I've had this song stuck in my head for two weeks and I can't stop watching the video. Love that cheeky grin.
Sunday 16 October 2016
A Song for Sunday: Robbie Williams - Party Like a Russian
There are so many reasons to love this song - not the least of which being that it's one giant ''fuck you'' to Putin.
I've had this song stuck in my head for two weeks and I can't stop watching the video. Love that cheeky grin.
I've had this song stuck in my head for two weeks and I can't stop watching the video. Love that cheeky grin.
Wednesday 12 October 2016
**Welcome Wednesday: Ashlee Sinn**
Ashlee Sinn fancies all creatures of the paranormal persuasion, especially those who like to bite. Her steamy romances tend to feature swoon-worthy heroes and kick-ass heroines.
Whether its vampires, weres, or demons, the women who keep them in line have a special place in her heart. And in her chaotic head.
LURED BY THE BEAR: The first book of The Alaska Shifters – a spinoff from The Callaghan Clan books.
Derrick Ward has always wanted a mate. When all of his friends settle down and start a family, he wonders if it will ever happen for him. Brandt, his clan leader, has some females in mind, but Derrick refuses to accept a forced mating. And now the time has come for the shifters to reveal themselves. Derrick fears that once the world knows he’s a grizzly, he’ll never be able to find that right person to fill his den.Julia Housten has been in love with Derrick for years. Still recovering from the negative reputation her father left behind by his failed challenge for clan leader, she worries that Derrick will never accept her as a potential mate. So when she has an opportunity to do something good for the clan, she can hardly contain herself when she learns she’ll be working with Derrick.
The International Shifter Coalition is moving forward with the big reveal while Julia and Derrick discover just how perfect they are together. But with the reveal comes a danger they hadn’t expected. A new threat that could tear them apart looms nearby, and it will take the whole clan to protect everything, and everyone, they love.
EXCERPT:
As I set down my fork after cleaning my plate of salmon, crab legs, and roasted potatoes, the smile grew on my face. “I seriously think that was the best dinner I’ve ever eaten as a human.”
Derrick smiled and took a drink of his wine. “As a human?”
I shrugged. “My bear likes raw salmon.”
“Isn’t that a stereotype?” he teased.
“Maybe, but it’s true. If you don’t know where I am, check down by the shore.”
“Good to know,” he said with a wicked grin. Raising his glass, he stretched out his arm in an offered toast. “To the last day of anonymity.”
The worry in his face ruined the handsome jawline. “It will be okay,” I said after I clinked my glass to his.
“Do you really think so?”
“I do,” I said, taking a sip. “People aren’t what they used to be. They’re more tolerable of differences and more curious about the unknown. I mean I think it will be a little rough for a while, but something else will come along that’s louder and shinier, and their interest will move on.” When Derrick just stared at me, I shook my head. “What?”
“Do you even understand how much I want to take you back to my place right now?”
“Huh?” Words simply wouldn’t form as the aroma of his bear filled the space around us. His hand found my knee under the table and the feeling of skin on skin ignited a fire of need in me that I hadn’t felt before.
“I will never forgive myself for wasting so much time with you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I knew you had a crush on me. The brothers teased me about it all of the time. But I wouldn’t listen. I refused to listen. Even if, now that I can look back, even if my bear was trying to tell me otherwise.”
I swallowed the emotions welling up in my throat. “What are you saying, Derrick?”
“I’m saying that I want you to be mine. And I wish we hadn’t wasted so much time getting to this place, but now that we’re here…I don’t ever want us to be away from each other. These last few days have been torturous for me. My bear wants you. I want you.”
Derrick lifted his hands and reached across the table for my own. When I placed them inside of his, he smiled. “You’re my mate, and I love you.”
OTHER BOOKS BY ASHLEE SINN:
The Vampire Huntress Series
Part One: ChasedPart Two: Seduced
Part Three: Taken
Part Four: Chosen
Series Bundle
The Callaghan Clan
Obeying the Bear
Releasing the Bear
Catching the Bear
The Alaska Shifters
Lured by the Bear
MAILING LIST
Mailing List
Find out more about Ashlee:
Website
Amazon
Goodreads
Sunday 9 October 2016
A Song for Sunday: The Damned - Dr. Woofenstein
I know I already gave ''Dr. Woofenstein'' a spot but I just can't get enough of it.
If you were to happen by Castle Vanian, there's a pretty good chance you'd hear this song playing. We're kind of obsessed at the moment.
If you were to happen by Castle Vanian, there's a pretty good chance you'd hear this song playing. We're kind of obsessed at the moment.
Thursday 29 September 2016
Launch Day: Pale is the New Tan
Today is the big day! Pale is the New Tan is now available!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Where you can buy the eBook:
Amazon: http://a.co/8QIxrD8
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pale-is-the-new-tan-wondra-vanian/1124696259?ean=2940157071530
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/668475
Where you can buy the print book:
Amazon: https://amzn.com/1940022843
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pale-is-the-new-tan-wondra-vanian/1124696259?ean=9781940022840
As a special Launch Day treat, enjoy this excerpt from ''Don't Go Into the Forest'':
Grow up, she told herself. It's just trees. Trees can't hurt you.
Trees can't hurt you. They can't move, they don't have voices, they have no weapons. Karianne could hear her therapist's voice in her head, urging her on.
Just trees. Just trees. Just trees.
Not giving herself time to think, Karianne sucked in a deep breath, and stepped off the hard dirt road onto the soft verge. Just trees. She pushed herself forward, past the first imposing trees, deeper into the forest.
It was darker inside; nearly full dark already. Karianne's footstep faltered. All the old fears came rushing back, paralyzing her. Just trees. She tried to summon the protective blanket of her therapist's voice; wrapped it around her like a shield as she took first one, then two, then three steps deeper into the darkness.
They can't move.
Yet shadows twisted and turned, making Karianne's head whip from side to side at each shift of dim light. She fixed her gaze straight ahead, clenched her teeth together until her jaw ached.
They don't have voices.
What was that? Sound was different inside the depths of the forest. Noises were unidentifiable, coming from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. A snap. A scuffle. A sigh.
They have no weapons.
Karianne all but screamed when something caught her ankle, threatening to trip her. She looked down with eyes that were wide with fright. A gnarled branch of a fallen tree had snagged her shoe, clung on, slowed her down. Kicking it off, she hurried on her way; coming up short once more when something grabbed her hair.
She did scream then, thrashing wildly at the thing that held her. Her fingers brushed bark. Slapping wildly, Karianne felt the hair tear from her scalp. Strands of it clung to coarse bark, glinting like gold against the darkness of the forest. Karianne didn't see it, didn't look back. She ran.
Karianne's ankle met a fallen branch that sprang up unexpectedly in front of her. She fell; rock and moss at her knees, pushed herself up, and kept running.
Snap.
The sound, like a gunshot, made her jump. She cast a nervous glance behind her, and came up hard against a solid object in her path. Blood welled at the scrape where her face had met bark; a single drop slid down her cheek to fly off and land on the green carpet as she fell hard on her rear.
Stunned, Karianne looked up in confusion at the tree that had assaulted her; only to gasp as she realized that it wasn't a tree at all, but a man.To celebrate the launch, we're having a giveaway. Get involved and see what you can win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wednesday 28 September 2016
**Welcome Wednesday: Lee J Mavin**
After six years in Shanghai, Lee J Mavin is back in Sydney (brand new home). There he will teach and focus on writing! He is also enrolled in a Phd in Arts at the University of Sydney. His field is classical Chinese poetry and Creative Writing.
He has already polished off a children's novel, a collection of poetry and is about to publish a series of stories titled "The Students Sold Us Secrets Volume One". He has also started The Infestation trilogy with the novel The Intergalactic Custody Battle and the new novel Li Bai’s Shadow! All titles published with ASJ Publishers.
Li Bai’s Shadow Free Sample:
Caitlin
A change of scenery
On August 23rd, following a long day at school, I find Dad red-faced, tossing clothes into his suitcase.
‘Caitlin, we’re going to China tonight. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, its just waipo and waigong bought us tickets.’
Dad has bags packed in an ugly disorder. I reorder them correctly; largest bags first, line up the zippers. I can feel China pulling me, calling me in my sleep. China wants me back and I can’t let her down. Li Bai feels it too, I find him reading one of his poems into the air:
‘Upon my return to the slopes and valleys,
My brothers and sisters will all have married
Mother land and home familiar
Soil of soul embracing ancestor’
Airports make me feel at ease. The announcements are for the most part sequenced to perfection. The schedule of arrivals and departures ticking over on flashing monitors always brought me a strange feeling of satisfaction. I read out our flight number MU563 departs at 2:45:43 seconds. That gives us time to line up. Priority is given to responsible customers who are orderly and punctual and despite my father slowing us down and Li Bai behaving like a child; we make it to the gate at 2:31:32 seconds.
I remember to count each step as I board the plane. Li Bai is singing:
Mother land and home familiar
Soil of soul embracing ancestor
I concentrate on the emergency details. Life jackets are beneath our seats, emergencies exits two rows ahead to the left. Three stewardesses named Cindy, Connie and Sammie are my immediate first choices. The three of them are friendlier and more sincere, the others are either men, or too far away to make an assumption at this point. Dad is already snoring so he obviously isn’t even hearing all the important information. I’m taking notes for him; I know all the normal life jacket details, but the exits and toilets.
As we soar high above the clouds, Li Bai peers down at the floating clouds. They part, opening up the blaring blades of sunlight and the ocean stretching onto infinity. He studies the tiny ripples, waves blurring into the bright blue sky.
Li Bai
On his first plane trip
What is this strange roaring dragon, spiralling into the heavens? What gods and goddess would be greeting me outside this window? Shaping its grace in the clouds so discreetly? What fruit and wine do you enjoy among the halls of the gods?
We have by luck of the gods wound up in this dragon’s belly. My Caitlin has taken me here, with her father, right by the jaws, over the curling tongue and down its fiery throat. This dragon has gobbled up so many, but they all don’t seem to mind. Could it be the wine? Has this dragon lured them all in with trickery and illusions? The brew certainly smells real, it bubbles and has the similar taste to the fine brings me back to my travels in the capital Chang’an!
Alas, the dragon finally tiring, and has found land below. I do hope it is Tang and the middle kingdom; it has been so long since I see my wives and drank their wine. I do wish this dragon would let us all out soon, I do believe he is actually a friendly a dragon, Caitlin seems to think so too. His strange white wings flutter as he slows and dark circular claws appear from beneath.
Now the dragon has kindly opened up his belly for us, his feathers are parting to open large doorways. The people don’t seem in a hurry to get out and are more concerned with their treasures. Foolish greedy outsiders, when will you learn that all you need is good wine and good company, travel light and go where the road takes you, there is no need for so much gold!
I follow Caitlin and her father down the tunnel. This must be one of the dragon’s legs. Then we come to a dwelling filled with more foolish outsiders hoarding their treasures in sacks. We stand in line and slowly move closer to some fiery torches flashing misspelt characters in the colour of the dead.
Caitlin takes my hand and says everything is fine. I’mstarting to think both she and her father are wizards, possibly mystics of some sort. They take me into an enormous palace. I can’t believe how high the ceiling is. There are so many people here, I think almost the entire world is here, there must be some sort worldly event, and perhaps the surrounding regions of our great kingdom are forming an army. I certainly hope that is not the case, no good things come from war.
There are more dragons outside, some taking off, some resting. This must be a dragon related event, yes; there are far too many white dragons here for it to be a coincidence.
Caitlin is showing a man in a glass box her red book. I know that little red book is important to her, but I don’t know why. An almost perfect miniature painting of her is in it, I do intend to ask her about that painting, the detail is extraordinary.
Caitlin and I are waiting for her father. For some reason he has left us. Caitlin smiles at me.
She says, ‘We’re in China Li Bai! We’re back!’
China? I think to myself. Oh yes, that what’s they call my country these days. But this land has been stripped of every monument from long ago. Every stone from every temple has been crushed and has been replaced with mirror like cubes, towers with ghastly shadows that loom over the people below.
There is a dark magic at work here and it is spreading like a fire.
It is such a tragedy.
Steven
On the plane
She has her mother’s eyes. Even this deep blue nothingness around me is her. God, I miss her. Going to her hometown is definitely not going to make me miss her any less. Her mum had her voice. I wake up and think she is back from the dead over there, but it is just her mother shouting over a stupid mah-jong game. I can see her in her eyes. I act like nothing is wrong but I feel like crying sometimes, staring at photos of her from when she was a kid.
These air stewards have absolutely no idea about service. I’ve put on my light, waved my hands around but they have seemed to mysteriously miss it every time. It could be just bad luck, yes. Or it could just be that they would prefer to gossip in behind that stupid curtain as much as possible. I bet they are talking about us too. Sure, there are two that are pretty attractive, great angle on the nose, very even nostrils and the space between her bottom lip and chin is unusual. The one that served me last has a great posture too. I can’t deny her of that but their looks are lost in their attitude. Even their sweet smelly perfume won’t redeem their pathetic service.
Caitlin seems excited to go back. She is sitting there, trying not to let me notice her talking to her imaginary Li Bai friend. Sometimes she covers her mouth and whispers. I don’t make a fuss about it, though it has gone for quite some time. She’s fourteen already, when will it stop? A change of scenery has to help but I’m not sure another crazy Chinese New year is going to be any good for her. I’m dreading the fireworks and the cold. These people let toddlers handle explosives in freezing cold temperatures. I try to keep Caitlin safe as much as I can by her grandparents seem to think its fine to set off massive explosive fireworks in their garden. I’m not looking forward to this but we have to because they paid for our house in Manly so they can basically ask me to do anything, quit my job, work for the Chinese embassy or something really nationalistic like that and I would have no choice whatsoever. They bought us a house so they can do anything.
I’m not sure if I’m relieved when I hear them announce that we’re descending into Shanghai. I kind of want to stay up here in this plane, despite the horrible service. Up here, the world stands still and waits for us. It is holding its breath patiently as we hang here in limbo. Here in this stillness, we’re free from all the crap below. All the millions of Shanghainese, desperate to become rich, all the self-righteous, know-it-all generation x Aussie kids that think they know it all. I don’t want to be a part of that. I just want sit here, with my seatbelt on. I can live on crackers and sparkling wine no problem.
Caitlin
At Shanghai Airport
Waigong is still smoking. He gives me a hug, squinting his tiny eyes. He is getting older. I can count thirty four grey hairs sprouting from his head. The wrinkles on his forehead are longer than before. In the photo of him in our hallway, taken two years ago, he seems much younger. Maybe he has eight and half years left of life. Minus a year due to smoking so it is probably seven and half.
I smile at him and he grabs my cheek, saying how beautiful and white I’m. He takes my suitcase and chats with Dad. Dad has forgotten a lot of Chinese so he’sreally struggling. He leads us through the airport, shoving by people with my suitcase rolling behind him. I count seventy-five people with grey coats. Only seventeen have brightly coloured coats, mostly pink or purple. It is very dull in winter.
I’m holding Li Bai’s hand. He is nervous in crowds and I don’t want him getting lost. He smiles at me and his eyebrows twitch. It must be very strange for him, here. Waigong takes is into the car park. The temperature is at least four point three degrees from in the airport.
He has a new car, another Mercedes Benz. There is more in the back than his previous Benz, about ten centimetres added foot and leg-room and a wider seat for elbow space. Dad is looking around with wide eyes smiling at me.
He whispers, ‘This must have cost him a fortune.’
He is right so I assume the factory is doing well as Waigong is careful with money.
Li Bai is relieved when we leave Shanghai. These enormous buildings and winding streets must be scaring him. The sight of rice farms and clusters of small villages seem to calm him down. I’m not particularly interested in the view from the Benz. I have seen the same highway plenty of times, the overpasses and intersections all lookthe same. It is just, village, farm, village, farm, village to me.
I chant ‘Rice paddy, village, house, lights. Village, rice paddy,’
Waigong puts some old music on. He sings along and looks back at me sometimes, smiling. I wish he would concentrate on the road. There is a chance he could drift into the barriers on the side of the road and judging from his current speed of one hundred and ten kilometres per hour, we would all die.
If we make it to Shengzhou, in forty five minutes and twenty three seconds, I will be relieved.
Li Bai
On the road to the in-laws
Oh we’re nearing Hangzhou, what a splendid place. I do hope we stop. This chariot is awfully fast, quite frightening indeed. It appears that Caitlin’s grandfather has an excellent chariot that has no need for a horse. It is almost has the white mysterious dragon who kindly let us out of his stomach earlier. Perhaps men have learned to tame them? It must have required lengthy training sessions to tame such a large beast, hardworking men they must have been.
I do hope we stop at Hangzhou as the west lake is magnificent when the snow is falling. Oh and the wine is wonderful. It seems I haven’t had a good drink in an eternity, wherever we’re headed, there must be sufficient supplies of wine. I do need to write a poem or two, also. Give me a bottle of Hangzhou wine, some scrolls to write poetry on, by the west lake and I will write something brilliant in no time.
Caitlin is sleeping now. This long adventure appears to be tiring her out. The sun is setting over friendly mountains, we’re changing paths and it appears we’reheading into a village. I’m not familiar with the name of this village. What is this Changle? No, I have never heard of it and I have been all over the middle country.
We come to a halt and are greeted by a crowd of relatives and in-laws, cheers and handshakes, cups of tea and cigarettes for Caitlin’s father. He tries to refuse but they insist. Some even press the cigarette to his lips and light.
‘C’mon have a smoke,’ they say, ‘long time no see.’
Nobody is offering me a thing. They are being quite impolite actually. Am I not the guest of honour? I am Li Bai and surely they have heard of me for I am known throughout all of the middle country for my enchanting and versatile verse.
Steven
Changle
Back in Changle, I know what to expect. Masses of food, freezing cold, being forced to drink ridiculous amounts of light beer: all perfectly normal here. Dim grey cement walls, not a carpet or rug in sight, every single window and door left wide open to keep the frosty cold in: all perfectly normal here, too.
The evening chill gets wafted away with the steaming rice and sizzling fried fish. Mountains of dishes lay ready to devour on huge circular table; the smiling faces, horse laughs and monkey chuckles, all the animals of the Chinese zodiac. Most eyes are on Caitlin, eyes of envy and awe.
Several aunts say, ‘So beautiful, she is even more beautiful, so white, so beautiful and white.’
Caitlin knows to expect this. The compliments meannothing to her. She is just different, something rare to them to study and stare at. Caitlin probably knows what they really think about her. I mean, I used to try and protect her from all that, but she is getting older now and I’m sure she can understand enough of the dialect to pick-up on the whispering and bickering behind her back.
Half way through the meal, we’re blessed to have more visitors. Two aunties appear in the doorway with their fat children. They both have recently had their hair done, dyed blood red, an awful perm and twist. Their make-up is not thick, just like last time we visited. One of them has completely shaved her real eyebrows and replaced them with thin brown lines. Yep, that’s real classy.
There are three cousins that Caitlin had known since she was little. They are all boys and they have steadily grown into plump, chubby snobs. She is forced to sit in-between them. They peer over their i-pads and i-phones, frown and then resume their addictions.
Doing a great job aunties, raising three young obese boyswho are already obsessed with World of Warcraft. I pour the fake eyebrows auntie a glass of white wine. She loves the stuff, the other one is shovelling rice and tofu into her mouth, glasses fogging up from the steam. Such wonderful mothers, I wonder where their husbands are? Could be off around the corner, seeing their favourite prostitutes? Or maybe they are simply gambling illegally with the local mafia? The possibilities are endless.
Author Links:
http://www.asjpublishing.com/
http://www.asjpublishing.com/authors/lee-mavin/
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Lee+J+Mavin
https://www.facebook.com/TheStudentsSoldUsSecrets/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5103759.Lee_J_Mavin
He has already polished off a children's novel, a collection of poetry and is about to publish a series of stories titled "The Students Sold Us Secrets Volume One". He has also started The Infestation trilogy with the novel The Intergalactic Custody Battle and the new novel Li Bai’s Shadow! All titles published with ASJ Publishers.
Li Bai’s Shadow Free Sample:
Caitlin
A change of scenery
On August 23rd, following a long day at school, I find Dad red-faced, tossing clothes into his suitcase.
‘Caitlin, we’re going to China tonight. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, its just waipo and waigong bought us tickets.’
Dad has bags packed in an ugly disorder. I reorder them correctly; largest bags first, line up the zippers. I can feel China pulling me, calling me in my sleep. China wants me back and I can’t let her down. Li Bai feels it too, I find him reading one of his poems into the air:
‘Upon my return to the slopes and valleys,
My brothers and sisters will all have married
Mother land and home familiar
Soil of soul embracing ancestor’
Airports make me feel at ease. The announcements are for the most part sequenced to perfection. The schedule of arrivals and departures ticking over on flashing monitors always brought me a strange feeling of satisfaction. I read out our flight number MU563 departs at 2:45:43 seconds. That gives us time to line up. Priority is given to responsible customers who are orderly and punctual and despite my father slowing us down and Li Bai behaving like a child; we make it to the gate at 2:31:32 seconds.
I remember to count each step as I board the plane. Li Bai is singing:
Mother land and home familiar
Soil of soul embracing ancestor
I concentrate on the emergency details. Life jackets are beneath our seats, emergencies exits two rows ahead to the left. Three stewardesses named Cindy, Connie and Sammie are my immediate first choices. The three of them are friendlier and more sincere, the others are either men, or too far away to make an assumption at this point. Dad is already snoring so he obviously isn’t even hearing all the important information. I’m taking notes for him; I know all the normal life jacket details, but the exits and toilets.
As we soar high above the clouds, Li Bai peers down at the floating clouds. They part, opening up the blaring blades of sunlight and the ocean stretching onto infinity. He studies the tiny ripples, waves blurring into the bright blue sky.
Li Bai
On his first plane trip
What is this strange roaring dragon, spiralling into the heavens? What gods and goddess would be greeting me outside this window? Shaping its grace in the clouds so discreetly? What fruit and wine do you enjoy among the halls of the gods?
We have by luck of the gods wound up in this dragon’s belly. My Caitlin has taken me here, with her father, right by the jaws, over the curling tongue and down its fiery throat. This dragon has gobbled up so many, but they all don’t seem to mind. Could it be the wine? Has this dragon lured them all in with trickery and illusions? The brew certainly smells real, it bubbles and has the similar taste to the fine brings me back to my travels in the capital Chang’an!
Alas, the dragon finally tiring, and has found land below. I do hope it is Tang and the middle kingdom; it has been so long since I see my wives and drank their wine. I do wish this dragon would let us all out soon, I do believe he is actually a friendly a dragon, Caitlin seems to think so too. His strange white wings flutter as he slows and dark circular claws appear from beneath.
Now the dragon has kindly opened up his belly for us, his feathers are parting to open large doorways. The people don’t seem in a hurry to get out and are more concerned with their treasures. Foolish greedy outsiders, when will you learn that all you need is good wine and good company, travel light and go where the road takes you, there is no need for so much gold!
I follow Caitlin and her father down the tunnel. This must be one of the dragon’s legs. Then we come to a dwelling filled with more foolish outsiders hoarding their treasures in sacks. We stand in line and slowly move closer to some fiery torches flashing misspelt characters in the colour of the dead.
Caitlin takes my hand and says everything is fine. I’mstarting to think both she and her father are wizards, possibly mystics of some sort. They take me into an enormous palace. I can’t believe how high the ceiling is. There are so many people here, I think almost the entire world is here, there must be some sort worldly event, and perhaps the surrounding regions of our great kingdom are forming an army. I certainly hope that is not the case, no good things come from war.
There are more dragons outside, some taking off, some resting. This must be a dragon related event, yes; there are far too many white dragons here for it to be a coincidence.
Caitlin is showing a man in a glass box her red book. I know that little red book is important to her, but I don’t know why. An almost perfect miniature painting of her is in it, I do intend to ask her about that painting, the detail is extraordinary.
Caitlin and I are waiting for her father. For some reason he has left us. Caitlin smiles at me.
She says, ‘We’re in China Li Bai! We’re back!’
China? I think to myself. Oh yes, that what’s they call my country these days. But this land has been stripped of every monument from long ago. Every stone from every temple has been crushed and has been replaced with mirror like cubes, towers with ghastly shadows that loom over the people below.
There is a dark magic at work here and it is spreading like a fire.
It is such a tragedy.
Steven
On the plane
She has her mother’s eyes. Even this deep blue nothingness around me is her. God, I miss her. Going to her hometown is definitely not going to make me miss her any less. Her mum had her voice. I wake up and think she is back from the dead over there, but it is just her mother shouting over a stupid mah-jong game. I can see her in her eyes. I act like nothing is wrong but I feel like crying sometimes, staring at photos of her from when she was a kid.
These air stewards have absolutely no idea about service. I’ve put on my light, waved my hands around but they have seemed to mysteriously miss it every time. It could be just bad luck, yes. Or it could just be that they would prefer to gossip in behind that stupid curtain as much as possible. I bet they are talking about us too. Sure, there are two that are pretty attractive, great angle on the nose, very even nostrils and the space between her bottom lip and chin is unusual. The one that served me last has a great posture too. I can’t deny her of that but their looks are lost in their attitude. Even their sweet smelly perfume won’t redeem their pathetic service.
Caitlin seems excited to go back. She is sitting there, trying not to let me notice her talking to her imaginary Li Bai friend. Sometimes she covers her mouth and whispers. I don’t make a fuss about it, though it has gone for quite some time. She’s fourteen already, when will it stop? A change of scenery has to help but I’m not sure another crazy Chinese New year is going to be any good for her. I’m dreading the fireworks and the cold. These people let toddlers handle explosives in freezing cold temperatures. I try to keep Caitlin safe as much as I can by her grandparents seem to think its fine to set off massive explosive fireworks in their garden. I’m not looking forward to this but we have to because they paid for our house in Manly so they can basically ask me to do anything, quit my job, work for the Chinese embassy or something really nationalistic like that and I would have no choice whatsoever. They bought us a house so they can do anything.
I’m not sure if I’m relieved when I hear them announce that we’re descending into Shanghai. I kind of want to stay up here in this plane, despite the horrible service. Up here, the world stands still and waits for us. It is holding its breath patiently as we hang here in limbo. Here in this stillness, we’re free from all the crap below. All the millions of Shanghainese, desperate to become rich, all the self-righteous, know-it-all generation x Aussie kids that think they know it all. I don’t want to be a part of that. I just want sit here, with my seatbelt on. I can live on crackers and sparkling wine no problem.
Caitlin
At Shanghai Airport
Waigong is still smoking. He gives me a hug, squinting his tiny eyes. He is getting older. I can count thirty four grey hairs sprouting from his head. The wrinkles on his forehead are longer than before. In the photo of him in our hallway, taken two years ago, he seems much younger. Maybe he has eight and half years left of life. Minus a year due to smoking so it is probably seven and half.
I’m holding Li Bai’s hand. He is nervous in crowds and I don’t want him getting lost. He smiles at me and his eyebrows twitch. It must be very strange for him, here. Waigong takes is into the car park. The temperature is at least four point three degrees from in the airport.
He has a new car, another Mercedes Benz. There is more in the back than his previous Benz, about ten centimetres added foot and leg-room and a wider seat for elbow space. Dad is looking around with wide eyes smiling at me.
He whispers, ‘This must have cost him a fortune.’
He is right so I assume the factory is doing well as Waigong is careful with money.
Li Bai is relieved when we leave Shanghai. These enormous buildings and winding streets must be scaring him. The sight of rice farms and clusters of small villages seem to calm him down. I’m not particularly interested in the view from the Benz. I have seen the same highway plenty of times, the overpasses and intersections all lookthe same. It is just, village, farm, village, farm, village to me.
I chant ‘Rice paddy, village, house, lights. Village, rice paddy,’
Waigong puts some old music on. He sings along and looks back at me sometimes, smiling. I wish he would concentrate on the road. There is a chance he could drift into the barriers on the side of the road and judging from his current speed of one hundred and ten kilometres per hour, we would all die.
If we make it to Shengzhou, in forty five minutes and twenty three seconds, I will be relieved.
Li Bai
On the road to the in-laws
Oh we’re nearing Hangzhou, what a splendid place. I do hope we stop. This chariot is awfully fast, quite frightening indeed. It appears that Caitlin’s grandfather has an excellent chariot that has no need for a horse. It is almost has the white mysterious dragon who kindly let us out of his stomach earlier. Perhaps men have learned to tame them? It must have required lengthy training sessions to tame such a large beast, hardworking men they must have been.
I do hope we stop at Hangzhou as the west lake is magnificent when the snow is falling. Oh and the wine is wonderful. It seems I haven’t had a good drink in an eternity, wherever we’re headed, there must be sufficient supplies of wine. I do need to write a poem or two, also. Give me a bottle of Hangzhou wine, some scrolls to write poetry on, by the west lake and I will write something brilliant in no time.
Caitlin is sleeping now. This long adventure appears to be tiring her out. The sun is setting over friendly mountains, we’re changing paths and it appears we’reheading into a village. I’m not familiar with the name of this village. What is this Changle? No, I have never heard of it and I have been all over the middle country.
We come to a halt and are greeted by a crowd of relatives and in-laws, cheers and handshakes, cups of tea and cigarettes for Caitlin’s father. He tries to refuse but they insist. Some even press the cigarette to his lips and light.
‘C’mon have a smoke,’ they say, ‘long time no see.’
Nobody is offering me a thing. They are being quite impolite actually. Am I not the guest of honour? I am Li Bai and surely they have heard of me for I am known throughout all of the middle country for my enchanting and versatile verse.
Steven
Changle
Back in Changle, I know what to expect. Masses of food, freezing cold, being forced to drink ridiculous amounts of light beer: all perfectly normal here. Dim grey cement walls, not a carpet or rug in sight, every single window and door left wide open to keep the frosty cold in: all perfectly normal here, too.
The evening chill gets wafted away with the steaming rice and sizzling fried fish. Mountains of dishes lay ready to devour on huge circular table; the smiling faces, horse laughs and monkey chuckles, all the animals of the Chinese zodiac. Most eyes are on Caitlin, eyes of envy and awe.
Several aunts say, ‘So beautiful, she is even more beautiful, so white, so beautiful and white.’
Caitlin knows to expect this. The compliments meannothing to her. She is just different, something rare to them to study and stare at. Caitlin probably knows what they really think about her. I mean, I used to try and protect her from all that, but she is getting older now and I’m sure she can understand enough of the dialect to pick-up on the whispering and bickering behind her back.
Half way through the meal, we’re blessed to have more visitors. Two aunties appear in the doorway with their fat children. They both have recently had their hair done, dyed blood red, an awful perm and twist. Their make-up is not thick, just like last time we visited. One of them has completely shaved her real eyebrows and replaced them with thin brown lines. Yep, that’s real classy.
There are three cousins that Caitlin had known since she was little. They are all boys and they have steadily grown into plump, chubby snobs. She is forced to sit in-between them. They peer over their i-pads and i-phones, frown and then resume their addictions.
Doing a great job aunties, raising three young obese boyswho are already obsessed with World of Warcraft. I pour the fake eyebrows auntie a glass of white wine. She loves the stuff, the other one is shovelling rice and tofu into her mouth, glasses fogging up from the steam. Such wonderful mothers, I wonder where their husbands are? Could be off around the corner, seeing their favourite prostitutes? Or maybe they are simply gambling illegally with the local mafia? The possibilities are endless.
Author Links:
http://www.asjpublishing.com/
http://www.asjpublishing.com/authors/lee-mavin/
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Lee+J+Mavin
https://www.facebook.com/TheStudentsSoldUsSecrets/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5103759.Lee_J_Mavin
Monday 26 September 2016
Wednesday 21 September 2016
**Welcome Wednesday: Micalea Smeltzer**
Micalea says:Hi. I’m Micalea. Ma-call-e-uh. Weird name, I know. My mom must’ve known I was going to be odd even in the womb.
I’ve written a lot of books. Like a lot. Don’t ask me how many, I don’t remember at this point.
I have an unhealthy addiction to Diet Coke but I can’t seem to break the habit.
I listen to way too much music and hedgehogs have taken over my life.
Crazy is the word that best sums up my life, but it’s the good kind of crazy and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
Excerpt for When Stars Collide:
We were like two stars orbiting each other—dancing around the possibility that one day we might collide. When we finally did, we opened up a black hole, obliterating everything around us. No one would be the same.
Least of all, us.
Waking up in Vegas married to the guy of your dreams sounds like a good thing, right? Not when you’re Thea Montgomery and said guy is your brother’s best friend.Thea and Xander have always avoided the connection between them because her brother would never approve. Now, they’re married— the strongest bond you can have as a couple—and they’re not even a real couple…unless they want to be.
Thea wants an annulment immediately, but Xander’s waited too long to see her become his and he won’t let her go easily.
If she wants a divorce, fine, but he wants the summer to convince her that he’s the one. If at the end of the summer she still wants to end their marriage he’ll sign the papers, but until then…
All is not fair in love and war.
Monday 19 September 2016
Sunday 18 September 2016
Cover Reveal: The Witches Cavern
The cover has been revealed for The Witches Cavern, a Halloween anthology from Marfa House. Have a look:
I love this cover.
One of my longer short stories, ''Life's a Witch'', is part of this collection. It will be available from October 6th.
I love this cover.
One of my longer short stories, ''Life's a Witch'', is part of this collection. It will be available from October 6th.
**Sunday Spotlight: Regina Wamba**
Meet Regina Wamba, graphic designer.
Here's what she has to say:
I’m an eternal optimist; negativity only serves as an anchor to creativity. Hate is a four letter word.
I graduated in 2006 from Brown College with a Degree in Visual Communications (Graphic Design). In 2010, I joined a forum and started doing fan art, using my design to make art from the books I read. While there, I met authors and the idea of covers and self-published work snowballed into what I’ve built today.
I loathe socks . . . absolutely detest those suckers . . . creeping down my foot, slouching into my boots, crinkling between the toes. <shivers>
Striving for excellence, and pushing myself to always step outside of the box, is something of a hobby of mine.
But I don’t want to reach the top without a crowd of peers around me, so I look to push people to find their passions and grab hold—no matter how nauseating that might be. Lift as you climb!
My clients include: Amazon, Atria Books, Random House, Penguin Books, Skyscape, Montlake Romance, Jessica Sorensen, Gail McHugh, Cambria Hebert, Leslie Dover, Lexi Blake, Micalea Smeltzer, Amy Bartol, and hundreds more.
If you hire me, my focus will be on designing you a cover with originality and significance.
Website:
http://www.maeidesign.com
Here's what she has to say:
I’m an eternal optimist; negativity only serves as an anchor to creativity. Hate is a four letter word.
I graduated in 2006 from Brown College with a Degree in Visual Communications (Graphic Design). In 2010, I joined a forum and started doing fan art, using my design to make art from the books I read. While there, I met authors and the idea of covers and self-published work snowballed into what I’ve built today.
I loathe socks . . . absolutely detest those suckers . . . creeping down my foot, slouching into my boots, crinkling between the toes. <shivers>
Striving for excellence, and pushing myself to always step outside of the box, is something of a hobby of mine.
But I don’t want to reach the top without a crowd of peers around me, so I look to push people to find their passions and grab hold—no matter how nauseating that might be. Lift as you climb!
My clients include: Amazon, Atria Books, Random House, Penguin Books, Skyscape, Montlake Romance, Jessica Sorensen, Gail McHugh, Cambria Hebert, Leslie Dover, Lexi Blake, Micalea Smeltzer, Amy Bartol, and hundreds more.
If you hire me, my focus will be on designing you a cover with originality and significance.
Website:
http://www.maeidesign.com
A Song for Sunday: Rob Zombie - Living Dead Girl
I'm in the mood for a little Rob Zombie today...
Who is this irresistible creature
Who has an insatiable lust for the dead?
(lyrics from metrolyrics)
Who has an insatiable lust for the dead?
Thursday 15 September 2016
Throwback Thursday
I was talking with some other writers today about NaNoWriMo and it reminded me of the two years that I spent as Municipal Liaison for Wales. It took some digging, but I found a couple of photos from one of our meetups:
Being ML for Wales was a helluva experience - but a lot of pressure. I'm much happier being a normal writer.
Being ML for Wales was a helluva experience - but a lot of pressure. I'm much happier being a normal writer.
Wednesday 14 September 2016
**Welcome Wednesday: S. N. Garza**
About the Author
S. N. Garza is from Southeast Houston, Texas, with her husband and two small children. She is a full time Chilihead employee at Chili's Bar & Grill. Author of steamy, sexy, sinfully beautiful stories about strong alpha men and the women who fall for them.
When she's not taking care of her family, or working her tail off, you can find her writing well into the night with her headphones on, or reading another steamy romance novel, attaining another fictional boyfriend.
Remember
Where the men are strong, the women, stronger.
Amazon Author Page:
amazon.com/author/stephanienicolegarza
Goodreads Author Page:
http://www.goodreads.com/sngarza
Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/stephanienicolelg
Blog:
http://sngarzabooks.blogspot.com
Instagram: @sngarza124
Twitter: @sngarza_author
Bound
Bound: Smarturl.it/boundbook1
Bound iTunes: https://itun.es/us/9Hl0-.l
Bound nook: smarturl.it/bound1nook
Courtland spent his childhood watching his mother turn tricks and bow to her abusive pimp. It taught him a lot about relationships and how never to get involved in one. When he meets sweet Adelaide, his life is forever changed. Her gentle personality has him thinking maybe his vow to never commit is misplaced. Until she disappears out of his life.
Adelaide knew the only way to escape the darkness she’s lived her life in, is to go back to the one place that’s haunted her dreams. Home.
Reuniting with Courtland is the last thing on her mind until she
becomes helpless to his every kiss. Hopeless to his every touch. And no matter how far she tries to run, her heart is irrevocably bound to him.
Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend
Amazon: Smarturl.it/daagbf
iTunes: https://itun.es/us/c1Gw-.l
Nook: smarturl.it/daagbfnook
***for mature readers due to sexual content, graphic language, and violence. Not for young adult readers***
He will show her a world she never imagined.
She will show him how to open his heart to love.
Scarlet Castle is a small-town girl with big-city dreams. Ever since she can remember being a dancer on Broadway has been her goal, but downtown Houston is as far as she’s gotten.
Dax Dixon keeps the books at Saints and Sinners Lounge, a well-known cabaret in the heart of Houston. He’s also the grandson of a hard core motorcycle club president. No one can prove the club is full of criminals, but Dax doesn’t need proof for what he already knows. And he also has no intention of being involved.
As for the opposite sex? They were only good for one reason.
Then he meets Scarlet. Then all bets are off.
One night at the lounge Scarlet becomes a witness to a crime, living proof that the MC is not as pure as they want people to believe. Dax’s grandfather wants to eliminate her and he sends someone she least expects to get the job done.
Can Dax get to her in time to save her from the MC determined to destroy their future?
Hot Houston Nights: Boxset (2 stories for the price of 1)
Hot Houston Nights: Boxset
Graham & Isabella/Grant & Pippah
Amazon: smarturl.it/hhnvol1
iTunes: https://itun.es/us/Onzqab.l
Kobo: smarturl.it/hhnvol1kobo
Nook: smarturl.it/hhnvol1nook
Graham & Isabella: What happens when a one night stand, doesn’t stay just that?
Out for the first time after a long term relationship, Isabella wasn’t expecting much except a good time with the girls. A one night stand wasn’t in the cards, until she met him.
Graham is damaged both physically and mentally by a past that refuses to let him go. When he sees Isabella for the first time, she wasn’t at all what he was expecting.
One night. No regrets. That’s all it was supposed to be. But fate has different plans. Follow Graham and Isabella on their discovery of trying to fight fate, but one night just isn’t enough.
This is a three part serial series of hot sexual encounters and conflicting emotions. Their journey to their happily forever after will be a hard one, but so worth it.
Grant & Pippah: Grant Moore is fine being a bachelor. He has no intentions on letting a woman lead him around by the nose like his best friend did. Until the one night he slept with a virgin. When morning came, she disappeared with the night. Leaving him feeling robbed. Something about her ignited a flame that he wasn't ready to burn out.
Pippah Walker had a list. Being the daughter of a wealthy man, she was making it happen. But when he cuts off her expenses and ships her to Texas to learn some real life lessons, Pippah decides to take a risk and mark off one of her quests. Having a one night stand.
No names were exchanged. Just red hot passion.
His Second Chance
Amazon: smarturl.it/hsc
iTunes: https://itun.es/us/vhzqab.l
Kobo: smarturl.it/hsc1kobo
Nook: smarturl.it/hscnook
As a young girl, all Kellan ever wanted was to be herself. Always compared to her perfect older sister, Kellan leaves for college with hopes to be free of condescending parents. When tragedy strikes, and her older sister gets murdered, she’s more ostracized than ever. So she stays away.
Five years and a big blow up with her boyfriend, Kellan returns to Bay Creek. A small Army town in west Texas.
After the tragic loss of his wife, Beckett took every mission he could to avoid his hometown. Letting his family raise his son in his absence. When Kellan shows up, he’s reminded what it feels like to be alive again. Only one thing…he never expected to fall in love again. Not with the sister of his dead wife.
Sparks fly and passion ignites. How could something so wrong, feel so right?
Will his second chance at happiness blow up in his face?
Secrets are uncovered. And the betrayal cuts deep. But love…cuts the deepest.
X-Treme Measure
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2bMyiU6
Smashwords: smarturl.it/xmsmash
iTunes: https://itun.es/us/SOATdb.l
Kobo: smarturl.it/xmkobo
Nook: smarturl.it/xmnook
* this is a contemporary romance novel recommended for ages 18+ due to sexual content and mature subject matter*
X-TREME MEASURE: where everything is for your pleasure.
Daniel 'The Duke' Greensboro wants nothing more than to take care of his little girl. Being a male stripper and escort made that happen. He wasn't looking for anything else. Until she moved into the apartment next door and turned his world upside down.
When Moriah's financial aid is cut off, she has to find a new place to live and going home to deadbeat parents wasn't an option. Finding a posh apartment in the heart of Houston was her only choice. She didn't anticipate meeting hot, sexy-as-sin, single dad Daniel Greensboro...the neighbor across the hall. When he asks for a favor, she just can't say no.
Then one night Moriah goes out with the girl's from work and they head straight for X-treme Measure. She has no idea what to expect, until she sees Daniel, heating up the stage.
Seeing Moriah at X-treme Measure is shocking but it provokes him to give her just a little tease of what she could have.
Sometimes you find love in all the wrong places. Every once in awhile, it's so worth it.
Coming November 24th
Served
Amazon pre-order: Smarturl.it/servedsng
Sarah Connelly's had a crush on Team USA Volleyball player Donovan Richards ever since she could remember. When she finally gets the chance to meet him, she never thought she'd catch him with his pants down. What's a girl to do?
The intense, focused gold medalist Donovan Richards never believed in love at first sight. Until Sarah, the new sports medicine trainer, came walking in, catching him almost naked in the locker room and staring straight at his dick.
Sarah is dedicated to her job, but Donovan is relentless. He goes for what he wants and that's the sexy, sassy Miss. Connelly.
Should she choose love over having the career of a lifetime? Or can she find a way to have both? Donovan certainly thinks so, because he's never giving up on her or on them. Even if it means quitting Team USA.
S. N. Garza is from Southeast Houston, Texas, with her husband and two small children. She is a full time Chilihead employee at Chili's Bar & Grill. Author of steamy, sexy, sinfully beautiful stories about strong alpha men and the women who fall for them.
When she's not taking care of her family, or working her tail off, you can find her writing well into the night with her headphones on, or reading another steamy romance novel, attaining another fictional boyfriend.
Remember
Where the men are strong, the women, stronger.
Amazon Author Page:
amazon.com/author/stephanienicolegarza
Goodreads Author Page:
http://www.goodreads.com/sngarza
Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/stephanienicolelg
Blog:
http://sngarzabooks.blogspot.com
Instagram: @sngarza124
Twitter: @sngarza_author
BoundBound: Smarturl.it/boundbook1
Bound iTunes: https://itun.es/us/9Hl0-.l
Bound nook: smarturl.it/bound1nook
Courtland spent his childhood watching his mother turn tricks and bow to her abusive pimp. It taught him a lot about relationships and how never to get involved in one. When he meets sweet Adelaide, his life is forever changed. Her gentle personality has him thinking maybe his vow to never commit is misplaced. Until she disappears out of his life.
Adelaide knew the only way to escape the darkness she’s lived her life in, is to go back to the one place that’s haunted her dreams. Home.
Reuniting with Courtland is the last thing on her mind until she
becomes helpless to his every kiss. Hopeless to his every touch. And no matter how far she tries to run, her heart is irrevocably bound to him.
Amazon: Smarturl.it/daagbf
iTunes: https://itun.es/us/c1Gw-.l
Nook: smarturl.it/daagbfnook
***for mature readers due to sexual content, graphic language, and violence. Not for young adult readers***
He will show her a world she never imagined.
She will show him how to open his heart to love.
Scarlet Castle is a small-town girl with big-city dreams. Ever since she can remember being a dancer on Broadway has been her goal, but downtown Houston is as far as she’s gotten.
Dax Dixon keeps the books at Saints and Sinners Lounge, a well-known cabaret in the heart of Houston. He’s also the grandson of a hard core motorcycle club president. No one can prove the club is full of criminals, but Dax doesn’t need proof for what he already knows. And he also has no intention of being involved.
As for the opposite sex? They were only good for one reason.
Then he meets Scarlet. Then all bets are off.
One night at the lounge Scarlet becomes a witness to a crime, living proof that the MC is not as pure as they want people to believe. Dax’s grandfather wants to eliminate her and he sends someone she least expects to get the job done.
Can Dax get to her in time to save her from the MC determined to destroy their future?
Hot Houston Nights: Boxset
Graham & Isabella/Grant & Pippah
Amazon: smarturl.it/hhnvol1
iTunes: https://itun.es/us/Onzqab.l
Kobo: smarturl.it/hhnvol1kobo
Nook: smarturl.it/hhnvol1nook
Graham & Isabella: What happens when a one night stand, doesn’t stay just that?
Out for the first time after a long term relationship, Isabella wasn’t expecting much except a good time with the girls. A one night stand wasn’t in the cards, until she met him.
Graham is damaged both physically and mentally by a past that refuses to let him go. When he sees Isabella for the first time, she wasn’t at all what he was expecting.
One night. No regrets. That’s all it was supposed to be. But fate has different plans. Follow Graham and Isabella on their discovery of trying to fight fate, but one night just isn’t enough.
This is a three part serial series of hot sexual encounters and conflicting emotions. Their journey to their happily forever after will be a hard one, but so worth it.
Grant & Pippah: Grant Moore is fine being a bachelor. He has no intentions on letting a woman lead him around by the nose like his best friend did. Until the one night he slept with a virgin. When morning came, she disappeared with the night. Leaving him feeling robbed. Something about her ignited a flame that he wasn't ready to burn out.
Pippah Walker had a list. Being the daughter of a wealthy man, she was making it happen. But when he cuts off her expenses and ships her to Texas to learn some real life lessons, Pippah decides to take a risk and mark off one of her quests. Having a one night stand.
No names were exchanged. Just red hot passion.
His Second ChanceAmazon: smarturl.it/hsc
iTunes: https://itun.es/us/vhzqab.l
Kobo: smarturl.it/hsc1kobo
Nook: smarturl.it/hscnook
As a young girl, all Kellan ever wanted was to be herself. Always compared to her perfect older sister, Kellan leaves for college with hopes to be free of condescending parents. When tragedy strikes, and her older sister gets murdered, she’s more ostracized than ever. So she stays away.
Five years and a big blow up with her boyfriend, Kellan returns to Bay Creek. A small Army town in west Texas.
After the tragic loss of his wife, Beckett took every mission he could to avoid his hometown. Letting his family raise his son in his absence. When Kellan shows up, he’s reminded what it feels like to be alive again. Only one thing…he never expected to fall in love again. Not with the sister of his dead wife.
Sparks fly and passion ignites. How could something so wrong, feel so right?
Will his second chance at happiness blow up in his face?
Secrets are uncovered. And the betrayal cuts deep. But love…cuts the deepest.
X-Treme MeasureAmazon: http://amzn.to/2bMyiU6
Smashwords: smarturl.it/xmsmash
iTunes: https://itun.es/us/SOATdb.l
Kobo: smarturl.it/xmkobo
Nook: smarturl.it/xmnook
* this is a contemporary romance novel recommended for ages 18+ due to sexual content and mature subject matter*
X-TREME MEASURE: where everything is for your pleasure.
Daniel 'The Duke' Greensboro wants nothing more than to take care of his little girl. Being a male stripper and escort made that happen. He wasn't looking for anything else. Until she moved into the apartment next door and turned his world upside down.
When Moriah's financial aid is cut off, she has to find a new place to live and going home to deadbeat parents wasn't an option. Finding a posh apartment in the heart of Houston was her only choice. She didn't anticipate meeting hot, sexy-as-sin, single dad Daniel Greensboro...the neighbor across the hall. When he asks for a favor, she just can't say no.
Then one night Moriah goes out with the girl's from work and they head straight for X-treme Measure. She has no idea what to expect, until she sees Daniel, heating up the stage.
Seeing Moriah at X-treme Measure is shocking but it provokes him to give her just a little tease of what she could have.
Sometimes you find love in all the wrong places. Every once in awhile, it's so worth it.
Coming November 24th
Served
Amazon pre-order: Smarturl.it/servedsng
Sarah Connelly's had a crush on Team USA Volleyball player Donovan Richards ever since she could remember. When she finally gets the chance to meet him, she never thought she'd catch him with his pants down. What's a girl to do?
The intense, focused gold medalist Donovan Richards never believed in love at first sight. Until Sarah, the new sports medicine trainer, came walking in, catching him almost naked in the locker room and staring straight at his dick.
Sarah is dedicated to her job, but Donovan is relentless. He goes for what he wants and that's the sexy, sassy Miss. Connelly.
Should she choose love over having the career of a lifetime? Or can she find a way to have both? Donovan certainly thinks so, because he's never giving up on her or on them. Even if it means quitting Team USA.
Tuesday 13 September 2016
Call for Submissions: Slashing Through the Snow
Jaded Books Publishing is accepting submissions for their Seasonal Anthology for December "Slashing through the Snow."
Any type of Holiday that is celebrated around "Christmas Time" is accepted. Must be horror or horror subgenre oriented (psychological, contemporary, supernatural, paranormal, psychic, humorous horror and splatterpunk, dark fantasy, crime thrillers, suspense, dark erotica, mystery, and apocalyptic fiction, as well as bizarro.)
Slashing through the Snow - Submission Guidelines:
-Word Format
-Times New Roman font size 12
-3,000 to 10,000 words
-Must include some form of Seasonal Holiday of December (and be a subgenre of horror)
-Send with Xmas Anthology in Subject Line
-Send to: submissions@jadedbookspublishing.com or visit www.jadedbookspublishing.com for more information
-DEADLINE November 15, 2016
Any type of Holiday that is celebrated around "Christmas Time" is accepted. Must be horror or horror subgenre oriented (psychological, contemporary, supernatural, paranormal, psychic, humorous horror and splatterpunk, dark fantasy, crime thrillers, suspense, dark erotica, mystery, and apocalyptic fiction, as well as bizarro.)
Slashing through the Snow - Submission Guidelines:
-Word Format
-Times New Roman font size 12
-3,000 to 10,000 words
-Must include some form of Seasonal Holiday of December (and be a subgenre of horror)
-Send with Xmas Anthology in Subject Line
-Send to: submissions@jadedbookspublishing.com or visit www.jadedbookspublishing.com for more information
-DEADLINE November 15, 2016
Cover Reveal: Pale is the New Tan
I'm excited to be able to share this with you:
You're looking at the cover for my first solo book, 'Pale is the New Tan', which is going to be available in print and eBook on September 29th.
What are your thoughts? Are you looking forward to launch day? Leave a comment and let me know.
You're looking at the cover for my first solo book, 'Pale is the New Tan', which is going to be available in print and eBook on September 29th.
What are your thoughts? Are you looking forward to launch day? Leave a comment and let me know.
Monday 12 September 2016
Spaces Available: Internships at Marfa House
This is a great opportunity for students. If you're interested in publishing, and are currently in college, Marfa House needs you.
Monday's Meme of the Week
Every writer has a search history that should never be seen by the authorities. And, at some point, every single one of them has thought...
Sunday 11 September 2016
A Song for Sunday: The Damned - Dr. Woofenstein
When the hubs first mentioned this song to me I laughed. I mean... what is up with that title?
But then I listened to it and, hey, I love it.
But then I listened to it and, hey, I love it.
''His satellites have gone blind
but his demons breathe...''
(lyrics by metrolyrics.top)
I dare you to listen to this song and not immediately get it stuck in your head.
Saturday 10 September 2016
Wondra's Top 10 Books for Fall
Autumn is for readers. Whether you're lounging beneath a golden-leafed tree or cuddled up under a blanket while the rain lashes against the house, there's no better time for a good book.
Here are some of my favourite books for fall. Give 'em a try and don't forget to share your own.
Here are some of my favourite books for fall. Give 'em a try and don't forget to share your own.
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LJ Smith I read at least one of these two every fall - often both. LJ was my favourite author growing up and these are still two of my favourite series. They've both got a brilliant combination of that back-to-school feeling, mixed with the supernatural element that is uniquely autumn. Don't expect either series to be anything like their tv shows, though! |
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The Enchantment of Mabon Ellen Dugan This is another yearly read for me. Dugan has a magical way of making a book that could be very dry come alive. I've read plenty of books with similar information - correspondences, recipes, spells, etc. - but Dugan presents it in a way that readers can immediately relate to. This really is an essential book for witchy folk. |
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Ray Bradbury The ability Bradbury had of making a story into a metaphor (Or is that making a metaphor into a story?) never ceases to astonish me. Farewell Summer isn't my favourite Bradbury book but it's still intensely powerful. It deals with death and life (in that order) and tries to make sense of it all. I felt older and wiser after reading this. |
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JK Rowling If you haven't read the Harry Potter series yet, please crawl out of whatever cave you're living in and join us in the 21st century. I feel like I don't even need to justify this book being here because - HARRY POTTER. |
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Rainbow Rowell Here's another great back-to-school book. Good story, believable characters, totally familiar feeling of why-the-fuck-am-here-what-the-fuck-am-I-suppose-to-do-now. I absolutely adore the relationship between Cath and Levi, especially her reading to him. That gets my feels. The way each chapter is punctuated with snippets from fictional literature makes the fangirl thing work - and makes every person who's ever written fanfiction go ''aww''. |
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Charlotte Bronte This is one of my favourite novels of all time. I had a teacher once who described Jane Eyre as ''the closest thing we'd ever read to a romance'' in her class. She didn't tell us we were about to be introduced to one of the greatest love stories of all time. There are a million and one reasons to love Jane Eyre - not the least of which being that the ''plain jane'' stays plain while the hunky love interest gets taken down a peg - but, really, it's on my list for the sheer snuggly goodness. |
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Stephen King The obligatory horror inclusion. There are plenty of King books that are great for fall but this is my favourite because of the whole back-to-school, burn-it-to-the-ground thing going on. If your high school experience was anything like mine, you can identify with Carrie, at least a little. Plus, with its increasingly long nights, Fall is the perfect time for horror. |
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John Irving You've probably seen the movie adaptation of The Cider House Rules and that's okay. You liked the movie, right? Read the book; it's better. While the movie has all that gorgeous imagery, the book is deeper, richer, and more intense. It isn't exactly a warm, squishy read, though. It deals with some pretty serious issues and will probably piss you off at some point or another. |
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Wilkie Collins Okay, let's get this out of the way now: I don't like crime novels. Mysteries and thrillers are barely acceptable. It takes a lot to get me to read anything that doesn't have, you know, fangs. But, since this was required reading, I didn't have much choice in the matter. And I'm so glad it happened that way because I love The Woman in White. One of the reasons is that it doesn't feel like a crime thriller; it's more like a ghost story. It's dark, creepy, and thoroughly engaging. |
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Neil Gaiman Autumn always makes me think of things that go bump in the night because it's a time of growing darkness. M is for Magic is here for its supernatural element. As you're reading about trolls, ghosts, aliens, whatever, you just accept them as a reality because Gaiman MAKES them real. In his stories there's always a sense of whimsy closely twined with a feeling of deep melancholy - which is probably what attracts me to his writing! |
Coming Soon: A Lovely Darkness: Poetry With Heart
Just five days until the release of this gorgeous anthology:
Don't forget that the proceeds from the first week all go to St. Jude's. It's a great cause and a lot of great authors are involved - including yours truly - so mark your calendars.
Don't forget that the proceeds from the first week all go to St. Jude's. It's a great cause and a lot of great authors are involved - including yours truly - so mark your calendars.
Friday 9 September 2016
**Author Spotlight: Z.Z. Rae**
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Z.Z. Rae is the author of the book: Angel Guidance for Wealth. She lives in a small town, where she inspires others to find their voice and do their passion in life. A coffee addict, Z.Z. loves to find unique coffee mugs, as well as taste several kinds of dark chocolate. Amazon Author link: https://www.amazon.com/Z.Z.-Rae/e/B01H41J5TE/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1472926908&sr=8-1 |
| Angel Guidance for Wealth: Do you struggle in the area of wealth? Have you felt frustrated? In Angel Guidance for Wealth, the angels messages speak directly to you. They breathe on the pages their helpful advice, love, and wisdom. In this book, you will hear from multiple angels—they are always at our side to help us. Open up your heart, to the love of your angels, and walk free. Don't forget to pick up your FREE copy of Angel Guidance for Peace at the end of the book! (link: https://amzn.com/B01GY4P67C) |
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Thursday 8 September 2016
Guest Spot: Nicole's School Days Playlist
I don't know about you but I'm having an absolute riot with these playlists. Music has been such an important part of our lives - and it's fun to see which songs my friends will come up with.
Today, it's Nicole's turn.This should be good, because she has an extremely varied taste in music.
Nicole says: Wondra asked me to do a back to school playlist for her blog. This is a list of songs that bring back memories of that time of year. I will try to do these in as best chronological order I can.
1. Stayin' Alive- The Bee Gees
2. Magic- Olivia Newton-John
3. Jack and Diane- John Cougar
4. Boys of Summer- Don Henley
5. I Think We're Alone Now- Tiffany
6. Papa Don't Preach- Madonna
7. Sledgehammer- Peter Gabriel
8. Lean On Me- Club Nouveau
9. Take My Breath Away- Berlin
10. Shout- Tears For Fears
11. Head To Toe- Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
12. Need You Tonight- INXS
13. Sweet Child O' Mine- Guns n' Roses
14. Step By Step- New Kids On The Block
15. More Than Words- Extreme
16. Tomorrow- Morrissey
17. Lovesong- The Cure
18. Right Here Waiting- Richard Marx
19. Today- Smashing Pumpkins
20. Hey Jealousy- Gin Blossoms
Today, it's Nicole's turn.This should be good, because she has an extremely varied taste in music.
Nicole's School Days Playlist:
1. Stayin' Alive- The Bee Gees
2. Magic- Olivia Newton-John
3. Jack and Diane- John Cougar
4. Boys of Summer- Don Henley
5. I Think We're Alone Now- Tiffany
6. Papa Don't Preach- Madonna
7. Sledgehammer- Peter Gabriel
8. Lean On Me- Club Nouveau
9. Take My Breath Away- Berlin
10. Shout- Tears For Fears
11. Head To Toe- Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
12. Need You Tonight- INXS
13. Sweet Child O' Mine- Guns n' Roses
14. Step By Step- New Kids On The Block
15. More Than Words- Extreme
16. Tomorrow- Morrissey
17. Lovesong- The Cure
18. Right Here Waiting- Richard Marx
19. Today- Smashing Pumpkins
20. Hey Jealousy- Gin Blossoms
Throwback Thursday
One of my cousins shared this picture recently:
It's from one of my recent trips home. Around 2010, I think.
I love this photo because it's so me: dyed hair, hoodie, camera. Plus, you can't see my face. LOL.
That hoodie was one of my favourites, too. It's still around - just missing most of its teeth, thanks to a little puppy called Khaaaan.
It's from one of my recent trips home. Around 2010, I think.
I love this photo because it's so me: dyed hair, hoodie, camera. Plus, you can't see my face. LOL.
That hoodie was one of my favourites, too. It's still around - just missing most of its teeth, thanks to a little puppy called Khaaaan.
Wednesday 7 September 2016
Help me find this book!
I read a book almost twenty years ago now that I can't remember the name of. Which makes finding it again pretty damned hard. Maybe you can help?
Here's what I remember:
Okay... so... is this book real or did I imagine it? I've been looking for ages, without any luck.
Here's what I remember:
- It's a romance.
- It's a series of at least three books but more, I think.
- The main character in one of them was a woman abducted by an alien at a sci-fi convention.
- The guy is from a species that can shift into some kind of cat.
- He's totally obsessed with braiding her hair. All the guys in the series are.
- I read this in the Nineties - but I'm pretty sure I got it second hand then.
Okay... so... is this book real or did I imagine it? I've been looking for ages, without any luck.
WednesDIY: Whimsical Warmth Headband
It's still pretty warm but I'm getting a head start on my autumn cozy wear. The Whimsical Warmth Headband is a well-written pattern that's easy to follow.
I'm absolutely useless at checking things like gauge and hook size so it's not surprising that my first attempt ended up being a little too big to be comfortable.
My second attempt was much snugger but not as pretty.
I can definitely see me making more of these before the end of autumn. You know... after checking the hook size.
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