Ginger Simpson's Blog, page 60
April 26, 2015
Two Sentence Horror Stories
These are great. I posted them on another blog a couple of years ago, but they still intrigue me. I wish I could take credit for any of them but I can't. Enjoy! ~ Jamie Hill If you're looking for a horrifying story that will keep you up tonight, don't waste all that time watching a horror movie. Reddit has provided us with pages of terrifying horror stories wrapped up in two sentences or less. Here are some favorite stories guaranteed to make you keep your lights on tonight.
1. Therealhatman
I woke up to hear knocking on glass. At first, I thought it was the window until I heard it come from the mirror again.
2. Jmperson
The last thing I saw was my alarm clock flashing 12:07 before she pushed her long rotting nails through my chest, her other hand muffling my screams. I sat bolt upright, relieved it was only a dream, but as I saw my alarm clock read 12:06, I heard my closet door creak open.
3. Miami_Metro
Growing up with cats and dogs, I got used to the sounds of scratching at my door while I slept. Now that I live alone, it is much more unsettling.
4. EvilSteveDave
In all of the time that I've lived alone in this house, I swear to God I've closed more doors than I've opened.
5. Drrd777
A girl heard her mom yell her name from downstairs, so she got up and started to head down. As she got to the stairs, her mom pulled her into her room and said "I heard that, too."
6. Calamitosity
She asked why I was breathing so heavily. I wasn't.
7. The_D_String
My wife woke me up last night to tell me there was an intruder in our house. She was murdered by an intruder 2 years ago.
8. Doctordevice
I awoke to the sound of the baby monitor crackling with a voice comforting my firstborn child. As I adjusted to a new position, my arm brushed against my wife, sleeping next to me.
9. Hangukbrian
I always thought my cat had a staring problem - she always seemed fixated on my face. Until one day, when I realized that she was always looking just behind me.
10. Wartortlesthebestest
There's nothing like the laughter of a baby. Unless it's 1 a.m. and you're home alone.
11. Vigridarena
I was having a pleasant dream when what sounded like hammering woke me. After that, I could barely hear the muffled sound of dirt covering the coffin over my own screams.
12. Vaultkid321
"I can't sleep," she whispered, crawling into bed with me. I woke up cold, clutching the dress she was buried in.
13. JustAnotherMuffledVo
I begin tucking him into bed and he tells me, "Daddy, check for monsters under my bed." I look underneath for his amusement and see him, another him, under the bed, staring back at me quivering and whispering, "Daddy, there's somebody on my bed."
14. madamimadamimadam
You get home, tired after a long day's work and ready for a relaxing night alone. You reach for the light switch, but another hand is already there.
15. Graboid27
I can't move, breathe, speak or hear and it's so dark all the time. If I knew it would be this lonely, I would have been cremated instead.
16. Aerron
She went upstairs to check on her sleeping toddler. The window was open and the bed was empty.
17. Genetically_witless
I never go to sleep. But I keep waking up.
18. Skuppy
My daughter won't stop crying and screaming in the middle of the night. I visit her grave and ask her to stop, but it doesn't help.
19. Cobaltcollapse
After working a hard day, I came home to see my girlfriend cradling our child. I didn't know which was more frightening, seeing my dead girlfriend and stillborn child, or knowing that someone broke into my apartment to place them there.
20. Guztaluz
There was a picture in my phone of me sleeping. I live alone.
1. Therealhatman
I woke up to hear knocking on glass. At first, I thought it was the window until I heard it come from the mirror again.
2. Jmperson
The last thing I saw was my alarm clock flashing 12:07 before she pushed her long rotting nails through my chest, her other hand muffling my screams. I sat bolt upright, relieved it was only a dream, but as I saw my alarm clock read 12:06, I heard my closet door creak open.
3. Miami_Metro
Growing up with cats and dogs, I got used to the sounds of scratching at my door while I slept. Now that I live alone, it is much more unsettling.
4. EvilSteveDave
In all of the time that I've lived alone in this house, I swear to God I've closed more doors than I've opened.
5. Drrd777
A girl heard her mom yell her name from downstairs, so she got up and started to head down. As she got to the stairs, her mom pulled her into her room and said "I heard that, too."
6. Calamitosity
She asked why I was breathing so heavily. I wasn't.
7. The_D_String
My wife woke me up last night to tell me there was an intruder in our house. She was murdered by an intruder 2 years ago.
8. Doctordevice
I awoke to the sound of the baby monitor crackling with a voice comforting my firstborn child. As I adjusted to a new position, my arm brushed against my wife, sleeping next to me.
9. Hangukbrian
I always thought my cat had a staring problem - she always seemed fixated on my face. Until one day, when I realized that she was always looking just behind me.
10. Wartortlesthebestest
There's nothing like the laughter of a baby. Unless it's 1 a.m. and you're home alone.
11. Vigridarena
I was having a pleasant dream when what sounded like hammering woke me. After that, I could barely hear the muffled sound of dirt covering the coffin over my own screams.
12. Vaultkid321
"I can't sleep," she whispered, crawling into bed with me. I woke up cold, clutching the dress she was buried in.
13. JustAnotherMuffledVo
I begin tucking him into bed and he tells me, "Daddy, check for monsters under my bed." I look underneath for his amusement and see him, another him, under the bed, staring back at me quivering and whispering, "Daddy, there's somebody on my bed."
14. madamimadamimadam
You get home, tired after a long day's work and ready for a relaxing night alone. You reach for the light switch, but another hand is already there.
15. Graboid27
I can't move, breathe, speak or hear and it's so dark all the time. If I knew it would be this lonely, I would have been cremated instead.
16. Aerron
She went upstairs to check on her sleeping toddler. The window was open and the bed was empty.
17. Genetically_witless
I never go to sleep. But I keep waking up.
18. Skuppy
My daughter won't stop crying and screaming in the middle of the night. I visit her grave and ask her to stop, but it doesn't help.
19. Cobaltcollapse
After working a hard day, I came home to see my girlfriend cradling our child. I didn't know which was more frightening, seeing my dead girlfriend and stillborn child, or knowing that someone broke into my apartment to place them there.
20. Guztaluz
There was a picture in my phone of me sleeping. I live alone.
SUNDAY SNIPPETS WITH GINGER #sundaysnips
I'm giving you a teaser from Betrayed which is now on Amazon Countdown. Get your copy while the price is only 99 cents. The special lasts until May 1. I'm currently working on the second in the series, Deceived.“Ring, damn it!” Cassie sat, curled up on the sofa, and stared at the phone. For the last hour she’d fought with herself about being the one to initiate the call, but her mother’s words echoed in her mind. “Nice girls don’t call boys. They wait.”
Cassie wondered what her mother would think about this whole Internet dating scene. Mom maintained old-fashioned standards, still believing that real men opened doors and threw their cloaks over mud puddles. Cassie opened her own doors and stepped over puddles, but the one thing she couldn’t do was fill the void of loneliness inside herself.
The phone’s loud ring sliced through the silence, startling her and ending her dilemma. She took a deep breath before she answered. She didn’t want to sound too eager.
“Hello.”
“Hi, purdy lady.”
Cassie’s heart warmed. She snuggled down on the couch and cuddled the phone between her head and shoulder.
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http://amzn.com/B00GXKW7OIBLURB:The advertisement claimed: “Find your true love; we’ll match you with the person of your dreams.” Their irritating spam clogged her computer inbox. "Free tonight? Let’s chat." Cassie Fremont thought of hitting the ‘trash’ button, but the promises were alluring. Divorced and so lonely, Cassie signs up for the on-line dating service. What she doesn’t know is the cost of the ticket for her ride on the romantic roller coaster from hell.
Now hop on over to these other blogs and view their Sunday Snippet:
http://www.jamiehill.biz/
http://triciamg.blogspot.com (Tricia McGill)
April 24, 2015
"WHY TABOO?" ASKED GINGER SIMPSON
Discussions of reglition and politics, as far as many are concerned, are to be avoided at all costs. Why? We touch on nerves of those who don't share our opinions, and open topics that make us uncomfortable.
Someone has decided there is a time and place, and blogs and loops are not appropriate sites for these two delicate subjects. I'm not sure that's in keeping with the religious following of many, since the Bible, on which Christianity is based, instructs us to spread the gospel...but obviously on someone else's schedule.
I don't often speak on religion because that's something that is felt in the heart and soul. I have a relationship with God that needs no definition, and does not require that I worship him only on a certain day and place. I respect those who feel the same as I respect those who bring the Lord to light.
I do however become very vocal when challenged on politics, because there is so much ignorance involved in why people vote as they do. Many, many people know nothing of todays events and count on family legacy or party loyalty to manage our lives. I'm not that naive. I was born into a democratic family, but I truly believe the time for the two party system has passed and the current structure of the government is devisive. There should be no aisle to reach across nor another group to blame. In my opinion, the time has come to abolish the ass and elephant and rely on educating ourselves before we vote... to make sure elected officials represent the interest of their constituents and hold them accountable if they don't. Somewhere along the line we have relinguished our right to voice or opinions and make them count for something. It's time for a change and it's time to get rid of the stale, old geezers who have dominated for so long. We need term limits so that political positions do not become a career with a more-than-healthy pension. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have someone interested in padding our pockets instead of just their own, but doing it legally?
I read a post on another blog about why we haven't elected a female president and considered it a huge endorsement for a particular female condidate. I can honestly say, while I believe in female equality, there are certain times when simply being female is not the answer to a problem. My ex-husband was a police officer, and as stated, I understand women want to wear the uniform of the occupation, but I always held hope that if faced with a 250 pounded opponent, high on drugs, and challenging the law, my hubby's partner would be another man who might provide the bodily support he needed. Does that make me anti-female? No way....it makes me logical. A 120 pound woman is no match for the strength of a man, let alone under the stated circumstances. Neither can a female president resolve the problems we face with Muslim Extremist nations who hold no woman in regard. I recall when I worked at an institution of higher education, and come commencement day, male Muslim graduates wouldn't even shake the hand of our female Dean as all others did when presented a diploma. We were required to change the entire process and have a male Associate Dean step in and offer his hand. According to their religion, touching a woman other than their wife is considered sinful. If you can't shake a President's hand, how much will your ideas and input be regarded? Not at all, I'd say, and isn't that a critical role of the POTUS?
These are my opinions and I own them, and I force them on no one, but I am always willing to discuss them in a respectful manner.
That said...I didn't write a book to tie to this blog so I suppose I've violated some sort of ethics, and if you see this post as that, I apologize. My goal is to encourage everyone to vote the candidate and not the party. Just because your grandpappy voted one way is NOT a reason to continue dependence upon a party that continues to fail us. To borrow the name of another blog....Wake Up America.
In the case you do want to check out my books. My Amazon page is a great way to glimpe them all.
Someone has decided there is a time and place, and blogs and loops are not appropriate sites for these two delicate subjects. I'm not sure that's in keeping with the religious following of many, since the Bible, on which Christianity is based, instructs us to spread the gospel...but obviously on someone else's schedule.
I don't often speak on religion because that's something that is felt in the heart and soul. I have a relationship with God that needs no definition, and does not require that I worship him only on a certain day and place. I respect those who feel the same as I respect those who bring the Lord to light.
I do however become very vocal when challenged on politics, because there is so much ignorance involved in why people vote as they do. Many, many people know nothing of todays events and count on family legacy or party loyalty to manage our lives. I'm not that naive. I was born into a democratic family, but I truly believe the time for the two party system has passed and the current structure of the government is devisive. There should be no aisle to reach across nor another group to blame. In my opinion, the time has come to abolish the ass and elephant and rely on educating ourselves before we vote... to make sure elected officials represent the interest of their constituents and hold them accountable if they don't. Somewhere along the line we have relinguished our right to voice or opinions and make them count for something. It's time for a change and it's time to get rid of the stale, old geezers who have dominated for so long. We need term limits so that political positions do not become a career with a more-than-healthy pension. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have someone interested in padding our pockets instead of just their own, but doing it legally?
I read a post on another blog about why we haven't elected a female president and considered it a huge endorsement for a particular female condidate. I can honestly say, while I believe in female equality, there are certain times when simply being female is not the answer to a problem. My ex-husband was a police officer, and as stated, I understand women want to wear the uniform of the occupation, but I always held hope that if faced with a 250 pounded opponent, high on drugs, and challenging the law, my hubby's partner would be another man who might provide the bodily support he needed. Does that make me anti-female? No way....it makes me logical. A 120 pound woman is no match for the strength of a man, let alone under the stated circumstances. Neither can a female president resolve the problems we face with Muslim Extremist nations who hold no woman in regard. I recall when I worked at an institution of higher education, and come commencement day, male Muslim graduates wouldn't even shake the hand of our female Dean as all others did when presented a diploma. We were required to change the entire process and have a male Associate Dean step in and offer his hand. According to their religion, touching a woman other than their wife is considered sinful. If you can't shake a President's hand, how much will your ideas and input be regarded? Not at all, I'd say, and isn't that a critical role of the POTUS?
These are my opinions and I own them, and I force them on no one, but I am always willing to discuss them in a respectful manner.
That said...I didn't write a book to tie to this blog so I suppose I've violated some sort of ethics, and if you see this post as that, I apologize. My goal is to encourage everyone to vote the candidate and not the party. Just because your grandpappy voted one way is NOT a reason to continue dependence upon a party that continues to fail us. To borrow the name of another blog....Wake Up America.
In the case you do want to check out my books. My Amazon page is a great way to glimpe them all.
FRIDAY FREEBITS WITH SHIRLEY MARTIN #frifreebits
Jennifer stepped outside on the brick patio, needing to escape the continual bragging of the stockbroker whose only subject was himself. Closing the French doors behind her, she shut out most of the noise and laughter from the party inside, a welcome relief. Surprised she had the patio to herself, she rested her hand on the iron railing and inhaled the cool November air, her gaze absorbing the magnificent houses and lush foliage of this elegant Coral Gables neighborhood. Some day she hoped to have a home of her own, but she knew she could never afford a spacious mansion such as this. But that was fine with her: a more modest house would suit her nicely. The fragrance of night-blooming jasmine drifted her way, carried by a light easterly breeze. She stared upward at the clear sky where a sprinkling of stars and a couple of planets overcame the competition of bright city lights. She’d return to the party in a few minutes, but for now, she wanted time to herself. She’d had a rough week and wanted just a few moments alone.
“A beautiful night, isn’t it?”
“Oh!” She swung around to stare at the stranger,. “You scared me! You shouldn’t sneak up on a person like that. I didn’t hear the doors close.” Dressed in a black suit, white shirt and dark tie, he stood a few feet away, next to the door. Tall, dark, and handsome. The cliche slipped easily from her mind, but it was true. At least his hair was dark, but his skin was the palest she’d ever seen, as if he never got enough sunlight. On him, the combination was fascinating. If Helen of Troy had a face that could launch a thousand ships, this man had the good looks to send a rocket to Mars.
He smiled. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.” He nodded toward the party inside. “It was getting much too noisy in there.”
She tilted her head at him. “I didn’t see you there.”
“But I saw you across the room, and I wanted to meet you. I hope you don’t mind.”
His dark eyes focused on her. Those eyes! She could gladly sink into them and never come up for air.
Even here, she caught a faint trace of laughter from inside. “Normally, I like parties, but sometimes–“ She shrugged. “–sometimes I like to be by myself.” “I, also. Present company excepted.” He smiled and moved closer.
http://amzn.com/B00MOZDM4Khttp://bookswelove.net/authors/martin-shirleyhttp://authorshirleymartin.blogspot.comhttp://amzn.to/1zN7YAq
Now hop on over to Juliet Waldron's blog for another interesting post: http://yesterrdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/
April 22, 2015
A Jamie Hill by Any Other Name...
The internet is a fun place to hang out, but a person must be wary of what they read online.
For example, there's this little thing called a Google Alert. Anyone can set it to send an email whenever something about them appears online. I set one up many moons ago so I'd know when a new review came out, or something similar. I get a weekly email from Google.
You would be amazed at how many Jamie Hills there are online. At least one's a lawyer who tries some really interesting cases. One's a football coach (he has his own Wiki page). One is an actress, on Castle I think it said. One was a contestant on The Amazing Race. And one dated Kenny Chesney, or so the rumor goes.
None of those are me. My Google alerts are almost never about me. And that's okay. Some of those other Jamie's make for pretty good reading! (Or writing. Do I see a story in here somewhere?)
I am fairly high up on the list when you Google my name, somewhere in the top three or so. My website ranks pretty high, and my Facebook page too.
At Amazon, if you enter my name under 'books' you'll get a list of my books, and any other books with the name 'Jamie' or 'Hill" in the title or author's name. Sometimes you'll see my author page (big smile, silver locks) and sometimes you'll see a fellow by the same name who writes 'BAM! How to do this or that online' books that sell for 99 cents. It's kind of funny, really.
I'm not sure what this musing is leading up to, other than the hope that anyone who is looking for a book written by me, (big smile, silver locks) will either go to my website: http://www.jamiehill.biz/ or my publisher's website, Books We Love: http://bookswelove.net/authors/hill-jamie/ and not rely on the list of books you see on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or any other book retailer. There's a Jamie Hill who writes religious books (God Bless her), and one who writes the opposite style (you go, girl!) But if you wonder if I wrote something, please check it out on one of the official websites.
And the next time you see an article that starts the way my recent Google alert did: "A drunken Jamie Hill was arrested..." you can probably rest assured it wasn't me. I rarely drink more than a sip or two, and usually not even that. I'm tracking my calories, and I've no room for that nonsense!
See you around the WWW. 'Til next time,
A PAGE STRAIGHT FROM TRICIA MCGILL #apagestraightfrom
The Laird
byTricia McGill
It became apparent that most of those left behind were going to sleep in this hall. Most of the children already slept, huddled together in one corner like a litter of puppies. It seemed they were just left to run wild until they collapsed with tiredness. One of the women handed Liz a grubby sheepskin. She stared down at it, and didn't know whether to toss it on the floor, or the fire. It took about half an hour for them all to finish seeing to their needs. Then, with a lot of shuffling, snorting and friendly pushing and shoving they settled down. Some couples began to make wild noises which could not be construed as anything other than lovemaking. Liz fidgeted. They sure didn't have any inhibitions. "I guess we may as well make ourselves comfortable near the fire," she suggested, feeling as awkward as a gauche girl. She'd spread the rug to one side of the fireplace where no one else had settled and there was a moment's silence as she and Andrew looked at their makeshift bed. He must have also been doing his best to ignore the muffled giggles, panting and unrestrained sounds of pleasure coming from various spots around the hall. "Shall we go into the tower and see if anything happens?" Andrew knew his voice came out thick and awkward. Her face was scarlet. With embarrassment, he guessed, not because of the heat thrown by the fire. His head felt as if it was stuffed with cotton wool. "I think you were right, Parker, I shouldn't have had that second cup of booze. It was potent. Well, what do you think? Shall we give it a try?" He gestured to the stairs, endeavouring to act as if they both didn't know that quite a few of the couples spread about the hall were engaged in hot sex. Good God! What a way to live. "If you like." She coughed again. Poor Liz. She didn't know where to look. "But I have a feeling that nothing will happen without the badge and cloak.""I'm going to give it a try. You can wait here if you like. But I'm not going to sit about without giving it a go." Liz didn't fancy going into the darkness of the tower. But the thought of sharing that rug with Andrew was just as daunting. "No way. I'm sticking to you like the proverbial glue. Supposing you did get whisked back, and I'm left here alone?" "Oh well, you'd have the admirable Travis. He seems quite taken with you. He couldn't seem to drag his eyes off you. And his hands kept wandering to your hair." There was a touch of acid in his tone. Liz glanced sideways at him, but his expression gave nothing away. "So they did. But if you're going anywhere, I'm going with you."No one made any attempt to stop them ascending the steps. Liz couldn't stop shaking as they peered into the dark tower room. It wasn't quite as pitch black now the door was open. The flares in sconces high on the walls of the hall had all been extinguished, but the fire still sent out a bright glow. "Wedge something in the gap please, Andrew," she said, knowing she sounded weak and feeble. "We don't want the door to slam on us." Silently he went down and came back with one of the heavy stools which he propped in the doorway, ignoring the heads lifting from the sparse beds scattered about the hall, and the curious eyes following his every movement. Andrew ensured the heavy door was securely fixed ajar, then said, "Right. Hang onto the waistband of the kilt. I'll need both hands free to feel my way around the walls." Liz didn't need any prompting. She clung, feeling more confident as the warmth from his body surrounded her. She tried to stifle a laugh, but couldn't. This situation was ridiculous. "Pleased you find it amusing. You have a strange sense of humor, Parker." Privately he was glad she could find something to laugh about. He certainly couldn't see anything amusing about this whole escapade. "I just think it's odd, don't you? The pair of us shuffling about in this dank dark place like a pair of wombats. Perhaps I'm getting hysterical, and need a good laugh to ease the tension. Do you think we'll ever return?" Her laughter died, and Andrew heard the note of real fear in her voice. For a moment he was tempted to take her in his arms and convince her everything would be all right, that she had nothing to be afraid of. But how could he? The situation seemed hopeless. He was feeling very scared. Not that he would admit it to her. Blurb for The Laird:
Andrew, a wealthy Australian architect, takes life too seriously, whereas his PA Elizabeth is outgoing and fun-loving; a perfect foil for her somber boss. She is passionate about Celtic lore and language. With great reluctance Andrew answers a plea from his two elderly aunts to travel to Scotland before his uncle dies. He has no desire to visit the land his father left under a cloud many years ago, but Liz persuades him to take her along.
In the draughty and dilapidated castle, while exploring a disused attic, the pair set off a course of events that propel them back in time to 1050 where they meet Travis, coincidentally Andrew's double.
Previously published as White Clover
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PKOZ6C8
It became apparent that most of those left behind were going to sleep in this hall. Most of the children already slept, huddled together in one corner like a litter of puppies. It seemed they were just left to run wild until they collapsed with tiredness. One of the women handed Liz a grubby sheepskin. She stared down at it, and didn't know whether to toss it on the floor, or the fire. It took about half an hour for them all to finish seeing to their needs. Then, with a lot of shuffling, snorting and friendly pushing and shoving they settled down. Some couples began to make wild noises which could not be construed as anything other than lovemaking. Liz fidgeted. They sure didn't have any inhibitions. "I guess we may as well make ourselves comfortable near the fire," she suggested, feeling as awkward as a gauche girl. She'd spread the rug to one side of the fireplace where no one else had settled and there was a moment's silence as she and Andrew looked at their makeshift bed. He must have also been doing his best to ignore the muffled giggles, panting and unrestrained sounds of pleasure coming from various spots around the hall. "Shall we go into the tower and see if anything happens?" Andrew knew his voice came out thick and awkward. Her face was scarlet. With embarrassment, he guessed, not because of the heat thrown by the fire. His head felt as if it was stuffed with cotton wool. "I think you were right, Parker, I shouldn't have had that second cup of booze. It was potent. Well, what do you think? Shall we give it a try?" He gestured to the stairs, endeavouring to act as if they both didn't know that quite a few of the couples spread about the hall were engaged in hot sex. Good God! What a way to live. "If you like." She coughed again. Poor Liz. She didn't know where to look. "But I have a feeling that nothing will happen without the badge and cloak.""I'm going to give it a try. You can wait here if you like. But I'm not going to sit about without giving it a go." Liz didn't fancy going into the darkness of the tower. But the thought of sharing that rug with Andrew was just as daunting. "No way. I'm sticking to you like the proverbial glue. Supposing you did get whisked back, and I'm left here alone?" "Oh well, you'd have the admirable Travis. He seems quite taken with you. He couldn't seem to drag his eyes off you. And his hands kept wandering to your hair." There was a touch of acid in his tone. Liz glanced sideways at him, but his expression gave nothing away. "So they did. But if you're going anywhere, I'm going with you."No one made any attempt to stop them ascending the steps. Liz couldn't stop shaking as they peered into the dark tower room. It wasn't quite as pitch black now the door was open. The flares in sconces high on the walls of the hall had all been extinguished, but the fire still sent out a bright glow. "Wedge something in the gap please, Andrew," she said, knowing she sounded weak and feeble. "We don't want the door to slam on us." Silently he went down and came back with one of the heavy stools which he propped in the doorway, ignoring the heads lifting from the sparse beds scattered about the hall, and the curious eyes following his every movement. Andrew ensured the heavy door was securely fixed ajar, then said, "Right. Hang onto the waistband of the kilt. I'll need both hands free to feel my way around the walls." Liz didn't need any prompting. She clung, feeling more confident as the warmth from his body surrounded her. She tried to stifle a laugh, but couldn't. This situation was ridiculous. "Pleased you find it amusing. You have a strange sense of humor, Parker." Privately he was glad she could find something to laugh about. He certainly couldn't see anything amusing about this whole escapade. "I just think it's odd, don't you? The pair of us shuffling about in this dank dark place like a pair of wombats. Perhaps I'm getting hysterical, and need a good laugh to ease the tension. Do you think we'll ever return?" Her laughter died, and Andrew heard the note of real fear in her voice. For a moment he was tempted to take her in his arms and convince her everything would be all right, that she had nothing to be afraid of. But how could he? The situation seemed hopeless. He was feeling very scared. Not that he would admit it to her. Blurb for The Laird:
Andrew, a wealthy Australian architect, takes life too seriously, whereas his PA Elizabeth is outgoing and fun-loving; a perfect foil for her somber boss. She is passionate about Celtic lore and language. With great reluctance Andrew answers a plea from his two elderly aunts to travel to Scotland before his uncle dies. He has no desire to visit the land his father left under a cloud many years ago, but Liz persuades him to take her along.
In the draughty and dilapidated castle, while exploring a disused attic, the pair set off a course of events that propel them back in time to 1050 where they meet Travis, coincidentally Andrew's double.
Previously published as White Clover
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PKOZ6C8
April 19, 2015
Plenty of greetings to go around...by Jamie Hill
Last week I started talking about my hobbies, and how writing is not one of them, LOL. I do have a hobby that actually qualifies as one, and that's making homemade greeting cards. My family started this years ago when the price of a fancy card in the stores hit $5. Crazy.
My husband used to draw stick figure storyboards, similar to comic strips, for me using him and the kids as the characters. I loved those. My boys have made me all kinds of homemade cards from the traditional construction paper cutouts to more recently, computerized photos from my favorite TV shows with captions. It's so much fun to know that someone has taken the time to make something that special for you.
I started making cards about four years ago, and while I don't get as elaborate as some of my friends, I do what I can and I enjoy it. Fellow Books We Love author Cheryl Wright has her own website dedicated to her card-making. Her creations are masterpieces. One of my girlfriends locally made us such beautiful Christmas cards that I framed them. (When I dig out the Christmas stuff this fall I'll post some pictures. Truly remarkable.)
Sometimes I'll print out a cute e-card or greeting from online and use that for the front of my cards. I can personalize it as much as I like for the recipient. Other times, I get a bit more creative.
This is a wedding card I made recently. On the inside I added a photo of the bride and groom, who had gotten married in a private ceremony a few days earlier. (Since I didn't ask them for permission to post their photo, I blocked that part out.) The circular part is partially cut out and spins, which turned out very cool.
This is a tri-fold birthday card, the smaller rectangle opens to the right and the other side to the left.
Below is another birthday card with a small picture of the birthday girl on the front.
I have a super cool card ready for Mother's Day but don't want to spoil it, so that photo will have to wait. I'm having lots of fun with the card making. Once I've put in my allotted number of words for the day and taken care of other business, I pop Netflix on my computer and create as I watch/listen to a good re-run (yeah, I'm still on Blue Bloods!)
It's a great way to relax and give me something else to focus on for a short while. Stress relief, I guess you could call it. Thanks for taking a look! I'll share more designs as we go along on Dishin' It Out.
Have a great week!
My husband used to draw stick figure storyboards, similar to comic strips, for me using him and the kids as the characters. I loved those. My boys have made me all kinds of homemade cards from the traditional construction paper cutouts to more recently, computerized photos from my favorite TV shows with captions. It's so much fun to know that someone has taken the time to make something that special for you.
I started making cards about four years ago, and while I don't get as elaborate as some of my friends, I do what I can and I enjoy it. Fellow Books We Love author Cheryl Wright has her own website dedicated to her card-making. Her creations are masterpieces. One of my girlfriends locally made us such beautiful Christmas cards that I framed them. (When I dig out the Christmas stuff this fall I'll post some pictures. Truly remarkable.)
Sometimes I'll print out a cute e-card or greeting from online and use that for the front of my cards. I can personalize it as much as I like for the recipient. Other times, I get a bit more creative.
This is a wedding card I made recently. On the inside I added a photo of the bride and groom, who had gotten married in a private ceremony a few days earlier. (Since I didn't ask them for permission to post their photo, I blocked that part out.) The circular part is partially cut out and spins, which turned out very cool.
This is a tri-fold birthday card, the smaller rectangle opens to the right and the other side to the left.
Below is another birthday card with a small picture of the birthday girl on the front.
I have a super cool card ready for Mother's Day but don't want to spoil it, so that photo will have to wait. I'm having lots of fun with the card making. Once I've put in my allotted number of words for the day and taken care of other business, I pop Netflix on my computer and create as I watch/listen to a good re-run (yeah, I'm still on Blue Bloods!)
It's a great way to relax and give me something else to focus on for a short while. Stress relief, I guess you could call it. Thanks for taking a look! I'll share more designs as we go along on Dishin' It Out.
Have a great week!
SUNDAY SNIPPETS FROM GINGER SIMPSON #Sundaysnips
Yellow Moon traipsed down the dried grass path leading to the river…a lane trampled flat by many feet before hers. Halting at the bank, she gazed at the shimmering ribbon of blue driven southward by a rapid current. In what place did the water gather when its journey ended? She recalled tales of this thing called an “ocean” that stretched as far as one could see and tried to envision what such hugeness might look like.A tap on her shoulder drew her from reverie. She gasped. Turning, and still unable to exhale, she came face-to-face with the most attractive brave she’d ever seen. Sunlight glistened on his freshly greased braids, and muscled arms extended from a broad, smooth chest exposed beneath his fringed vest. Finding her voice proved impossible.
“Hau,” He greeted her. “I too come for water.” He extended a pouch identical to the buffalo bladders she carried.
Releasing her pent up breath, she let go the tension his touch raised. “I was deep in thought, and you...you startled me.” Her gaze remained locked with his–eyes capable of casting fear in an enemy, yet softened by his smile.
“I am sorry I frightened you, but our meeting is not by chance. I followed you here, hoping to learn your name. I know I should not have approached you in this way, but I have watched you helping the other women erect your lodge...and…I just have to know you. Taku eniciyapi he?” He asked her name.
“Mitakuyepi…my name is...Yellow Moon. I am so called for the season when the leaves fall.”
“Mitakuyepi Thunder Eyes.” He puffed out his chest and stood straighter.
buy link: Amazon Author's Page
Here's the link of other participating authors. We hope to see it grow:
http://connievines.blogspot.com (Connie Vines)http://triciamcgill.blogspot.com (Tricia McGill)http://www.jamiehill.biz (Jamie Hill)http://medievalnovels.blogspot.com (Vijaya Schartz)
April 18, 2015
Round Robin Blog with Ginger Simpson #rndrobin0415
I missed a couple of months because of moving, but I'm in my new home and ready to post again.
This month, Rhobin's question for us is: What glues you to a story start to finish? And/Or what hooks do you use to capture your readers?
Hmmm, I just finished reviewing a book on Reader's Alley, Montana Man, and I have to say I was definitely glued to the story from the beginning. The author used the hero to hook both me and the heroine. Finding a unconscious man in repose by a rising river when a flash flood might occur makes you want to keep reading to see what happens. I was hooked from the first page, and the pacing of the story was rapid and not filled with useless information that made me say "who cares." All in all, there was just the right amount of everything in the story to keep my interest, and that doesn't happen all that often cause we authors tend to read with a very critical eye.
As for me, I've learned from experience with editors and releasing so many books, that unless you hook the reader from the "get go", you're bound to lose their interest and a sale. I always thought there had to be lots of backstory to set the scene, so prologues were my thing, but they aren't any more. I've since discovered writing is much more effective if you weave the backstory into the action and don't overwhelm the reader.
So...I guess in answer to the question, I personally try to create a situation at the beginning that draws
the interest of the reader and makes them curious enough to keep turning pages. Here's one beginning I've written....this one from First Degree Innocence. Does it hook you?
“Okay, Lang, strip!” The guard’s bark made Carrie’s stomach roil. She cowered in the corner of the women’s processing area, shivering under the blast of cold air from the ceiling vent.
Here's another from Sarah's Heart and Passion:Sarah Collins struggled to open her eyes against the glare, but the pounding pain in her head urged her to keep them closed. She swept the tip of her tongue across cracked lips, her mouth as dry as the feathers in her pillow—yet she felt no downy softness beneath her, only an uncomfortable jabbing in her back. Her palms groped along something gritty. Where was she?
I personally would want to keep reading these stories to see how they unfolded...why is CarrieLang in a women's processing area and why is she having to strip? Why is Sarah Collins on the ground in pain, and how come she doesn't know where she is? These are critical questions that need answering. :)
As far as what glues me to a story...an author has to have a pace that moves along fast enough to keep my attention and a storyline that is realistic enough that I can connect and associate with the characters. Just a tiny task once you've learned all the tricks...but did I mention that writing is a never-ending lesson?
If you would like to check out my work, the best place to see everything is on my Amazon page. Check it out and see if I can hook you with something. :)
Now...hop on over to the other authors who participate in this Round-Robin Blog and see what they have to say:
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/q
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/
Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/
Margaret Fieland http://www.margaretfieland.com/blog1/
Helena Fairfax http://helenafairfax.com/
Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Connie Vines http://connievines.blogspot.com/
Rachael Kosnski http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Victoria Chatham http://victoriachatham.webs.com/
Lynn Crain http://www.awriterinvienna.blogspot.com
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com/
April 17, 2015
Friday Freebits with Ginger #frifreebits
After last week's guest post, I'm picking up where I left off with The Well, my latest release.Harlee has just been rescued from the old well and was explaining her name to Logan...
This weeks Freebits:
She glanced around the property and gasped. The house’s windows were shuttered, and the ground between the house and barn, once worn smooth by wagon wheels and walking back and forth to gather eggs and feed the stock now showed overgrowth. The corral was empty, and wheel marks still etched the dusty ground beyond the yard and disappeared into an endless prairie. The barn doors squealed in protest against the wind and created an eerie, lonely sound.
She turned wide eyes on the stranger then lowered her chin to her chest and slowly shook her head. “My family is supposed to be here. I wondered why they never answered my cries for help.”
“How on earth did you end up in the well?”
His apparent lack of concern for her missing family frustrated her. How could he more more concerned about how an accident happened over an entire family gone? She restrained screaming at him.
His gaze drifted beyond her wet cloaking dress to her worn boots dangling past his arm. “We’ll need to find you a change of clothes before you catch the ague.”
“Never mind my attire,” she spat. “Put me down and I’ll prove this is my home.”
“First, answer my question.” He held her firmly.
She leaned her head back and locked gazes with him. “All right. I fell. Pa told me I needed to stretch out the amount of water left because of the long dry spell, so I leaned over to see how much remained in the well, and the old stone collapsed beneath me. I yelled for help, but no one came, and eventually someone covered the opening. I can’t imagine why Ma, Pa or Hannah never checked on me. I guess they figured I was dead and the well was my grave. I was certain I was going to die until you came along.”
Her gaze drifted to a wet outline on his shoulder, where her head had rested. “Oh Lord, I’m ruining your shirt. You’d best put me down.”
The Well is available on amazon.
