Verna Clay's Blog, page 4
March 4, 2012
Sample Sunday - DREAM KISSES
Excerpt of an embarrassing moment:
Mims watched the interaction between Sage and the waitress who was trying her damndest to get his attention. Maybe she could use the little scene in her next book. The poor girl wasn't getting anywhere with him. He looked utterly bored. Actually, he looked gorgeous and bored.
Mims rubbed behind her neck, wishing she'd left right after the photo shoot. Sissy was speaking to her. "I'm sorry, Sissy, what did you say."
"I said, 'Earth to Mims'." She laughed. "I was telling Chuckie and Sage what a great writer you've become. How you've improved with each book. Now you're one of our top authors. Although…" she sent a sly look around the table and leaned in, "…you'd probably be number one if you'd use your talent to write some erotic scenes instead of dancing around them. Of course, you do a pretty good job of dancing. The readers love it."
Mims felt color flood her face and rubbed the back of her neck again, a habit she'd carried from childhood whenever she felt flustered or nervous. She didn't know how to reply. "I…I…"
Chuckie added his two cents. "Don't worry about it Mims, practice makes perfect." He winked at her.
Mims wanted to crawl under the table.
The flirty waitress saved the day when she brought their orders. Serving Sage his coffee last, she said seductively, "Can I get you anything else?"
Sissy had obviously had enough because she said, "Honey, he's taken by the lady next to him. Show your wares elsewhere."
The young woman glanced from Sage to Mims and her eyes widened, as if to say, No way! Mims rubbed her neck harder and shot an apologetic glance at Sage.
Mims watched the interaction between Sage and the waitress who was trying her damndest to get his attention. Maybe she could use the little scene in her next book. The poor girl wasn't getting anywhere with him. He looked utterly bored. Actually, he looked gorgeous and bored.
Mims rubbed behind her neck, wishing she'd left right after the photo shoot. Sissy was speaking to her. "I'm sorry, Sissy, what did you say."
"I said, 'Earth to Mims'." She laughed. "I was telling Chuckie and Sage what a great writer you've become. How you've improved with each book. Now you're one of our top authors. Although…" she sent a sly look around the table and leaned in, "…you'd probably be number one if you'd use your talent to write some erotic scenes instead of dancing around them. Of course, you do a pretty good job of dancing. The readers love it."
Mims felt color flood her face and rubbed the back of her neck again, a habit she'd carried from childhood whenever she felt flustered or nervous. She didn't know how to reply. "I…I…"
Chuckie added his two cents. "Don't worry about it Mims, practice makes perfect." He winked at her.
Mims wanted to crawl under the table.
The flirty waitress saved the day when she brought their orders. Serving Sage his coffee last, she said seductively, "Can I get you anything else?"
Sissy had obviously had enough because she said, "Honey, he's taken by the lady next to him. Show your wares elsewhere."
The young woman glanced from Sage to Mims and her eyes widened, as if to say, No way! Mims rubbed her neck harder and shot an apologetic glance at Sage.
February 26, 2012
Sample Sunday - HONEY KISSES
Here is a sneak peek of soon-to-be released HONEY KISSES, book two in the ROMANCE ON THE RANCH SERIES. In book one, Ann Hackstetter was introduced. When characters keep me awake nights whispering their stories, I know I have to share them. Ann's story is irresistible, and she's irresistible to Jackson Martinez. However, Ann has a secret. I wonder what Jackson's reaction will be when he finds out? In this excerpt, Jackson asks Ann to dance at her son's wedding.
Excerpt:
The band started a new song, I Cross My Heart by George Strait. "May I have this dance?" The deep timbre of Jackson's voice made Ann's heart trip. Looking up into smoky gray eyes, she couldn't form a word. She indicated her acceptance by pushing her chair back. Jackson held her elbow and guided her to a back corner of the dance floor. Placing her hand in his, she followed his lead in a slow dance.
"You look beautiful," he said, close to her ear.
"Thank you," she replied softly.
More people stepped to the floor, which forced Jackson to move closer.
The singer sang, "I cross my heart and promise to...give all I've got to give to make all your dreams come true. In all the world you'll never find a love as true as mine." Ann wanted to lay her head against Jackson's chest, but doing so would only make her look foolish. She was at least ten years older than him.
After a minute, he said, "Annie, do you remember the first time we danced?"
She nodded. He was the only person who called her Annie and it made her heart flutter. He made her feel twenty-one instead of forty-one.
Excerpt:
The band started a new song, I Cross My Heart by George Strait. "May I have this dance?" The deep timbre of Jackson's voice made Ann's heart trip. Looking up into smoky gray eyes, she couldn't form a word. She indicated her acceptance by pushing her chair back. Jackson held her elbow and guided her to a back corner of the dance floor. Placing her hand in his, she followed his lead in a slow dance.
"You look beautiful," he said, close to her ear.
"Thank you," she replied softly.
More people stepped to the floor, which forced Jackson to move closer.
The singer sang, "I cross my heart and promise to...give all I've got to give to make all your dreams come true. In all the world you'll never find a love as true as mine." Ann wanted to lay her head against Jackson's chest, but doing so would only make her look foolish. She was at least ten years older than him.
After a minute, he said, "Annie, do you remember the first time we danced?"
She nodded. He was the only person who called her Annie and it made her heart flutter. He made her feel twenty-one instead of forty-one.
February 3, 2012
Dream Kisses Book Cover
If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try, again because the third time's a charm. I'm finally happy with the cover for Dream Kisses. I tried my hand at design and my husband said, "Verna, stick to what you do and let the experts do what they do." After trying twice and not creating the perfect look, I asked Elaina Lee (For the Muse) to design the new cover and I love it! She was also the artist for the Shapeling Trilogy. So, the cover is up on my website and will soon show up on Amazon.
Blurb for Dream Kisses:
Sarah Carter a.k.a. Mims Murphy, meets Sage Tanner at Imaginings Publishing while he's posing for the cover of her soon-to-be-released western romance novel. After being bulldozed into a coffee break with him by her publisher, Sissy Johansen, an embarrassing incident makes Sarah furious, and she walks out. Of course, fate has a wonderful way of intervening in matters of the heart. After deciding her book needs a touch of reality, she signs up for "dude" lessons at Lazy M Dude Ranch. Imagine her chagrin when she discovers the owner of the ranch is none other than Mr. Tanner himself!
Excerpt:
The photo shoot had already begun when they slipped into the studio. Sissy motioned her to a spot near a side wall. Mims leaned against the wall, her eyes riveted on the models. Lights flashed and the photographer, a short skinny man with a balding pate, called instructions. "Move in, Sage. Yeah, give her that sexy, hot hot HOT look. Make her sizzle. Chastity, let him know who's in charge."
Sissy smothered a giggle and whispered, "Can you believe her name is Chastity?"
Mims bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing out loud.
"Okay, models, let's try a kiss. The title of the book is Dream Kisses, so how about some dream kisses. Make my toes curl."
With a rather bored expression, the male model glanced in Mims direction. Her heart tripped when their eyes met, something that only happened to characters in her books.
Sissy whispered, "He's absolutely the most gorgeous model I've ever seen, and I've seen my share. If I were twenty years younger, I'd throw myself at him unabashedly." She sighed.
"Sissy, you're kidding, right? You're married," Mims shot back.
"I think I'm kidding; not really sure."
Mims shook her head and looked back at the models now sharing a passionate embrace and kiss. The female had hit the genetics jackpot: curvaceous body, flowing blonde hair, sexy sky blue eyes, and full pouty mouth. Of course, maybe it wasn't genetics; maybe it was implants, hair salon, contacts, and Botox. Whatever, she's still gorgeous.
A fan gently billowed the female's lavender silk drape around her luscious body and lifted her golden hair off her shoulders. The male model bent her slightly backwards, all evidence of his boredom gone when he laid a whopper on her. His hair, the color of rich mahogany laced with sunlight, also moved in the breeze of the fan. His linen shirt, falling off his shoulder and open to the waist, revealed tanned skin and washboard abs.
Sissy said, "My God, I think I can scrub clothes on his abs."
Mims choked and shook her head at Sissy's forthrightness.
Blurb for Dream Kisses:
Sarah Carter a.k.a. Mims Murphy, meets Sage Tanner at Imaginings Publishing while he's posing for the cover of her soon-to-be-released western romance novel. After being bulldozed into a coffee break with him by her publisher, Sissy Johansen, an embarrassing incident makes Sarah furious, and she walks out. Of course, fate has a wonderful way of intervening in matters of the heart. After deciding her book needs a touch of reality, she signs up for "dude" lessons at Lazy M Dude Ranch. Imagine her chagrin when she discovers the owner of the ranch is none other than Mr. Tanner himself!
Excerpt:
The photo shoot had already begun when they slipped into the studio. Sissy motioned her to a spot near a side wall. Mims leaned against the wall, her eyes riveted on the models. Lights flashed and the photographer, a short skinny man with a balding pate, called instructions. "Move in, Sage. Yeah, give her that sexy, hot hot HOT look. Make her sizzle. Chastity, let him know who's in charge."
Sissy smothered a giggle and whispered, "Can you believe her name is Chastity?"
Mims bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing out loud.
"Okay, models, let's try a kiss. The title of the book is Dream Kisses, so how about some dream kisses. Make my toes curl."
With a rather bored expression, the male model glanced in Mims direction. Her heart tripped when their eyes met, something that only happened to characters in her books.
Sissy whispered, "He's absolutely the most gorgeous model I've ever seen, and I've seen my share. If I were twenty years younger, I'd throw myself at him unabashedly." She sighed.
"Sissy, you're kidding, right? You're married," Mims shot back.
"I think I'm kidding; not really sure."
Mims shook her head and looked back at the models now sharing a passionate embrace and kiss. The female had hit the genetics jackpot: curvaceous body, flowing blonde hair, sexy sky blue eyes, and full pouty mouth. Of course, maybe it wasn't genetics; maybe it was implants, hair salon, contacts, and Botox. Whatever, she's still gorgeous.
A fan gently billowed the female's lavender silk drape around her luscious body and lifted her golden hair off her shoulders. The male model bent her slightly backwards, all evidence of his boredom gone when he laid a whopper on her. His hair, the color of rich mahogany laced with sunlight, also moved in the breeze of the fan. His linen shirt, falling off his shoulder and open to the waist, revealed tanned skin and washboard abs.
Sissy said, "My God, I think I can scrub clothes on his abs."
Mims choked and shook her head at Sissy's forthrightness.
January 29, 2012
Sample Sunday - Mish Mash of Samples
I decided to do something different. Rather than sampling one book, I'm posting short samples from four books. Let's kick it off with my latest release:
Dream Kisses:
(Sage trying to apologize)
"Look Sarah, I think we should start fresh. I want you to enjoy your stay here and anything I can do to help with your research, just let me know. As for what happened at Java Junction, I'm truly sorry. I was just playing the game your boss started. If I'd known it would upset you, I would have kept my foot out of my mouth. So, like I said earlier, can we call a truce?"
Sage watched Sarah sip her coffee and then cradle the cup in her hands. "I'd like to ask you something, Mr. Tanner."
Sage held her gaze. "Shoot."
"Did you actually think I would be flattered by your attention?"
"I didn't think about it one way or the other. Like I said, I was playing along with the charade."
"Perhaps it was a game to you, but I saw it as demeaning and cruel."
Sage bit down on his back teeth. The woman was impossible. What did she want him to do, grovel on the floor? Inhaling to keep himself from saying something that would only antagonize the situation, he said, "What's done is done. Will you accept my apology, or at least call a truce so you can enjoy your stay here?"
She sipped her coffee again, looked down into the cup as if seeking an answer there, and then back at him. "Okay, I'll call a truce and think about accepting your apology."
Sage just about lost it. Holding his temper at bay, he inclined his head and sipped his own coffee, staring at her over the edge of the cup.
_________________________________________
Roth: Protector: Shapeling Trilogy Book One:
(Roth's Revelation)
"Tahnoon Kahlifa, you are going to be shocked by what I reveal. But please, listen until the end."
Tahnoon acknowledged the request with a slight nod of his head.
"Many years ago I received an assignment. I was directed by my elders to make sure a young man arrived at his own wedding. The young man's parents had arranged for him to marry a girl he had met only once as a teenager. He had not been impressed by her and did not want to marry her. The elders who gave me my assignment believed it was very important, however, that the young man and the young woman marry. It would maintain peace between their tribes. The young man was destined to become leader of his clan, and my elders believed he would gain much wisdom from his wife."
Tahnoon watched Roth's every movement, a puzzled expression on his face.
"That young man, Tahnoon, was you."
Tahnoon said, "Impossible! You were not even born when I married."
"That is where you are wrong. May I continue?"
Tahnoon inclined his head again, his expression showing more puzzlement than before.
"Do you remember trying to turn your camel away from the path it was on, but the camel would not turn, no matter how much you switched or kicked or pulled the reins. After many attempts, you came to believe that Allah had destined your marriage, and you accepted it."
Tahnoon jumped up and said, "How can you know that?"
"Because, my friend, I was that camel."
_________________________________________
Fawn: Master: Shapeling Trilogy Book Two:
(Fawn as a feral horse encountering Wade)
Fawn spotted the herd of feral horses. She searched the area for cowboys and seeing none, landed behind the cover of a large boulder. Shifting into the white mare, she lunged past the boulder and approached the herd. Her appearance did little to disturb the grazing horses and she mingled among them, slowly chomping her way to the black stallion. When she came within a few feet, he snorted and his ears pricked. However, it was not she who had caused his alert stance. Looking in the direction of an approaching rider, she was relieved to see Wade. He widely circled the feral horses, coming up behind and driving them forward. She ran with the herd, enjoying the thrill of the forced run. Wade herded them inland and halted Misty when they reached safer pastures. Fawn stopped when Wade did. Even though her mind urged her to continue with the herd, her emotions did not listen. She waited for Wade's approach. He walked Misty Morning toward her.
"Well, I'll be damn. So you're the seventh horse. I don't know how you do it, but your tracks appear and disappear like a magician's trick. You're a beauty. How close are you going to let me get?" He stopped at twenty feet and hesitated only a minute before sliding off his horse. Slowly advancing, he left Misty to graze. He walked to within ten feet.
"Shit, I can't believe you're letting me get this close. You're not going to rear up and trample me are you?"
Fawn snorted and shook her mane. He remained at ten feet. They stared at each other. She approached him. The shocked look on his face made her heart grin. When she stood directly in front of him, he hesitantly stretched his gloved hand to her neck. His touch sent shivers through her and he honed in on it.
"You like me, don't you?"
Fawn touched her snout to his forehead.
_________________________________________
Davide: Prince: Shapeling Trilogy Book Three:
(Davide's contemplation while watching his parents soar as eagles)
Davide stood and walked to the railing. Watching his parents soaring antics, he asked himself a question. What about you, Davide? Is your happiness complete? The answer to that question was a no-brainer. No. He sucked in the sweet smell of spring, and sighed. All his life he had been told of the prophesy surrounding his birth; how his parents had met and how the son of their love was destined to become the Great Prince.
"What a crock," Davide whispered into the breeze. A Shapeling Prince unable to shift. Long ago, he had determined the universe had played a dirty trick on him. Since babyhood, his parents had trained him in the art of shapeling focus, to no avail.
He shook his head. His mother was only half shapeling and she had attained the ability to shift into at least one creature. His twelve year old sister was making great progress, and here he was a three-quarter shapeling who had never even come close to shifting. Even with his inability to shift, however, his parents had never waivered in their belief that he was the fulfillment of prophesy; that he was the Great Prince spoken of by sages.
Disgusted, Davide turned from the balcony and the midnight flight of his parents.
Dream Kisses:
(Sage trying to apologize)
"Look Sarah, I think we should start fresh. I want you to enjoy your stay here and anything I can do to help with your research, just let me know. As for what happened at Java Junction, I'm truly sorry. I was just playing the game your boss started. If I'd known it would upset you, I would have kept my foot out of my mouth. So, like I said earlier, can we call a truce?"
Sage watched Sarah sip her coffee and then cradle the cup in her hands. "I'd like to ask you something, Mr. Tanner."
Sage held her gaze. "Shoot."
"Did you actually think I would be flattered by your attention?"
"I didn't think about it one way or the other. Like I said, I was playing along with the charade."
"Perhaps it was a game to you, but I saw it as demeaning and cruel."
Sage bit down on his back teeth. The woman was impossible. What did she want him to do, grovel on the floor? Inhaling to keep himself from saying something that would only antagonize the situation, he said, "What's done is done. Will you accept my apology, or at least call a truce so you can enjoy your stay here?"
She sipped her coffee again, looked down into the cup as if seeking an answer there, and then back at him. "Okay, I'll call a truce and think about accepting your apology."
Sage just about lost it. Holding his temper at bay, he inclined his head and sipped his own coffee, staring at her over the edge of the cup.
_________________________________________
Roth: Protector: Shapeling Trilogy Book One:
(Roth's Revelation)
"Tahnoon Kahlifa, you are going to be shocked by what I reveal. But please, listen until the end."
Tahnoon acknowledged the request with a slight nod of his head.
"Many years ago I received an assignment. I was directed by my elders to make sure a young man arrived at his own wedding. The young man's parents had arranged for him to marry a girl he had met only once as a teenager. He had not been impressed by her and did not want to marry her. The elders who gave me my assignment believed it was very important, however, that the young man and the young woman marry. It would maintain peace between their tribes. The young man was destined to become leader of his clan, and my elders believed he would gain much wisdom from his wife."
Tahnoon watched Roth's every movement, a puzzled expression on his face.
"That young man, Tahnoon, was you."
Tahnoon said, "Impossible! You were not even born when I married."
"That is where you are wrong. May I continue?"
Tahnoon inclined his head again, his expression showing more puzzlement than before.
"Do you remember trying to turn your camel away from the path it was on, but the camel would not turn, no matter how much you switched or kicked or pulled the reins. After many attempts, you came to believe that Allah had destined your marriage, and you accepted it."
Tahnoon jumped up and said, "How can you know that?"
"Because, my friend, I was that camel."
_________________________________________
Fawn: Master: Shapeling Trilogy Book Two:
(Fawn as a feral horse encountering Wade)
Fawn spotted the herd of feral horses. She searched the area for cowboys and seeing none, landed behind the cover of a large boulder. Shifting into the white mare, she lunged past the boulder and approached the herd. Her appearance did little to disturb the grazing horses and she mingled among them, slowly chomping her way to the black stallion. When she came within a few feet, he snorted and his ears pricked. However, it was not she who had caused his alert stance. Looking in the direction of an approaching rider, she was relieved to see Wade. He widely circled the feral horses, coming up behind and driving them forward. She ran with the herd, enjoying the thrill of the forced run. Wade herded them inland and halted Misty when they reached safer pastures. Fawn stopped when Wade did. Even though her mind urged her to continue with the herd, her emotions did not listen. She waited for Wade's approach. He walked Misty Morning toward her.
"Well, I'll be damn. So you're the seventh horse. I don't know how you do it, but your tracks appear and disappear like a magician's trick. You're a beauty. How close are you going to let me get?" He stopped at twenty feet and hesitated only a minute before sliding off his horse. Slowly advancing, he left Misty to graze. He walked to within ten feet.
"Shit, I can't believe you're letting me get this close. You're not going to rear up and trample me are you?"
Fawn snorted and shook her mane. He remained at ten feet. They stared at each other. She approached him. The shocked look on his face made her heart grin. When she stood directly in front of him, he hesitantly stretched his gloved hand to her neck. His touch sent shivers through her and he honed in on it.
"You like me, don't you?"
Fawn touched her snout to his forehead.
_________________________________________
Davide: Prince: Shapeling Trilogy Book Three:
(Davide's contemplation while watching his parents soar as eagles)
Davide stood and walked to the railing. Watching his parents soaring antics, he asked himself a question. What about you, Davide? Is your happiness complete? The answer to that question was a no-brainer. No. He sucked in the sweet smell of spring, and sighed. All his life he had been told of the prophesy surrounding his birth; how his parents had met and how the son of their love was destined to become the Great Prince.
"What a crock," Davide whispered into the breeze. A Shapeling Prince unable to shift. Long ago, he had determined the universe had played a dirty trick on him. Since babyhood, his parents had trained him in the art of shapeling focus, to no avail.
He shook his head. His mother was only half shapeling and she had attained the ability to shift into at least one creature. His twelve year old sister was making great progress, and here he was a three-quarter shapeling who had never even come close to shifting. Even with his inability to shift, however, his parents had never waivered in their belief that he was the fulfillment of prophesy; that he was the Great Prince spoken of by sages.
Disgusted, Davide turned from the balcony and the midnight flight of his parents.
January 21, 2012
Update
For the past few weeks I have devoted my time to completing the first book in the Kisses/Romance on the Ranch Series: Dream Kisses. I first got an inkling for the series while writing Book One in the Shapeling Trilogy: Roth. In that book, I used the phrase "dream kisses." I liked the feel of the words and tucked them away for further exploration, and Dream Kisses was born. While writing Dream Kisses, secondary characters begged for their own stories, thus Honey Kisses and Baby Kisses, will become books two and three.
I've wanted to write a contemporary/western/romance without fantasy elements for some time and I'm happy to say Dream Kisses was uploaded to Amazon about a week ago. However, I have yet to promote it because there are always a few bugs to work out. No matter how many times I reread a story, it seems a few typos get by. I'm also redesigning the cover. I decided the first one (dream cloud with blue sky) does not convey the idea of a western romance. So, I went back to the drawing board. After a couple of hours searching photo sites, I found one showing the boots of a man and a woman standing close to each other (perhaps kissing?). I designed a new cover and now await Amazon's replacement of the first one. After that, I will begin promotion.
On another note, the first book in the Shapeling Trilogy is available for free at Amazon for a limited time. I guess you could say this happened accidentally on purpose. About three weeks back, I put the book up for free on Smashwords and left it up too long. The web crawlers for Amazon picked up on it being free and made it free on Amazon. Now I have to wait for the web crawlers to discover the book is no longer free before they will restore the price of .99 cents. In less than a week there have been about 1,300 downloads. I must say, I am speechless. I hope readers enjoy the Shapeling Series. I agonized over the characterizations and plots for months. There had to come a time when I said, "Enough, move on!" With that being said, I am elated that Dream Kisses is complete and looking forward to writing Honey Kisses. With each book, I endeavor to improve my writing and simplify the whole process from conception to publication. That's my rambling for today ((-:
I've wanted to write a contemporary/western/romance without fantasy elements for some time and I'm happy to say Dream Kisses was uploaded to Amazon about a week ago. However, I have yet to promote it because there are always a few bugs to work out. No matter how many times I reread a story, it seems a few typos get by. I'm also redesigning the cover. I decided the first one (dream cloud with blue sky) does not convey the idea of a western romance. So, I went back to the drawing board. After a couple of hours searching photo sites, I found one showing the boots of a man and a woman standing close to each other (perhaps kissing?). I designed a new cover and now await Amazon's replacement of the first one. After that, I will begin promotion.
On another note, the first book in the Shapeling Trilogy is available for free at Amazon for a limited time. I guess you could say this happened accidentally on purpose. About three weeks back, I put the book up for free on Smashwords and left it up too long. The web crawlers for Amazon picked up on it being free and made it free on Amazon. Now I have to wait for the web crawlers to discover the book is no longer free before they will restore the price of .99 cents. In less than a week there have been about 1,300 downloads. I must say, I am speechless. I hope readers enjoy the Shapeling Series. I agonized over the characterizations and plots for months. There had to come a time when I said, "Enough, move on!" With that being said, I am elated that Dream Kisses is complete and looking forward to writing Honey Kisses. With each book, I endeavor to improve my writing and simplify the whole process from conception to publication. That's my rambling for today ((-:
December 11, 2011
Sample Sunday Middle Grade- Roscoe Meets Fadiwave the Deva of Air
Amazon Kindle $1.99 Excerpt from Restoring Tween Time (Middle Grade Fantasy)"We must follow the sandfli," Medallioness chirped, as she and Askuonas bounded forward.
"Come, human child," the cranky gnome commanded.
Pushing to his feet, Roscoe decided he had no choice but to follow the gnome and the fairy further into this bewildering land.
The threesome followed the sandfli and soon discovered that whenever they reached one, it would drift back into the sand at their feet, and another would reappear in the distance. It was in this manner that they traveled across Desert Land toward Mesa Farend.
A mesa that had previously been only a distant mirage became more solid and distinct the closer they approached it. It was a beautiful formation with muted colors of reds, oranges, and browns, and every variation therein, radiating from the rocks in a soft glow that merged with the air. Colors swirled in and out of each other, floating in the hazy breeze.
A sandfli appeared at the base of the mesa, but this time it did not drift back into the sand and disappear when they reached its location. The sandfli said, "This is Mesa Farend. Wait here!"
"Of course we'll wait! Where do you expect us to go?" grumbled Askuonas.
The sandfli lifted and drifted into the air until it swirled and mingled with the breeze, dispersing itself among the colors.
"Drat," complained Askuonas, "How long must we wait?"
"Not long at all," answered a breathy voice from the swirling wind of Mesa Farend. "I am Fadiwave, Deva of Air."
Askuonas jumped at the sound of the disembodied voice, but said nothing. Roscoe, also taken aback by the voice, was silent. It was Medallioness who sang, "Fadiwave, Deva of Air, we have come to you quite perplexed. We have brought the human child with us because he can see us, even though we have not desired that he see us. What does this mean, Fadiwave?"
Askuonas suddenly found his voice and joined in. "I was in the forest and laughing quite uncontrollably at the human child's clumsiness when he saw me. I have never been seen by a human unless I desired to be seen. This cannot be right. This cannot be right."
The breathy voice of Fadiwave emanating from the swirling wind replied, "It is prophecy foretold from the time before time. There has been a breach in 'Tween Time. If the breach is not restored, our world will become as the Here and There World of humans.
A dual gasp escaped Askuonas and Medallioness.
"What does that mean?" inquired Roscoe. "What is 'Tween Time?"
Fadiwave replied, "'Tween Time is the world we live in. You are from the Here and There World. The Here and There World is duality; it is governed by opposites. It survives as a state of balance between that which is caused, and that which is affected. 'Tween Time is a world based on singularity. There is no cause and effect in 'Tween Time. 'Tween Time exists outside the crossroads and outside the bend in the road. Your world exists within the crossroads and within the bend in the road.
"This is a sad happening; for breaching 'Tween Time means that we must exist as the Here and There creatures do. Cause and effect will enter our world, and like the Here and There World, balance will control our existence. Unless…"
"Unless what?" Askuonas interrupted.
"Unless prophesy of the restoration of 'Tween Time is fulfilled."
"What prophesy?" sang Medallioness in her soprano voice.
"There is a Sound Holder who can restore 'Tween Time. The Sound Holder can release the duality that is entering our world and restore singularity."
"Who is the Sound Holder?" asked Roscoe.
"The Sound Holder is known only to Kiaia, Deva of Earth. You must go to Kiaia and ask for the name of the Sound Holder."
"Drat, somehow I knew this wasn't going to be easy!" grouched Askuonas.
"How do we find Kiaia?" asked Roscoe.
"The way to Kiaia is through Methos, Deva of Fire; and the way to Methos is through Vaproness, Deva of Water."
"I don't like the way this is sounding!" Askuonas grumped.
Medallioness ignored Askuonas and sang, "Please tell us how to find Vaproness, so we can begin our journey to Methos, who can reveal the way to Kiaia."
Sample Sunday Middle Grade- Roscoe Meets Fadiwave, Deva of Air
Amazon Kindle $1.99 Excerpt from Restoring Tween Time (Middle Grade Fantasy)"We must follow the sandfli," Medallioness chirped, as she and Askuonas bounded forward.
"Come, human child," the cranky gnome commanded.
Pushing to his feet, Roscoe decided he had no choice but to follow the gnome and the fairy further into this bewildering land.
The threesome followed the sandfli and soon discovered that whenever they reached one, it would drift back into the sand at their feet, and another would reappear in the distance. It was in this manner that they traveled across Desert Land toward Mesa Farend.
A mesa that had previously been only a distant mirage became more solid and distinct the closer they approached it. It was a beautiful formation with muted colors of reds, oranges, and browns, and every variation therein, radiating from the rocks in a soft glow that merged with the air. Colors swirled in and out of each other, floating in the hazy breeze.
A sandfli appeared at the base of the mesa, but this time it did not drift back into the sand and disappear when they reached its location. The sandfli said, "This is Mesa Farend. Wait here!"
"Of course we'll wait! Where do you expect us to go?" grumbled Askuonas.
The sandfli lifted and drifted into the air until it swirled and mingled with the breeze, dispersing itself among the colors.
"Drat," complained Askuonas, "How long must we wait?"
"Not long at all," answered a breathy voice from the swirling wind of Mesa Farend. "I am Fadiwave, Deva of Air."
Askuonas jumped at the sound of the disembodied voice, but said nothing. Roscoe, also taken aback by the voice, was silent. It was Medallioness who sang, "Fadiwave, Deva of Air, we have come to you quite perplexed. We have brought the human child with us because he can see us, even though we have not desired that he see us. What does this mean, Fadiwave?"
Askuonas suddenly found his voice and joined in. "I was in the forest and laughing quite uncontrollably at the human child's clumsiness when he saw me. I have never been seen by a human unless I desired to be seen. This cannot be right. This cannot be right."
The breathy voice of Fadiwave emanating from the swirling wind replied, "It is prophecy foretold from the time before time. There has been a breach in 'Tween Time. If the breach is not restored, our world will become as the Here and There World of humans.
A dual gasp escaped Askuonas and Medallioness.
"What does that mean?" inquired Roscoe. "What is 'Tween Time?"
Fadiwave replied, "'Tween Time is the world we live in. You are from the Here and There World. The Here and There World is duality; it is governed by opposites. It survives as a state of balance between that which is caused, and that which is affected. 'Tween Time is a world based on singularity. There is no cause and effect in 'Tween Time. 'Tween Time exists outside the crossroads and outside the bend in the road. Your world exists within the crossroads and within the bend in the road.
"This is a sad happening; for breaching 'Tween Time means that we must exist as the Here and There creatures do. Cause and effect will enter our world, and like the Here and There World, balance will control our existence. Unless…"
"Unless what?" Askuonas interrupted.
"Unless prophesy of the restoration of 'Tween Time is fulfilled."
"What prophesy?" sang Medallioness in her soprano voice.
"There is a Sound Holder who can restore 'Tween Time. The Sound Holder can release the duality that is entering our world and restore singularity."
"Who is the Sound Holder?" asked Roscoe.
"The Sound Holder is known only to Kiaia, Deva of Earth. You must go to Kiaia and ask for the name of the Sound Holder."
"Drat, somehow I knew this wasn't going to be easy!" grouched Askuonas.
"How do we find Kiaia?" asked Roscoe.
"The way to Kiaia is through Methos, Deva of Fire; and the way to Methos is through Vaproness, Deva of Water."
"I don't like the way this is sounding!" Askuonas grumped.
Medallioness ignored Askuonas and sang, "Please tell us how to find Vaproness, so we can begin our journey to Methos, who can reveal the way to Kiaia."
Sample Sunday - Davide's Credit Card is Denied; Zoe Saves the Day
Excerpt from Davide: Shapeling Trilogy Book Three: Prince
After standing in line to rent a car for what seemed like an hour, Davide glanced at Zoe sitting patiently in a plastic chair. She smiled at him.
"Next," called the representative at the far end of the counter.
Davide wasn't used to waiting. Being raised in wealth, he'd seldom flown commercial and rarely had to wait in line for anything. Impatiently, he gave the clerk his information and handed over his platinum credit card to finish paying for the campervan he'd already reserved. The clerk swiped it and waited. A minute later, the pudgy man narrowed his eyes and glanced from his computer screen back to Davide. "Mr. Beowolf, your card has been denied." His voice sounded flat and bored.
"No way! Swipe it again."
The clerk shrugged and did as requested. Again, he looked up from his computer. "Denied."
Davide jerked his wallet open and pulled out another card. "Here, use this one."
The clerk swiped. "Denied."
"What the f…" Davide caught himself before he said what was on his mind. He felt a tug on his arm.
"Is everything okay, Davide? You look a little agitated."
"There's some kind of snafu. My cards are being denied. I'm going to have to call the credit card company and find out what's going on. Believe me, they're going to know how unhappy I am about this. I'll pay for our rental car with cash." He opened his wallet again.
"You already have Australian money?"
"Yes, I exchanged for it in the U.S."
Zoe's lips quirked, and she almost smiled. "We'll probably need our cash. Use my credit card. You can pay me back later."
"No way, Zoe, I sorta kidnapped you and I won't let you pay."
The clerk cleared his throat, "Umm, we have a long line. Could you please decide?"
Davide turned haughty eyes on the irritating little man, who only nodded his balding pate toward the line of tired looking travelers. Davide glanced at the lineup and started feeling guilty.
Zoe was handing her card over and Davide reached to push her hand back, but she resisted. The clerk watched their battle of the wills and the moment an opportunity presented itself, grabbed the card from her hand.
"I'll just need some information from you, ma'am."
Zoe turned a flinty gaze upward and met Davide's angry blue eyes. She ignored his look. "Apparently, I have more experience in this than you do. Keep your cash."
Davide ground his teeth. He'd never had a credit card charge denied in his life. He pulled out his cell phone, searched his card for the contact number, and then jabbed it into his keypad. Almost immediately a pleasant female voice, dripping sweetness, answered his call. Stepping away from Zoe and the clerk, he walked to a corner of the room and explained his situation. The credit card representative apologized profusely and asked him to hold. Davide tapped his foot impatiently.
The representative came back on the phone. "Mr. Beowolf, your card has been closed."
"What! Who closed it?"
The representative sounded confused. "You did, sir."
"And when did I do that?" he asked acidly.
"This morning."
"Well, I can assure you, Miss; there's been some kind of mistake. Open it back up."
The sickeningly sweet voice dripped honey. "I can't do that, sir. You'll need to apply for a new card."
"I want to talk to your supervisor, now!"
"Of course, sir." The sweet voice sounded a little sour.
After speaking with the supervisor and explaining everything all over again, he got no further than before. "Please go online and complete another application, Mr. Beowolf." He abruptly ended the call.
Zoe, who had completed the transaction and now sat back in the plastic chair, waved a car key at him when he looked at her. He lifted his index finger to indicate he wanted more time. Pulling his other credit card out, he made another call. At the end of that conversation, he was ready to spit nails. It hadn't gone any better than the previous one. He placed a call to his father. By the time he'd hung up after his last call, he could not only spit nails, he could chew them. He couldn't reach his father, mother, grandfather, or grandmother. When he'd called Johnson to make sure everyone was okay, he'd been told the family was fine. So why the hell didn't they answer their phones? He looked back at Zoe. How can she be so calm? Again, she lifted a key ring and dangled a key.
Davide took a deep breath. She had been right about needing to preserve their cash. When he stood in front of her, she looked up with her doe's eyes. "Davide, you're making too much out of this. Just use my card until yours gets straightened out. Stuff happens."
Reaching for the key, he had to admit she was right, except that "stuff" like this never happened to him.
After standing in line to rent a car for what seemed like an hour, Davide glanced at Zoe sitting patiently in a plastic chair. She smiled at him.
"Next," called the representative at the far end of the counter.
Davide wasn't used to waiting. Being raised in wealth, he'd seldom flown commercial and rarely had to wait in line for anything. Impatiently, he gave the clerk his information and handed over his platinum credit card to finish paying for the campervan he'd already reserved. The clerk swiped it and waited. A minute later, the pudgy man narrowed his eyes and glanced from his computer screen back to Davide. "Mr. Beowolf, your card has been denied." His voice sounded flat and bored.
"No way! Swipe it again."
The clerk shrugged and did as requested. Again, he looked up from his computer. "Denied."
Davide jerked his wallet open and pulled out another card. "Here, use this one."
The clerk swiped. "Denied."
"What the f…" Davide caught himself before he said what was on his mind. He felt a tug on his arm.
"Is everything okay, Davide? You look a little agitated."
"There's some kind of snafu. My cards are being denied. I'm going to have to call the credit card company and find out what's going on. Believe me, they're going to know how unhappy I am about this. I'll pay for our rental car with cash." He opened his wallet again.
"You already have Australian money?"
"Yes, I exchanged for it in the U.S."
Zoe's lips quirked, and she almost smiled. "We'll probably need our cash. Use my credit card. You can pay me back later."
"No way, Zoe, I sorta kidnapped you and I won't let you pay."
The clerk cleared his throat, "Umm, we have a long line. Could you please decide?"
Davide turned haughty eyes on the irritating little man, who only nodded his balding pate toward the line of tired looking travelers. Davide glanced at the lineup and started feeling guilty.
Zoe was handing her card over and Davide reached to push her hand back, but she resisted. The clerk watched their battle of the wills and the moment an opportunity presented itself, grabbed the card from her hand.
"I'll just need some information from you, ma'am."
Zoe turned a flinty gaze upward and met Davide's angry blue eyes. She ignored his look. "Apparently, I have more experience in this than you do. Keep your cash."
Davide ground his teeth. He'd never had a credit card charge denied in his life. He pulled out his cell phone, searched his card for the contact number, and then jabbed it into his keypad. Almost immediately a pleasant female voice, dripping sweetness, answered his call. Stepping away from Zoe and the clerk, he walked to a corner of the room and explained his situation. The credit card representative apologized profusely and asked him to hold. Davide tapped his foot impatiently.
The representative came back on the phone. "Mr. Beowolf, your card has been closed."
"What! Who closed it?"
The representative sounded confused. "You did, sir."
"And when did I do that?" he asked acidly.
"This morning."
"Well, I can assure you, Miss; there's been some kind of mistake. Open it back up."
The sickeningly sweet voice dripped honey. "I can't do that, sir. You'll need to apply for a new card."
"I want to talk to your supervisor, now!"
"Of course, sir." The sweet voice sounded a little sour.
After speaking with the supervisor and explaining everything all over again, he got no further than before. "Please go online and complete another application, Mr. Beowolf." He abruptly ended the call.
Zoe, who had completed the transaction and now sat back in the plastic chair, waved a car key at him when he looked at her. He lifted his index finger to indicate he wanted more time. Pulling his other credit card out, he made another call. At the end of that conversation, he was ready to spit nails. It hadn't gone any better than the previous one. He placed a call to his father. By the time he'd hung up after his last call, he could not only spit nails, he could chew them. He couldn't reach his father, mother, grandfather, or grandmother. When he'd called Johnson to make sure everyone was okay, he'd been told the family was fine. So why the hell didn't they answer their phones? He looked back at Zoe. How can she be so calm? Again, she lifted a key ring and dangled a key.
Davide took a deep breath. She had been right about needing to preserve their cash. When he stood in front of her, she looked up with her doe's eyes. "Davide, you're making too much out of this. Just use my card until yours gets straightened out. Stuff happens."
Reaching for the key, he had to admit she was right, except that "stuff" like this never happened to him.
December 4, 2011
Sample Sunday - Davide asks Zoe to accompany him to Uluru
Excerpt from Davide: Shapeling Trilogy Book Three: Prince
Davide studied his fingers tapping the side of his glass. "I need your help, Zoe."
The unexpected admission took her by surprise. What on earth could Davide need her help with. She waited for him to continue.
Instead of blatantly telling her what he wanted, he said, "You know about the prophesy concerning me; about me being…" he bent toward her and said softly, "…the so-called Great Prince." Zoe nodded and waited for him to continue.
"When I was a child, I believed what I was told, and I did everything in my power to live up to that prophesy. I diligently practiced my focus exercises, listened to my father's teachings about shapelings, and prayed to the source that I would be worthy of my calling." He lifted his scotch to his lips and swigged a long swallow. "When I reached my teens, my lack of ability to shift began weighing heavily on me. Of course, you know all this because you've always been my confidant."
Zoe nodded again, and sipped her daiquiri, waiting for his revelation.
He glanced around the room, seemingly forestalling what he wanted to say. "I've often begged my father to draw a map to the Cave of Thirteen, but he has refused. The reason I want to go there is to confront the co-Princes. I want to personally tell them they cannot count on me to become their Great Prince. How can a shapeling of mixed blood who cannot shift, possibly be the Great Prince. And anyway, I've never been told what this Prince is supposed to do or accomplish." Again, he swigged on his scotch.
"About two weeks ago, my father and mother returned from the Cave of Thirteen and immediately wanted to see me. They told me they were willing to reveal the way to the Cave."
Zoe gasped.
"Of course, I was elated until they told me their stipulation."
"What is it?" Zoe leaned in.
Davide sucked a breath. "I must first travel to Uluru in Australia and go on a walkabout."
"Davide, you can do that. You-"
"Wait, Zoe," he interrupted. "There's more." He glanced down and drummed his fingers on the table. Finally, lifting his head and reaching into the depths of her eyes with his own, he said, "You have to come with me, both to Uluru and the Cave of Thirteen."
"What!" she shouted. Several heads turned to look at them. Bending toward Davide, she repeated low, "What the hell are you saying, Davide?"
"You heard me, Zoe," he whispered fiercely back. The stipulation for me to be given directions to the place I've longed to visit, is that you must accompany me to Uluru and then to the Cave. It's as simple as that."
"No Davide, that's not simple. I can't just pack up and travel to Australia. I have a job."
"Tonight was your last night for several weeks."
"So you've already checked my schedule," she hissed.
"Yes, of course."
Although Zoe's heart longed for the adventure of being with Davide, she knew it would only make her heartbreak all the more wrenching. "I simply cannot go," she said quietly while staring at her daiquiri and circling the rim of the glass with her finger. She chanced a glance at Davide to see him watching the movement of her finger. Stilling her hand, she flushed. He finally looked at her."
"Zoe, I need you."
His simple words pricked tears and she blinked rapidly. Don't do this to me Davide. She didn't respond.
Finally, he sighed and relaxed. "You know what I'd thought about doing if you refused?"
She shook her head, unable to speak.
"Kidnapping you."
Zoe's jaw dropped.
"But of course, I won't do that." He slid out of the booth. "Honey, whatever I did to upset you so much that you've avoided me, I'm sorry." He tossed a tip on the table. "I had no right to expect this of you. I'm leaving tomorrow night. I've decided to go on the walkabout anyway. You have a great life, kiddo."
Before he walked away, he said, "Zoe, it was great seeing you again. Maybe you can find time for next year's birthday party."
Zoe stared after him, her tear pricks turning into real tears.
Davide studied his fingers tapping the side of his glass. "I need your help, Zoe."
The unexpected admission took her by surprise. What on earth could Davide need her help with. She waited for him to continue.
Instead of blatantly telling her what he wanted, he said, "You know about the prophesy concerning me; about me being…" he bent toward her and said softly, "…the so-called Great Prince." Zoe nodded and waited for him to continue.
"When I was a child, I believed what I was told, and I did everything in my power to live up to that prophesy. I diligently practiced my focus exercises, listened to my father's teachings about shapelings, and prayed to the source that I would be worthy of my calling." He lifted his scotch to his lips and swigged a long swallow. "When I reached my teens, my lack of ability to shift began weighing heavily on me. Of course, you know all this because you've always been my confidant."
Zoe nodded again, and sipped her daiquiri, waiting for his revelation.
He glanced around the room, seemingly forestalling what he wanted to say. "I've often begged my father to draw a map to the Cave of Thirteen, but he has refused. The reason I want to go there is to confront the co-Princes. I want to personally tell them they cannot count on me to become their Great Prince. How can a shapeling of mixed blood who cannot shift, possibly be the Great Prince. And anyway, I've never been told what this Prince is supposed to do or accomplish." Again, he swigged on his scotch.
"About two weeks ago, my father and mother returned from the Cave of Thirteen and immediately wanted to see me. They told me they were willing to reveal the way to the Cave."
Zoe gasped.
"Of course, I was elated until they told me their stipulation."
"What is it?" Zoe leaned in.
Davide sucked a breath. "I must first travel to Uluru in Australia and go on a walkabout."
"Davide, you can do that. You-"
"Wait, Zoe," he interrupted. "There's more." He glanced down and drummed his fingers on the table. Finally, lifting his head and reaching into the depths of her eyes with his own, he said, "You have to come with me, both to Uluru and the Cave of Thirteen."
"What!" she shouted. Several heads turned to look at them. Bending toward Davide, she repeated low, "What the hell are you saying, Davide?"
"You heard me, Zoe," he whispered fiercely back. The stipulation for me to be given directions to the place I've longed to visit, is that you must accompany me to Uluru and then to the Cave. It's as simple as that."
"No Davide, that's not simple. I can't just pack up and travel to Australia. I have a job."
"Tonight was your last night for several weeks."
"So you've already checked my schedule," she hissed.
"Yes, of course."
Although Zoe's heart longed for the adventure of being with Davide, she knew it would only make her heartbreak all the more wrenching. "I simply cannot go," she said quietly while staring at her daiquiri and circling the rim of the glass with her finger. She chanced a glance at Davide to see him watching the movement of her finger. Stilling her hand, she flushed. He finally looked at her."
"Zoe, I need you."
His simple words pricked tears and she blinked rapidly. Don't do this to me Davide. She didn't respond.
Finally, he sighed and relaxed. "You know what I'd thought about doing if you refused?"
She shook her head, unable to speak.
"Kidnapping you."
Zoe's jaw dropped.
"But of course, I won't do that." He slid out of the booth. "Honey, whatever I did to upset you so much that you've avoided me, I'm sorry." He tossed a tip on the table. "I had no right to expect this of you. I'm leaving tomorrow night. I've decided to go on the walkabout anyway. You have a great life, kiddo."
Before he walked away, he said, "Zoe, it was great seeing you again. Maybe you can find time for next year's birthday party."
Zoe stared after him, her tear pricks turning into real tears.
November 13, 2011
Sample Sunday: Davide doubts that he is the prophesied Great Shapeling Prince
Excerpt from: Davide: Shapeling Trilogy Book Three: Prince
Davide lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. He was twenty-five years old and going nowhere fast. Sure, he'd had a great education and now held a doctorate in philosophy. Sure, he was getting offers from the best universities for teaching positions. But did he want to accept any of the offers? No. He'd chosen to major in philosophy only because he'd hoped it would help unravel the mysteries of life—mysteries surrounding himself. He'd poured over ancient texts trying to gain glimpses into a race of beings that humans were unaware of—shapelings. He'd devoured the writings of ancient and modern philosophers and come up empty handed. When he'd approached his parents about the crazy prophesy surrounding his life, they'd listened to his misgivings, but had none of their own. They'd assured him the words of the prophesy would be fulfilled.
God, he felt like such a failure. He couldn't shift and he had no leadership skills. How could he be the Prince of Prophesy? Adding to his dismal attitude was the fact that his best friend, Zoe, had abandoned him
Davide sighed and looked toward the moon and shifting clouds. He closed his eyes and breathed the sweet night air, thinking of his sweet Zoe and how much he missed her. Running his hands through hair as black as his father's, he whispered a prayer to the Source. "What am I supposed to do with my life? I need answers."
He opened his eyes and gazed once more into the beautiful night, listening to the song of the wind. Later, he dreamed.
Davide lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. He was twenty-five years old and going nowhere fast. Sure, he'd had a great education and now held a doctorate in philosophy. Sure, he was getting offers from the best universities for teaching positions. But did he want to accept any of the offers? No. He'd chosen to major in philosophy only because he'd hoped it would help unravel the mysteries of life—mysteries surrounding himself. He'd poured over ancient texts trying to gain glimpses into a race of beings that humans were unaware of—shapelings. He'd devoured the writings of ancient and modern philosophers and come up empty handed. When he'd approached his parents about the crazy prophesy surrounding his life, they'd listened to his misgivings, but had none of their own. They'd assured him the words of the prophesy would be fulfilled.
God, he felt like such a failure. He couldn't shift and he had no leadership skills. How could he be the Prince of Prophesy? Adding to his dismal attitude was the fact that his best friend, Zoe, had abandoned him
Davide sighed and looked toward the moon and shifting clouds. He closed his eyes and breathed the sweet night air, thinking of his sweet Zoe and how much he missed her. Running his hands through hair as black as his father's, he whispered a prayer to the Source. "What am I supposed to do with my life? I need answers."
He opened his eyes and gazed once more into the beautiful night, listening to the song of the wind. Later, he dreamed.
