Samantha Beardon's Blog, page 120
November 14, 2015
Converging Lives win one of 3 signed copies.
From midnight 20th November Good Reads.com is hosting a give away of three signed copies of the book Converging Lives by Samantha Beardon if you would like a free copy enter the draw
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Converging Lives
by Samantha Beardon
Giveaway ends December 20, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/163234. Check out the book on Amazon. If you cannot wait buy it now!
November 13, 2015
Converging Lives.
As with my writing my blog skills are fledgling so feel free to give me suggestions.
The blog contains mature content so unsuitable for under 18 years.
November 9, 2015
November 8, 2015
Buying the Book
Buy Converging Lives on Amazon Kindle.
Print version available by the 23 rd November initially from Amazon and then via ordering from Book outlets.
November 6, 2015
Chapter one Converging Lives
The door slams after I barge through it. My voice rises as I express my thoughts “You are so bloody demanding and unreasonable.”
The thud, reverberating through the house, underlining those well-chosen words. Rushing across the drive, I reach my car, which stands sleek, black, shiny and a balm to my wounded pride. That BMW convertible is my badge of honour. I stroke its sinuous body, drop into the driver’s seat and push my foot hard onto the accelerator; the throaty roar always excites me, although today it hardly raises a flicker. I zoom out of the drive, heedless of the screech of the tyres. I am heading towards the sanctuary of the golf club. A few drinks, combined with some male banter, should improve my mood. Although I am expecting to get a hard time from my best mates having missed our golf date because of my disagreement with Gillian.
My mind is racing as I mull over our quarrel, my wife is becoming sour and unreasonable, she seems to be ageing so fast and becoming inflexible. The glorious adventurous woman that met me, challenge for challenge has disappeared. In her place is a sexless caricature. I grit my teeth and grin sardonically; well maybe not sexless but a pale image of the sexy vibrant woman that I married.
Driving through Perth I glower at the ongoing construction, remodelling, at its worst, the jury is still out I suppose, but I fear the city will be less beautiful at the end. Tonight it is certainly looking like a raggedy collection of broken teeth propped up with scaffolding, or crazy distorted tombstones silhouetted against the night sky.
I grit my teeth and bang my fist on the steering wheel; the heated discussion with Gillian now seems futile and pointless. We did not resolve the issue, what to do about my forthcoming special training in America and my proposal for her to accompany me for part of it. This would have been an ideal opportunity for us, to fulfil one of the items on our bucket list, to go water boarding and have some serious fun. We just landed up name calling and bringing up old grievances and my frustration has landed me wrong footed. I regret not keeping my cool but Gillian was so unreasonable, she goaded me, deliberately I think, certainly igniting my blue touch paper. My knuckles are white as they grip the steering wheel and I know I need to cool it. Deep down I know I handled my side of the discussion badly, so am mad with myself as well as with her.
Arriving at the golf club I misjudge the bend, have to brake hard sweeping into the car park, scattering gravel. I basically, abandon the car angled over two bays; for once, I am too annoyed to straighten it, so leave it skewed and just jump out, almost stumbling in my haste. I stop and take a deep breath then another, straighten my back and walk into the bar. A quick scan shows a good crowd, there are several groups at tables plus a few guys propping up the bar. I cock my head to one side as I listen, there is a hum of conversation, a chink of glasses and laughter but restrained and muted. It is too quiet for the guys to have arrived; they must still be out on the course. I kick the palm tree as I walk past, and let expletives off like fireworks in my head!
I scan the bar to see if there are other acquaintances and go stock still in momentary panic, I have just clocked, the barmaid it is getting worse. I am wondering about escape but she has seen me and is waving. Gritting my teeth, I saunter towards the counter and plaster an insincere smile onto my face; it would have to be Helen on duty. She is young, nubile and attractive, lovely on the eye, but dumb and oh so very besotted with me. In other circumstances, I might well have played on her adoration, but the golf club is such a powerhouse of gossip, and Gillian will jump on any slip up. Extra marital affairs on the doorstep are a definite No!
Taking a deep breath, I look at the clock on the wall, the banks of optics, anything to prevent me having eye contact.
“Hi Helen, the usual please, make it a large one.”
“Oh Rick darling, are you having a bad day?”
I run my fingers through my hair.
“It’s been one of those days for sure angel. I just need some thinking space; can we chat some other time?”
I retreat to a table near the window where the view of the gardens and koi ponds is pleasing to my eye, and breathe in the atmosphere of the bar. Taking a gulp of the single malt I roll it round my tongue savouring its peaty smokiness and look at my Smartphone, there is a C symbol, showing there is at least one Word Crozzle game to play, I check and there are several, but none of the ones I was hoping to see. None of my favourite ladies have played or have left me messages, I was hoping Christine might have played, I smile at the thought. She is such a gorgeous woman, but such a contradiction; intelligent, childish, sensual. She arouses me so much but equally drives me to distraction.
Sighing and frowning I shrug, just another irritation today, but playing the word game diverts my mind and helps me to relax. It is also the gateway to meeting all sorts of new people especially attractive women. Deciding maybe a new diversion is called for, I open Word Crozzle and press the request button to start a new game with a random player, and then make my plays on the other boards. Maybe the gods will be kind to me with my opponent, but it is always a gamble who one gets, maybe an attractive woman or a man, which would suit me less well.
With none of my mates around to talk to, I open Beat messenger to send a few texts. Looking at my conversation with Christine, gazing at her avatar picture, I am blown away, again by her overall attractiveness. Not a classical beauty, her face is too long, her nose a little pudgy but those huge grey eyes dominant her face like pools of liquid silver, and that mouth is so kissable, the whole is a thing of beauty. I read yesterday’s conversation and become aroused just looking at the picture she has sent me of her naked body.
I decide to send her a message.
R: ‘Hi baby I am looking at your picture wishing I was holding you in my arms right now.’
I hear a ping from the phone it will be a Crozzle game ready to play, it is my new random, female, blonde looks reasonably attractive in the thumbnail picture, Ruby Roxy. Ahh intriguing name could be a hook to start a conversation. I play the first word. Brutal for a score of 49, which will test her as a player. Looking at her game statistics I see she has only been playing for 60 days so relatively new. Opening the text box, I begin to type:
R: ‘Hi Ruby Roxy my name is Rick and I am from Australia. I love the name how did you choose it?’
I love a game with somebody new will she talk? People vary so much; lots do not respond they just play, and then there are the shades in between. Being a sociable fellow, I love to meet and chat to attractive women, because the hunter pops up in me. I grin to myself, a new friendship, maybe more! I curse the drive in me for sexual conquests, my urge to bind women to me, my emotional need to pleasure them, my enjoyment in pleasing them and the powerful surge to my ego when it all works. I know it is a flaw in my character, but rationalise it, I am making women feel good, and cyber is less risky than real world dalliances.
My concern is Christine she is amazing and her professions of love are tugging at my heartstrings, I slump in my seat, close my eyes and let my thoughts drift. Christine lives in Aberdeen. I started talking to her nine months ago. We talk every day but lately we have argued a lot. It is getting me down; she is becoming possessive and jealous, although she is married with two teenage daughters and leads a busy life. It seems that she expects adoration and admiration, constant attention, and craves intimacy. If I get angry and defensive she pulls back, and then she sends me an explicit picture and tells me she loves me. My soft centre melts and we are back on the merry go round. Christine encouraged me to get Beat messenger and led me into the cyber-sex arena.
I get a great emotional boost from talking women to orgasm and find it a delicious pastime. It is made all the better if they share an intimate picture or two to arouse me. I mentally shake myself; Christine was the first and she is my favourite, but I now have the others too! I cannot afford to get emotionally involved with any, other than for fun.
I open my eyes and jerk upright as the phone vibrates on the table… I look at a reply from Ruby Roxy and start a diversion from angry wives and demanding cyber mistresses.
E: ‘Hi Rick, my name is Eve and I live in London. You are in Australia – wow I hadn’t thought I would play with somebody so far away. Where do you live? What is the time difference?’
Her play on the board is shrewd, a good score, I think this lady is going to give me a good game.
R: ‘I live near Perth and I think we are 8 hours ahead of London. I see you are relatively new to Word Crozzle do you like to chat as you play?’
E: ‘Yes love to meet and talk to new people, and learning about new places. Tell me something about yourself what should I call you, Rick or do you prefer something else?’
Just as I am about to reply my golf partners arrive in a confusion of noise and laughter.
“Ok it was a crappy back nine, but I birdied on the fourteenth, so stop griping Archie, you had the shanks so bad it’s a wonder we scored at all!”
“Hey lads just look what we got here, Ricky boy” Joel the South African expat my normal partner, ambles across, nose wrinkled, eyes narrowed “Hey fader, what happened man? Been on the nest again?”
“No man, I had an ugly run in with the missus, sorry guys but outside my control and it was no better as I stormed out.”
“Not so great buddy.” Joel grimaces, shrugs and drops into a nearby chair.
“Trouble with us on the course too, I played pretty badly and Archie was way off form, so that’s a game we lost. I see you are consoling yourself with a malt and cyber shenanigans.”
Joel has been a good friend for many years now, and we have played golf together every Saturday and some weekdays, for several years. We confide in most things. The other two in our four ball are also regulars with us and we have a set time for tee off, and share many laughs together while on the course. There is always a fair amount of barbed but good-natured banter between us. Right now, I am in a more sombre mood.
“I know Joel, storming out was maybe not the wisest move but here I am; it was easier than saying things that I might regret later. The malt is certainly hitting the spot and I am just playing Crozzle, nothing more sinister! Although I have just started a game with Ruby Roxy from England and she looks cool.”
I hand over the phone to Joel so he can see the thumbnail picture. He meets my eyes, nods, winks and grins. Archie arrives with a round of drinks and Peter joins us and leans over Joel’s shoulder.
He says. “Wow, nice looking chick; what’s this about?”
I explain: “She is one of about twenty people I play, in an on-line game similar to Scrabble. They are from all over the world. You choose who you repeat play; men tend to dump other men, and only play women. I enjoy the pretty ones who chat a bit in the text column. You can even charm them, and you won’t believe how intimate it can get. From there, if you hit it off, you can advance to a chat room, trade pictures and videos, or even Skype each other. It can become quite involved man.”
Pete says. “Jeez sounds dangerous. Hope you keep it protected from Gillian.”
I agree that it is a priority and add, “It can become very addictive.” I wink “Every time you’re horny, you look for one of your fantasy cyber chicks. I have a few on the go, and they have even shared pussy pictures, the works.” I flash him sight of a few. Pete’s eyes widen he gasps, shakes his head in amazement and lapses into thought for a minute stunned.
Before he can comment further Archie moans about his woes at the fifth hole and the talk turns to the vagaries of the match. I sip my drink, sink back in the chair, put my Smartphone on the table, and join in the ribaldry. There is plenty more chat about today’s match, and I pay nodding acknowledgement, but frankly, having missed the outing, find it quite boring.
My phone pings and vibrates on the table several times and I eventually pick it up and check my messages. An email from my wife saying forget dinner, stay out, I am going to the gym. No softening there then. I see there are some Crozzle games to play and a Beat icon. I flick to the Crozzle site, ah another play and a message from Roxy Ruby, I read the message, ignoring Joel’s sardonic stare. However, decide to reply later.
E: ‘I became Ruby Roxy because Roxy is my alter ego and I really like rubies so it seemed a good name at the time! Lol’
I check Beat, Christine, my heart thumps in my chest, my eyes widen. The cyber chat and sex were supposed to be fun but emotions are running high between us. I am drawn to, this extremely clever and beautiful woman, unhappy with the way her husband takes her for granted, but committed to her teenage kids. She is such a contradiction, her neediness and paranoia about commitment, her quest to be loved, totally. She is searching for somebody to heal her problems. Her addiction to rock music. Pitted against her charm, sensuality and wit. I think my feelings may have crossed the boundary between cyber and real life relationships. This is feeling more and more real and the hurt is for sure, as real. I am improvising trying to pull back a little but Christine is playing me so well that although I know this is a fantasy scenario, it no longer feels like one. I save her texts until I can concentrate on her to the exclusion of other things.
The boys are winding up, about to go their separate ways, I mentally shake myself, assure them I will make the next golf session and then consider my options for the evening. Joel gets up, stretches, claps me on the shoulder.
“Catch you later boet, get home and make peace with Gillian. Lots of pressure on you to play the game of your life next week, you owe me.” He grins, “Talk to you later. Come on Archie let us get you home. Ciao.”
“Cheers, safe drive. Ok Joel, point taken. Will keep you up to date with new developments.”
Pete grins “Me too Rick, I want to know more about your ladies and what gives.”
I look at him “Maybe next week Pete, your hard on might help Joel and I win the match.”
He grins and lifts his hand as they noisily decamp from the bar.
I decide to go home, picking up a takeaway on the way, as food at home is obviously off the agenda tonight.
Before I leave the club, I reply quickly to Ruby Roxy.
R: ‘Really nice to meet you, angel, Rick is fine. I am a financial advisor in Perth, I love sport, used to play rugby was a competitive swimmer, still swim most days, my main exercise is golf, although love extreme sports, scuba, parachuting extreme hiking am a bit of an adventure junkie! Love word games too. I am in the reserve of the Australian army and do certain training and deployment with two Para. I am heavily into rock music and adore opera; I find it perfect to chill too! And you, what are your interest? Do you enjoy reading? Looking forward to finding out more about you as we play Crozzle. Off to get a take away.’
I leave the club managing to avoid conversation with Helen. I walk towards my car, wincing at my parking. As I get in, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I check it before I drive away. Another message from Ruby Roxy. I read it.
E: ‘I work as a freelance physiotherapist in Occupational Medicine. I am a couch potato who should know better! I walk and swim when I can fit them in and I do Pilates but though none regularly! Yes, I read I love novels for escapism. I dabble in writing poetry but life has got in the way a little lately. I love music, balm to my soul, rock, folk, classical; I am not a great opera buff so don’t expect a great discourse on opera from me. Enjoy your takeaway. Talk soon.’
Relaxed and smiling I drive towards home.
Taster Converging Lives. The Prologue
Converging lives is set around an online word game, with people from all over the world playing on their Smartphones or Tablet computers. This game is called Word Crozzle. There is a facility to chat and many people talk, become acquaintances, friends or sometimes fall in love. As in every aspect of life, connections occur across a broad spectrum of friendships, from hardly talking to becoming good cyber friends or to those of a more intimate kind. Some people are looking for a safe way to flirt, have an affair or to find the emotional or sexual intimacy, missing in their lives. Sometimes this route is not as safe as it seems and emotions run out of control.
The characters talk mainly by text to each other, but as the book progresses also have real life conversations. To differentiate texting from normal speech Text is always denoted by italics and ‘…….’ whilst SPEECH is in normal font and “……..” marks.
Some of the characters also talk on a Messenger Service the one used in the novel is called Beat. These conversations are classed as texts and shown in Italics.
Characters live in various parts of the world including Perth Australia, London England, Stockholm Sweden, and Aberdeen Scotland. Time zones affect the player’s interactions with Perth Australia being 8 hours ahead of London during British Summer time.
The abbreviations in text speak have been kept to the minimum. The abbreviations used most are
ttyl – talk to you later.
ttys – talk to you soon.
lol – laugh out loud.
imo – in my opinion.
lmao – laughing my arse off.
lmho – laughing my head off.
This is a work of fiction put together after research into on line relationships, relationships in general and discussions with people about their actual stories.
On line, relationships are now taking up a chunk of many people’s lives and so the stories; the interactions and the pit falls are becoming more relevant in today’s society.
All characters are fictitious and are a product of the author’s imagination any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
Main Characters
Rick Anson. Lives Perth Australia he is married to Gillian. He is a financial Advisor, does special operations with the Territorial Army. He has one daughter 30 years old with an earlier partner. Crozzle name Tricky Ricky. Text abbreviation R
Gillian Anson. Lives Perth Australia. Married to Rick. Ten years older than her husband. Works on charity committees, budding artist. Does not play Crozzle. Text abbreviation G
Marghita Johansen. Lives just outside Stockholm Sweden. Married to Carl, works as the designer and maker of wedding dresses. One son Rune who is married with a family. Crozzle name Cocktail M. Text abbreviation M
Christine Sinclair. Lives in Aberdeen Scotland. A research chemist working part time at the University at Aberdeen. Married to Ed a very successful surgeon they have two teenage daughters Sophie and Haley. Crozzle name Aqua eyes. Text abbreviation C
Evelyn (Eve) Revell. Lives in London England. A physiotherapist self-employed working in Occupational Medicine. Married to John one daughter, Anna. Has an alter ego called Roxy. Crozzle name Ruby Roxy. Text abbreviation E. When Roxy speaks this indicated by Ro
You will meet other characters as the book progresses
November 5, 2015
Converging Lives is Available on Kindle. Description here.
Converging lives where real life and fantasy combine
Sending out ripples that can change peoples lives, maybe forever
Have you met somebody on line, played a game, started chatting?
Happens all the time, right?
Just harmless fun, an escape from reality….
It can be fun, flirtation, thrill
An antidote to normal life
A glimpse of other peoples lives
A chance for intimacy without straying
Until fantasy reaches into the real world
Emotions can run high
People can fall in love
Does everybody understand the rules?
Will there be consequences?
Meet Rick, Gillian, Christine and Eve
Join them as fantasy and reality converge
The main characters meet playing a word game on line, called Word Crozzle.
There is a facility on the board to chat, and many people like to get to know each other, share interests, parts of their lives, and become friends or sometimes, even fall in love. Some prefer not to talk with their opponents, but other interactions can evolve to be of a sexual nature. Probably people are looking for a safe way to flirt, have an affair, or find the emotional or sexual intimacy that may be missing in their lives. Often this route leads to infatuation, and emotions can run out of control. The spectrum of human emotions can come into play – lust, infatuation, greed, jealousy, deception, as well as; caring, honesty, honour love and real friendship. A most intriguing phenomenon.
On-line relationships are now taking up a chunk of many people’s lives, and so the stories, the interactions and the pit falls are becoming more relevant in today’s society. On every form of social media there is a chance to interact with strangers; it brings the world closer, brings rewarding new friendships, but also the chance to interact with predators, users and sexual stalkers.
Meet some of the players interacting online, share their stories, learn from their mistakes, review your on line behaviour in the light of this,have fun but guard your hearts and keep safe.
