erin Quinn
Available - May 4, 2010

www.erinquinn.com

First thing that came to mind when I turned the last page was how long must I wait for the third book, Haunting Desire! Erin Quinn won me over with Haunting Beauty and sealed the deal with this second installment centered again around the mysterious and evil Book of Fennore.

Haunting Warrior expands on the events that took place in Haunting Beauty regarding Rory and his father and the encounter they had with the Book of Fennore, which resulted in the sudden disappearance of Rory's father, Cathan. Ever since that terrifying experience with the book when Rory was five, he has not been the same. He grew rebellious and angry, and was eventually sent to live with his aunt in the US when he was twelve. Now thirty years old, Rory begins dreaming of a beautiful woman who haunts his sleeping hours.

After the death of Rory's grandmother and her prophetic visit, Rory travels back to Ireland to the Island of Fennore, a place he swore he'd never step foot again. During the funeral, he discovers that the woman he has dreamed about is not only haunting his sleeping hours but now his waking hours as well. She appears, luring him away from the funeral with her pleas for his help. But what he doesn't realize in order to help this mysterious woman until it's too late, is that Rory must travel back in time. And those first scenes as Rory is making that transition was just awesome. It was gradual, rather than a bam, here one second, there the next. A unique course of events, unlike anything I've ever read.

I think Erin Quinn is an amazing writer. She has such a talent for painting such vivid pictures with her prose. She's one of those authors that I love to read and I feel like I'm getting a treat, something special to get lost in.

Take a journey with Rory and Saraid to an ancient Ireland, where he rediscovers himself and a love he thought never to have. Haunting Warrior was both fascinating and compelling in its originality and the beautiful prose that sweep you along throughout the pages. This is a must read series, in my opinion!

Another 5 star read!

Take a look at my review for Haunting Beauty here!

Until next time...

My RT 2010 Experience!

2010-05-02T17:09:00.002-04:00

It's always such an experience going to one of these events. My mom and I always have a great time and leave with so many awesome memories and this one was the best one yet. You see, over the last year Amanda McIntyre has become a really great friend of mine, and while you share emails with someone and your thoughts, there's nothing like actually meeting and talking, then you really get a sense of their personality and Ms. Amanda McIntyre is one of those truly wonderful people (and she values my opinion :P). I thought I would be nervous meeting her, but I was not, because she is just one of those people. She makes you feel comfortable, very easy going. So getting to meet her was amazing.

(View from our room)

We left around 10 in the morning on Friday and arrived around 4 at our hotel. I managed to find that all right. It was parking I couldn't seem to find. But three people on the street and two phone calls to the hotel, we finally found out how to get to the underground parking for the Hyatt we stayed at. I actually didn't mind driving in the city of Columbus. Nothing so far has been as bad as my experience with Toronto! Oh that city will likely never see me again :). After we got checked in, we walked over to the Hyatt the convention was at and had a drink with Amanda and a few other ladies, Sahara Kelley was among them. We came back a little later for the Vampire Ball dinner that Amanda invited us to attend as her guests!

While standing in line, I noticed that one of the ladies behind us was one of the Lit Manor ladies, Kristi Astor! And she was with Sally MacKenzie. It was awesome talking to them while we had to wait for the doors to open! I still have yet to read anything by Kristi and I really need to fix that! I have an anthology that I won with both of them in it, Lords of Desire. I should read that one soon.

The dinner was a lot of fun! Although I am still wondering why in the slab of chicken breast that was on my plate was there a leg or wing bone attached to it! It looked kinda funny. The Heather Graham show that she puts together was funny, even if I wasn't sure what exactly was going on, but the Lady Gaga bit, that was hilarious. This young kid dressed up like Lady Gaga and I think Heather Graham's daughter sang Bad Romance while he danced around on stage mimicking Lady Gaga. I wish I was on top of things I could have recorded it. It was great!

A little later, Amanda walked us down to the bar and Leanna Renee Hieber was there too. Funny thing, I saw her down at Lori Foster's last year, but had no idea who she was! It wasn't until after I got home that I found out who she was. It was nice seeing her again and she loves talking about the Strangely Beautiful books. Makes you excited to read them!

Amanda gave me this bag full of Mr. Rodin goodies :)! I was like a kid in a candy store when I got back to my room that night! Thank you!

One final picture. Is that not awesome advertising for The Master and The Muses? Man, I LOVE that cover! And to see it so big as your going up or down the escalator? Well, needless to say it was very eye-catching and I'm certain it caught a lot of ladies eyes! And the wait isn't much longer, only about a month for Mr. Rodin and his muses ;). Again Amanda McIntyre's uniqueness shines as you journey through the eyes of his muses, experiencing his passionate and eccentric nature.

I think I'll do two posts and end this one here, since I'm tired. I think I brought more home than books and memories. My throat is soar and I feel like my body is fighting off a cold or something. Luckily I don't have to go back to work until Wednesday.

Until next time...

Howdy!

2010-04-27T20:25:00.000-04:00

Well hello there! So nice of you to drop by :). It's been so long since I signed into my google account I had to stop for a moment to remember my password! It's pretty dusty around here, nothing a little cleaning can't take care of.

Things have been a little...or rather, alot...out of whack these past few months. I have hardly read anything. Maybe I'm going through some kind of mid-life crisis or something. I miss my blog. I miss all of your blogs. I miss reading. My mom and I are going away this weekend to the RT convention for the signing Saturday and to hang out with the most awesome Amanda McIntyre Friday night. I'm psyched about that. I need this break something awful. And I'm hoping that being surrounded by so many other book lovers that it will reignite my passion again. I miss it dearly! I can't use work as an excuse anymore for my lack of reading. A lot of you do it everyday, and if you can do it, well, so can I!

I'm still working at Briarwood. Which reminds me, I went to see the lovely Anne Bishop again the other day and had to tell her about Briarwood! She thought it was funny. Anne didn't know back in March what she would be writing next, but I'm super happy to say that she is revisiting her Ephemera world! I'm thinking there really is no cure for Briarwood. It is the pretty poison. I can't seem to get away from the place. You see, I gave my notice that I was quitting and tomorrow was supposed to be my last day, but I am staying a few more weeks. I wonder what's going to happen when those few weeks pass, will I still be there? I just don't want to leave them in a bind, you know. And there is this other job that I am hoping to get but the position doesn't open til the end of May. So I have time that I can stay at Briarwood for a bit longer.

And then the other day, my husband was diagnosed with Diabetes :(. He started not feeling well a few months ago, and lost several pounds. He went to the doc, had some blood work done and his glucose was ridiculously high. So now he's on meds for that.

I hope to start a routine with visiting all your blogs again like I used to. I need to learn how to manage my time better, but sometimes I'm just so tired after working all day. I'd rather just watch a movie than try to read. It hurts my eyes and I'm nearly asleep after only a few pages...and it has nothing to do with the content and writing! My job at the calendar kiosk was nothing compared to this job cooking! I suppose my body is getting used to the hard work, but damn it, I don't want to get used to it! But I do get lots of yummy desserts to eat everyday!

Anyway, I'm going to try and be a better blogger. Heck, I've been away so long it seems, most of you might not even care about lil ole me anymore :P. I hope not though, because I do miss you all! And I have books to talk about...not yet, but soon...I hope anyway! LOL Well, there is one book that I have a review for that I'll be posting soon. I loved it! And the first one. Haunting Warrior by Erin Quinn! She is such an amazing writer. I'm actually reading another of her books now. Whispers, under her other name, Erin Grady. Fabulous also, and like I mentioned to her, I cannot figure out why the book is out of print. It's eerie and suspenseful...very well done. Maybe I'll finish it soon!

I hope you all have a wonderful night!

Until next time...

Some New Covers I Recently Discovered

2010-03-28T18:45:00.000-04:00

Briarwood IS the pretty poison! There IS no cure for Briarwood!

That line from Daughter of the Blood holds a WHOLE new meaning for me now!! LMAO! And even though I am not enjoying my new job, it is still a MUCH better place than the other Briarwood.

But on to other happier things, I discovered this new cover art for the next Crosspointe book by Diana Pharaoh Francis yesterday. I've been waiting for this one. I think she has beautiful covers, and is an amazing writer. And the wait isn't too much longer. It'll be out in June!

There is one other book that I am totally psyched to get also. Anna let me know about this one a few weeks ago. I'm usually up on these things, but this one got past me until she told me about it. The fourth GA Aiken Dragon Kin book is scheduled to release in September! She is so awesome! The best and funniest dragons I've ever read.

LAST DRAGON STANDING
Publisher: Kensington Zebra
Release Date: September 2010
Click here for excerpt

I know what they see when they look at me. The charming, soft-spoken dragoness bred from the most powerful of royal bloodlines. A disguise stronger than any battle shield that allows me to keep all suitors at tail's length. A technique that's worked until him. Until Ragnar the Cunning, handsome barbarian warlord and warrior mage from the desolate Northlands. Unlike those who've come before him, he does not simply submit to my astounding charm and devastating smile. Instead, he dismisses me as vapid, useless and, to my great annoyance, rather stupid!

Yet I'll allow no male to dismiss me. Soon he'll learn my worth, my many skills, and the strength of my will. For this one challenges me enough to make me want to ruthlessly taunt him, tease him and, finally, when the trap is set, bring him to his knees.

---------------------------

Ohhh, doesn't that sound Gooood??? Keita the Viper and Ragnar the Cunning...this one's going to be quite entertaining. But I find them all engaging and humorous! Laugh-out-loud funny! Gwenvael and Dagmar are my favorite though. Gwenvael, poor misunderstood Gwenvael. How can you not like him??

I hope ya'll had a nice weekend. I really enjoyed mine, since I didn't have to work.

Until next time...

The Truths are Revealed...

2010-03-24T11:51:00.009-04:00

I'm off today and I said I'd post the answers to my meme. Only one got them both right! Anna! The right statements were 1 and 7! I did live in Germany for 3 years, from 1985 to 1988. My step-dad was in the service and I went to 4th, 5th, and 6th grade there! Ahh there are so many memories that I treasure from that time in my life. There were lots of bad, but so many things that I hold dear to me. And the funny thing, right after I posted this meme, I discovered a group on Facebook that was started by a girl I went to school with. We were in the 5th grade together. I didn't remember her at first but as soon as she mentioned something we used to do together, I immediately remembered her. We were so bad! We used to sneak over to her house, well it was apartment buildigns we lived in, and we would smoke during school hours! She lived right across from the school. And then I found another friend, we were best friends through 5th and 6th grade! We were inseparable until we moved back state side. It was such an amazing feeling reuniting with these two women!

That castle up there, we used to live only a few minutes walk to it before we moved to Sportfield housing, which is where I met Brooke and Yamill. Me and my sister used to walk there a lot :). You had to wear these slippers over your shoes so that you didn't mar the floors when you went inside.

And below is a picture of Sportfield Housing that we lived in for over two years! I couldn't find any other pictures on the internet. I wanted to find one of the elementary school but I couldn't. It was just two rows of several very large apartment buildings. All inside a fenced in area. At one end was a wooden park and at the other was the elementary school. Across the street was one of the military posts, Pioneer Kaserne. My step-dad didn't work at that one though. He worked at Fliegerhurst Kaserne. I don't believe either one of them are in use today.
Hmm, I wonder if one of those is the building I lived in? I don't think so, but you never know. It was a long time ago!

Speaking of facebook, it brings me to the other right answer...I'm addicted to Cafe World! Yes, it's true. Totally addicted! I plan my cooking schedule based around the times I know I will be home so my food doesn't spoil! I have a routine down now. I don't even know why I like it. I don't like cooking! Which makes me wonder WHY I even took this job of mine cooking in an assisted living home!!! Sometimes I wonder where my brain is!!

For those of you that said 4, you were close. I made that one a little tricky! We did hit a deer two years ago on the way back from my Birthday outing, but last year, we only just missed hitting one. It was so close though! We had laughed and joked about how funny it would be if we hit another one, of course it wouldn't REALLY be funny, and then when we were just about home a deer ran out in front of us but we missed him! Talk about strange!!

Thanks for all your guesses! And since Blodeuedd was the first one to get one of the right answers, and Anna says she doesn't want anything, Blodeuedd is the winner! Of what I have no clue! LOL :P. Maybe a bookthong? I can get one mailed out to you soon :).

So there you have it, two things you didn't know about me :). I hope you all are enjoying your Wednesday. It's nice having the day off! I haven't done much of anything, but that's okay!

Until next time...

OH! And BTW, Donna, Dottie, Anna and my son Devin are the wait staff in my Cafe World Restaurant! So if you're a friend of mine on Facebook, you're gonna be working for me at some point ;). Linda, I've already hired and fired you, girl!

Truth or Lie Meme and other news...

2010-03-21T12:20:00.001-04:00

Tracy tagged me a while ago for this Truth and Lies meme! Two of the below statements are true and eight of them are lies...can you guess the two that are true?? Took me awhile to think up some lies, but I did it, now it's your turn. And I thought to add a little prize to whomever may get the right answers. I don't know what the prize will be...a book, perhaps? I have plenty of those! I saw that Christine added a little contest to her meme post, so why not. It's always fun to win things. And if no one gets the right answers, well, we'll see :).

So, you pick two <---Kinda like at Panera Bread :P -- that you think are true!

1. I lived in Germany for 3 years.
2. I've been married twice.
3. When I was eight, I fell out of a tree and broke my arm.
4. We hit a deer two years in a row on our way home from my Birthday dinner outing.
5. I don't like books or reading...who has time for that?? I'd much rather sit and waste the day away watching the TV.
6. I was born and raised right here in Lockport, NY.
7. I am addicted to Cafe World on Facebook.
8. I have two kids...one with my current husband, and one with my previous husband.
9. I love to bake...cookies, cakes, pies, you name it, I bake it!
10. I am the youngest of my my other two siblings.

And now I have to tag 5 more people.

Anna
Ladybug
Leontine
Erotic Horizon
Donna

Of course, you don't have to play. Totally up to you :).

On to other news. I made it through my first week of work at Briarwood...still sounds funny to say that I work at a place called Briarwood! It was all right. A lot of stuff to remember and everyday is something different. But the months do repeat themselves, so eventually I'll get the hang of it all I suppose. It's tough when your the new person. Everyone already knows everyone and they know the residents. Sometimes it kinda makes me feel out of place when I have no idea who they're talking about.

It's been so long since I worked an eight hour shift, at least 15 years. Needless to say I was tired after work :). But I think I like it. I don't love it, but I like it. One thing really sucks, I'm left handed and most everything seems set up for a right handed person. I have to adjust to sometimes working backward. And then there are the right handed scoopers that I cannot use with one hand. Hopefully the supervisor will order me some left handed ones so that I don't have to use both my hands to press the lever! When your scooping up to 150 scoops, your hand gets tired when you can't do it the right way!

I'm still reading Haunting Warrior. Awesome book so far. It seems like I've been reading it forever! I just don't have that much time to read anymore :(. But I gotta say that Erin Quinn has a beautiful writing voice. She sure knows how to create an extremely vivid scene with her prose. This second one is tied in with the first one that came out last year, Haunting Beauty. Loved that one too!

And by the way...Happy Spring! It's not very warm today, but it's coming :). My spring flowers are a few inches out of the ground now. I forgot I planted them in my front yard garden last Spring! So I was pleasantly surprised last week when the snow all melted and I saw them peeking out of the ground.

Anything new with all of you? Any good reads?

Bookmark Winners!

2010-03-16T21:00:00.001-04:00

Thank you all so much for stopping by and leaving a comment for some book thongs. I have two sets to giveaway! As shown in the picture below. (Book not included...:P)

And the winners are...

Becky and Dottie!

Congratulations to both of you! I hope you enjoy them!

Bookmarks...Bookmarks...and More Bookmarks!

2010-03-15T09:42:00.005-04:00

I saw this post over at Ladybug's blog and since I love bookmarks, I thought I'd join in and share my collection of bookmarks, and maybe do a little shopping for some more and even enter for a chance to win some unique handmade bookmarks. You can learn more here! The Bibliophilic Book Blog is showcasing several different Etsy Stores that specialize in beautiful handmade bookmarks! You are bound to find one that you just gotta have!

This is one of my favorites that I made in honor of Daemon Sadi...otherwise known as the Sadist!

And this one is in honor of my blog! I found it browsing the internet one day and had to have it :).

And to celebrate this awesome day with The Bibliophilic Book blog, I thought to have a small giveaway myself for one of my handmade bookthongs as well as these really pretty ones that I picked up at Borders before my store closed. If you're interested just leave me a comment and a way to get in touch with you if your name should be picked. Might even have more than one winner :).

Shalador's Lady by Anne Bishop

2010-03-14T20:34:00.005-04:00

Shalador's Lady
by Anne Bishop
March 2010

www.annebishop.com

Finally! I read and FINISHED a book! I wasn't sure if it was ever going to happen. I hadn't finished a book in almost two months :(. But leave it to Anne Bishop to pull me right out of my melancholic mood. I think my reading groove is back (and maybe even blogging).

Shalador's Lady is an outstanding conclusion to the fate of Dena Nehele and its people. And these two books, The Shadow Queen and Shalador's Lady are awesome follow-ups to The Invisible Ring, as it concludes the fate of the Shaladoran's after their fight and struggle that the influence of Dorothea, from the original trilogy, caused.

I have to admit that the first book in this duology, The Shadow Queen, had its weak moments for me, in that there was a lot of focus on older characters, taking away from the new ones, and I wondered if that weakness would continue. It did not! So many things I loved about this book. The characters, the Scelties, the way the old characters blended so perfectly into the plot with Cassidy and her court as she restores the Old Ways in Dena Nehele. And of course the relationship between Cassidy and Grey!

Cassidy and her first circle are front and center and they shine. Cassidy's fears of rejection still torment her as her rival, Kermilla, the self-centered vile Queen who stole her first court right out from under her, travels to Dena Nehele to ask Cassidy a favor. But what transpires due to Kermilla's presence drove this story and gave it depth. It allowed Cassidy to look within herself and at the men who have sworn to defend and protect her as her first circle is suppose to do, and realize that she is worth the loyalty they give her. And as they stand and fight for her, she must stand and fight for them.

One thing I do miss in the books since the original trilogy is that dark grittiness, those sometimes disturbingly gruesome scenes. I have not encountered that intensity in the last three novels, but that's not to say that I did not enjoy them. I did. Very much so. I love being given the opportunity to explore the Blood and the Magic that makes up the Black Jewels world, learning about different aspects of the people who live within the Realms.

This was definitely a remarkably amazing addition to my Black Jewels collection! If you're hesitant to read this one...DON'T BE!!

Shalador's Lady and it's predecessor, The Shadow Queen, is not the Black Jewels trilogy, but it is still a fascinating journey into the Realms of the Blood. I realized when I finished reading this one that my hang-up with the books since the original trilogy really are not warranted. I always find myself wanting to compare, but there is no comparison, and it's not fair to compare. And I think for me while I compared Tangled Webs and The Shadow Queen to the trilogy, I was missing out, not fully enjoying these new installments in the Realms. The trilogy will always stand apart and above. And I'm glad for that, because it continues to keep those three books on a level of wonderment for me. I don't compare other books by other authors to the trilogy so why should I with other books in this series?

Hell's Fire, Mother Night, and May the Darkness Be Merciful!

I do have some news that I gleaned from Anne Bishop at her signing. News about her next book. It's going to be another collection of short stories as with Dreams Made Flesh. The last story in the book is how Daemon copes without Jaenelle. Yes, that's right, without Jaenelle. It's something I had wondered about from time to time. You see, Jaenelle is not one of the long lived races, yet Daemon is. And even though Jaenelle is Witch, she is still mortal. So the last story in that collection is sure to rip my heart out :(. I asked Anne how it affected her to write that, if it made her cry, and all she said was that she was still in mourning. Sigh...Daemon without his Jaenelle! I just can't even imagine it :(. But like she did add, some things have to come to an end. It brings closure for her, as well as the reader. You can only go so far for so long with the same characters before you have to move on. It'll be interesting to read, without a doubt.

Until next time...

A New Job and Anne Bishop...

2010-02-27T09:13:00.000-05:00

Howdy :). It's been awhile. Sort of been in this funk with blogging and reading since I lost my job at the bookstore. But I do have good news. I have another job! It'll be a couple of weeks before I start. Have to get a physical and fingerprinted and a few other things. I'll be working in a retirement home, cooking. I never thought I would do something like that, but heck, the pay is good (more than I've ever made), and I need a job!

There is one thing that I find extremely bizarre about this retirement home. The name of it's Briarwood. For those of you who know, Briarwood is the pretty poison. There is no cure for Briarwood! And if you didn't know, that is from Anne Bishop's Black Jewels trilogy. Briarwood is an incredibly disturbing place, and it is one of the main components in Daughter of the Blood that makes it such a dark and emotionally intense read. Considering my fascination with Anne Bishop's realms of the Blood, I found it very interesting that I would find employment at a place with that name, a place that is absolutely unforgettable, in the worst sort of way.

I just recently reread Daughter of the Blood and Queen of the Darkness. I often wonder what it is about the Black Jewels trilogy that draws me to it like no other books have ever done. I've never felt compelled to reread a book the way I am with Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadows, and Queen of the Darkness. But what is it that's in those books that's not in another? It has the good vs. evil like many other books I've read. It has the man and woman who fall in love, again like so many other books I've read, but what is so special about this book that sets it apart from the rest for me?

"Everyone knows I'm different. It just doesn't matter to some - and it matters a lot to others." A tear slipped down her cheek. "Why am I different?"
Daemon looked away. Oh, child. How could he explain that she was dreams made flesh? That for some of them, she made the blood in their veins sing? That she was a kind of magic the Blood hadn't seen in so very, very long? - Daughter of the Blood

Maybe it's the demeanor of the characters or word choices used. Daemon, when nearing his killing rage will speak calmly and quietly, and often times with his hands in his trouser pockets, with a lazy smile lifting the edges of his lips. But what gives his highly volatile state away are his eyes. The cold and glazed look in his eyes. Daemon Sadi has the most casual yet intense persona, the most vivid and remembered character I have ever read. And even though he may be the most powerful Warlord Prince, he has an incredibly vulnerable side. His love and dedication to Jeanelle is boundless. He is hers, always and forever.

"Daemon opened Cornelia's door, closed it behind him, calmly tugged his shirt cuffs into place and then smashed his fist into the wall.
Lucivar felt the mansion shudder as the power of the Black Jewel surged into the wall.
"Daemon?"
Daemon tugged his shirt cuffs down once more. When he finally looked at Lucivar, his eyes were cold and glazed as a murky gemstone - and no more human.
Daemon smiled.
Lucivar shivered." -Daughter of the Blood

Maybe it's the familial structure that has formed between Jeanelle, Saetan, Lucivar, Surreal and others that make up her first circle. There is a line between Queen and family, and that line is always being explored. It adds a depth to each of the characters, seeing the two sides of them and how they interact with one another. Especially so with Jeanelle and Saetan, and Jeanelle and Lucivar. Saeten being her adopted father and Lucivar her adopted brother. It's always known before an issue is addressed if it's Court or personal, and if not, it's asked. It's interesting to see the difference in Jaenelle, how quickly she can go from being Jaenelle to Witch, when necessary.

"Then who is going to war with Terreille?"
Jaenelle turned around.
For the first time, they were seeing the dream beneath the flesh. Karla stared at the pointed ears that had come from the Dea al Mon, the hands with sheathed claws that had come from the Tigre, the hooves peeking out from beneath the black gown that could have come from the centaurs or the horses or the unicorns. Most of all, she stared at the tiny spiral horn.
The living myth. Dreams made flesh. But, oh, had any of them really thought about who the dreamers had been?
Karla quietly cleared her throat to ask the question she suddenly hoped wouldn't be answered. "Who is going to war with Tereille?"
"I am," Witch said." - Queen of the Darkness

If there is any world I would love to visit, it is definitely this one. I wonder if Peter Jackson knows about this trilogy? Could you imagine? His visionary brilliance in The Lord of the Rings knocked my socks off! He could turn this trilogy into one hell of a three part movie. I could care less if another movie was ever made! It would be epic...beyond epic. Orgasm inducing epic! Peter Jackson masterfully captures the visionary brilliance and emotional poignancy of Anne Bishop's Black Jewels world in Daughter of the Blood, the first movie in an epic trilogy you don't want to miss! Coming this Fall to a theater near you! Okay, I'm delusional, but, oh it's such a fun place to be!

It's been five years since I first journeyed into this amazing world, and I don't think I've ever left it! It's always there, popping in my head. And now it seems my new place of employment will be a constant reminder...Briarwood!

I hope all has been well with all of you. Winter's almost over, but you wouldn't know that here. We've gotten several inches of snow the last few days and it's not done yet. It looks pretty though. In a few more days, however, it'll have that yucky dirty look. But soon the buds will begin to appear on the trees, the grass will begin to turn that beautiful shade of green that I so dearly miss in the winter, and the birds! the birds will begin to chirp, singing their songs. I can't wait!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Calling All Anne Bishop Fans!

2010-02-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

I've been out of touch lately, but I have to share this! If you live in the WNY area, the amazing Anne Bishop will be doing a reading/signing of her upcoming release of Shalador's Lady on March 6th at the Borders on Walden Ave. near Buffalo! I was super psyched yesterday when I checked to see what the hours were for the big Borders (since my store is closed now) for my new release book run with my mom. I happen to look to see what events were coming up and I saw this...

Anne Bishop

Shalador's Lady

Return to the world of the national bestselling Black Jewels novels in this sequel to The Shadow Queen.

March 06, 2010 2:00 PM

Cheektowaga - Borders
2015 Walden Ave.
Cheektowaga, NY 14225

For years the Shalador people suffered the cruelties of the corrupt Queens who ruled them, forbidding their traditions, punishing those who dared show defiance, and forcing many more into hiding. Now that their land has been cleansed of tainted Blood, the Rose-Jeweled Queen, Lady Cassidy, makes it her duty to restore it and prove her ability to rule. But even if Lady Cassidy succeeds, other dangers await.

~~~~~~~~~~

I am so excited! It'll be the third time I've been to meet her, and, well, I can't wait! I don't know if there are any of you that live near enough, but if you do, stop by!

I did get three of the books I have been wanting. Dare to Surrender by Lilli Feisty, Moon Craving by Lucy Monroe, and I picked up another Jennifer Fallon book, Medalon. I read Ms. Fallon's The Immortal Prince and absolutely LOVED it! She is one amazingly gifted lady. It appeased my fantasy lovin heart! And even had a bit of romance tossed into the mix.

I hope all has been well with everyone :). Did you get any new books lately?

R.A. Salvatore - Sojourn: The Legend of Drizzt Book III

2010-01-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

Sojourn
The Legend of Drizzt Book Three
by R.A. Salvatore

Drizzt Do'Urden is an enigma of his race of Dark Elves. He carries inside him a conscience. Something that none of his people can claim, even his father Zaknafein, but at least he knew the things he did were evil and vile. He hoped that in his son, Drizzt, he could make right his wrongs, and amazingly enough, he did. He instilled in the few short years he had in training him in the art of weaponry and fighting, morals and to think for himself, rationalize and know right from wrong. But in so doing, Zaknafein's tutelage sentenced Drizzt to a very lonely solitary existence. For having a conscience within the drow society is a death sentence.

In book one of The Dark Elf trilogy, Drizzt is born, and as he grows he sees how disturbing and cruel his people are and eventually it's his death they want. In book two, Drizzt is alone and on his own with his panther companion. They travel the tunnels of the underdark alone, until he makes a few unusual friendships. But Drizzt soon realizes that there is nowhere he can go to escape the wrath of his family. The underworld is no longer his home. Drizzt heads to the above world, a place he's only seen once, and under terrible circumstances.

For months Drizzt watches from his cave home. And one day he spies a farm and the family that occupies it. He wants what he sees. The teasing, the rough-housing, the friendships. The love. But it would seem that Drizzt is not destined for those things yet. Oh and how badly I felt Drizzt's longing to belong. To find a place in this new world, but due to his dark elf appearance (because really in all other aspects of the drow, Drizzt is nothing like them), he is condemned and hunted. His people are feared in the above world, and all the humans and other creatures see is the terror and violence and hatred that the Dark Elves have created with their behavior.

"If only he could find acceptance among those who so hated-as he himself hated-the ways of his dark people, then Drizzt Do'Urden would be at peace." Sojourn, 1991~

Throughout the course of this trilogy, Drizzt has became an exceedingly vivid and amazing character. He has faults, but he stands for all that is good. He is brave. He is strong. He wants acceptance and to be at peace within himself and with the above world inhabitants. Drizzt has become one of my favorite characters. I loved reading about his trials as he journeys in search of a place to call home through the wide world of pain and joy, so says the wise old blind ranger. The trilogy eneded on a happy note, after so much fighting and death.

This first trilogy in the Legend of Drizzt may have come to an end, but I have the next three boxed sets to get lost in. And get lost in I plan on doing over the course of the year!

Thanks again, Donna, for such a fabulous recommendation!