Austenland by Shannon Hale

Attention Jane Austen fans! Here's a treat for you.

Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane’s fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined.

Decked out in empire-waist gowns, Jane struggles to master Regency etiquette and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen—or maybe even, she suspects, with the actors who are playing them. It’s all a game, Jane knows. And yet the longer she stays, the more her insecurities seem to fall away, and the more she wonders: Is she about to kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

This thoroughly enjoyable story is one that you'll finish all too soon and will be left wanting more from Mrs. Hale. Luckily for you the sequel Midnight In Austenland just came out, so you can enjoy another enchanting tale by this very busy and talented author, who by the way went to high school with me!
  Yes, I'm gonna brag!
She even used my maiden name in the book (Riboldi, you'll have to look for it of course, because I won't give out any spoilers here). But yep, we were friends in high school, and somewhere in the back of her mind while she was looking for funny names to give to her characters, my last name must have crept up and she used it. Shannon was in fact, one of the first people I remember meeting when I first moved to the U.S.  She was kind and found the time to be interested in a blond, South American, who spoke very little English. I distinctly remember showing a skinny, tall, redhead, the face of my Benetton watch (that had a map of the world) and telling her where Argentina was.

Since high school, Shannon has kept very busy getting degrees, having a family and writing many books, one of them The Princess Academy, that won a "Newbery" award!

Still to come:

A movie for Austenland is currently in the works, so for those of you who like to read a book and then watch the movie, keep a lookout for this one. It's being directed by Jerusha Hess (Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre) and produced by the one and only Stephenie Meyer!

~The Supernatural Chick~

Feels Like the First Time by Shawn Inmon

Here is a story that is so real and full of memories for anyone who can relate to the 60s and 70s era and music. But mostly, Shawn's own memories of his first, last and only real love. Beginning in present time and taking you back, Shawn Inmon makes the transition memorable. If you were too  young to remember the time, this book will give you a real picture of what it was like back then.

This true story by author Shawn Inmon took me way back to a time in my life that I miss dearly. In his book, Feels Like the First Time, memories flooded my way with his descriptive scenes and mention of music that can only be considered classics of an era gone by. From the cover to the very last page, Shawn takes you through the time period of the 60s through the present, while his story of love unfolds.

     In a little town called Mossyrock, Shawn meets and falls in love with Dawn Adele when her family moves into the house next door. They grew up together and learned things about life and love, before their relationship was halted by Dawn Adele's parents. Three decades later, a chance meeting brings them together again. Can Shawn and Dawn Adele's love pick-up where it left off, so many tears ago? Will you become a believer in fate? Shawn Inmon proves that true love does exist in this wonderfully romantic story of misunderstandings, heartbreak, and finally true happiness.


If you've grown up in the early setting of this book, reading it will be like a walk down memory lane. 
This true story by author Shawn Inmon took me way back to a time in my life that I miss dearly. In his book, Feels Like the First Time, memories flooded my way with his descriptive scenes and mention of music that can only be considered classics of an era gone by. From the cover to the very last page, Shawn takes you through the time period of the 60s through the present, while his story of love unfolds.

If you've grown up in the early setting of this book, reading it will be like a walk down memory lane. 

Here is where you can get your hands on a copy. 

And, here is where you can visit Shawn. Go on over and "like" his page. :-)
 

My Ridiculous Romantic Obsessions, 

by Becca Wilhite

Yes, this is a girl-meets-boy story, but the boy is totally hot while the girl is, at best, average. (Except for my wild, Medusa-curls. Ugh.) And yes, there is a misunderstanding, and a villainous outlaw, and a timely confession of love . . . well, okay, fine. It's totally a romance novel. But please note, there is no scantily-clad woman on the cover wilting into the arms of a muscular pirate; I'm not that kind of girl.

I'm a normal, everyday girl. And I can't understand why Ben — who is hot as a Greek god — wants to be my friend. Is it because we both play the guitar? Like the same flavors of ice cream? Laugh at the same jokes? Or does he want to hang around strictly so I'll help him with his homework? I hope not because I've been there, done that, and gotten burned. Not interested, thanks.

But I am interested in Ben. He's a real gentleman — a true romance novel here. (It's like Mr. Darcy signed up for my art history class.) Is it possible that this is the real thing? Or have my ridiculous, romantic obsessions gotten the best of me — again?

I found this book at a second hand book store, I must say two dollars well spent. The romance is sweet and clean, so I highly recommend it for young readers too. At only 181 pages this is certainly a light read, but don't let that fool you, this book is good for the abs. Its easy humor transformed my mood and had me laughing out loud with every page. 

 

A new release ~ Quail Crossings

by Jennifer McMurrain

An excerpt from Quail Crossings:

"Elmer watched his sister storm out of the house, squeal at the sky, and then stomp off in the direction of the barn. He shook his head. She made absolutely no sense to him. Here they were with a warm house, honest work, and good food in their bellies, and she was acting like they were being tortured by giant mutant ants.

Putting the slop bucket back in the shed, Elmer headed out to the orchard with Freckles. He knew James was ready to sell the dogs, but so far they had no takers. He really wanted to show people what his dogs could do, but understood a dog was more of a luxury than a necessity now-a-days. Freckles stuck close to his right side, waiting for a command, but Elmer wasn't in the mood to train today. He was in the mood for an adventure.

here

He slid the shotgun under his arm and started walking south east from the orchard. He wished he had a shoulder holster like Jack Armstrong. A good adventurer always had his hands free in case he had to wrestle a tiger or bear, or to catch a damsel in distress as she hung from a towering cliff.

He thought of Tiny as his damsel and quickly pushed the thought away. Tiny would never be a damsel in distress. If she was hanging from a towering cliff, she’d just scramble up the side like it was nothing, instead of waiting for some man to catch her. That was one of the reasons he liked Tiny, she was fearless and didn’t mind getting dirty when the occasion called for it."


To learn more about Jennifer McMurrain

visit her at here.

Available at Amazon.com September 5, 2012

Drum roll please.

Here's the exciting conclusion to my short story "Tech-nesh".  If you haven't already read chapters 1-5, don't spoil the ending for yourself, they are in my earlier posts. Thank you to all who have been staying with me through this, its been a lot of fun writing it and reading your helpful, kind comments. Enjoy!

6.

            He drove to the only place he could think of, a new subdivision near his apartment. Only a couple of homes were under construction in the deep cul-de-sac that Ben pulled into. The empty house frames loomed in the dim street lamp light like wooden skeletons.

            Ben closed his cell phone, pleased with the performance he had just delivered to the 911 operator. The police were on their way, now to make good on his story. Ben popped the trunk and exited the car. He lifted the trunk lid and shifted the body so that he could lift it and lay it on the sidewalk where Ben had told the police he had been attacked. The neck twisted abnormally, raising Ben’s suspicions. He pressed two fingers against the cool skin searching for a pulse. None could be found. Ben leaned into the trunk to lay his head on the man’s chest. No heart beat. Shock washed over him momentarily as he pieced this together. Then he shrugged, Just as well he thought. This could all be explained away to the police.

            Ben began to lift the body when he felt a wallet sized bulge inside a back pocket. Curiosity grew inside him. What does a mass murderer keep in his wallet? He wondered, as he pulled it out. With it came a small envelope. He opened the black leather to reveal a police detective badge and ID. Aw, a crooked cop Ben thought scandalously as he examined the name on the badge. It read Mark Bolin, homicide. Ben opened the envelope hoping for an explanation. He unfolded the note inside and began to read it in the dim glow of the street light.

            Dear Stacy,

    I hope you can forgive me for using a letter as my first contact with you. What I have to tell you will come as a complete shock and I have struggled for the right way to do it. When I first found you, your husband had just passed away. I came to the funeral but it just didn’t seem to be the right time and then you moved suddenly and I had to find you all over again. I even came to your office a couple of times but chickened out. 

     Stacy, I know you think you lost your family to that bear attack when you were little but I wasn’t killed, I ran into the woods and got lost for a week before I was found. I would love to explain everything and finally get to know you if It is something you want. So I leave the ball in your court. I will wait in the café on the corner of Walnut and Elm this Saturday at 12:00. I hope you will come. We are our only family.

                                                                               Your brother, Mark Bolin

           

            The earth under Ben’s feet seemed to shift and jerk; the dark scenery spinning all around him as the truth unfolded. Her brother? He thought, frantically looking between the photo on the badge and the dead man in his trunk. There was an unarguable resemblance to Stacy. How is this possible? All his assurances, all the clues were now unraveling, painfully in his mind into mere assertions. Those pilfered files in his apartment weren’t the articles collected by a sick mad man but pieces of detective Mark Bolin’s case file that had managed to survive from a hard drive wipe. And now he’s dead, never to finish the case, never to meet his sister.  “Oh, Stacy” Ben clutched his fingers into his unkempt hair while a hole expanded inside him from the loss of something he never had, for someone who never even knew of his existence. He was no longer the hero of his own unlikely love story. “I’m the bad guy”, he spoke slowly as the realization sank in, pulling him to his knees. His head began to pound with anxiety and dread acerbated only by the urgent sound of the police sirens that were fast approaching.     

 The End

Hardin's Legacy ~ Endeavor to Do Right by R. Dale Bunch

                   

A wonderful work of historical fiction..... 

                 

Hardin's Legacy is a novel based upon the Hammond family history  preserved throughout the years. It is one man's account of success. compassion, love and tragedy. He possessed the values and philosophy of his life's motto, "endeavor to do right."


As I read through the pages of this book, I was taken back to a time I had never known, other than from reading about in history books, but it soon became a place I was very comfortable being. The characters are vivid with a depth of reality. And, as a diamond has many facets, so does the work of R. Dale Bunch. His ability to turn the experiences of his family during the Civil War into a poignant and earthy novel, not only shows his creativity as an author, but since he has cleverly summarized each chapter with a poem, his talent as a poet is exhibited, as well. Except for "Lasca" the Texas folklore poem, all poetry is written by the author. Here is a sample of the poetry you will find in his book.

                         Leaving

     It's hard to leave the friends you've found;

    Change in life isn't always fair.

    You set your sights on familiar ground,

    Pack up your horse and leave for there.

    But wait; what about the love you feel?

    Time ran out, changed everything.

    Back down the road you steal,

    Feeling the loss, enduring the sting.
 

In August of 1862, the Hammond family was removed from the only home they'd ever known, by Federal soldiers..........and the story continues in Hardin's Legacy ~ Endeavor to Do Right.

An excerpt:

      "Hardin could feel the alertness in the little horse. He sensed danger.

     'Yeah, better get going. It's a long way to Quincy. It can be dangerous, too.' The man had a smirk on his face when he said it.

     Hardin felt fear deep inside. if they tried to rob him now, he had a chance with his rifle. But if they followed him, they would most likely come after him in the dark.

    Hardin turned and started walking Brownie down the road. The men sat on their horses without even pretending to continue in the direction they had been traveling. They were still there talking to each other when Hardin and Brownie rounded the bend in the road. 

   'They will probably follow me,' Hardin thought.

    He glanced back now and then and saw dust in the distance from their horses. He would have to be ready after dark. He was sure that they planned to rob him; they probably meant to kill him, too. Out there in the country, no one would ever catch them. He was in a tight spot." 

About the Author:

R. Dale Bunch is the former president of Midstate College in Peoria, Illinois. His love for nature is shared by his daughter, two sons, three step-sons, and their families. It is no surprise then, that he would live on a 40-acre farm reminiscent of the Missouri landscape that he loved to roam as a young boy.

This novel may be purchased at Amazon.com by clicking here.

Enjoy,

  The Ethereal Chick

Congratulations!

 To Kelly Hashway, the random winner of one copy of Living Soul for the great Summer Blog Hop! 

Many thanks to everyone that participated, please come by and visit any time.

~The Chicks In Lit.~

Summer Blog Hop

The Chicks In Lit. are exited to be participating in this summer's blog hop hosted by  I'm A Reader Not a Writer and Bookhounds

We will be giving away S.B.Niccum's YA Paranormal book, Living Soul.

Veiled from her previous existence as a gifted Angel, Tess is now a mere mortal growing up in foster care with her autistic foster brother, Dorian, and a twisted foster sister, Agatha—whose main goal in life is to torture them both. 


Tess’ life has been dull and average at best; but all that changes with one look.  When she inadvertently gazes into the eyes of the most popular guy in school—Alex Preston—Tess sees a glimpse of her previous existence. 


Uncomprehending, Tess, wonders what those memories are and why she now feels like she knows Alex better than anyone in this world.  More importantly, why is he haunting her dreams?  Dreams so vivid, that they blur the lines of reality, awakening a slew of inexplicable paranormal abilities she didn’t know she possessed.


Frustrated and confused, Tess lives a double life… one where Alex has a girlfriend and Tess is a normal high school girl.  And another, where spirits, visions, and dreams are true. 


Is she going crazy or is she secretly dating Alex in her dreams?

All you have to do is follow our blog and leave us a comment letting us know you're a new follower. 

Short Story Chapter 5

Here's my fifth installment of Tech- nesh. One more to go. Chapters 1-4 are in my earlier posts. thank you for reading it and thanks for the great comments! 

5.

            Without a thought for his own life Ben pulled the taser gun out of the glove box and quietly got out of his car. The right plan of action flowed into his mind like perfection only can. The murderer just twenty steps in front of him. For the first time in his life he felt strong and fearless. Her alabaster face sat at the back of his mind, empowering every step. Closer and closer he crept like a panther for it’s pray. Now only a few feet separated them. But then, Ben’s foot falls betrayed him. The man turned, and seeing the weapon in Ben’s hand, took a defensive stance. They both took a second to appraise each other. The killer was a head shorter than Ben but twice as wide and from the quickness of his step and the muscle tone in the arms that were raised in defense, this man clearly knew how to fight. Seeing this advantage too he charged at Ben.     

            Ben triggered his weapon. Cords shot out and imbedded into the shadowed assailant’s chest. He thrashed convulsively to the ground. A thrill shot through Ben as well; phase one of his plan was complete. He bent down to lift the unconscious man.

            Arms and shoulder screaming with exertion, Ben finally reached his car with the heavy culmination of all his efforts. His heart was pounding with exhaustion but mostly pride for keeping Stacy safe.  I did it, he thought, triumphantly, struggling to open the trunk with his free arm. His strength failed him just then and so did his jubilance as the body flopped off his shoulder and missed the open trunk, hitting the fender and then crashed to the pavement. The crunching sound of scull against asphalt turned Ben’s stomach. He willed his muscles to lift the man again.

            Something looked strange about the neck as Ben finally hoisted the body into the trunk but because his eyes were partially closed from the strain of the job, Ben didn’t notice. He glanced around to see if anyone saw the clumsy scene he had just created. No one was in sight. Satisfied with himself he shut the door and climbed into the car. As he pulled away from the curb and down Stacy’s street Ben recounted his plan to himself. It would all be over soon he thought exultantly. He could feel himself transform into a better version of himself as his mind drifted off into his future, to a hopeful moment where he could finally confront Stacy; not as a pathetic, lonely computer tech/stalker but as the man who saved her life.

to be continued.... 

Hidden Beauty

Hi Friends, 

My post this week is a short story that I found while delving into some old writing files, in an attempt to find some much needed inspiration. I could really use some feedback from my friends and fellow writers. Would you mind sharing your thoughts and some gentle criticism with me?

 My story is called..........

                                                   Hidden Beauty

     Jocelyn had always been told how much she resembled her great, great grandmother. She also shared her birthday.  Jocelyn loved listening to the stories Grandmother told of Adelaide and her life in the Victorian Age.

     Jocelyn, though proud to have the physical characteristics and strength of character that Adelaide possessed, wondered how much alike they really were. The family albums only revealed grainy, discolored and torn photos. And the stories sounded a bit far-fetched, at times. Jocelyn wanted proof and after her college graduation, she would set out to find it.

     Adelaide’s homeland, sat on the Celtic Sea, which may be why Jocelyn found herself dreaming of the seafaring lifestyle. She would visit Portsmouth, England to examine her roots. Her first stop, after she settled in at the cozy bed and breakfast she had reserved for her stay, would be the library. There she will find the family name and hopefully the comings and goings of Adelaide.

     She paged through newspapers of that era. Jocelyn’s plan was to read anything with the name Carleton in it. Unfortunately, she didn’t find much for her efforts. She left the library to head out for dinner, with the thought of being more productive the next day.

    The streets welcomed her with light that came from the little shop windows. They were quaint and colorful, just as she imagined Adelaide to have been. Grandma always made Adelaide seem larger than life. If that were so, then she certainly didn’t take after her. Jocelyn was more reserved, not outgoing as Adelaide. But, Jocelyn had a different feeling about her. She pictured her more subdued, maybe even, a little sad about her life. She began to wonder if the information Grandma had given her was true; or stories that her own imagination had made up.

   Jocelyn spent another day at the library to search further for any inkling of how Adelaide lived her life. One would think there would be newspaper clippings and articles aplenty, but nothing. Jocelyn heard a whisper of a voice say, “Carlton? You’re searching for Carleton? Would that be Adelaide Carleton?”

     “Yes! Why yes, did you know of her?” Jocelyn looked up and saw a very handsome man. She gasped, realizing he was very close to her own age and wondered, what could he possible know of Adelaide? The gentleman apologized for interfering, but seemed to have some very worthy news about her great, great grandmother.

     “Yes, I knew of her. Come with me. I have something to show you.”

     Jocelyn certainly wasn’t going to fall for that one, until the librarian had stepped up to him and said hello. She called him Mr. Langford, a name that was very familiar to Jocelyn. She had listened to her Grandma repeat it several times in her stories of

Adelaide.         

     She walked with him to an old, but lovely home set on the bank of the Celtic. Was this were she lived? Jocelyn wondered. He opened the front gate and took her hand, leading her down a path that took them to the back yard of the old house. Her attention turned to a man in a wheel chair, whom he introduced as his grandfather.

     “It’s very nice to meet you, sir.” He took one look at her and though he looked surprised…. he really wasn’t. As if, he knew this day would come. You see, Jocelyn really was the spitting image of Adelaide and the old man knew instantly who she was. He stared at the portrait in his grandfather’s study for many years while growing up. He took Jocelyn’s hand and asked the young man to wheel him into the house. In a room, off the hallway, there she was…...

     Jocelyn entered the room and with her mouth agape, she could barely believe her eyes. It was a self-portrait, or so it seemed, only in a different time and a different place. Jocelyn noted the sadness in her eyes and knew that for the first time, she would hear the true story of her great, great grandmother…….the story of an unrequited love with a seafarer……..the story that Jocelyn daydreamed so frequently.

     Glancing at the young man, Jocelyn knew there would also be a story of her own to tell when she returned to the States.

Thank you for your time and honesty,

The Ethereal Chick

    

Short story Chapter 4.

 Here's the latest addition to the story. Hope you like it. As always, you can find chapters 1-3 in my earlier posts 

Tech-nesh

4.

            Ben didn’t even have his dreams to himself anymore as he slept, reclining in his office chair. He was surrounded by articles and papers, strewn, haphazardly all around him. Ben didn’t even seem to take better care of the hacked record of Stacy’s foster care that he had worked tirelessly to acquire or the police file about the Black widow killer that had stretched his moral boundaries to the limit to obtain. The mess was nothing in comparison to the disorder this situation was growing in his mind. His latest search for answers had led him into a frantic almost visceral hunger. There had to be a connection, something that could unmask this murderer without incriminating himself, because after all, Ben had thought to himself, all criminals make mistakes.

            The alarm clock next to his cold bed erupted into its cumbersome ringing. Ben launched out of his chair, long arms flailing, heart pounding, papers sent drifting to the floor. Just then his watch joined in the disorienting noise too. He lifted his wrist to turn off the alarm, blinking the pleasant dreams about Stacy out of his head.  It was four o’clock. She would be off work soon; time to escort her home.

            He reached for his shoes under the desk and one of the fallen papers caught his attention. He had read it a few times before; it was an article about Stacy’s husband’s funeral. His death had been a big blow to the small community that they had lived in and most of the town came to the memorial service which was apparent in the photo that went along with the article. And then something jumped out at him that he hadn’t noticed before. Within the grieving crowd behind Stacy and the casket stood a man that he had seen recently. Ben’s eyes widened angrily; how had he not noticed before. How could this have escaped his meticulous searching? He had seen this man twice in the last month at Stacy’s office building. He had thought something was suspicious about the way he walked up to the entrance and then abruptly turned and returned to his car.

            Ben poured over this new discovery during his covert drive behind Stacy’s car as she made her way home in the evening traffic. He made room for the article in the passenger seat by tossing the bills he had gotten in today’s mail to the back of the car with the others. He didn’t have the money to pay for them anyway now that he no longer had time in his arduous new lifestyle for his job.

            Outside her apartment, he tucked into his usual parking spot behind a dumpster where he began his nightly watch. He had also just finished adding up all the variables in his head for the last time. The man in the picture, the man that Ben had seen outside Stacy’s work seemed to fit the profile. From the case file Ben learned that the Black Widow Killer is known to select his victims while attending their spouse’s funeral. The murderer then brutally kills the mourning widow within the week, but Stacy had moved suddenly and left everything behind to start a new life. This explained the strange, unfinished personal information Ben found imbedded in that returned computer so many months ago.

            It seemed like an eternity ago when he went about his meticulous, orderly life as if it made sense. And now all that mattered to him was preserving the life of the woman he loved; a woman who didn’t know he even exists. He wouldn’t let anything or anyone hurt her; she was all that mattered. In his resolute train of thought Ben, ironically almost overlooked the shadowed figure walking down the sidewalk in front of Stacy’s apartment. He didn’t notice until the person walked up her steps and looked over the directory, underlined Stacy’s name with a finger, and pause suspiciously before descending the stairs again.

            Ben’s heart raced with anticipation as the person slowly walked under the street light and revealed his face. It was him; Ben knew it and with complete certainty. This is the man from the article picture, the man Ben saw at Stacy’s office; her intended murderer.
                                                            To be continued...

My feature today is a blog that belongs to a dear friend of  mine.

                                                                                      

 Yes, you guessed it, Author Nik Barnabee!

Or, if you run in twitter circles, you can call her @GargoylePhan.

You won't find her out and about early in the day, because she runs with her pals Max and Jake.....at night and like Max and Jake, sleeps in until all hours of the afternoon. Yep, they are night owls. Or maybe night cats would be more suitable. :-)

I guess that's when Nikki hits her creative stride. When she gets on a roll, there is no stoping her.

Her short stories will intrigue you! Her latest is called "POOF!" It's about a four year old little girl..........to die for! And then there is "Becca" once a very sweet girl.....not so sweet any longer!

Well, you get the picture, don't you?

Nikki has a very unique voice and you will love the way she can spin a tale!

If you'd like to know more about Nik Barnabee, click here. Leave comments on her blog and she will actually answer you And while your at it, read the excerpt of her WIP...."NAILS" crime/thriller novel. Want to learn more about Max and Jake? Read her "CatWorld" page. You'll learn how Jake came about and how much Max misses Scully. Nope, I'm not saying another word....you'll have to read their story.

Living Soul by S.B. Niccum

Living Soul (Veiled Series) by S.B. Niccum

The first book of this series is Veiled,  one of those books you can't put down. Living Soul is the sequel and does not disappoint. But be ready to read because you aren't going to stop until you finish. This is a series you are going to get hooked on.  Niccum's style is enchanting, engaging and emotionally riveting.

Veiled from her previous existence as a gifted Angel, Tess is now a mere mortal growing up in foster care with her autistic foster brother, Dorian, and a twisted foster sister, Agatha—whose main goal in life is to torture them both.

Tess’ life has been dull and average at best; but all that changes with one look. When she inadvertently gazes into the eyes of the most popular guy in school—Alex Preston—Tess sees a glimpse of her previous existence.

Uncomprehending, Tess, wonders what those memories are and why she now feels like she knows Alex better than anyone in this world. More importantly, why is he haunting her dreams? Dreams so vivid, that they blur the lines of reality, awakening a slew of inexplicable paranormal abilities she didn’t know she possessed.

Frustrated and confused, Tess lives a double life… one where Alex has a girlfriend and Tess is a normal high school girl. And another, where spirits, visions, and dreams are true.

Is she going crazy or is she secretly dating Alex in her dreams?


Available on Amazon....Kindle and Paperback. 

Short story/ Chapter 3

For Chapters 1 and 2 refer to my earlier posts. Enjoy!

Tech-nesh

3.

            Stacy sat in her usual shady spot out side her work, eating what appeared to Ben to be a tuna sandwich on wheat and baby carrots. A few days ago she ate in a different location and he had nearly called the police before he found her in her parked car. He knew he couldn’t just continue stalking her like this but he hadn’t worked out a better plan yet. His search for the name and whereabouts of the Black Widow Killer wasn’t going well, which still left Ben with no real evidence other than the self incriminating files in his apartment. He hoped it wouldn’t come to it but he wouldn’t let Stacy get murdered to keep him self out of jail. So for now he kept close tabs on her in the hopes of keeping her alive. Fortunately for him, she led a pretty predictable schedule.   

            She took her time, taking delicate bites, alternating between the two victuals; always setting the food down between bites.  He wondered if her eating behavior had anything to do with her excessive exercising. From what he could see from her partially opened drapes at her apartment, she spent nearly all her free time on her treadmill. 

            Ben’s interest in her complex character had only heightened in this last couple of weeks watching over her. She was beautiful and successful; carrying her self in a confident way that told most nerdy, lanky guys like him self to crawl in a hole and die rather than try to approach her. But Ben knew her better than that. Inside she was uncommonly kind, unsure of everything and generally lost.

            In his further study of her, he found a news paper article from her small home town near Butte. He learned that she was thrown into foster care after her parents and older brother, Mark were killed in a bear attack while camping in Montana. A toddler at the time she was being watched by a neighbor, which became her first of many short term homes. The credentials of her resume suggested to Ben that she pushed herself beyond her unfortunate upbringing. Ben often wondered why she couldn’t seem to see what an amazing accomplishment that is. Sometimes he wished someday, somehow he’d have a chance to tell her what an incredible person he has found her to be.

            As he watched her pack up her belongings through the screen on his phone; her soft brown hair brushing off her shoulder by a breeze, He forced himself to recognize that she was not the only one in danger. He was falling in love with her.    

To be continued... 

It's only fitting that my new up and coming book Living Soul will be released on a week were we honor and commemorate those who have fought for our freedom. As a naturalized citizen, one who has worked hard at trying to become an American, am particularly proud and thankful to all those who choose to put their lives in jeopardy so that I could have the freedoms that all of God's children should enjoy, yet don't seem to be able to in other lands. America has stood for freedom since its beginning. For those who feel oppressed and want to rise above their current circumstances, America has been as a hope, a dream, a goal. From all of us natural-born or naturalized citizens who enjoy the blessings and freedoms of this country: Thank You. "America is free, because of the Brave." Please join me this week as I celebrate the release of LIVING SOUL! Available for purchase on Amazon.com May 31st. http://www.sbniccum.com Sil~ The Supernatural Chick.

Live Life: The Daydreamer's Journal

My feature for you today is one that is dear to my heart. An anthology of short stories and poetry made possible by the University of Wisconsin Stout Honors Program, edited by Sir Ricky McGentleman, along with associate editor, Jessica Morrison. It's listed with the Library of Congress for being the first book to hold 150 authors world-wide, in one anthology.

"Live Life: The Daydreamer’s Journal has over 150 authors and artists from 22 different countries contributing. Some of the contributors include Rita Dove and Marv Wolfman. Rita Dove is an award winning poet and former United States Poet Laureate. Marv Wolfman is an award winning comic book writer, who created the series Blade for Marvel comics and The New Teen Titans for DC comics. Other award winning authors include: Gwyneth Jones, David Brin, Judith Skillman, and Marilyn L. Taylor." 

The many stories and poems are of all different genre's. Over 500 pages of words to wallow in. Isn't that exciting?

It's very special to me for a couple of reasons. First, I happen to be lucky enough to have one of my stories published in it by the name of Candlewick. I hope you enjoy it. Also, The Scribe of Rashid by Sharon Cathcart, one of my cyber buddies is published in it, as well. The second reason, even more important than the first, is that it's a work of hope for cancer patients across the world. All of the proceeds go to the  American Cancer Society.

We all have someone in our lives, a family member, a friend or an acquaintance down the street, whose smile we will miss, because of this dreaded disease. I have two brothers battling cancer and have lost one of my aunty's to cervical cancer, along with more than my share of dear friends.

For more information about this book, click here and to purchase, click here. 
It's for a great cause!!!

Short story/ Chapter 2

(You'll find chapter one in my previous post.)

Tech-nesh

2.

            About a month ago, Ben was given the grueling duty of debugging the computer systems of the Steiner Marketing co. As he was the only technician with the experience to handle an on sight job of that size and difficulty he really just got the job by default. He wasn’t happy about it. The general departure from normal and predictable things left him with a debilitating knot in his stomach that only the prospect of all the personal information he could extract from a building full of computers could give him the drive to attempt it. Unfortunately the company refused to allow him to work on their system after their working hours. But even under the impatient watchful eyes of the employees he somehow managed a timely repair for the company and a nearly full hard drive for himself.

            Now Ben sits in at home in a new desk chair that he purchased with the bonus that his boss had given him. Though it was appreciated it seemed a little unnecessary; he had his prize. With delight at his new material, Ben spent every possible moment organizing and studying it, paying special attention to destroy any thing of importance to the business. With his feet propped up on his old college psychology books, he had just finished reading a long file of short, undated comments and thoughts that had been kept by one of the managers, Stacy Attwood.

            It expressed deep grief at the loss of her husband and the subsequent sorrowful, empty life. She worried insecurely over the interactions she had with those under her authority. Ben was intrigued by this find because it was in complete contradiction to a long office gossip chat that an employee had saved on his computer. From the comments made by the many people working under Stacy, it seems they respect her and enjoy her company a lot. A reference to a company party where Stacy pleased the crowd with a drunken dance to the jukebox, lead Ben to think that they even saw her as friend.  But the fact that Stacy was under the opposite impression was very interesting to Ben. In his expertise most people carried a certain amount of contradiction between their personal and professional lives but this woman was an extreme he had never encountered before. Her excerpts were so compelling and raw he couldn’t help but be mesmerized by everything she had written.

            In the midst of his marveling, Ben realized there was another reason for his deep interest in this woman; there was something very familiar about her name. This haunted him for a moment while he scoured his mind for the connection. Then it came to him. Gasping he jumped up and raced the short distance across the immaculate apartment to where he stored past pilfered records. The collection was quite extensive but his pale fingers knew right where to find what he was looking for. He vaguely remembered studying this nameless subject about four months ago. It was a man who had returned his computer after wiping the hard drive himself, or so he had thought.

            Ben uploaded and quickly searched the small number of retrieved files on the disk for her name. Each one revived his memory of why he didn’t enjoy studying this particular person. Most of the files were filed with scanned and copied news paper articles of horrible murders that had been committed in the last eight years; all were said to be connected to the Black Widow killer, who reportedly targeted young widows.

            Other files contained notes about the women from those articles; all their personal information and pictures. Ben’s eyes widened, teeth grinding with anticipation as he finally found it. A chaotic mess of unfinished information and unconnected details about Stacy opened up on his screen. Ben had disregarded the entire disk before because he didn’t understand what all these things meant. But now as he took this second glance it was obvious; Stacy was this mans next target.

Matched

BY: Ally Condie

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.


My Review: If you are a fan of George Orwell's "1984" novel or Lois Lowy's "The Giver", you will love this fun YA version of dystopian society where a young woman is matched with her perfect mate. ...Only, Cassia gets matched with two. The society is well explained and you soon find yourself trapped in it, right along with Cassia. It makes you wonder about some of the simple pleasures we take for granted, pleasures that Cassia knows nothing about, because the society takes them away, with the exuse of making life easier for all. I found the story fun and the world that author Ally Condie created, extremely addicting. The good thing is: There's more! "Crossed" is the sequel that I'm currently half way through and enjoying just as much.

About the Author: Ally Condie is the author of the international bestseller MATCHED, and its sequel, CROSSED. MATCHED was chosen as one of YALSA’s 2011 Teens’ Top Ten, named as one of Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Children’s Books of 2010, selected as the #1 Pick on the Winter Kid’s Indie Next List, and received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly. In a starred review for the sequel, CROSSED, Kirkus called the Matched series an “addictive, layered dystopic trilogy.” A former English teacher (who still keeps her license current, just in case!), she lives with her husband and four children outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves reading, writing, running, and listening to her husband play guitar.

A is for Apple: A Horsey Alphabet by Ellen C Maze

You've never seen an alphabet book like this one. My two-year-old can't put it down. The illustrations are enchanting while the prose teaches the sound of each letter. Your child will fall in love with horses and the alphabet at the same time.

 

Each page is full of color and every equine illustrates letters in their own special way. This one of the best alphabet books I've ever seen.

 

Forming Letters with incredible flexibility, 26 distinct horse friends teach not only the alphabet, but also alliteration and a few fun adjectives along the way! From the golden Palomino on page one: "Adorable Annie ate all of the apples with abandon." To the crispy sorrel Clydesdale towards the end: "Victorious Vinnie vamoosed with all of Velma's visible vegetables." All children, young and old, will be charmed by this adorable new book by bestselling Christian Thriller novelist Ellen C. Maze. Written with help of her seven-year-old daughter (now nineteen-year-old novelist/artist) Elizabeth Little.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Horsey-Alphabet-ebook/dp/B007SDE7SI/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335193349&sr=1-7 

Published by Little Roni Books April 2012

Available in Paperback and Kindle

http://www.kfridley.com/

http://www.ellencmaze.com/

 

The Opening by Ron Savarese

A story of redemption, forgiveness, and awakening to the healing power of love

 The Opening addresses the age-old question 'what happens when we die?' with a spiritual fantasy of immense charm and imagination. At once an insightful meditation on life's passages and a vision of unearthly realms, it creates its own enchanted worlds where characters connect with one another between here and the hereafter across the thinnest of lines.

"Joe St. John wanders out into a blizzard and falls through an opening that leads him to amazing, sometimes harrowing places where he encounters the major turning points in his life. Along the way, he revisits his missed opportunities, uncovers his life's core trauma, and is given mysterious geometrical symbols that hold the key to his future. As Joe's soul hovers between two worlds he will discover the truth about life and death, and be confronted with the ultimate choice: save his own life, or give it up for someone he loves."

A sparkling, hallucinatory, fast-paced read with unexpected twists of plot, imbued with a

childlike sense of wonder. You'll love floating in the book's magical dreamscape, and may find yourself wanting to read it again and again to uncover its mystical insights and layers of meaning.

Book trailer link: www.findtheopening.com/#tab-1

About the author:

Ron Savarese was born in 1957 in Ashtabula, Ohio. Upon graduating from Kent State University with a degree in Journalism he moved to Atlanta, Georgia to work as a financial advisor for a U.S. investment firm.

He stuffed his passion for writing and storytelling in his briefcase for nearly 30 years while he built a career as a senior executive in the global financial services arena.

After several life-changing events and wake-up calls in the early part of the new millenium he focused his energy on creative writing. "The Opening" is his first novel. He is currently working on his next book, a sequel.

Ron still resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and their two dogs. They have two adult sons. He is a professional financial advisor, executive/life coach, and a certified meditation instructor.

short story

For some time now I’ve been flirting with the idea to write a short story on this blog; one that continued for several of my own posts. Now, in light of having no book to review and no other bright ideas I’m just going to go for it. It will be a great writing exercise for me and something to work on when I get stuck on my current WIP. So, here goes nothing:

Tech-nesh

1.

The life of a computer diagnostician is a less than glamorous one but for Benjamin Dunlap it was downright pathetic. He wouldn’t say so if you asked him though. He’d probably tell you how the pay was great and his coworkers are nice and even though the hours are long- which is mostly his own fault- it’s the best job he’s ever had.

What he wouldn’t tell you; what he’d be mortified and ultimately fired if any one knew is that the best thing about his job is the secret lives he finds in the hard drives of the personal computers he spends his days fixing. Letters, collage papers, pictures, any personal thing that can be pulled out of the computers memory he transfers to a memory stick for later reading. Journals entries are a treasured find for Ben giving him weeks of “analysis” as he calls it.

This part of his life is kept well hidden and for good reason, no one would understand. Ben doesn’t see this as a violation of others privacy or the sick habit of a lonely man, though he is lonely. No, he sees himself as a witness to their lives. In studying their strengths, talents, and weaknesses he has come to pride himself as a great proficient in human behavior and personalities. As justified and responsible as a priest receiving confessions; Ben feels like the patron saint of their secrets.

In respect to the lives he pieces together in his humble studio apartment he would never, ever seek out or try to contact one. Because despite his deep sense of camaraderie to his particularly favorite individuals he knew- ironically- it would be simply crossing a line to meet them. That is until he came across the computer belonging to Stacy Atwood.

To be continued…

Inside Out & Back Again by: Thanha Lai

No on would believe me
but at times
I would choose
wartime in Saigon
over
peacetime in Alabama.

For all the ten years of her life, Ha has only known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, the warmth of her friends close by . . . and the beauty of her very own papaya tree.

But know the Vietnam War has reached her home, Ha and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope. In America, Ha discovers the foreign world of Alabama: the coolness of its strangers, the dullness of its food, the strange shape of its landscape . . . and the strength of her very own family.

This is a moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing as she journeys from one country to another, one life to the next.
"Open this book, read it slowly to savor the delicious language. Before closing it, go back to the beginning, this time to let the story of ten-year-old Ha and the year she escaped from south Vietnam, 1975, leaving behind the world she knew and loved, sink in. Read it again to notice how perfect the thin line of the prose itself mirrors the thin line that Ha walks that year. This is a book that asks the reader to be careful, to pay attention, to sigh at the end."
~Kathi Appelt
Reading this book was like eating a satisfying and delicious meal. All you do at the end is get lost in thought and sigh of peace and happiness.
I would recommend this book for ages 8 and up.